Christmas was four days away. The month of December had flown by. When Melissa hadn't been studying and taking her finals she was deciding wedding plans with Rachel. Joey had radio interviews and photo shoots for the new upcoming tour and recording. When he wasn't busy with those, he was staying away from the wedding plans at the request of Rachel before she strangled him. All of his ideas for a Superman themed wedding had been vetoed, although Melissa was lobbying for a groom's cake with his beloved red 'S' on it.

The rest of NSYNC had went their own separate ways for Christmas to their respective hometowns to celebrate with family before coming back together for the after Christmas party with Justin and then the New Years Party at Joey and Melissa's. At the current time, the only two guys left in Orlando were Joey and Lance. The two of them were at Joey's house with their girlfriends, getting ready for a date night.

“You're messing up the hot chocolate,” Rachel scolded Joey as he played with the whip cream, putting it at the top of the steaming cup.

“You can't mess up hot chocolate,” Joey retorted, swiping his finger through it, offering it to Mel and grinning wickedly when she licked it off.

“Don't even start that shit or I'll take the treats and leave. Lance and I can watch movies at the house without you two sex fiends trying to undress each other,” Rachel told them, flipping her friend off when Melissa gave her the finger. “You're not my type, Mel.”

“I'm hurt,” Melissa feigned being sad, dishing out their food from Mr. Chow's and getting the desserts ready too so that they didn't have to get up after dinner. Rachel had spent the last couple of days baking goodies while Melissa had helped her bag them up and wrap them to give as gifts. It had been fun and now the leftovers were going to be enjoyed while they watched Christmas movies.

Lance was glad for a night to just hang out. The holidays were still busy but tonight would be just a quiet night in. Even though he wasn't at his house, this was almost as good as being there. Joey's house had always been the hang out spot and now with his sister there, he and Rachel were over more. He and Joey grabbed part of the food and took it over to the coffee table.

“It looks nice in here, man,” Lance told Joey, looking at the Christmas tree with all the decorations on it. He'd looked before but not really paid attention since it had been in the works for a week to get everything done from what Joey had told him. Lights twinkled and blinked and ornaments hung and there were some he recognized that had been his sister's when she was younger, along with a set of NSYNC ornaments. There was a star on top that twinkled, making the tree complete. There was also garland strewn around the fireplace mantle and stockings hung with a fire going.

“Thanks. Took longer than I wanted to get the tree up, but we got it done,” Joey told him, admiring the tree. There were presents under the tree and it felt homey and reminded him of when he was younger and his family would decorate. “I told Mel we didn't need the NSYNC decorations, but she insisted.”

“Excuse me, Mister Fatone,” Melissa bumped him a little as she came by, “you were all worried where yours was.”

“Busted!” Rachel told him, setting down the rest of the food with Melissa. “It's time to eat. Start the movies!” she cheered, excited.

“I vote Rudolph first,” Lance said, watching Joey fiddle with the DVD player before it came on. They had a stack of movies that was a good seven inches thick, the two couples compiling a movie list.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Joey sang, sitting down between Melissa and Lance. “Had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it-”

“You'd think he was related to Joe-y,” Rachel sang, laughing. “You know I love you Joey.” She thought of Joey much like she did Lance, like a brother. More so brother than Lance, since she had to think of him somewhat romantically so that they could keep up the boyfriend/girlfriend pretense.

Joey gave Rachel a dirty look and smiled. “Sure you love me. That's why I can't have anything with Superman on it in my wedding.”

“I didn't say that, I just said the wedding couldn't be Superman themed. Mel wouldn't tell you no, so one of us has to have the voice of reason,” Rachel pointed out, taking a bite of her fried rice.

The four of them ate and talked and laughed through the cartoon movie, singing along with the songs. The next movie was 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas', the new one with Jim Carrey playing the Grinch. The dishes had been cleared between movies, with new cups of hot cocoa and marshmallows sat on the coffee table, with both couples snuggling up together.

Lance had claimed the loveseat for him and Rachel, both of them stretched out on it with his arms around her, holding her comfortably. “You smell good,” he said, giving her a smile.

“Thanks. It's Vanilla Fields,” Rachel replied, leaning her head back on Lance's chest, enjoying the movie. It was nice to be able to have someone. Even if she and Lance were just friends, it didn't hurt her feelings at all that she could call him her boyfriend. They had a lot in common, more so than she thought they would. Rachel had found Lance something she thought he would love for Christmas, hating shopping but liked getting her friends things they would enjoy. It was one of the few presents she was excited about giving that was sitting under the tree at her parents house.

Lance's eyes were on the movie, but his mind was on Rachel. He wasn't going to apologize for being gay, but there were moments that made him sad he wasn't attracted to her more than he was. She'd make some guy a great girlfriend and more than that. He knew what he wanted from a partner and it sounded odd, but it was a lot of things he saw in Rachel. He'd been out scouring stores and had come up with a gift for her, hoping she liked it. Even though they'd argued back and forth about the holiday in general, that it was too commercialized and kids didn't know what the holiday really was about, they both enjoyed the ambiance and serenity of the holiday itself.

“I love you,” Joey whispered to Melissa, pulling her into him closer as the movie played, planting a kiss along the back of her neck. He didn't miss her shiver slightly, grinning. His lips grazed over the same spot letting his facial hair tickle her. “What?” he tried to put an innocent look on his face when she cut her eyes at him.

“Behave, Joey,” Melissa scolded, not sounding convincing at all, watching him grin at her and then his lips on hers. “Mmm,” she murmured, reaching around to his hair, letting her hand slide up to find the longer part and tug.

Joey kissed his fiance a few more moments and then broke it off. “That's all you get. You have to behave or Santa won't come see you.”

“Whatever, Fatone. I already got what I wanted for Christmas,” Melissa said softly, playing with his hair. “I love you too, by the way. I don't think I'll get tired of saying that.”

“And I won't get tired of hearing it.”

“I'm tired of hearing it,” Rachel countered, making them all laugh. “You two keep your hands where we can see them and no making out.”

Melissa stuck out her tongue at Rachel. “Spoil sport.”

“I'm not going to watch a movie with Joey's tongue shoved down your throat. You can have wild monkey sex after we leave for all I care, but you can behave a few more hours.”

“You said the wrong thing,” Lance muttered, chuckling. He let out a laugh when Joey let out a Tarzan yell in the middle of “Where Are You Christmas?”

“You realize your sister's marrying a guy who has a bear that says dirty sayings and idolizes a comic book hero right?” Rachel whispered, trying not to break out into giggles.

“There could be worse things,” Lance told her, grinning wider. “He could be a Backstreet Boy.”

“I heard that, Lancypoo.” Joey remarked, narrowing his eyes at his friend, his mouth curling up at a hint of a smile. “None of those yay-hoos compare to me.”

“Yes,” Rachel told Joey, leaning over to look at him from her spot on the loveseat, “thank God there's only one of you. The world couldn't take another.”

“I'd take another Joey,” Melissa said, laughing when Joey gave her a look.

“There's only one, bambina. I'm the original.”

“There's a pick up line...” Rachel laughed, rolling her eyes. “Joey, you really need to work on seducing a woman.”

Joey grinned back at her, “I'm like Sylvester Stallone and Don Juan all in one. I can seduce a woman just by looking at her.” Joey goosed Melissa's ribs, making her jump and grinned. “How do you think I got this one?”

“Dumb luck would be my guess,” Lance told him, making a yikes face at the both of them, ducking when a pillow flew at his head. “I was kidding!” he yelped when a pillow thwacked him in the mouth. “We've missed most of the movie...” he pointed out, making them stop and look at the ending credits.

“We'll start it over,” Joey told him, moving to get up to head towards the bathroom.

“If you shake it more than once you're playing with it,” Rachel yelled towards the hallway, snickering when Joey harrumphed. She stopped for a minute, listening. “What is he singing?”

“I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used know,” his baritone voice echoed from the bathroom, deeper than his usual voice. Joey grinned as he heard them all laugh. He washed his hands and wandered back into the kitchen, snagging a covered pretzel. “So, another movie?”

The other three agreed and re-started The Grinch. Halfway through it, Rachel and Lance had a blanket over them and were sacked out. Joey and Melissa were curled up, soft snores coming from Joey while Melissa laid her head on his chest. Her eyelids were getting heavy, but she smiled at the scene. This was what she loved most about the season. Getting to be with her friends and family. It made all of the craziness the rest of the year worth it. The last thing she remembered was 'You're a mean one, Mister Grinch...”

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

“Melly, we gotta go woman. We'll be late,” Joey hollered at the bathroom door. He was in a button up shirt and tie and dress pants, glancing at his watch again. He smiled, watching the 'S' flash as he looked at it. It was heavy and felt good on his wrist, the Superman logo only coming up when it was bent just right. He'd not made too much of a fuss at his fiance when she insisted that he opened one of his presents early, the look on her face making him relent. It would go in his 'man box' as Melissa called it, where his Superman necklaces and a few other man jewelry items went. His diamond stud that he was wearing now in his left earlobe. His gaze went to the door when it opened and he smiled. “Ready?”

“Yeah, my hair didn't want to cooperate,” Melissa said, looking him over, straightening out his collar in the back. “You look nice...smell nice too,” she observed, blowing a kiss at him so she didn't get lipstick on him. She had on a knee length cap sleeved red dress with a black shrug and some black flats on. Melissa had straightened her hair and put on some make up, wanting to look good for midnight service at the church. “Let's go, Fatone.”

Joey put his hand on the small of her back as he let her lead the way to the car, opening the door for her. “You look beautiful, bambina. Have I mentioned that?” He grinned at her, loving it when she bit her lip and blushed. It made him feel ten feet tall that he could make her blush with just a few words.

Melissa got in and shrugged. “Not in the last hour or so. But I remember you saying something about it earlier. Or was it something along the lines of 'A little faster, bambina..You're so beautiful when you're on top...',” Melissa laughed when he snorted and waited until he was in the car to continue. “Of course there was earlier than that, when I was trying to burn the kitchen down..I mean, cook dinner.” Melissa made a face as Joey chuckled and took her hand. She wound her fingers into his as he pulled out of his neighborhood. “You still love me when I'm mad.”

“Of course. No one yells at a pan of burnt chicken like you do, Mel. And you were beautiful then too as you threw it in the trash.”

Melissa laughed, looking over at Joey. “I can't wait to marry you, ya know. So we can fight about all the fun married stuff. Money, bills, where the furniture should go. If you really need that ninety inch television in the man cave...” a smile played on her lips as Joey kissed the back of her hand.

“We won't fight. At least not over stupid stuff,” Joey told her as they drove towards the church, looking at the lights and other decorations. He pulled in a few minutes later and waved to Janine and David. “We'll fight about big important things...like if we should go to sleep or watch another episode of Fear Factor.” He grinned when she rolled her eyes, both of them getting out of the Range Rover.

“Merry Christmas!” Janine pulled her brother and Melissa into a big hug. It wasn't overly cold in Orlando, but cool. “You two look great,” she let them go to let her husband greet them before they all walked in together.

For being a midnight service, the church was full. A manger scene was at the front, as well as garland and lights twinkling with the candles lit. Joey and Melissa slid into a pew with the rest of the Fatones, feeling the holiday spirit come over them as the crowd hushed and the service began.

Melissa and Joey enjoyed the church service with his family, standing around talking afterward as they got some hot cider and finger foods, wishing others a Merry Christmas.

“You're coming for lunch tomorrow, right?” Joe Senior asked Melissa, watching her nod. “Good. That way you'll be able to enjoy your morning with Joey. I'm sure he'll wake you up at six in the morning.”

Melissa laughed and looked over at Joey who was talking to David and Steven. “He's never failed to get me up early, even when he's been a few time zones away.” Melissa thought back to when the guys were in Europe and couldn't come back for Christmas. It had been around three in the morning when Joey had called to wish her a Merry Christmas. They'd stayed up talking for a few hours and opened their gifts to each other over the phone before she'd told him she was going back to bed. Joey was always excited about the holiday, not wanting to miss anything.

On the way home, the two of them talked about Christmas and Justin's party the next day. “We're all flying to Memphis..the plane will leave around two,” Melissa told Joey, looking at her phone and the message she'd gotten from Justin about the party plans. “I wonder if he's alright,” she said more to herself, but caught Joey's look of concern. “He just has seemed a bit not himself lately. I meant to ask him about it, but never got the chance.”

“Justin's moody,” Joey told Melissa as he got on the interstate. “We all are, but he takes things differently. It's the genuis in him...I get mad and curse in Italian and then I brood about it. Lance will want to be left alone, JC withdraws and gets snippy, Chris acts even more outrageous and Justin will get quieter and then let his emotions out in song. It's scary, but cool, to watch. His dance moves always get better.”

Melissa nodded, listening to Joey's assessment of them all. He was right. They were a group, but they all reacted differently to things. “I'll wait til later to ask though. Right now I have more important things to think about,” she gave Joey a sly smile as she put her hand on Joey's knee that was closest to her, giving it a squeeze as her palm slid up his leg to his thigh and over towards the crotch of his pants, not quite getting there before stopping.

“What sorts of things would those be, bambina?” Joey asked, shifting a little in the driver's seat, groaning when her hand where it had intended to his crotch. “I was gonna suggest we call Lance and see if they were still partying, but that just got vetoed.”

“It did? Why?” Melissa smirked at Joey as she cupped his package, shifting around in her seat to lean over and kiss Joey's neck. She loved teasing Joey like this, stopping just long enough for him to get through the gate before she nipped his ear. “Joey,” she whined when he suddenly turned his head and kissed her hard on the mouth after getting the Range Rover just into the driveway before parking it. Melissa felt Joey's hand feel around for her seat belt and get it off before pulling her more to him, his mouth still on hers.

Joey finally broke off the kiss when he needed air, his eyes focused on her. He smirked at her hair, now messy and her lips swollen, both of them breathing hard. “Let's get inside before we get arrested,” he suggested, pulling her face back to him for a quick kiss, grunting when her fingers found his hair. “Behave,” he mumbled, kissing her jawline as she played with his hair. A growl came from him when she pulled hard. “Inside, Melly...”

Melissa smiled at Joey and his finger pointing towards the door. “You mean you don't want to go to bed and sleep or open presents?” she asked innocently as they went in, trying not to get more worked up as Joey's body was pressed up against hers as he opened the door then shut it. Her arms went around Joey's neck when he cornered her at the door, her eyes shut when Joey's lips found her collarbone. “You're seducing me, Fatone.”

“That's the point...” Joey stopped long enough to pull her sweater off, tossing it towards the end table by the couch. His fingers ran along her skin, up to the sleeves of her dress and back down over the fabric in the front. He knew he'd gotten somewhere when Melissa's head fell back against the wall and her back arched, one of his hands getting a handful of breast while the other was holding her. “Tell me what you want, Melly.”

“I want you,” Melissa told him, reaching for his tie and undoing it to slip it off over his head, then started in with the buttons on his shirt. Once Joey's shirt was open, her mouth caressed his skin along his chest and downward. She breathed in his scent, as she went back up, her eyes meeting his. Joey's eyes were a darker brown, smoldering almost when he looked at her. “Take me to bed, Joey.”

Joey shook his head, smirking at her confused look. He grabbed a blanket off the couch and laid it down. “We can go to bed later, bambina. I want to make love to you right here,” he told her, pulling her to him and holding her for a moment. The tree gave off enough light to see and Joey thought this was about the most perfect Christmas he'd ever had. All the sentimental thoughts went out his head when Melissa's fingers found his belt buckle on his pants, giving her a slight smile. “I love you,” he said, biting his lip when her hand slipped inside his pants to his underwear, rubbing and stroking him.

“I love you,” Melissa replied in turn, continuing to get him undressed, their clothes piled haphazardly in the floor. It was a back and forth of who was in control, until she found herself underneath Joey, his body pressed against hers. “What are you thinking?” she asked him when he stopped and was staring at her, a silly little smile on his face.

“I'll make love to you like you want me to and I'll hold you tight, all through the night,” Joey sang softly, chuckling when she blushed and pulled his face to hers. “Well that wasn't quite what I was thinking...” his voice trailed off in a groan as she yanked his hair hard.

Melissa used her legs to pull Joey's hips more into hers, leaving him enough room to put himself inside her. “Joey,” she gasped as he entered her, his lips nibbling hers.

“Mel,” Joey countered, shutting his eyes when he felt how wet she was for him, that she was his and he could look forward to having her for the rest of his life. He would know every way possible to make her want him, to seduce her. His resolve to make it last waned when she started winding her fingers through his hair. 'Hair sex' as Justin had put it, was Joey's undoing. He growled every time she yanked, gauging how fast or hard he should be going by how she was pulling. That and the sound of his name on her lips. “Bambina,” Joey grunted, reaching up and taking her hands from his hair to put them at his shoulders. He shuddered a little when her fingernails dug into his shoulders and then his back.

“Joey..oh baby, oh Joey,” Melissa's eyes were screwed shut as her body shuddered underneath him, an orgasm bringing her over the edge. She was breathing hard, her voice raspy telling him to keep going. Melissa played with Joey's hair; messing it up more before reaching down between their bodies to touch herself and him.

Joey's eyes rolled back in his head a little when he felt her hand on him and then herself. “Fuck,” he muttered, pulling her legs up higher, grinding against her, wanting to make sure they were both completely satisfied and worn out when this was done. His dick twitched and he growled when he felt her tighten up again. He'd tried not to be a screamer, but he couldn't help it, getting louder the closer he got to orgasm. His whole body convulsed as he came hard, yelling Melissa's name. He held himself up on shaky arms on top of her, nuzzling her neck. They were both sweaty and panting, a goofy smile on their faces. “Merry Christmas, bambina.”

Melissa chuckled and kissed Joey's cheek. “Merry Christmas, Fatoney.”

*^*^*^*^*^*

Joey laid in bed, watching the woman beside him sleep. They'd went to bed a few hours ago and here he was awake. He should be trying to go back to sleep but he didn't want to. It wasn't because of the holiday, though that was exciting in itself. He was awake letting his mind wander over how much his life had changed that year. Maybe to others it wouldn't be so much, but having his best friend become his lover and future wife made Joey feel he'd never want for anything again. His eyes caressed her skin, her hair falling over her shoulder. He reached over and pulled her closer to him, her head falling to his shoulder.

“Joey,” Melissa mumbled, not really awake.

“Yes, bambina?” he said softly, waiting to see if she talked again or fell back asleep. When he heard nothing after a few moments, he smiled and closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.

“Sing to me.”

Joey's eyes popped open and he rolled over to spoon with Melissa. “Sleep, bambina.”

“Just one verse..please, Fatoney,” Melissa asked, still not really awake, but wanting to hear his voice anyways.

Joey thought for a moment, his mouth next to her ear. “I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before. And I promise you never, will you hurt anymore. I give you my word, I give you my heart, this is a battle we've won, and with this vow forever has now begun.” He smiled at her, now asleep again with a smile on her face.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Rachel handed Lance a package with a big bow on it. She smiled, watching him shake it, like he'd done with every other package. “Sorry, it's not an exploding one,” she told him, looking around the living room. There was still a pile of packages under the tree, ones that were going to friends and family after they had their Christmas with each other. Lance was still in the shirt he'd slept in and shorts, while Rachel was in her sleep clothes also.

Lance opened the package and then looked at Rachel, then back at the package. “Are you shitting me?” he asked, a huge grin spreading on his face. He held up the picture of Buzz Aldron and Neil Armstrong that was signed, along side the one of the Apollo ship that took them to the moon. There was a certificate of authenticity in there. “This is awesome, Rach.” Lance put it on the couch and got up and pulled her to him in a hug, kissing her on the lips.

“You're welcome,” Rachel told him, delighted that he liked it so much. His face lit up like a kid when he talked about space travel, telling her of his plans to go into space with one of the missions after everything with NSYNC. “I vote we call up people and see who wants to go to breakfast after we get ready,” she suggested, knowing that Denny's was open.

Lance nodded, fingering the necklace he'd gotten her, the diamonds in it sparkling. “I think yours sort of made mine lackluster,” he said, giving her a smile.

“Whatever, Bass. I wouldn't have gone and gotten myself a new cell phone. I was gonna use my old one til it quit. And my awesome leather laptop case...the necklace was just the bling. Diamonds are a girls best friend ya know...” Rachel gave him a peck on the cheek, “I loved it.” She looked over at his things she'd gotten him besides his picture. “You gonna wear your new clothes?”

“Hell yeah,” Lance replied, holding her close a moment longer. “Thanks, Rach. For everything...I'm glad you agreed to do this.”

“Me too, Lance. It makes me believe I can find someone like you out there...like one of those songs you sing,” Rachel messed up his hair. “Call your almost brother in law and sister while I get in the shower.” She pulled out of Lance's arms and gathered up her stuff before taking it to Melissa's room and grabbing clothes. No one would ever know it, but Rachel mostly slept in Melissa's bed when she came over to spend the night. It wasn't that she and Lance didn't snuggle, or spend time together, but there was nothing going on. And she felt more comfortable keeping things that way.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

“Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays,” Melissa sang to her brother as she snuggled more into Joey's arms. They had yet to open presents, just spending time enjoying the quiet morning and watching the fire flicker in the fireplace. The television was muted on with “A Christmas Carol” playing.

“What are you and Joe doing?” Lance asked, smacking his head. “Forget I asked that, I don't want to know.”

Joey chuckled, bringing the phone to his mouth, “You wanna know or you wouldn't ask,” he grinned wickedly at Melissa, “Baby, keep going just like that...yes..”

Melissa laughed and took the phone back, “Ignore him, he had too much spiked apple cider,” she squealed when Joey grabbed her and started tickling. “What do you want?” she asked between giggles, trying to wiggle out of Joey's lap.

“I was going to ask y'all to come eat breakfast at Denny's, but it sounds like you're busy,” Lance told her. He heard a muffled sound and his sister's voice whispering to Joey.

“We still need to get ready,” Melissa told her brother, making a face as Joey licked her hand while it was clamped down over his mouth. “I'll text you when we're on our way.”

“Love you Mel. Merry Christmas,” Lance told them, shaking his head as he hung up. He knew for sure nothing would ever be boring having Joey as his brother in law.

Melissa gave Joey a dirty look as she took her hand off his mouth. “I don't know where your tongue has been.” She raised an eyebrow as he pulled her down underneath him.

“Oh Melly, you know that's a lie,” Joey whispered, kissing her. “How long do we have?”

“Not long enough, Joey..we still haven't even opened gifts.”

“Eh, we can come home and open them. Might be better that way. If I let you open them now, you won't let me leave the house.” Joey grinned at her and kissed her once more before getting up and holding his hand out to take hers. “Oh wait..there is one thing,” he said, going to her stocking, “close your eyes.” Joey waited until she did what he asked, grinning. He pulled out the box with a bow on it and put it in her hands.

Melissa looked at the box and then at Joey. “What did you do?” she asked, watching him trying not to grin as she slipped the bow off and open the box. Her mouth dropped open and she stared at the necklace. The whole thing sparkled and the two pear shaped diamonds hung off the end of their individual strands from the 'knot' formed in the necklace that had diamonds in it as well. “Joey...” her eyes met his and she wasn't sure what to say.

“If I knew diamonds would shut you up, I'd have bought a truckload,” he teased, laughing when she just stuck her tongue out at him. “Promises, promises Melly.” Joey helped her put it on, looking down at it twinkling back at him. “Do you like it?” he asked, hoping she did. He'd seen it and thought of her, knowing she loved things like that but wouldn't ever go spend the money on herself.

“I love it, Joey. Thank you,” Melissa wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed happily when his arms went around her. “Santa ain't got shit on you, Fatoney.”

“Good to know I beat a fat man in a red suit. You hear me Santa?” Joey yelled, his fist shaking at the ceiling. “I have defeated you! HA!” He laughed when Melissa broke out into giggles. It made him laugh and five minutes later found both of them wiping tears.

“Joey Fatone, lover of Superman and Italian food, defeater of Santa Claus and singer in NSYNC. What a resume,” Melissa said, collapsing in a fit of laughter once more.

Joey barked a laugh and shook his head as he helped her up, both of them still chuckling as they went to get ready. If this was how the morning was going, the rest of the day promised to be one of those where his cheeks and stomach would hurt from smiling and laughing so much. He'd take that any day. Grinning, Joey turned the water on in the shower. “Pour some sugar on me,” he sang, loud enough for Melissa to hear from the bedroom.

“No thanks, it attracts ants and you aren't hot enough to melt it.”

“You wound me, Melly,” Joey retorted, singing anyways and grinning when she slipped in the shower with him. “I'm not talking to you. I get you diamonds and you insult me.”

“Says the man with a naked woman in his shower that loves him more than anything.” Melissa purposely shook her hips a little as she turned around to grab the shampoo. She let Joey's hands wander over her body before smiling. “We're going to be the worst newlyweds ever,” she told him, “ Late to everything.”

“I plan on being late for at least twenty five years or so.”

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

The rest of Christmas day was filled with food, family and fun. Families were intermixed and mingled, and by the time Rachel and Melissa met up again at the Bass house, they collapsed on the couch and leaned on one another.

“I think I'm going to be sick,” Mel groaned, her eyes traveling to Joey who was munching on some snack. “You're eating again, Fatone? Jesus...” she yelled, watching Joey just shrug. “I swear he's eaten nine thousand calories today. I don't care, but...god..”

Rachel made a face, nodding. “Too much pumpkin pie. And someone made homemade Reeses cups at my parents. One of my aunt's I think...And turkey and dressing. Did you know Lance loved that green jello stuff..Green fluff.”

“He'll steal the damn bowl and eat it,” Melissa snickered and pointed out her brother who was sneaking a plate of it.

“That's your fifth helping in three hours,” Rachel said loudly, with Lance pretending to look around as if Rachel wasn't talking to him. “You know you hear me...” she laughed when he ignored her.

“I heard someone talking,” Joey said, taking a bite of a cookie and then looking at it. “Whoever made these, we want these at our wedding!” he announced loudly, causing the women to laugh that were immediately around him, grinning at his fiance, who just made a face at him still eating. He didn't care. He'd burn it all off in a couple days. They weren't on a diet, but they did watch more of what they ate while rehearsing and touring.

“How was your Christmas, man?” Lance asked Joey, both of them wandering into the den where most of the other men were sitting around watching football.

“It was great. Gotta go home and open presents. Some punk called us and asked us to go eat this morning.”

“Shut the hell up,” Lance laughed at Joey, “my sister agreed. No one told you to take your time getting ready...”

“The force is strong with that one,” Joey said, giving him an innocent look. “She's all over me. I have to beat her off of me to get sleep.”

“I feel so sorry for you, Joe. My heart's bleeding.”

“Whatever,” Joey ate the last of his cookies, “just for that, tomorrow I'm kicking your ass in bowling.”

“I bet you twenty on that.” Lance and Joey shook hands before sitting back to watch the game. “Merry Christmas, bro.”

“You too, Bass.” Joey heard the laughter of women and wondered what was going on in there. He'd heard that everywhere they'd gone, once the men were ensconsed in a different room with sports or some other activity, the laughing would start. “What do you think they're talking about?” he asked no one in particular.

“With women, when they start laughing, it's usually about us. You learn to tune it out unless it comes with the words, 'Honey, I need to borrow your Mastercard,” James Bass informed Joey, the rest of the men agreeing. “And if they say that, it's usually best to say 'Yes, dear' and hand it over.”