They were at the arena, Deana was waiting to go out to the bar and look for the woman that had sent him a DM.  She had looked at the woman’s profile, seeing a picture of her and her husband.  She felt a connection to the woman, being plus size and a clear Justin fan.  

She was finally up at the bar, looking around as the VIP level fans entered.  Across the stage she saw her, along with the couple from the Fresno show.  She sent Justin a text.

I see her.  She’s by the tree on the south end of the stage, wearing a one shoulder black top, her hair done up like mine.  She’s wearing glasses and standing next to her friend in a denim jacket.  I’m gonna walk over and see if I can strike up a conversation, make sure it’s her.

Let me know for sure.  You’re so good to help fans like this, even if they are completely unaware.

She left her stool, walking over to the other side.  Since standing room only hadn’t been allowed in yet, she took a spot next to the woman against the railing.

“Are you excited for the show?” Deana asked.

“We went to the show in San Jose, but never been this close before.  I wanted to get the VIP because I KNEW I was going to be pregnant at his concert…  Even though it got pushed back, it worked out perfectly.  The website said no signs, so I made this shirt hoping he’ll see it and sent him a  DM on Instagram hoping he can give me a special moment.” The shirt read “JT, help me tell the world I’m pregnant!”

“Congratulations on the baby, and I hope you get your moment tonight.”  She walked back towards her stool, taking a picture and sending it to Justin.  

Perfect.  Thanks babe, I think I know just the thing…

During the show, Deana kept watching for when Justin would give the woman her moment.  He’d walked around that side of the stage for a while.  They got to “Higher, Higher”, being in the middle of the stage near Deana.  He walked down the stage, towards the woman.  He ran over, crouched down, and grabbed the woman’s hand among the many others that reached out.  It only lasted a second or two, but Deana knew, based on her experience, how much that would mean to the fan.  She still held out hope Justin would say something, seeing her hold up the shirt during “Mirrors”, but was glad Justin could give her something special to remember no matter what.

…

They woke up the next morning, finishing packing their things before going to the airport. Deana wasn’t usually nervous about flying, but because it was to see his mom, where he grew up, she felt a lot of pressure. 

She gripped the seat, her knuckles almost white. 

“Hey, you ok?” he asked, holding her hand. 

“What if they don’t like me?”

“Who?”

“Anyone.”

“You’ve already met my mom and Paul, and Trace, no one else really matters. I mean, do you wanna meet my dad and that side of the family? I can see if they’re all available. I know they’ve been wanting to meet you since I first told them about you.”

“I just… I’m not…”

“I’m sorry about what you went through with Morgan. He’s an idiot, his mom didn’t know you NEARLY well enough. Just be yourself and you will fit right in. Yeah, you’re a big city girl, but family means the world to you, and THAT is what will shine through.”

She pulled out her phone. Hey Jen it’s Deana. I’m on a flight to see Justin’s family. Feeling nervous meeting his family and not being what they expect. 

Hey. So we haven’t met families yet, but know that Josh and I like you, Lance and Michael like you, Joey likes you.  You may not be what the media expects for Justin, but you two are a great fit and as long as you two are happy, that should be what matters. 

She knew Jen was right, even though Justin had told her the same thing. It was different hearing it from someone not in their relationship, but going through a similar experience. 

“Feeling better?” he asked. She nodded. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “They’re gonna love you. Just relax, this is supposed to be a fun little break…”

“I know, it’s just a more official meeting the parents…”

“It’s not like we’re staying with either of them, just for lunch or dinner or something…”

“I guess. But if this is really it, I don’t want my future in-laws to hate me.”

“How did it go when your family met me?”

“That was different. I never bring guys home, let alone someone so handsome and famous. I’m a homely nobody…”

“Wrong on both counts. You are BEAUTIFUL, inside and out. You’re my girlfriend, you’re special to me, that’s not just a nobody…”

“Compared to the other girls you’ve brought home…”

“Contrary to popular belief, I’m not that much of a mama’s boy to bring home every girl I’m with. I brought Jess, but only my mom met Cameron.  Britney was a different story, but still. Jess only met my dad’s family once, but none of the others met that side.”

“Still, I’m not a drop dead gorgeous, stick thin model.”

“But you ARE the woman I love enough that I feel it’s important you meet my family. Why are you so hung up on this?”

“I really wish I knew… I struggle with knowing people actually like me.”

“The people I’ve introduced you to have all liked you so far. Everyone from the tour likes you, the guys like you, Trace and Samantha like you. Trace texted me that they want a double date while we’re here. She wants to take you to lunch a different day while Trace and I do stupid guy stuff like play golf.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The guys only have nice things to say about you.”

“Like they would tell you they don’t like me…”

“They would. Some of my ‘flings’ were because the guys didn’t like them. Especially back when we were still touring and shit because I didn’t want her to be miserable, or for them to be like ‘oh my god I hate her so much…’. So yeah, if they didn’t like you they would tell me. Even though we aren’t still together all the time, we don’t bullshit each other.”

“Ok. That’s good to know. 

“Speaking of the guys, I need to call Chris, see if we can see him one of the days, do a day with Karly, you can meet Nash. It was so great to meet him at the star ceremony, it really helped cement me wanting kids.  Just to see pure joy on that kid’s face, the love that just flows the way only a baby can…”

“Science needs to get on this so YOU can have the baby for me…” Deana laughed. 

“I’d say I’d sign up for it, but no, totally wouldn’t…”

“Typical man. Take the easy part while the women do all the work…”

“Baby, you KNOW I’ll put in the work to make that baby…”

“You better. I don’t want my memory to be of some super quickie.”

“I thought my quickies were everyone else’s normal?” he laughed. 

“I’m sure even Justin Timberlake has an off night…”

“Not with you…”

She rolled her eyes, thankfully feeling more comfortable about the trip. 

…

They landed in Memphis, seeing Trace and Samantha’s familiar faces. They loaded their stuff in the car and Trace drove them to Justin’s estate. It was definitely more country than the LA house, but still bigger than anything she could ever imagine to live in.  

“Any surprises like in LA?  No super weird kinky sex stuff I’m gonna find by opening a closet or drawer?”

“Hey, the sex swing was a joke from the guys years ago when they found out I liked being in the harness for our different tours. They took it too far, but I’m not complaining…”

“What is it about best friends buying us sex toys?” Deana laughed. 

“Is now a bad time to tell you about the butt plugs Trace bought me?” 

“Hey, whatever you two decide to do is none of my business, just leave me out of it…”

“I… eh… um… I deserve that…” he laughed. 

“But back to something you said. You really liked being in the harness for stuff?”

“It’s as close to being weightless as I’ll get. I’m not pulling a Lance and riding the vomit comet.  I thought it was fun to just hang upside down and spin. That was also fully clothed…”

“I admit I’m afraid to search for other ways to use that thing without ending up on some kind of list or getting weird ads…” Deana laughed. 

“We’ll play around with it the next time we’re there, I guess,” he winked. 

“Any excuse to get me naked…”

“Damn right.”