Chloe woke up late that afternoon to the sound of someone moving around downstairs.  Groaning a bit, she opened her eyes and tried to focus.  Justin had partially opened the blinds so there was a bit of light, enough for her to see, but it still took a moment for her eyes to adjust.

Sighing deeply, she rolled over and looked at the clock beside the bed.  2 p.m.  She’d been asleep for almost 6 hours.  Truthfully, she hated sleeping so late into the day but given the events of the previous evening she was willing to make an exception. 

After a few moments spent just laying in the bed, staring at the ceiling Chloe decided it was time to get up.  Her bag was on the floor, at the foot of the bed but rather than get dressed right away she decided to see what Justin was doing first.  That, and the fact that she liked the way his shirt felt against her skin and wasn’t ready to take it off just yet.

Smiling to herself Chloe sat up, pushed the covers aside and stood from the bed.  Justin was humming.  She could hear his voice traveling up the stairs from the kitchen. 

Chloe came down the stairs and into the kitchen to find his back turned.  He was standing in front of the stove.  He was dressed in a pair of grey, drawstring, pajama bottoms and a white male tank top that showed off the muscles in his arms and shoulders as well as the tattoos on his back and arm.  It made Chloe suck in a breath.

“Damn it.” Chloe cursed under her breath.

Looking down at herself briefly Chloe blushed.  The shirt, although not her size didn’t completely hide her curves, and in that moment, she found herself rethinking her decision to wear it downstairs. 

For a moment, she thought about walking up behind him but quickly changed her mind.  She didn’t want to startle him.  He was in front of the stove. 

“Are you cooking?” Chloe asked as she approached.

Justin turned, a smile tugging at his lips when he saw her and what she was wearing.

“Contrary to what you might have heard I do know how to cook some things.” Justin replied.

Chloe giggled and nodded to the stove.  “Obviously.  What are you making?”

“Well, I wasn’t sure what you might be hungry for so I decided to keep it simple.”

Chloe bit her lip to keep from grinning and nodded.  “Fair enough, but you didn’t really answer the question?”

Justin chuckled.  “True.”

“So?” Chloe replied, placing a hand on her hip.

Justin just laughed more and offered her a plate.  “Scrambled eggs and toast.”

Chloe smiled and took the plate.  “To be fair, you could have said just about anything and I would have been happy with it.  I didn’t eat much at dinner last night and I slept through breakfast.  Needless to say, I’m starving.”

Justin nodded.  “I can imagine.  If you’re still hungry after I can make more, or something else, or we can order in or…”

Chloe placed her free hand on his.  “This is perfect.”

“I made coffee too.”

“You’re my hero.”

Justin grinned.  “I try.”

Chloe got serious for a moment.  “Really. Thank you!  Thank you for the car last night, for the shower, for the shirt, for letting me sleep and for the food.  You’re really too good to me.”

Justin stepped closer and brushed a few strands of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear.

“Not possible.” He whispered.

Chloe opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off. 

“Look, I know, your ex…he wasn’t good to you.  Obviously, he didn’t treat you like you deserve to be treated. Based on the little you’ve told me I can only imagine.  That’s not me.  That’s not how I treat a woman, especially one I care about.   You saved my life, in more ways than one, so of course, I am going to treat you like the queen that you are.  That goes for your little princess too.”

Chloe opened her mouth to speak again but couldn’t find the words.  Not knowing what else to do or say in that moment she closed her mouth, then opened it again, but still, no words came out.  He’d rendered her speechless.

Smiling he nodded to the plate.  “Sit down.  Eat your eggs.  I’ll get you some coffee.”

For a moment she just sat there, staring down at her plate, pushing her eggs around with her fork.  She looked up when he placed the coffee in front of her.  He was still smiling at her, and she still couldn’t find the right words to say.

“Justin…I…” she stuttered.

“Eat! We can talk more after.” He insisted, his smile still prevalent.

He waited for a few moments, allowing her to get some food in her stomach before speaking again.

“So…that was Adam.” He said smiling awkwardly.

He knew that she probably wanted to respond to his previous statements, and he didn’t blame her in the least.  He wanted to hear whatever she had to say but he also wanted her to know that she was under no pressure to respond. 

Chloe giggled.  “Yes.  That was him.”

“He’s…” Justin started.

“Not what you expected.” Chloe finished grinning.

Justin laughed.  “NOT AT ALL!”

“I couldn’t tell.” Chloe half teased.

Justin blushed.  “Yeah, ok, at first I thought…”

Chloe smiled and nodded.  “I know what you thought, and I don’t blame you for thinking that in the least but, just so you know, I am not seeing anyone else, nor do I plan to.  I just didn’t want to go alone again.”

Justin cracked a smile.  “I get it, and for the record, I’d be lying if I said I was ok with the thought of you being with someone else.  I’m not.”

Chloe couldn’t help but smirk just a little.  “Lucky for you I have zero time for anyone else.”

Justin took in a breath.  What he needed to say next wasn’t going to be easy. 

“Yeah, about that…” Justin started nervously.

“About what?” Chloe asked.

Justin cleared his throat.  “Having zero time.”

Chloe cracked a smile.  She had a feeling she knew where this conversation was headed.  Truthfully, she’d been anticipating it for a while.  He was Justin Timberlake.  He couldn’t stay still forever.

Yet again, Chloe seemed to read his mind, forming the words he couldn’t bring himself to say.

“You’re going back on tour.”

Justin nodded, still unable to speak.

“When?” Chloe asked calmly.

She was so calm.  It worried him.  He expected her to be angry or upset but she stayed completely calm.

“I have one day of rehearsal here in New York on the 3rd.  The tour officially resumes on the 4th in D.C.”

“So, 12 days from now not counting today.” Chloe replied.

Justin nodded again.  “I wish you could come with me.”

Chloe bit her lip then offered him a crooked smile.  A part of her wished it too. 

“You know I can’t.”

“I know.” He sighed.

There was a brief silence that followed.  It wasn’t awkward or uncomfortable.  Both understood that the other was just trying to process all the emotions and thoughts running through their mind right then.

“January 31st, Madison Square Garden.  You’re coming! You and Gabby…and Adam too if he wants to come.”

“That’s…” Chloe started.

Justin smiled.  “I know…I want you there…both of you.  We can celebrate together.”

Chloe laughed.  “You want to celebrate your birthday and Gabby’s at Madison Square Garden with 18,000 of your screaming fans?!”

“Think of it as a giant birthday party.” Justin replied grinning.

“I think you’re trying to show off.” Chloe teased.

“Showing off?! No!  Trying to impress?! Absolutely!” Justin answered.

“Trying to impress whom? Me or Gabby?”

“Both!”

“I see.” Chloe said giggling.

“Is that a “yes”?”

Chloe giggled more.  “Well, I do already have two tickets to that show…I guess I could see about trying to snag a third.”

“Yeah, I think you can consider that handled.” Justin smirked.

“Oh?!”

Justin just grinned and took a step towards her.  “I told you, I treat the ladies in my life like royalty.”

“Ladies?” Chloe asked making a face.

“Yeah! You…Gabby…my momma.”

Chloe blushed with embarrassment.  “Oh!”

“Who did you think I meant?”

Chloe blushed more.  “Umm…well…I really don’t know…”

Justin took another step forward, then lifted her chin so that she met his gaze. 

“I’m not seeing anyone else either Chloe.” He whispered.

Chloe nodded then forced herself to speak.  “Christmas?”

“Is on Tuesday.” Justin replied.

Chloe smiled and nodded.  “I know.  Do you have plans?  I mean, are you going to Tennessee?”

Justin smiled.  “No…and no.  I was thinking about asking this girl I am seeing what she was doing?”

“Well, Christmas Eve is ALWAYS at my parents’ house.  We do Italian food. My mom always makes spaghetti, lasagna and brijoles.  Then, Christmas morning everyone comes over to my house.  I make breakfast casserole and Adam whips up his special Mimosas for the adults and we open presents.” Chloe explained.

Justin smiled.  “It sounds delicious but don’t you work Tuesday?”

Chloe nodded.  “Tuesday night.  I have to be there at 7 so we will have a light, early dinner and then I’ll go in.”

“Do you work Christmas eve?” Justin asked.

Chloe cracked a smile.  “Until 5, but it’s Christmas Eve so I doubt I’ll get to leave right at 5.  I’ll join Adam and Gabby at my parents house as soon as I can.”

Justin nodded. He understood what she meant but he couldn’t bring himself to ask what he wanted to.  He didn’t want to seem like he was pressuring her.

Chloe bit her lip and tried to not appear too nervous.  She was about to take a HUGE leap of faith.  She just hoped she didn’t regret it later.

“Would you like to join us?” Chloe asked bravely.

“For?’ Justin replied.

“Christmas Eve…and Christmas morning?  I could text you when I am on my way to my parents’ house Christmas Eve and you could meet me there.”

Justin couldn’t help but grin.  “I’d love to…but are you sure? That’s a big step.  I mean, not that I am against the idea in the least, I just…”

Chloe stood from her seat at the counter, leaving her now empty plate behind and stepped up to him.  She looked up at him and felt her heart leap into her chest.  She was definitely falling for him.

“I am ok with it if you are, and I won’t be in the least bit upset if you’re not.  I get it.”

Justin grinned and dropped his head, capturing her lips in a kiss. 

“I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.” He whispered as he pulled away.

Chloe blushed then giggled slightly.  “Ok, so I am seeing you Monday and Tuesday for sure.”

“And Friday.” Justin added.

“Friday?” Chloe replied.

“Michael’s art show.” Justin reminded her.

Chloe blushed more.  “Oh. Right!”

“And next Monday?!”

Chloe made a face.  She looked genuinely confused.  “Ok, wait, what’s next Monday?”

Justin smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist.  “New Year’s Eve.”

“Are you asking to spend New Year’s Eve together?”

Justin smiled more.  “Are you accepting?”

“You didn’t answer my question.” Chloe replied.

Justin chuckled.  “You didn’t answer mine either.”

Chloe blushed slightly and bit her lip.  She wondered if people really knew how completely adorable he truly was. 

“Justin, are you asking me to spend New Year’s Eve with you?” Chloe repeated, her voice barely a whisper.

Justin smiled down at her and nodded.  “I am.  Like you said, I have 12 days before I have to leave.  I want to spend as much time with you as possible before then.”

Chloe sighed.  As much as she wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with Justin, she had made a promise to Gabby.

“I promised Gabby we would do New Year’s Eve together.  Sparkling Cider, noise makers, popcorn, take-out for dinner, board games.”

“Sounds perfect.” Justin said grinning.

Chloe’s eyes widened.  “You’re joking, right?”

Justin chuckled.  “Nope.  I told you.  I get it.  You and Gabby are a package deal.  Besides, who wouldn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve with the cutest 5-year-old on the planet and her mommy?”

Chloe smiled.  In fact, her smile was probably the biggest Justin had ever seen. 

“You’re too good to me.”

Justin grinned and shook his head.  “I told you, that’s not possible.”

There was a brief pause, but it only lasted a moment.

“Will Adam be there?”

Chloe laughed.  “No.  He’s going out with friends.”

“Time Square?” Justin asked curiously.

Chloe laughed.  “No! Time Square is NOT his scene.  I think he and his friends are going to a bar.”

Justin smiled and nodded.  “That makes sense.  He does seem a bit more refined.”

Chloe snorted.  “Refined is not the word I would use, but, yes, he does like a more sophisticated atmosphere. “

“Ok, so, today is Saturday.  I am seeing you Monday, Tuesday, Friday and then next Monday and Tuesday. I’m not sure that’s enough.” Justin said grinning.

Chloe giggled.  “Hmm…well, I’m off until Tomorrow night at 7.  Then I am off again Wednesday.”

Justin nodded again; his expression thoughtful.  He was plotting.

“That’s a start.”

There was another pause, but again, it was brief.

“That shirt looks good on you.” Justin said grinning.

Chloe blushed.  “Thanks.  I should go change, give it back to you.”

“Nah.” Justin his lips curving into a sly grin.

Chloe made a face which made Justin chuckle.  He would never get tired of the cute faces she made. 

“I mean...like I said, you look good, you don’t need to go change for my benefit…and you can keep the shirt.”

Chloe’s eyes widened.  “I couldn’t.”

Justin smiled and dropped his voice to a whisper as he pulled her a bit more into him.  “Please.”

Chloe nodded, then smiled.  “Ok.”

***

Sunday Chloe spent the day with Gabby.  They went out for breakfast and finished up Christmas shopping.  Truthfully, most of Chloe’s shopping was done.  She’d done a lot of it online because she was so busy.  However, she still needed stocking stuffers and then there was Justin.  She had no idea what to get him.  He was Justin Timberlake.  One of the most successful Pop recording artists of all time.  He could probably afford anything and everything he ever wanted or needed.  Not to mention she wanted her gift to be meaningful.

“What are you thinking about Mommy?” Gabby asked, snapping her mother back into reality.

Chloe smiled down at her daughter. She looked so much like her father.  The same eyes, the same dirty blonde hair but Justin was right, she saw herself in Gabby too.  Gabby had her smile and her nose and her spunk.

“Nothing to worry about sweetie. I am just trying to think of something to get Justin for Christmas.” Chloe explained.

Gabby nodded.  “Uncle Adam had to help me with that.  I didn’t know what to get him either.”

Chloe looked at her daughter curiously.  “What did you get him?”

Gabby beamed.  “I drew him a picture then Uncle Adam helped me pick out a tie.”

Chloe smiled.  “That sounds perfect.”

“Do you think he will like it?”

Chloe smiled more.  “I think he will LOVE it, because it is from you.  Just one question, how did you pay for a tie?”

Gabby grinned up at her mother.  “I used some of my chore money.”

In that moment Chloe’s heart melted.  Gabby had been through SO MUCH.  For Gabby to use some of her chore money to buy Justin a present was a HUGE step.

“Wow Gabby, that was very sweet of you.” Chloe replied.

“I like Justin.  He’s nice.  He doesn’t act like I bother him and he includes me in stuff.”

Chloe’s heart gave a lurch.  Eddy loved his daughter, but he didn’t have the best track record in terms of showing it.  Truth be told, Eddy loved Gabby very much but struggled with expressing his love for his daughter in a way that made sense to her.

“He is very nice, and I am glad you like him.” Chloe said smiling wistfully.

“Do you like him?” Gabby blurted out.

Chloe blushed.  “I do.”

“Do you love him?” Gabby continued.

Chloe blushed more. 

“Umm…”

Sometimes Gabby was wise beyond her years.  This was one of those times and she had caught Chloe completely off guard with her question.

“It’s ok if you love him Mommy.  He is nice to you.  Nicer than Daddy, and it’s ok if you don’t love Daddy anymore. “

Chloe’s eyes went wide.  Immediately she stopped and kneeled down to her daughter’s level, taking Gabby’s hands in hers and looking her straight in the eye.

“Oh, Gabby bug…a part of me will ALWAYS love your daddy.  He gave me you, and he loves you so much, but you can love someone and care about them and be mad at them at the same time.”

“You’re mad at Daddy?”

Chloe nodded.  “I am.  I am mad at him for the way he treated us and for not doing what he needs to do to get better.  I am mad at him for not taking responsibility for his actions.”

“Can I be mad at Daddy?” Gabby asked seriously.

Chloe was near tears but managed to force them back so Gabby wouldn’t see. 

“Are you mad at Daddy?”

Gabby nodded solemnly.  “I am mad he won’t come to see me.”

Chloe sighed.  “That’s my fault.  It’s not that he doesn’t want to, he does.  I won’t let him.  The judge won’t let him.  Not until he takes responsibility for what he did and gets the help he needs so that he doesn’t yell and scream and throw things the way he used to.  That’s not healthy or safe for you and I promised you I wouldn’t let it happen ever again.  So, if you want to be mad at me too, I completely understand.”

Gabby shook her head fervently. “I am not mad at you Mommy.  I know you are just trying to be a good mommy and keep me safe.”

“I am.” Chloe whispered.

“You’re a great mommy! The best mommy!” Gabby exclaimed before wrapping her arms around her mother.

“Thank you, sweetie.” Chloe whispered into her daughter’s hair.

They hugged for a long moment before Gabby pulled away and looked into her mother’s eyes, now brimming with tears.

“So, do you love Justin?” Gabby asked grinning.

Chloe giggled through her tears, quickly brushing them away.  “I don’t know…maybe…”

“You should tell him.” Gabby said seriously.

Chloe giggled more, and her cheeks went warm.  She was definitely blushing.  “You think so?!”

“Yes!  You should tell him you love him.  That could be your Christmas present.”

Chloe smiled.  Her daughter really was too smart for her own good.  It amazed her at times just how intelligent and intuitive Gabby was.  She had such a good heart.

“It’s not quite that simple Gabby.”

“Why not? Don’t you always say “it’s the thought that counts.”

Chloe nodded.  “You’re right, I do say that, but when two grown ups say I love you to each other, that’s a big deal.  You don’t just say it unless you really mean it, and if you say it and the other person doesn’t feel the same way…well…it hurts really bad.”

“So, you think Justin doesn’t love you?” Gabby asked.

Chloe cracked a sad smile.  “I don’t know.”

“Do you want him to?”

“Do I want him to what?”

“Love you.  Do you want Justin to love you?”

Chloe blushed.  “Yeah. I do.”

Until then, she hadn’t actually said it out loud.  Now that she had, Chloe realized just how badly she wanted to love Justin and have him love her back.  It scared her a bit, but thrilled her at the same time.

“I do too.” Gabby replied grinning.

Chloe looked at her daughter and couldn’t help but grin.  “You’re pretty AWESOME, did you know that?”

Gabby grinned again and nodded.  “Yeah! I did, but you’re pretty awesome too mommy, and do you know what?”

“What Bug?”

“I bet Justin loves you too.”