Thursday morning Adam was up early.  He got up, showered and got dressed for work as normal but he was running on autopilot.  Ever since breaking the news about Eddy to Chloe and Justin the day before his mind had been consumed with thoughts of the impending trial. 

Obviously Eddy still had some semblance of a soul if he’d confessed to the accident but the fact that it had happened in the first place was inexcusable.  Eddy had fled the scene, had failed to render aid.  Not to mention the fact that he’d been following Chloe and he’d gotten behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. 

Truthfully, he wanted to get to his office early so that he could do some research regarding the case before his day really began.  It was the least he could do.  He wanted to do more.  He wanted to protect his family.  He wanted to hold Eddy accountable for his actions.  Unfortunately, because he wasn’t a part of the prosecution team there wasn’t much he could do.  It killed him inside, but he was determined to find some way to help his sister through this, Gabby too.  Sighing inwardly, Adam reached for his briefcase and headed for the kitchen. 

Upon entering the kitchen Adam’s eyes went wide.  Papers covered the kitchen counter, along with Chloe’s laptop and a half empty cup of coffee, and there, seated on a stool in front of it all was Chloe, dressed in a pair of pajama pants and a “Man of the Woods” tour t-shirt.

“Don’t you have to be at work?” Adam asked, curiously.

“I took the day off.” Chloe mumbled; her eyes still focused on the screen in front of her.

Adam’s eyes widened a bit more at her statement.  Chloe rarely took a day off.  In fact, after the accident he’d practically had to beg her to take the day off to recover.  The fact that she’d taken a day off voluntarily was not lost on him.

“What’s all this?” Adam asked, nodding to the papers.

“Something I should have done a long time ago.” Chloe replied flatly.

With some trepidation, Adam picked up one of the papers on the counter to inspect it more closely.  A small smile tugged at his lips when he realized what it was. 

“You’re changing your name?”

Chloe looked up at her brother and nodded.  “I need to be free of him once and for all.”

Adam nodded.  He understood completely.

“What about Gabby? She’ll still have his name.”

Chloe sighed heavily.  “I know, but Gabby has no clue as to what is happening right now, and for the time being, I want to keep it that way.  When the time comes, she and I will have that discussion, but not yet.”

Adam cracked a smile.  “Sounds like a good plan.”

Chloe forced a smile back at him.  “Thanks, I just wish changing your name didn’t involve so much paperwork.”

Adam nodded knowingly.  Given the fact that he was a lawyer and therefore had been through law school, he knew all too well how much documentation and paperwork went into legally changing your name.

“Do you want some help?”

Chloe looked at her brother in surprise.  He was dressed for work, but here he was offering to stay and help her.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

Adam smiled and shrugged.  “Eh.  No one said I had to go into the office today.  I can “work” from home.”

“But you’re already dressed.” Chloe countered.

Adam smirked.  “That’s easily remedied.”

“What about Gabby?”

Adam chuckled.  “What about her?”

“Well, if you and I are going to be here filling out paperwork what is she going to do?”

“What was she going to do if you and I had gone to work?”

“Mom and Dad were going to take her for the day.  She and Mom were going to make cookies for *NSYNC.”

Adam couldn’t help himself.  The significance of that statement was just too delicious to ignore.  In more ways than one.

“So, then what’s the problem?”

Chloe giggled.  “That did sound weird, didn’t it?”

“A bit, but it’s not a bad thing.”

“You don’t think so?” Chloe asked, her tone serious.

“Not one bit.  Honestly, I think it’s awesome!”

“Only because it’s an excuse to see JC again.” Chloe teased.

Adam grinned.  “I mean, that’s not the only reason I think it’s awesome, but I’m not one to complain either.”

Chloe smiled then swatted at her brother playfully.

 “Go on, go get changed, call your office. I will make us some more coffee.”

***

Friday was the night of Michael Turchin’s art show and Gabby, Chloe and Adam would all be in attendance.  At 6:30 p.m. that evening Gabby was standing in the entryway to their home, bouncing from one foot to the other with excitement.

“C’mon Mom!” Gabby groaned.

She was dressed in brown boots, yellow leggings, a white shirt with black stripes, an olive-green cardigan and a black cowl knit scarf.  Truthfully, it made her look a lot older than 5 forcing Chloe to choke back tears.  Her baby girl was growing up.

“Did Uncle Adam help you pick that out?”

Gabby grinned and shook her head.  “No! I picked it out myself.  I want to look nice.”

“You always look nice Gabby bug.” Chloe answered.

“Yeah, but I am meeting JC!”

Adam chuckled and nodded.  “That’s my niece!”

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Chloe asked, trying to stifle her giggle.

Gabby looked down at her outfit, then back to her mom and her uncle.

“Umm…”

Chloe let a little laugh escape.  “Weren’t you planning on taking cookies?”

“Oh yeah! Thanks Mom!” Gabby exclaimed before sprinting towards the kitchen.

Moments later Gabby returned from the kitchen carrying five small, white treat boxes.  She was walking very slowly, biting her bottom lip as she focused her eyes on the boxes, being very careful not to drop them.

“Do you want some help with those?” Adam asked grinning.

“Yes, please.” Gabby replied politely.

The ride across town to the art gallery was quick, but not quick enough for Gabby. 

“Are we there yet?” Gabby asked as she tried to keep from bouncing in her seat.

Chloe smiled and shook her head.  “Not yet, Bug.  Just a few more minutes.”

“How many more minutes?” Gabby insisted.

Chloe had to bite her lip.  It was obvious that Gabby was beyond excited.  Looking down at her Apple watch to check the time Chloe smiled.  There was a text from Justin.  Apparently, Gabby wasn’t the only one who was excited.

Justin: When do you get here?

Smiling to herself, Chloe spoke out loud as she quickly typed a reply.

“About five minutes, depending on traffic.” Chloe explained.

Justin: Can’t wait!

Chloe looked up from her watch and couldn’t help but blush.  Adam was giving her a very knowing look.

“Let me guess, Gabby isn’t the only one who is excited.” Adam smirked playfully.

Chloe blushed more.  “Apparently not.”

Adam chuckled and shook his head.  “You know, if I wasn’t 100% team JC you might be in trouble.”

Chloe laughed.  “I don’t think you are his type.”

Adam snorted a bit then nodded.  “No worries, Sis, I’ll stay in my lane.”

Moments later they were pulling up to the valet.  Chloe immediately sucked in a breath.  This was only the 2nd time she’d be meeting the rest of *NSYNC, with the exception of JC.  She was nervous.  She knew that the other guys were a HUGE part of Justin’s life.  She wanted them to accept her.

“Ok Gabby, you know the drill.  Be polite.  Stay with Mommy an Uncle Adam.  No running….”

Gabby grinned.  “And don’t touch anything.  I know Mommy.  I’ll be good. I promise.  Now can we please go inside?!”

The gallery was already buzzing with activity.  There were people mingling all throughout the space.  Chloe’s eyes scanned the room for Justin but she didn’t see him, at least not right away.  It was Lance that approached them first.

As soon as he started to approach Gabby’s eyes went wide as saucers. 

“Mom!  That’s…” Gabby hissed.

Chloe smiled.  “I know Baby…it’s ok…he’s very nice.”

Lance was all smiles.  “Hey! So glad you could make it!”

“Thanks for inviting us.” Chloe replied.

“Of course.” Lance replied smiling.

Lance turned his attention to Gabby.

“And who might this beautiful little lady be?” Lance asked, his smile wide.

Gabby looked to her mother, her eyes silently asking for permission to respond.  Chloe smiled and nodded.  If this was how Gabby reacted to meeting Lance, she could only imagine her reaction to JC.

“I’m Gabby.  These are for you.” Gabby said taking a box from her uncle and offering it to Lance.

“For me?” Lance asked curiously.

Chloe smiled and nodded as she tried to fight back her giggles.  “Yes…this is my daughter, Gabby.  She’s a bit of an *NSYNC fan, just like her mother, and when she heard all five of you would be here tonight she insisted on making all of you cookies.”

Lance grinned.  “Cookies? There are cookies in this box?”

Gabby nodded emphatically.

“May I try one?”

Gabby nodded but kept quiet.

Smiling, Lance opened the box and just as Chloe had explained there were a dozen cookies in the box.  Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies to be exact.  Still smiling Lance lifted a cookie from the box and took a bite.  Then his eyes went wide.  They were REALLY GOOD cookies.

“Gabby, did you make these yourself?” Lance asked grinning.

Gabby nodded.

“These are SO GOOD!  But listen, I am going to go put these somewhere safe, otherwise I am going to eat them all.”

Gabby smiled.  “That’s ok.  Just promise me you’ll share some with Michael.”

Lance beamed.  “I promise.”

Then he looked to Chloe.  “Feel free to walk around, mingle, Justin is milling around here somewhere.”

“Thank you.” Chloe said smiling politely.

After Lance excused himself, the trio began to walk around a bit.  Truthfully, Chloe felt a bit out of her element.  Being that she was a full-time doctor and a full-time single mom she didn’t get out much. 

They walked around a bit, looking at different paintings and sampling the hors d’oeuvres for a while.  Then, about twenty minutes after they arrived Chloe finally spotted Justin.  He was standing in front of a painting with JC.  They were chatting and laughing.  Chloe couldn’t help but smile.  Justin looked so at ease, so comfortable.  It warmed her heart but also made her slightly jealous.  Given her current situation, her head and her heart were a jumbled a mess.

“Mom…mom…Mommy!” Gabby hissed, tugging on Chloe’s arm.

“What sweetie?” Chloe asked, abruptly snapping back into reality.

“Mom…there he is …there’s JC!” Gabby squealed quietly.

Chloe bit her lip hard to keep from laughing.  Gabby was definitely related to Adam. 

“Gabby…calm down…he’s not Santa Claus.” Chloe replied, trying not to giggle.

“No, he’s JC Chasez…which is so much cooler than Santa Claus!  He’s like …like a unicorn!”

“Exactly!” Adam teased.

“Don’t encourage her.” Chloe said, shooting her brother a look.

“Can we go talk to him?”

Chloe smiled.  “Yes, but remember what Mommy always tells you.”

Gabby nodded.  “I know.  Be polite, don’t interrupt adults when they are talking and be respectful.”

Chloe smiled.  “That’s my girl.”

“Can we go now?” Adam teased.

Chloe just shook her head and gave her brother a look.  “You’re as bad as she is.”

Adam grinned.  “I think I might be worse.”

Chloe snorted.  “No argument here.”

Together, Chloe, Adam and Gabby approached the two men who were happily chatting away in front of a painting entirely in glitter.  Gabby’s jaw immediately dropped.  Not only was the painting covered completely in glitter but it featured several different cartoon characters, some of which Gabby didn’t recognize.

Gabby was completely mesmerized, but at the same time had completely forgotten about JC and Justin.

“Wow!” Gabby whispered, her eyes dancing as she looked up at the painting.

Justin heard the tiny voice and turned to see where it had come from.  He smiled when he saw Gabby gawking at the painting.  His smile grew when his eyes landed on Chloe. She was dressed in a dark grey, cable knit sweater dress and a pair of thigh high black boots.  As always, his heart skipped a beat.  She looked beautiful. 

“Do you like it?” Justin asked, stepping up next to Gabby.

JC smiled then joined his friend and the mysterious little girl.  It wasn’t until he was standing on the other side of her that he noticed Chloe.  He smiled then looked back to the little girl.  Suddenly, it made sense.  This was the little girl that Justin could not stop gushing about.  This was Gabby, Chloe’s daughter.

“It’s awesome!” Gabby breathed out.

“Do you know who all the cartoons are?” Justin asked, still smiling.

Gabby shook her head, her eyes still fixated on the painting.  She hadn’t noticed JC standing next to her yet.

“I know those are the birds from Cinderella and that is Alice from Alice in Wonderland but I don’t know the others.”

Justin grinned.  “Well, let’s see, there is Buttercup from the Power Puff Girls, Popeye, Felix the Cat, Bart Simpson, Hello Kitty and Gumby.”

“Gumby?! Who is Gumby?”

Adam couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head from where he was standing. 

“Little girl is gonna LOSE HER SHIT when she realizes JC is standing next to her.” Adam smirked.

Chloe smiled.  “I wouldn’t be so sure.  She did fine with Lance.”

Adam smirked.  “That was just Lance.”

Chloe made a face at her brother.

“Don’t get me wrong.  Lance is cool, but…”

Chloe just shook her head.  “He’s not JC. I know, and I know how you BOTH feel about JC, but she is MY daughter so give the girl some credit. “

“True.” Adam said chuckling.

Adam and Chloe both turned their attention back to Gabby and the two men standing next to her.  Justin was trying to explain who Gumby was while JC just stood there grinning and shaking his head.  Watching his friend interact with this little girl was like nothing he’d ever witnessed before.  They just clicked.  It was like watching two friends chat together and Gabby definitely acted more mature than your typical 5-year-old.

“He looks weird.” Gabby said once Justin finished explaining Gumby.

JC chuckled causing Gabby’s eyes to go wide.

“Nah, Gumby was totally cool.” JC chimed in.

Gabby looked to Justin then over at JC, then back to Justin.  She was in shock, and feeling a bit star struck with her favorite member of *NSYNC standing beside her, but much to everyone’s surprise she handled it well.

“You could have told me that Mr. Chasez was standing next to me Justin.” Gabby huffed.

JC just laughed more.  “Mr. Chasez?! Oh, no, no Pretty Little lady! Mr. Chasez is my father, you can call me JC.”

Gabby immediately whipped around to look at her mother and grinned the biggest grin Chloe had ever seen.  JC had just made her year with just a few simple words.

“Did you hear that Mommy?  Mr. Chasez said I can call him JC AND he called me pretty!” Gabby exclaimed.

Chloe giggled and nodded then joined her daughter and the two men, with Adam trailing close behind.

“I did hear that.  You can call him JC so long as he is ok with it.”

“Nice to see you again.” JC said smiling at Chloe.

Chloe smiled and nodded.  “You too.  You remember my brother; Adam and this is my daughter; Gabby.”

JC grinned and was about to respond when Gabby cut him off.  She put her hands on her hips and glared up at her mother.

“You met JC Chasez and you didn’t tell me?!” Gabby exclaimed.

Chloe laughed and nodded. “I have, but only briefly, but then so has your uncle.”

Gabby’s eyes rounded on Adam.  “Traitor!”

Adam laughed.  “Harsh! Gabby, that was harsh!”

JC smiled then looked down at Gabby.  “Hi there.”

“Hi.” Gabby said blushing.

JC grinned.  He had to give it to Justin, she was absolutely adorable. 

“Gabby, are you an *NSYNC fan?” JC asked, his smile still very much present.

Gabby nodded emphatically.  “I LOVE *NSYNC!”

“Oh yeah?! What’s your favorite song?”

Gabby beamed.  “It’s Gonna Be Me!”

JC nodded, looked to Justin and then over to Chloe.  Gabby was definitely her mother’s daughter. That was plainly obvious.  Intelligent, well spoken, polite.  It was no wonder Justin was falling for both Gabby and her mother.

“What’s your mom’s favorite?”

Gabby scrunched up her face in thought.  “This I Promise You.”

“Good choice.” Justin said smiling at Chloe.

Given her history and her current situation her choice of song made perfect sense.  It warmed his heart, but also saddened him a little.  She was hurting, even now, and he wanted nothing more than to take that weight off her shoulders.

Smiling at both men Chloe looked from them back down to her daughter. 

“Gabby, wasn’t there something you wanted to give JC?”

“Give me? Huh?”

Chloe giggled and nodded as Adam handed a treat box to Gabby. 

“I made you cookies!” Gabby exclaimed before handing over the box.

JC looked to Chloe.  This was not at all what he’d expected.  However, he also wasn’t complaining.

“Cookies? There are cookies in this box?”

Gabby grinned and nodded.  “Yes, sir.”

“All her idea.” Chloe giggled.

“You made cookies for me?”

Gabby shook her head.  “I made them for all of *NSYNC.”

It was then, as Chloe was watching her daughter interact with the two men that something across the room caught her eye.  There were people milling all around, engaged in conversations, examining the art but there he was, alone.

He was standing there, dressed smartly in a pair of dark wash jeans that at one time fit him perfectly but now hung off his hips.  The suit coat she recognized as well.  She’d seen it many times.  In fact, it was etched in her brain.  It didn’t fit him right anymore either.  He’d lost weight.  The dirty blonde hair, the stance, the way he shoved his hands in his pockets, the tilt of his head.  It was all too familiar.  It stopped her in her tracks and made her breath catch in her throat.

Swallowing back her fear Chloe looked to Justin and JC first. 

“Keep an eye on Gabby for a moment, will you?”

Justin nodded.  Something wasn’t right.  The look in her eyes told him that much.  Immediately he began to scan the room.  Something had upset her and he found himself desperately trying to follow her gaze.

Chloe looked to Adam next.  She nodded toward the back of the room and his eyes went wide.  Immediately she gave him a pleading look.  She needed him to stay calm, for her sake as much as Gabby’s.

“Stay close.” Chloe mouthed to her brother.

Adam nodded but stayed silent. 

Taking a deep breath Chloe started to make her way across the room, stopping briefly next to Justin and JC before passing. 

“Go find Lance or Michael, tell them to call Security and get Gabby away from here.” Chloe whispered, but only loud enough that JC and Justin heard.

“What’s wrong?” Justin asked, catching her arm.

Chloe nodded to the man at the back of the room.  He looked unassuming enough but Justin knew looks could be deceiving.

“Is that?”

Chloe nodded.

“But how?”

“I don’t know…”

Justin nodded.  As much as he wanted to intervene, to protect both women he knew he needed to keep his emotions in check.  He needed to keep cool for Gabby and for Chloe. 

“Gabby is safe.  I promise.  We’ll go find Chris, Karly and Nash.”

JC nodded in agreement but kept quiet.  He could tell by the look in Chloe’s eyes and the expression on Justin’s face that right now, Gabby was the priority. 

“C’mon Gabby, there’s another glitter painting over this way.” Justin said taking Gabby by the hand.

Only once Gabby, Justin and JC were out of sight did Chloe allow herself to breathe.  She knew that Justin and JC would keep her safe and away from Eddy.  Hopefully, he hadn’t seen her.

Taking a deep breath, and with Adam just a few paces behind but staying out of sight Chloe approached Eddy.  He looked to be examining a piece of artwork.  Meanwhile, a million and one thoughts rushed through Chloe’s brain.  How did he make bail? Did he know she’d be there? How did he know? Had he seen Gabby? 

“I should call the cops.” Chloe hissed quietly, her lips just behind his left ear.

Eddy turned.  The feel of her breath sending shivers down his spine but that was nothing to the look in her eyes.  Her eyes were dark, cold, but on fire at the same time.  He swallowed hard.  She looked beautiful, but at the same time dangerous.  He hadn’t seen this particular look on her in a long time, not since the night she’d kicked him out of the house. 

“Chloe…please…baby…”

“Don’t!” Chloe snapped.

“Chloe…”

“You shouldn’t be here…you’re violating the terms of the custody agreement and the restraining order.”

“Chloe…listen…please…there is something I need to tell you…”

“How did you make bail?”

“Bail?! But, how did you…”

There was true fear in his eyes now.  She’d caught him off guard, and in that moment, she realized he had no clue that she knew.

“I know you caused the accident! I know you were following me!  You could have killed someone, you nearly did! He would have died if I hadn’t…”

Eddy’s face was white by this point.  “He?! He who?”

“The motorcycle driver! The person I crashed into when you hit me and pushed me into the intersection! He went flying off his bike and hit the pavement.  I saved his life! I did that! Not you, because once again, you can’t take responsibility for anything…EVER!”

Eddy just stood there dumbfounded.

 “Jesus, you really have no fucking clue, do you?”

Justin and Lance appeared at that moment, WITH security.  Chloe gave Justin a questioning look.  Justin simply nodded.  Inwardly, Chloe breathed a sigh of relief.  Gabby was safe and tucked away from Eddy’s reach.

Eddy looked from the two superstars to Chloe.  He knew who they were.  He’d been married to Chloe for almost ten years.  It came with the territory.

“Since when do you hang out with Popstars?” Eddy snapped.

This time it was Chloe’s eyes that widened.  He really didn’t know. 

“Since I saved one’s life!” Chloe snapped back.

Chloe watched quietly as little by little realization started to cross Eddy’s features.  He was putting the pieces together. 

He looked over at the two men briefly.  Lance pursed his lips and shook his head, and with that simple gesture the last piece of the puzzle fell into place.

“OH GOD!” Eddy said running a hand over his face.

“I think it’s time for you to leave, sir.” The guard said.

Eddy nodded then looked to Chloe again.  “Gabby?”

Chloe sighed sadly.  “No, she doesn’t know, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Eddy nodded again but didn’t respond verbally.  He just stood there, silent for several moments as he continued to watch Chloe.  She looked angry, sad, and broken, and he knew, without a doubt, he was to blame for that.  After a long, agonizing pause he opened his mouth to speak again but Chloe spoke first.

“Give up your parental rights!” Chloe exclaimed.

Behind her, Adam’s eyes grew wide.  Her words were a true testament to how far she’d come in the past year.

Eddy felt as if the wind had been knocked from his chest.  He couldn’t breathe, but he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t seen this coming.  Unless the jury found him innocent, which he knew they wouldn’t, Eddy was staring down the face of a very LONG prison sentence.

“What?!” Eddy sputtered.

Justin and Lance exchanged looks.  This was NOT at all how they’d anticipated things going. 

“You heard me!”

“Chloe…” Eddy started.

“You’re going to jail Eddy.  I know it.  You know it.  The only question is, for how long?”

“You’re not serious!”

Chloe’s eyes darkened and ice shot through her veins.  This conversation had been a long time coming.  She needed to be free of him, once and for all.  She deserved that much, and so did Gabby.

“Oh, I am very serious.  Give up your parental rights.  Let Gabby have a normal life.”

Eddy nodded solemnly.  She was right.  He knew it.  He’d ruined any chance of redemption.  His bad choices had brought him to this moment and now, he realized that the very least he could do was give Gabby some semblance of a normal childhood.  However, he wasn’t ready to let go just yet.

“She’s my daughter too…”

Chloe was trying to remain calm, to not make a scene but as always, Eddy was able to get under her skin with just a few simple words.

“Oh, don’t I know it! She is all the best and worst parts of you.  She has your temper and your stubbornness.  She has your analytical brain.  Every time I look at her, I am reminded of you.  And even now, after everything you have put us through, she still loves you unconditionally but when have you EVER acted like the father she deserves?  Tell me, how am I supposed to explain THIS to her?  How am I supposed to tell her that her father won’t be there, not for her birthday, not to see her graduate high school or college…”

“I’m sorry.” Eddy mumbled.

Chloe’s eyes flashed with rage.  His lackluster apology was the last straw.

“You’re sorry?! Oh, NOW you’re sorry?!  A bit too late for that, don’t you think?”

Eddy sighed heavily and nodded.  He knew she was absolutely right.

“Ok.” Eddy whispered.

“What?! I didn’t quite catch that.”

Eddy sighed.  “I said, ok. I will give up my parental rights.  Send the documents to my mother’s place, I’ll sign them.”

Chloe smirked and shook her head.  “I should have known your mother posted your bail.”

Eddy looked at her, his eyes full of sadness and regret.  It was the first time she’d ever seen him look that way.  This was it.  He’d hit rock bottom and now he was trying to atone for all his past mistakes.  This was his Swan song.  His last attempt to make things right.  She could see it now.  He wasn’t going to fight her anymore.

“Can I say “goodbye” ?”

“I’ll think about it.”

Eddy nodded again.  “That’s fair.”