“Congratulations again guys.” Justin offered to Derek and Rhea as he and Kiki walked them out.
Besides their parents, the couple was the last to leave the small kick off party Kiki had thrown for Justin and the tour crew.
“I can’t wait to finally have my turn at playing auntie.” Kiki gushed.
“Thank you.” Rhea beamed, a pregnant glow already surrounding her. She and Derek announced to the family earlier tonight that they were expecting a baby in January. “Be safe heading out tomorrow.” She ordered Justin as Derek opened the door.
“Yes ma’am.” He quipped and they embraced in a goodbye hug. Kiki finished hugging her brother and the quartet switched partners.
“You know I’m going to be cashing in on the hundreds of diaper changes you owe me right?” Derek joked, clutching hands with Justin.
“Yeah I know.” He laughed. The group had inched their way forward until Derek and Rhea step out on the front stoop and Justin and Kiki stood in the open doorway. “We’ll see you guys in a few days.”
“Absolutely.” Rhea said. “I can’t wait.”
When Kiki had mentioned that she was going to the show’s opening night in Phoenix, as were Lynn, Paul, Trace and Bianca, the rest of the family decided to come too. Justin was more than happy to have the extra moral support. He had everyone’s hotel arrangements taken care of, reserved a VIP box in the arena and supplied backstage passed for them all.
The couple said their final goodbyes and once Derek’s car started rolling down the driveway, Justin and Kiki went back inside. They walked into the living room where their parents were still talking. Cheyenne was sitting on the floor at the coffee table putting a puzzle together and Justin sat back down next to her to finish helping her.
“Muwah!” He kissed her cheek. “Looks like you’re finally going to be sharing the spotlight around here.”
“Time to hand over the crown little girl.” Kiki teased from above them on the couch. Justin whispered something in Cheyenne’s ear and she turned back to stick her tongue out at her mother. “Hey!” She and Justin laughed and Kiki poked them both with the tip of her toes.
“She’s going to be a big cousin now.” Nina happily stated.
“You know she could be becoming a big sister.” Lynn implied with a pointed smile.
Justin and Kiki looked at each other and busted out laughing.
“Cover her ears.” Kiki told Justin and when he complied, she said. “Hell no Mama Lynn.”
“Ma she just turned 3 two weeks ago. Ain’t happenin’ anytime soon.”
Lynn pouted. “Well don’t make me wait too long.”
The couple shook their heads doubtfully. With a rambunctious child like Cheyenne, she might be waiting for awhile.
Their parents lingered around for a bit longer, especially Lynn and when she had stretched her departure to its limit, she and Justin had a tearful goodbye.
“I know this is like the hundredth time we’ve done this, but it never gets easy.” She sniffled, holding her only baby in a tight hug.
“I know Ma.” Justin rubbed her back.
Finally letting go, she looked up at him, stroking his cheek. “You be safe and be good.” She ordered. “I’ll see you in a few days ok?”
“I will be. I promise.” He kissed her forehead. “Go home and get some sleep.”
“You too.” She wiped the moist underside of her eyes. She turned to Kiki who stood by with Paul watching mother and son, and pulled her into a hug. “You have a good night too sweetie.”
“Be good son.” Paul said now that his wife had finally let go of their son.
“Thanks Dad.”
Paul collected his saddened wife and headed home.
Closing the door behind them, their house was empty and a realization began to set in for Justin and Kiki.
“Don’t say it.” She blurted out. “I don’t want to think about tomorrow. I just want to spend the rest of the night relaxing with you and our baby.”
“Sounds pretty damn good to me.” He agreed and kissed her.
“Daddy can we play with your train station?” Cheyenne appeared at their side.
“Huh?” He replied, totally confused, but then it dawned on him. “You mean PlayStation.”
“Yeah that.”
“What do you want to play?”
“The bouncy froggy game.” She said, hopping in demonstration.
“Ok. Let’s do it then.” He clapped. “I’m going to beat you this time just so you know.”
“No you’re not.” She protested, frowning up at him with her hands on her hips.
“Actually I’m going to beat both of you.” Kiki proclaimed, strutting away towards the basement door, leaving Justin and Cheyenne behind scowling after her.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The next day, despite all their bravado, Justin and Kiki stood beside the running black SUV waiting to take him to the airport; holding Cheyenne between them with tears running down all their faces. They tried to stop, but it was useless once a tearful Cheyenne muttered.
“I’m gonna miss you Daddy.”
“I’m going to miss you too baby. But I promise I’m going to call you everyday ok? And soon, you and Mommy are going to come and stay with me for a little while on that big bus you saw yesterday. You remember that?” She nodded morosely. “That was a cool bus wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah. You’ll be able to visit me before you know it.” He kissed the top of her head. “I love you Cheyenne.”
“I love you too.” She responded, clutching his shirt in her tiny hands.
Justin turned his attention to Kiki. Seeing both his girls with tear stains, he was overwhelmed with a mix of love and sorrow. He grabbed Kiki at the back of her head and pulled her into a fierce kiss. Holding his waist, her grip tightened and she moaned in both pleasure and sadness.
“I love you Kiki.” He sighed deeply once he released her.
Witnessing the entire scene, Lonnie loathed this part of his job. As gently as possible, he interrupted. “J-“
“I know Lon.” Justin snapped before he could say anymore.
Knowing she had to let go just as much as he did, Kiki said. “You’re going to miss your flight if you don’t go now.”
“Okay.” He reluctantly conceded and passed Cheyenne into her arms. With one last kiss for both his girls, he climbed into the backseat. “Let’s go.” He told Lonnie and Eric as he closed the door.
Kiki stepped back from the truck when the guys got in. “Blow kisses.” She softly told Cheyenne.
As she blew a kiss and her mother waved bye, the truck pulled off and disappeared through the gate. Cheyenne’s head drooped into the crook of her neck and rubbing her back soothingly, Kiki returned to the house.
Halfway to LAX, Lonnie looked back through the rearview mirror to see Justin had his head laid back on the head rest and his eyes closed. “You alright J?”
“No man. I’m not.”
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
It was three in the morning, yet Kiki felt anxious and excited enough to kick the door open faster than the keycard. As soon as the lock turned green she rushed into the dark foyer. The only light came from the night sky, but it was all she needed to reach her destination. Abandoning her bags by the front door, she threw off her jacket and kicked off her flip flops as she hurried over to the bedroom door. She walked into the dimly lit room to find Justin sprawled out face down on the bed, dead to the world. He had only been on the road for three days, but it felt longer and if she didn’t know he was exhausted, she probably would have jumped him. Instead she slipped off her clothes until she was down to a tank top and her panties and she climbed into bed with him. She curled up at his side, draping half of herself over his back. Unable to resist, she laid a soft kiss on the center of his back.
Either it was a very sensitive spot or he wasn’t as deeply asleep as she thought, but he suddenly flinched.
“Kik?” He murmured.
She smiled against his back. “Hi baby.”
He grunted and turned over onto his back. She moved out of his way until he grabbed her and pulled her down to lay on his chest. “Go to sleep.” He held her close, burying a hand into her hair.
Happily settling into his arms, she drifted off easily for the first time in the last few days.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“Mmm….Uh…Oh. Ah…..Ah!” Kiki screamed, jolting upright in bed. Blinking rapidly from the rude awakening, she started assessing what woke her up. It didn’t take long for her to figure it out. “Oh God.” She moaned and arched her head back in ecstasy. Deep laughter broke through her sexual haze and she reached down to lift the sheets.
Justin looked up at her from in between her legs and smiled lecherously. “Good morning Baby Doll.”
Before she could say anything, he went back to what he was doing. His lips latched onto her clit, suckling and Kiki’s arms gave out on her. He licked and nibbled at her, not once easing up to give her a reprieve. Before she knew what hit her, Justin had crawled up her body, hooking her led into the crook of his elbow and thrust into her hard. When she let out a sharp gasp, he laughed huskily and she bit into his shoulder hard.
It didn’t even break his stride and she was barely able to moan out. “I hate you.”
He smirked and pushed into her roughly, rendering her speechless. “Hold on baby.” He advised and she curled her arms and leg around him. With her anchored to his body, he let loose.
Kiki moaned, screamed and raked her nails down his back as he worked her body. He gave her no chance to take control and she had no choice, but the take the delicious torture. When he had finally wrung the last orgasm out of both of them, they collapsed on the bed in a sweaty mess.
“Well.” Kiki panted. “Good morning to you too.” She giggled.
Justin laughed and quickly sat up. “Come on, let’s go take a shower and order some food.” He kissed her and climbed out of bed.
She propped herself up on her elbows and started at him surprisingly. “You’re a ball of energy this morning.”
Grinning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her up. “Yeah. I got my Baby Doll here with me.” Kissing her deeply, he dragged her into the bathroom.
After a very long shower that involved getting dirtier before getting clean, they got dress and he called room service. Sitting at the table next to the patio door, they ate breakfast and talked. It hadn’t been long and he talked to her on the phone everyday, but a lot happens in a three year old’s life in a small amount of time so Justin wanted a full play by play of what Cheyenne had been up to. He especially wanted to know how she’d been dealing with his absence.
“She misses you a lot, but your phone calls make all the difference.” Kiki informed him. “I’ve been keeping her busy so she doesn’t dwell on it too much.”
“I miss her.”
“I know, but you’ll get us both for a whole week soon.” She smiled.
“Yeah.” He said sullenly.
“So you nervous about tonight?” She asked to take his mind off his homesickness.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s been awhile since I did a tour and this show is so different from any other I’ve done. Bigger, more complex.” He explained. “I just don’t want anything to go wrong. You know I hate that shit.”
Did she ever! Him and his borderline psychotic need for perfection was the cause of most of their blow ups during Justified.
“You know anything can happen opening night, but I seriously doubt anything will go wrong.” She assured. “You have some amazing dancers, band and I’m sure the rest of the crew is top of the line.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“I know.” She sassed. “I can’t wait to watch the sound check.”
“Um you’re not going to sound check.” He revealed.
“What? Why not?”
“Because I want the actual show to be your first time seeing it so you can get the full effect.”
“Justin.” She whined.
“No. You’re going to the show at the same time as everyone else.”
She pouted. “That’s not fair. Isn’t being allowed to go to sound checks another one of those benefits of being a superstar musician’s baby mama?”
He chortled. “There’ll be plenty more sound checks for you to see.” He put their empty plates on the serving cart and wheeled it over to the door. “Now Rachel, Lonnie and Eric are going to be here any minute so I can go to this radio interview. Wanna come?”
“Sure.” She said and twenty minutes later, they were on their way to the radio station.
While Justin did his interview, Kiki and Rachel hung out in the green room and when Rachel had to do work, she spent her time calling Alana to check on Cheyenne and texting some of the family to let them know she arrived safely. The girls were out shopping while the guys were out golfing. She would be meeting up with them back at the hotel.
When they returned, Lynn, Paul and Johnny were waiting for Justin in the suite’s living room.
“Hey Lynn. Hey Paul.” Kiki greeted them with hugs. “Hi Johnny.”
“How was the interview?” Johnny asked.
“Pretty good, basic.” Justin responded. “You guys ready to go?” This was just a pit stop for him to get his stuff and drop Kiki off.
“This is so not fair. What am I supposed to do while you’re gone?” Kiki complained. Lynn laughed at her.
“Start getting ready I guess. I don’t know. All I do know it that you’re not coming.” He cheesed at her. “Trace said that they’re planning on going out for dinner and drinks before heading to the arena. Sounds like I’m the one who’s missing out. I should be mad.”
“Oh whatever.”
He laughed. “Come here.” He said, pulling her to him. Lynn, Paul and Johnny took that as a cue to wait outside in the hall. “You gonna wear something sexy for me tonight?”
“No.” She fired back petulantly.
“Yes you are. You better.” He stated definitively and dipped down to kiss her neck.
She giggled and relented. “Ok.”
“Ok.” He kissed her. “Make sure you come straight to my dressing room when you get there.”
“Ok.” She kissed him.
“Alright.” He kissed her. “I love you.” He kissed her again.
She laughed, “Go!” and pushed him away when he tried for another kiss.
“I’ll see you later.” He chuckled and opened the door.
“Bye.” She waved as he backed out of the suite. Pulling out her cell, she called Tami to see what the game plan was.
They had decided to start getting ready for dinner in a couple of hours so Kiki took advantage of the big Jacuzzi tub on the bathroom. By the time she got out, she surmised to just get dress and go hang out in Joey and Tami’s suite until it was time to leave in the next hour. Joey and Tami’s suite ended up being the meeting spot and once everyone was ready, they headed out.
About an hour and half before the show, their caravan of SUVs arrived at the arena. They were dropped off at one of the back entrances, and Rachel and Lynn were waiting for them with their backstage passes. While everyone went to the green room to chill, Kiki went to Justin’s dressing room. When he opened the door, she stood there with her hands on her hips.
“Your parents and my parents are here so I couldn’t go all out. I figured we’d play groupie during one of our alone visits. I hope this is acceptable enough to get me into the Justin Timberlake’s dressing room.”
She had a pair of mid thigh black pinstripe trouser short, a short sleeved v-neck top and suspenders with a pair of ankle strap stilettos.
He grabbed one of her suspenders and dragged her into the room, kicking the door closed. “Approved.” He grinned and kissed her thoroughly.
She moaned as their lips melted together and he slipped his tongue in to loop around hers. “You still like to be alone before a show huh?” She noted when their lips momentarily broke apart.
“Mmhmm.” He sucked at her bottom lip. “Unless it’s you.” He trailed his hands around her hips to grab her ass and he slipped a leg in between hers.
Knowing only dirt things happened in this position, Kiki hopped away from him. “How was sound check?” She blurted out.
“Great.” He gushed and started advancing on her. He had a predatory gleam in his eyes and she knew exactly what he was after.
For every step he took forward, she took one back. “Stop Justin.” She demanded, trying not to smile or laugh…..And failing miserably. He didn’t stop either. Not until she was pressed up against the door with nowhere to go. “We cannot have a quickie. You’ll get all messed up.”
Propping a hand on the door beside her head, he leaned in to lock the door. “That’s what I pay a stylist for.” He kissed her hard and yanked her into the room.
Thirty minutes later, right before Johnny was about to go hunt him down, Justin and Kiki skidded into the green room. Despite being well put back together, the post orgasmic haze still lingered on the couple. Everyone laughed at the sight.
“I knew it.” Marty shook his head. Freaky shit, just like he predicted.
“I’m so going to be a grandmother again soon.” Lynn beamed and Nina laughed.
Ignoring them all, Justin got into show time mood and went to check in with Johnny and the stage producer. Kiki went to join her friends.
“Shame, shame. Know your name.” Eva teased. “You dirty groupie you.”
“Oh shut up. It’s been three days.”
“Yeah three days. Ya’ll act like it’s been weeks.” Maya added.
“Such a freak.” Marissa tisked.
“Oh kiss my ass.” Kiki laughed.
The rest of the crew started trickling into the room and right as they were going to start their pre-show ritual, Lynn grabbed Justin.
“Baby, you have a call.”
“Ma. I’m about to go on.” He reminded her incredulously.
“Trust me, you want to take this.”
He took the phone from her hand and put it to his ear. “Hello.”
Through the receiver sounded a cheery, “hi Daddy!”
A big smile immediately popped on his face. “Hey baby girl! What’s-…..Hey can you guys take it down a bit? It’s my daughter.” He asked the increasingly rowdy room.
“Hi babyheart!” Kiki called out.
“Mommy says hi.” She returned the greeting loud enough to be heard through the phone. “So what ya doing?”
“Play cars with Robbie. What are you doing?”
“I’m about to go sing on stage.”
“Oh! Are a lot of people there?”
“Yeah there are.”
“Are you scared?”
“Nope.”
“Oh….Daddy say hi to Robbie.” She changed the topic and gave the phone to her best friend.
“Uh...” Justin stuttered. He really didn’t have time to talk to a bunch of people, but saying no to his little girl was impossible. “Hey Rob.”
“Hi Mr. Justin.” His uniquely deep voice came over the line.
“How ya doing bud?”
“Good.”
“Ok.” He heard rustlings as Cheyenne spoke. “I have to talk to my Daddy now.” She told Robbie and took the phone back. “Daddy I have to go now.”
No, I have to go. “Ok baby. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Kay. Bye Daddy! Have fun singing on the stage. I love you.”
“By-“ He started, but was met with a dial tone. “Well damn. She hung up on me.” He told Kiki and she cracked up laughing with him. He gave the phone back to his mother and after a quick kiss from Kiki, he turned to the crew, ready to get it started. “Alright. Everyone ready.” He rallied and they all cheered. “Go no D.” He said and Darrell started a group prayer.
They went through a round of taps and then went their separate ways to get into position.
As Justin was walking out, Kiki yelled out a blast from the past. “Go get ‘em tiger!”
He stopped for a moment in the doorway, shook his head amusedly and continued out. She giggled and hopped off the table she’d been sitting on to follow everyone who was headed up to the VIP box.
From the moment the show started, Kiki was mesmerized. This was unlike any other show he’d seen him do before. From the structure of the stage, to the band and the back up singers being incorporated in the choreography, and the instrumentals, especially the keytair……
“Is he seriously bringing back the keytair?” Tami questioned.
Scrunching up her face foully, Maya began. “That is so-“
“Sexy.” Kiki finished. Everyone looked at her and when their stares registered, she grimaced. “Oh I said that out loud didn’t I?”
No comment. They all thought and simultaneously just turned back to the show.
When Summer Love started Kiki beamed with pride seeing part of her work being executed on stage perfectly. The last song of the show played and despite her best efforts, she teared up. Justin may have written the song as a means for forgiveness and those days were in the past, but it was still a very moving expression of his love for her. As soon as he said goodnight, an emotional Kiki left everyone behind in the box to hurry backstage.
The haunting yet addictive melody of Bittersweet Symphony continued to play as Justin made his way through the crowd lining the path towards backstage, clapping for him, reaching for him, and hooting their love. He accepted countless hand slaps and clutches, “great job”s and “you were awesome”s from the crew members backstage. Looking down the hall to see how far he had to go till he could find reprieve in his dressing room, he saw a sight for sore eyes. Leaning next to the doorway was Kiki teary eyed and wearing that big, bright smile that always warmed him to his soul. He smiled back at her and moving at a steady pace, he walked right into her open arms. He picked her up, and held her tight. “Mmm.” He hummed into the crook of her neck, just absorbing her warmth and love. He eventually pulled away and snatched her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. It took Kiki’s breath away, but she surrendered to him, wrapping her arms around him even tighter.
“I love you.” He murmured against her lips once he let them come up for air.
Breathless, but smiling, she said. “I love you too.” Tilting back, she beamed. “You were amazing! That was one of the best shows I have ever seen.” She praised. “Hella sexy. I loved every minute of it.”
“Thank you baby.”
“Justin!” Joey bellowed from down the end of the hall.
He smiled back at his family and when they reached him, he was engulfed in praise and hugs. When everyone had a turn, the crowd dispersed so he could clean up and gather with the crew for a pseudo debriefing. Kiki moved to go with him, but the girls stopped her.
“We have an after party to get to hermanita.” Maya pointed out. “We don’t want to have to sit around here all night while you two get another one in.” Not give her the chance to argue, they pushed Kiki towards the green room, the rest of the family following behind laughing.
Justin quickly showered and changed into his after party gear. He got to the green room to see that everyone was there and a couple of assistants started passing around flutes of champagne. Standing in the middle of the room he made a speech, congratulating everyone on a great opening night. They drank to the start of an amazing tour and then it was-
“Party time!”
Everyone who was going filed out of the room and headed to the fleet of SUVs waiting outside to take them to the designated club where they topped off an awesome show with an equally awesome after party.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Kiki had just woken up and was in the kitchen starting breakfast when the security monitor on the wall came to life. It only turned on when motion was detected at the front gate. She walked over to get a better look and saw a black SUV pull into the drive.
“Who the hell?” She wondered and went to the front door to investigate. Standing at the top of the front steps, she watched the car park, the back door open and Justin climbed out, followed by Rachel, Lonnie and Eric. She grinned broadly and shook her head. “Could only go three weeks without me huh?”
“Yup.” He freely admitted, bounding up the steps and scooped her up in a hug. “I missed you too much.”
The night before he was feeling some serious family withdrawal and decided, instead of spending the day on the road, he would fly home and then fly straight out to New Orleans for the next show tomorrow. It may have been one day, but every little bit could help alleviate his homesickness.
“I missed you too.” She said and they kiss deeply.
“Alright, cut it out and please tell me you’re cooking breakfast.” Rachel pleaded.
Looking around Justin, Kiki said. “I was just about to get started.”
“Nice!” Eric replied and he, Lonnie and Rachel went straight into the house.
“Thank God I just went to the grocery store.” She cracked. Unfolding her arms from around each other, they walked hand and hand inside.
“Where’s Pix?” Justin asked, scanning the foyer for sign of her. “She still sleeping?”
“Of course. That little girl could win a gold medal in sleeping.”
Back in the kitchen with Rachel’s help, Kiki got down to whipping up some French toast, bacon, scrambled eggs and hash browns. They were settled around the table, eating and laughing about the latest road stories when Kiki heard a sound coming from the baby monitor. She recognized it as whimpering and sat her fork down, preparing to get up. The whimpering turned to crying catching everyone’s attention. Justin started to get up, but she stopped him.
”I’ll get her.”
She got upstairs to find that a bad dream had woken Cheyenne. After calming her down, she got her cleaned up in the bathroom and then she carried her downstairs. She sat her down at the bottom of the staircase.
“Go in the kitchen baby there’s a surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” She perked up.
“Yeah go on.” She didn’t move, just kept looking at the doorway as if either Dora or the big monster from her nightmare was going to come out. “Come on.” Kiki walked ahead of her into the room, hoping she would follow her. But she didn’t. She was still standing there by the steps in her Bratz pj set and booties, looking like she was ready to bolt. “Cheyenne.” She half laughed. “Don’t you want your surprise? It’s a good surprise.”
“What is it?”
“Well it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”
“Is it scary?” Justin couldn’t help but chuckle. She was always so worried about something scaring her. His baby girl was such a little scary ass.
“No it’s not scary.” Kiki assuaged. “How about a hint?” Cheyenne nodded vigorously. “Ok. Umm… He’s big and goofy.” She turned and cheesed at Justin and he glared at her.
Edging through the foyer, Cheyenne reached the doorway and her curly head peaked through. A big smile spread on her face and she darted into the room. “Daddy!” she screeched, running to him and jumping into his arms.
He held her close and kissed the side of her head. “How’s my Pixie face been?”
“I been good.” She answered happily as she sat back on his lap. “Mommy taked me and Robbie to the zoo the other day.”
“Really? Did you have fun?”
“I did! I saw the zebra and the elephant and the lion. He went rah and scared me and Robbie.” She told him animatedly.
“Oh that bad lion. You want me to go talk to him?”
“No. Mommy said that his mommy would give him a tap for being mean.”
“Yeah he’s probably going to be in time out too.”
“Mmhmm.” She agreed. “Ooh Mommy you make French toast!” She saw the content of her father’s plate and raced over to her mother’s side at the island counter.
“I sure did.” Kiki said already preparing her plate. “You ready to eat?” She nodded and ran back to the table to get into her seat.
“Hi Rachel.” She said to her cousin now that she noticed her presence in the chair next to her. “Hi Mr. Lonnie. Hi Mr. Eric.” She greeted them as well.
“Hey CJ. You’ve been watching Sponge Bob for me while I’ve been gone?” Rachel asked.
“Yes I did.” Kiki brought her food over and put her bib on. “Sponge Bob is a hot mess Rachel.”
Rachel cracked up and Justin cocked an eyebrow at her. “What do you know about people being a hot mess?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Auntie Maya say people are a hot mess all the time.” Now that she had her breakfast, the time to talk was over and she dived into her food.
“I knew those ‘Chica Spa Days’ were going to pollute my baby’s mind one day.” Justin glared kiddingly at Kiki.
“Whatever Justin.” She blew him off with the roll of her eyes and took a sip of her coffee.
“So Kik when are you going to join us on the road?” Rachel inquired.
“Are you asking for yourself or for Justin? ‘Cause he knows I’m gonna smack him if he asks me that one more time.” She cut her eyes at him and munched on her piece of bacon.
“Just asking for general purposes.” She lied.
“Mmhmm. In that case, Justin only has to go one more week without getting laid.” Everyone expect for Justin was laughing. She rubbed his shoulder in conciliation. “There’s no such thing as death from blue balls babe. But from what I hear, you’ve been getting it from Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel since the tour started.” Rachel, Lonnie and Eric were in hysterics now, having heard the rumors too. “The last thing you should have, baby, is blue balls. If anything you should be too tired to add me into the rotation.” She grinned at him and snickered when he growled at her. He hooked his arm around her neck and yanked her to his side to lay a punishing kiss on her.
Pushing her finished plate out of the way, Cheyenne asked. “Mommy, can I give Daddy the presents I made him?”
Breaking away from Justin, she said, “sure,” and took her bib off.
She climbed out of her chair and scampered off into the family room to retrieve the items.
“Oh I get presents?”
“Yes you do. She’s been dying to give them to you.”
“Here Daddy.” She returned and handed him both items, a legal manila envelope and a wrapped box, to hold while she climbed into his lap.
“Wow. Thank you. Will you help me open it up?” She nodded and first they cracked the envelope opened. Inside was a piece a paper and he smiled when he recognized what it was. All pink, green and glittery was her hand drawn picture of him as a stick figure and his tour bus.
“It’s beautiful.” She beamed under his praise. “I have a refrigerator on my bus. I’m going to hang my picture on it.”
“Now the other one.” She pulled the box closer to them.
He unwrapped it and found a painted baby blue popsicle stick box inside. Pasted to the top and sides were magazine cut outs of a piano, gold clubs, and a surf board. “Sweetie this is really nice. I love it.”
“Mommy came to school and help me make it.” She explained. “She said blue is your favoritest color. Mine is green.”
“I know.”
“And look inside.” She lifted the lid and sitting inside was a blue macaroni necklace.
He took its out and put it on right then and there. “How’s it look?”
“It looks pretty.”
“Good. Thank you baby. I love all my gifts. “He hugged her. They truly were the most touching and thoughtful one that he had ever received. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Watching to two of them, Kiki was damn near in tears, but before any could fall, Cheyenne lightened the highly emotional mood the room had fallen under.
“Daddy guess what?” A devious little smirk was on her face.
“What?”
“Chicken butt!” She yelled and jumped off his lap, running out of the room giggling madly.
Startled, a little confused, but mostly amused, Justin glanced over at Kiki. “What the fuck have you been doing to my kid while I’ve been gone Kik?”
She shook her head, snickering. “She picked that one up in day care.”
“Wow…those are some really important life skills she’s learning at daycare.” He retorted.
“Shut up.” She kicked his chair, still laughing along with everyone else.
After Justin assured Lonnie and Eric that he had absolutely no plans of leaving the house or his girls, they took the SUV and went to see their respective families. Rachel finished helping Kiki clean up and she took one of Justin’s cars and went to spend her free day with Jake.
For the rest of the day, Justin, Kiki and Cheyenne went swimming, played games, watched movies and cooked dinner together. It was a perfect day that ended with the three of them asleep cuddled up in bed together.
The following morning Cheyenne and Kiki rode with Justin to LAX and escorted him to the airstrip where the private jet was waiting. Justin sent Cheyenne on board to tour the jet. Waiting at the bottom of the steps, Kiki hugged and kissed him goodbye.
“Have you ever seen inside a private jet?”
“No.”
“Wanna check it out?”
“Not really.” She declined, looking up the steps to see if Cheyenne was coming down.
“Oh come on. It’s pretty exciting.” He cajoled.
“Alright.” She relented nonchalantly. She didn’t see what the big deal was, but whatever.
Climbing on board, Justin showed her the main cabin first and then the bedroom in the back of the plane.
“This is nice Justin.” She complimented.
“Attention ladies and gentlemen. We will be taxiing down the runway soon so please take your seats and buckle up.” The pilot announced.
Totally confused, Kiki’s head jerked to the door to see it was closed. “Justin?”
He gripped her hand and pulled her towards him. She looked over to see that he had sat down and was buckling his seat belt. “Come on babe you’re the only one still standing.” He grinned conspiratorially.
She could only shake her head trying to figure out what was going on.
“Yeah sit down Mommy so we can go zoom!” Cheyenne said, zipping her little hand in the air as if it was an airplane.
Kiki looked towards the seats facing Justin to see her daughter was all buckled up next to Rachel. He tugged on her hand harder and in her perplexed state, she stumbled into the empty spot next to him.
“Justin what are you doing?” She asked as he buckled her up quickly now that the plane was moving down the runway. “We can’t leave. I have work.”
“I already talked to Kevin and Jade, they’re going to cover your MOD shifts. Tami and Marissa are going to cover your classes and your laptop is in the back for everything else.”
“But-“
“Come on Kik. I need you guys with me.” He implored.
Smiling, she placed her hand on the side of his face, stroking his cheek. “Ok.” His request was so endearingly heartfelt and there was not real reason for her not to come with him so she could no longer deny him.
He beamed and turned his head to kiss her palm. “Thank you baby.”
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For the next five months, just as they had planned, Kiki and Cheyenne flew out to various cities around the country to meet up with Justin. They joined him when he was in New York where they were able to visit Alex and Reed, and Cheyenne got to see all the wonders of the Big Apple. They travelled out to the Nashville stop and spent a day in Millington visiting the family. Kiki joined Justin solo for the Miami show and they took advantage of all that South Beach had to offer for the weekend.
In September Justin was back home on break before he went overseas for the International leg of the tour. Fortunately, his break coincided with Cheyenne’s first day of Pre-K. He and Kiki were the pentacle of proud parents as they watched her march bravely towards her classroom. They barely got to say bye to her as she excitedly stripped off her Dora the Explorer bookbag and jumped right into the day’s activities. After the teachers ushered the parents out of the classroom, just like all the other mothers, Kiki started crying in Justin’s arms. It was the first time her baby wouldn’t be right downstairs from her office. Needless to say she took the day off so she could cope and she and Justin were waiting anxiously for school to be let out fifteen minutes before hand. Cheyenne talked non-stop about her day the entire ride home. She loved school and could not want to go back.
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Finally December arrived, FutureSex/LoveShow ended, and Justin came home. The morning of his first day back, he was up before both Kiki and Cheyenne. Today was a big day and he wanted to start it off with a big breakfast. Leaving Kiki in bed, he went to get Cheyenne to help him and for some daddy, daughter time. They had a great time, giggling and making a mess, but they actually prepared a decent meal at the same time.
Back upstairs Kiki woke up to an empty bed. Frowning, she reached over to feel Justin’s side and froze at her discovery. She jump out the bed, quickly went to brush her teeth and wash her face, and flew down the stairs. She tracked Justin to the kitchen where he was flipping pancakes.
“Justin!” She screeched.
“Hey baby.” He smiled, purposely ignoring her deer in headlights look. She walked over to him and just stared, expecting him to say something. “Good morning.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek.
Completely stunned at his feigning ignorance, she stuck her hand in front of his face. “What is this?”
He turned off the stove. “Uh… a ring.” He gave her a “duh” look.
“Don’t talk to my like I’m stupid, Justin. I know it’s a ring. What I don’t know it why this type of ring is on this finger.” She pointed at the piece of jewelry trembling and taking in her shaken appearance, the side of Justin’s mouth curled up.
He could tell it was a good shaken so he proceeded with his plan and got down on both knees in front of her, right there in the middle of the kitchen. “Well I was wondering if you’d marry me.”
Looking down at him, she let out a single exhalation, her whole body sagging under the weight of her emotion. “Oh God.” She cried happily, covering her face. She dropped her hands and he saw her tears falling. “Are you serious? You really want to marry me?”
“More than anything in this world.”
“Even though we drive each other crazy?” He nodded. “We could never get a divorce you know that right? I’d kill you first. Or you’d kill me, depending on who’d try to file.”
He laughed. “Exactly so hurry up and say yes.”
Sniffling and giggling, she nodded. “Yes…Yes I’ll marry you.” She answered joyfully and fell into his arms.
They both stood on their knees, hugging, kissing, crying and laughing. Their moment was interrupted by the distance sound of crying that was not at all happy like theirs. Kiki looked over Justin’s shoulder and saw Cheyenne standing in the doorway between the kitchen and den with tears coming down.
“Baby what’s wrong?’ She pulled out of Justin’s arms and he turned to see what was happening.
She sobbed. “Daddy made you cry.”
“Oh no babyheart. Come here.” She ran straight into her mother’s arms and Kiki pulled her close for comfort. “These are happy tears. Daddy just made me so happy.”
“How?” She hiccupped.
“Well…You know how you and Daddy have matching names?” She looked to her father for reassurance and he Eskimo kissed her making her giggle reflexively. She turned back to her mother for the rest of the explanation. “Daddy just gave me this ring and it means that now my name is going to be Kiki Timberlake just like yours and Daddy’s.”
Cheyenne reached out to play with the engagement ring and peered up at her father with curious eyes. “You’re gonna make mommy match us?” She gathered.
“Yup.”
Giving it some thought, Cheyenne came to a decision. “Okay….I like that.” She smiled and nodded as if her approval was the determining factor.
Justin snorted and kissed the top of her head. “I like that too baby.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A few days later was Sunday dinner at Nina and Frederick’s, perfect timing for Justin and Kiki to tell the family about their engagement. They decided to not say anything, but let them figure it out. They even made a bet on how long it would take and who would be the one to notice first.
A couple of hours into dinner, everyone was at the table eating and talking. Kiki was telling a story about one of her classes to Bianca and she waved her left hand while weaving her tale.
“Ah! You’re getting married!” Maya screamed out of nowhere scaring everyone in the process and practically tried to climb over the table to grab her sister’s hand. “Oh my gawh. Look at that ring!”
When the shock faded and her announcement sunk in, the whole room exploded with excitement. Lynn and Nina started screaming, but that quickly morphed into bawling.
“Aww Ma don’t cry.” Justin consoled her in a hug.
“I thought you two were going to make me wait forever.” She half cried, half scolded him and Kiki, pulling her into a strangling hug.
Everyone had surrounded the couple; freaking out, checking out the ring, giving hugs and congratulations. All with the exception of Frederick sitting at the head of the table with Cheyenne. Being the only two who already knew the good news “ the afternoon Justin came home he went straight to Frederick’s office to invite him to lunch and ask for Kiki’s hand which he happily gave “ they quickly got out of the way of the madness.
“We have a pretty crazy family don’t we Pixie girl?”
“Yup Grampy.” She peeped with a big smile.
He laughed, kissing the top of her head. Crazy, but amazing and none of them would trade their family for any other in the world.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Breaking E! News
“Today is a sad day for women around the globe “ including myself. Justin Timberlake has announced that he is getting married. Wahhh!” Debbie Matenopoulous cried.
During her commentary flashes of footage of Justin solo, Justin and Kiki, Justin, Kiki and Cheyenne played on the screen:
“That’s right ladies the day has finally come. The 26 year old musician, actor, fashion mogul, restaurant owner - you name it he does it - proposed to Kiki Lewis, his girlfriend and mother of his 3 year old daughter, two weeks ago. The couple has yet to set a date, but sources say come next year Mr. JT will no longer be one of Hollywood’s hottest bachelors. Congratulations to Justin and Kiki. Back to you Sal.”
