Chapter 26

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Next day, around lunch

Meredith mumbled to herself as she plugged her TV back in.

-This is sad.  I can't go 24 hours without TV. Sad Sad Sad.-

She got the cables all set and picked up the remote lying on the coffee table.  She flipped through the channels and when it landed on Comedy Central she smiled and put it on mute.

-THIS is what I need. Laughter.-

She set down the remote and sauntered into the kitchen, looking down at her hand.  For some reason she had put the promise ring Justin had given her back on her finger.  She didn't deserve to wear it, but no one else was around so it was just between her and God that she was wearing it.  She smiled, it was a beautiful ring.  And it was HER ring.  Meredith sighed loudly.  How one man, young man had turned her life around and flipped it upside down so easily, was a mystery to her.  But no matter what happened she would always love that man.  That made her smile.

he got out everything she needed to make a grilled cheese and made one of her infamous grilled cheeses.  She got out a Pepsi and walked back into the living room about 10 minutes later.

She sat down on the couch, propping her feet up on the table.  She reached for the remote and unmuted it.  It was back on another commercial and she giggled at Jon Stewart's comments about the Daily Show.  The commercial ended and a picture of Joshua Jackson entered the screen with the letters SNL off to the side.

She stopped mid-bite.  This was the episode Nsync was on. 

She wanted to change the channels.  But when Josh came on stage and said "Ladies and Gentleman, Nsync", she couldn't. She froze and listened as they sang the one song she needed to hear.  It was like God was sending her a message. 

It was a sign.

A tear fell down her smooth cheek at the moment the song ended.

She knew.

She smiled.  She actually SMILED at the TV.  She then giggled and fell over on the couch.  "I'm sooooo blind."  She laughed at her stupidity.  She was laughing, and had no idea why.  She just felt like laughing.

She straightened herself and only felt joy at that moment.  She couldn't eat anymore and put the rest of her grilled cheese on the coffee table and sat Indian style on the couch as she channel surfed.

"What am I doing?"  She laughed at herself again. 

-Did I put something in my Pepsi?  What is wrong with me?  Oh my gosh I am an IDIOT!!! IDIOT I TELL YOU!!  Why am I giddy?  Stop stop stop.-

She stopped on Entertainment Tonight when she saw a picture of Britney on the screen.  She turned up the volume.

"It seems the rumors have finally ended.  Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake are NOT a hot couple as everyone speculated they were.  After a photographer took these pictures for the London Times, talk about Justin's newest girl who is also *Nsync's assistant fired up.  A few weeks ago, Justin made this statement that aired on MTV's Total Request Live:

'It's funny how your feelings and emotions can be blown up on the screen and in a paper.  They can be cheapened and exaggerated. But one thing that I'm sure about is that no matter how much you try, you can not cheapen or exaggerate REAL love.  The media can try to make my relationship with Meredith seem cheap, but that's one thing it is NOT.  Our relationship is probably one of the BEST things in my life.  I'm so fortunate to have her.  I've known Meredith for a while now.  We've become best friends and I know she is someone that I see in my life for a very long time. 

I hope the fans will understand that I am a person.  And as a person I feel things that every person does.  Love is no exception.  I pray that one day each of our fans will find someone that they care for and love as much as I do Meredith.  And all I can do now is ask for the fans to respect my girlfriend and me.  Yes, folks I said it.  I have a girlfriend.  Thank you.'

This weekend, Britney Spears was seen being very chummy with a certain brown haired young man that has yet to be named at the Ft. Lauderdale club, 'Sunset'.  So the rumors have been cleared and the two pop teen sensations are just friends.  Yes, folks we've said it.  They're just friends.

The cast of ER...."

Meredith drowned out the rest of the speaker and she sat there in shock.  The statement he had given was perfect.  Perfectly perfect.  It was simple yet explanatory. 

-I should have gone over there to watch it with him.-  She scolded herself. 

Her eyes caught the cordless phone on its cradle on the stand beside the couch.  It was unplugged like all the rest of her phones.

She had that need to call him.  But she couldn't. 

-Later- she thought.  She needed to figure out what to say, do. 

Meredith turned her attention back to the TV and channel surfed again in a daze.  Her thoughts ran wild of how Justin would always randomly say that he loved her.  The small comforting kisses, not the passionate make out ones, but the kisses on the cheek, forehead and temple were the ones she missed.  She wanted more than anything to have him there with her.  Lying back on the couch with his arms around her, in front of him.  And them just watching TV.  Not saying anything.  Just being together.

That was the best part of their relationship.  Just being TOGETHER.

Her thoughts were interrupted though.  And she was brought back into reality when she landed on MTV.

Harsh reality.

"Justin Timberlake of *Nsync was in an automobile accident yesterday evening in the suburbs of Orlando, Florida.  Witnesses said he ran a stoplight speeding after a silver Porsche when a Jeep Cherokee hit Justin's BMW.  He was airlifted to one of Orlando's hospitals but the name is not being given for security reasons.  Fans have flooded all of the hospitals in that area, though.  When MTV received this news, Timberlake's condition was critical. The driver of the Jeep was released a few hours after arriving at the hospital. We will have more on this story as it unfolds.  And you can get more information on this breaking news and other news at Mtv.com. More news later, 10 to the hour, right here on MTV."

Meredith stared in shock as another tear ran down her damp cheeks.  A hand came up to her lips and she shook her head.  "No."

As if planned there was a knock on the door and JC's voice.  "Meredith, its JC.  PLEASE open up!"

She stared at the door for what seems like centuries.  But it was actually only a few seconds until she had swung open the door and flew into JC's arms, crying out.

"No. No. No.  Please, God let him be OK."

"Meredith he is OK, now.  But he wants to see you.  We tried calling but never got through."

"GOD I'm so stupid.  I left the phones off the hook.  Let's go, NOW!"  She pushed him out the door, not bothering bringing a jacket or her keys or anything with her.  She sprinted past JC out to the Explorer waiting for them.  Mike was in the driver's seat.  She got in and watched as JC jogged to the car and got in the back.

"Go go go go go go."  She chanted staring at Mike.

"Calm down G."  Mike petted her shoulder as he pulled into the street.

She took a deep breath and bit her nails as they drove as fast as Mike would to the hospital.  They got there in about 10 minutes and Meredith was ready to hop out and sprint in there but Mike locked the doors.

"Meredith, there are a lot of fans here.  We have to be careful, especially with you and JC in the car."

"I don't give a damn Mike.  Justin is in their DYING for all I know and I am in here.  Please..."

"OK.  Just hold on."  He pulled out his walkie-talkie and Meredith turned around to give JC a worried look, he was on his cell phone.  She turned back around and saw Dre jogging towards their car. 

"I've got JC, you stay with Dre. OK?"  Meredith just nodded quickly and as soon as Dre got to them, Mike unlocked the doors and she sprinted out of the car.  Dre had to catch her arm.

"Come on COME ON!!"  She yelled pulling him to the front entrance.  Dre pulled her back and put an arm around her.

"You are supposed to follow ME!"  He walked with her slowly into the entrance of the hospital, letting her hear what the fans gathered outside had to say.

"MEREDITH!!  TELL JUSTIN WE LOVE HIM!!"

"WE WANT HIM TO GET BETTER!! PLEASEEEE!" 

These were just a few of the loving cries called out to her.  She just smiled and nodded at them, before being pulled into the hospital.  Dre took her straight to the elevators and they got in and he pressed the number 4.  The doors closed just in time for her to see JC and Mike walking through the front doors.

"How bad is it?"  She finally asked Dre.

<p>"Bad.  But I have no doubt in my mind that as soon as he sees you he we start to get better.  No doubt at all." Dre was about as serious as he could be and Meredith just stood in shock at his words.  The doors opened and Dre stepped out.  Meredith followed but froze in her tracks when she saw all the people gathered out in the hallway.

Johnny, Chris, Lance, Joey, Leslie, Dani, Lonnie, Randy, Gina, Lisa, Justin's step-mom, who was holding baby Stephen, Justin's father Randall, and Jonathan.  Worst of all Jonathan. He spotted her first.

"GIRLFRIEND!!!"  He ran up to her and she dropped to her knees and held the boy like he was everything to her.

"Ohh, Jonathan."

"What's wrong?"  He asked pulling away.  She smiled at his innocence.

"Don't worry.  Justin is going to be fine.  He said so himself!!"  John exclaimed with a bright smile.  "Come on.  Let's go see him."  John picked up her hand and basically dragged her to the crowd of people staring at her.  She looked back at Dre who was laughing at "little J".

"Hey everyone."  Meredith shyly said as she stopped at the crowd.  Jonathan left her and walked to a door.  She looked up and saw there was a window beside the door, but the blinds were closed.  She watched as John took charge and lightly knocked on the door then peeked his head in. He stayed that way, halfway in the door for a few moments before the door opened fully and Jonathan ran into the room yelling "She's here".  Lynn emerged with a tired face. 

She stared at Meredith and Meredith was scared.  For the first time she was scared of this woman because she didn't know if Lynn would blame her.  She blamed herself, so why should she be any different.

Lynn walked over to Meredith and smiled before wrapping her arms around her.  "Thank you for coming.  He needs you."  And with that Lynn pulled away and went to talk to the rest of the group.

Meredith stared at the cracked door, opened.  Opened for her to go in and see the man of her dreams, her heart.  Her soul.

The door opened a little more and John stood in the doorway and looked at her.  "Well, are you coming or not?"

Meredith laughed at him and looked at the other faces around her.  They all smiled and encouraged her to go on.  So, she took a slow step towards the door and stopped.  She was too scared.

John gave her a bored look and came out and walked behind her.  He put his hands on her butt and literally pushed her to the door.  He gave one more push until she was in the door and clicked the door shut behind her.  Meredith heard laughter out in the hallway and thanks being given to Jonathan.

But then she looked up.

Her heart broke and was repaired all at the same time.  She looked at HIM.

With tubes going into his arms.  His leg in a cast, a bandage over his forehead, and an arm in a sling.

She fell in love with him all over again.

A painful but special and lovingly and COCKY smile shone though the dim light of the room and he coughed painfully before speaking.  "I knew you'd come."

Meredith stared at him.  She couldn't do anything else.  Her feet were cemented to the floor.  His smiled faded and he turned his head on the pillow.  He looked at her so seriously and she didn't know what was going on in his mind.

Her mind was screaming "RUN."

Her heart was screaming "RUN."

The only difference is that her mind wanted her to run out the door and her heart wanted her to run to his arms...or arm since the other was broken.

"Come here angel."  Justin said hoarsely.

She took a deep breath and inched towards him, he smiled then she stopped. 

"I- I- can't."

"Yeah, actually you can.  Get your butt over here!"  She couldn't believe in the state he was in he was joking around and smiling.  She shook her head and turned around.  She walked to the door and opened it, only to get weird looks from everyone standing there and Justin's voice calling out to her to "wait" and "please don't go."  She saw Lonnie eye her.  He knew what she was going to pull but she at least had to try.

The doors to the elevator opened at the end of the hallway and she sprinted towards them. 

She didn't get very far until two built arms had thrown her over a broad shoulder.  She struggled and hit his back, but it was NO use.  She dug her nails into his arms and he slapped the back of her thighs.

"Girl, calm yourself.  I'm not going to let you run away from that boy again."  By now Lonnie had taken her back into the hospital room and she could hear Justin's laughter.  She smiled.  She couldn't help it.  It was what she was use to.

The next thing she knew, her world when spinning and she was sitting down in a chair right beside Justin's bed.  He had a smirk on his face.

"You should know better than to try and get away from me."  He reached for her hand and she just stare at the tubes going through his wrist.  She felt like she was going to be sick. 

"L, I think you can let her go now."  Justin snickered because Lonnie had his hands firmly on her shoulders keeping her in place. 

Lonnie turned around and walked to the door. "The things I do for you kids.  I swear I feel like I'm on Jerry Springer in this business.  And I haven't gotten that Chocolate cake you promised me Meredith for going to Europe with you guys.  I tell you, I-"  Lonnie turned around and he smiled instantly.

Meredith had her hand finally locked with Justin's and they were staring at each other.  Justin sighed and smiled sweetly at her as she brought his hand up to her lips.  Lonnie watched as his eyes shut in pleasure as her lips brushed against his skin. 

-Man, to think that that one movement can give the boy THAT much pleasure.-

Lonnie opened the door and shut it quietly behind him.

Meredith opened her mouth to say something but Justin shushed her.  "Shhh, just let me look at you."  She nodded silently as he studied her face.  She bowed her head in shame and looked back up at him with tears streaming down her face. 

"Don't cry baby."  He whispered.  "I'll be all right."

"I wont."  She hoarsely said.

Justin put a hand on her left arm and brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm.  He brought her hand to his cheek and let it be tucked between his face and the pillow.  He smiled tiredly at her. 

"I don't-"  He stopped mid sentence and looked deeply into her eyes.  She looked right back not knowing what he was doing.  He moved his head and brought her hand down to right in front of his face. 

The brightness of his smile could be seen on the other side of the world.  He was beaming.

"You- you are wearing it."  He stared at the ring on her finger and she giggled. 

"Opps.  That was just supposed to be between me and God."

"No, no no.  It's....I love you."  He looked into her eyes and if she almost broke in two for about he 50th time that day.

"How can you after all that I have done to you?"  She looked lost and he took her hand and kissed her knuckles before resting her palm on his chest.  She could feel his heart beating steadily inside of him.

"Feel that?"  She nodded in response.

"Until the day you can't feel that I will love you.  And that will be forever because that's not the vibration of an organ pumping blood through my veins.  That's the pulse of my love for you.  That's the feeling of my heart loving you for all eternity."  A tear fell down his cheek and on instinct she lifted her body so that her lips could take the tear away.  As she did this he shivered.  She moved her body so that her lips hovered over his and she looked right into his eyes as he spoke the one word she needed to hear.

"Please..." 

And with that their lips met.  Justin let out a whimper and Meredith smiled in return.  He smiled also against her lips before reclaiming them.  With the angle she was leaning on it didn't take much for her to deepen the kiss.  Justin thought he had seriously died and gone to heaven as soon as she brought both of her hands up to cup his face and to kiss him more passionately. 

They were so lost and happy in their own world that didn't realize that some one had been knocking on the door.  Justin pulled away and slowly opened his eyes. 

"Did you hear that?" He whispered against her lips.

She kissed his nose sweetly. "No."

He let his lips touch her chin. "Me either."

They both giggled and Justin brought his free hand up to her face and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "I missed you."

"Well, I love you.  And you won't have to miss me anymore because I'm not going anywhere."

"So you DO believe me?"

"I always did.  But my brain was acting weird again."

Justin grinned a boyish grin and lifted his face to kiss her once more.  As soon as they met someone in the room cleared their throat.  Meredith stood up quickly and turned around.  Justin stared at the doorway.

There stood the doctor, AND everyone else crowded around the doorway smiling brightly.

"Justin its time for more medicine."  The doctor said kindly.

Justin smiled at the doctor and then turned his attention to the group crowded in the doorway. "What are yall staring at?" 

"Oh, Nothing at all."  JC said sarcastically, rolled his eyes and turned around.  The rest of the group went back outside but Randall and Jonathan came into the room.

Randall came up to Meredith and gave her a hug as Jonathan went up to his brother's bedside and started talking widely.

"He looks better already."  Randall whispered in her ear.

Meredith pulled away and looked up at Justin's father. "Well, the doctor is giving him medicine."

"That's not what I'm talking about."  Meredith gave him a questioning face and he turned to look at Justin who was giving his brother an interested look.  "Look at him.  He is beaming.  15 minutes ago he didn't look like that.  Now...you're here."  Meredith looked up at Randall surprisingly and he just moved over to Justin's bedside.

"Hey Dad."  Justin smiled, lazily.

"Hey, I think we are going to go get some real food while you are knocked out."

Justin chuckled, "OK."

Randall turned to Meredith.  "You want to go with us?"

"No.  I'm staying here."

"Well, he's getting his medicine, so he will be asleep in about 10 minutes."  The doctor said changing the bags that were hanging up, flowing medicine into Justin's body.  "Can she stay in here with me?"  Justin turned and asked the doctor.  The doctor looked uncertain and Justin spoke again.  "Please, she's my girlfriend.  Right?"  He turned and looked at Meredith.  Meredith rolled her eyes playfully.  "DUH!"

Everyone laughed and Jonathan scoffed.  "Well, fine then." Jonathan stormed to the door and swung it open.  He turned around and smiled sweetly at everyone in the room and quickly said "BYE!"

Meredith turned around and her and Justin laughed together at Jon's little show.  Randall petted his son's head before smiling and leaving the room also. 

"All done."  The doctor said, hooking the bag on the rack and looking at Meredith.  "I think it would be OK if you stayed in here, but Justin will probably be asleep shortly."

"That's OK.  By the way I'm Meredith."

"I know, my daughter is a big fan of Justin here.  I'm Dr. Michael.  And you must me a miracle worker because he is looking 10 times better."

Meredith blushed and the doctor quietly left the room.  She looked up at Justin and he had an evil grin on his face.

"Whut?"  She asked walking towards him.

Justin scooted over as much as he could on the bed and pulled back the covers.  He patted the space beside him and smiled brightly. 

"Justin, I don't think its that good of an idea."  Meredith looked at the tiny space she had to fit in.

"You won't hurt me, now get over here."  He pointed to himself and she smiled.

Meredith walked over to the bed and cautiously snuggled under the covers after she kicked her shoes off.  Justin shifted some more and he had a pained expression on his face.

"I'm hurting you."

"No, I'm hurting myself."  He shifted once more and relaxed, wrapping his unbroken arm around her shoulders.  He bent down and kiss her head.  "This is what I've been waiting for, for about 3 and 1/2 weeks now."  He yawned.

After a few moments Meredith spoke. "Justin, I heard the statement.  It was re-aired on Entertainment Tonight this morning."

"Well..."

She sighed. "I love you."

"Good."  He smiled and thought for a moment.  "Will you do something for me?"

"Anything."

"Sing to me.  Something I've never heard that will put me to sleep."  He smiled sheepishly.

She looked up at him before laying her head on his shoulder and taking a deep breath.  She started singing a song called “Never saw blue like that.”  It reminded her of her and Justin’s relationship and how much she’s changed because of him, for the good, in the past year.

Meredith finished and the only sounds she heard were the beeps of the machines hooked to Justin, the heavy breathing of Justin, and the heart beat of Justin.

A tear fell from her eye as she realized, she was home.

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No matter how much it was given to her, she would never get use to the star treatment.  She sat there in probably one of the nicest limos you could get and still felt out of place.  She glanced outside and only saw other limos around the uptown of Los Angeles.  She heard two familiar voices in the limo besides her and smiled at their familiarity.  One was a deep rumble with a hint of ebonics.  The other was a voice some would say was nasally.  Or it tried too hard to sound thug-like.  Or it was like a whine.

To her it was perfect. 

The conversation that she was paying attention to, the voices not the words, ceased.  But never once did she take her eyes away from the view outside of the tinted windows.

A few seconds later the sound of fabric moving against leather was heard.  She didn't move, except to turn her lips into a smile when the side of a body was pressed against hers, an arm was placed around her shoulders, warm air was felt on her neck, and a low uninterested groan was heard from the seat across from her.

"Did I mention how completely gorgeous you look tonight?"  Justin spoke smoothly letting his lips tickle her ear.

"Several times."  She finally turned to look at him.  At first he just stared at her then slowly he began to smile.

"Well, I've never seen someone look as beautiful as you do a this very moment."  He smiled as her eyebrows arched highly and her smile shone through.

"OK, children we are almost there.  So don't get too...what do they call it?  Ravished...before you take the carpet."

"We wouldn't do that, now would we Lonnie?"  Justin smirked as he began to kiss Meredith's neck.

"Please just don't give me a hickey.  I'd hate to have to explain that out there."  She giggled.

"Don't worry, I've got a better place to kiss you anyway."  Justin wiggled his eyebrows before quickly swooping his head down and capturing her lips in a slow sweet kiss.

The limo came to a stop and Lonnie opened the door for them and stepped out.  The crowds and reporters outside, hushed in anticipation of who was it that was arriving. 

Justin squeezed her hand and kissed her temple. "I love you."  He said quickly before stepping out into the light and out of the car.

The crowds screamed and the reporters yelled his name.  He flashed them a quick smile before turning around and holding his hand out.

The crowds quieted again in anticipation.

A small, feminine hand with French-tipped nails was placed in his smooth yet masculine one.  A whitish-creamy sandal was placed on the red carpet and a long cream colored silk dress was shown.  The hand extended into a slender arm and then a perfectly rounded shoulder.  Another sandal was placed on the carpet and the rest of the body stood up out of the car.  She was well, beautiful.

Her hair was curly, as usual when she got dressed up.  But this time it was professionally done and half of it had been pulled up into a sloppy bun.  Her Donna Karen dress made her feel like a princess, or more like a goddess.  It was creamy-white silk that fit her well and bunched up at the neckline.

The crowds and reporters were quiet for a while and that made Meredith nervous.  Justin pulled on her hand that was intertwined with his and whispered in her ear.

"They are staring because they think you are an angel."  He pulled back and gave her a goofy face before looking her up and down.  "Well, what do you know?  You ARE an angel." 

She laughed and her perfect smile and genuine laughter made its way to the crowd, the reporters, the photographers, and the cameramen.

The crowd cheered and the reporters started calling his name again, along with hers.

The two walked to a platform where people were supposed to take pictures.  Justin had informed her just to stay with him and smile.  So she did just that.

After a few minutes, Lonnie ushered them down to the first set of reporters.

"Hey Mr. Timberlake, we will be ready to take a few questions in a moment."

"Cameron, you are older than me, so call me Justin.  And this is Meredith, Meredith this is Cameron Coles from Entertainment Tonight."  Justin said in his most flattering and charming voice.

"Nice to meet you."  Meredith shook the ladies hand.

"OK, Ready?" Cameron asked as Justin nodded.

"In 3..2... Hi I'm Cameron Coles with Entertainment Tonight.  Of course the biggest news in music right now is the Grammy's, which air tonight on ABC at 8.  And ladies I've got what you've been waiting for right here with me on the red carpet:  Justin Timberlake from *Nsync.  Hey Justin, thanks for stopping by."

"Oh my pleasure."

"First off, we all want to give you a huge welcome back to the spotlight.  All of us here at Entertainment Tonight are happy to see you doing well and looking great."

"Thank you Cameron.  I want to say thank you to all you out there that gave me support and love during my time in the hospital."  Justin smiled brightly.

"Where are the rest of the guys?"  Cameron asked moving the microphone between herself and him.

"We decided to go the independent route tonight and all go separately.  But down worry this doesn't mean we are splitting up or anything.  We just need room for us, our dates, and our bodyguards."  Justin smiled into the camera.

"Speaking of dates, who is this you got here?"

"As most of you know, this is my girl, Meredith." Justin smiled down at her, as she gave a shy smile and small wave to the camera.

"So Meredith is there anyone here that you want to see perform?"

"Actually I can't wait for Madonna to take the stage."  Meredith smiled.

"That makes two of us." Cameron laughed then turned back to Justin.  "So, Justin, what award are you guys hoping to win the most?"

"Well, I'm not going to say it's just an honor to be nominated.  I mean it is.  But to be honest we all REALLY want to win.  Everyone knows how we feel about this album.  It's our baby.  So probably album of the year would be the topper."  Justin grinned.

"I know you guys have to go on, but have a great evening and good luck." 

"Thank you Cameron."  Justin kissed her cheek and Meredith shook the ladies hand again as they were scurried off to other reporters.

----------------------------------

Meredith looked at Justin who was nervously fiddling with his hands.  She smiled and grabbed one hand.  "It's OK to be nervous."

"I really hope we get this."  He whispered.

"And the winner is.....*Nsync "No Strings Attached!"  The crowd cheered and the guys just looked at each other stunned for a moment.  Then Justin took the initiative and stood up.  He immediately looked at Meredith who had stood up with him and hugged her tightly.  His kissed her quickly before he let go to hug JC who was beside him.  The guys hugged each other and their dates and filed out of aisle towards the stage.

Meredith looked to her right and smiled at Whitney, who was 3 seats down from her.  She was really excited for JC.  They were now officially dating.  Meredith turned towards the left and right beside her was Dani.  She slapped hands with her, and then clasped her hand as they watched their men in their nice Armani suits walk to the podium.

"YEEHAWW!!"  JC yelled into the microphone, before stepping aside.  Meredith laughed and looked at Whitney who was turning red.

"Wow.  This is amazing!!  WE got a Grammy. YEAH!!"  Justin cheered into the microphone.  Then they all got serious.  Lance and Joey waved to the fans a few times as Chris spoke.

"First and foremost we have to thank God for blessing us with our talents."

"We also want to thank all our families and friends for sticking by us." JC said.

"A BIG thank you goes out to Jive, our label.  Johnny, Chicken, and everyone else at WEG.  Especially my angel." Justin smiled brightly and pointed to Meredith, as she covered her face with one hand in embarrassment.

"Our security.  You guys are awesome.  And you know we REALLY appreciate you guys."  Joey said.

"And finally our fans.  Yall are what makes us who we are.  Without you there is no Nsync. Thank you."  Lance smiled.

The guys each nodded and thank you'd and waved to the crowd one last time before being ushered off the stage.

About 10 or 15 minutes later the guys had returned for the rest of the show.  As Justin took his seat, Meredith leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"What's that for?"

"For giving me a shout out, for being you, and because I'm so proud and happy for you right now. Justin, you have a Grammy.  That's a BIG deal!" She beamed.  He kissed her hand and sighed.

"I know, angel.  I know."

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June 2003

The sun created an eerie glow in the luxurious bedroom of the expensive resort.  The French doors of the balcony were open and the sheer curtains blew in the early morning breeze from the ocean wind. Two deep brown eyes were finally opened to the world.  They blinked a few times to get focused and were met with intense navy eyes and a broad white smile.

"Good Morning."  A voice said dramatically.

"It is a good morning, in deed."  She responded in the same cheesy drama.

"Damn you're sexy."  He smiled taking his head off his hand that was propped up and leaning it on a soft down feather pillow looking at her body up and down, even though most was covered by a thin sheet.

"Well you aren't too bad yourself Timberfake."

"You know, TIMBERFAKE, I don't think you have the right to dish out that name, because now I can shoot it right back at ya."  He smirked licking his lips.

She bit hers in response and smiled devilishly.  "Let's call Joey.  I know we said these next weeks are just for us but, it would be funny."

"WHERE'S THE PHONE!?"  Justin asked excited, reaching over to the nightstand.  He dialed a few numbers and handed her the phone.

"Hello?"  A very tired groggy voice asked.

"Ohh Josephine?!"  Meredith sang.

"Whos-wait...Meredith!?!" 

"In the flesh baby...in more ways than one."  Meredith winked at Justin who just giggled.

"WELL?"  Joey exclaimed.

"Well what?"  Meredith mocked being clueless as she turned on her side, not facing Justin.

"Well how was it?  It's been 4 days since your wedding.  I want to know how big of a show my man Curly put on for ya!"  He beamed.

Justin wrapped his arms around her from behind and she sighed contently when she felt his body press up against hers.  "Let's just say it sure was a show and a big one at that."  Justin began to kiss her neck and she slightly groaned.

"Oh my gosh!!  You two are getting it on while you talk to me??  Now THAT'S just kinky!!"  Joey practically screamed.

Meredith giggled and said a quick goodbye to him before handing the phone to Justin.

"Hey Joe." He pulled away and rested on his back, staring at the ceiling.

"So...was it worth waiting what...4 years?  Right?"

"Oh gosh was it worth it.  She was... is amazing."  Justin sighed as Meredith snuggled up to his chest.

"Well, I appreciate you guys thinking of me and calling and telling me this.  This has been the highlight of week.  Hearing how you guys' sex life is."  Justin laughed in shock as Joey said this.

"But if you didn't know it IS 3 in the morning here, so goodnight, sleep tight, and by GOD let the Meredith bug bite!!"  Joey hung up the phone quickly leaving Justin in giggles.  He put the phone back on its cradle and turned to his love.

"So...What do you want to do now, since we are awake and everything?" Meredith smiled evilly, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I can think of something's." He took two fingers and began slowly walking them across the creamy white silk sheets, towards her.  "I mean you are Meredith, I'm Justin.  We are married.  We are in a bed. What else?  Oh yes, we are both naked."  Justin whispered that last part like it was TOP SECRET and rested his 'walking' fingers on her smooth shoulder.  "Yeah I can think of SEVERAL things."

"Oh no...." Meredith groaned and it turned into laughter as Justin tackled her and pulled the covers over both of their heads.  He leaned down and kissed her passionately before pulling back.

They stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before she spoke.  "I love you Justin Timberlake."

He sighed and smiled sweetly. "And I love you Meredith...."  He paused and his sweet smiled turned evil. "...TimberFAKE!" 

"Oh that's it!  You are gonna pay!"  She yelled tickling him.  Now SHE had tackled him.

He giggled and exclaimed.  "PLEASE!!" 

"YOU ANNOY ME!"  They both laughed and before they new it he was kissing her passionately once again.

Kissing her....

...His angel.