Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 13:51:57 -0500
From: Danni Bailey <dannibailey@hotmail.com>
Subject: No More Secrets - Chapter 6

Disclaimer...Yes boys and girls this is a fictitious story.  I know none of
the member of NSYNC or any other characters portrayed in this story. This
also does not imply that any members of NSYNC are gay (although Justin and
JC would make a great couple!)

If you have some time, please send me some feedback.  I love hearing any
and all comments.

Comments to Dannibailey@hotmail.com


Chapter 6

As Justin backed into the parking space at Orlando's Memorial Hospital, he
could not help but smile as he noticed the two car seats in the back of the
Surburban.  Shortly, he would have the family that he always dreamed of.
The two of you had discussed children for several years before finally
deciding to become foster parents, thinking this would allow you a chance
to see what raising a family would really be like before deciding on
adoption.  Kyle and Mandi had made it easy.

Mike Gilroy met you as you exited the elevator on the 3rd floor children's
wing.

He looked at his watch and chuckled.  "You guys pretty punctual.  11:00
exactly.  I had heard rumors that you were late for everything Justin."

"Damn, that reputation has followed me for years, and its really not true"
he said in his own defense.  "Josh was the one that was always late."

"Well, I think the nurses will be glad you're here.  Mandi hasn't exactly
been very cooperative this morning.  Evidently, naps are not her favorite
time of the day.  She was fine while she was in the play room with Kyle but
she hasn't stopped crying since they laid her down."

Justin turned to you.  "How about you go get Kyle and I'll see if I can't
get Mandi quiet.  If I can get her to sleep, then we can drop by the
counselor's office while we're here and we won't have to come back this
afternoon."

You were impressed.  With all that was going on he still remember his
appointment.  "That sounds great.  I'll get Kyle and see that the paperwork
taken care of.  How about I check on you in about half and hour and see if
you're having any luck?"

"Perfect" he concurred.

As Justin headed off to Mandi's room, you followed Mike to the play area.
"What needs to be done as far as paperwork is concerned?  We'd kinda like
to take the kids home and get them settled in."

"All I need is a couple of signatures for right now.  We'll have to have
some legal documents drawn up for the adoption, but I can drop those by the
house tomorrow if that's okay."

"That's fine.  Justin and I plan on taking the next few days off so we can
spend some time with the kids, so drop by anytime."

"Okay, then there is just one other thing that we need to discuss.
Normally, in cases like this the adoptive parents are not required to
appear before the judge.  The paperwork is all filled out and the judge
goes on our recommendation.  However, the circuit court judge handling this
case has asked that you appear personally."

Your defenses immediately went up.  "Why?"

"Gary, I'm not really sure, but from what I understand she is rather
conservative and I think she just needs some reassurance that this
arrangement is what's best for the children."

You could feel your face redden.  "Tell me this has nothing to do with me
and Justin being gay."

Mike nodded almost apologetically.  "That, and the fact that Justin is in
the entertainment industry.  I think she's concerned that you're lifestyle
may not be conducive to raising children."

You took a deep breath, reminding yourself that yelling at Mike Gilroy was
not going to help the situation.

"Don't mention this to Justin.  I'll tell him."

Mike looked relieved.  "Good, I was hoping you would."

"Just let me know when this appearance is.  Although, I cannot believe we
have to defend ourselves, I have NO problem doing it.

You slowly opened the door to the playroom and spotted Kyle towards the
back, feverishly building a city made of Legos.  His right arm was in cast
and a sling, impeding his efforts.  You walked up slowly behind him,
unnoticed, as he was deeply engrossed in his work.

"Need some help?" you asked softly.

He turned around and with wide eyes and a huge smile leaped into your arms.
"Gary, I knew you and Justin would come for us.  I told Mandi you would."

You held him tightly, brushing the curls from his forehead.  The remarkable
resemblance to Justin brought a smile to your face.  You and Justin had
never seen the two children when you had agreed to become their foster
parents and the first meeting caught you both off guard.  In fact, you had
teased Justin about having a girlfriend on the side.  Both Amanda and Kyle
had Justin's blue eyes, but it was the blonde curls that everyone noticed.
Kyle's were soft and loose while Mandi had tight ringlets.

"We've missed you Kyle" you said sincerely, "and Justin and I don't want to
miss you any more.  If it's okay with you, we'd like you to come home with
us for good."

"Your gonna keep me?" he asked excitedly.

You laughed.  "Yes, we're gonna keep you."

He face suddenly turned serious. "What about Mandi?"

Kyle's concern for his sister had always been a priority.  He was the
ultimate big brother.  "Of course, Mandi too.  Justin is with her now."

"She didn't want to take a nap" he informed you.

"I heard.  Justin is trying to get her to sleep now.  How about you and I
go and check on him?  I know he wants to see you."

You held his tiny hand in yours and left the playroom heading down the hall
to Mandi's room.

Halfway down the hall, Kyle stopped suddenly in his tracks.  "Gary, are you
gonna be my new daddy?"

"I sure am." you said proudly.

"But what about Justin, is he gonna be my daddy too?"

You nodded, smiling.  "Yes, Justin too."

His face lit up.  "I have two daddys!  Most kids only get one!"

`Why couldn't the judge have heard that?' you thought to yourself.  There
was nothing more sincere than the innocence of a child.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

As Justin approached the nurses' station, he could hear Mandi's cries.
Even though you only had Mandi for a few shorts months, Justin could
distinguish the cry.  This was not a cry of pain or hunger or sadness.
Mandi was mad.

"Could I get a warm bottle from you please?" he asked the nurse on duty.
"I'm gonna see if I can't quiet things down for you a bit."

"Good luck!  We've all tried.  She won't let any of us hold her."

"Well, she kinda gets cranky when she's tired." Justin explained.  "I'm
sorry if she's been a problem."

"Oh, she's no problem, except when it comes to sleeping.  She's a night
owl"

He smiled as he took the freshly warmed bottle.  "Trust me, I know."

He opened the door to her room and found her laying in the crib, crying
loudly, but without a single tear.  He had been right.  She was fine, but
angry.

"Hey, what's all this noise about?" he said in a loud voice, not wanting to
startle her, but loud enough to be heard over her cries.

When she recognized him her cries subsided and she raised her arms towards
him to be picked up.  He lifted her up and immediately she had a death grip
around his neck.

"Mandi, its okay sweetie. I'm not going anywhere."

He sat with her in the rocking chair and talked to her softly for several
minutes until her grip relaxed.  Finally, she lay back in his arms and he
handed her the still warm bottle.  In less than 5 minutes she was fast
asleep with one hand holding on to the bottle and one wrapped tightly
around Justin's pinky.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It was nearly 11 before you and Justin had the two kids settled in and you
were ready to head for bed.  It had been a long day.  A very rewarding one,
but very tiring.  Once Justin had gotten Mandi settled, you, he and Kyle
had headed downstairs for Justin's appointment with the counselor.  Justin
had wanted you to be there, but the counselor had asked to meet with Justin
privately for the first meeting. While he had said the meeting had gone
well, you really had not had much time to discuss it with him.  It was
evident now that the children were with you permanently, the evenings would
be the only time for any in depth conversations.

After brushing his teeth, Justin collapsed on the bed.  "Man, I'm beat.
I'd forgotten how active they are."

"Me too," you chuckled in agreement. "I'm surprise how comfortable they are
here.  I knew they would be eventually, but I thought there would be some
time for adjustment."

"I know, its like they never left.  It's so good to have them back."  He
paused briefly, then added. "It's nice to have you back too, Gary.  I
really missed you."

His crystal blue eyes stared into yours and all the feelings of hurt and
anger moved to your subconscious.  You wanted to be near him, to hold him
and most importantly, love him.

"Come here," you said softly.  "I'm really having a hard time sleeping when
you're not in my arms.  I said I wanted us to work this out, and I meant
it."

His face illuminated as if a spotlight had been shown on it, and
immediately he took his normal position with his head resting on your
shoulder and his arm draped across your chest, cuddling up to you as close
as humanly possible.

"Damn, this feels good!"

You turned your head and kissed his forehead.  "Yeah, it does."

To be continued...