Oh Baby

Chp. 1

The pool water sparkles in the sun, as Justin dips his feet into the water. His deep blue eyes wander around the pool. He waves to his friend’s four year old daughter, Brianna, smiling at the child’s innocence.

To Justin having a daughter would be one of the greatest joys in the world. He may have all sorts of awards and fame over his friend and band mate Joey, but the one thing he longs for seems out of his grasp.

He looks up, after a slight tap on his shoulder. It’s his girlfriend, Cameron. He slowly stands up walking over to the beach chairs with her.

Justin takes a seat beside her as she lies on her back with a book. He turns his attention back to the little girl in the pool. He faces Cameron placing his hand on her stomach whispering, “Do you think we could…………”

She cuts him off putting a finger over his soft lips, “You know you we can’t. Someday, when your body catches up, maybe we can! Why don’t we look into adoption?”

Justin has constitutional growth delay, which means while his peers have already stopped growing, Justin’s is delayed. He in time may grow taller, and have the other changes his peers already have had. He’s hopeful these things will come in time. He hates that at certain points he seems to be growing, but then it just stops. According to his doctor, Justin has grown a few inches since the last time he visited him. This affects him emotionally through his young adult life, not being up to par with his peers. Physically he is only affected by making sure he doesn’t overdue his muscles, because his growth plates have not fully developed.

Cameron smiles wrapping her arms around him. “It doesn’t matter if we adopt, Justin. We can try for kids later on the natural way.” She rubs his back soothingly, “Are you up for that?”

Justin nods his head, “I think you’re right. This child will love us either way.”

The two fill out several papers, after looking into different methods of adoption. They have chosen to be with a program where an expected mother is planning to give up her child, because she is unable to care for it.

Justin cringes as he glances down at the paper, angry with the signature of the expected mother. He can’t understand why somebody of this person’s stature would give up their baby? How can he raise a child whose mother he has known since childhood, who he once thought would marry and possibly have kids with, until she cheated on him. Could Justin one day tell this child who is or her mother really was? These thoughts crossed his mind as he sits at the doctor office with his soon to be wife and ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears.

Chp. 2

He sits down in a chair uncomfortably, rubbing his stomach as it churns. He’s prepared for the rude remarks from his ex over his condition. He gently moves his fingers over his nose, as she walks into the room. Cameron sits beside him, trying to get him to relax. He smiles standing up, introducing her to Cameron and asking, “How are you, Britney?”

“I’m doing great, couldn’t be better.” She sits on the examination table, kicking her feet lightly, starring nervously at the couple.

Justin senses that something isn’t right, throughout the consultation visit. He and Cameron aren’t allowed to ask for information regarding the sex or health of the baby until Britney signs the final papers to give up all rights of the infant. He knows after the nine months he may not even have a baby, because Britney could decline at any time.

Britney softens Justin’s mood, noticing his discomfort. “Would you two like to know the sex of the baby?”

Justin’s blue eyes widen, gazing into Cameron’s eyes with delight, “We’d love to know. His hand rests upon Cameron’s with anxiousness. He waits in silence.

In typical Britney fashion, she laughs pulling back her brownish blonde hair, “A girl.”

He melts into Cameron’s arms, grinning from ear to ear. “I cannot wait for this baby to come.” He wraps his arms around Cameron, kissing her softly on the cheeks. He leans his head on her shoulder, as tears stream down his face.

“Sweetheart, I think we should go home and start planning for this child.”

Justin lifts his head off of her shoulder, wiping away his tears. He walks over to Britney apologizing for becoming emotional. He thanks her once again for giving him the opportunity to be a father.

Walking through to the front of the office, much awe heard as he walks alongside Cameron, with his eyes still watering, some onlookers think he is merely a boy with his mother. Justin is too shy to face everyone, so he keeps his head low, holding tightly onto her hand. He is fearful of being teased because he doesn’t have the appearance of a man.

Cameron puts her hand under his chin, “That’s what I love most about you, that boyish charm. Look on the bright side; at least you don’t have to buy shaving products, for a couple more years!”

Justin breaks out in laughter, “That’s true, and I’ve hardly had a voice change.” He sits back in the car seat, resting his head. The two make plans for the birth of their adoptive daughter. This alone brings Justin so much happiness.

Sometimes, it’s good to look like a young teen, to escape the wrath of the press. He will dress in teenage or kids clothing and goofy looking hats, to be passed off as a normal teenager.

Justin sits down at the table to eat his Mc. Donald’s salad and fries, lowering his hat, as he sees a photo person in plain view. He manages to down his meal, before hearing snaps and seeing flashes of light. He walks toward the bathrooms, coming out with a different hat. And clothing, but how could that be?

He winks at a figure coming out of the woman’s bathroom, carrying a purse and a shopping bag. He knows better than to say her name, as it would cause a huge distraction.

Justin takes off running for the play structure as he sees the stalkers approaching. He lowers his hat, getting in a line to go up to the top. He breathes heavily, looking over to the side, with his hands in his pockets. He peeks at the height chart, just small enough to go on and get away from those goons. His palms sweat, waiting to go up. He can’t get out of the line, because it is backed up, for quite a bit.

He makes his way through the maze, stopping to look at her through the blue window. He smiles at the sight of her, and hurries on his way to the slide. “This is what I do to avoid those jerks.” He gets on his stomach and makes his way toward the slide, still hiding from them. He thinks this is a good way to out smart them. He hides behind the tinted red window, letting kids pass him by, as he waits for the right moment to go down. He zooms down the slide, but not straight into her arms, knowing they’re waiting for him to reappear. He casually makes his way to the door to exit, swimming through the array of colorful balls in the ball crawl. His hat falls off, as he goes to pick it up he hears the sound of a camera, but he has no need to worry, as it isn’t for him.

He sits down on a bench slightly exhausted from the whole run around. He stands up walking towards a blue colored car, and gets inside. He sinks down so they don’t see him. He smiles excitedly as she opens the door.

“You look so adorable in those overalls, Justin.”

He blushes, “They’re a bit too kiddie for me. They worked for their purpose, though. I hope your cousin doesn’t mind that I wore them.” His blue eyes wander over his wardrobe, pretending to play the part of young man with his mother. He buckles his seatbelt keeping his painter’s cap low over his eyes. He sinks his hands into the soft pockets, making sure his gift to his girlfriend hasn’t gotten lost. He feels odd having such an expensive item in a kids outfit.

He makes himself comfortable on their bed, still in the overalls, wanting desperately to take them off, but knowing Cameron he’ll have a picture to remember this day by. As expected, he posses for the camera and says audios to that wardrobe and puts on one of his outfits. He makes sure he has Cameron’s gift, before discarding the outfit.

Justin’s happy with his jeans and a light blue tee-shirt and Nike sneakers. He follows Cameron to the car. He sits in the back for the most part, because of his height. They are going to look at baby furniture.

It dawns on Justin, how he will be able to pick up this little girl from her crib, when he doesn’t even come close to touching the top of the bars. Luckily, they can have it custom made, so he will be able to reach his daughter.

They choose what items they would like to go into the baby’s room. They decide on a rainbow theme with lots of vibrant colors. The couple plan on hiring a painter to design the walls, with a large rainbow, and children playing on it and the fluffy clouds that surround it.

At home, the two engage in a friendly game of basketball. Justin snatches the basketball several times, from her grasp. He makes numerous baskets, despite his size. He takes a seat on the bench, running his hands through his curls. His heart beats faster as she sits down beside him. He leans inward as she lowers herself so they can kiss. He enjoys the moment, before they head back inside.

Chp. 3

They are going to Cameron’s cousin’s Birthday party. Justin shyly walks beside Cameron, as they approach some of her family he hasn’t met yet. He shakes their hands, looking at the kids playing in the yard.

He fears the insults. All he gets from a glimpse are stares. It’s as if time has frozen, because it seems as if nothing is moving to him. His heart beats a mile a minute, as his palms sweat. He slowly sips on his beverage.

Cameron waves her hand in front of his face, “Justin, are you alright?”

He nods his head, “Just a little nervous around new people.”

“You have nothing to be afraid of. Everyone is very nice. You look pale.”

“I’m fine, just apprehensive. Are you planning on going in the pool?”

“I was thinking of going in. Why?” She jokes, “You have some fear of pools too?”

He laughs nervously, “No, because pools don’t have sharks, and they’re clean. Anything that doesn’t have nasty germs in it I can deal with.”

She sighs, removing her shirt to reveal her hot pink, with purple striped bikini. “Have you always been concerned about germs?”

He shakes his head, “Unfortunately, I have since before I could remember.” He grimaces, beginning to load on the sun block.

“Aren’t you going to take off your shirt, Justin? You have such a beautiful body.”

He pulls at his blue tee-shirt, as it sticks to his thin frame. After several seconds, it comes off. He sits on the ladder, and eases his way into the pool. He searches for a float, because he can only swim for so long, before becoming tired. He can’t reach the bottom of the five foot structure. He grabs onto a colorful foam object, and sits on it.

Cameron smiles widely, rushing towards him in the pool. She sees the distress that he’s in, because of not used to being in this deep of water. She takes the foam piece in her hands, until she can touch him. She kisses his forehead, putting her hands on his. She whispers to him, “You don’t have to stay in, if you’re scared.”

He swims to the ladder, fast as his legs and arms will get him there. He emerges from the water, grabbing his large towel that is half a size larger than him.

He may not have proven much in the pool, but on land Justin is able to give a taste of his true talents, acrobatics and fancy dance steps, not to mention his falsetto singing voice. He did it out of joy, for the love of music. He’s probably one of the most energetic young adult’s Cam’s family has seen, in awhile.

When he’s not performing, he’s so quiet and laid back. Justin’s gentle and very passionate about everything he loves.

“Used to hide my face,
Or hang it so low,
You caused it to glow.

A rainbow of light,
You will always be,
You make me believe,
In love once again. “

Justin falls asleep fast, that night. He hears, “Justin”, several times as he lies on their bed. His blue eyes flicker unsure of what’s going on. He starts to sit up, looking around groggy, as Cameron wakes up, wondering what he is doing.

“Go back to sleep, Justin.” She notices his eyes shutting as she speaks to him. She watches as his head falls onto the soft pillow.

Justin wakes the next morning, kissing her on the cheeks, with his arms enveloped with hers. “How did you sleep?”

“I slept great.” She gently brushes the curly strands of hair away from his face. Did you?”

He grins still in a state of drowsiness. “It was alright. Somebody was calling my name.” He closes his eyes momentarily. “I think, I’m going to go back to sleep. As you know, mornings aren’t for me.” He gives her quick kiss on the lips, before drifting back to sleep.

Cameron sits up, and goes to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, as Justin sleeps soundly.

Two hours later, Justin comes waltzing out of their bedroom, heading for the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. Once he is ready, he heads to the kitchen for his large serving of one of his favorite cereals.

He sneezes, as he pours the milk into the bowl. He notices the colorful flowers on the table, sneezing. He moves them to a different location, so they will no longer bother him, as he reads the morning paper.

He puts down the paper taking a sip of his lemon tea, glancing down at the adoption folder. His mind wanders opening the large red folder. He wonders where this child’s father could be. He knows it’s not his place to ask. He hops down off the chair, rushing into the living room.

He pulls a doll from his dusty blue backpack that is always behind the couch. He hasn’t looked at the doll in so long. Tears roll down his cheeks. He closes his eyes, bringing back the painful memories. “I just don’t want to face losing another baby.” He sighs, “I have this sinking feeling about this little girl, that all is not well, with her.” Justin puts away the doll, as more tears trickle down his face!

He makes his way to the piano, performing one of his favorite slow songs that he composed and produced. He recalls the day that he wrote it, back in 1997, and how grief stricken he was at the time. He pours out his new frustrations and sorrows. His eyes well up with tears, as he pounces on the keys, singing so softly and angelic.

“Your time to pass,
Came far to fast.
My eyes well with tears,
Wishing you were here.

No words suffice
This missing life.

Angels surround,
Laying you down,
As you stay asleep,
Lay in my heart deep.

That body’s gone.
Your soul lives on.
Feel it everyday,
In so many ways.

You’re one of them,
A rare gem,
Can’t wait to see you,
For now, I’m so blue!

No words suffice
This missing life.”

Chp.4

His hands tremble as he holds the microphone. He glances out into the sea of fans, as smoke circulates through the small club. His heart sinks into his stomach searching for his girlfriend. He tries to slow his breathing, so he won’t sound out of place, as he hushes the crowd with one of his power ballads. He sinks his hand into his cargo pants, pulling out a small black box. The sweet talking crooner smiles, “This is a special night for me. I’m about to do something, that I never have done before.” He blushes, “Will my girlfriend please come up here, please!?”

“I was thinking of the best way to propose, and no other way seemed better than with music. Music is a great way to show your admiration for the ones you treasure most. There are so many songs out there that I could have chose, but every artist has a different vision, and none of them quite seem to fit my feelings. To express myself fully, I have written and composed my own ballad asking you to marry me.”

Justin pulls out a chair, carrying it to the piano. He motions for her sit. He gives her a passionate kiss on the lips, before sitting down at the piano. The eighteen year old young man is very gifted in music.






“Been waiting for this,
As I give you a kiss,
This ring I place here,
Because I hold you dear.

A lifetime we will share,
I will always be there,
Through the thick and thin,
Babe, I know we can win.

Only happy tears cried,
When I am on your side.

I’ll give you what you need,
If in me you believe,
My heart’s in your hands,
I’ll do the best I can.

Only happy tears cried,
When I am on your side.”

He stands up proudly, and faces Cameron. He opens the box, as all the sound in the room seems to vanish, “Will you marry me?” He waits patiently for an answer as his heart picks up speed, and palms become sweatier. He’s relieved, when he hears that word, ‘Yes’.

Chp. 5

At home, Justin rests his head on the pillow, as Cameron massages his sore back. He drifts off to sleep, as she soothingly talks to him. The concert wears Justin out, as all his energy goes into the songs and audience. He wakes lifting his head slightly off the pillow, as if he hears something beside his girlfriend.

Cameron rubs his back, some more. “Justin, go back to sleep. I don’t know what’s bothering you, but everything will be okay.” She sinks into the sheets watching him for a few minutes, as he goes into a deeper sleep. She places her hand over his chest, after getting him on his back, noticing the unusual fast rate of his heart.

Justin sits up, though he is not awake. He seems to look around the room calling out, “Britney!” He has fear in his voice, as his body trembles. He settles back down in the sheets, with tears streaming down his face.

Cameron is confused at why Justin is crying over his ex. She wishes she knew what is going on in Justin’s head. All she can do is comfort him, and try to get to the route of Justin’s unhappiness.

Justin has little memory of his night experience, as he talks to Cameron in the morning. He sighs, “I’m sorry I caused you worry.”

“No need to be sorry, Justin. Something is upsetting you. Has Britney said something that has offended you recently?”

He shakes his head, “No. There’s something about her that isn’t right though. I have this horrible notion about that unborn child.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine. You should have told me this sooner. We have to think positively. “

His stomach grumbles, taking the cereal out of the cupboard, and milk from the refrigerator. He removes a shiny spoon from the silverware drawer and a napkin from the napkin holder in the center of the table. He waits a few seconds for his cereal to become soggy, before beginning to eat. In the meantime, Justin bows his head, and clasps his hands together, for a quick prayer.

Cameron rubs his cheeks, kissing him on the lips, “You are far too sweet of a man.” She ruffles his curls and kisses him, “I love you. I’ll see you later, Justin.”

Justin nods his head, “Love is hardly the word to describe my deep emotions for you.” He eats his cereal as a sneeze comes out of nowhere. “I really don’t like that plant.” He pushes it out of the way. He hears the door bell, and gets up to see who it is.

He opens the door, “Hi J.C. How are you? What brings you here?”

“I’m feeling well. I just thought I’d stop by to cheek on you, and see how things are going.”

“I’m doing great. I’ve finally proposed to her. I can’t wait for the wedding and our adoptive daughter to come into our lives. Do you want to come in for a bit?”

The two sit down at the table, as Justin covers his mouth to sneeze.

Justin sighs, moving the plant to a different location. “That’s much better!”

“J, why don’t you tell her that plant makes you sick!?”

“I haven’t gotten to it yet. I’m just sneezing. It’s nothing serious.” He runs his hands through his golden curls, “Do you think I cold replace it with a fake?”

J.C. laughs, “No! Females are keen to things like that. They pick up on those little things us guys may not. Just tell her it makes you sneeze. I don’t think she’d mind moving it.”

Justin listens to J.C.’s advice and nicely explains that every time he is around the plant he gets congested. He seems miserable about having to tell her, because he knows she didn’t mean him discomfort. Usually, he is fine with flowers and other plants, and enjoys them, very much.

His head lay on her chest, as her arms surround his thin body. He makes no movements as she plays with his curls, that evening. He loves the sound of her heart beating. It’s relaxing to him, as he unexpectedly, drifts to sleep.

She loves the warmth of his body against her and the innocence inside of him, as he is far younger than her. She’s overjoyed, that he is finally sleeping peacefully. She moves her hand underneath his head and moves the other hand underneath his bottom, and slowly moves him onto his back.

The following day, Justin spots his ex engaging in a conversation with her current boyfriend. He minds his own business, walking past her, as she chats on the phone. He takes a seat. He gives a displeased look, when the waiter gives him a kids menu. He is there to have some fun, while he waits for his girlfriend to get her hair done. He orders a chocolate milkshake, with whipped cream. He blinks his eyes from a bright camera light.

The paparazzi person stands a few feet away from him, angerily, “Smile for the camera, Justin.”

“Fat chance, I’m posing. You want pics of me go search under my name on the web! If you don’t leave me alone, you’ll be sorry. I can certainly defend myself and honor.”

“Come on Justin. It’s just one pic. You can spare us just one. I know you can, and if you don’t I’ll strike you!”

Justin pushes the camera away, ducking so he won’t get hit in the face. The man misses, and the camera falls to the ground, shattering into a million pieces, as Justin gets in his fighting stance, just in case the man lunges his fist in his direction. “You missed again. Is it really that hard to miss me?”

Justin punches, as his other forearm comes up to block the man. He stays in stance, slowly moving one foot outward, ready to kick his enemy, as the man tries to throw a punch, but Justin isn’t about to let this occur, and the man quickly gives up, seeing that Justin truly does have power over what is going on with himself.


Justin finishes off his milkshake, and pays the bill. He walks over to the carnival like games, stepping up to the skeeball machine, putting a quarter into the machine
He smiles, bending down, and rolls the small black ball hard, trying to get it to land in the 100 marked hole. He over rolls it and the ball comes back to him full force. He tries again. This time Justin scores. He stops at the sound of Britney’s voice. He turns around to face her. His mind draws a blank, attempting to form words. He stares at her unable to say anything to her, over what he thought he heard her say. “She’ll confess soon or later, if the unborn child truly is sick or not, or would she!?” His head spins, “Maybe this time things will be right. I hope they are!”

Chp. 6

3 months have passed by. Justin stands in front of small a gazebo, with a white tux, white pants, and dress shoes. Behind him, lay a landscape of white lilies, orchids, and an array of different color roses. He smiles plopping down into a black chair, as Cameron comes to stand beside him for the first photo. The second photo features the two on a white blanket, surrounded by all of the flowers.

Justin lets out a sigh, “You couldn’t be more beautiful in the white flowery dress. Your face gives of such an amazing light, while your heart gives you your inner elegance. I will take you to be my bride, to have and to hold, until death do us part. With this ring, and God’s blessings we unite today as a whole. In God we trust, that he will assist us in making the right choices. I will not abandon you, through the rough times, and I hope you will not leave me, during my times of need.”

The dress rehearsal is almost through, and they are both happy about that, as the sun beats down on them. They find a shady spot under a willow tree, to take a breather.

Justin wipes away the sweat pouring off his face, and sips some water, so he won’t get dehydrated! He yawns, blinking his blue eyes. He leans his head back against the tree sleepily.

Cameron gently presses in on Justin’s arm, “You got to stay awake, for a little bit longer.”

She walks with him to the car, a few minutes later. “Justin, you shouldn’t worry so much. You’re losing far too much sleep over this!”

Justin smiles, “I’ll try not too. Would you mind if I went to a club tonight?”

“That’s fine with me. If you can stay awake long enough.”

He laughs, “I’ll probably take a nap, before I head out. I want to get a feel for this new club. I’m going to be performing there in a few weeks, with my boys, Lance, J.C., Joey and Chris.”

The club is intoxicating as he steps inside, inhaling the smoke, and coughs. Sounds of hip and R&B artist’s boom through the speakers, as strobe lights bounce around the dance floor on different couples and individuals. Justin rushes to the dance floor, showing off his skills, while having fun. He stops, looking off to the corner, where the bar is located. He watches a blonde female order a beer as she smokes. He whispers, “It can’t be her.”

One of his favorite dance tracks comes on, and he seems to temporarily forget all about, as he bops his head to the incredible beat.

He walks towards the bar area, not interested in buying an alcohol, but water to water. He plops down on a stool, coughing from the smoke. He tells the bar tender, “One water, please.”

The smoke causes his eyes to water and burn, so he moves over to the next stool with his drink, not paying attention to who is beside him. He eventually looks up, paying close attention to who is beside him. He sighs, “Britney Spears.”

Some how she hears him, “If it isn’t Mr. Small!?”

He groans, “Not funny! We used to have something special and ruined it.”

She snickers, “Loves a funny thing. You were like the hottest toy to me at one time, but then you started to lose your colors and not work as well.”

“I can’t believe you’re comparing me to a toy! I haven’t changed, but you have. You’d change colors too, if you found out somebody wasn’t being truthful. You aren’t going to get something to work, if you force it upon that person, when they’re unwilling because of your previous actions. Now, why are you here?”

“I’m here because I can be. Why are you here? Did she let you off of her leash?”

“She doesn’t keep me on a leash! This is not the place to come to when you’re………….”

Britney cuts him off, “Don’t even say it!” She mouths, “The media and public don’t know!”

“They’re going to figure it out eventually.”

Justin jumps off of the stool, landing on the ground painfully, with his foot, as he feels a sharp pain in his foot. He begins to limp his way to the exit, as Britney sits there not moving a muscle, in delight, when a man nearly collides with him.

Justin jumps back losing is balance, landing on the hard floor. He gazes up at the two of them, hoping one will help him up on his feet.

The man bends down, grasping onto Justin’s skinny hands, “Sorry about that. Are you going to be okay?”

Justin sighs, trying to hide his hurt, “My foot hurts, but I think it will be alright.”

Britney shakes her head annoyed, “Brad, never mind him. He’ll be fine. He found his way in and he’ll find his way out.”

Justin attempts getting up off the ground, but he can’t put pressure on his foot. Its way too much stress on his foot, “Please help me.”

Brad lifts him off the ground, as Britney gives him evil stares. “Babe, you know I’m not leaving you this time! I was just a little busy with the record label. You know that place is a mad house at times. It’s hard keeping things together. I’ve been very supportive of you. It’s the first night. I’ve had freeing awhile, so I came to be with you.”

“I should be your top priority. I think this relationship is through! Goodbye, Brad!”

Chp. 7

Justin hobbles to the car, with assistance from a few fans. He knows he needs medical attention, because his foot is swelling, and he is unable to stand on it. He stumbles inside of his truck, and goes strait to the hospital, as the pain increases. He tries to balance himself, so he won’t fall, but starts to lose it, the more he walks. A wheelchair is moved behind him, so he my sit, before he falls again. His foot isn’t the only thing that’s causing him problems. His left hand is sore from the impact of the fall.

He waits for his turn, as he fills out paper work and calls his girlfriend. He hopes it’s not a break, as he’s wheeled to the x-ray room. He has a great deal of swelling, making it difficult for the doctor to tell quite what is going on, so they would like to keep Justin over night, to rule things out!

Justin is given heavy pain killers to reduce the soreness and hopefully bring down the swelling. He takes the cherry flavored liquid, which makes him more comfortable, and on the drowsy side.

He is terrified of staying in the hospital, because of a previous experience he had. Tears surface in his eyes. Luckily, he goes to sleep, before the tears become heavy.

Justin’s nurse smiles, “Let’s think of some things you like, to get your mind off of having to stay over night. “

He keeps waking because he is scared. He is given medication that puts him to sleep, so he won’t get run down. Everything is a lot calmer, once Justin’s sound asleep.

In the morning, Justin plops into a wheelchair to be taken to the x-ray machine. He’s not stable enough on his feet, with the injury and the drugs he’s on for the pain. The x-rays don’t take long, and Justin is back in his hospital room, ready to get some much needed rest.

His girlfriend comes to visit him. She sneaks into the room and into a chair by his bedside, as Justin sleeps soundly, under the warm sheets.

Justin wakes, blinking his blue eyes in her direction, “Can I go home yet?”

“The doctor says you have a small tear in your foot that requires surgery to fix the problem. You’ll go to sleep for a bit, and then come in a couple of days.” She pushes back strands of his curls, giving him a kiss on the forehead. “I’m going to be right here for you when you come back from the procedure tomorrow.”

Justin sits up tiredly, speaking softly, “Okay. I can’t wait to get back home. I am so excited about our wedding and the baby.”

“How is the pain, Justin?”

“I am sore, and my foot hurts quite a bit.” He yawns, “Some times, it is hard to stay awake.” He rests for the remainder of the day.

The nurse rubs Justin’s hand, as he’s being put to sleep. “Go back to sleep, Justin. We have everything under control.” She gently massages his chest, as they place a mask on his face. She sees that he is looking at the fake solar system above him.

Cameron is there for him, when he starts to wake up from the surgery. She talks to him, “You are going to be fine, Justin. You need to sleep, so the medications will wear off.”

Justin’s back home in two days, using a wheelchair, for a few weeks, until he can put more pressure on his foot. He wheels himself around the house, which is a lot of exercise on his injured hand. He asks other people to push him, to make things easier.

He has several doctor visits over the next month, to monitor his recovery. Justin’s not a big fan of his cast, or being unable to walk well.

Chp. 8

By late fall, Justin’s still recovering from his injury. He is able to walk for short a time and then needs to rest. He uses the wheelchair still. He may require further surgery, because of his muscles not forming at the regular pace. He is using pain medication to cope with the discomfort. The drug causes him to be sleepy. Sleepiness varies for him, depending on his over all health.

Justin and Cameron decide to get away for a few days and go relax on the Miami shores. The wheelchair comes too, for Justin needs to rest his foot. Before making their way to the beaches, the two head off to Orlando, to visit Sea World, and play with the dolphins.
The shy curly haired young man limps over to the dolphins, widening his deep blue eyes. He sits down on the edge, excitedly about playing with these docile mammals.

Cameron smiles, “Don’t you want to come in, Justin?”

He shakes his head, “I don’t know. I’m afraid of hurting myself more.”

He feeds them smelly fish and plays games with them, as he sits near the edge of the water. Justin seems apprehensive about getting to close, but eventually with some help from the Sea World staff Justin goes for a ride on one of them.

Cameron walks over to Justin, who is fearful of falling off the dolphin. She sighs, “Don’t worry. You’ll be okay. I’ll get you a life vest if you want, so if you fall into the water, you’ll just float.”

Justin feels safer, with the life jacket on, and begins to open up, and smile again.

Justin is lifted off the dolphin and back onto land, where his wheelchair awaits him. He has help walking to his wheelchair, to ensure that he won’t cause a sever injury. He yawns starting to notice the effects of the drug on his body. He doesn’t want to go to sleep in the wheelchair. It doesn’t support his head. He waves goodbye and says, “Thank you.”

He manages to stay awake, until he gets in the car. He sleeps in the backseat, with a towel around him.

Cameron gently taps on Justin’s body, to wake him. “Justin, we’re going to check into the hotel, now.”

He goes back into a slumber, after they arrive in the room. He is out until early evening. He tells Cameron, “I really liked the dolphins. I’d like to go back and see them again some time.” Justin sits up slowly, resting his thin body against the pillows. He rearranges his brace, before trying to stand up and go to his wheelchair.

Justin insists on going to a club, but takes precautions. He rides atop J.C.’s shoulders, because it is difficult to get a wheelchair into the place. He sits in a chair, moving his upper body to the beats. His body is surly in sync with the rhythm. He claps and even beat boxes to the various hip hop and R&B artist’s. Justin suddenly stops, sniffing in the air. He motions for his friend to bend down so he can speak to him.

J.C. lowers himself to Justin, “Is something wrong, J?”

“I think Britney’s here. She wears this special perfume that no one else can get a hold of. She only wears it on special occasions. You know why she might be here?”
“I don’t know, Justin. I’ll keep a look out for her. You just have fun.”

Justin nods his head, “I’ll try too!” He attempts to go back to enjoying himself, but the smell lingers on his mind, seeming to get stronger. The scent reminds him of his sorrowful past, as he closes his eyes, and covers his nose. He opens them slowly, breathing heavily as the odor heightens, making Justin eager to go some place else.

He takes a breather outside, filling his lungs with fresh air, as his heart pounds. He has his body humped over in a chair appearing gloomy. He lifts his head up, glancing over to the side. There she is with yet another man. One he feels will only cause her pain. Just two years ago, she and Justin were the hottest couple. Now, he questions what could have been, and what he could have done to change her mind.

Justin’s head spins, as he looks at her closely, but great disappointment. His heart falls into his chest.

“Sixteen oh so sweet I thought it’d be,
The hot July sun, you and me,
We had been planning for so long,
This summer that went so wrong.
Never thought things would be so wrong.

Hopelessly, that summer, I fell in love,
I asked for guidance from above,
As, I showered you with my heart,
Confused why you tore it apart,
Thought you knew this from the start.

Two years later, I still feel the pain.
In my heart, there’s still a flame,
That is slowly dying with time,
I get lost, whishing you were mine,
May take years for things to be fine.

This flame burning inside of me,
Is just about friendship you see,
My heart belongs to someone new,
No longer, there’s a place for you,
Cause you’re cheating made me blue.

Sixteen oh so sweet I thought it’d be,
The hot July sun, you and me,
We had been planning for so long,
This summer that went so wrong.
Never thought things would be so wrong.”

Justin stands hobbling back in the club, with tears in his eyes. His friend J.C. is there for moral support, as he breaks down in tears, after seeing her. J.C. has a horrible notion that something happened between the two of them outside.

Chp. 9

J.C. sits down privately with his friend. “What went down between you two out there?”

“I think she lost the baby, J.C. She wouldn’t say anything to me, but her body language tells a different story. She definitely has been drinking quite a bit. She had two while I was out there, and started a third. On top of that a tall man with brown hair, slender face and body hanged off of her. She increased my suffering by touching him all over, to make me jealous. Can we please go back to the room?”

J.C. smiles, “Sure.” He bends down so Justin can get on his shoulders. “Hold on tight, Justin.” He walks slowly to hopefully prevent Justin from falling. “You okay up there?”

“I’m just tired. I think I’ll be okay. The car isn’t too far away!”

Cameron grabs an ice pack for Justin, when he returns. She helps him prop up his foot, as his pain increases. She hands him a glass of water to take his pain medication with. She takes a seat on the bed next to him, as he goes into a light sleep.

At the ocean you might find amazing treasures, from things that have washed up on the shore. Sounds of seagulls, the smell of the salt water, the feeling of the ocean breeze are all part of going to an ocean. Upon the white sandy shores, Justin and Cameron sit, taking in all these with their four senses.

Justin rises from the towel at the sound of crying. He peers around, pin pointing the location of it. Beyond him, lay a white object, possibly a blanket. Interested in if this is what is making the sound he gets up. His balance is poor so he asks Cameron to go down and see for him.

Cameron starts coming back to him, with a white blanket and something inside. He can’t make it out it is, quite yet. She sighs showing him what lay inside of the blanket. A baby that couldn’t be more than a few months old cries in the blanket, wanting their mother.

The two call the authorities about the missing baby, but nobody has reported a missing baby. For the time being, the infant is in their hands.

Cameron places the baby in Justin’s arms. “You hold the baby for awhile. I’m going to go see I can get some supplies for us to care for this infant, until we hand him or her over to the authorities.
Justin’s heart melts glancing into the blue eyed baby. He cradles the infant singing them a lullaby. His eyes fill up with tears, realizing why this innocent baby came to be in his care. He wonders if he is selfish for wanting a baby and then finding a homeless one. He never meant for something this innocent to have to endure pain. Justin sighs, “Though you suffered, if you were mine you wouldn’t anymore.” The young man would like to get up and find his wife, but he is unable to walk that far. He sits on the towel, trying to cover the infant from heavy sun exposure. The youngster already has burns on their small body. He removes his shirt, but is fearful of making him or her too hot. Justin slowly tries to stand, with the baby on the towel, but falls on his butt. He glances around for something to hold onto, when a tall man comes towards him. He holds the baby close to himself worried by the man’s appearance. “Can, I help you?”

The man bends down, “I’m surprised I found you. I guess fans really do know it all.” He laughs, “Do you remember me? I was at that club with you and Britney this past summer. I carried you out.”

Justin blinks his eyes nervously, “I don’t think so. I’m terrible at remembering faces! Why do you want me? Did I offend you?”

He steps closer, and Justin backs away, “You have any idea who this new guy is she’s hanging with?”

“Britney doesn’t tell me anything, except criticize my appearance. I’m more concerned about the baby, than anything.”

The man shakes his head, “Don’t be. I don’t want to break the tragic news to you. I think she should, if she ever stops playing with her new boy toy. “He groans, “My name’s Brad, if you wanted to know. I’m going to go try to hunt her down.”

“Stop, what did she do? Is she okay?”

Brad sighs, “She wasn’t feeling well, but now…………Well things are better all around! Things kind of got her and us down, but everything will hopefully get in sync again! Well, I got to go find her, later!”

“Tell me this, did she lose the baby?”

Brad walks off before Justin gets his answer, though in his heart he already knows.

Chp. 10

Justin waits for Cameron to return as he holds the infant snuggly in his arms. He’s stranded until she returns. He can’t walk for more than a minute or two before his legs give out. He grabs for the large water bottle, and opens it, pouring the water gently over the baby then himself. “It’ll be alright. We’re going to get you some place safe.” He kisses the infant’s forehead. He smiles as he sees Cameron coming. His eyes water, staring off into the distance. Sweat drips off his body. His head spins as she rushes to him.

Cameron is aware that she has to get both of them out of the hot sun. She helps Justin get on his feet, and slowly walk with him to the wheelchair. She sees how wobbly he is the longer he walks, but he won’t lose grip of the baby.

She pours the water over Justin noting how weak he is, but she had to try to get help and stuff for the baby. She keeps drizzling the water over him.

One hour later, Cameron asks, “Justin, will you open your eyes?”

Justin’s eyes open slowly looking at her. He starts to lift his head up, but is dizzy, and it falls back on the pillow. “Where am I? Where is the baby?”

Cameron sighs, “You hit your head. For some reason you tried getting of the wheelchair and you went to stand and fell. The baby is in stable condition. I’m sorry about all this. The doctors say you just have bruises and it will heal in time. How are you doing?”

Justin yawns, “I’m sleepy. I want to see the baby.”

“You can see her, when you’re more awake, Justin. I think you require rest. I’m going to be right here with you, until you’re stable enough to go back to the hotel.”

A doctor comes in to check on him and talk to Cameron about his status. He sits down in a chair. He examines Justin as he sleeps from the drugs. He seems concerned about Justin’s swelling. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to go home in a few days. We’re just watching the swelling going on in his head.”

Justin’s body doesn’t agree with the medications. He can’t keep the drug in him, so they switch the pain medicine.

Justin has a visitor in the morning, though he doesn’t know what’s going on, at first. The visitor holds his hand. His eyes open briefly, as he goes in and out of sleep.

“Don’t you remember me?”

Justin’s eyes open long enough to say her name, “Britney.” He turns to the side facing away from her, going back to sleep. It’s obvious; Justin wants nothing to do with her.

The next day, Justin is released from the hospital. He has no memory of Britney visiting him or much about the day he bumped his head. He needs to take it easy. That means, no getting out of the wheelchair, unless somebody is right there. He likes seeing the baby girl. He’s constantly at the hospital, with her in his embrace. His loving arms are wrapped around the infant’s thin body. It’s very relaxing to him to be with her and his wife.

Cameron takes the baby in her arms, giving Justin a breather. “Sweetheart, we can come back later. You should be resting.” She puts the baby back in the crib, wheeling him out of the room. She stops waving her hand in front of his face. “Justin, we’re going back to the hotel.

Justin comes out of his trance like state confused. The medications that control his swelling impact his behaviors. For a good week, Justin is like this. His swelling has reduced greatly. He has a bandage on his head that he covers with his hats. He’s back to near normal health, but he isn’t about to leave Florida.

The couple look into adopting the infant that they found abandoned on the Miami shores. The process is stressful, but it’s worth it to them. The adoption agency second guesses Justin’s ability to care for a newborn, because of his age. They must prove to them that Justin is mature enough to care for this infant on a trial basis, any mess ups and the baby will be removed from their custody.

Justin sits in a room with the baby girl in his loving arms. She puts a smile on his face, as he breathes heavily. “I don’t understand why people would kill their baby. She should have kept her. I can’t believe Britney did this. I knew something was up with her.” He massages his head still holding onto his little girl. “I’m not losing you too!” He wipes some tears that are streaming down his face, trying to hold his composure.

Cameron who is in the room when Justin got the phone call from Britney sits beside him. “What she did was selfish. She has to live with what she did. We have our little girl and that’s most important.” She kisses his forehead.

Justin gets back in his wheelchair rubbing his stomach as his head pounds from the news Britney gave him. He yawns starting to feel the effects of his medicine. His eyes shut resting his head against the cushioned surface behind him. He opens his eyes trying to stay awake, but the drug is too strong for him to fight as he is wheeled down the hallway, by his doctor.

Justin’s having special x-rays of his injured and non injured foot taken. He is asleep throughout the test which takes about an hour. He remains sleeping as they move him from the scan table to a bed with a blanket over him. They move him to a recovery room.

Cameron and their daughter go into the room with him, as he’s waking. “How are you doing?”

Justin holds up his hands palms facing his face, “Don’t know. I’m going to play basketball.”
“You can play when you’re not so sleepy. I think the medicine is making you forgetful. I’m going to watch you the rest of the day.”

Justin is wheeled out into the hall in his wheelchair. In the elevator, Justin mumbles about his ex not aware of what he is saying.

In the car, Cameron asks, “What’s all this talk about Britney, Justin?”

He replies groggily “What did I say about her?”

She shrugs her shoulders, “I don’t know. I couldn’t understand you. Maybe, something will jar you memory.”

Justin sees Britney in his dreams walking down a white hallway, as he’s moved further away from her. He thrashes his body from side to side as he hears a voice.

Cameron holds his body still as his eyes open. “Justin, go back to sleep. It’s only a dream. “She watches his blue eyes shut, but the thrashing doesn’t stop. She rubs his hand. She notices his breathing is slowing.

He’s doing a lot better in the morning as Cameron kisses him lightly on the head. He wheels himself into the kitchen going to the refrigerator for the milk and then to the counter for his cereal, bowl and spoon. He smiles wheeling himself to the table. Justin eats his cereal quietly and then goes back to his room with Cameron as the baby sleeps soundly. He needs help getting cleaned up.

She carefully pulls off his night shirt knowing his head is still tender. She showers with him holding onto him. It’s an enjoyable experience for the married couple. They proceed to the bathroom, after picking up the infant from the crib.

The baby lay upon Cameron’s stomach, as Justin lay beside her with one hand on the baby and the other around Cameron’s neck. His lips touch hers. His blue eyes sparkle with delight.

Justin loves taking turns with Cameron with the baby on their stomachs. He loves her Hispanic skin tone and slender body. Most importantly, it’s their baby and he couldn’t be a prouder father. He also enjoys leaning against Cameron’s stomach. He has his chance after they feed the baby. His head rest against her chest as his arms wrap around her body. ‘This feels very good!”

Cameron giggles, “Yes, it does! You’re going to be so disappointed if this doesn’t work, Justin.”

The phone rings. Justin reaches for it timidly, “Do I have to answer it?”

Cameron sighs, “Not if you don’t want too.”
The answering machine picks it up. “Hey, Justin, this is Johnny Wright. Jive Records wants you to do a week of local shows with Ashley Simpson, her older sister Jessica and your ex Britney for a charity to raise money for under privileged kids! Call me back for further details about the benefit concert!”

Chp. 10

Justin leans against Cameron as he rides the black spotted horse. He holds the reins loosely in his hands as Cameron adjusts his helmet. He fixes hers as well, though she’s more concerned about him, because of the sluggishness due to his medication.

She wraps her arms around him watching him closely. “You seem really tired today, Justin.”

He doesn’t respond. The young man stares off in the distance He mutters, “Britney.” He closes his eyes hoping the image will go away, but it doesn’t. He sighs yawning. His body goes limp, but Cameron has him safe in her arms. Justin mumbles slipping into a light sleep.

She gets Justin to the ramp and has assistance getting him into his wheelchair. She wheels him inside of the barn, where Britney is and removes his helmet. She wheels Justin to their car.

The sleepy teenager opens his eyes. The new drug is tough on Justin’s body. He leans over rubbing his stomach. He throws up, and falls back to sleep. His frame trembles.

Cameron brings Justin to a local emergency room. She stays with him, though he isn’t awake. She sits beside his bed waiting for him to open his eyes. Cameron leaves him for a short time to get some food. She wants to be there when his eyes open.

While she is out, Britney waltz into the room. She bends over gazing at the helpless young man on all sorts of monitors and wires. She laughs, “I guess he won’t be saying anything about the whole baby mess.” She glances at Brad who stands in the doorway confused. “We just came to see his status and now we must leave. I don’t want to get caught.”

He rolls his eyes, “What did you do to him?”

“That’s classified information. You know, if you say anything your days at Jive are over with Bradley.”

He cringes, “How did I ever hook up with an evil woman like you? I found somebody far better.” He sighs, “How’d you know he was going to say something about it?”

“I can’t tell you that. I’m out of here before she gets here. Things are getting to hot to handle, and I advise you to do the same.”

Justin is extremely sick and doesn’t open his eyes. When people talk to him he’s unresponsive. The doctors say he’s in a coma and it may take awhile for him to come out of it. They are ecstatic when he starts to show movement. However, they are concerned that he may have suffered a brain injury from lack of oxygen.

His eyes finally open. Confusion is in them as he looks around the white room. He tries to verbalize, but a tube keeps him from doing so. Justin’s very groggy and begins drifting to sleep. He doesn’t come back to reality, until morning.

His head aches and his throat is sore as he tries to come to grips of why he is in the hospital. Some memories that he had he no longer acknowledges. Cameron will tell him about a certain event and he gives her an uneasy look.

He seems disturbed that what had occurred to him had nothing to do with his medication as originally thought.

Chp. 11

Justin is so unsure of himself through his stay at the hospital. His body is in intense pain, just to sit up causes tears to form in his eyes. He rests his head on the pillow waiting for Cameron to come back. For some reason everything but her and his mom is so surreal to him. He is in a state of total shock as to why a person would go to this extreme.

He reaches for a basin next to his bed and leans over as his stomach churns. Tears roll down is cheeks as he gets whatever is making him so ill hopefully out of his system. His head spins, as he closes his eyes tightly. He wishes the light headiness would subside, but doesn’t as he prepares to press the nurse button on his bed. He searches for the button as he reaches for the basin again. This time he misses. He has just enough strength to press the button, but not enough to communicate. He takes berry flavored medication to ease his discomfort. The drug puts him to sleep. He is moved to a new bed as they clean this one.

Justin doesn’t lift his head off the pillow, when he wakes. He gazes around the room, half alert. It hurts him to keep his eyes open longer than a few minutes.

Cameron forces a smile upon her face. “It’ll be alright. I’m right here. Do you need anything?”

“How’s our baby doing?”

“She is doing great. You should get some more rest. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for that episode you had earlier.” Cameron gently kisses him reaching for his hand. She holds it as he goes back to sleep.

Britney sneaks into his room while he sleeps. She creeps over to his bed looking over the many monitors still on his body.

A nurse walks into Justin’s room checking on him. She gives him something through his IV. “Are you family?”

Britney grins, “We’re friends. He and I go way back. How bad is his condition?”

“Justin is quite ill. He can’t keep anything down that we give him. We are hoping he improves. We have him on sedatives so he won’t be in as much pain.”

Justin opens his eyes remembering where he is and trying to bring back to memory who these people are. He doesn’t recognize Britney at all.

It doesn’t matter how many pictures he sees of him and her he can’t place her in his mind. His short term memory is worse than his long term memory. Britney’s one of the few people or places he can’t bring back from his log term memory.

Justin picks up a spoon examining it and glances down at the blue bowl. He works on moving the spoon from the dish to his mouth. He asks, “Why am I doing this?”

Cameron sighs, “Working on eating with a spoon, Justin.” She points to the metal object. “This is a spoon. It is for eating ice cream and soups. The object holding it is a bowl. It comes in many colors. You can use it for many different foods.” She demonstrates how to use it correctly and then lets him try it.”

Justin frowns, “I’m sorry. I don’t remember.” He practices the motion several times. His mind wanders.

Cameron waves her hand in front of his face, “Justin? Sweetheart, are you okay?”

He nods his head sleepily resting it on the pillow. His blue eyes close. He leans on his side and brings up his breakfast. He is placed in a wheelchair until he has new sheets as he sleeps. He gently goes back onto the bed monitors and all. The bed rails go up.

Cameron lightly strokes his head as he lay there sleeping. She looks over all of the monitors on his body and the IV in his forearm. She wishes he didn’t have to go through this all. He doesn’t deserve it. She leaves him to rest as she goes to the cafeteria.

Justin’s eyes open though he lay very still. He heard the sound of a dog barking. He wondered if dogs are allowed at the hospital. His question is soon answered as a golden retriever comes into his room on a leash. Usually, Justin would like to play with the dog if the owner didn’t mind, but he wasn’t feeling up to moving around. He turned himself to the side to get a better view of the friendly dog. A slight smile appears on his face.

The owner grins at the sick young man and takes a seat next to his bed. “This is Bounce. Bounce visits sick people in the hospital. He’s very playful and loves do tricks.”

Justin sleepily asks, “Does he like basketball?”

The man nods, “Sure does. Do you like basketball?”

Justin yawns, “Yep.”

Justin likes the dog’s company through his therapy, because it is difficult on him. Justin laughs as the dog plays ball with him as he lay in the hospital bed. Some days he isn’t able to do anything. The dog will stay with him until the medications knock him out. Bounce is gentle around Justin and seems to know his limits.

His muscles are weak from being so ill. The doctors won’t perform Justin’s foot surgery until he is doing better. He can hardly sit up, but with the help of his wife and Bounce he works on sitting up on his own.

Britney comes to see him. He stares at her blankly, “Who are you?”

“We go way back, Justin. Don’t you remember being on the Mickey Mouse Club?”

He shrugs his shoulders, “What is that?”

“It was a kids TV show, Justin. We used to date as well.”

He sighs, “We did?”

She nods her head. “My name’s Britney Spears.”

Justin questions, “What do you do?”

“I’m a solo singer.”

He frowns, “What do you sing?”

“I do mainly pop songs. Do you recall what you do?”

He thinks about her question, “Singer too!”

Justin rubs his temples, resting his head on the pillow. His eyes close and he goes off to sleep.

Britney cries, “I wasn’t expecting for him to forget me totally, less pain on his end. Maybe, this is for the better. I can get more out of him, because he doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. He’s an easy target to be played once more!”

Chp. 11

A month later, Justin sits on the steps at his house dribbling a basketball. He throws the ball to Bounce, who sends it back to him.

He glances at his wheelchair, which he cannot get too. He slowly lowers himself to the next step and the next until he reaches his chair. He lifts himself up carefully, as his arms tremble from the pressure. He sits down in the chair and buckles the belt. Justin calls out to the dog, as he wheels himself up the ramp. The action is exhausting to him as he reaches the door. He tilts his head back, leaning against the soft padding as the dog opens the door for him. He wheels himself over to the table and closes his eyes. He closes his eyes as the dizziness sets in and reaches for one of his basins knowing he’s going to be sick. He feels better after throwing up and even falls asleep. His body is weak during these episodes so when he notices one coming on he uses a harness on his wheelchair so he won’t fall out. It gives him extra support.

Cameron’s there when he wakes up. She has already given him an injection to soothe his stomach. She forces a smile, “Everything’s going to be okay, Justin.”

Justin sighs rubbing his stomach, not remembering why he’s sick and tired. He visits with his daughter and then goes back outside to play with the dog and his wife. He is progressing very slowly, but has gained back some memory that has been lost. Justin continues to have trouble with his short term memory which is discouraging to him. He has difficulty learning new songs or recognizing people he only has seen a handful of times. His doctor has him keep a journal to help him recall events and people. He has Justin and his family take pictures of people and places so Justin can have an image in his head when he reads his descriptions.

He focuses on the notebook reading it over as he gazes through the photographs looking for a particular photo!

Cameron finds the photograph for him. She reads him the description of the object. She repeats the information to him to keep it in his mind. She smiles, “You’ll remember it eventually, Sweetheart.”

An hour later, Justin sits at Johnny Wright’s office next to Britney Spears. He gives Johnny a confused look as he studies some official documents of certain allegations he had towards her that was just being released of her reckless past. “What are these?”

“According to things you have stated in this letter you say that Britney has caused you physical pain and harm after your alleged break up. You’ve commented that she took the life of her unborn child for selfish reasons. It is all in your writing, Justin. You realize that if this gets out to the public it may ruin her career.”

“When did I write that?”

Johnny sighs, “Before the poisoning, Justin.”

Justin frowns, “I don’t even know her.”

Britney smiles, “My name is Britney, Justin. I never would do those things to you.”

Justin wonders how truthful she’s being as he sits in his chair, as pain surges through his body. He coughs, “What do you want me to do with these papers?”

Johnny warmly grins, “Do what you think is right. If you do peruse these avenues you’re going to need evidence that she indeed did those things in question. You’ll have to try your hardest to bring back those memories, Justin.”

Justin questions, “How did you get the papers?”

“The court sent them to Britney’s lawyers.”

Justin returns home knowing he probably won’t even remember the conversation he just had with his manger and some female around his age. He already can’t recall her name and he’s not been home very long. By night time Justin has little memory of the meeting and what was talked about.

Cameron is in charge of giving him his medications, due to the memory problems. She tells him, “It is time to take your pills. You take them on a daily basis.”

He nods his head taking the red pills. The pills induce sleepiness in him, rather quickly. His blue eyes shut and he is wheeled into his room. He is put on his bed and left there to sleep.

Justin wakes from his slumber. He smiles at his wife who is sitting on the bed. He wheels himself over to her. He motions that he would like to be out of his wheelchair. He slowly gets out of his wheelchair with the help of Cameron. He glances over at a photo of him playing basketball. His blue eyes widen, “I used to be able to walk?”

Cameron isn’t sure what to tell him in fear that it may prolong his recovery, but she decides to tell him the truth, “Yes. You used to be able to walk and run and do other things.”

He questions, “What is it like to walk?”

She sighs, “It’s hard to explain, but you feel pressure on your legs.”

“Will I be able to walk again?”

“After you have surgery, you may be able too.”

Cameron talks to Justin about his operation and how his foot is going to hurt more after it’s done. She goes over this several times before his surgery occurs.

Justin doesn’t seem afraid of having the operation, partly because of his memory impairment. The thing his doctor and family fear is that because of the memory problems he’ll be scared upon awaking.

The doctor recommends he stay over night prior to the surgery so he’ll become familiar with his surroundings.

His surgery goes well, and he begins physical therapy to try to regain some walking skills. The process is extremely difficult for him.

Cameron gently takes his hands guiding him through the parallel bars.

“Take my hands! Don’t be afraid.
Everything’s going to be okay,
You have my promise, each day
Not about to walk away!

Have my word. No need to cry!
I know Baby, you can walk and fly,
Spread those wings and fly
No reason to be shy!

Put your faith in my hands,
And in that warm heart inside of you,
To do what you know have too,
As I stand here beside you

Take my hands! Don’t be afraid.
Everything’s going to be okay,
You have my promise, each day
Not about to walk away!”

Justin is far from walking normal. He will require extensive physical therapy. The wheelchair will still be used for long distance ventures or playing sports. He has a walker for shorter distances. The walker is a lot of work for him because he loses his balance easily. He pushes himself along the hardwood floor with Cameron beside him. He enjoys walking with her over using his walker. He would like to learn to run, but for now walking is difficult enough for him to endure!

Justin moves so slowly, with jerky movements that is painstaking for him. His legs are like jello beneath him as he stops to take a deep breath. His body is visibly weak. With each step he seems to lose further ground. He is still under hospital care as he makes his recovery.

He reaches his bed sitting down drowsily. A nurse helps him all the way onto the bed, and puts up the side rails as his eyes close. She covers him with the warm blanket and checks on his IV.

His eyes open briefly long enough for him to remember where he is. He turns toward a large dinosaur that is painted on the wall. The image of the colorful dinosaur relaxes him further.

Justin feels somebody touch his stomach and open his eyes. He smiles at his wife, “When can we expect the baby?”

She grins warmly, “Nine months like everyone else.”

“Justin”, a voice calls out. “Justin, open your eyes, Baby!” He doesn’t respond. The gentle voice speaks to him again, “Come on Sweetheart, it is time to wake up. It is morning.” The person massages his hand as his eyes open. “I knew you were in there. I have something very important to tell you, Justin.”

He groggily nods his head at his wife, trying desperately to stay awake, “Go ahead. I’m listening. Justin our daughter is going to have a sibling!”

Justin’s eyes light up, “I’ve been waiting for this day! This is one thing I’m overly excited about. “

Chp. 12

His first day out of the hospital he takes his wife and little girl to an entertainment center where they have many crawl through tunnels. He is careful not to bang his foot as he holds her dearly in his arms. “Anna, Daddy loves you and you’ll always have a place in my heart.” He kisses her forehead. “You’re going to be a big sister.”

Justin stands up; with support from his wife as he hold’s their precious child. Every aspect of her he loves and embraces, as if she were his by blood. She makes him forget about his pains as he tries to take on a bigger role of caring for her. His memory loss impacts their relationship, which cause sadness in his life. He wishes he could remember her first smile, her every coo, her every milestone. He pulls out the camcorder to capture those moments, even if he can’t remember them at the time, maybe they’ll sink into his mind!

His mind wanders in a million different places as he stares deep into Anna’s precious chocolate eyes. He runs his hands through the patches of dark brown hair, as he gets lost in the innocence of his eyes. Emotions begin to take over him as he starts to remember something.

A vision of Britney comes into his mind. It is a foggy vision of peering into her eyes, but not knowing who she is or what they shared in the past. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he pictures her leaving him, but he doesn’t know why.

His doctors think this is good that he’s starting to regain his memory, but Justin hates it. All he gets are pieces and isn’t able to get the full picture. She keeps coming into his mind. The pictures in his head seem real.

This causes him to be reluctant of trusting her, unsure of her motives. He is terrified of meeting people, since he doesn’t know who is trustworthy.

Justin smiles tiredly, getting up from the bed, grabbing his walker. He paces himself as he goes through the hallway. He hasn’t caught on how to move around yet. He sits down in a chair, gazing down at a plate of food and the utensils to eat it with. His mind draws a blank as what to do next. He thinks about what he is supposed to do, but isn’t sure. He looks in his notebook and picks up his fork and knife cutting his pancakes. He says the name of the objects as he holds it.

He gets up and moves to the bathroom to clean up. He sits down and undresses himself. He runs his hand down his chest feeling tiny hairs sprouting. He notices hair growth underneath his arms as well. It’s not thick like it should be for his age, but it is notable. These changes intrigue him. His voice squeaks as he sings in the shower.

He stares at his body in the mirror at all the hair on different parts of his body he never thought could have hair. He touches the long strands of curly hair forming. He holds onto his walker and stares down at the ground. He works his way into the bedroom.

Cameron is sitting on the bed. “You ready to go to the hospital for your bone scan?”

Justin nods his head. He can’t walk any further so he ops for the wheelchair. The wheelchair gives him a lot of freedom. He asks, “What’s this test like? Does it hurt?”

Cameron smiles softly, “They’re going to make you sleepy, and then inject a dye in you to see how the bones in your foot are healing.”

“How do they make me sleepy?”

“You drink some flavored medicine. It won’t be so bad. I promise!”

Justin follows a nurse into a large room. He sees cartoon like pictures on the walls. He stares at them as he has help getting onto the table. He faces the pictures when he is asked to lie down. This helps him be less afraid, until he’s too sleepy to care.

They give him a blanket and move him on his back, starting an IV to inject the dye. They give him oxygen during the procedure, until he starts to wake from the sedation drugs.

Justin’s placed in a hospital bed in the recovery room. He is able to go home after about a half hour.

Justin rests his head on Cameron’s chest and rubs it. He lets out a soft sigh, “I just can’t wait for this.”

She plays with his curls, “Me to, Justin. It’s going to be a big experience for us all.”

He lifts up his head, “I wondered if it’d ever come.” He lays his head back on her chest. “We’re going to have a great family.”

One month later, Justin’s mind draws a blank as he finishes his musical set. He gazes out into the crowd where Jive executives sit. He vaguely recognizes the faces starting back at him. His eyes go down the line, as he tries to think of their names, before he has to approach them

He hobbles down the stairs, in pain, going towards them. Loud screams and fans grabbing at his clothing further confuses him. . He stands before them and shakes each of their hands. His palms sweat when he nears Clive Davis the head of the record company.

Clive is an elder man, with glasses and a goofy attitude. He shakes Justin’s hand, winking at him. He points to a young man in his late teens with dark brownish hair. “This is Brad, Justin. I don’t know if you two have been properly introduced. He’s working with various artists in the production of their records. Beside him is his girlfriend Ashlee. You already know Britney to some degree.”

Justin nods his head, “Pleasure to meet all of you.” He takes a seat in a chair, to catch a breath. He starts to get up as Britney comes toward him.

She holds two alcoholic beverages in his hand. “You want one?”

Justin shakes his head, “I’m not of age. I’m sorry to cut our conversation short, but………….”

She butts in kissing him on the lips, as Justin pushes away from her reaching for his water bottle.

She grabs his arms, pulling him close to her.

His head is buried in shirt. He can’t understand why nobody is doing anything about this. He yells, “I can’t breathe!” All he hears is silence. Terrified he pushes harder.

A voice breaks the silence, “Justin, open your eyes.” He does as the voice says, letting out a loud scream.

“Where am I?”

Britney smiles, “You were drunk, so I took you home.”

“I don’t drink. You did something to me! I’m getting out of here.”

He rushes home and into Cameron’s arms. “I don’t ever want to leave our home again! I don’t remember last night, and I’m so scared.”

She has wondered why he didn’t return last night, but tried not to worry about it.

“Justin, calm down Baby! What do you remember?”

“That girl I see in my flash backs was at the club. She kissed me on the lips and I resisted, but she wouldn’t stop. Then everything went blank. I’m sorry, if I did anything stupid. I don’t remember.”

Chp. 13

The photos were everywhere of that night, and on the tabloids are having a field day reporting that he is cheating on Cameron, and that he once cheated on Britney.

The phone rings at the Timberlake household. Justin is reluctant to pick it up, knowing it is probably another reporter trying to get the scoop on the whole ordeal. A soft “Hello”, he lets out.

The eager voice on the other end says, “I got something to prove your innocence.”

He sighs, “You do?” His voice rises with suspension, “Tell me about it.”

“I had my camcorder rolling from the time you were on the stage all the way to Britney’s house. She drugged you. She slipped something into your water. I wasn’t sure at the time, until I played the tape back. You went into this drunken state. She took you back to her place. You were totally out of it and did whatever she wanted you to do. She nearly dragged you inside.”
“When can you get this to me?”

“That depends, on what you can do for me.”

“Whoa, you stocked me and now you’re going try to blackmail me! That’s @#$%, Man! I could just demand you give me it.”

“Chill, I’ll send you the damn tape! I already know your address, so you don’t have to repeat it.”

“You’re @#$% crazy! Some things are meant to be private.”

“When you’re as famous as you, they’re not! Be happy for my recording! It’s saving your ass!”

Justin angerily puts down the phone, placing his hand over to hide what he wants to say, “Some people are @#$% up! I just want people to respect me.” He puts the receiver up to his mouth, “I really have to get going, but you probably already know this and the times I feed my child!”

“Sure do, Mr. Timberlake! You have one fine house.”

Justin sighs, “Great.” He puts the phone back on the hook, limping to a near by chair, as pain shoots up his leg.

Chp. 14

He massages his injured leg and gets out one of his pain pills, the only one he is allowed to take without Cameron around. He hobbles to the couch before he starts to feel the effects of the drug. He watches the television, as he attempts to keep his blue eyes open. Many thoughts go through his mind. He hears the name Britney Spears and focuses on the sultry female on the screen.

She states, “Justin Timberlake is a cheater.”

Justin zones out listening to her voice. He mumbles, “I don’t know her. Why did she say that? I wish I could remember us together.” His speech slurs together, until he stops speaking. His blue eyes are closing as he turns his body inward toward the couch.

Cameron finds Justin sound asleep. She picks him up and starts to carry him to the bedroom. She hears him begin to mumble, but can’t make out what he is trying to say. She lays his limp body on the bed. She is quite used to it all, by now, making note of his pale face. She gently moves him on his side putting a basin by his head. As expected, Justin vomits in his sleep. She senses this episode is going to be long and stressful on both of them.

She strokes his head. “It will be okay, Justin, even if you need to see the doctors again. We want to get those poisons out of you.” She debates bringing him to the hospital, but he decides to after he makes no improvements. She carries him to the car and rushes him to the emergency room.

Justin is placed in a hospital bed as he sleeps not knowing what is going on. They start him on medication to reduce the vomiting and insert a nasal tube to give him oxygen. Justin goes to the pediatric floor to be carefully monitored.

Cameron hears a cocky Britney coming this way, laughing hysterically about something. She tries to make out what Britney is saying. It hits her hard, Britney stated, “I did Justin Timberlake in.” She shakes her head in disbelief, hearing it once again, with a fit of insane laughter.

Justin moans and coughs as he throws up. His blue eyes never open.

By morning, he is starting to wake up. He likes the space theme for his room. He speaks with discomfort to Cameron. “I would like to go home.”

She strokes his head, “You’re too sick, right now. You can barely keep open your eyes. We’ll get through this together. I’m not leaving your side.”

He points outside of the door mumbling, “She’s here.”

“A lot of celebrities are here today, Justin. They’re doing a benefit concert for the AIDS patients. Maybe, some of your friends will stop by.”

Justin starts to doze off. He hears beeping and people talking, but can’t make out their voices. He moves his head as he feels pressure on it, but doesn’t wake. His heart rate slows.

Britney stands over him fooling with his breathing device as she holds a pillow over his head. She lets go of the pillow watching his monitor. Britney hides in the bathroom as she hears footsteps coming closer.

A doctor looks over Justin’s chart and then at him. He places the breathing device on the bed with Justin’s IV bag. He slowly moves Justin’s bed to the exit. He pushes the bed out of the room, returning with the sleeping young man about twenty minutes later. He fixes the tubing and monitors, managing not to disturb him.

Britney left when they took Justin to the MRI scan.

Cameron enters the room to be with him She smiles taking a seat next to his bed. “Justin, I have good news, but I don’t know if you can hear me. I’ll explain to you when your eyes open.” She gently rolls him on his side. “You’re getting taller, Justin, but that isn’t the great thing I want to tell you.”
Justin’s blue eyes open. He coughs leaning on his side. He gazes around the room, with confusion in his eyes.

Cameron rubs his hand, “Justin, you’re in the hospital again. You had another episode.” She begins massaging his back. “When you’re feeling better, I’ll explain what’s going on. “

Justin lifts his head pointing to the door, wanting to talk about something. He writes down his observation on a piece of paper and hands it to his wife.

“The female you are referring to is Britney Spears, Justin. I know you don’t remember much because of the drugs you’re on, but she indeed has been in this room with you. We can tell by viewing the surveillance camera in your room. She tried to suffocate you with one of your pillows.”

He nods pointing to his breathing tube, making an out motion.

“You can have it out when you can breathe better.” She kisses his cheek, knowing he’ll be back asleep shortly.

He rests his head on the fluffy pillows behind him, closing his eyes. He hears people talking, but can’t make them out as he falls asleep from the medications.

His mother comes to be with him. She’s been away on a trip, but rushes home to be with him. She sits in a chair, next to his bed, with his wife.

The Doctor sighs, “We don’t know how long this poison is going to last in his system. He is quite ill.”

Justin is up playing video games, with breathing help still in place. He can’t talk, until his tube is removed. He doesn’t seem well enough to come off the tube. His chest muscles are weak, causing him to blank out, from lack of oxygen, at times. They keep him in his room, so he won’t be mobbed by fans, and can stay in a resting position.

He is playing a basketball game against his girlfriend as his head rests on a pillow. He pauses the game, looking at his girlfriend. He points to the hallway, “Him.”

“That is Brad, Justin he works for Jive Records. He dated Britney.”

Justin’s mind is blank and breathing heavy. The thick tube makes it difficult to speak, though he tries too.

Justin’s doctor is surprised how well he is doing despite how deadly some poisons can be. He does show further signs of injury to his brain, but the toxins are all most out of his system. Some of his problems may get better with time. He has Justin perform tasks and see how he does.
Chp. 15

Justin sits in a chair gazing at one of his therapists with his blue eyes wide open.

She reaches for his hand, “What would you like to do after these sessions Justin that you cannot do now.”

He forces out, “Sing”, in a slurred tone. “I love”, he tries to put the rest of his thought out there but only gets out, “Sing.”

“You will in time! Try making smaller sentences and work your way up. I heard that you’re a big fan of your daughter.

He smiles, “Love her. New B…….aby too!”

“That’s so sweet, Justin.” She places her hand on his shoulder seeing the tiredness in his deep blue berry eyes. Each word she utters is spoken slowly and with emphasis on how the word sounds.

Justin’s session comes to an end and he gets back in his hospital bed. Sleep quickly overcomes him after covering himself with a warm blanket.

The doctor comes to visit him as he is waking up.

“How is my star patient doing today?”

Justin laughs, “Bet-err” He stares at the astronaut painting on the wall, “Lance likes”, and he informs the doctor.

“What do you enjoy, Justin?”

Justin picks up a magazine from the table that slides over his bed, “This.” His favorite basketball player Jordan is making a difficult shot.

The doctor gives Justin a sedative through his IV while they talk. “We’re going to go to the MRI room, Justin and you’re going to fall asleep.”

Cameron is there when he wakes from the sedation. “Did you sleep well, Justin?”

Justin takes a breath in and out. “Ah, astro not!”

The doctor speaks with Cameron, “His scan went well. He will need to have at least two more, before leaving the hospital. The left side of his brain is what concerns us the most. Has he been having any more vomiting episodes?”

“He usually has them mid afternoon or evenings. He’ll complain of pain and then the vomiting kicks in an hour later, after extreme tiredness takes over his body.”

“How has his breathing been?”

“The staff is still keeping him on drugs to assist with his breathing, not to mention his nasal tube, which he hates.”

Justin reads one of his favorite books wishing he could be home with his daughter. His stomach churns and aches. He rubs his abdomen trying to get comfortable in the sheets. Justin goes back to his magazine with a basin close by.

Cameron gets his mind off his pain as she talks about the unborn baby with him. “You’re going to make a great father, Justin, when you get feeling better.”

He nods, “Better.” His blue eyes close, as she holds his hand.

She keeps talking to him though he’s not fully awake, as she watches his monitors. “I’m going to go get our daughter, Justin. She’ll be here probably when you wake up from the medicines.”

A nurse stays with Justin while he rests. She checks on his breathing and chats with him while he goes in and out of sleep.

Justin’s sleeping when his wife comes back. She kisses his forehead, “Can you open your eyes, Sweetheart?” She notices him able to open them for a few minutes.

That evening, Justin picks up a spoon, putting into a container. He gazes at his wife.

She places her hand over his, moving the spoon from the container to his mouth. She repeats the action. “You’ll learn in time Justin.” He picks up on it, but loses the concept because of his memory problems.

He is progressing with his speech, as long as he slowly thinks through what he would like to say it sounds clearer. Justin has speech help everyday in the morning before he has an episode.

One week later, Justin is having another MRI scan. This is the last one before he is released from the hospital.

At home, Justin is on bed rest. His body is weak from the whole ordeal. He doesn’t want to end up in the hospital again. He sleeps most of the time. He turns his attention to the television. His favorite basketball team is playing. He sees his basketball lying on the floor. He sits up carefully moving to the edge of his bed. He presses down on the bed for balance. He reaches out for his walker, trying to stabilize himself. Once he has his walker he can move easier. He has a hard time holding the ball and using his walker. He dribbles the ball from his bed. It brings back pleasant memories to him from his childhood. He gazes out the window at the court wishing he could play. His muscles hardly allow him to dribble the ball from one hand to the other. His coordination isn’t as good as it used to be. He wonders if he’ll ever be able to play again, aside from in a wheelchair. His leg muscles are the weakest, partly because of the injury he suffered.

Two weeks have passed and Justin’s at physical therapy staring at the bars in front of him. He has a person on both sides of him as he takes a few steps forward, “Hard”, he mumbles.

His therapist gently touches his back. “I’m right here. Take a few steps at a time. This isn’t something I expect you to get in the first day. You can rest in a bit.”

The process is grueling on Justin because of his memory dysfunction he loses ground easily. He has therapy in and out of the hospital all day long. He never has a break to enforce in his brain the way things should be.

Cameron puts the spoon in front of Justin, “Spoon.” She demonstrates how to use his spoon then works on the concept with him.

Justin’s discouraged as he tries unsuccessfully, “Could I do this yesterday?”

“With help you were able to feed yourself with the utensils.”

He concentrates on using the spoon and eating by himself. Justin yawns tired from the days events. He slowly stands holding onto the chair for support. His wife makes her way to him to keep him from falling.

“Justin, you don’t have to walk to the bedroom. I can get your wheelchair. You’d be a lot more comfortable.”

He nods drowsily allowing Cameron to get his chair. He is relieved when he sits down in his wheelchair and starts to wheel himself to the bedroom. He pulls up to his bed and carefully gets out onto the large bed.

She comes into check on him, and takes a seat on their bed. “Do you need your medicine Justin?”

He speaks barely audile, “Medicine have.”

She grabs his medication and a cup of water to take the pills. “I’m going to go spend time with our daughter while you rest. I’ll be back in a bit.” She writes Justin a note to remind him where she is.

Justin goes to sleep for about twenty minutes. He sits up in bed looking at the clock, “Over slept.” He stumbles out of the bed almost falling on the hardwood floor. He falls into his comfy wheelchair.

Cameron comes into the room, “Justin, you have to slow down you’re going to get hurt.” She sighs seeing how sleepy he still is. “We’re going to go down to the studio tomorrow to see your friends.” She moves him back to the bed. She places the back of her hand on his head checking for a fever, but he has none. He is just exhausted from all that is going on in his life.

She gets on the bed with him, stroking his head and watching his breathing.

Chp. 16

Justin sighs looking up at his friend J.C.., “Why am I here?”

“This is one of Jive Record’s recording studios. “We’re going to go in and try some new songs out. You can sing if you want too.”

Justin follows J.C. into the small room with eyes wide open. He can’t remember much of his time in there just bits and pieces. He takes his time getting to a chair to sit down in.

“Cameron tells me you really want to sing again.”

“I do. It’s hard.”

J.C. pats Justin’s shoulder. Your speech is getting better. We can work on some simple songs.”

J.C. goes over the song slowly with Justin emphasizing the sounds of the words. He stops when Justin is stuck on a word. He moves Justin’s walker in front of him. He watches him struggle with walking as they head out the studio to get something to eat. He helps his friend sit down so they can chat over the meal.

Justin asks, “Who’s that?” He is pointing at a female figure on the TV screen.”

“That is Britney Spears! She tried to kill you. She has charges against her for attempted murder. Her people are stating that she has physiological issues that caused her to act this way.”

Justin stares off into space trying to figure a way to express his feelings, because speaking is too difficult. He snaps out of his trance glancing at a table a few feet away. He chuckles to himself as he keeps his eye on the couple and this loony guy with them, as their conversation unfolds.

J.C. whispers to Justin, “He’s a little crazy J when he’s drunk. He does the stupidest stuff. The minute he goes drunk they call in the fire department, because he’s pyro man. He sets everything on fire. Luckily, it’s just minor things. He is a friend of Britney or thinks he is. He blames that kid Brad with the red shirt on for Britney’s demise and so Brad can’t get away from this lunatic nor can his girlfriend Ashlee Simpson. Don’t laugh at him. I know you think it’s funny and he isn’t being serious. He is very determined to cause them grief!”

“Go home”, he tells J.C. trying hard to get out more words.

“Why do you want to go home, Justin?”

Justin massages his stomach, “I hurt J.C.”

“Okay, we’ll go home.”

The drunken man’s attention turns to the curly haired disabled young man.

Justin looks at J.C. nervously afraid of the large man coming towards him.

J.C. puts his hand on Justin’s shoulder. “He won’t hurt you, Justin.”

“Who’s the retard with you J.C.?”

“He’s not restarted. Physical handicaps don’t mean you are retarded. He has speech deficits.”

“He probably doesn’t even know his name.”

Justin looks in his direction, “Its Justin” He gets out in a slurred tone. He grips onto his walker, taking a few steps forward, “Bye.” He feels his face turning red as everyone stares at him. He would like to cry, but isn’t sure if he should.

Meanwhile, Brad and Ashlee are paying for the check, to get out of there as soon as possible. Discouraging looks are on their faces of how he is treating what they think is a disabled teenager.

Justin’s face is pale and his body is wobbly. J.C. is behind him to catch him when he starts to tilt backward unintentionally.”

“What a retarded person can’t even stand on his own two feet. I can stand on two feet and I’m drunk! Besides that, “He’s a runt. Some kids are taller than him!”

“That’s enough! Justin’s is extremely ill. You should leave him alone!” J.C. gets Justin outside, before the vomiting starts in. He rushes Justin to the car, where he’ll be safe.
“Are you going to be okay, Justin?”

Justin holds his head, “Don’t know”, as tears stream down his face. “C, remember.”

“What do you remember?”

Justin stutters, “Bbbbbb ney.” His hands and face shake, “She”, he pauses sounding out his next word, “mean, C.” He breathes deeply, “She pillow.” He closes his eyes trying to concentrate, “Pugh pillow ugh my face.” He sighs, “Couldn’t be.”

J.C. recalls Cameron telling him about this and that Justin brings it back in his memory some times. This time he has been more expressive about the incident!

J.C. gets out a mask that has oxygen in it to give to Justin. He gently places it on Justin’s face making note of his friend’s purple lip color.

The oxygen makes Justin a lot more comfortable until Justin can be checked out. Justin rests on a bed with his friend close by, “Home.”

“We’ll go home in a bit. “

Justin falls asleep on the bed. One of the nurses gives J.C. a blanket to cover Justin with.

“We’re going to take him for a MRI just to see how things look. If nothing has changed and his breathing is stable he can go back home.”

The nurse stabilizes Justin’s head and repositions his oxygen mask. “We’ll be back in about forty minutes.”

Justin moans trying to move his head to a more comfortable position. He is too tired to resist the staff. He sleeps through the procedure and J.C. is allowed to be with him again.

“He may need more bed rest, J.C. His doctor thinks we should keep him overnight for observation. He threw up three times during the test!”

Justin wakes to the sounds of kids and adults chatting, phones are ringing, beeping sounds from various monitors and his wife talking to his doctor.

Chp. 17

He leans to the side with tears in his eyes. He sighs wishing he could be home and closes his eyes. He listens to his wife’s comforting voice and starts to go back to sleep.

The doctor explains to her what is going on with Justin. “He is on medicine that opens his airways. He can have this medication at home so he might not have to come here as much. He is lethargic from lack of oxygen. He should be feeling better by tomorrow.”

A small tube is in Justin’s nose to give him oxygen and other medication. He could usually talk with the device in, but he’s too exhausted to try communication.

Cameron kisses his forehead. “I’m so sorry Justin. You shouldn’t have to be in the hospital. I can’t believe she could have done this to you.”

Justin stares at her with suspension and question in his blueberry eyes. He doesn’t remember her again. Tears fall down his cheeks as he breathes heavily.

Cameron brushes her hand gently against his peach soft face. “It’s okay that you can’t bring Britney back to memory.”

His blue eyes close, as tears stream down his face. He moans. “Sick”, before throwing up in the bed. Justin goes into a deep sleep as they clean him up.

Justin’s wheelchair is awaiting him in the morning. He’s not well enough to be walking around. His body is limp from the previous day. He spends the day with his daughter and wife. He enjoys the time together and hopes he’ll recall some of it. He’s careful not to over stress himself with their activities.

By the time the baby comes, Justin is still having speech, memory and some motor planning problems. He is discouraged because his daughter can do things he can’t.

Cameron motions for Justin to sit in on the bed next to her. “This is our Daughter, Lindsey Elizabeth Timberlake, Justin. She was born yesterday.”

He smiles, “Love her.” He doesn’t have the heart to tell his wife, what she already suspects, that he has no recollection of yesterday. He stands tears whelming in his eyes, “Sorry.” He thinks he should leave. His legs wobble as he holds onto the bedding for support, “Sorry”, he cries.

“Shhh…….. Justin. Don’t blame yourself. I know this hard on both of us. Don’t leave both the girls and I will miss you if you leave. You’re very important to all of us.” She reaches out to touch his trembling hands. “Sit back down, so you can hold your daughter.” He does as she asks trying to smile for their family photo. “We’ll help remind you of this special day and yesterday, through pictures.”

He nods his head trying to hold back his tears, “Sorry”, is all Justin can say at this point. He lowers his head into his hands, feeling Cameron run her hands through his curls. He hears her calming voice and closes his eyes, “I try.” She keeps him balanced until somebody comes to assist him out of the room. Luckily, his mom is close by.
Lynn grasps onto Justin, so he won’t fall. He hasn’t gotten used to walking without falls yet. She knows he’s having a tough time with his disabilities. She gets him to the elevator and on. She notices the elevator is confusing for him because of the movement it knocks his balance further both times they ride it. His gate shifts dramatically.

Justin sticks his hands in pockets, pulling out a few dollar bills. A smile surfaces on his tear stained face, “Buy baby card.”

Lynn grins at her son. “I love that idea, Justin. Cameron will adore the card! What kind of card do you want to get her?”

He responds slowly, “Singing. I, me.”

“Yes, that’ll be great!” Lynn isn’t sure how he’ll do but doesn’t want him to not try. Besides, it’s the thought that counts!” She gives him suggestions on what to sing, but lets him decide which song he likes best. She practices the verse with him and what he would like to say.

After a few hours, his voice is recorded. The company cut out the areas where he has mistakes so it doesn’t sound choppy.

Justin gently hugs his wife the next morning presenting her with the card.

When Justin leaves the room with J.C. Lynn sighs. “He was so excited to get a card congratulating you on the birth of your daughter. It never left Justin’s mind. I wasn’t sure if he would retain what he did yesterday for his wife, but he did. “

“He’s the sweetest husband ever! I hope his memory eventually improves and his other health problems. Justin’s been trying to sing for the new baby since before she was born. It’s cute seeing how dedicated he is to his friends and wife and the other people around him.”

Meanwhile, J.C. talks to Justin as he takes him home. “Did she like the card?”

Justin grins, “She loves.”

J.C. chuckles, “I bet she does. What do you think about having two little girls now to care for?”

“More better. Love them. I……..I’ll be a……..” Justin pauses, “good Dugh ad.”

He pats Justin’s shoulder, “You’re right! You will be. We’ll get you singing again too!”


Chp.18

Music is his heart and soul! What can bring those dearing memories back to him? The baby grand piano is inches away from him. He stares at as he sits on the couch head resting on a pillow. Months have passed since he has played or attempted to play. Something in him is egging him on to at least sit on the piano bench. He sits up peering around their living room on a way to get there.

His walker is out of reach. He stands carefully grasping onto the plush leather interior, “One”, he says softly grabbing onto another piece of furniture, “Two”, he sighs catching his breath. His hands tremble. He sits down in the wooden chair. He presses down on the chair to lower himself to the ground. His feet wobble underneath him and he plops down on the hardwood floor. He manages to get himself on his stomach and starts to move his hands to try to crawl. The task is tiring with his weak legs not able to help him. He just needs to get to lounge chair and then can attempt to walk the rest. He smiles reaching the goal after what seems an eternity. His body trembles grasping on the chair to attempt to bring him to a standing position. He falls back on his bottom several times. Lifting himself is harder than he thought it would be. He finally grabs the plush chair and stands. His body is exhausted, but his mission is far from complete. He rests before venturing on. His walker is now in reaching distance. He finds his way to it and grasps onto the rubber grips. He takes his time watching his steps. He is excited when he reaches the piano.

He runs his fingers along the keys, as voices echo in his head. People who stated he would never turn out to be so talented. He recalls them. They were harsh on him, but he was harder on himself. He was a poor kid and this was going to get his mom out of debt. He didn’t have to force himself to learn. It came so naturally. They didn’t believe a boy so young and poorly dressed could do so well. Now, people were thinking similar to in the past that he isn’t capable of playing but he is. His entire emotions fill those keys bring his world alive again. Events float through his troubled mind dulling the pains deep inside of him. He is singing inside. He stops the melody tears forming in his clouded eyes, closing them envisioning her.

He pounds on the keys angerily. She’s the one who hurt him, caused him agony and left him alone and scared. He eases tears rolling down his cheeks. The kiss goodbye near the piano lingers in his mind, getting bolder as he puts greater thought into it. July comes to mind. Hot and sticky, with the ocean close by he brings back. Tear stained faces of love gone deeply wrong. A piano was at his fingertips ready for his storm to unfold, as it is now. His mind shifts from past to present sitting there with his piece of mind. The instrument reminds him of who he is more than anything else. It is a key to a world he didn’t remember existed. It is there for him when he needs it. With the piano the pieces are coming together.

His eyelids droop and his head lowers. He yawns as his blue eyes close. Justin drifts to sleep.

Cameron notices her sleeping husband and moves him to the bedroom. His body is limp as she places him on the bed getting out his oxygen mask. She applies the mask to his face and turns the machine on.

His boyish charm delights her. She loves peering into his baby blue eyes. He has innocence about him that most people would have out grown by his age. He has had a rough ride to the top. She kisses his head. “My angel is asleep.”

Justin wakes wanting to play the piano. He is using his wheelchair. His muscles are weak from the previous day. He wheels himself to the piano. It soothes him to play to get his mind on all that is going on in his life.

Cameron brings Justin for his doctor visit to access how he is doing and what they can do to improve his life.

Justin stares at the table for the MRI machine. He looks at the dinosaurs painted on the walls. He sits on the table drinking his medicine, and then is asked to rest his head on the pillow.

The doctor smiles” Just think about something you like, Justin.”

“Music”, he states tiredly. He thinks about his fingers pressing down on the keys, as beautiful sounds emerge from the action. He smiles closing his eyes. He can hear the soft rain and feel it on his sweaty body from the rage. His heart races on the monitor, but he doesn’t know this. He is in his own world. His body is still, but his mind is moving quickly through the day he broke up with her, but will he remember upon waking?

Justin’s head is held still to calm him down, before putting him into the machine. His heart rate slows along with his breathing.

The doctor discusses Justin’s health with Cameron. He shows her the scans. “The left side of his brain as you are aware is where a chunk of damage occurred. According to this his brain hasn’t recovered as much as we would have hoped it would. We will keep monitoring his brain and doing therapy with him. We’ll be bringing him to the recovery room in a few minutes.”

The sleepy young man wants to play music and is allowed to when he returns him. The look in his eyes when he hears those soothing sounds come out is priceless to his wife. He has found another joy.

She sits next to him showing him how to play a simple song. She is surprised at how well he does. She only gives him a small part to memorize. She manages to teach him the song after a week, but has to keep going over it or he loses ground.

“Daddy”, a little voice calls. Justin turns his head smiling at his daughter. She has just started walking and loves to be part of the action. She stands up making her way over to Justin. She plops down onto the floor, “Daddy.” She pulls on his pants.

“Oh baby”, he grins, “love you.” He bends over to bring her into his lap.

The toddler giggles, “Daddy.” She takes his hand lowering her face to kiss it. She feels him grasp his free arm snuggly around her. She rests her head against his chest listening to his heartbeat.

He notices his wife isn’t with him. She is in the kitchen preparing their younger newborn daughter Lindsey. He sighs, wishing he could do more.

Chp. 19

He meets her gaze and his cheek begins to tremble, “Remember. I remembered. Not fair now!”

Britney gently touches his cheek. “I’m sorry it had to come to this. You may or may not remember this day with me. I f you don’t that’s okay! I’m going away for a very long time.

“Don’t deaf”, he cries.

“They don’t want to kill me yet. I’m going to prison.” She sighs turning away from him. She regrets what she did to him. He has so many obstacles in his way.

An hour later, Lynn smiles at her son who is seated in one of the chairs. She is in charge of a pre-school program and invited Justin to play with the kids and help if he can with some of the activities.

“Class this is my son Justin. Justin is going to help us with some of the projects today.”

Justin stays positioned in his blue chair watching the kids play. He interacts with them when he can. He tenses when the parents arrive, but his mom assures him they’re just there to get their kids.

“Bad”, he states.”

“What’s bad Justin?”

He points to a younger man who he recognizes, trying to say, “Brad”, but all he gets is, “Bad.” He smiles as the man looks at him.

“Hey there, Justin, it’s nice to see you again. We miss seeing you at Jive Records. I’m here to get my friend’s daughter. I see you’re helping your mom”

Justin nods, “Help Mom.” He picks up the colorful shapes matching them with the different shaped holes. Eye hand coordination is difficult for Justin. He doesn’t line the shape up with the hole. He eventually grasps the concept as Brad and Lynn watch him.

It keeps him occupied since he is bored with being at home. He seems to enjoy the time with his mother. His wife is a place where he would not be wanted so he stays with Lynn who assists him with his daughter’s.

Justin’s grandmother cares for the girls while pre-school is in session.

Lynn brings Justin his walker so he can get to his next destination. “Take one step at a time son. We aren’t in a hurry.”

Justin has already encountered one falling episode today. He bruised his knees, but didn’t injury anything else. The episode scared him though.

“The doctor has your braces ready, Justin. He had to order them which took a long time. The braces will go underneath your pants. This way you won’t get easily hurt when you fall.”

Justin sits on the table nervously as the doctor puts on his braces. They feel soft to touch and cover most of his legs.

His doctor laughs, “Just think of them as extra padding, Justin, like the skateboarders.

Justin nods his head and yawns.

The doctor puts his hand on Justin’s knee, “Are you tired, Justin?”

“No sleep night.”

Lynn laughs, “He had a hard time sleeping last night. He was excited about going to the pre-school with me. He’ll sleep better tonight.” Lynn’s right, Justin does sleep more.

Justin plays the piano every chance he gets. He hobbles over to the large instrument with delight in his blue eyes. He excels at playing, even more than before his brain injury. It is his heaven. He hears the voices in his head of happier days.

His record label feels he could do a whole record based on him playing the piano.

Justin’s family doesn’t think he is ready to work full time to complete a record. He doesn’t have some of the most basic living skills and his body is weak as it recovers.

His head rests on Cameron’s chest, as his arm surrounds her. His frame trembles as her hands make their way through his curls. “Sorry”, he mummers

“Shhh………. It will all work out. She did wrong and she needs to be punished. You had nothing to do with her choices.” She cresses his cheek lightly. “I know you didn’t hurt her. People need to drop that. She watches as his eyelids droop and eyes close. She moves him on his back to go check on their daughters.

Justin clutches onto the soft blanket curling his body near the pillow where she had just been. She returns kissing his forehead. He lifts his head and wraps his around her. His head sinks into her chest. She doesn’t seem to mind. This has always been his way of affection. She pulls the blanket over him touching his peach face lightly with her hand. His body stays still as she plays with his curls.

She notices he is still there in the morning. She sits up holding his limp body. His hands have a loose grip as she coos, “You can sleep, Sweetheart. You need it.” She places her hand behind his head lowering his motionless body onto the bed.

Cameron informs Lynn, “He had a rough night. He couldn’t stop blaming himself from what happened to her. Hopefully, it’s out of his mind now.”

“Justin’s gone through so much. He doesn’t deserve this. How was his breathing last night?”

“It was shallow and he gasped a bit. He didn’t require the airway medicine. I’ve found that if I keep him calm he doesn’t need as much medication. He helps me with getting the girls to bed each night. He just loves being there with us, even if he mentally doesn’t grasp everything we do. He’ll sit there and rock them back and forth.”

Closure is what he needs from her. Weeks have passed and tears continue to fill his eyes. The music and his wife’s kind words dull the pain, but can’t stop. He thinks the world hates him for putting that female he hardly remembers in jail. He gets wrapped up in their lies easily as he doesn’t know the truth, and he wishes he did so his body wouldn’t ache and hurt, so he could look people in the eye and state he didn’t abuse her, but is left hopeless, because he can’t remember. Today he may finally see that it is all her doings.

He hasn’t seen her in so long. His body shakes as sweat drips down his face. His body is weak and trembles as he makes his way to her. Tears fall from his cheeks as she rests in the bed.

She motions for him to sit down, “Oh Baby, This will probably be the last time we talk”, she states softly. “I need to go through this. I won’t suffer nearly as much as you have. Last time we were like this you and I were breaking up. Don’t ever blame yourself for my future. I did it onto myself. Cameron and Lynn are going to help you get better!” She massages his hand as a doctor stays close by monitoring him. Be sure to tell everyone I’m sorry, Justin especially Brad.”

“Bad friend”, he says with a small smile on his face. His pale face turns a pinkish red.

“Well, it’s nice that you two have become friends.”

Justin nods his head, “Good friend.” He reaches into his pocket pulling out a photo, “Us”, he sighs, “July.” He pauses, “Break up?”

She pulls him into a hug, “Yes we did break up in July. I thought you would have burned that photo by now.”

He shrugs his shoulders, “Love you.”

“That’s very sweet considering how I treated you. You were always the nice one.”

“Time to say goodbye, Justin”, the doctor states.

He ignores the doctor as the doctor expected. The doctor takes a syringe out of his coat pocket and then a fresh needle. He moves a piece of Justin’s shirt and wipes his bare skin with an alcohol pad. He removes medicine from a small vial and puts it into the syringe. He quickly administers the sedative. Justin’s a lot more cooperative when he’s medicated.

Justin gazes back at her tears making it hard for him to see, as sleep overcomes his body. He wishes he could see her just a little bit longer knowing in his heart it will be the last time. He fights the sleepiness in his body helplessly hoping that she’ll say something else to try to soothe him, but all there is silence. This sight stays etched in his mind as his eyelids droop.

“Why should you remember her in that way”, a warm voice states? Women dressed all in white looks at him. She smiles wrapping her arms around him soothingly. “Everything’s going to be okay when you wake up. Britney’s right over there, Justin.” He nods. “She doesn’t want you to hurt anymore, Justin. She won’t be gone forever. You’re going to wake up soon, Justin. You’ll not remember seeing her in the room, but here. This is a happy place.” She rubs his back soothingly as if he is a small child and whispers comforting words to him. She is twice the size of him and he loves her warmth. She sits down beside a tree with him snug in her embrace. “Justin, I want you to watch the butterfly for me.”

He does as she asks him to do, though he sees a bright light beyond the butterfly. He keeps watch of the creature as it goes further away into the light. His blue eyes start to close and he feels safe.
His mother holds him as he sleeps from the medication. He has been out for several hours. It’s best this way so he doesn’t know what has occurred. His body moves slightly in her arms. She takes a seat in the rocking chair with him nestled in her arms. She listens to all the machines around her son. The most notable monitor is on his finger to watch his heart. The clear plastic mask on his face is depressing, but that’s how it is when you sedate someone. His breathing is a little worse than most patients who are given the sleeping drug. Lynn rocks back and forth in the chair preparing to put him back on the bed.

Justin’s doctor comes into the room, “You can hold him as long as you would like. I think he’s past the screaming and crying. He is doing a lot better than we thought he would.”

Lynn gently places her son on the bed so the nurse can check him over.”

Justin keeps hearing somebody tell him to wake but for now it is too hard of a struggle all he can do is wiggle a bit and not open his eyes.

Lynn hears him coughing and gently strokes his head, “Time to wake Justin.”

He moves his body slightly, but his blue eyes never open. He eventually opens them.

Lynn doesn’t tell Justin what happened to Britney and he doesn’t remember the visit he had with her. Justin’s family is told not to talk about Britney in fear of upsetting him.

When Justin does see pictures or video of her people will tell him that he met her a long time ago and worked together. He is unable to verbally tell them how he feels about Britney though he expresses his feelings through his piano playing.

Justin’s back to performing, but isn’t singing. He plays the piano and guitar and has his *NSYNC band mates help him out with the vocals.

Chp. 20

Cameron watches Justin as he interacts with the pre-school students. He is playing games with them gaining some language skills. Her and Lynn talk in private. “He seems to love coming here and he has improved with his fine motor skills.”

Lynn nods in agreement, “We want him to progress. I want him to be that happy go child I once knew.”

Justin reaches across the round blue table picking up the beads. He puts the beads on the string slowly. He smiles picking out three more beads and watching the younger kids do the same. He stops, looking around the room for his mom.
One of the boys notices Justin’s unhappy expression, “Why you sad?”

Justin shrugs his shoulders, “Miss Mom.”

“Me too”, the boy states softly, “She be back.”

Justin can’t express why he needs his mom because the boy isn’t old enough to understand. He goes back to the beads until his mom comes back.

Lynn puts his walker in front of her son so he can go home with Cameron.

Justin makes his way to the car slowly holding tightly onto his walker. He sits in the car staring at her, “You have a secret.”

“What kind of secret, Justin?”

“Girl is gone.” He sighs, “She’s sleeping.”

“Sweetheart, what are you talking about?”

He pulls out a picture of Britney and points to it, “Sleeping with angels.”

“Do you like her with the angels?”

“Angels happy”, he tells her with a sparkle in his eyes, “No hurt.”

She kisses his forehead, “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you, Justin. We didn’t want to upset you.”

He understands their reasoning and forgives them. He gets comfortable resting his head against her chest. His bare body touches hers. He’s falling asleep after they have a bit of fun.

She holds him in her arms, “What did you think about that?”

“Baby three,” he tells her laughing.

“You’re my third baby, Justin.”

He shakes his head in protest, “Man.”

She laughs at the seriousness in his voice, “Yes, you’re a man. I was only kidding with you.”

She feels his curls brush against her chest as his head sinks into her chest. She gently places her hand over his, noticing his hand going limp. She hears his breathing slow and knows it’s time to put him on his back so he can breathe easier.