Chapter 5

            “Courtney! Jasmine!”

“Maddy!” they screamed across the airport. The girls met at the gate with shrieks and laughter. It was a nice reunion for the friends.

“Oh I can’t believe you guys are here.” They all hugged and then touched her stomach.

“Look at this,” Courtney said in a whisper like she was going to cry. Jasmine shook her head and made a face at how silly she was acting. They made it back to the house in one piece while Madison gave them an official Nsync update.

            Once inside she gave them the grand tour and left the nursery for last.

“I forgot Lance liked taz.” Jasmine laughed to see the baby version of the Tasmanian devil boarder the pale yellow walls with white furniture.

“Is there anything you still need?” Courtney asked walking over to the crib. Madison sat in the rocking chair and put her head back.

“Umm, a stroller… But we haven’t even started on clothes. They are ready to tell me the sex of the baby, but I wanted Lance to be with me when I find out. So I have to wait another week.”

“As far as the shopping goes, have no fear… We are here!” Jasmine joked checking out the changing table.

“Oh my goodness, where did you find this Maddy?” Courtney asked holding up the quilt from out of the crib.

“Gwen gave me that when I went back to work, isn’t it great.”

“Yeah,” they both seemed to agree at the same time.

            “Hey guys!” Shawna popped into the room and gave the girls a hug.

“Damn you’re taller that me, have you grown?” Courtney scoffed.

“Everyone is taller than you!” Jasmine teased.

“Not Madison,” she laughed and stretched out her arms above her head.

“Well Maddy since there are here, I’m going to go out for a while.”

“Where honey?”

“I met these kids down at the store. They are going to the fair tonight.”

“Do you know your way around enough to go out at night?”

“Duh, you worry too much.”

“Ok, be careful and I lock these doors at 1am. Got it?”

“Sure.” Shawna turned to leave the room.

“Hey!” Madison said.

“What?” She was getting annoyed.

“Do you need any money or any thing?”

“Ah, no I’m good. Bye y’all.” With that she was out the door.

            “Maddy sounds like a mom…” Courtney joked.

“Mom in training.” Jasmine corrected her.

“Shawn has grown up so much this past year.”

“Yeah…”

“Come on y’all we are too young to sound this old. Let’s eat.” Madison laughed slowly getting out of the chair.

            The next morning Madison found Courtney sitting at the breakfast table. “Good morning,” she sounded out happily to Madison.

“Morn-ing Uhm…” she cleared her throat and drank some water from the tap.

“What’s wrong with your voice?”

“Ahg, I just got sick. It hurts my throat, I’ll be fine in a minute.”

“Ok, you’re sure?” Madison nodded and then took a minute to look around.

“Did you hear Shawn come in last night? I fell asleep after that movie.”

“I’m sure she is in bed.” Courtney looked over to see her face of concern.

“I’m going to check on here.”

“Worry wart!” She teased as Madison passed her rolling her eyes. She went up the back steps and disappeared.

            The back door crept open and Shawna stuck her head in. “Is it clear?” The intruder made Courtney choke on her cereal and she jumped to her feet. Catching her breath she went over to the door pulling her in.

“Shawn!” she yelled in forced whisper. “Are you just getting home?”

“Yeah” she smiled devilishly and quietly shut the door.

“Madison is going to kill you, she is up in your room right now looking for you!”

“Shit!” Shawna said. They both jumped when Jasmine walked into the kitchen.

            “Quick trade shirts with Shawn!” Sleepy and confused she complied. Shawn threw her shoes and jacket in the closet. She took her ponytail down and Jasmine sat down at the counter in Shawna’s sublime shirt. Shawna pulled off her jeans leaving her in her boxers and she ran into the laundry room. Madison came around the corner from the front stairs.

“She’s not in bed, in fact her bed is made.” Madison was puzzled and a little worried.

“I’m cleaning,” Shawna came back with the laundry basket on her hip. The room was silent as they waited for Madison to buy it.

“Oh ok…” Madison smiled at her almost reflection of a sister and asked her if she wanted any breakfast.

            After they ate the doorbell rang. Madison waddled to the door while the others went to change clothes for the day. “Morning!” Britney and Mandy chimed with smiles.

“Hey guys.” Madison smiled to see them. “Come in.”

“Thanks. Shawna told us that Jazz and Court were here, so we decided we should all go shopping today.” Mandy spoke in her sweet manor.

“Aww, great.” Madison said.

“Look at that.” Britney opened the door once more to reveal a white stretch expedition limo.

“Sick are we going in that?” Madison smiled as big as she could.

“Yeah! I thought it would be fun.”

“Awesome! Let me go change. I’ll be right back.”

At the mall

                        “Tara is meeting us for lunch, but La kasha couldn’t make it. She had two boob jobs and a face lift today.”

“I have a feeling Dr. La Kasha James and I are going to be friends for a long time.” Madison joked and pulled at her eyes in the reflection of the elevator. They all laughed at her antics.

“Like you would ever need to have work done.” Britney touched her face.

“Aw thanks girl.” Madison smiled at her as they went in to another baby store.

“Oh man, look at this. Is that not adorable or what?” Jasmine showed the group a white onesie trimmed in baby blue.

“I saw that in the window. It’s so cute.” Mandy agreed. Over the next hour they cooed and booed over what seemed to be thousands of baby clothes and accessories. With about three bags a piece between the five of them they decided to leave.

            “Gossip, gossip…” Britney snickered.

“What?” they all looked interested.

“Valerie and Austin broke up.”

“No way.” Courtney laughed.

“Yes...” Britney nodded, as they all seemed amazed walking out the door.

“It was coming, she was too pretty to be with him anyways.” Madison said not paying attention to where she was walking and bumped into a girl in front of her.

“Damn!” the girl snatched away like her feathers had been ruffled.

“Sorry,” Madison looked up to see whom she had hit.

“Well, well,” Suchin pulled at her jacket.

“Sorry!” Madison said and started to walk in the other direction. Not forgetting the last time she had seen her she decided it better to just walk away. She was in no position or condition to deal with her the way she wanted to. All the girls tried to keep walking.

“Wait Madison.” Suchin skipped to get in front of her.

“What?” Madison stopped on a dime because of the girl stepping in her way.

“In can’t help but notice those aren’t Prada bags your crew is carrying. Not that you could fit into anything by Prada now.”

“Guess that’s why you’re the reporter huh?” Jasmine smarted off to her.

“Su, I’m pregnant what’s your excuse?” Madison dogged and tried to step past her.

 “Oh still feisty, huh.”

“Leave me alone… or else.”

“Wait I can read tomorrow’s headlines. Bass baby part two.”

“Fuck off Su!” Madison yelled at her angrily.

“Oh you’re right that was your little slut of a sister, Shawna. How could I forget?” Madison stopped walking away from her and dropped her bags where she stood. She turned and went after the girl.

“Madison No!” Jasmine and Mandy stood in front of her. Britney pushed Suchin from behind and Courtney got in her face.

“Why don’t you just go away?” Courtney pushed her hard back against Britney.

“Don’t touch me!”

“Word is out Brett dropped your ass, again!”

“Where did you hear that, bitch?”

“From the horse’s mouth. See he likes to talk after he sucks me off.” Courtney stood her ground, as Suchin was speechless. “Now turn around and walk away. And don’t ever, ever let me hear Lance or Madison’s name outta ya mouth again.” With that Britney gave her one more heave and they all regrouped walking in the other direction Leaving Suchin dumbfounded.

Tara almost fell in the floor laughing when they told her about it over lunch. “She is such a bitch.”

“Man it’s going to be all over MTV now.”

“Maddy, don’t stress over it.”

“How can I not, Lance told me to stay away from her. At least until we decided to do.”

“You have decided. Keep the baby, get married, and live happily ever after.” Britney said.

“I know but…”

“Courtney how did you know about Brett?” Jasmine interrupted.

“Oh he was at the bar with Ben right after it happened. He was celebrating, bought everyone a drink too.”

“Damn bartenders know all the gossip.” Mandy laughed.

“What a bastard,” Madison rolled her eyes. Not really hungry she pushed the food around on her plate trying not to get sick.

            They finished eating and paid the bill. When they got back to the expedition Madison stalled on getting in. “What’s wrong?” Tara stopped beside her.”

“Oh…just a little pain in my side.”

“Are you ok?” they circled around her.

“Yeah just give me a minute.” Madison leaned on the door. When it passed she got in and they were on their way. The girls were all quite as Madison rode with her hand on her stomach. Shawna had told them about the doctor’s visit, but it was different to actually see her sick.

            When they got to the house Tara and Courtney helped her to bed. “I’m fine I just over did it today.”

“Ok, if you need anything call us.”

“Guys calm down. Madison slipped off her shoes crawling into bed.

“Get some sleep, we are going to put up the baby’s stuff and make dinner.”

“Make sure Shawna eats, ok.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Courtney covered her up and kissed her on her forehead. They went downstairs. Britney and Jasmine were talking to Shawna about everything before she left. The girls were concerned, but until something actually happened all they could do was be there for her. Madison was trying to go to sleep when she felt another sharp pain in her back. After readjusting for the hundredth time she fell asleep.

            She got up around three that morning hurting. She went to the bathroom feeling sick. When nothing would come up she went down stairs. Sitting in the kitchen with only the hood light on, she had her head down on the counter. The coolness of the counter made her feel better in her feverish state. With no sound to be heard except the fish tank she was shocked to hear a key in the door. Madison stood up and made her way over to the alarm panel. When the door opened she saw the culprit before she pushed the panic button. “Shawna!” She screamed scared out of her mind.

“Madison!” Shawna jumped expecting to find the room empty.

“Do you know what time it is? What the hell are you doing? I almost called the cops.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Shawna Mackenzie Davis what the hell are you doing?” Madison shouted.

            “Where’s the fire?” Jasmine yelled coming into the kitchen with one eye open.

“I can’t believe this Shawn!”

“Madison calm down! Let me explain.” Shawna pleaded when Courtney joined the group.

“What?” she mumbled not awake?

“Shawna here is going to tell us why she is coming in at three in the morning. Girls listen up, this should be good.”

“Maddy… big sis… My car broke down… And I had to call triple A. I’m just getting here because… they got lost, coming for me and I tried to take a cab. Then they fixed the car so I had to go all the way back out to green hills. Now I’m home, safe and really… tired.” Shawna put her hands up as she talked and made her eyes go wide for effect. Madison’s face went form anger to hysterical laughter. Courtney and Jasmine could not help but join in.

“What’s so funny?”

“Shawna…” She kept laughing. “You expect me to believe...” she cut off again. “That story?” Jasmine sat down wiping tears from her eyes she laughed so hard.

“Your car broke down?” she laughed. “That is the oldest one in the book.” Courtney pushed Shawna a little.

            “I remember using that one, when we went to that rave at the globe…” Madison covered her mouth in laughter at Courtney. “Remember Jazz had to sit in the back of the Mazda. They all laughed to remember. Shawna crossed her arms mad to be the butt of the joke.

“I’m going to bed!” Madison wiped her eyes and stopped Shawna when she passed her.

“Look, seriously.” Madison tried not to laugh. “I’m responsible for you I just want you to be safe. So next time call if you are going to be late ok.”

“Yeah whatever,” Shawna stormed away mad because she got caught.

Chapter 6

The Next Day

            Madison stood at the window until the plane pulled away. Courtney and Jasmine had to return to their lives. She thought of how only a few months ago she would be on that plane with them. She rolled her promise ring around her finger and gazed at the plane. Things were better than they had ever been for her. Still the loss of her youth slapped her in the face when she felt the baby kick. She turned to leave oblivious to her surroundings. A young man stopped her as she began to walk.

“Excuse me, are you Madison Davis?”

“Why, who are you?” She paused. The flash bulbs seemed to go off all at once. There was a pack of reporters around her all of a sudden. They snapped pictures of her as the ladies tried to ask her questions about Lance and the baby. She was caught off guard and tried to walk away from them. When a few more joined them she kept her eyes forward and walked to her car. The unrelenting pack followed her. She drove the mustang out of the parking lot stunned and emotional.

            “Hello?”

“Lance I was just attacked by a group of reporters.”

“Maddy, oh no… Where?”

“The airport.”

“What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything, I just kept walking.

“Well your friend Suchin is on MTV telling everyone you’re pregnant.”

“Damn it, we saw her when we went shopping. She was running her mouth, but I never touched her.”

“I know baby, are you ok?”

“Yeah, no… I don’t know. Yeah I guess I’m ok.”

“Calm down, everything is going to be fine.”

“Where are you?”

“We will be in Las Vegas in an hour. All the guys are staying but I will be home in the morning.”

“I can’t believe it’s been a month.”

“I’ve missed you everyday Maddy.”

“Me too baby, me too,”

            When Madison got home Shawna was cleaning up. She plopped down slowly in front of the TV. Her back was killing her and the couch gave her the support she needed. “Hey…” Shawna joined her.

“Are you still mad at me?” Madison questioned.

“’No, are you?”

“No.”

“I was going to make nachos for dinner sound good?”

“Please don’t talk about food.

“Are you sick?”

“A little…”

“Can I do anything?”

“Nah thanks…”

“So when will Lance be home?”

“Tomorrow,” Madison looked over to her. “Then you can get back to your own life.”

“No rush,” Shawna laughed.

            Madison hurt for most of the night, but finally fell asleep. When she woke up Lance was crawling across the bed. She was so happy to see him she thought she might be dreaming. “Hey baby,” he kissed her until she came to.

“Lance? Good morning.” She hugged him when she knew it was really him. He laid his head on her pillow and covered up her shoulder leaving his arm around her.

“Try afternoon baby.”

“What?” Madison asked sleepily.

“Yeah it’s two O’clock.”

“Oh my…” she was concerned but not awake enough to care.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel like a train wreck. I need to sit up.” Lance pulled her up to sit on the edge of the bed. She leaned on him for a moment and breathed him in. He sat with her and seemed to do the same. “I’m so happy you’re home. Don’t ever leave me again…” She whined and snuggled next to him.

“It’s good to be home, I have something for you.” He said sitting up a little.

“Hold that thought.” Madison said standing up, her sickness was coming and she needed to excuse herself. She started to walk to the bathroom when Lance yelled.

“Madison what happened!”

“What?” She looked down. She was covered in blood from the waist down. Passing out at the sight Lance wrapped her in a blanket and rushed her to the hospital.

            When she came to Dr. Stone was pressing on her stomach. “Madison can you feel this?”

“Yeah, it hurts! Where’s Lance?”

“I’m here Maddy,” he squeezed her hand before her eyes could find him.

“What happened?”

“You gave us a scare.” Dr. Stone said now that the room was clearing out she was writing on her chart. “The blood you passed was caused by a cyst on your ovary that ruptured. It was non-cancerous, but big enough to cause most of the pains that you have been feeling in your side and back.”

“Lance,” Madison whispered almost crying.

“Yeah baby?” He leaned in closer so she could see him.

“Is the baby ok?”

“Yes… he is.”

“He...” Madison questioned with her eyes closed. Lance looked at Dr. Stone with a soft smile so she could answer.

“We had to do an ultrasound, which is how we found the cyst.” She said.

“Maddy we are having a little boy…” Lance said kissing her cheek. She put hand around his neck to hug him. He glowed when she opened her eyes.

            Still weary about her condition Dr. Stone put her in a room to keep her for 48 hours. She ran test and increased her medication. On the third day Madison convinced her to let her go home. She was feeling better than she had in months. Lance finally got some rest when Britney and Tara came to sit with Madison. They were making dinner, ordering Madison to stay off her feet.

            “So it’s a boy! That’s great.”

“I knew Lance really wanted a boy.” Madison smiled looking at her book of baby names. Britney pulled the last piece of chicken from the fryer and started setting the table. “Thank you guys so much for cooking.” She was grateful to her friends.

“Are you kidding? It’s like playing house.” Tara giggled from the potatoes.

“Goodness there are a million names in here.”

“Call some out and we’ll see what we like.” Britney said.

“Ok here we go, Adam, Aaron, Austin…”

“NO!” they both yelled at Madison’s twisted joke.

“Just kidding, Caleb, Chase, Curt.”

“Don’t go in order skip around.” Tara told her getting bored with game.

“Ok, Ian, Spencer, Hunter, Dylan, Gage…”

“Gage, pet cemetery... no way!” Britney interjected getting a few laughs.

“Oh here we go I found it, Blake.” 

“I like Blake, they all jumped to hear Lance join them. He hugged Madison.

“Hey, did you sleep well?”

“Um hum,” he nuzzled her a bit then sat down. “What’s that smell?”

“They made dinner.”

“Really?” he seemed amazed.

“Yep!” Britney sat a full plate in front of him.

“Damn girls, I didn’t know you could cook.” He joked cockily.

“Ok Mr. Funny man…”Tara poked handing him a glass of tea. The girls sat down and they all enjoyed dinner together.

One Week Later

            Madison seemed to be entering her nesting stage. She continuously followed Lance around the house cleaning up behind him for about two hours.

“Woman will you stop!”

“Stop what?” She said putting a coaster under his drink.

“You’re competing for Mr. Clean’s ear ring.” Madison laughed at him and sat down. She figured she would chill with him before she had to get started again.

“Will you put together the bouncer?”

“Sure babes, is it upstairs?”

“Yeah it’s in the nursery.”

“Okay,” Lance smiled sweetly and kissed her forehead before standing up. He picked up the ringing phone as he passed it. “Hello? This is her husband,” Lance said into the phone with concern. Madison heard him and wondered whom he could be talking to. “What? When? Ok I’m on my way… Yes we can. Thank you.” He threw the phone on the couch and looked panicked. “Madison where is your palm pilot?”

“What’s wrong?” she asked going for her purse.

            “Gwen was in an accident, she is in ICU. There was a pile up on the highway.”

“Oh my god is she ok?” Madison choked out digging the device out of her purse while looking for her shoes.

“They aren’t sure, can you call her mom?”

“I will from the hospital, let’s go.”

“Let me get my keys,” Lance said taking the stairs two at a time. Madison went out the door thinking they would make it to the car at the same time if she got a head start. When he returned they were on their way.

            Madison’s mind raced over a million miles an hour as they turned into the parking deck. They made it up to the fourth floor and stopped at the nurse’s station. “I’m Madison Davis you called me about Gwen Rossi.”

“Yes Ms. Davis, your number was the last number dialed in her cell phone.” The nurse stood up. “Can you help us reach her immediate family?”

“Later, can I see her? Please. Is she ok?”

“Follow me.” They went down the hallway to speak to a doctor outside room 478. “Dr. Windler, this is Madison Davis she wants to see Gwen Rossi.”

“Ms. Davis, Mr. Bass, thank you for coming.” He opened the door and lead them in. “She was wearing her seatbelt and the airbag deployed.” He explained over to the bed pulling back the curtain. Gwen was heartbreaking. She was hooked up to machines, and an IV and oxygen.

“No,” Madison closed her eyes and put her face into Lance’s arm. He held her tightly as his eyes watered up.

“Is… she okay?” he finally got out.

“She has 80% recovery rate as it stands now. Her injuries include three broke ribs, arm and broke ankle. Plus most of these cuts are superficial, except here on her shoulder we had to stitch this one. We are going to keep her sedated until we run a few more test.” He explained. Madison went to the edge of the bed and held Gwen’s good hand. She felt warm, but lifeless. Her body was covered in casts, tubes, and tape. It killed Madison to see her like that. She brushed her pale blonde hair back out of her face and kissed her cheek. When she cried even harder Lance pulled her out of the room.

“Shhh,” she held her in the waiting room. “Baby it’s going to be okay, she is strong.”

“Oh Lance, I’m so scared.”

“I know baby, I know.” When she calmed down enough they said a prayer together.

            Madison called Mrs. Rossi and Rick, she went blank as she told them. It was the only way she could do it with out crying. From her makeshift office in the waiting room she made arrangements for Mrs. Rossi to fly to Orlando. Lance drank coffee by the gallon while Madison seemed to run on pure adrenaline. She refused to go home and waited. Every hour they were allowed fifteen minutes to see Gwen. When they others arrived the two person limit was divided up. Rick was more emotional than Madison had ever seen him.

            “Mrs. Rossi…” Rick sat next to her and gave her a fresh cup of coffee. Madison rubbed Lance’s shoulders not paying them much attention.

“Yes, thank you Rick,” she said.

“Did… has Gwen ever mentioned me?”

“Only every time I talk to her.” She confided.

“Really?” He beamed a little.

“Yes…” Gwen’s mother smiled.

“She means the world to me…” the room seemed to stop and close in on the conversation.

“Yes Rick and you to her.”

“Mrs. Rossi, I would like to ask her to marry me when she wakes up.”

“Aww son that would be wonderful.” She was teary as he hugged her. Lance and Madison hugged him with their excited blessings as well.

            On the fourth day they put Gwen in a regular room. She was stable and already on the road to recovery. By that afternoon she was engaged and her room was covered in flowers and balloons. Rick and Lance went to pick up some lunch and took Mrs. Rossi back to her hotel to take a nap. Madison fluffed her pillows and made sure she had enough ice water and that the room was cool enough for her. “Madison you look like shit, please go home and get some rest.”

“Well, I love you too.” She scoffed.

“Come on when the guys get back you and Lance need to go home and get some showers and some sleep.” She said handing her the magazine she had been reading. Madison took it and put it on the table.

“I know G, we will. I know you want to be alone with ya man.” Madison cheesed at her.

“Oh my goodness,” Gwen couldn’t hide the smile. “You know he would have taken my breath away if I didn’t have this oxygen tube up my nose.” They both laughed and Gwen had to hold her side a bit. Settling down she asked about the baby.

“It’s a boy.”

“Really? That is so sweet. You are going to have a little Lance.”

“Yeah, we named him.”

“What?”

“James Blake Bass.”