| Justin sat on the window seat in the bay window of his room, his eyes closed, his body rested. A light comforter draped around his body warmed him from the early morning chill creeping through the open window. He wanted to hold onto this peaceful moment forever. Now that the strains of the world tour were done and N Sync was on break for the holidays, he wanted to revel in nothingness, family, and relaxation. "Justin! I need help!" His eyes opened slowly and he turned to look at the NBA clock on his nightstand. It was only 7 in the morning. Why was his mother up. Christmas or not, it was too early for the tone in her voice. She rapped on his door and he pulled the blanket around him tighter. "Justin. Hello?" He smiled as she poked her head in. "Honey, I need help with the Turkey. It's too heavy for me to carry from the sink. Can you help?" He nodded, feeling his spirits soar in the normality of the situation. Across America, thousands of people were up preparing Christmas feasts. He was just another person doing it. Slipping a sweatshirt on, he hopped over his bed and trailed down the hall after his mother, careful not to wake the other guests in the house. As he climbed down the stairs he glanced into the living room, grinning at the pile of gifts stuck under the tree and the twinkling lights that cast a sweet glow. "I just didn't expect so many people to come this year," his mother sighed, tightening her bathrobe belt. Justin nodded. "Yeah, but it's good that everyone's here. It's been a tough year on the road, and I haven't seen most of them for months." He reached into the sink and plucked the large bird from the water, easing it onto the kitchen island. His mother busily prepared it while he took a seat on the stool, watching carefully, enjoying the sight of her doing something so motherly. "You okay?" she asked, pulling the insides of the bird out under his stare. "It's not like you to be up so early, Christmas or not." Justin laughed and stood up, retrieving a glass. "No, it's all good, mom. I'm just happy to be home." He poured some juice and sat back down. "Thanks for doing this. I know you wanted to go to Grandma's this year." "Oh, sweetie, it's fine. If you wanted to spend time at home, who am I to say no. You've done a lot this year." She paused to stare at her baby, and tears filled her eyes at how mature he'd grown, and how beautifully. Shaking her head, she returned to the job at hand. "Could you grab me the celery please?" Dutifully, Justin rummaged through the refigerator and pulled some out. "So, when do we get to open gifts?" he asked, a disarming smile in place. "Soon?" "Yes, Justin. Soon. You know, just when I think you're all grown, you go and say something so typical, and it's...." her voice trailed off as a warm feeling grew in her body. "It's what?" he pressed, gulping the rest of his juice. "It's nice. It's good to see that in a world where so many parents aren't fortunate enough to have such a good kid, that you survived nicely." Justin heard noises from upstairs and figured he should get a shower in before the hot water ran out. "Mom, is this your way of telling me I'm sitting at the kid's table again this year?" He tilted his head and grinned at her. His mother raised her eyebrow at him. "Isn't that where you always sit?" He nodded. It was. Even when he'd gotten old enough to sit with the adults. Kids were more fun. He loved making paper airplanes with them, and starting trouble. Even if his lanky legs grew numb from the small chairs, even if he had to monitor and prevent food fights. It was fine with him. It was the one place he could act younger than he was. Stopping to kiss his mom's cheek, he nodded. "It wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't at the kiddie table. Set me a place right there again." With that, he hopped up the stairs to his bathroom, hoping to steal a few more minutes of the peaceful life. The year had been a blur, and while he was sad to see it go, he knew that more great things were in store for him, for N Sync. He made a mental note to call JC, Lance, Chris and Joey later on to wish them a Merry Christmas. He missed them. Smiling, he grabbed his towel and headed into the shower. It was going to be a very good day indeed. |
| HOLIDAYS JUSTIN by destiny |