Hey guys!

As always, thanks for reading and reviewing!

I want to apologize for not updating last week, it's just been crazy with New Year's and everything...

Speaking of which, I wish everyone a glamorously fabulous year with a lot of smiles and only the brightest feelings!!!

Here we go with another chapter... It isn't as long as some others, but it felt like a whole and I didn't want to add the next piece, because it's kinda long. Though it's not that short either.

Enjoy!

6 - Welcome to the family

.

For a few very busy weeks after the tour ended I haven't been able to see anyone from Idol, including Adam. It was crazy for all of us and I actually found it sort of beneficial for me. I mean, a little while away from Adam could only be good for me, give me the chance to calm down a bit and cool my feelings slightly. Besides, I had to get used to the idea that I wasn't going to see him every day anymore and that we wouldn't be able to spend as much time together, if at all. I knew all of this and I was actually glad I could finally take a step back and just live a while my Adam-less life…

Alright, who am I kidding? It was terrible. I realized that that was how it was going to be from now on, but it doesn't mean I had to like it. Honestly, I pretty much hated it. When I had time to do so. And you can call me addicted of obsessive, because it probably wouldn't be far from the truth, but no one could blame me for missing my best friend. Especially when this friend is Adam Lambert.

We've been talking on the phone from time to time and sometimes met at different events, but we never got to meet and do something together or even just hang out. I knew it wasn't going to be the same now, but I started to wonder if we would ever spend some time together again. Every time I voiced this fear to Adam though, he would make a joke about our reunion meeting in ten years.

Well, at least we kept in touch by phone calls and texts. Sometimes our conversations could last a long while as we would talk about everything and anything, tell each other all the news about our lives, share thoughts and opinions, discuss happenings or events that interested us... There was only one thing Adam would not talk about - his lovelife.

I'd be the first to admit it wasn't my favorite topic to think about either, but we were friends and I was trying to get past those romantic feelings I had for him, so I figured I probably should know who he was with how it was going. Besides, honestly, I was pretty curious about that Ben guy... Still, he avoided the topic and I never dared to ask directly, as he kept smoothly changing the subject when it came to personal life and such.

To tell you the truth, I wasn't usually too excited about photos in magazines. Not mine and not of other people, even those I admired or those I actually knew. Honestly, I didn't like to see my own face on the covers or in articles at all. For some reason, I always felt self conscious and uncomfortable with anybody seeing pictures of me that were taken professionally. I much preferred the ones I shared with friends and family, which were photographed spontaneously and captured precious moments. Maybe this was the reason why I didn't pay attention to photos of my friends either. Usually. But I simply couldn't stay indifferent towards the latest pictures of Adam in Detail magazine. I stared at each picture for what seemed like hours, unable to tear my eyes off of the paper. Can you blame me, really?

And no, it had nothing to do with the fact that he was photographed with a girl. And I really didn't want to kill the model for being there with him in such intimate poses. What? Can't a girl simply enjoy a good view? Just because I had feelings for that guy, didn't mean I had to be jealous of the girl, even when he was holding her that way. Why would I want to torture myself this way? All I felt about those photos was sincere joy for Adam and objective pleasure to see such beautiful art. Yeah, that's it. Why don't you believe me?

"Adam!" I shouted into the phone as soon as he picked it up and I heard his greeting from the other side.

"Yeah?!" He replied with a matching tone of excitement, laughing at my enthusiasm.

"Listen, I have to tell you that the pictures are hot!" I exclaimed, knowing he would understand which pictures I was referring to.

"Thanks." Adam laughed in response. It sounded like he was just being polite and didn't take my complement seriously.

"I'm sure I'm not the first one to tell you." I noted, wondering why he was reacting that way.

"No, I've been told they're good." He said a little indifferently.

"Um… I would say you're good."

"Come on, don't exaggerate, there's a lot of Photoshop involved."

"Should I remind you that I'd actually seen you in reality?"

"I don't look like that in reality."

"No, you don't. You look better." It felt so good to be able to speak my mind freely, without feeling embarrassed about it. Now I was honestly saying it as a friend. Not that I didn't have to take a few calming breaths when I saw the pictures. Though show me girl who didn't…

"You'll make me blush." Adam joked.

"Too bad I don't get to see it." The attraction was still there and obviously none of the feelings were going to fade away that easily, but now they didn't prevent me from being myself around him. "Come on Adam, being shy doesn't suit you."

"I'm not shy!" He laughed. No, he wasn't. He was just being his usual humble self. It never stopped to amaze me how unaware he was of his almost-perfection. "I'm flattered of course; I just think you guys exaggerate. It's an amazing work of the photographer, really."

"Yeah, he painted you from imagination." I agreed sarcastically. "Remember how we argued about who's crazier?"

"Yeah," He laughed at the memory.

"So you win. You are absolutely and utterly insane, if you think you're not hot!" I soon joined his booming laughter and it took both of us a while to cool off. "Anyway, I also wanted to ask if you wanted to come to the studio to morrow and listen to the record."

"It's done?" I could clearly hear a smile in his voice.

"Yeah. Wrapping it up tomorrow."

"That's great, sweetie, congratulations!"

"Thanks." I smiled, but couldn't hold back a sigh. "I hope people like it."

"What are you talking about? They'll love it!" He assured me.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because you're ridiculously talented and you've got a great team with you, so there's no reason why the record wouldn't turn out just awesome." I couldn't help but trust his reassuring promises. Maybe it was something about his confident voice, or the fact that he was always right, or maybe just because it was Adam. Still, the result was the same and he left me feeling much less nervous and stressed. "I gotta go now, Allie, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay." I answered, feeling a little sad that our conversation had to end so soon. "So you're coming tomorrow?" I then asked hopefully.

"Sure. When do you want me to be there?" I smiled to myself and told him the details.

The next morning Adam joined me at the studio as we listened throughout the entire record. He didn't say a word the whole time and when I sneaked glimpses at him, I couldn't tell what he was thinking from the expression on his face. My sister constantly threw comments, the producers and all the people who worked with me on the album expressed their opinions and discussed some details between songs... But Adam was completely silent, appearing not to hear any of our whispers and comments. My curiosity slowly turned to nervousness and I couldn't wait for the last song to end. I don't know why I was so anxious, probably because Adam's opinion meant to me so much more than my producers' and such. Even aside from the feelings I had for him and our friendship, for me he was an artist to look up to and his opinion was important on a professional level too. Well, at least partly.

"What do you think?" I asked nervously, my heart skipping a couple of beats and my voice slightly higher than usual.

"I think you did an incredible job." Adam finally looked at me as he responded.

"Really?"

"This is the bomb, baby!" He imitated Randy Jackson with all the enthusiasm and I allowed myself to relax and smile in return. "I'm gonna buy it." He informed me.

"But you would've bought it even if it sucked, wouldn't you?"

"Probably," He admitted and we laughed a little. "But it doesn't suck. It's great. I'll play it in my car!" Ha announced and sang the chorus of my single, dancing as he did so.

"Not bad." I nodded in approval. "Just don't dance like this when you're driving." I winked teasingly.

"Okay, I'll make you drive while I dance." He joked and made a few more moves as I laughed.

"Deal,"

"Now, seriously," And indeed his expression lost all the playfulness it had before. "I have to admit that I'm surprised about a couple of songs."

"Good surprised, or bad surprised?"

"Good, of course." He smiled at me as we started walking down the hallway. "Your voice sounds a bit different in some of the serious ones."

"Different? How?"

"I don't know how to put it into words..." Adam thought for a moment before continuing. "More emotional, maybe. It sounded like it broke in a few places." I thought about the songs, trying to hide the disappointment in myself. "Oh, but I mean it in a good way!" Alright, so maybe I wasn't much of an actress, but we know that already. "It's making the song sound very authentic, very real." My mind traveled to the 'Idol' time, remembering how every emotional song with a deep meaning used to be a struggle and how everybody tried to explain to me what was missing, unsuccessfully. No one could name the what was lacking and the common belief was that I was just too young.

I glanced up at Adam, who was looking back at me, not saying a word. We were both frozen at one place, even though I haven't noticed when we had stopped walking, and by the look in his eyes I knew he thought about the same as I did. I knew I used music as my refuge at the toughest times, when it hurt the most and when I felt like there was nothing good awaiting for me. It was what kept me at least a little bit grounded and prevented me from completely falling apart. I did express all of my emotions at the time, along with misery, pain and love, through my voice. It was the only way to express them back then, since I couldn't really talk to anybody. All I could do was sing. And cry. And cry while singing. Even if it was only from the inside.

"I..." Adam broke the silence, but was unable to continue, probably realizing what I was going through while recording those songs and what was the reason for the change in my voice. He looked like he was about to apologize, but I've never blamed him for anything. And I certainly wasn't about to let him blame himself.

"Don't." I said simply and smiled at him wholeheartedly. To my surprise, it didn't demand any efforts on my part. We looked at each other for a little while longer, before being interrupted by my sister, claming that we were leaving.

"Come on, Allie, I need to go to work." She told me, finally pulling me out of my haze.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming." I told her before turning to Adam again. "As much as I'd love to stay and catch up, she's my ride." I pointed at Sarah with my thumb and Adam laughed, hugging me and kissing my cheek goodbye.

"I'll talk to you soon." He promised, giving my sister a kiss as well and leaving us as we walked out of the building.

"So," Sarah started pointedly when we got in the car.

"So?" I raised my eyebrows at her.

"How was it to see him after so long?" I frowned at her suspiciously.

"I've seen him a couple of weeks ago." I stated.

"Yeah, but not like this. When have you been able to actually talk to him in person?"

"Good point." I agreed. "I do miss the tour a bit in terms of having everyone so close all the time and all that."

"Adam's always been special, though." It was more of a statement than a question.

"What do you mean?"

"I just thought you were a little closer to him than anyone else."

"He's like a big brother for me, you know it." I resisted the urge to look away from her. I wasn't really lying. I just wasn't telling her the whole truth.

"Yeah, but the way you hugged him today..."

"Was there something wrong with my hug?" I tried not to let any panic into my voice.

"No, you two just seemed to be unable to pull away." She chuckled and I rolled my eyes.

"We really missed each other. It's hard to be away for so long from a person you used to spend so much time with for such a long period of time." I shrugged.

"Would you be as enthusiastic about any other of your Idol friends?"

"Sure! Where are you going with this, Sarah? You know how Adam and I are, why is it such a surprise to see us hug each other? It's not like it's the first time."

"I know. It's not a surprise... I've actually thought about it many times, but never really considered to ask you."

"Ask me what?"

"It's just kind of obvious that you've got a crush on him." I stared at her for a whole second without any reaction to her comment before bursting out laughing in a hysterical way, unable to stop for what seemed like forever.

'A crush', she called it! What an absurd! I was so close to telling her it was no freaking crush and has never been it. I almost gave up to the temptation to yell "It's called love, Sarah!" in return. It was so unbearably difficult to prevent myself from describing to every feeling and emotion I have experienced in the last year, telling her everything I've been through and explaining how I've survived it. Only God knows how I stopped myself from doing all of those things. Instead, I was simply laughing. Laughing to tears, while Sarah gave me surprised and confused looks. She thought I was laughing about the idea of having a crush on Adam, I'm sure, which on some level I was. Only not in the way she understood it.

I decided that if I had been able to survive the most difficult times, now was definitely no reason to tell her all about it. She could guess or suspect, but I figured it would be much easier if nothing's confirmed. I really didn't need interrogation from her about my feelings and about how 'poor little Allison' was doing now. I didn't want her to worry too and I especially didn't want my parents to find out about it and... Well, I didn't know what would happen in that case, but I really didn't feel like finding out either. The worst was over, I knew it. And I've survived it. I've dealt with my issues and got over them. Eventually. Mostly. Well, at least I wasn't acting like a miserable, moody and annoying teenage drama queen.

***

"Listen, my family is having this barbecue event next Sunday. Would you like to come?" Adam asked me as we set at a restaurant table, having lunch together.

"Umm… I don't know. Do you think it would be okay?" I played with my food, avoiding his gaze.

"Of course! It'll be great. My whole family is gonna be there and I thought that since you're my sister, it would be only fair if you joined."

"Are you sure?" I stole a quick glance at him in hesitation.

"Why else would I ask you to come, if I wasn't sure I want you there?"

"I don't know." I felt myself blush slightly. "I don't know anybody besides your parents and brother... I'm gonna be the only one of your friends, right?"

"Well, I invited Kris and Katy, but they have to be on some wedding that day, so..." He shrugged and then smiled at me brightly. "We can ask Megan to come."

"Adam, you can't invite people just for me. If you really want me there, I'll come and won't complain."

"No, I'd like her to come. I just haven't thought about it yet. It will be nice to see her after so long. And this way you won't be alone."

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"Oh, I don't doubt it." He smirked mischievously, which made me wonder if there was something I didn't know.

"Is your boyfriend gonna be there?" I asked carefully.

"I don't think so. Would it have bothered you much if he was?" Adam was watching my reaction tentatively.

"No!" I said quickly. "I actually was hoping to meet him."

"I don't think it's a good idea right now."

"Why not? I'm not gonna cut his eyes off with my nails." I joked, taking another bite of my meal to keep myself occupied with something.

"No, you're gonna do it with a knife." I teased back before turning serious again. "Maybe next time." I sighed and crossed my arms on my chest. "It's for your own good."

"I'm not a baby, Adam." I reminded him, having the need to do it probably for the first time. He had to know I could deal with it. With everything.

"You sure are acting like one…" Adam gestured to my crossed arms and raised an eyebrow, daring me to argue. I had to admit, my pose really was a bit childish. If I saw someone else do it, I would probably think that the person looked spoiled and immature.

"Oh, stop it already!" But I wasn't about to voice my agreement. "Fine, I'll have him blinded another time."

"Okay…" He laughed.

***

"Allie!" Adam called and I turned to see a huge smile playing across his face as he approached me.

"Hey!" I smiled back and hugged him.

"I'm so glad you could come! I think you're officially a part of the family now." I laughed as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Megan's already here." He informed me. "Somewhere." Adam added, looking aroung the crowd. "We'll find her later. Let's go show you to my parents."

"Okay, let's go say hello to mom and dad." I laughed and let him lead the way.

"Allie, sweetheart, it's so good to see you!" Adam's mom embraced me in a motherly hug, having a very similar smile to Adam's. People kept comparing Adam to his father and saying how much they looked alike, but to me he was much more like his mother. Especially when it came to the personality.

"It's nice to see you too, Leila." I replied and waved to Adam's dad, who was busy with the meal in the other end of the backyard.

"I wouldn't advice coming up to him." Adam noted and exchanged a knowing look with his mother. "When it comes to meat – you better leave him alone."

"True." Leila nodded and we all chuckled, watching Eber fuss around the barbecue.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to a few people." Adam put a hand on my back, guiding me towards various groups of people before finally stopping in front of a guy, who was standing by himself, almost as if watching the party from the side.

"Adam!" The guy smiled at us, shook Adam's hand and then they hugged shortly in a friendly way. "What's up?"

"Allie, this is Kyle, he's my cousin." Adam motion towards the guy and I smiled politely. "I think." He added and we burst out laughing. "Anyway, we can figure it out later. Kyle, you know who Allison is, right?"

"Oh, she looks familiar." Kyle frowned, obviously only putting a show. "I think I recognize her from some TV show..." Adam laughed and patted him on the back, but I could barely stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Keep Allie company while I go socialize, will ya?" It wasn't really a question, since he was already starting to walk away from us. "And you better not let her get bored!" Honestly, I felt a little uncomfortable for being practically forced on the poor guy who had no way of avoiding it. "I'll send Megan here as soon as I find her." Adam added before leaving us just standing there. I felt like shouting after him about how he could leave me there with a stranger, after insisting so much that he wanted me there. And now he was abandoning me just ten minutes after I've arrived?

"Enjoy yourself!" I said sarcastically and turned to Kyle, giving his a sheepish look. "I guess you're stuck with me."

"I guess I'm not complaining." He replied and I had to smile. He wasn't that bad.

"I don't think you're allowed to." I told him only half-joking.

"Come on, I get to meet the awesome Allison Iraheta, why would I want to complain?" I laughed and he offered me a can of soda from the table he was leaning against, which I gladly took.

"So," I said somewhat awkwardly, not sure how to continue the conversation. "Why are you standing here all by yourself?"

"Oh, I was keeping myself available to entertain you now." He joked and again, I laughed. Alright, he wasn't bad at all. He was actually kind of nice.

"I feel like doing something crazy." I admitted suddenly, watching the calm gathering of people.

"What's stopping you?"

"I haven't figured out what exactly I wanna do yet." In my mind I was considering getting up and a chair and singing some Lady Gaga song.

"Okay, let me know when you figure out, I'll help you."

"Nah, I respect this family too much."

"Oh, I'm sure they would appriciate some entertament."

"Didn't you hear? You go to Adam for your entertainment." Kyle cracked up, laughing loudly and breathlessly as I smiled at how easygoing he was.

"That was good." In a sort amount of time we were already swept in a pleasant conversation, my annoyance long forgotten. Kyle told me he was junior in CSU, majoring journalism – we even made a couple of jokes about how he was going to pursue me for an interview in a year or two. I told him about school and plans and how everything came together. Then he told me some funny moments with Adam and his brother, which weren't few, since he was the youngest in the family and used to get pranks all the time. When Kyle remembered how Adam used to defend him while the other cousins made fun of him, eventually getting his own wave of teasing each time, my eyes found Adam among the crowd. It wasn't difficult to find him, since he was as outstanding as always, easily spotted in a sea of people. I watched him talk enthusiastically to members of his family, obviously polite and nice, just as he always is; and horribly handsome, which also wasn't anything new to me. For a long minute all I did was stare at my stunning best friend, wondering how amazing one person could be, inside and out.

"No one's teasing him now, hugh?" I smirked, suddenly realizing there indeed was something I'd missed. "I'll be right back." I told Kyle, not tearing my eyes from Adam as I walked across the yard to meet him. Adam noticed me approaching him and after saying a few words to a man he was talking to, he started walking towards me.

"Everything alright?" He asked when we stopped in front of each other.

"You're trying to match-make me, aren't you?" I accused, ignoring his question.

"Of course I am." I said simply, smiling.

"You're absolutely horrible!" I was smiling in spite of myself, knowing I wasn't really angry at him. Truth to be told, I was touched.

"I love you too." He chuckled and I looked away.

"Yeah, but just like a sister." I sighed, suddenly serious. Adam cupped my face, forcing me to meet his gaze as he looked me straight into the eyes.

"It's not 'just', Allison." His voice was firm, but soft as he spoke. "Love for a sister can be so much stronger than love for a lover. Lovers can be changed, this kind of love isn't always very pure and sincere and it's not permanent. Love for a sister is unlimited and unconditioned, it's endless. Allie, no matter what happens, I love you forever. Nothing can ever change that fact." My eyes were filled with tears when he finished, still not moving his eyes from me. I was at loss of words; unable to speak and not even knowing what to say. But words weren't really necessary at that point. I simply wrapped my arms around him and pressed to him in a hug full of emotion, which couldn't be expressed in any other way. I loved him, simply as a person. Everything else didn't matter at that moment.

.

Alright, hope you liked it! Please, share your opinion with me! Pleaseee! =D