Francie's eyes fluttered open and she turned her head to see that the clock on her nightstand read 7:30. She rolled her head to the other side and stared at the man sleeping next to her.

I'll never get tired of watching James sleep. How in the world can anyone look so peaceful, and hot, at the same time?

James stirred and shifted positions, still sleeping, and graced Francie with an unobstructed view of his back. The tantalizing definition of every muscle held Francie's attention for some time.

When she tore her gaze back to the clock it was 7:45. Knowing she wasn't going to fall back asleep, and admitting to herself that if she didn't get out of bed now, the children may be exposed to sounds or, God forbid, sights that no child should witness. She kicked her feet over the side of the bed and slid out as quietly as she could. She made her way to the coffee maker to start her day.

The guys had a show tonight then they all would head out tomorrow morning for Raleigh where the guys were visiting a children's hospital on Monday before their performance Tuesday night.

They are such great guys, so kind and caring. The girls sure weren't happy when Nikki and I told them that we weren't going to tag along to the children's hospital. They don't understand that we aren't part of the media train that is Big Time Rush.

As Francie sipped her coffee and played slots on her phone, it rang. Nikki was calling.

"Well, you're up early for being kid-free."

"I know, right? It sucks!"

After some sisterly chit-chat, Nikki said, "That's a beautiful necklace, Fay."

Francie's hand went immediately to the pendant hanging around her neck and smiled. "Thank y-...wait. How do you know about my necklace?"

"It's on Twitter."

"What?!"

"Yep, there's a pic of an 'amore' pendant, resting above some serious cleavage, that James put out there. It says, and I quote, 'The woman wearing this means the world to me. You want to know who stole my heart? You'll see her soon! #tiamosweetness'"

"Seriously?"

"No, I'm making it up. Yes, seriously! Boy, do people want to know who you are."

"Oh, God, Nikki, I'm gonna throw up."

"Relax, you knew it was going to happen at some point."

Yeah, I did...but am I ready?

"Sweetness, you look beautiful."

"Thank you."

"And you look nervous."

Francie checked her reflection in the mirror for the twentieth time. "I am!"

Is this top too tight? Maybe I shouldn't have worn black. Are my shorts too short? Should I put on a pair of capris instead? Maybe my hair would look better up. Ugh!

James stepped up behind Francie and met her eyes in the mirror. "There's no reason to be. You'll see."

"Are you guys ready? Jude is going to have a coronary if we don't get our asses moving," Logan called on the other side of the closed bedroom door.

"Ready, Pretty Girl?"

Francie took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Nodding her head she said, "Let's do this."

Walking to the limo, Nikki whispered to Francie. "You look great, Sis. Really, you do."

Francie smiled at her older sister. "Thanks, Nik. You did a great job on my hair. I appreciate it. You look pretty spectacular yourself."

"Why, thank you."

"Mommy! Aunt Nikki!" Marley called to them, "Here. We picked pretties for all of us!"

Marley had a purple flower behind her ear and handed her mother a red one. Piper had a yellow flower in her hair and handed Nikki a pink one. "Our favorite colors, Mommy. Put it in your hair," Marley instructed.

"Thank you girls. They're so pretty." Francie took the red flower from Marley and kissed her daughter.

"Hang on, I have bobby pins in my bag." Nikki dug through her tote bag. "Got 'em!"

"Leave it to the hair stylist," Logan laughed.

Nikki carefully placed the flowers in everyone's hair, and they all climbed into the limo.

The limo pulled up to the back entrance of the venue, Francie saw the crowd of fans, security guards - including Danny and Will - and some photographers.

"Okay, Sweetheart, remember what I told you. You just smile pretty for the cameras, okay?" Kendall smiled at his daughter. After he introduced her on stage two nights ago, he knew there was no going back and people would want to see her again...as well as, meet her mother.

"Okay, Daddy. I love having my picture taken. It's SO much fun!"

"I wish I were as excited," Francie whispered to James.

He cupped her face with gentle hands, and kissed her softly. "You'll do fine. I'll be with you the whole time."

When the door opened, Francie heard the excited buzz and screams from the gathered crowd. Carlos was the first one out, followed by Kendall and Marley, then Piper, Nikki and Logan. As James scooted out, he held his hand toward Francie. She took a deep breath and put on her best smile.

People were screaming the guys' names wanting autographs, pictures, and information on the four females who exited the limo.

"Kendall! Over here! Can I get a picture of you and your daughter? She's a cute kid!"

"She is, isn't she?" Kendall walked Marley over toward the photographer and dropped to a knee next to her. Marley wrapped her arms around Kendall's neck and smiled at the camera.

"James," another photographer yelled. "I see that necklace on this beautiful woman, is this the lucky lady who won your heart?" Francie kept her smile on her face and felt herself blush, as the photographer took some photos.

James pulled Francie closer, and smiled his dazzling smile down at her. "It sure is."

"What's your name?" The photographer asked.

"Francie. Francie Mancini," she replied quietly.

"Is Francie spelled with a 'y' or an 'ie'?" The photographer began scribbling on a notepad.

They made light conversation, but only for a moment before another photographer and some fans called to James.

"James! Could you sign this please?" A picture from a previous meet and greet was being waved in James' direction.

"Absolutely, what's your name?"

"Annie." James took the picture, and her sharpie, and scribbled on the photo.

Annie took a picture while James was writing then looked at Francie.

"Gosh, that necklace is even prettier in person. You're so lucky!" The young woman gushed.

James handed the photo back to Annie, and wrapped his arms around Francie, kissing her on the side of her head, as cameras clicked around them. Before Francie could reply, James said, "No, I'm the lucky one." His statement was met with 'ohhhs' and 'awws'.

"I need to get a pic, too!" James said as he pulled out his phone and took a picture of Francie, then one with the both of them.

"I see you're starting to relax," James whispered to his girlfriend.

"Yeah, a little."

"Good. I told you it would be okay."

"Kendall! Kendall! Where's Marley's mom?" A fan shouted. Francie's stomach dropped.

Kendall looked at Francie and raised his eyebrows in question. James tightened his grip, reassuringly. Francie took a calming breath and nodded at Kendall. She looked at James and said, "Here we go."

Kendall looked down at Marley. "Where's you mom, Baby Doll?"

Marley giggled at her father and spun around facing her mom. She pointed, "Over there with Uncle James!" Then she ran into Francie's open arms. James placed a kiss on the little girl's head and held firmly, protectively, around Francie's shoulders.

A steady murmur arose and Francie's nerves began to fray. Kendall walked over, smiling at the couple with his daughter, knowing that his reaction to the situation could make or break it all. He stepped up to the trio and next to Francie placing his hand on her back, cocooning her and Marley in safety between himself and James.

Someone in the crowd shouted, "Seriously? You have a child together but she's dating James now?"

Francie felt her pulse quicken. Oh hell! Francie thought to herself, This is where it all crashes down around me.

"This is Francie Mancini and we dated seven years ago in high school. A lot has changed in those seven years. People change, they drift apart, they lose contact...it happens. Yes, Francie is with James now, but there's no drama, no issues. We're all good with it, so if your opinion differs from ours, we'd appreciate it if you'd keep it to yourselves. We have a daughter to raise and care for, that's our concern now."

Kendall turned his head to look at James, their eyes met. "I can honestly say that there's no other man I'd want to be a part of my daughter's life than James." Kendall faced the crowd again. "He's a good man, he's wonderful with Marley, and he truly loves Francie - hell, probably better than I did." Kendall let out a small laugh.

James whispered to Kendall, "Thanks, man. I appreciate it." Kendall smiled at James, and pat him on the back.

Instead of the angry villagers wielding pitchforks and torches, the crowd began to clap and cheer. Sure, there were a few grumbles but they were soon drowned out by the show of support for their unusual situation.

"How sweet is that? Kendall is a hell of good guy."

"She's such a beautiful little girl and so is her mom."

"James looks so happy. They do make an adorable couple."

"She looks like her mom but with Kendall's green eyes."

"Gosh, she's so cute. She seems so real, not phony."

Francie let out a sigh of relief and hugged her daughter as James kissed her just above the pretty, red flower in her dark hair. "I told you it would be okay."

Francie looked up at James, "As much as I hate to admit it, James, you were right."

"Hey?!" James pouted and Kendall laughed.

After a few more pictures were taken, and autographs given, the crew went into the arena so the guys could prepare for the meet and greet and the evening's performance.

The show went off without a hitch, another perfect performance behind them. The crowd called for Marley, and Kendall, being the proud father, gladly brought her on stage.

With the show over, everyone returned to their rooms and began packing for the road trip to Raleigh in the morning. Marley was asleep before her head hit the pillow, she had enjoyed a busy night.

Francie and James had packed everything up for the nearly twelve hour bus ride, except what they'd needing the morning. James poured two glasses of wine and carried them out to the balcony where Francie was waiting for him.

"Here you go, Sweetness," James said, handing her a glass with the burgundy liquid.

"Thank you, Bello." Francie brought the glass to her lips breathing in the delectable aroma before taking a sip. "Mmmm...that's good."

James placed his arm around Francie's shoulder and handed her his phone. "Look at some of these pictures I took tonight. They're great."

Francie flipped through the first dozen or so and noticed that they were mostly of her. "Did you take enough?"

"Nope, I can't get enough of anything where you're concerned." He smirked at her.

"The next photo was one of Francie's backside. "Really?!"

James shrugged and smiled, "What can I say? The view was exquisite."

Francie came to the picture of her and James. "Oh, this is a great picture of us, I love it!"

"Good, I'm glad...because that's the one I put on Twitter."

"You what?!"

"It's my favorite. See how great we look...together."

Francie did have to agree, they did look good.

"Now, you look at that and these," James took his phone and found the photos that one of the photographers had taken earlier. "Now, tell me that you're not made for my 'lifestyle'. Go ahead, look at them. Tell me that Amber was right."

Francie studied the images and a small smile played at her lips.

"You can't, can you? Because Amber was wrong, Sweetness. She was so very, very, wrong. The fans loved you. You heard them yourself. They said you were beautiful, not phony, we're an adorable couple." James cupped her chin with one hand and lifted it to meet her dark, brown eyes. "Do you see now?"

Francie was embarrassed by his insistence, and by her own foolishness and self-doubt. She nodded her head.

"You're right. She's not better than me."

"No, she's not. She's definitely not as beautiful as you." James placed a chaste kiss on Francie's lips. "Look at you. Hell, you're prettier than me!"

Francie laughed so hard she nearly spilt her wine. James chuckled, her laugh was music to his ears. He lives for that sound.

"I love you, my Kansas girl."

"I love you, my Cali boy."

"Now, finish your wine and take me to bed, woman!" James stood up and held his hand out for Francie.

Her eyes sparkled and she bit her bottom lip. She drained the liquid from her glass quickly and grasped his hand. As they walked into the bedroom, Francie said, "Lock the door and leave your phone on the dresser. I don't trust you with that thing."

James laughed but did as he was instructed.