Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 03:31:59 EDT
From: Sprout _ <bigdaddycool_0813@hotmail.com>
Subject: This Gift

	All right guys, this is my first story, and I'm not gonna be like
everyone else and say "Here goes nothing," cause, in all honesty, here goes
*everything*! I'm kinda nervous as to the reactions I'm gonna get, partly
because the story is about 98*; a band not covered by many at Nifty. I hope
y'all like it. First off I have to thank two people who've done a lot of
persuading to get me to post, even if this isn't the story they thought I'd
post. They are Lucas (Because I Love You) and D (Brian And Me). Both of
them are great friends of mine, and very talented authors, so if I were
you, I'd check out their stories. I assure you, you won't be disappointed.

	This instalment may seem a little bland, but that's just because I
have to start out somewhere right? I'm assuring you right now, the
instalments that follow, should I get good feedback, will be a little more
exciting that this one.

	I'm dying to hear from y'all, so let me know what you think of my
first attempt. I wanna hear it all, good and bad, so leave me a message at
bigdaddycool_0813@hotmail.com. Thanks.

	Now I gotta tell you that I don't know anything when it comes to
the personal lives of the guys of 98*. As much as I'd love for one of 'em,
or two, or three, or all four of 'em to be gay, odds are, they probably
aren't. Too bad, eh? Drew's pretty hot. :) So, what I'm saying is this is
COMPLETELY fiction. That means not true for the slow ones out there.

	Now if you're not supposed to read this, because you're too young,
or you're not allowed in the area you inhabit, please don't. If you do, and
you're not supposed to, do us both a favour, and don't get caught. But I
still gotta say, do NOT read this if you're not allowed.  Got it? Thought
so. And now onto my first attempt of a story. Let me know how it goes.


*******THIS GIFT********

	There was a time I regretted applying for that job. The hours
sucked, the management took advantage of me, the uniform was ugly, the
customers bitchy, and I rarely had a good night. All of that changed one
night, the night I served him.

	Maybe I should go back and explain a bit. I was in my last year of
high school, and worked at a Tim Hortons, this one just happened to be in
the airport. My life wasn't going the greatest. I was single, still in
pursuit of the right girl. I was broke, despite all of my long hours, and I
was waiting in vain for any reply from the colleges that I had sent my
applications to.

	So, as you can see, working wasn't exactly the escape from my life
as it used to be. I remember it like it was yesterday, I stood there at
cash one like I always did Friday nights. I was in a down mood because my
friend Heather had managed to get tickets to the concert at the Corel
Centre. Who was singing? One of my favourite groups; 98 Degrees.

	I wasn't able to take the night off; we were short staff as it was,
so there was just no possible way for me to go. My manager felt bad, after
all I did a lot for her and she couldn't even give me a night off. She had
heard that, for some strange reason, they were trying something new and
were going to air the concert over the radio on 93.9 Kool FM. So Amanda, my
manager, arranged it so I could still hear the guys. She went home and
brought in her portable stereo, plugged it in, and tuned into Kool FM.

	It was a lame attempt to gain my forgiveness, but appreciated
nonetheless.  I thanked her, and she went about her other duties. Fridays
were usually quiet nights, and this Friday was not unlike any other. It was
basically my regulars, employees of the airport. The part of work I enjoyed
the most was serving my regulars. In a way we had become family, always
there for each other on our bad days, and taking that extra 10 minutes on
your break to comfort each other, even though you knew you'd get in
trouble.

	All my regulars knew the situation I was in, and felt bad for me,
thought there was absolutely nothing they could do. The concert hadn't
started yet; it was all just commercials promoting the concert about to
happen. To make matters even worse, it was my birthday. I was pretty sure
everyone knew, but no one said a thing. That only made me feel worse.

	Finally, seven o'clock came around and the concert was starting. I
had turned it up, almost to full volume. If I wasn't allowed to go, the
others would have to suffer (though my co-workers didn't seem to mind).

	The announcer was saying a bunch of promotional crap before the
music actually began. I recognized it almost immediately; "Heat It Up." I
was going to make the most of the situation, so I was singing along. I
didn't have a singing voice like any of the guys did, but it wasn't
horrible either.

	Time passed, songs passed. I was still full of energy, singing
along and serving customers. All of a sudden, all of my regulars, *all* of
them, from the hot girls from First Air, right down to the cute guys from
Hudson General came. I found it strange how my other two co-workers had
abandoned me, but then again, it happened a lot.

	I was left to serve all of my regulars by myself, which although
usually pissed me off (serving so many people), didn't seem to bother
me. Even stranger still, instead of all going back to work, they all sat
down in the food court area. I just shook my head, saying it was all just
coincidence.

	I was serving my last regular who told me to crank the volume so
that she could hear it at the table her friends were sitting at. I wasn't
gonna complain, so I did it. I was starting to make a fresh pot of coffee
when the guys' singing had suddenly stopped. Then Jeff took over the
silence:

	"Wuz up y'all?" he screamed in the audience, all of who screamed
back louder. I just wished I was there to see it. Too bad I was there, at
work, serving coffee. "We gotta take a quick break to do something special
for a special person."

	I was mumbling curses under my breath, knowing exactly what I was
missing.  My regulars in the food court were very quiet and were looking at
me, trying to make it inconspicuous, but I noticed.  Jeff continued, "So,
ladies and gentlemen, let's get this done with."

	The group began to sing 'Happy Birthday' to someone, probably some
lucky bitch in the crowd. I had actually forgot it was my birthday until
they had begun singing it.  "...Happy birthday dear Drew Paquette..." It
was a little off beat adding in my last name, but that made me notice it
even more.

	My eyes shot open at the sound of my name, but I was still
doubtful.  'You're just tired, get done, go home, sleep!' I talked to
myself. The song was over and Justin picked up with an explanation:

	"You see, Drew wanted to be here tonight, but he got held up at
work. How unlucky is that, working on your birthday? Drew, this is a Happy
Birthday from all of your regulars, co-workers and friends at the
airport. Happy Birthday!"

	I looked up over the counter at the thirty or so faces, looking at
me, smiles on their faces, eyes sparkling with joy from my shocked
expression. Just then my manager, supervisor, and two missing co-workers
came in dragging me to the other side of the counter. On one of the tables
in the food court, was a cake, with 19 candles lit.

	They all began a repeat of Happy Birthday, not nearly as good as 98
Degrees, but this one meant so much more. I blew out the candles after
making the wish, (can't tell, or it won't come true) and then proceeded to
hug everyone thanking them, with tears streaming down my face.

	We finished eating the cake. It was beautiful, and one of the
biggest birthday cakes I've ever seen. This was a night for the books, one
to remember. Time passed and I had to go back to work. I was always the
last on of the three cashiers to leave, and always needed to wait for the
midnight chick to show up. Just my luck, she was late, again.

	The concert had been over for about two hours, and it was just
approaching midnight. The airport was deserted; no body was left there,
except me, so it seemed. I started reading a story I had printed out from a
web site called Nifty, where authors could go and post stories for others
to read. I had become friends with some of the authors, and read every
instalment they ever posted.

	So here I was, engrossed in a segment of "Because I Love You" by
this guy named Lucas. He was a great writer, really talented, and always
knew how to catch my interest. I was so caught up in the story, staring
down at the words; I never even heard this group of guys walk up to the
counter.

	"Excuse me? Are you still open?" one of them asked.

	Without looking up, I replied, "Yep, what can I get for you?"

	"Coffee!" all four of them exclaimed.

	Still not glancing up. "What size?"

	"Large."

	"Cream or sugar?"

	"Double, double, all four of 'em."

	I nodded and made the coffee the asked for, handing them the cups,
still not looking up.  "Anything to eat wi....." I looked up finally and
noticed who it was. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. The one who had
done all the talking put his hand to my chin and pushed my mouth closed.
Smiling he shook his head "No, aside from some company until our plane's
ready to go."

	I was shocked. Drew Lachey was asking for me to keep them company
until their flight left.  Thankfully Julie, the midnight chick, walked in
at that moment. "Um, sure, just let me cash out, change and I'll meet ya
right over there." I said pointing to a table. He nodded, as did the others
and I left to cash out. There was something about the way he looked at me
that got me thinking.  Thinking what? I have no clue.

	That had to be the first time I cashed out in less than five
minutes. Damn I was psyched. I went downstairs to the locker room to change
and make myself more presentable, getting out of the monkey suit they made
us wear to work. I did the best I could with my very limited resources,
being a faucet and my hands. My hair didn't look the greatest, but they'd
understand, wouldn't they?

	Not even ten minutes later, I walked through the 'employee only'
door that lead into the food court. I looked around for the group, but
couldn't find them. I only found a very tired Drew sleeping with his head
on a table. I walked up to him quietly. I wasn't sure if I wanted to wake
him yet; after all, he did just do a performance. That had to tire him out,
I know I would be. I decided I'd just sit beside him and wake him up when
his flight was being called, or the guys needed him.

	I sat there, just looking at him for a little bit. Looking at his
face, I couldn't help but think of how innocent he looked, and cute
... wait! Did I just say cute? I shook my head and pulled out one of the
packages of paper I printed off Nifty, the one I had been reading before
the guys had come. How ironic, I was here with a member of 98*, but reading
a story about a BackStreet Boy. I couldn't help but laugh about it.

	My quiet laughter sorta roused him up a bit, but not completely. He
opened his eyes long enough to know I was there (whether it registered in
his head or not), and to reach his hand out and grab my arm. Once he had
done that, he contentedly went back to his slumber.

	"Can I have your attention please, flight number 10378 en route to
New York has been cancelled.  Would all passengers with tickets please head
to the U.S. Airlines counter in the baggage claims area to book a future
flight at your convenience...."

	The announcement was repeated in French while I tried to move
without waking Drew, so I could read his ticket. Miraculously I had managed
to get the ticket, and sit back down without waking him.  I read the
ticket. 'Bingo! Looks like they're stuck here until morning.' I thought to
myself.

	Nick walked up to us and pulled up a chair. "He's pooped. How long
has he been out?" he whispered.

	"'Bout half an hour."

	"Our flight's been cancelled." I nodded holding the ticket I had
stole from Drew's pocket in my hand. "You recommend any good hotels?"

	"Yeah," I smiled, "my house."

	"I don't even know you really, I don't even know your name. I can't
impose such an inconvenience on you."

	I just shook my head, "It's not an inconvenience, it'd be my
pleasure. It's the least I could do for you guys singing for me tonight." I
waited for it to click in.

	His eyes widened. 'Bingo!' I thought. "You're Drew?" the shock in
his voice made me laugh.

	"Yeah, I'm Drew, but keep it down, do they have to know? I kinda
don't want 'em to know." I explained.

	"Don't worry, my mouth is sealed. I guess we could chill at your
place.  Drew seems to like you.  When you went to go change, all he did was
talk about having a good feeling about you...."

	I blushed. "Thanks." He explained how he was going to gather their
luggage, round up the other guys, and exchange their tickets. I decided to
let Drew sleep a little longer, he deserved it. Once all the guys were
ready, I woke Drew and guided him to the cab we would use.  It was a tight
fit, but nobody complained. Drew slept the entire way, his head on my
shoulder.  Somehow it felt right; so I just left him do whatever he
wanted. Basically, he cuddled against me, but I wasn't gonna call it that,
I was straight, right?

	Jeff was sitting in the front seat and I noticed him looking in the
rear view mirror at Drew and I, with a smile spread across his face. When
our gazes met in the mirror, his smile faded and his gaze was averted to
the road ahead of us.

	I sat there, curious of what happened, and was about to ask Jeff
about it.  Drew stopped me by shifting in his sleep, squeezing me a bit
tighter, making me lose all of my thoughts. It was amazing how he was able
to do this to me. My thoughts wandered throughout the rest of the drive to
my house.  I was thinking of how I was lucky to be bringing home 98* on my
birthday.  How I was lucky to have had them sing to me. How I was
appreciated by my regulars, and most of all how I had this beautiful guy
snuggling with me in the back seat of a taxi cab.

	'I'm not gay, why am I thinking like this?' I questioned
myself. 'But he is damn cute!' I couldn't help but smile at that thought. I
don't know how, but Nick saw me smiling and asked about it. "I'm just
happy, I have no reason not to be. This has been, by far, the best birthday
I've had in years. Thanks."

	"No problem." was all he said before the rest of the ride was left
in silence again. It seemed like the ride was longer than normal, and now I
realized why. It figures, you know taxi drivers have been all over the city
at least a thousand times, but they always played dumb, just so they could
get more money. I mean, this taxi driver drove me home at least ten times
before!

	"Excuse me. Um, where are you going?" I asked the taxi driver.

	"You said 1484 right?"

	"No, I said 1844. Why do you always do this to me, you know where I
live, stop playing dumb.  I'm gonna give you a tip no matter what, you
don't have to try and pull extra money from me."

	After I had said that, there wasn't another second wasted. He was
at my house in record time. I was impressed. I quickly paid the driver as
the guys grabbed their stuff from the trunk and walked up the walkway
towards my house. I had just moved out of my parent's house a couple of
months ago, and bought this house. I fell in love with it the instant I had
seen it. It was perfect, not too small, quite big actually, had a forest
behind it, big backyard, driveway, and was in a quiet neighbourhood.

	I roused Drew enough to pull him out of the cab, and drag him to my
house.  I decided to bring him to my room so he could crash there. I didn't
think I was going to sleep anytime soon, so it didn't really matter if he
was in my bed or not. The guys left their luggage in the living room, and
made their way to the kitchen.

	After setting Drew in my bed, taking off his shoes and tucking him
in, I made my way to the kitchen to join the guys. Jeff was already
rummaging around in my fridge while Justin was guzzling down a glass of
water. "You own this?" Nick asked me, from his chair around the table.

	"Yeah, I couldn't help but buy it, I fell in love with the place!"

	"I can see why." Justin shot in.

	"Thanks," was all I could say.

	"How do you afford this?" I was enjoying how Nick was so curious.

	"Well, I come from a somewhat wealthy family. We're not rich, but
we're not poor."

	"Oh. Got it," he settled for that, figuring anything more would be
getting too personal for our situation.

	I started to make myself some toast; I hadn't really eaten all day,
and was starving. Once the toaster had popped up, I reached for my
toast. "Yoink," that was the sound Jeff made before stealing the toast from
my grasp. Two more seconds and I would've had it in my hands.  This guy was
quick.

	"So, why were you looking at me so goofily in the mirror in the cab
Jeff?"  I just had to ask.  It was bugging me since he had done it.

	"I was just thinking of how you two will become great friends. You
should've heard him talkin' 'bout you while you were getting changed. Just
ask Justin or Nick." He turned to them and they were nodding their
heads. "I don't know what it is about you, but he likes you, you'll be good
for him. He needs a friend outside the group."

	I just blushed at the comments; I didn't know what to say or do, so
I just stood there dumbfounded. The sound of the toaster popping up the
toast I had put in after Jeff stole mine was what brought me back to the
world. I wasn't gonna let Justin get these ones.  "Yeah, uh, thanks," I
knew it sounded dumb, but it was all I could think of.

	"Drew, I don't mean to be rude, but we're bushed. Where do we
crash?" Nick asked stifling a yawn.

	"I got three guest rooms. I guess one for each of you. But that's
not gonna solve my problem, Drew's in *my* bed."

	"Oops, looks like you got a problem. It's your problem, you gotta
fix it."

	Nick just smiled at me while the other two followed him out of the
kitchen and down the hall, looking in to see where they would sleep. It
didn't take them long to find the rooms. Just before they lay down to
sleep, each of them yelled a thank you from their rooms, and then closed
their doors.

	'Great, now what am I gonna do?' I thought. 'First let me shower,
then I'll think of it.'

	I headed to the shower. To get to it I had to go through my room,
and couldn't help but take a glance of Drew before I walked into the
bathroom. He looked so innocent, just like a child sleeping with a little
grin on his face. I stopped to wonder what he was thinking about, but only
found myself thinking of him, so I shook it off and headed into the
bathroom.

	Once I had started the shower, I realized I was more tired than I
had thought. I didn't take a full shower, just a quick rinse, and
shampoo. I could barely keep my eyes open by the time I had shut the water
off. I don't care what anyone says, but water just doesn't keep me
awake. It never did. I towelled myself off, then pulled on my boxers. I
just couldn't wait to get to into my bed; it was like my reward for such a
trying day. Every night I'd come home and my bed was like a sundae was to a
little child. It somehow made everything all right. I loved it.

	I walked into my room and shut off the bathroom light, leaving me
in complete darkness. I walked over to my bed; I knew where it was without
needing a light. I pulled up my comforter and climbed in. My eyes closed
the instant my head was on the pillow, 'Ah!  Heaven!' I exclaimed to
myself. Just then I felt someone spoon me, putting their arms around me, or
was it a dream? I couldn't tell, I was too worn out to even do anything
about it if it was anyone. 'Besides, who would be in my bed anyway?' I
questioned myself. When the answer couldn't come, I found myself cuddling
closer to the mystery person, eliciting a little moan from them. The feel
of their breath on my neck was enough to urge me to relax. And relax I did,
I relaxed so much I fell asleep, in my bed with someone spooning me,
there's just no better way to go to sleep. In the arms of someone you don't
know.

----------

	That's it for now, I wanna hear from y'all, so don't forget to
write me, please. Good, AND BAD.  Come on, mash my shit up! I'd appreciate
the mail. Thanks, Sprout.

bigdaddycool_0813@hotmail.com