Justin knew his mama would have no issues at all with Zenia and Grace. She was one of the most accepting people he knew. She always supported her son in any decision he made. If he was happy, that was all that mattered to her. So, he had little to no worries when it came to them meeting.


“Hi mama,” he said welcoming her into a tight embrace. “When did you get here?”


“Not too long ago. I figured you were busy so when my flight landed, I rented a car and headed on over. “ Lynn explained, her southern drawl strong as can be. “Aren’t you going to introduce me, son?”


“Yes of course. This is my girlfriend, Zenia and her daughter, Grace.” He motioned to the two of them. 

 
“Oh my gosh! I am so happy to finally meet y’all. Justin has told me so much about you both!” Lynn exclaimed pulling both Zenia and Grace in for a hug.


“It’s so good to meet you, Mrs. Harless." Zenia replied. 


“Oh, please call me Lynn. “ she insisted. “Hello there, Grace. Well, aren’t you just as sweet as can be.”


“Hi,” Grace said softly, clutching her mothers hand, and hiding behind her. 


“Gracie, this is my mommy,” Justin stated, hoping to ease some of Grace’s apprehension of this new person.


Graces eyes lit up wide as the realization finally clicked. “Oh, hi! I’m Grace but you can call me Gracie."


“Well, hello Gracie.” Lynn smiled. 


Justin beamed as he looked on at the women in his life all getting acquainted with each other. He found himself thinking of a future with Zenia and Grace. Months ago, that thought would have scared him and he would’ve quickly rid it from his mind.


They spent the evening chatting and enjoying each others company. Lynn insisted on making dinner. She made a lasagna, salad and breadsticks and they all enjoyed it, even Grace who was the picky eater of the bunch. For dessert, Lynn baked peach cobbler and Zenia was surprised by how much of it Justin could eat. He later informed her that it was his grandmother's recipe and literally his favorite food in the world. 


“Well, my darlings, I am beat. I’m going to turn in for the night. Zenia and Gracie, I can’t wait to spend some more time with y’all tomorrow.” Lynn announced. She made her way around the table hugging each person goodnight before she disappeared upstairs. 


“You look sleepy, Gracie bug. You want me to get you a bath ready?” Zenia offered to the little girl.


“Yes, mommy. Can I ask you a question first?” 


“Sure, baby? What’s up?”


“Is Justin going to be my daddy since I don’t have one?” she asked innocently looking at the two.


The silence in the room was deafening as Zenia contemplated how to answer the question. 


“Um, well right now Justin is mommy’s boyfriend. That means we like each other a lot.”


“I knew that. I saw you guys kissing the other day. Eww.” 


Zenia laughed, “Yes, we kiss because that’s what boyfriends and girlfriends do sometimes.”


Justin chuckled but remained quiet, letting Zenia take the reigns on the conversation. 


“What else do boyfriends and girlfriends do?” Grace asked.


Justin nearly choked on the water he sipped when he heard Grace's question and saw Zenia’s face reddening.


“They spend a lot of time together, hold hands, talk a lot. And more importantly they are nice and respectful to each other.” Zenia answered. Damn, she's good at this, Justin thought.


“Do you love Justin?”


Zenia felt like crawling under the table and hiding. She knew this conversation was going to happen but had no idea how it would go. She was not prepared for the type of questions Grace was asking.


Justin’s ears perked up at the mention of love. He wondered himself just how deep Zenia’s feeling were for him. He knew he fell fast when he was seeing someone and the things he felt for Zenia were definitely teetering towards love. He was secretly hoping that Zenia would admit that she did love him so that he would feel like his feelings were justified. 


“No, honey. We just like each other for now,” Zenia answered.


Justin looked down at his lap, unsure of where to look at this moment. Zenia’s response stung even though they had both not openly expressed their love for each other. He got up to begin washing the dishes used at dinner, as the conversation at the table continued without him. 


——-


After helping Grace with her bath and getting her all tucked in, Zenia returned downstairs where Justin’s bedroom was. She found Justin laying on the bed watching tv. She laid down beside him snuggling close.


“Well, we don’t have to sneak around anymore,” she spoke, laying her head on his chest. 


Justin sighed, "Yeah."


"Is something wrong, J? I thought you'd be happy," She questioned sitting back up to look at him. 


Yes, somethings wrong. You don't love me and I think I love you, he thought.


"No, baby. I am happy." He reassured her, kissing her on the lips. 


"Me too." She smiled and snuggled back into him. It wasn't long before Justin heard her steady breathing, and felt her body relax as she fell asleep on him. 


He stayed awake, staring at the TV not really watching it, thinking over everything in his head. Maybe if he told her how strongly he felt about her, it would make a difference. He was no stranger to being the first one to say I love you in a relationship, but now it scared him. He didn't think he could handle that rejection. Not with Zenia. It would hurt too bad. 


He decided he would wait, but it didn't stop him from saying it then. 


"I love you, Z." He said to her sleeping form, as he felt himself finally drift off to sleep. 


--


The next few days consisted of Zenia, Grace, Justin and Lynn sight seeing, enjoying amazing homecooked meals (by Lynn) and some good old fashioned relaxation. Zenia admitted to herself that she definitely needed this getaway and was kind of sad about it coming to an end. 


On their last day, Lynn took Zenia and Grace shopping at a local mall that resulted in Lynn buying Grace way too many things. Zenia was surprised at how much Lynn treated Grace like her own granddaughter and it seemed genuine. While out shopping, Justin texted Zenia to tell her to buy something to wear as he was planning a surprise for her that night. 


Buy something nice yet casual for tonight. I'm taking you out. Make sure its sexy. Put it on my card. - J


Zenia smiled to herself and set out in search of the perfect outfit. Lynn and Grace left her alone to shop as they went to yet another toy store. Zenia grabbed a couple of outfits at a boutique and went to the fitting room to try them on. She decided then to FaceTime Marie, to catch up and to also get her opinion on what to wear.


"Hey, Rie!" Zenia greeted as her friend's face appeared on the screen. 


"Hey, Z! I've missed you. Where are you?"


"I'm still in Montana, at this cute boutique. I'm looking for an outfit for tonight. Justin says he's taking me out somewhere," She said changing into a cute lace top, eyeing herself in the mirror. 


"A date? Sounds romantic. Sounds like things are getting serious!"


"Maybe," Zenia laughed. "I mean I am out shopping with his mother right now."


"HIS MOM?! Zenia, that is a big fuckin deal." Marie said excitedly. 


"I guess so. We're still just taking it slow, ya know?" Zenia shrugged, deciding she didn't like the lace top and taking it off and throwing it in a pile. 


"Z, how slow? You're a mom, you have a career, you've been waiting ages to find someone to settle down with. What's the hesitation? "


"He's Justin Timberlake, Rie. I'm Zenia Carter. There's no way this is going to be it for me. I'm just here for a season and it'll hurt less if I convince myself of that now." Zenia said sadly, she put on a black tube top slim fitting dress, admiring her ass in the mirror. 


"Are you fucking kidding me? Z, you're a bad ass bitch okay?! Plus, I don't think that Justin is like that. He would've dropped you off at home that night after the bar and never looked back. Instead, he came back time and time again. " Marie reasoned. 



That seems believable, Zenia thought. Its been months since that night and being with Justin was just second nature at this point. They spent so much time together and he treated her like a queen. This was all she ever wanted and what she had waited for. Would it be so bad to allow herself to accept these feelings she had for him? 


"I guess you're right. I have shared so much with him,"


"Even your bed. How was it?" 


Zenia laughed, "It was amazing, Rie. It's only been once so far and it literally rocked my world. God, I can't wait to do it again."


"I'm sure it will happen tonight after this date he has planned," 


"Sheesh, I hope so," Zenia turned the camera so that Marie could see the dress, "What do you think about this? Sexy enough?"


"Damn, girl! Your ass looks great in that. You should definitely get it. Give me details later! Gotta go. I love you. Bye!" 


Zenia changed back into her own clothing and went to pay for the dress, excited about the potential of the night ahead.




------


Zenia gave herself one more look in the mirror before heading out of the bathroom to Justin who was waiting on the bed. He looked at her with a huge grin on his face. He got up and pulled her into his arms. 


"This dress makes me want to keep you here all to myself," He admitted.


Zenia's whole body warmed at that thought. She honestly wouldn't mind but Lynn was babysitting and she didn't want to pass up a chance of a kid-free night.


"You can later. You promised me a meal, Timberlake," She teased.


"Fine," He obliged. "But you look amazing, baby."


"So do you."


"Come on. Let's get out of here." 


--


As they pulled up to the restaurant, Tips Up, Justin put the car in park and leaned over and kissed Zenia. "Are you ready? This is one of my favorite places. They have great food, a bar, and there's a band playing tonight."


"You aren't worried about being spotted by paparazzi?" She asked nervously.


"Nah, not here. It's pretty chill and plus I think the paps just think I'm hiding out in LA right now. Come on, babe it'll be fine."


They were seated in a quiet area of the restaurant in good view of the stage where the band was playing. The restaurant was quiet, not many customers at all. Justin ordered them each a beer as they sat and listened to the music.


"This is really nice, J." Zenia said, looking around the restaurant, taking it all in. The band sounded phenomenal as they started up a rendition of "Don't Stop Believing'" By Journey. 


"Yeah, I love it. Sometimes when they see me here, they'll do a rendition of one of my songs and it's always so good," 


A few beers later, and after they shared some hot wings and fries together, Justin settled back in his chair and rubbed his stomach. "Damn, that was good."


Zenia agreed as she took a sip of her beer. 


"Z, you really do look beautiful tonight. I'm really glad that we got to come out tonight. There's something I want to talk to you about," Justin hesitated before continuing.


Zenia looked at him with questioning eyes.


"I'm absolutely crazy about you. I was so scared to try something again after Jess. Damn, she really fucked me up, but she was all I knew for so long that at one point I was just ready to forgive her and take her back because she was comfortable for me. I wouldn't have to start the whole relationship process over. Then I met you that night and it gave me a little bit of hope that maybe I could start over. You and Grace mean so much to me and I just want to give you all the world. I feel very very strong feelings towards you. And its okay if you aren't there yet but--"


"I love you, Justin." She said cutting him off.


Justin couldn't believe what he heard. He was fully expecting to confess his love tonight and be okay with waiting for Zenia to get there at some point.


"You what?" 


"I love you. I know what I told Gracie the other day but I was just scared to accept those feelings. What I have with you is everything I have wanted for a while and I guess Marie helped talk some sense into me. I just didn't want to get hurt," 


"First, I love you too. I'm surprised that you beat me to saying it tonight, but I'm glad you feel the same way. I actually said it to you the other night but you were asleep." He grinned sheepishly at that memory. "And Z, I would never hurt you. I've been hurt too many times and I know what that feels like."


Zenia reached across the table and intertwined their fingers together, looking at him sitting there putting it all on the line for her. She wanted to touch him. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted him to take her right here in this restaurant and didn't care who saw it. He read her eyes and knew it was time for them to go home and express their love in other ways.


"Take me home, J."