A Different Reality (Lasting Love)

Paparazzi Paranoia

I stand in line at the grocery store taking in all of my surroundings.  The baby, or "our little princess", as Justin likes to call her is kicking me nonstop.  As soon as I start walking, even if it's just for a few seconds, she stops until I'm standing still again.  I keep my hand on my belly where she's kicking, trying to calm her, but it fails.  The elderly lady behind me seems infatuated with my now very noticeable protruding stomach, and asks me some questions.  They're all nice and short, so I answer trying to pass time.

"Is this your first?" The lady asks curiously.  I take this as she doesn't pay much attention to the entertainment industry, and happily answer her.

"Yeah, we're really excited."

"How far are you?" She asks, this time analyzing my belly "You look cute pregnant."

"Aw, well thanks!"  I smile trying to hide the fact that I really don't feel that way "I'm just about 7 months."

"Halfway there," she looks as if she knows how I feel right now a little too well "I bet you're excited for it to be over soon."

"Yeah," I think about it for a few seconds "I am, but I also like this at the same time.  Definitely excited to see her, though."

Finally, the line starts moving a little faster.  The lady, Laura, and I finish our conversation, and I try to ignore the urge to pee now that the baby has found my bladder.  I make it to the part with all the magazines and candy.  Normally, they're something I'd just ignore and move on from, but I see one in particular that catches my eye.  It has Justin and I on the cover.  Not a huge surprise in today's reality, but something, maybe my raging hormones, makes me pick it up.  The title is about Justin leaving me alone because he really doesn't want the baby.  I know that it isn't true, and I shouldn't believe anything any of these magazines say, but for some reason I buy it. 

I grab the few bags that I have quickly after paying, and walk out of the store.  Immediately, I'm greeted by a bunch of paparazzi that I do not feel like dealing with right now.

"Is it true Justin's leaving you?!?"

"Are you having twins?!?"

"Is it a girl or a boy?!?"

"Is it really Justin's baby?  Or is it true you had an affair with Matt LeBlanc on set?"

"Is it true that you didn't want the baby?"

I try to stay as calm as I can while walking through them.

"Can I please just get to my car?" I practically beg, knowing that it's not going to work.

"Did Justin really say he doesn't want to be involved in the babies life?" One of them gets way too close to me.  Close enough that they can just about hit my stomach with their flailing arms "Are you two getting divorced?"

"Get the hell away from her!" I hear a familiar voice yell and look up to see that Justin got out of the car "Come on." He practically runs over towards me and grabs my hand. 

One of the paparazzi gets close to me again, this time touching my stomach, which has become very sensitive to Justin and I.

"What the fuck are you doing?!?" He turns around yelling in the guys face "Get your hand off of my wife!"

The guy gets what he wants when he gets the perfect picture.  Justin is lunging towards him, but from his angle it looks like he's about to hit me. 

"She has enough to worry about." Justin finally calms down as he pulls me through them "Leave her the hell alone."

One very brave, and apparently equally stupid, paparazzi gets right in front of Justin as he's pushing through the rest of them.

"If you care so much about her why did you leave?  Why did you tell her you want nothing to do with the baby?  Is it not your baby?" He gets closer and closer to Justin with every question.

Justin looks back at me, making sure that I'm okay before releasing my hand.  He takes both his hands, uses his strength, and pushes the guy to the ground. 

"Next time leave us the fuck alone!" He yells in his face to prove his point "We don't want to deal with your shit.  Go find a real and useful job and stop harassing my wife!"

We finally make it to the car.  I get in the passenger seat quickly as Justin gets in his to drive away.  He drives to a small wooded area that he knows the paparazzi won't find, and stops the car to comfort me now that I'm sobbing. 

"Is any of this true?"  I hold up the magazine as I ask them "Were they asking real questions?" Deep down, I know that none of it's true, but for some reason, I want to hear it from him.

"Why would you buy this?" He looks at the magazine before taking and ripping it in half "You know better than to believe any of this."

I try to calm down knowing that he's telling the truth.  My hormones, however, won't let me.

"Jen, look here."  He holds my head in his hands as he wipes away my tears "I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and our princess.  You two are all that I could possibly want or dream about.  I couldn't imagine living the rest of my life without you or her.  You're the most important people in my life, and I promise you that neither of you will ever have to be alone."

"But what about your writing?  And FRIENDS? A baby is lots of work and what if we can't handle everything?"  I ask, knowing the full answer to this "What if it's too much stress and we don't make it through?"

"Don't worry about that.  Not for a second."  He leans in to kiss me "I love you, and I promise I will always fight and push through and obstacles to keep us together."