"So, I'm beginning to think you work here," Rick says as I walk into the MTV studios in New York where he will interview me.

"Trust me, I feel like it," I laugh. 

He leans over and kisses my cheek.

"Take a seat."

"Okay."

The usual people come up and put a mic and one of those in-ear things. The makeup guy touches up the makeup and the hair lady teases my hair a little.

When they left me alone, Rick quickly looked over his notes and then smiled at me.

"Ready?"

I nod. "Sure."

"Okay, roll whenever," he told the guy behind the camera.

"First of all Ana, congratulations on the success of your album."

"Thanks. It's been really really exciting."

"I bet it has. Did you have any idea of what it would do?"

I laugh and shake my head. "I had no idea. I mean I just didn't know what to expect. No one knew who I was, you know? Now all these people who bought my album know, so it's a little strange."

"Strange good or strange bad?"

"Strange good. I love that I can reach out to that many people."

"Speaking of reaching out to a lot of people, soon you will be joining Marcus Tyler on tour. Any expectations of what that will be like?"

I entwine my hands that are resting on my lap. "I've never toured before. I have seen his stage set-up…the drawings for it so I know to expect something huge," I say opening my arms up and apart. "I can't wait to actually see his show as well as perform mine."

"Opening night…will you be nervous?" he asks with a smile.

"Of course," I laugh. "But, they won't see me sweat. Well, I'm sure I'll sweat…but you know what I mean."

He chuckles. "Yes of course. Okay, opening night is in two weeks…"

I'm nodding my head.

"And is it true that you were asked to perform at Icon this year?"

My heart starts racing a little faster now. "Yes, that's true. I just found that out a few days ago."

Rick looked at my cautiously. "Okay, I'm going to ask the big question here," he chuckled. "The rumors are that you're parents are Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. Fact or fiction?"

I smile and say, "Fact."

"Wow. I don't think we need to say anymore…I think we all see where you get your talent from."

I blush. "Thank you."

"Okay then, why so hush hush about it?" he asked, leaning forward a little.

"Well, I think we decided to just not talk about it so that we could actually say that I sold the album's on my own…not because I am Justin and Britney's daughter."

He nods. "That makes sense. Was it difficult not shouting it from the rooftops?"

"Well, yes and no. Not that I'm going to do that, but it was hard to talk about my family without really getting into details about them. I love them both so much and I'm very proud of them and they're so supportive of me…"

"So they never tried to discourage you from going into the business?"

I shook my head. "Oh no…they've only supported me and my brother and sister with whatever it is we want to do."

"What kind of advice do they give?"

"Well my dad is the one who gave me voice lessons. He's always worked with me on that. I would watch old videos of *Nsync and of my mom and I would run around the house singing their songs and dancing with them so my dad would teach me how to breath the proper way while I'm singing and dancing…stuff like that."

"Any warnings about the business?"

"Well I grew up around the business. I was there when my mom decided to stay at home and quit performing. I saw how she was affected by that…by the industry. So I've had my fair share of seeing the good and the bad. Of course now the good is that MTV is doing on Icon special about her so…" I say smiling.

"Yes and as we mentioned before, you're going to be performing in that. Now, the question is, did MTV ask you because they knew? If someone here knew, I'll kick some butt," he said, looking past me at a couple producers standing there. He was laughing. "They all shrugged," he said.

I shrugged too.

"I think my management had a lot to do with it. Since they manage my mom now too, I think they knew this would be special for me to do."

"Ohhh I'm seeing the connection now. Lance from *Nsync is your manager. Well, that makes sense then."

I laugh and nod. "Yes…well, indirectly he's my manager. He doesn't always travel with me…that's why I have Tony."

"So any teasers of what you'll be performing."

I let my eyes wander a bit and then I shake my head. "Nope, not gonna tell. Everyone will have to be surprised. It's going to be cool, though," I say nodding my head.

"That's evil," he said laughing. "I know I for one can't wait to see it. Ana, thank you for taking time out of your rehearsals to talk to us and clear a few things up."

"Thank you for letting me do it."

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

The cameras stop rolling and Rick and I stand up.

"Thanks for being so open. I was really surprised when you said they were your parents. I thought you'd deny it."

"You did?"

He nodded as we took the mic packs off.

"Not that I would blame you. I bet it feels good to have sold those albums without the Spears or Timberlake name behind you."

I nod. "It really does. I mean, I'm not ashamed of who I am or who my parents are by any means but to know that all those people bought my album because they liked my music…" My smile grew.

He smiles and nods. "I know. I'm sure they're proud too."

"Yeah, they are. They've always been proud though…I could sneeze just the right way and they'd be proud."

He laughs.

"I'm very proud of them too though."

He nods. "I'm sure you are. Take care. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon."

"Most likely," I laugh. "You take care too."

Later that day, back in Orlando, Tony takes me to the studio where we've been doing the rehearsals with the band. I walk in on them practicing "Throw it at Me". As Tony and I walk into the room I start bopping my head to the music. I love doing the choreography to this one. My mama had a lot of influence on the choreography for it and it's more, dare I say, sexual. The band members eventually notice I'm in the room and all smile and wave at me when they can. Brad has the biggest smile and I can't take my eyes off of him.

"I love that song," mama says, breaking my concentration, when they finish the song. She's standing in the doorway.

I smile and start walking over to her and she meets me halfway and gives me a hug.

"How did New York go?" she asks brushing the hair away from my face.

"It went well I think," I say and look over at Tony.

He smiles and nods. "It went very well. The truth is now out. Once this hits the MTV news waves I'll hear about it," he says holding up his phone.

Mama lets out a breath. "Good. You okay with all this?" she asks rubbing a hand up and down my arm.

I grab her hand when it reaches mine.

"Yes, I'm great."

"Okay…then let's get to work."

I stare at her as she walks over to a chair and puts her bag down. She starts to stretch. I slowly walk over to her.

"Mama, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to rehearse with you today."

I look around the room and realize that Andrew isn't there.

"Where's Andrew?"

"I told him to take today off since it's only going to be a half-day."

"Uh…okay," I say taking off my sweatpants so I'm down to my shorts.

I count it off and the band begins to play "Throw It At Me" again. Mama and I stand in front of the mirror as we dance. I start to sing with the music…not loudly though. I haven't gotten to that part of the rehearsals yet.

As we whip our heads one last time we are crouched down looking at each other, both breathing hard. I smile at her and we both stand up.

"Not bad, mama," I say.

"Not bad for an old lady," she says, trying to catch her breath. She walks over and takes a drink of water and throws me a towel. She picks up a towel for herself and dabs her face.

I keep staring at her.

"What?" she asks.

"You amaze me, that's all," I say before I take a drink of water.

She smiles and shakes her head.

"Honey…do you know how long I did this?"

I shrug. "A really long time."

She chuckles. "Well yes and even after I had Ashleigh and quit touring, I've always danced and exercised. I had to…it's in my blood."

"I know that but this was tough choreography…not that you can't handle it but…" I stop talking before I really put my foot in my mouth.

She puts her hands on her hips. "Uh huh. Come on, let's go over "Mind Games" I noticed the other day that there's a step you keep missing."

She walks over to the band. George says a few things to her and she laughs. I glance over at Brad and I smile when I catch his eye, so I slowly walk over to him.

"Hi," I say.

"Hey…how was your trip?" he asks walking around to the other side of the keyboard so he's closer to me. He crouches down so he's eye level with me.

"It went well. I accomplished what I needed to."

He nods. "Good. I'm sure you're tired…I don't know how you can dance like that after taking a day trip."

"I know it needs to be done…so I did it. I am tired though."

"Come on Adriana," mama says standing in the middle of the floor.

"Duty calls," I say as I turn and walk towards her.

We blow through "Mind Games"…again. I quietly sing along with it. When the music stops I clap my hands and let out a "woooo." Both mama and I look toward the door when we hear clapping.

"It's a dream come true," daddy says walking toward the middle of the room.

"What?" I ask him.

"Seeing my girls dancing like that together," he says leaning down and kissing my nose.

He walks over to mama and grabs her and kisses her…rather passionately.

"Justin, I'm sweaty," she says in between kisses.

"I know," he says as he continues to kiss her.

"Oh brother," I say, turning my head. That's when I notice Cody standing in the doorway looking down at his feet. "You can come in," I say to him.

He walks in slowly, dragging his feet. He stops in front of the band and starts to look at a guitar that's resting against it's stand.

Brad is bent down adjusting some wires and he smiles at Cody.

"Hi…you must be Cody."

He nods.

"I'm Brad," he says holding out his hand.

I'm about to walk over to them to explain why my brother is so rude but I stop when I see Cody shake Brad's hand. Just that small gesture, warms my heart.

I see Brad asking Cody a few questions and Cody nods his head.

Daddy walks up behind me and places his hand on my shoulder. "You look great out there."

I turn to face him. "Thanks. I want to sing now," I say bouncing up and down a little bit.

He looks at mama. "When's that?"

"Next week. We've got the equipment coming Sunday I think."

"How has Cody been today?" mama asks looking over at her son.

Daddy nods. "He's been fine. He sort of hinted that he wanted to see the studio so I brought him….but we can't tell Ashleigh."

"Oh my God…she'll freak out," I say laughing.

"What's so funny?" Cody asks walking over to us.

"Ashleigh will be upset if she finds out you came here."

He smiles and nods. "Yes I know."

I lightly punch his arm. "That's not nice."

Daddy walks over to George to talk to him. I see them out of the corner of my eye walk over to Brad.

"Justin, I want you to meet my nephew, Brad."

Justin holds out his hand and Brad shakes it.

"It's nice to meet you sir," he says.

"The pleasure's all mine…I've heard a lot of good things about you."

Brad genuinely smiles. "Well, that's just because of my uncle."

Justin chuckles. "I don't think George would jeopardize this opportunity by putting someone in the band who he doesn't think can handle it. You're in good company. Enjoy it…learn from it."

Brad nods once. "I will sir, thank you."

"And enough with the sir, it makes me feel old."

Brad laughs. "Yes ssss, I mean okay."

Justin pats him on the shoulder and walks back over to the other side of the stage with George.

"Does he seem to be catching on okay?"

George nods. "Yep, he's fitting in just fine. Maybe a little too fine," he says looking back over at Brad.

Justin looks at Brad and then follows his gaze to Adriana. When he notices Adriana is staring right back at Brad, both with goofy grins on their faces, his heart almost stops.

"Thanks, George," he says, never looking away from his daughter. "So, do we get to see anymore since we're here?" Justin says loudly, demanding everyone's attention.

I look at mama. "I'm not sure what she has planned."

"How about one more time with "Mind Games" and then you can close with a ballad?"

I nod. "Sounds good."

"Cody and I will stand over here," daddy says, tugging Cody's shirt.

We dance to "Mind Games" again and nail it. Then I take my seat on the stool in front of the band and take the microphone from mama.

"Thanks," I say to her as the music starts.

Britney walks over to Justin, wraps her arms around his arm and leans into his side.

"She sounds so beautiful singing this song you wrote for her," she whispers.

Justin nods as tears glaze his eyes. He watches his little girl, who is growing up right in front of his eyes, stare at Brad the whole time she sings.

"When did she grow up?" he asks…his voice catches a little.

"Hmmm?" Britney purrs as she looks up at her husband.

When she notices the look on his face she smiles, leans up and kisses his cheek.

"I don't know," she said.