"When I went to the flower shop and Pierce Brosnan was there, I had 20 [paparazzi]cars on me," Spears says. "Why doesn't he have 20 cars on him? I don't understand it." Photo by: CLIFF WATTS
The Two Sides of Britney| Britney Spears
But ask about the photographers who track her every move, and her frustration is palpable. "I don't really go out with him," she says of Sean Preston. "And it's kind of sad because I can't walk down the street with the stroller. I'm not expecting people to pity me. I'm just telling the truth. I've pulled over and asked the cops, 'Could you please help me? They've been driving recklessly back there.' And they say, 'Sorry, ma'am, I can't help you. This is how it is.' I mean, Princess Diana got killed by one of these people. They're crossing the line."

Then she looks up and shakes her head. "I sound bitter. I'm not bitter. I'm doing great. I really am. I'm happy. I'm very blessed. I have a beautiful home, a wonderful family, supportive, loving people around me. I have a great life."

Now, after a year and a half marriage-and-maternity leave, Spears – who recently made the scene with Federline at the Screen Actors Guild and Grammy Awards party circuits – is resuming her busy life with the pent-up passion of a benched player twitching to get back in the game. Coming up: a guest turn on Will & Grace set to air April 13 ("I have been laughing so much every day on the set!") and a Feb. 28 live appearance on Good Morning America from New Orleans, where she has been active in helping to rebuild her home state via her hurricane relief fund.

"I'm not going to be performing," she says. "I thought instead that it'd be more meaningful if I surprised a group of girls to spend the day with them doing things that I used to like to do in Louisiana when I was younger. I know it'll be such an emotional trip, but it will also be uplifting to see the city continuing its traditions."