A communications system and method of managing communications with multiple appearance endpoints, e.g. Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints in the communications system. At least one SIP endpoint includes a keyset with multiple lines, at least a primary line and one or more secondary and/or phantom lines. A Back to Back User Agent (B2BUA) manages communications with the SIP endpoints and multiple (e.g., all) line appearances register in a single REGISTER message sent by the primary line to the B2BUA. The B2BUA sends NOTIFY messages for any incoming call and once the call is answered sends an INVITE message to the answering endpoint. The B2BUA includes a media negotiator that negotiates early media with the SIP endpoints upon an indication of a pending call, incoming or outgoing.