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ANYONE FOR DINNER Chapter 5
And that was how my life went for the next year and a half. Things were working out so well with me and Howie. We had quickly fallen in love and enjoying every minute of it. I had gotten a promotion at work and was able to fly to see him on a regular basis. Whenever he wasn't touring, he was coming to see me. A couple of times I had managed to get some holiday time and I spent more than just a night or two with Howie. This particular time I was just packing a quick bag to go and see Howie in New York when the buzzer to my apartment sounded. I wasn't expecting anyone so I jumped when it went off. "Hello?" I asked. "Ms. Tingle, your car is ready to take you to the airport." A female voice said. My car? "I didn't order a car." I said into the speaker. "Well, I have a call that was placed saying to pick up Aurora Tingle at this address. I am to take you to the International airport. Are you ready?" I was baffled, then I realized that Howie must have sent it. "Yeah, I'll be right down." I finished and quickly grabbed the rest of my things. When I got downstairs, there was a huge black limo waiting for me. The chauffeur took my bag and opened my door. When I got inside I saw that there was a bouquet of wild flowers with a note. Rory, Hope you are enjoying the limo this is going to be a special weekend for us I can't wait to see you. Lots of Love Sweet D A special weekend? What did he mean by that? When I organized this little trip, Howie had gotten really curious. I got the feeling that he was up to something, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I shrugged it off and settled back into the limo. I was just drifting off to sleep when the limo driver opened my door to say that we were at the airport. I climbed out, thanking her for her time. When I went to tip her, she said that it was already paid for. I went into the terminal and since I had met Howie, I had become somewhat of an expert in airports. Within twenty minutes I was sitting back and relaxing in my seat. The first time that I had flown to see Howie, I was terrified. I had never been on a plane before and I was doing it alone. But now, I had figured out a way to calm my nerves. I would bring my portable CD player and listen to the guys. They were just wrapping up their tour for the Millennium album. In a few weeks they were going to get into the studio and work on their fourth album. I was so into the music that I was listening to I hadn't even realized that we had taken off until the stewardess came up to me and tapped me lightly on the shoulder. "Yes?" I said taking only one earphone out of my ear. "I'm sorry to bother you Ms.
Tingle, but I was asked to give this to you once we got into the
air." She explained as she handed me an envelope. Rory, When you get to New York, there will be another limo waiting for you that chauffeur has been instructed to take you to the hotel that the guys and I are staying at. Go to the front desk and tell them who you are. They will give a key to our room. Change into the outfit that is on the bed and then call down to the front and tell them that you are ready. They will have a car waiting to take you to the stadium for the show. Love Sweet D. Now I was really getting curious. What was he planning? Little notes like this were his style. He had done things like this before. Usually it was when he bought me presents. Over the last year and a half, Howie had showered me with gifts. Most of the time it was diamonds. He tended to go a little over board now and then, those pieces I kept locked in my safe. The last time that he bought me something I told him that he had to stop or I was going to be wearing his money and he would have nothing. I settled back into the seat and relaxed. Before I knew it, I was in New York. Of all the cities that I had flown to, to see Howie, New York was my favorite. The shopping was fantastic and occasionally we had been able to take in a Broadway show. When I stepped out of customs, there was another chauffeur there waiting for me. He held up a sign with my name on it and once I introduced myself, he led me out to his limo. This one was a gorgeous white stretch. The trip to the hotel took longer than I thought it would, so I reread Howie's notes over and over to make sure that I hadn't missed any hidden meanings. When we finally arrived at the hotel, the chauffeur took me inside and told the desk clerk who I was. They in turn promptly had me escorted up to the suite that Howie had told me about. To my surprise it was the penthouse suite. What is he up to? I wondered. I walked around the suite, checking it out and making sure that there were no little notes here for me. When I didn't find any I went to the bedroom to get changed and to freshen up before I went to the stadium. The outfit that Howie had chosen was great. He knew me so well. It was simple, just a pair of black jeans, my favorite, and a white silk blouse. There was also a new pair of cowboy boots. Another favorite of mine. Half an hour later I was ready for Howie and whatever he was going to throw at me. Instead of calling down to the front I just went down. Once I told them who I was, they signaled for the next chauffeur to escort me to the stadium. When we stepped outside, there was yet another limo waiting for me. This one was grey. I just laughed. Knowing Howie, he probably requested the colors. When I got into the limo, there was another bouquet of flowers and a note. Rory, Just a little longer to wait, make sure and go right to your seat at the front. My plans won't work if you aren't in the front. Love Sweet D Plans? What plans? Just exactly what did kind of plans did Howie have? I was getting a little nervous, but at the same time I was anxious to figure out what he was talking about. I helped myself to a bottle of Evian water from the little bar that was in the limo and sat back. I racked my brain to try and figure out what he was up to. Nothing came to me. It wasn't an anniversary for us. We really weren't that big into celebrating the little things that we have done together. Basically the only one that we celebrated was the beginning of our relationship. But that was still quite a few months away. Once I got to the stadium I went in through the door that was for VIPs. Everyone that worked with the guys knew I was coming so it was a breeze to get in. I figured that I would try and see Howie before the show, but I was detoured by everyone. No one would let me see him. Now I was beginning to get worried. I decided that I would sit in my seat for a few minutes and then I would try to find one of the other guys and find out what is going on. As I approached my seat, I noticed that there was a sign on it that said it was reserved. 'That's odd.' I thought as I sat down I waited for as long as I could, which was about half an hour. Which was very good for me. The show wasn't supposed to start for another thirty minutes and the fans were starting to arrive. By now I had been the subject of a few tabloid articles, but for the most part, I had been left alone. The fans knew who I was and whenever I was at the concerts, they always asked me questions about the guys. I took the fame in stride and had managed to keep my head on straight. When I tried to get backstage, I was stopped by the security guard. I argued with him for a while, not getting anywhere. Then I saw Nick out of the corner of my eye. I called out to him, he looked my way and then took off. Now I was getting scared, what if Howie was going to break up with me? I wouldn't be able to handle that. I loved him with everything that I had. After Nick's rejection I walked slowly back to my seat and sat down, one single tear escaped from my eye. Discretely I wiped it away. A few minutes after that, one of the members of security came up to me and handed me another envelope along with a single pink rose, they were my favorite. I thanked her and then quickly opened it. Rory, 1 hope that you are not sad or mad that we haven't seen one another yet. Believe me the wait will be worth it. Please don't think that something bad is going to happen. That is not the idea here. Hang tight, it is almost show time. I Love You As much as I loved watching Aaron, I was so pleased when he was done and the lights went down again. The music started and my heart began to beat so loud that I felt it was drowning out the music. The guys had altered their show a little. They no longer came out flying, they jumped up from little platforms under the stage. I had seen this show before and knew the exact second that I would see Howie. My heart skipped a beat at the anticipation of it. There was a flash of light and then there he was. He obviously knew that I was going to be in that seat, because as soon as his eyes adjusted, they found me. He winked and gave me the thumbs up. My heart soared when I saw him. It had been a couple of weeks since we had seen each other last. I got into the show as much as the fans did. Singing along with them and doing the dance steps that we all knew so well. I had forgotten about everything that had happened that day, all the little notes, until the show suddenly seemed to have stopped. The guys all left the stage and when they came back, Howie wasn't with them. 'Where's Howie?' I thought. "Hey there New York!" AJ yelled from centre stage. The fans all screamed. "We have to stop the rockin' for a little bit, but not for too long." What was going on? Why did they have to stop the show? Nick was up next, "That's right, Rory, you want to come up here for a minute?" Nick asked looking right at me. I shook my head no. Brian came out beside Nick and smiled down at me, "Sure you do, Ror, come on up." he encouraged. I was about to shake my head again when I saw that Kevin had appeared out of no where and was reaching out for me to lift me on stage. There wasn't much that I could do to stop it. Kevin was stronger than me. "Kev, what's going on?" I asked as he helped me up. Kevin just kissed me lightly on the cheek and walked away with a wink. AJ led me over to the stool that had been placed just behind them, centre stage. They all in turn went to sit on their own stools that were behind me and off to the left side of the stage, softly they all started to hum. The lights went down and some music started. I was so worried about what was going on that, I vaguely recognized it, but I couldn't put a name to the song. A spotlight came on and there stood Howie, dressed in a tuxedo, holding another pink rose, about ten feet away from me. He started to sing to me. Once the words started to come I recognized it as My Heart Stays With You. We had deemed it as our song. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Why was Howie all dressed up for this and why was he focusing all of his attention on me? Usually he gave it to the fans. I tried to look at the other guys, to see if I could see something in their eyes that would give them away, but I had no luck. Howie made sure that I kept my eyes on him at all times. When the song ended, everything became clear. Howie handed me the rose, and reached into his pocket. He never took his eyes off me as he lowered himself onto one knee. My heart stopped beating and tears sprang into my eyes. The fans went wild as they too clued in as to what was going on. The guys were still harmonizing behind us. "Aurora Michelle Tingle, I love you with my whole heart and soul. Would you do me the honor of spending the rest of your life with me as my wife?" He said clear as day into the microphone. He opened up the small box that he had taken out of his pocket and produced a 5-carat diamond solitaire. I sat stunned for a fraction of a second and then fell into Howie's arms. "Yes." I whispered into his ear and then kissed him. The fans went wild. It felt like the building was going to fall down. I pulled back from Howie, he reached for my hand and slipped the solitaire on my finger. It fit perfectly. He then turned to the audience, "She said yes!" The rest of the guys all came over and hugged me. Then congratulated Howie. At this point the band started in on an old song that the guys used to do called Let's Have a Party. I stayed on stage for that and danced around with all the guys. After that song was over I went back to my seat and let all the fans around me admire my ring. That lasted about twenty minutes. I was finally allowed back stage, so I went and called my mother. She had met Howie the first Christmas that we spent together and instantly approved of him. She couldn't have been happier for us. I stayed backstage for the rest of the concert, calling everyone that I knew. I couldn't wait to get back home so that I could e-mail Hanka and Tracy. They were the two people that I had kept in contact with over the last year and a half. I was just hanging up with my sister when the guys bounced through the door. I ran over to Howie and threw my arms around him, my lips found his and I kissed him for everything that I was worth. The others just hooted and whistled. When I stepped back from him I punched him in the arm. "Hey, that hurt. What was that
for?" He asked rubbing his arm. Howie put on his best pouty face and pulled me closer to him, "But the outcome was good wasn't it?" I softened toward him, "I guess so. But don't do it again." Howie stepped back and saluted me, "Yes Ma'am." We celebrated the whole weekend. I made Howie take me to all the major shopping malls and buy me a bunch of new clothes. I hated to leave him when it was time for me to catch my plane, but I had to get back to work. I had a wedding that I had to pay for now.
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