Chapter 47 - A Night to Remember
By Chelle, Tess, Farah and Shawn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Lobby of Hotel~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kevin and Shawn stood in the lobby, waiting for the Wilsons. Kevin looked at his watch and smiled as he saw them heading their way. They were right on time. "Hey...you made it," Robert said, holding his hand out to Kevin.
"Yes sir.....are we ready?" Kevin asked.
"I thought we settled this earlier, Kevin? It's Robert...not sir, not Mr. Wilson....Robert."
"Sorry...s...Robert....It's an ingrained habit." Kevin replied.
Shawn laughed at Kevin's discomfort "So, where are we going again?”
"Well, I think everyone here wanted seafood am I correct?" Kevin asked looking at each person. Shawn along with Robert and Diane nodded. Kevin then said "ok, Mr. Roark suggested this incredible outdoor restaurant that has an gorgeous view of the ocean. Perhaps we'll get there in time for sunset. That will be a sight to see."
“Oh that sounds wonderful. Any chance that there might be a luau going on tonight? It’s been a while since Robert and I have been here. I would love to see one.” Diane asked. With Chelle getting better, Diane was hoping to also have a little fun while they were on the island.
“As a matter fact, there is a luau going on at this restaurant. That was why Mr. Roark suggested it.” Kevin answered.
“Well, what are we waiting for. Let’s go” Robert said with a laugh and he led his wife toward the exit of the hotel.
“Oh what a great tour guide you make, Mr. Richardson” Shawn teased. “Just be sure to keep a map handy”
As Kevin and Shawn followed behind Robert and Diane, Kevin whispered into Shawn‘s ear “Ya know, if my memory serves me correctly, a lot of good things happened the last time you were lost with me.” Shawn blushed at the memory ‘ what a great day that was’ she thought to herself. “yup, thought you’d remember that day” Kevin said with an evil grin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~back in the suite~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian walked out of his room wearing a black button up short sleeve shirt and black shorts. His stomach knew it was dinner time, so he made sure to be ready on time. As he walked out of his room, he noticed the living room was bare. "where is everyone" He said to the empty room.
"They're not back yet." Carmen replied coming up behind Brian causing him to jump. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
“Yeah sure. You’re just as sneaky as that friend of yours CHELLE!” Brian teased then asked “Where’s Sherry?”
“I think she’s still over at Tess’ room. But she should be back any minute” Carmen replied as she looked over her appearance in the mirror.
“What? Really? Oh goodness. I forgot she was going over there. I wonder how that is going?” Brian questioned as he sat down on the sofa.
“Not sure. But she’s been gone for over a hour. So things must be going pretty well. Or she would have been back long ago” Carmen suggested.
“Yeah I guess” Brian said as he glanced at his watch. Minutes later, Sherry walked through the door.
“Hey guys” Sherry said with a big smile.
“I take it things went well with you and Tess” Brian asked as Carmen sat in the chair across from the couple. She was curious to hear about the encounter between Sherry and Tess.
"It went really great." Sherry said sounding really excited. "We talked a little business then she told me about her big date tonight."
"DATE?" both Brian and Carmen said at once.
"yeah date. And get this, her big date is with Chelle's boss" Sherry explained.
“What? Her boss? Explain this” Carmen insisted. “When did Chelle’s boss get here and does Chelle know this?” Sherry quickly explained what she learned from Tess about Chelle’s boss, Elliott. Sherry then described the outfit that she helped Tess pick out for her special date.
Brian rolled his eyes as the girls continued giggling about Tess’ dreamy date. “Are the guys gonna be back soon. I am hungry” Both Sherry and Carmen laughed at Brian’s reaction. Just then both AJ and Howie barged through the door. “Oh thank god” Brian gasped. “Dinner time!”
“Hello ladies. Brian” AJ walked in with a big smile on his face. He quickly walked over to Carmen, carefully placing his bags on the floor then wrapping his arms around her. “Hello there babe. Miss me?” AJ asked as he quickly kissed her.
“Yes I did. How was you’re shopping spree?” Carmen whispered.
“Great. Got everything I needed” AJ said with a wink.
“I’ll say.” Howie groaned the looked over to Brian “Remind me to NOT go shopping with AJ anymore. He dragged my ass into a hundred stores before he actually bought anything”.
“Well, now that you two are back. Let’s go eat. I am starved” Brian complained.
“Where’s Tanya?” Howie asked noticing she wasn’t in the room.
“Oh my. I’m sorry Howie. I was so preoccupied with what I was doing, I forgot to wake her up.” Carmen said as she released AJ from her embrace.
“How about you guys go on ahead. I will wake her up. We’ll catch up with you guys later. I need to get cleaned up anyways. Some jackass gave me a workout earlier so I definitely need a shower now.” Howie replied as he made a face at AJ.
“Now that’s no way to talk to your best friend, Howie” AJ frowned.
“Bestfriend? HA! You would never even tell me what the hell we were shopping for. You definitely owe me one McLean!” Howie teased back.
“Alright. We’ll see you and Tanya later at that restaurant by the beach.” Brian suggested as he pulled Sherry towards the door. The others laughed as they followed Brian and Sherry out the door waving goodbye to Howie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tess’ suite~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tess sat on the bed and slipped her black heels on, easing the thin straps up over her slender ankles. She stood and walked over to look in the full length mirror. She had to admit that the emerald green dress that Sherry had helped her pick out was stunning. She would’ve never had the guts to wear this without her encouragement. The front had a plunging neckline and the back was next to non-existent, exposing her back all the way to her waist. She smiled faintly at the thought that she was naked under the dress. She reached for a gold necklace and a pair of gold hoops from the dresser, adding them to the ensemble. She smiled. Perfect. Now all she had to do was wait for Elliott to show up.
A knock at the door startled her. She glanced at her watch, suddenly feeling nervous. Elliott. She grabbed her room key and her lipstick, placing them into the small clutch purse she was carrying. She crossed the room, taking one last glance into the mirror. She smoothed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear, then reached for the doorknob.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elliott stood in the hallway, fidgeting with his tie. He was so nervous, you would think he hadn’t been out on a date before. Well, not in a few months, anyway. The last woman he had dated had been so jaded. He wanted a woman that he could sweep off her feet....a woman he could wine and dine. One he could romance and woo. And so far he had been looking in all the wrong places.
The door opened and Elliott gasped, his gaze resting on a transformed Tess. He smiled, his dimples showing, his voice stuck in his throat. He tried to clear it...swallowing several times.
"Okay..I have rendered him speechless. I will take that as a good sign," Tess said with a smile.
"Wow....." Elliott said, his blue eyes traveling up and down her body. "You look.......stunning......."
"Thank you," Tess said, closing the door behind her.. "You look great, too," she said, looking up his well defined body to end at his eyes. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and black tie which only enhanced his good looks.
"You ready to go?" Elliott asked, offering her his arm.
"Where are we going? You never did tell me," Tess said, linking her arm with his.
"It’s a surprise. Mr. Roark arranged it all. But he guaranteed me that we will enjoy ourselves," Elliott said, a twinkle in his eyes.
"Ok.....then let’s go...." Tess said.
They walked down the hallway toward the elevators, Elliott humming. If Mr. Roark had done all he had promised then this was going to be a night to remember.
~~~~~~~~~Back in the suite ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howie walked into the room he was sharing with Tanya. Picturing her sleeping soundly brought a smile to his face. But it faded when he didn't see her on the bed or anywhere in the room. He looked towards the balcony... the door was open and a familiar scent wafted into the room luring him into the open air. It was almost like he was in a trance as a powerful force pulled him towards that scent.
~~~Tanya~~~
Tanya woke up and found herself on the beach. What had happened a few minutes ago came flooding back to her. She could hear his voice, feel the wind caressing her face like his fingers used to and then she looked into a pair of familiar blue eyes. She was sure she was still asleep and dreaming the whole thing but she could feel the cool sand beneath her, the cold water still lapping at her feet and Josh really looking into her eyes.
"Tanya, it's me. Don't be afraid." Josh said holding her in his arms. "You have no reason to be afraid."
"Josh? Is that really you??" Tanya's eyes were now filled with tears as she spoke to her departed husband.
"Yes Tanya it is me. Baby it's time for you to let go of me."
"I-I can't. It's too hard."
"I know but you have to move on. You have your whole life ahead of you. You all do."
She looked at him confused. What was he talking about?
"I saw Chelle and she was so upset about letting go of you guys especially Nick. She thought she would be here with me but I guess God had other plans for her. He has other plans for you too."
"Howie." He said smiling at her. "He's going through the same thing you are. And fate led you to him so you two could help each other overcome your heartaches and loss."
"But Howie doesn't feel that way for me." Her mind was clouded with doubts. Was their relationship real or were they just two ships passing in the night? "I know he cares a lot for me but he doesn't see me that way."
"Yes he does. He cares about you more than you can imagine. His heart is broken just like yours. You both need each other to heal your hearts."
"No Josh, he still loves Jen. I can never replace her."
"True sweetheart but you do love him the way she used to. Maybe even more. In time Jen and I will be a part of your memories right here." He touched her heart and started to fade away. "I love you Tanya. You made me the happiest man in the world. Now make me even more happy by making yourself happy."
She saw him drifting off into the darkness of the beach and another lone figure appearing in his place.
~~~Howie and Tanya~~~
Howie walked up to Tanya, both of them not taking their eyes of each other. When he reached her, he put his arms around her and placed a small kiss on her lips. "What are you doing out here babe??"
"How did you know I was here?"
He didn't know if he should tell her what brought him here but at this point he thought he might as well.
"To be honest, it was the scent of vanilla and lilacs that brought me out to you."
"Vanilla and lilacs?? I don't wear that." She smiled at him.
"I know." He paused for a bit. "Jen did. She led me to you."
Tanya squeezed his hand silently telling him she knew what he was talking about. She had the same experience. She took a deep breath.
"I saw Josh."
"What?"
"I saw Josh. My husband Josh. He came to me. He was telling me to move on. He was telling me to move on with you."
He nodded. "In a way Jen was telling me the same thing."
They remained quiet for a while till Tanya spoke again. "Howie? Do you think we can move on together?"
He took her hand in his and looked into her eyes. "I want to believe that we can Tanya. The past few days have been amazing. I know I can love again because you make me believe that I can. I was lost and confused but Jen brought me back on track by leading me to you. When I got the scent of vanilla and lilacs I was hoping to see Jen but when I saw you instead of her, I knew she was trying to tell me something. She just wants me to remember her as a sweet memory."
Wow. Josh had said the same thing. Looking up at Howie, she smiled and kissed him. She kissed him slowly and passionately expressing her love towards him. She pulled back and looked into his eyes. “Howie, I love you. I am ready to put my past behind me and ready to take that next step” Tanya then took a deep breath “I would like to take that big step with you. I want to be there for you and heal your heart like you have mine.”
Howie then placed his hands on the side of Tanya’s face “You have Tanya. In so many ways you have healed my heart." He said running his fingers through her hair. "I know it looks like we're moving too fast but I want to take things slow. I want us to know each other and fall in love with each other again."
As a tear fell down her cheek, Tanya said “You know I really never believed in fate before. But I do now. Especially after this night. I believe you are my fate.”
Howie pulled Tanya into a warm embrace then lowered his head, capturing Tanya's lips in a loving kiss. He then moaned "You are my fate. My angel. I love you too, Tanya".