Part 340
By the middle of the afternoon, three-fourths of the CD had been done and they were taking a break. Sarah was sitting on the couch with her eyes closed as the guys listened to the playback on the last song Sarah had just finished.
Brian looked over at her and decided that Kevin, Howie, and AJ could handle this. He took a seat with her and asked, "How are you holding up?"
Sarah looked at him, "I’m fine, Bri. Thanks."
"Everything sounds wonderful. You’ve come a long way."
"I have you guys to thank for that."
As Brian and Sarah sat talking, one of the secretaries came in caring a bouquet of flowers and a long white box. Behind her was one of the interns with a bunch of balloons.
"Mrs. Dorough, these just came for you."
"Thank you, Gail…and please, call me Sarah. Mrs. Dorough is my mother-in-law."
Sarah took the cards from all three things and watched as Gail set the flowers on the table beside her. Looking down at the top card, she recognized the handwriting as that of Nick’s so she read it first. To our sis…the newest Pop Diva, All our love, Nick, Bec, and GT
Sarah laughed as Howie asked, "Who are they from, Angel?"
"The big bouquet is from Nick, Becca, and GT. He called me the newest Pop Diva."
All four men laughed as Sarah looked at the card from the balloons. It was from Jesse and the twins and Sarah had to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. Howie had obviously ordered them for Jesse. She looked up at him as he listened to the playback. He wasn’t looking at her but she watched his profile. Her heart skipped a beat thinking about their relationship. Sighing happily, she picked up the final card from the long white box and opened it. All our love to OUR Pop Princess… AJ, Kevin, Brian, and Howie Inside the box were four long stem roses, three red and one white.
"You guys are so sweet. Thank you."
"You’re welcome," smiled Kevin. "Now…let’s get back to work.
Getting up, Sarah mumbled, "Slave driver," as she headed back into the sound booth.
Over the intercom, Kevin laughed, "Yeah, and don’t you forget it!"
Howie then said, "Angel, this is the one you had trouble with. Take your time."
Sarah smiled as she put on her headphones. As the music started, she closed her eyes and ‘felt’ the music. As the guys watched and listened, she did it to perfection, hitting every note with a confidence they all saw every time she took the stage.
When the song was done, Kevin said, "Perfect, baby!"
Howie gave her a wink and Sarah felt a sudden rush of moisture between her legs. Damn. He knows what he does to me with his winks.
As if he could read her mind, Howie had entered the sound booth with her and now had his arms around her waist. He whispered, "We’ll take care of THAT tonight, Angel"
It took several more hours to finish cleaning up what they had done on the road and then there was still the jacket to be done. Kevin decided they could do all that over dinner so reservations were made at a local restaurant. The bodyguards were called and they headed out with the proofs from the photo shoot in Buffalo.
*************
Passing the proofs around the table, Kevin said, "We only need a couple pictures and Sarah, if you want anything on the inside, we need it when we give them the approved pictures."
Sarah reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. Handing it to Kevin, she said, "Here. It’s already done."
"What are we gonna call the CD?" asked AJ.
Howie ignored AJ because his attention was focused on the pictures he was looking at. "Sarah, why does it look like you don’t have any clothes on?" he asked.
Sarah looked at Kevin. "I thought you told him."
"I thought YOU told him."
Sounding irritated, Howie said, "Obviously neither one of you told me so would one of you explain NOW?"
Brian and AJ sat back not wanting to get caught in THIS crossfire. Howie was somewhat irritated; Sarah was nervous; and Kevin was indifferent to Howie’s mood. This should prove to be quite interesting.
Sarah started, "D, I really didn’t think you’d mind and Kevin said…."
"I suggested these shots. They’re tastefully done, Howie, and she never exposed herself."
"I suppose you were there for it?" asked Howie.
"Sarah was uncomfortable being alone with Lucky so yeah, I was there for it."
Sarah reached for Howie’s hand, "D, it’s just like that layout you did for Rolling Stone with all the women and I didn’t say anything about that."
Howie wasn’t mad about the pictures but he knew he had Sarah and Kevin nervous. It was payback to Kevin in a way so he continued. "That wasn’t ME without the clothes."
Sarah was in defense mode as she said, "No, it was you with the thirty women who appeared to have no clothes on and do NOT try to say it didn’t get to you. I was THERE that night when you were DONE…with the layout AND…."
Cutting Sarah off with a laugh, Howie said, "I never said I didn’t like the pictures, Angel. I was just a little surprised, that’s all."
Sarah relaxed. "You like them?"
Howie smiled lovingly, "I love them, Angel. I want a copy of them and I think this one should be the cover."
He had chosen a shot of Sarah where she was lying on the bed with her back to the camera. She was on her side and the tattoo was plainly visible. Howie handed it to the others to see and they all agreed that it was the best by far.
"This is it then," said Kevin handing the proof to their art director along with a couple others of Sarah where she was wearing a billowy white dress. "These can go on the inside."
"What about the lyrics? Do you want them inside too?"
Kevin looked at Sarah and Howie who said, "Sure, put them in."
"Name? What’s the name of the CD?" asked AJ.
Without hesitation, Sarah said, "Dreams Do Come True."
Kevin, Brian, and AJ nodded as Kevin said, "That’s perfect, baby."
"Are we done?" asked Sarah hopefully.
"All we have to do now is the video," smiled AJ.
"And wait for it to be released," added Brian.
"Then we sit back and watch ‘Sweet D’s Angel’ blow the others out of the water," said Kevin as waiter brought a bottle of champagne. "It’s time for a toast."
Champagne was poured for everyone at the table and glasses were raised.
"To the New Queen of Pop," said Kevin.
"Here! Here!" chorused the other three as the glasses clicked together.
Sarah’s eyes were moist with emotion as she took a sip of champagne. She watched the four men intently and her heart was ready to burst. She loved these men without a doubt. They had gone to bat for her so many times since she’d become a part of their world. They’d helped her get her divorce; they’d stood by her when she had bulimia and then lost her baby; they had stepped up as unofficial godfathers to her daughter when Howie had found Jesse; and they had believed in her from the beginning that she could make it as a singer. Who could possibly want more? Yes, her dreams really were coming true.
Howie was lost in Sarah’s eyes. The excitement she was feeling shone brightly making them look like diamonds. He took her hand in his and asked, "Dance with me?"
"Howie, there isn’t any music," protested Sarah, suddenly embarrassed.
Kevin snapped his fingers and violin music began. Howie looked into her eyes, pleading with her. She nodded her head and the couple moved out to where they could dance. Holding her close, Howie gazed into her eyes as they moved slowly to the music and he sang a love song in Spanish to her. She knew it by heart because he had sung it to her so many times before but it still melted her hearing the love in his voice and feeling his body pressed to hers.
She whispered, "I want to go back to the house and get rid of these clothes."
"All in good time, Angel….I promise you a night you won’t forget."
Sarah smiled softly, "I could NEVER forget a night with you."
After dinner, the small group made their way out to the lobby where security was waiting for them. Kevin handed Howie the keys to his BMW and said, "Carlos brought this over. We’ll see you two in the morning."
"Where are you going?" asked Sarah.
"We’re headed out clubbing," said AJ.
"The house is yours for several hours," said Brian. "Enjoy your time alone."
"You guys are the best," said Sarah giving them each a hug.
Kevin was the last to hug Sarah and he whispered, "You deserve the best, baby, and that’s Howie. Go enjoy your time alone."
Sarah grabbed AJ’s arm as they started to the cars. "Are you going to be okay?"
"I’ll be fine, ‘Tigger’. I don’t HAVE to drink alcohol to have fun. Besides, it’ll be nice to watch everyone else getting trashed."
Sarah smiled, "If you need me, call."
"I WON’T need you, Sarah. Get out of here!" ordered AJ giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I’ll see you in the morning!"
Tommy held the door for Sarah to get in as Howie started the car. He sped down the highway headed back to Kevin’s place and a romantic night, both looking forward to the time alone and grateful to their friends for making sure they had it.