| Chapter 50: Let the Ride Begin “Mom? You home?” Lauralee dropped her suitcase in the hallway and went to the living room. Sandy and Catherine ran to the living room where they embraced her. “Welcome home sweetie!” Sandy wrapped her arms around Lauralee. “You’re not going to have anyone grab me for hugging my famous granddaughter are you?” Catherine laughed. “No I don’t think so,” Lauralee hugged her grandmother. They all sat down on the couch. “So… I think you have some explaining to do,” Sandy looked at Lauralee intently. “I guess the only way is to start at the beginning,” Lauralee sighed. She told the entire story to Sandy and Catherine. When she finally finished, Sandy and Catherine looked spent. “Whoa, you mean you have been doing all of this without anyone knowing?” Sandy put her hand to her forehead. Lauralee nodded. “I know I have been lying to everyone for the past few months, but it was one of the only ways we could get through. I’m really sorry.” “Lau, although I don’t like when people lie, you had an excellent reason. Don’t you know how proud of you I am?” Catherine put her hand on Lauralee’s knee. “You are?” Lauralee asked. “You bet we are,” Sandy smiled. “For the past two days, I have had nothing but people calling me and asking if I knew what was going on. They all said how proud they were of you, and how much talent you had. The other girls’ parents called me up and said they had the same reaction.” “Same here,” Catherine agreed. “Ursula called me right after the show, and said how we both had grandchildren in the spotlight.” Lauralee laughed. “As if you guys weren’t connected enough.” “You’re dad would be so proud of you,” Sandy looked directly into Lauralee’s eyes. “Mom, but remember what he said about, you know, how not to make singing a career?” “Honey, but look how you made it. Have you always wanted to sing?” “Every time I wake up in the morning.” “Then, he would want you to go for it. No one ever knew you wanted it that badly. I bet he was looking down at you and dancing with the angels,” Sandy smiled. “That I could imagine,” Catherine agreed. “So you guys are OK with this?” Lauralee asked. “Beyond belief,” Sandy said as Catherine nodded in agreement. “Good,” Lauralee smiled. “But now comes all the other stuff.” “Such as?” Lauralee explained how they would have to take some security precautions, like changing numbers and possibly getting an alarm system. “I know it’s a lot, but…” “Honey, we already made the arrangements,” Catherine explained. “Riley call each of us up to introduce himself and told us.” “Good,” Lauralee said. “So now what?” Catherine asked. “Now we shoot the video for ‘The Roof.’ We’re flying out to LA tomorrow morning for three days, and then we come back to do like media and stuff. The album is coming out in three weeks.” “Tomorrow morning? That doesn’t leave any time for home,” Sandy looked worried. “I know this is all a lot to handle,” Lauralee reassured her. “When we were in Chicago, Alex’s mother called me up and told me how it is hard for the family. She wants you to give her a call, you know, to explain how everything is.” “I will do that. Wow, when you work for these clients, you never know how tiring it is, now I’ll know.” ~*~ The girls flew out to LA to shoot the video for “The Roof.” Joseph Kahn, who did some videos for Backstreet Boys, directed it. It was in an 80’s motif, very sultry, and even added a little of the routine to the video. They flew back home, when they did some more radio interviews, as well as some magazine interviews. Now they were back home, all sitting around Lauralee’s television, with their families, waiting for the premiere of their video on MTV. They all sat anxiously as Dave Holmes came on the screen. “Now we got some ladies who shocked the world a couple of weeks ago on the Oprah show, when they surprised their boyfriends, the Backstreet Boys, by coming out as a group. Well, we finally, finally have the video for ya. Here is Elegance with ‘The Roof.’” They all sat around the TV as the girls’ faces came into view. They all looked intently at the video. When they finally ended it, the girls turned to their families. “So, what’d you think?” Lauralee asked. “You all looked so… so…” Laura’s mother, Sarah stammered. “Sexy?” Laura finished. “Not the word I was looking for, but, yeah.” “But you all like it right?” Veronica asked hopefully. Veronica’s father, Anthony, smiled. “I loved it. Don’t you all agree?” Their parents all nodded as the girls let out a deep breath and hugged them. “So, what’s next?” Elizabeth’s mother, Sarah, asked. “Well, the single’s being released tomorrow, we do some television shows, go back to LA for some more shows, do rehearsals in between, and then…” Elizabeth started. “The big day,” Bianca finished. ~*~ Lauralee had just gotten back from taping the Regis and Kathie Lee show, where a huge crowd of fans was outside of the studio. Sony had hired a security team for the girls, because the crowd was getting bigger. She was on the phone with Alex. “So you saw us?” “Yup, we were all crowded up on the television in the bus. We had to literally drag Howie out of his bunk. You guys were great.” “Thanks.” “Even Marcus wants to start a fan club. That’s all he keeps playing is your single. I think he’ll wear the damn thing out.” Lauralee laughed. “I bet he’s a good dancer.” “We wanna hire him for the tour, seriously,” Alex broke out in laughter. “Are your bodyguards good?” “Yeah, they’re real cool.” “Marcus knows them, and said they’re the best. They are a lot of fun, but know how to take the job seriously when they’re out in public.” “Mario loves to crack jokes. Bianca said him and Nick share the same sense of humor,” Lauralee heard the doorbell ring. “Oh, hold on, someone’s at the door.” “OK.” Lauralee looked through the peephole to see the girls standing there. “What are y’all doing here?” “Riley told us to come here, said it was important,” said Veronica. The girls came inside as Lauralee got the phone again. “Alex, I gotta go, the girls are here cause Riley wants to talk to us.” “What about?” “Don’t know, I’ll talk to ya later.” “OK, love you.” “Love you too, bye.” Lauralee hung up the phone as Lauralee heard the doorbell ring and opened the door to find Riley standing there with a grin on his face. “Hey.” “Hey, come on in.” Riley walked inside and greeted the girls. “So what’s the deal? Why’d you call everyone over?” “I think you should sit down,” Riley said. “Nah, I think I’d rather stand for this,” Laura folded her arms. “OK, fine,” Riley kneaded his hands. “I just got a call.” “Concerning?” Elizabeth looked at Riley. “You’re number one,” Riley smiled. “Say what?” asked Bianca. “Tomorrow morning, Elegance will officially debut ‘The Roof’ on the charts at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles and R & B Singles charts.” Riley’s eyes lit up. “So?” “Wait a minute, are you saying we have the… number one song in the country?” Lauralee stammered. Riley nodded. “Oh my God!” The girls jumped up and down almost falling to the floor when they hugged each other. “Congratulations!” Riley hugged them all. “I told you so!” Lauralee and the girls started to cry. “I can’t believe this!” “Shit, this is so unbelievable,” Elizabeth’s tears were flowing. “We’re number one!” “We’re number one! We’re number one!” The girls cheered as they jumped around the room. “Wait, I gotta call the guys!” Lauralee grabbed the phone and call the mobile phone on the bus. “Hello?” Alex answered. “Hey baby!” Lauralee exclaimed. “Listen, can you put me on speakerphone? We got some news for y’all.” “Sure, um, hold on.” Lauralee also put herself on speakerphone as she heard the rustlings on the bus. “OK, we’re all here,” said Kevin. “What’s the news?” “We’re number one!” the girls screamed into the phone. “What!” screamed Nick. They heard the guys yelling on the bus as the girls laughed. “Congratulations!” Brian yelled. “Thanks sweetheart,” Elizabeth smiled. “Listen we have to go, we’ll all call you later,” Lauralee said. “Alright, but one thing,” Howie said. “Yeah babe?” Veronica asked. “We love you!” the guys sang into the phone. “We love you too!” the girls sang back. “Bye.” Chapter 51 Contents Chapter 49 |