| Chapter 51: It’s Our Anniversary Lauralee and the girls had just finished a long day at the dance studio at Sony, where Swoop, their choreographer, had reworked a routine for a song they were planning to do called “Babydoll.” They practically ran towards the water cooler to quench their thirst when Swoop had called it a day. “What’s the time?” Lauralee took a big gulp from her glass. “About 4:30,” Swoop checked his watch. “Calling it a little early aren’t we Swoop?” quirked Laura. He was notorious for keeping the girls late because he always had flashes of new ideas. “Well, you girls worked hard, and I have no flashes, so go and relax,” Swoop grabbed his bag and said goodbye to the girls. “So, what are y’all doing tonight?” Bianca was drying off her face with a towel. “Crawling into my tub and not leaving until my whole body is a prune,” laughed Lauralee. “Have the whole house to myself cause Mom’s not coming back until tomorrow.” “Sounds good to me,” Elizabeth rubbed her neck and laughed. “I think we should be the spokespersons for Ben Gay so we can have a free supply.” “Alright y’all, let’s head to the van,” Veronica and the girls grabbed their things and walked out of the studio. ~*~ Lauralee closed her eyes, reveling in the warmth of the tub. She put Brian McKnight in the stereo, found her favorite bubble bath, and soaked. She was getting all relaxed, when she heard the doorbell ring. “Damnit!” She stepped out of the tub, put on her bathrobe, and went to the door. “Yes?” She tied her bathrobe and didn’t look up. “Well, well, well.” She suddenly looked up. “Oh my God!” There stood Alex, clad in a black suit, holding a dozen red roses. Lauralee grabbed him in a hug. “Surprise!” Alex smiled. He gave her the roses. “What are you doing here?” Lauralee accepted the roses. “You’re supposed to be on tour.” “Change of plans,” Alex walked into the house. “I had to be here, especially for today.” “What’s today?” “You know, I think Riley is working you too hard,” Alex touched her temple. “Wait, what’s today?” “Do you know what today is?” Alex sang. Lauralee gasped. “Oh no!” “Hey it’s OK.” “No it’s not,” Lauralee put her hand to her forehead. “Shit, how could I forget?” Alex took her in his arms. “Doesn’t matter. I’m here, you’re here, that’s all that matters,” he gave her a soft kiss. “Happy anniversary.” “Happy anniversary,” she put her arms around his neck. “So, are you gonna get dressed? Limo’s waiting and I got a big night planned.” “I know just the thing to wear,” Lauralee smiled. “I’ll be back.” 30 minutes later “Alex?” Lauralee walked into the living room seeing Alex watching TV. “Huh?” Alex looked up at her and smiled. “Wow.” “Still fits,” Lauralee smoothed the plum velvet dress down her body. “Like it?” “You look even better than the first time,” Alex took her hands and looked her up and down. He offered his arm. “Shall we?” He led her out of the house. ~*~ The limousine took them to the Windows of the World restaurant on top of the World Trade Center. Alex had gotten a booth in the corner of the restaurant as to not be disturbed by anyone. There was candlelight, a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket beside the table; soft music made the atmosphere romantic. “Like it?” Alex whispered in her ear as he held the chair out for her. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered back as the waiter popped open the champagne and poured it for them. “May I?” Alex held up his glass. Lauralee reciprocated. “To 2 years of love, bliss and pleasure. The greatest 2 years of my life.” They touched glasses and sipped the champagne. The dinner was served: filet mignon with garden salads. They ate and chatted, with Alex stroking his hand over hers across the table. They were about to order dessert, when a man holding a camera came up to them. “Excuse me?” the man asked. “Yes?” Alex looked towards him. “Smile,” he began to snap the camera furiously. “What the…” Alex got up as one of the security guards at the restaurant escorted the man out. The headwaiter came up to them. “I’m so sorry Mr. McLean, Ms. Deverson. He comes in here scoping out celebrities. He must have sneaked in.” Alex took a seat again. “It’s OK.” He looked at Lauralee. “Looks like we’ll be in the papers tomorrow.” “I guess so,” Lauralee sighed. ~*~ After a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park, they headed back to Lauralee’s house. They lied in bed, looking out Lauralee’s bay window. “Can you believe it’s been 2 years?” Alex looked down at Lauralee, who was molded to his chest. She looked up and faced him. “Yeah, and to believe how much has changed. Your success, Elegance, your hair color.” Alex patted his dark hair with blonde tips. “Hey, that’s more of a weekly thing baby. But we still managed to stick together, through all the craziness.” “Crazy, that’s probably the one word I would describe this relationship being.” Alex let out a sigh. “I was a little pissed at that photographer though. Tabloids are a bitch.” “We’re gonna have to get used to it. We’re both in the spotlight now, people are gonna follow us, they’ll wanna know what we’re up to.” “True, guess I’ll have to control that temper of mine,” he looked up at the ceiling. “Oh wait! I forgot something, be right back,” he got out of bed and walked to his bag. “What are you doing?” Lauralee leaned against her headboard watching Alex grab something and climb back into bed. “Getting this,” Alex handed her a long velvet box. “Alex, I…” “Stop, you do this every time I want to do something,” Alex watched Lauralee run her fingers over the box. “It’s what’s inside that counts Lau. Open it.” Lauralee opened the box to find a diamond tennis bracelet. “Alex, it’s…” Alex took the bracelet out of the box and put it on her wrist. “Oh good it fits, I was afraid it was going to be too big. Now when you’re doing your Elegance thing, all you have to do is look at your wrist and know that I’ll always be a part of you.” Lauralee looked at the bracelet on her wrist. “You’ll always be a part of me… in here,” Lauralee touched Alex’s chest. “Happy anniversary Lauralee.” “Happy anniversary Alexander.” Alex pulled her in for a kiss as they lay back down on the bed. Chapter 52 Contents Chapter 50 |