| Chapter 57: The Big Question Orlando Lauralee and Alex went inside Alex’s house, and dropped their bags. “Home,” Alex sighed. “I bet you’re happy to be back,” Lauralee smiled. “No place like it,” Alex smiled. He checked his answering machine, opened the windows to get fresh air in the house, and went to the kitchen. “Want a drink? Looks like Mom did some shopping for me.” “Water if ya got it,” Lauralee called from the living room. Alex came back inside and tossed a bottle her way. He sat on the couch and leaned his head back. “When’s your family’s flight coming in?” “About 2,” Lauralee glanced at the clock. “Riley is picking them up.” “I got the guest rooms all ready. Mom came in and put fresh sheets on the beds.” “It’s real nice of you to let them shack here.” “Hey, I got this big house, and no one in it but me. It’s nice to have company.” He put his arm around her. “So, did you get your first check?” “Oh yeah, I thought Sony had put my phone number down instead of an amount,” Lauralee smiled. “I hired my mother’s friend who’s an accountant to manage the dough, so I can be comfortable for a long time.” “What are you gonna buy with it?” Alex asked. “The first thing is pay off my mother’s mortgage. I already called the bank and settled it with them. I’m gonna tell her today by giving her the completed deed.” “Then?” “Um…” “Come on Lau, you gotta buy something for yourself… you earned that money.” “I really don’t need anything big right now. Maybe when I get some time to myself, I’ll buy myself a new car.” “Or your own place.” “Yeah,” Lauralee sighed. “I don’t know how Mom will feel about that though.” “She’ll understand that the bird’s gotta leave the nest sometime,” Alex reasoned. “I know, but Mom will be alone.” “She’s been alone for the past 5 weeks, Lau. Plus, she’s gone 2 summers without you.” “I will, soon,” Lauralee rubbed her eyes. ~*~ Lauralee heard a knock at the door. The familiar knock made Lauralee run to the door and open it. Sandy and Catherine were standing there, smiles as big as anything. “Mom! Grandma!” Lauralee cried as she gave them a huge hug. “Honey!” Sandy had tears running down her face. “Come in,” Lauralee grabbed their bags and led them inside. “How was your flight?” “Very nice. Never flown in first class before,” Catherine smiled. She cupped Lauralee’s face in her hands. “Have you been eating? You look thin.” “Works when you do a 45 minute set of dancing every night,” Lauralee looked up as Alex came in the room. “Hi!” he gave Sandy and Catherine a hug. “Welcome to Orlando!” “The place has definitely changed since I was here,” Catherine looked around the room. “You have a beautiful house, Alex.” “Thank you, it’s comfortable,” Alex grabbed their suitcases. “Why don’t I show you to your rooms?” ~*~ After they had settled in, Lauralee and Alex took them to the Orlando Arena, where they had to do sound check. Riley had given them the VIP treatment, making sure they were well taken care of. They sat in the chairs on the floor as they watch both the girls and guys rehearse. Then they went to lunch and headed back to the house. They headed back that night in a limousine, where the make-up artist gave them a little makeover, much to their surprise. “I feel twenty years younger,” Catherine laughed as she looked at herself in the mirror. “That’s not the only surprise,” Lauralee looked at her through the mirror. “What?” “Close your eyes. Be right back,” Lauralee stepped out of the room and motioned at someone from the hall. “OK, open them.” Catherine opened her eyes and the tears automatically flowed. “Oh my God! Ursula!” She embraced her old friend for a few minutes. “It is so good to see you,” Ursula said through a tear stained face. “Me too, it’s been too long,” Catherine smiled. Alex came into the room. “Now don’t you two start any trouble tonight.” “Us? We wouldn’t dream of it,” Ursula crossed her chest with her finger. “Well, Grandma’s not the only one with a surprise,” Lauralee gave her mother an envelope. “What is this?” Sandy started to open the envelope. She took out the deed. “Oh… oh my,” she put her hand to her mouth. “I figured this is the least I could do to thank you for being there for me. Now you have one less thing to worry about.” “Lau, I can’t…” “You can and you will,” Lauralee hushed her and gave her a hug. “I love you Mom.” “I love you too sweetie,” Sandy cried. “Now you have to get ready for your show.” ~*~ They all walked inside, Sandy and Catherine still reeling from the night. “Wow, what a show you all put on!” Catherine said, breathless. “I kept thinking ‘Is that the little girl I used to watch singing into a hairbrush?’” Sandy smiled. “Mom!” Lauralee whined. “Don’t worry babe, I did the same thing,” Alex laughed. ~*~ Lauralee climbed into Alex’s bed and pulled the covers around her. Alex had just gotten out of the shower, rubbing his head with a towel. He climbed into bed next to her. “Are you sure this is cool with your mom? I could stay in the spare room.” “Mom’s no idiot, babe. She’s not Donna Reed.” “Alright,” he settled into bed. “Your family seems to be doing just fine.” “Yeah. Although I miss them like crazy, they seem to be OK.” “Good, because I have been wanting to ask you something.” “That is?” “Well, you know that we’ve been going out for a long time.” “Yeah.” “And I think that maybe we should take the next step.” “Next step?” Lauralee’s eyes grew wide. “Lau, I want us to live together.” Lauralee sat up and looked at him. “You want us to…” “That’s what I said.” “Me? Move to Florida?” “Yeah, think about it. We can have our own home, share the bills.” “Alex, I…” “Sony has an office down here, I asked. Being in this business doesn’t mean you have to live in the same state as the record label. Besides, you loved living down here.” “But…” “Lau, I have been giving this a lot of thought. I love you, you love me, and I think we’re a little young to get married, although I do want to in the future. You can decorate the house any way you want; it needs a woman’s touch. And maybe we can get a place in New York eventually to be close to your family. So what do you say?” “Alex, I need a little time to think about this.” “Good, because I don’t want a answer yet,” Alex kissed her forehead. “I want you to think about it, and when you’re ready, give me an answer.” “OK, good night.” “G’night” Chapter 58 Contents Chapter 56 |