Howie got rid of his parents for the night.  When he sat them down and told them his plan, his mother cried, and his father gave him a hug. “I always knew it,” Paula blubbered. “I wish you guys nothing but happiness, son,” said Hoke. “Thanks, now will you guys please get out of here?”  Howie had sent them out to dinner and a night at the fanciest hotel in Orlando. “OK, honey, were going,” Paula said.  She and Hoke had left.  Howie had started to get everything ready. ~*~ Ally had gotten home, kicked off her shoes, and put on her white tank top and pajama pants.  She was going to call Howie, since she hadn’t heard from him in a couple of days.  He said he was going to be busy in the studio working on something.  She saw his lights on when she had walked in her house.  Sitting on her couch, she was about to grab her phone, when she heard a knock on the door.  Hoping it would be Howie, she went to the door and saw a man standing there with a package. “Delivery for a Allison Holston?” the man asked. “That’s me,” she signed the guy’s clipboard and handed her a big package.  She went to the living room and opened the big box.  She saw another box, and opened it.  Another, and another she continually opened.  Feeling that this was some kind of joke, she was giving up when she opened the last box.  She saw a CD case.  Picking it up she opened the case and found a blank CD along with a key.  Completely puzzled, she saw the CD had “PLAY ME” written across it.  She went to the stereo and put it the CD in.  Playing it, she heard a piano solo and sat down.  Remember when, we never needed each other The best of friends, like Sister and Brother We understood, we'd never be, Alone Those days are gone, now I want so much The night is long and I need your touch Don't know what to say Never meant to feel this way Don't wanna be Alone tonight   What can I do, to make you mine? Falling so hard so fast this time What did I say, what did you do? How did I fall in love with you? I hear your voice And I start to tremble Brings back the child that I resemble I cannot pretend That we can still be friends Don't wanna be Alone tonight What can I do, to make you mine? Falling so hard so fast this time What did I say, what did you do? How did I fall in love with you? Oh I want to say this right And it has to be tonight Just need you to know, I don't want to live this life I don't want to say goodbye With you I wanna spend The rest of my life What can I do, to make you mine? Falling so hard so fast this time What did I say, what did you do? How did I fall in love with you? What can I do, to make you mine? Falling so hard so fast this time Everything's changed, we never knew How did I fall in love with you? Ally sat there frozen, trying to let the words sink in to her head.  Then the tears started to flow.  Those 4 minutes and 4 seconds had changed how she had thought of the last 26 years of her life.  She knew in that moment what her future was going to be. “Oh God, how could I have been so blind!”  She looked at the key, and knew what it was for.  Putting her slippers on, she slammed the door and ran out of the house. ~*~ Howie sat in the living room, checking his watch.  “She had to have heard it by now!”  He got up and paced the floor.  “Maybe she was too freaked out,” he sighed.  He was going to go up to his room when he heard the key going into the lock. ~*~ Ally opened the door, and sucked in her breath at the sight of the house.  Candles were lit all over the place, with rose petals strung all over the floor.  A bottle of champagne was chilling on the coffee table with two glasses.  Then she saw him.  He was standing at the stairs, with his back turned to her. “Howard?” He turned to face her, where he was clad in a black suit, with a white shirt that was opened two buttons.  “Hi.”  He flashed a broad smile. “Hi.”  All of a sudden, she realized what she was wearing.  “Maybe I should go and change.” He walked over to her.  “You look beautiful.” He took her hand.  “So, you heard it?” “Every last syllable.” “And?” “Breathtaking.” She closed her eyes for a moment.  “So that’s what you wanted to talk to me about last week, and why you were so busy this week.” “Uh huh.  I wanted to tell you so badly, and I figured this was the best way.” “It was.  God it was.” Howie smiled.  Without saying, he popped open the champagne and poured it into the glasses.  He gave a glass to her.  “Well, what do you want to toast to?” “Tonight,” Ally smiled.  “The greatest night of my life.”  They touched glasses and sipped the champagne, not taking their eyes off of each other. He caressed her cheek.  “Let me just say it out loud.”  He touched his forehead to hers.  “I love you, Allison Holston.” “I love you too, Howard Dorough.” He dropped the champagne on the carpet, and took his other hand to hold her face.  Then he pulled her in for a kiss so soft and deep it took her breath away.  She also dropped the champagne and put her arms around his waist.  When he pulled away, he still had his hands on her face.  “So what are you doing for, say, the rest of your life?” “I don’t know, what are we doing?” “Why don’t we just start with now,” Howie pulled her in for another kiss and led her to the couch where they laid back and consummated their love for the first time. Epilogue Contents Chapter 14