Chapter 62: Last stop… New York City! 2 months, 29 days later: New York City The girls used a big room in Nassau Coliseum to host their families and friends.  This was the last one, the last show of the tour.  It went smoothly, every house was packed, and the girls loved every minute of it.  The guys had come out frequently to visit them, sometimes all of them; or else one would fly in for a visit.  Now they were back home, and this was the perfect place to let their loved ones see them in full action.  They reserved a whole section for them in the arena, and met them before the show to catch up.  After the show, the tour was officially over, and they were going to take their first vacation for two weeks during Thanksgiving before heading to Europe for a promotional tour, because their album had hit the top ten spot in several countries. The girls were in a press conference in the arena, taking questions from reporters. “Are there any plans for the next album?” one reporter asked. “While we were away, we all had the time to write some songs for the next album,” Veronica responded.  “We’re gonna be in Europe for 3 weeks, so after that, we’re going to do a second leg of the tour and have to start planning the preliminary work for the album, but we probably won’t be in the studio for a couple of months.”  “Lauralee, we’ve been hearing rumors that you have had a fling with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  Any response?” “She wishes!” Laura laughed. “First of all, I am a huge Yankees fan, and we were thrilled to be there for the World Series in Atlanta.  I met Derek at the game, and he told me he was a big fan.  We have exchanged phone calls, but no, I didn’t have a fling with him, and am very much in love with my boyfriend,” Lauralee smiled. The press conference ended, and the girls got ready for the show.  Lauralee just ended a call with a car dealer in Orlando.  She ordered a brand new Q45 Infiniti in jet black, fully loaded.  The car was going to be ready when she went to Orlando next week.  Each was going to be separated on their vacation.  Bianca was going with her family to Hawaii.   Elizabeth was going to fly out to Kentucky with Brian to see his family. Veronica was going to spend a week at home then go to Cancun with Howie.  Laura and Lauralee were going to complete the moving process to Orlando.  They already had most of their big items shipped; they were going to stay in New York for a couple of days for Thanksgiving, pack, and settle in Orlando before they headed to Europe.  The road manager had given them the go, and they headed out for the opening.  The opening song went smoothly, because they all knew this was the last show.  It was a time to have a little fun, be a little wild, and to show off a little to all of their friends and family who were whooping it up in the arena. “Hello New York!” Bianca screamed. “No, no, no, Bi,” Veronica smiled.  “You can’t say ‘Hello New York.’” “What should I say then?” The girls looked at each other.  “HELLO HOME!”  The audience screamed the loudest out of all the crowds on the tour.  They did their solo spots, and Lauralee was the last one.  She was going to do a little something different this time, and had a white baby grand piano brought in for the special occasion.  She walked out on stage and sat at the piano, which she had purposely facing her mother’s side.  “I know I’m supposed to be singing ‘One Last Cry’ tonight, but I’m gonna try something a little different.  This song is on the album, and it was written for a very special man in my life, my father.  Since I have a lot of family here tonight, I thought it would be the perfect time to play it.  So I’m dedicating this song to not only my dad, but to my family.” Looking at her mother, she played “Whenever You Call.”  She got a little misty eyed every time she looked at her mother, grandmother and aunt, who had tears falling down their eyes as they looked on.  When she finished, lighters were lit all over the arena; Lauralee blew a kiss to her mother and waved to the crowd. As the girls finished “The Roof,” the girls stood at the front of the stage. “Before we leave, we just want to thank all of the crew, the band, and our families for all of their hard work for this tour,” Laura smiled. “And especially, we want to thank all of you for supporting us, and making us who we are,” Lauralee pointed to the crowd.  “We’ll see you all soon.  We love you!” The girls took their bows and left the stage. ~*~ “Outstanding show Lau!” Charlene gave Lauralee a hug. “Thanks,” Lauralee smiled.  She knelt down to Dominic’s level.  “What’d you think dude?” Dominic cocked his head to the side.  “I don’t know.” “What you mean?” “It’s like, you’re my cousin and all, but when I saw you on the stage, like, you’re different.” Lauralee laughed.  “It’s still me.” “I know… but I don’t see you that much around the house, or Bianca.  I miss when you would come over and play my video games with me.” “Listen short stuff.  I know I haven’t been around lately, but I’m doing this to make people happy.  You want people to be happy right?” Dominic nodded.  “And didn’t those people look happy tonight?” “Yeah they were really happy,” Dominic smiled. “So you understand now?” “Yeah.  Are you going to be home for Thanksgiving?” “Yup.  And Alex is coming with his mommy and grandma.” “Cool!  I hope he’s been watching wrestling.  I told him I would ask him questions to be sure he was watching.”  Dominic looked very serious. “I’m sure he has been.  Listen, how would you like to come to Florida to visit me in the summer?” “Can we go to Disney World?”  Dominic’s eyes twinkled. “Are you kidding?  Mickey and I are like this,” Lauralee crossed her fingers.  “You and Mommy can both come.”  “We would love to,” Charlene smiled.  Note to self… get wrestling tapes for Alex… Lauralee smiled to herself as she said hello to all of her friends and family. Chapter 63 Contents Chapter 61