"This is weird," Leigh said.
"What?" Vanessa asked. They were sitting at a table in an empty dining room in their hotel.
"Being in an empty dining room," Leigh said. "I've never eaten in a private dining room."
"Yeah, I remember that feeling," Vanessa said. "You get used to it."
"I guess,' Leigh said. "I've never eaten a meal with all of these guys."
Vanessa laughed and waved to Howie as he came into the dining room. Howie was talking on a cell phone. He waved to Vanessa and Leigh. "You're in for a treat," Vanessa said.
Deanna came into the dining room next. "Leigh! You're here!" Deanna said. "Howie and Brian were so excited about surprising Nick."
Leigh laughed as she hugged Deanna. "Yeah, Brian was calling practically every day to make sure I was still coming."
Kevin and Brian walked into the dining room next. Kevin came over to the table and hugged Vanessa first, and then Leigh. "Hey, it's good to see you."
"You too," Leigh said. "Are you glad the tour's almost over?"
"Yeah," Kevin sighed. "We'll finally have time to make plans about our future." Kevin looked at Vanessa, and Leigh and Deanna both knew he was talking about planning a wedding.
Vanessa blushed. "So guess who called me about an hour ago?"
"Who?" Deanna asked.
"Dallas and Grayson," Vanessa said. "They should be here any second."
"Brian didn't say anything about Dallas coming," Kevin said.
"That's because it's a surprise," Vanessa said. "A surprise I wanted to keep so I didn't tell YOU."
"Touche," Kevin said, kissing Vanessa's forehead.
Brian came over and said, "So are we having a group meeting?"
"Yeah, and you're not in the group," Deanna said.
"Ouch," Brian said. "That hurt. Right here." Brian thumped his chest gently to emphasize his point.
"Just kidding," Deanna said. She hugged Brian. "You know I love ya."
"What?" Howie asked, coming over as he put away his cell phone. "You did not just say you love this joker."
"Man, Howie," Brian said. "We didn't want you to find out this way, but...Deanna and I are running away together after the tour. We're sorry."
"Yeah, sorry Howie," Deanna said, giggling as she said it.
"Uh-huh, just go ahead," Howie sniffled. "I just want you two to be happy."
"Thanks man," Brian said. Deanna went and hugged Howie. "So who were you on the phone with?"
"Umm...My mom," Howie said. Deanna laughed. "Why are you laughing?"
"You talked to your mom this morning," Deanna said.
"Yeah, so?" Howie asked. "Where's Bone and Nick?"
"Hell if I know," Brian said.
"Hello, minor in the room," Leigh said. "Such language injures my ears." Everyone looked strangely at Leigh until she smiled widely, then everyone laughed.
"What's so funny?" AJ asked.
"Yeah," Nick seconded. "What'd we miss?"
"Nothing," Kevin said. "Are we ready to eat?"
"Oh yeah," AJ said. "Food is good."
"Shall I say grace?" Brian asked.
"Can we wait until we actually have food, or at least order it?" Howie asked.
"Okay sure," Brian said.
Everyone sat down at the long dining table. A waiter came and took their orders. The food came and Brian asked, "Now can I say grace?"
"You just did," AJ said.
"Hah, hah," Brian faked a laugh.
"Sure Brian," Kevin said.
"Past the teeth, over the gums. Look out stomach here it comes," Brian said.
"Rub-a-dub-dub, here comes the grub," Nick said. He and Brian gave each other high fives while everyone else at the table groaned.
"Okay, for real though," Brian said. "God I'd like to thank you for the food, first and foremost, because if we didn't have that we'd be really hungry and Nick would be hard to live with. Secondly I'd like to thank you for my brothers. I couldn't live without these guys. And thanks for making us all happy. Amen."
"Amen," everyone echoed.
"Oh yeah, thanks for our families and the girlfriends who aren't present," Brian said.
"There are girlfriends who aren't present?" Dallas asked.
Brian looked up in shock. "Okay, forget that last prayer! Dallas!"
"Yes?" Dallas said.
AJ turned around and saw Grayson standing by Dallas. "Grayson, you're here!"
The reunited couples greeted each other. Dallas and Grayson were sat at the table and their orders were taken.
"So we're all here," AJ said. "Man, ten people."
"He can count," Nick said. Leigh elbowed him.
"Oh, man eleven," AJ said. "I forgot Nick counts for two people."
Everyone tried to stiffle laughs, but it was useless. Nick pouted as everyone laughed until they forgot what they were laughing about.
"Not funny," Nick said.
"Dessert Nick?" Brian asked, smiling innocently.
Nick stuck his tongue out at Brian. "All the dessert I need is sitting next to me."
Leigh blushed. "Umm...Nick, could you not have said that?"
"What, I wasn't intimating that you and I were getting nasty tonight or anything like that," Nick said, wrapping his arm around Leigh's waist. "Are we?"
"Can we discuss this later?" Leigh asked. "You're just lucky no one else is paying attention to this little conversation right now or I'd probably leave."
"Okay, I'm sorry," Nick said. He gently kissed Leigh's pouting lips. "You know I don't care about sex."
"Really?" Leigh asked. She had never thought about the fact that sex didn't matter to their relationship, probably because they had had sex before they were even going out.
"You're all that matters girl," Nick said.
"Okay, you're forgiven," Leigh smiled.
"Thank you," Nick said. "Well, I guess we get dessert anyway."
The dessert car was being pushed out. Howie grabbed one and pushed it in front of Deanna. "Chocolate mousse, your favorite," he said.
"thanks Howie," Deanna said. She started to take a bite, but she froze right before sticking the spoon in her mouth.
"What's wrong Deanna?" Dallas asked.
Howie smiled. Deanna pulled a diamond ring out of the mousse. "Will you marry me Deanna?"
"You planned this?" Deanna asked.
"Did you really think I was talking to my mom?" Howie asked.
"Of course I'll marry you," Deanna said. She gave Howie a kiss as everyone applauded.
Chapter 4
Anywhere For You Index
Backstreet Boys Fan Fiction