Even now, I remember it like it was yesterday. As I stepped out onto the stage, I was waiting for something special. For her. She was the only thing I saw as my eyes moved over the crowd. I could have stood and watched her forever. In that one moment, when our eyes connected, I could feel her breath on my neck, her eyelashes brushing my cheek. God, she was beautiful. And I knew in that moment that I would spend the rest of my life looking for her. Looking for my love, my angel. Looking for my dearest Lynn. But I don't have to look to far, it seems. She wants to be with me too. I don't understand how she can lower herself so far.
Lynn-The Beginning
I felt tears fill my eyes and my hands shook. "Why?" I asked in a whisper. "What did I do?" Scott reached over and brushed a strand of dark brown hair away from my face.
"It's not something you did," he replied. His voice held no emotion. He was heartless, I knew it. "I used to love you very much, Lynn. But I met someone else. Her name is Beth, and I think we're going to be very happy. You'll find the right man someday." He opened his arms and I flung myself into them. Pride was forgotten.
He held me for a very long moment, then kissed the top of my head and sighed. "I'm leaving now, little one." He pushed me away gently and stood. I watched silently as my Scott walked out of my life and into that of another girl.
I curled up on my bed and let the emotions flow. Sobs racked my body as I cursed him and his new girlfriend, myself, the world, God. When the tears slowed, I trudged through the mess on my floor, over to the mirror. I couldn't get away from him. All these pictures were of us. Scott and me-holding hands at a picnic, dancing at his sister's wedding, smiling at his senior prom.
When Scott and I got together, no one thought it would last, least of all me. He was tall and wicked hot, amazingly smart and sweet. And a senior. Seniors were untouchable to girls like me. I was two years younger, and not even considered good enough for boys in my own grade. On the heavy side, with uncontrollable hair and pale skin, scattered freckles and a big nose, the wild girl at OFHS. But it had lasted one and a half wonderful years. Now it was over, as suddenly as it had began.
With a groan, I turned to my closet. Well, I had known it wouldn't last forever. Time to work on being pretty once again. Time to do a makeover. I called my best friend, Joy.
Taylor
As I stared off into space and played with my rattail, a song drifted into my head. "When I touch you, can you feel it? When I need you, can you give it? When I look in your eyes, can you see me? When I fall fall, will you catch me, catch me, catch me?" I silently reminded myself to kill Jess for playing that Moffatts CD twenty times a day.
My attention soon shifted to my favorite subject, other than music. Girls. Yes, I liked girls very much. Isaac was happy to stay with his first crush. He and Karith had been together since they were fourteen or so, and remained happily in love. Zac, on the other hand, preferred to flirt with as many girls in as little time as possible. But at the moment, he, too, had fallen prey to that wonderful thing called love with a sweet little chick named Mary. I hoped that I would fall in love someday. But until it happened, I was content to be alone, with an occasional girlfriend. I just hoped that I would find the one I needed eventually.
"Taylor," Zac called from the central room of our hotel suite. "Time for the sound check. Let's go." My daydreaming of her and our life together would have to be postponed. I grabbed a room key and headed out to the van with my brothers.
Joy
I tried to ignore the ringing of the phone, but ended up answering anyway. I knew the instant I heard Lynn's voice that something was wrong. After all, we had been best friends for a year now.
"Lynn? What's wrong, sis?" We considered ourselves to be sisters, by love if not by blood.
"Oh, nothing really. It's just that..." She hesitated a moment before spilling her guts. "Scott just broke up with me." I could hear the pain in her voice. I was going to kill the bastard.
"I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help you?" I asked out of pity and sympathy.
"Yeah," she answered in a defiant tone. "I need a new look and some cheering up."
"Well, your look is fine. But," I said as an idea entered my head, "I can definitely help in the cheering up part. I've got front row tickets to tonight's Hanson concert. I was about to call and ask. Come with?"
"Hell yeah!" Already, I could tell she was happier. Hanson was one of her favorite bands. "Mom's out of town on business 'till tomorrow night., so come on over. Bring your stuff and you can stay tonight."
"Yeah? Cool. I'll be there in fifteen. Later, girl." After our overenthusiastic goodbyes, we hung up and I headed for my closet. Clothing, after all, is the most important decision when attending a concert.
Lynn
As usual, Joy managed to make me the happiest person in the world. Hanson tickets! They were hard to come by around here, and just yesterday Joy had confessed that she didn't think she could get them. But she managed, of course. Joy had more connections than the phone company.
I knew exactly what to wear. I had been planning my outfit since I had heard about the concert. Only yesterday, I had given up the hope of ever wearing it. Smiling, I slipped into the clothes I had picked out-gray stretch flares, a long-sleeved burgundy button-up (with several buttons left undone), and black shoes. I looked in the mirror and decided that I didn't look too awful in the outfit.
The doorbell rang and I raced down the stairs to let Joy in. "Girl, you look good," she commented, tugging on my blond rattail. "Let's get ready!" As we fixed our hair and did our makeup, we got very hyper. When we arrived at the stadium where the concert was being held, we were running around like Zac on caffeine pills. (As if he needs them to be wacky.)
Taylor
As Admiral Twin, our opening band, played their set, I sat in the dressing room with Ike and Zac. Our makeup had just been applied and our clothing had just been put on. Nothing to do now but wait. I had this feeling in my chest. Something told me that tonight would be very special.
"Taylor, could your pants get any tighter?" Zac was ready for the show, judging from the way he was bouncing around. "I mean, I know the Scream Squad loves it and all, but..."
"Zac," Ike interuppted, "those pants are much looser than the ones he wore in Toronto. Just let it go, little man."
"Thanks, Ike." I heard the opening chords of the last song. "That's our cue, guys. Let's head on out."
The curtains were just closing as we entered the wings. We made small talk with the guys from Admiral Twin as the crew switched the gear. Then we stepped onto the stage. Up went the curtains and on went the mics, and I felt the familiar adrenaline rush wash over me again. Ike would do most of the talking in this part, so I scanned the crowd. I was looking for something special, I knew, but I didn't know quite what. Then I spotted her.
She was in the sixth row, dead center. She and the girl sitting beside her, obviously a close friend, were the only girls I could see that didn't look like teenybopping sluts. She was beautiful, no doubt about that. But I had seen prettier girls. There was something about her, though. It was just the way her smile reached her eyes, the way the lights on her made her hair look red and brown and gold all at once, and the way her face seemed to glow as she screamed with the rest of the crowd.
I imagined the perfect life I would have with her. It would be utterly amazing, I knew. We would live in a modest house in Tulsa, close to Mom and Dad, but not sufficatingly so. We would have four children, two boys with her silky hair and angel's smile, two girls with her sparkling eyes and delicious curves.
"Isn't that right, Tay?" My thoughts were interuppted by Ike's voice. I realized it was my turn to speak.
"Actually, Ike, I don't think they're the loudest crowd we've had." Thankful I had remembered my lines, I turned toward Zac as he spoke.
"I'm afraid I've got to agree with Taylor, Ike. I don't think you're loud enough!!!" He screamed the last sentence, and his words seemed to echo through the stadium. As the crowd grew louder, we launched into "A Minute Without You". We went through about seven songs, then ran backstage for a costume change. As I slipped into my other clothes, I motioned for our assistant, Brandon, to come closer.
"Brandon, bud, I need you to do a big favor for me. There's a girl out there that I want to meet." I described where she was sitting and her outfit to him. "Would you give her and her friend backstage passes and tell them that Taylor Hanson wants to meet them?"
Brandon gave me a mock salute. "Will do, Mr. Hanson." He gave me a conspiratol wink before adding, "Would you like me to find out her name for you?"
"You're a genius! That would be awesome. After all," I said with a mischievious smile, "I can't propose to a girl when I don't know her name." He laughed and walked out of the room, shaking his head. Ike and Zac looked at me in disbelief as we got back out on the stage.
I saw Brandon talking to her just as the lights went down. He flashed me a thumbs up and I smiled back. Then Zac counted off the '1, 2, 3, 4,' and we began "I Will Come To You". I wanted to dedicate this song to that beautiful girl whose name I didn't know yet, but I knew Dad and Mom wouldn't approve, so I just looked at her. Occasionally, I would glance at the rest of the audience and wink or something, but I mostly focused on her.
We did two encores for that show before it was finally over. I could still hear the screams of the hundreds of teenage girls ringing in my ears. Back in our dressing room, I wiped the sweat off my face and body, added a little cologne, and sat down to wait for her.
Lynn
During the short intermission, a tall, buff-looking guy came over and introduced himself to us as "Brandon Ridge, Hanson's assistant."
Joy, being the wise-ass that she is, replied, "Assistant what?" Brandon didn't answer, just smiled and reached into his shirt pocket.
"These are backstage passes. Taylor Hanson asked me to invite you," he gestured to me, "and your friend," motioning to Joy, "to come backstage after the show and meet him and his brothers. Will you accept them?"
"Will I!?!" I exclaimed. "What kind of a question is that? Of course we'll take them. But what's the catch?"
"The catch," he replied, "is that you tell me your name. Taylor wants to know." Joy and I exchanged startled glances. I was shocked and excited and flattered and disbelieving and happy all at once.
"Would you tell Taylor thank you very much for me? And my name is Lynn Bailey." This mysterious guy who had appeared like a fairy godmother (father in this case, I suppose) nodded and walked away. Little did he know that he had fulfilled my greatest dream.
Zac
I had never seen Taylor so nervous as we sat backstage waiting. Taylor didn't get nervous. He always knew that, whatever the situation, he would charm his way out of it, as he always had. I almost pitied the boy as he fidgeted with one of his chokers.
"Isn't Lynn the most beautiful name?" he asked the empty space near him. "Lynn Bailey. It sounds so perfect. Lynn Hanson sounds even better. And we'll name one of our daughters Lynn. Don't you think that's a good idea? Zac?"
I realized he was talking to me. "Oh, sounds great, Tay. Absolutely wonderful. But shouldn't you get to know her before you pick your kids' names?"
He rolled his eyes and looked at me in that big brother way. "Of course, Zac. But our joining is inevitable. We're like Romeo and Juliet, Barbie and Ken, Mom and Dad..."
"Bill and Hilary," I added. His glare warned me of an oncoming attack. I ducked behind an armchair as he hopped off the couch. He ran toward me and grabbed at my neck. I feinted right and went left, hoping I could get out the door. I opened it and was immediatly tackled. Arms and legs entwined, Taylor and I flew out the door to crash into...the girl he was waiting for.
Lynn
As we approached the Hanson dressing room, I wasn't surprised to hear loud thumps and shouting from inside. However, I was surprised when Zac opened the door, was tackled by Taylor, and the two flew toward me and Joy. CRASH!
"Somebody better watch their hands," I stated as we lay piled up on the floor. Finally, the group was untangled and Zac held out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Zac Hanson and those were my hands. I sincerely apologize." I shook his hand and smiled at him while Taylor glared.
"Apology accepted." I adjusted my ponytail. Taylor's eyes were on me, but he didn't say a word. There wasn't silence, though. Zac was still talking.
"You must be Lynn Bailey." I nodded. "Well, you seem like a very nice person, and you're certainly very pretty. In my opinion, Tay doesn't deserve you. Let's go back to my place and get cozy, eh?" He nudged me and winked. Joy and I laughed. Zac was exactly as we had expected.
I stepped toward Taylor. "Hi, I'm Lynn Bailey. I want to thank you for giving us backstage passes. You have no idea how much we appreciate it." Joy and Zac entered the dressing room talking. I was alone with the boy, no make that, man of my dreams.
Taylor
Oh, God. She must have thought I was an idiot. First, Zac and I nearly killed her. Now, she was standing there talking to me and I hadn't spoken a word to her. I couldn't help it, really. She was even more beautiful up close. Her hair shone in so many different colors. The only definite parts were a white-blond streak on the right side and a white-blond rattail behind her left ear. Her eyes were a deep shade of green and I made a mental note to write a song about those eyes. She was shorter than me, and slightly chubby, but with the most amazing curves. Finally, words came to my mouth.
"Hi, Lynn. I'm Taylor Hanson. I'm really glad that you decided to come backstage. I noticed you while I was playing the keyboard and I thought you were the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
Her laugh was ringing out like tiny silver chimes. "I expect that you're the only person who thinks that, besides my mom."
I couldn't understand how she could miss that beauty when she looked in the mirror. "What in the world makes you think that you're not beautiful?"
She shook her head and I saw the pain in her eyes. "I could list all the reasons," she said softly, "but let me just tell you about the last one. Scott."
"Come in here," I told her. "We'll sit down and you can tell me all about it. And more about you." I led her through the main room, where Zac and Joy sat on a couch, talking. Ike and Karith were there too. They introduced themselves to Lynn, who smiled and responded politely. Then I took her into my personal room. "Sit," I said, pushing her down in the more comfortable of the two chairs in the room. I pulled the other one over to face her and sat down. Then I listened as she told me the story of a girl who only wanted to be loved, and the many boys who only wanted to leave. Her story. Her life.
Lynn
I hadn't planned on talking about Scott. Joy had made me promise to forget all about the jerk, but Taylor was so easy to talk to. From the first moment, I felt like he would be in heaven if he could sit and listen to me talk forever. So I talked.
"Scott was my boyfriend. He just broke up with me this afternoon. For another girl. Beth, he said her name was. Like I cared!" It was nice to be honest about it. Just to rave and get those feelings out.
"'I used to love you very much, Lynn.' That's what he said. That he used to love me. 'But I met someone else. Her name is Beth, and I think we're going to be very happy. You'll find the right man someday.' Then he left me sitting in my living room, crying. All alone. I mean, I never thought it would have lasted so long to begin with. He was a senior, one of the cutest, nicest, sweetest, smartest guys in school. I was a reject. Joy was practically my only friend, and then Scott came along and I was popular."
"He sounds like a prick," Taylor commented.
I continued pouring my heart out to Taylor, sometimes angrily, sometimes sadly. I moved from Scott to all the other boys who had left me, to my father, my parents' divorce, to all the painful memories I had. By the time I had finished my story, Taylor and I were settled on the floor, arms around each other.
Taylor
I took a deep breath and spoke. "Lynn?" She was cuddled up against my chest, with only two shirts seperating us. She looked up at me.
"When I was onstage, looking at you, I wanted to sing a song just for you. I wanted to dedicate "I Will Come To You" to the most beautiful girl I had seen, but I didn't. I was afraid that the fans would get mad, or you wouldn't understand or something. But I'd like to sing it for you now, if you don't mind."
She stared at me with those sparkling jade eyes and didn't reply for a moment. When she did answer, I hardly heard her, her voice was so soft. "I would like that very much."
So I sang to her. I put all my heart and soul, and every emotion that had washed over me since laying eyes on her into that song. When I finished up the last line, I pulled her even closer and gently kissed her.
Lynn
I felt Taylor's heart beat against my temple as my head lay against his chest. As he sang to me, I felt like I could touch his soul and he mine. He could heal me, I knew deep inside. As the last word fell from his lips, he pulled me against him and kissed me.
For a moment I didn't respond. Then I kissed him back. I believed that our hearts touched in that precious amount of time. When we moved apart, I could see in his eyes that he felt the same way.
"I think I love you, you know," he said in an everyday tone. The same one he might use to tell me my hair was messed up or to say goodbye.
Taylor
I tried to say it as casually as I could. "I think I love you, you know." I didn't regret it, even as she sat silently. She understood. I understood that she understood. Because we were the same. Very different on the outside, but inside on the same.
Time passed as we sat there. A knock sounded on the door. Ike poked his head in. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have to get back to the hotel. Tay, did you invite Lynn to go to the water park with us tomorrow? Zac invited Joy."
"Nope, I was just about to," I answered, thankful that he had reminded me. "We'll be out in a minute." Ike nodded and closed the door. "Lynn, do you want to go to the water park with us tomorrow? Apparently Joy is going."
"I'd love to," she said as we stood and walked outside, holding hands. We met up with Joy and Zac at the back door.
"Would you girls like a ride home? In a limo?" I asked. Their eyes lit up and they eagerly agreed. When we arrived at Lynn's house, Ike and Karith agreed to wait in the car with Dad while Zac and I walked our girls to the door.
Lynn and I stood about ten feet from Zac and Joy, who were talking eagerly. "Thank you so much, Tay. I had a great time getting to know you." She gave me a peck on the lips, then stood on tiptoe to whisper in my ear. "I love you, too. Bye."
She started to move away, but something told me to bring her back. I brought her close against me and buried my face in her soft hair, inhaling the scent of grapefruit and flowers I smelled there. I kissed her again, even gentler than before. Then I walked back to the limo where Zac, Ike, Karith, and my father were waiting. I would see my love again tomorrow.
Walker
I knew Taylor was infatuated with this girl, and it was easy enough to see why. She was pretty, charming, funny, smart, all the things Taylor needed in a girl. I should've realized how much he liked her, but I didn't until he came into mine and Diana's room later that night.
"I'm in love," he said calmly. Diana glanced at me and raised her eyebrows. It was deja vu. We had been through this with Ike once before. Of course, he was considerably younger than Taylor is now. Around thirteen, I thought.
"Now, Taylor," Diana chastened him. "It's probably not love, sweetie. Lust, maybe. Love is quite a different thing, you know."
"I know what love is, Mom. I learned it from you and Dad. But this isn't lust. It's definitely love." He sounded so calm. So un-Taylor like. I decided to put him to the test.
"Taylor, do something for me. Close your eyes and think of this girl. What do you see in your mind?"
"I see her," he said simply. "l see our future. A yellow house with a picket fence and four beautiful children. Christmas mornings with the whole family in the house I live in now. Growing old with her. Living happily ever after, not like in the fairy tales, but like people do in real life." He opened his eyes. "Is that enough?"
I saw tears forming in Diana's eyes. "That's enough," I told him. I shared a look with Diana and we silently communicated everything we needed to. "I believe you, Taylor. It is love. But what would you like us to do?"
"I don't know. No, I take that back. I want you to meet her first. Make her family. Then, I want you to talk to her mother."
Diana
Taylor's face had a glow about it of one that has just become perfectly happy. I knew he was right. He did love this girl, like I loved Walker and like Ike loved Karith.
"Her mother?" I said.
"Yes, her mother," he responded. "We've been looking for a new PR person. Lynn's mother is a PR person at Def Jam Records. She's very unhappy with the job, and has been looking for other opportunities. I want you to hire her. She's out of town right now, but she'll be arriving home tomorrow night. You can meet her at dinner."
Lynn
I awoke the next morning with the most amazing feeling I had ever had. Scott had broken up with me, but Taylor had said he loved me. I yawned and rolled over to face Joy. She opened her eyes and smiled at me.
"How's the future Mrs. Taylor Hanson?" she asked with a giggle. We went down to the kitchen to fix breakfast for our boys who would be arriving in an hour.
"What about you? You looked like you were getting pretty friendly with the little drummer boy." I poked her with my spatula.
"He has a girlfriend back home in Tulsa," she said. "Her name is Mary. Besides, I have a boyfriend. Even if Robert isn't around as much as either of us would like, he's still mine. It's not his fault that he has to work all the time."
Joy went into the bathroom to change into her bikini and I changed in my room. It was the first summer I had ever worn a bikini and I was pretty nervous. It was cute, not too revealing. A little chocolatey-brown tank and bottoms with lavender edging. I slipped on some jean shorts and a lavender tanktop before heading downstairs.
DING DONG! I opened the door to let Ike, Karith, Taylor, and Zac in. We served breakfast and talked like old friends. Then Taylor asked me to show him my room. The two of us walked up the stairs silently. Not an uncomfortable silence, a friendly one between two people who want to tell each other something.
We sat on my bed and Tay took my hands in his. "Lynn, I want to ask you something," he began. "I'll understand if you say no, but do me a favor and let me finish before you answer. Okay?" I nodded my head. "Good. Now, here it is. I know we only met last night, but I already feel like I've known you forever, and you're my best friend right now. I want you to be my girlfriend. In my heart, I recognized you when my eyes met yours. We are soulmates, destined to be together. Every word you've said and every little thing you've done since we met has only reassured me in my thoughts. It won't be easy, what with you in Orlando and me in Tulsa, but I would very much like to try a relationship. Will you be my one and only?"
I couldn't speak for that minute. I looked into those ultra-blue eyes and felt my heart melt. Finally, I found the one word I needed. "Yes." And with that one word I sealed my fate. He flashed that amazing smile at me.
"Dinner tonight? I want you and your mom to meet my parents." I agreed even though I really wasn't sure. We kissed softly before standing and leaving the room.
Ike
When Tay and Lynn came downstairs, I knew he had asked her out. Last night, after he talked to Mom and Dad, he came into our room. Zac was already asleep in one of the two beds. He sat down at the end of mine and asked if we could have a serious talk.
"Sure, Tay," I replied, sitting up. "What about? Oh, I bet this has something to do with a certain beautiful young lady you met tonight, eh?"
"Yeah." He blushed. "It's for real this time, isn't it? I mean, I know it is. I told Mom and Dad I loved her and they didn't believe me at first. After a couple of minutes, I convinced them that it was true. Tomorrow night, Mom, Dad and me are having dinner with Lynn and her mom. Dad's going to ask Mrs. Bailey to quit her job and work as our new PR person. And move to Tulsa, incidentally."
"Tay, do you think that's fair?" I asked. "To make Lynn and Mrs. Bailey give up their house, their friends, their whole lives, to move to Tulsa just so you can be with her?"
Tay thought for a moment before answering. "I wouldn't think so if they wanted to stay. But they don't. Ike, Lynn told me all about her life when we were in my dressing room. She hates it here. And her mom feels the same way. So, yes, I think it's fair." As I watched the couple who were now sharing a chair and a plate of food, I marveled at how maturely Taylor was handling this. He and Lynn looked into each other's eyes and I could almost see the silent communication. Just like Karith and I must have been in the earlier days. Still were, actually, I decided, looking at my beautiful girlfriend. We smiled at each other, and I thought of the ring sitting my room in Tulsa. I had the proposal all planned out. All I had to do now was wait. Wait until I arrived home, so we could go to our special place and I could show her how much I loved her. The phone rang loudly. It's shrilling interuppted the quiet atmosphere in the kitchen. Joy picked it up after the second ring. "Hello, Bailey residence."
Karith
Joy listened to the person on the other end for a minute. She didn't look very happy as she mouthed the name 'Scott' to Lynn.
Lynn's face went white and she shook her head. Tay put a comforting arm around her and she relaxed a little bit as she leaned against his shoulder.
Who was Scott? Tay obviously knew and Zac and Ike didn't look as clueless as I felt.
"Ike," I whispered to my man. "Who the hell is Scott? Why's everybody so worried?" He didn't take his eyes off of Lynn and Taylor. She was huddling against him as if she were scared to death or something.
"Lynn's ex-boyfriend," he whispered in reply. "I'm not sure what happened, exactly, but from what Tay mentioned, she freaked a little bit when he broke up with her. I hope nothing bad happens."
"Me either."
Joy
When the phone rang, I grabbed it. A totally natural response. But listening to the bastard on the other end talk, I wish I would have picked it up, and slammed it down.
"Joy? What are you doing answering the phone at Lynn's house?" I knew the voice instantly. I silently mouthed the word 'Scott' to Lynn.
"I often answer the phone here, Mr. High-And-Mighty. Did you want anything in particular or did you call to make sure her heart was really broken? Someone is trying to mend it, but I don't think that you'll be much help." My voice was sugary sweet. I layed on the innocence thickly.
Zac moved toward the phone and I rearranged a little bit so we could both hear it.
Zac
"Joy," said Prick, as Tay had renamed him last night. "When will you learn that sarcasm is not a talent or a weapon, but an annoyance?"
"Hmm...When I visit you in your grave, darling," she said. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. She sounded so sweet, but I knew and he knew that she was quite serious.
"As much as I love talking to you," he snickered, "give the phone to Lynn. I want to talk to her and make sure she's alright."
At that point I had had enough. "She's fine," I said coldy, "no thanks to you." Everyone looked at me in surprise. I had surprised myself, too. My voice sounded deep, tough and mean. I would have made Arnold Schwartzeneger proud.
Taylor
Joy hit the speaker phone button and I could suddenly hear every word. "Oh, you must be one of the Hanson fags." I already wanted to kill him, and he wasn't helping me to control these urges. "Beth told me she saw Lynn with the middle one. She mentioned that Lynn was crying her eyes out and hanging on him like no tomorrow." His laugh filled the room and Lynn's hands tightly gripped the table.
Prick didn't realize he was on the speaker phone. It hit me all of a sudden. Because he wouldn't have said that if he knew. He had been playing it all along like he was worried about Lynn. An idea entered my mind.
"Listen, Scott," I said, motioning the others to be quiet. "Here's Lynn. Talk to her and then you can leave us all the hell alone."
"That's all I wanted in the first place, sissy boy. Put her on the phone." Lynn looked at me and shook her head. I nodded and wrapped my arms around her, trying to give her my strength.
"Just play it cool," I whispered in her ear. "You can do this. I'm hear with you, baby." She smiled at me and took a deep breath.
"Hello?" Her voice was perfectly calm and cool. She made no sounds to indicate that she knew who was on the line.
"Lynn? It's Scott. How are you doing, little one?" His voice sounded so...sincere. Like he really cared. I was right when I thought he didn't know about the speaker phone.
"I'm fine, Scott. Just sitting with my boyfriend and some of our friends." Score one for Lynn. He gasped when she said boyfriend. "We're getting ready to go to the Wet-N-Wild. How are you?"
"Okay, I'm okay. You have a boyfriend? Are you over me so easily, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, I have a boyfriend. His name is..." She glanced at me as if to ask if she could tell him we were dating. I gave my consent. Ike and Karith had long since revealed their relationship. I knew I wouldn't keep quiet about Lynn for long. "Taylor Hanson. Would you like to talk to him?"
"Put him on," Scott said, sounding pissed. I shook my head. Lynn had just proved to me that I had fallen in love with a girl that was smart, besides being beautiful, funny, sweet, loving, affectionate, and honest.
"Tay-bear," she called as if I were in the next room. "Tay-bear, would you do me a favor and come and talk to Scott, please?"
I replied in character. "Of course I will, angel." I waited a moment before continuing. "Hello?"
"Listen, you little bitch-ass," he said. "You are going to listen to every word I say. When we hang up, you will break up with Lynn and tell her that I need her more. Then you will pretend to forget about her and she will come running back to me."
I was a little confused. Why did he break up with her if he wanted her back? So I asked him. "Why?"
"Because this is my way of convincing her to sleep with me. I'll tell her that I like Beth because she lets me do her, and that I'll break up with Beth if she'll sleep with me. Then things will go back to the way they were, except that both my girlfriends will be having sex with me."
I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. Everyone else laughed with me. Then Scott realized what was going on. "You got me on the speaker phone? I'll get you, you little-"
"Bye, Scott." Lynn pressed the 'End Call' button and a satisfying click echoed in the room for a moment. "You did really good, Taylor. Thank you."
"Hey, I'll do anything for the love of my life," I said with a smile. "But how about a reward?" I leaned over and kissed her neck. Then I started sucking on it. A hickey is a mark of ownership, after all. She needed one.
"You already got your award. A fun-filled day with me, and four other people in a public place." I looked up to see her smiling. She didn't say anything else, so I continued with my hickey-forming techniques. She didn't complain, just nibbled my ear and ran her fingers through my hair.
Things would work out. Yes, life was good.
Taylor-A Year Later
Taylor Hanson stood at the altar, smiling as his love walked toward him. She looked radiant in a lacy white dress. The actual ceremony was typical, and Diana burst into tears as Taylor slipped the ring onto Lynn's finger.
The preacher pronounced them man and wife. Taylor kissed his sweet love and they walked back down the aisle with smiles on their faces, followed by Ike and his wife Karith, then Zac and his girlfriend Joy. It was the happiest day of their lives.
Someone landed on Taylor's stomach and he opened his eyes. It was a great dream. Someday it would come true.
Lynn sat on his legs and smiled down at her boyfriend and best friend. In the four months that she had lived in Tulsa, she and her mother had become a part of the Hanson family. They would be touring with the guys in one week and four days. They would even be stopping by Orlando to see her best friend Joy.
Diana
I looked over at my extended family. The whole family was taking advantage of the spring weather with a picnic. There was Zoe, toddling around and chasing Mackie, who loved the game. Avie, having a giggling session with her best friend Carrie. Jessie, holding hands with her first boyfriend, Daniel. Zac and his girlfriend Mary, who was as hyper as he was, attacking each other with Super Soakers. Taylor and Lynn, having a serious discussion and gazing deeply into each other's eyes, truly in love. Ike and Karith, the newlyweds, slowdancing to Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing'. Lynn's mom, Ellen, sat at the picnic table with her husband of six months, Joe. And Walker stood by my side, admiring the sight with me.
"We did a good job, Diana," he said, taking my hand. "All of our children are happy and carefree."
Yes, I silently agreed, we were blessed with a wonderful family. What I wouldn't give to hold on to this moment forever.
