Part 215
Sarah and Richie spent the time that the guys were onstage going through the song and when Howie returned, Richie promised to come back in time to run through it one more time before going onstage. As he left, Chelsea and Jesse joined the group, surprising Sarah even more.
Sarah was set to perform just before the Viewer’s Choice Award that the guys were nominated for. About fifteen minutes before they were to go on, Richie came back to where Sarah, Becca, Chelsea, and Jesse had been watching the show and they ran through the song a couple more times. Their timing was impeccable and Sarah sounded fantastic. She just hoped she’d make it through without getting sick.
There was a knock on the door and the stage manager stuck his head in. "Mrs. Dorough, it’s time for you to take your place."
Jesse hugged Sarah. "Good luck, Mommy."
"Thank you, baby."
Becca hugged Sarah too and whispered, "Take a deep breath and just pretend Howie’s there with you."
"Thanks, Bec….I’ll see you guys in a few minutes."
As Sarah started out the door, Raoul appeared and handed her a single white rose. "I was asked to give this to you before you go out."
Sarah took it and the note, reading as she followed Richie and the stage manager. "Angel, I love you and my heart is with you tonight as you sing. D"
Richie gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "You’re gonna be fine. Just focus."
Sarah laughed, "Been talking to my husband?"
Richie smiled, "He told me what he tells you before you go onstage. You know, he feels really bad that he can’t be here tonight."
"I know. But he’ll still get to see me. Kevin arranged for this to be televised live at their show tonight."
The two took their places on one stage in the dark as they looked over at the other stage where the big screen was set up. The Boys appeared wearing their blue suits and together, they said, "Hi, we’re the Backstreet Boys."
Sarah laughed softly as AJ continued, "We were suppose to perform next but due to a schedule conflict, we weren’t able to."
"So instead, you’re about to hear an AWESOME new artist that we’ve just recently signed to our label, KBNHA Records," said Kevin. "We PROUDLY introduce…"
In unison, "Sweet D’s Angel."
The lights went down on the big screen and a single light came up on Sarah and Richie as he began to play. Sarah said, "This is for you, Sweet D…I love you," and she began to sing…
You're a song / Written by the hands of God / Don't get me wrong cause / This
might sound to you a bit odd / But you own the place / Where all my thoughts go
hiding / And right under your clothes / Is where I'll find them
Underneath your clothes / There's an endless story / There's the man I chose /
There's my territory / And all the things I deserve / For being such a good girl
honey
Because of you / I forgot the smart ways to lie / Because of you / I'm running
out of reasons to cry / When the friends are gone / When the party's over / We
will still belong to each other
Underneath your clothes / There's an endless story / There's the man I chose /
There's my territory / And all the things I deserve / For being such a good girl
honey
Underneath your clothes / There's an endless story / There's the man I chose /
There's my territory / And all the things I deserve / For being such a good girl
honey yeah
I love you more than all that's on the planet / Movin' talkin' walkin' breathing
/ You know it's true / Oh baby it's so funny / You almost don't believe it / As
every voice is hanging from the silence / Lamps are hanging from the ceiling /
Like a lady to her good manners /
I'm tied up to this feeling
Underneath your clothes / There's an endless story / There's the man I chose /
There's my territory / And all the things I deserve / For being such a good girl
honey ( **words by Shakira)
Howie stood mesmerized by his wife as she sang to him. He listened to the words as tears rolled silently down his cheeks and when she finished, he whispered to no one in particular, "I love you, Angel."