Part 398
Becca stumbled to the door to get the morning paper and the pot of coffee she'd ordered earlier. She knew she shouldn't drink it, but side effects be damned; she was still wound up from last night and she needed the comfort of caffeine this morning. As she passed through the sitting room, she choked back a laugh. No wonder Garrett hadn't awakened her this morning, he was stretched out on Nick's chest, both of them sleeping soundly on the couch. Detouring to her bag for a few seconds more, she grabbed the camera and snapped a few pictures of them. Nick was so adorable with his hair rumpled every which way, and Garrett was snoozing peacefully, his tiny cupid-bow lips parted as he breathed deeply. She smiled with a sigh, loving the way the big beautiful man looked with a tiny baby in his arms.
Quietly she opened the door, and as usual, found Billy right outside. "Good morning," she whispered, pointing back into the room so he could take a peek at the two sleeping beauties.
Grinning widely, he shook his head and handed her a breakfast tray. The morning paper was propped up between a carafe of steaming coffee and a bud vase with a single rose.
"Be sure to read page three first," he said with a wink.
"Billy this is so sweet, did you do this?"
"Maybe," he shrugged with an elusive grin. "Go on now, enjoy the paper and coffee before Sleeping Beauty and the Crown Prince wake up." He smirked at Becca, closing the door softly.
Heavy cream, two sugars- damn, she'd missed this. Stirring her steaming cup of coffee, Becca breathed deeply, inhaling the scent she'd missed so much. Definitely a day to pamper mommy. Becca sipped her coffee slowly, feeling delightfully decadent.
"Page three, huh? Wonder what's so fascinating on page three?" Spreading the paper out on the small dining table, Becca skimmed the headlines before turning the page. As her eyes settled on the lead story and pictures, her eyes widened and then she began to shake, her coffee spilling unheeded in her lap. She read the article four times before it began to sink in and then she began to giggle. "Ohmygod," she laughed. "OHMYGOD!"
Completely forgetting the sleeping boys on the couch, she dashed for the door. Flinging it open she darted out into the hallway in her nightgown, past Billy and Raoul to Sarah and Howie's door.
Raoul tried to stop her, but she was already pounding on the door. "Hey! I have orders not to bother them!" he tried to pull her back, but she wouldn't be deterred. "Billy, come on, man!" he called, but Billy just stood back and grinned.
"Sarah! WAKE UP!"
A very sleepy Howie answered the door, fully prepared to fire his security detail for the interruption, until he saw who it was. "Becca? What's wrong?" he yawned.
"Good morning, Howie!" she bubbled, then brushed right past him and into his and Sarah's bedroom.
"Raoul? What the hell-"
"Howie, I'm sorry, I tried to stop her."
Howie looked past Raoul to Billy, who was still leaning against Nick and Becca's door, smiling like the cat that caught the canary. "I suppose you know what this is about?"
"Yep," was all Billy said.
Howie rolled his eyes and followed Becca into his bedroom, only to find her sitting in the middle of the bed waving the morning newspaper at Sarah.
"Good god, Becca, what are you doing?" Sarah groaned, trying to sit up.
"You have to see this!" she giggled. "It's all right here on page three. Ohmygod!" she shrieked again, missing the way Howie winced.
"Bec, I'm not even awake yet. Read it to me," Sarah said, flopping back on the pillows.
"Okay, you ready?" Becca grinned.
"Probably not, but go ahead," Sarah smirked, wondering what was so important for Becca to wake up everyone on the entire floor.
"Okay, so here's the headline: Backstreet Babes Bring Down The House."
"What?" Sarah asked, sitting up, suddenly wide awake.
"Told ya," Becca giggled. "There's more, listen. Last night in Calgary's Saddledome, the audience was treated to a very special performance by not only one, but TWO of the Backstreet wives. What the Boys have tried to do for some time to raise their listeners' awareness of current events was accomplished far better in the stunning montage of music and multimedia presented by Sarah Dorough and Becca Carter. Wives of Backstreet Boys Howie Dorough and Nick Carter, the young women put a chilling and realistic spin on women's issues that everyone can relate to, whether directly or by association. Sarah Dorough, whose first CD is set to be released right after Thanksgiving in the US and Canada, presented a delightful look at modern women when she sang "The Wild One", but the subject matter turned serious as she shared with her audience her experiences as a battered spouse. Although a tad graphic for some of the younger members in the crowd, it nevertheless spoke volumes to the older women in the audience."
"Holy shit," Sarah gasped.
"So I finally have your attention?" Becca laughed.
"Undivided, baby. Come on, I know there's more." Sarah looked over Becca's shoulder to the small crowd that had gathered and smiled. Standing in the doorway was Howie, Billy and Raoul, Nick and Garrett, and Kevin.
Becca took a deep breath and continued. "Following the song "Independence Day," Sarah and Howie took a few moments to promote their community center back in Florida, and elaborated on plans for the upcoming addition of a battered women's shelter. The evening's surprises then continued as Becca Carter took the stage. An accomplished classical musician in her own right, Becca more than did justice to her part of the duet, "Does He Love You?" In a rare moment of candor, Becca shared her terrifying brush with HIV, and certainly the young people in the crowd can see how easily it could affect them, as well. Her AIDS foundation was given equal timing, and a website and hotline are being established for young people seeking information. Backstreet management tells us that Becca's next project will be as artistic director on her brother-in-law Aaron's new video. From the information we were given, Becca has no plans to continue her career in performing, but in this reporter's opinion, it would be a shame to hide that talent by remaining in the background."
Nick cleared his throat and grinned as Becca looked back at him. He wiggled his eyebrows as if to say 'See?'
Sarah took the paper from Becca's hands, which were still shaking, and read the closing lines. "The addition of the new material was perfect timing considering the hasty, and as yet unexplained departure of Sisqo. Judging by the fans' reactions last night, he was barely missed. All in all, it was a delightful evening for all ages. Oh, and yes, the Backstreet Boys were good, too."
Kevin laughed. "Great guys, just let your women upstage us why don’t you?"
"Come to think of it," Howie smiled, "we could just take off the rest of the tour and let the girls do the show for us."
"It works for me," Nick agreed, rubbing Garrett's back as he snuggled on his shoulder.
"No way," Becca said shaking her head. "There is no way you're getting me to go out there again. Are you crazy?!"
"Like a fox," Kevin smirked under his breath as he looked at Nick and Howie. He watched as Becca and Sarah giggled over the article and accompanying pictures and whispered to Howie, "Find her another song. With Sisqo gone, this will be perfect."
"Kev," Nick whispered, "are you nuts? You heard her, man, there's no way she's gonna do that again."
Kevin just grinned. "Leave her to me. Bec and I have an understanding."
"You're a dead man. You are so dead." Nick shook his head and laughed. "Been nice knowin' ya," he smirked as he took Garrett back to their room.