Part 49

"My feet are killing me."

"Then you should have bought the dress the first time around instead of trying six more stores."

"Don't remind me." Becca sighed, kicking her shoes off under the table in the food court.. "But it's perfect, isn't it?" She smiled at Sonja.

"It's beautiful, Bec, Nick won't be able to take his eyes off you."

"That's the idea!" She lifted her glass of milk in a toast. "Thanks for coming with me today, Sonja."

"Please, it was my pleasure. I've missed spending time with you. And believe, me, choir just hasn't been the same." She made a sour face as Becca chuckled.

"Well, I'm afraid it isn't going to get any better, Sonja. You know I’m going on the road with Nick."

"How's that going to work, Bec? Don't you want to be home when the baby comes?"

She shook her head. "I've thought about this, Sonja. I'd rather be in a strange hospital and have Nick with me than be alone in Tampa or Orlando."

"But-"

"Sonja, marrying Nick has its perks. We have an entire network of contacts set up all along the tour route. I'll have my records with me so that I can get adequate care wherever I am. And management knows that when the time comes, Nick will be with *me* no matter where we are, and if that means missing a concert, so be it."

"You really have thought this through." Sonja stirred her iced tea, deep in thought.

"We promised Carson an exclusive, so in a couple of weeks when the guys are in New York, Nick and I will be filming an interview. We want to be up front with the fans as well."

"When's the announcement about Sarah and Howie supposed to air?"

"Oh GEEZ! It was on yesterday afternoon and I taped it, but forgot to watch. Where is my brain these days? Let's head back to my place to watch." Tossing their cups in the trash, they gathered up their packages and headed for the car.

*****

"And welcome back to TRL."

"Bec, it's on! Come on!"

Becca sank on to the sofa as Carson began his exclusive.

"I had the privilege this past weekend to spend some very special time with some of our good friends, the Backstreet Boys. As you know, they performed for us when we were in Key West for the Retirement Home Special. Our cameraman and I were privileged to get a special invitation - - to film the wedding of Howie Dorough to his long time girlfriend, Sarah Taylor."

The girls in the studio audience gasped, then began to smile and applaud as video footage of the ceremony and reception began to play. The editing was a masterpiece, very carefully showing only the Boys and Sarah. No mention was made of the new song OR Nick's announcement of his pending marriage to Becca. There was one parting shot of Nick catching the garter, wearing the typical Carter smirk, but that's where Carson craftily left the audience hanging. No teaser, no promised follow-up, just warm congratulations to the newlyweds from everyone at TRL and MTV.

"He did it," Bec smiled. "He really did it!"

"You're next, you know," Sonja grinned.

"OHMYGOD!" they both shrieked, giggling like schoolgirls.

"God, Sonja, I'm marrying Nick Carter!"

"Uh huh, who'd a thought?!"

"You're coming aren't you?"

"I wouldn't miss it. Brian already asked me to go with him."

"That's good, Sonja. I'm so glad the two of you hit it off."

"We have a lot in common, Bec, and he's so sweet."

"He's a keeper! So, what's on for the evening?"

"Chick flicks!" Sonja laughed. The girls ordered a large pizza with everything and wept their way through "Steel Magnolias" and "Sleepless In Seattle" as they waited for the guys to call.

Part 50        The Dance Index