Hope you all enjoy! Today is a special day with my stories. Ignore spaces in youtube link
Chapter 26: Beautiful Stranger
Flashback: 2 years ago
"Karen Hope Cartwright, before I met you I didn't quite understand who I was. I was known for using a power of manipulation for my own pleasure. It was sickening. Then one day I saw you. You walked into the room walking into my life full of vibrancy, beauty and talent. It was hard because I wanted you but I felt I didn't deserve you. You showed me feelings I never felt about one before and I loved that feeling. I was changed by you; you were the one who made me see light in this world. I can't go anywhere without thinking of you, loving you. I want you here beside me until I am gone and I will never stop loving you darling. Karen you are my world…you are my life."
I hear our friends and family awe and many tears come from my eyes of joy. That was beautiful and so Derek…so honest about everything and now I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him.
"Karen?" the minister says
I nod
"Derek Arthur Wills, I felt that everything was falling apart you were there to show me through and help me pick up the pieces. The pieces however came bringing something I never felt…true love. From the moment we first kindled I cannot go on without you. There are people who come into your life and change it…and my dear you have for the better. I was scared and you taught me not to fear, I was in trouble and you saved me but most of all you were always there for me. I will always be here for you until I am gone and I will always love you. I experienced a change in me when you came into my life a change that made me a better person now that I have something to live for. Derek I love you and words cannot describe how much the amount is infinite. Thank you Derek for being my one true love."
I finish and everyone awes and I look at Derek who has a tear in his eye.
"I love you" he mouths to me
"I love you to" I mouth back
End of flashback
It was two years ago to this day, Derek and I got married. One of the best days of my life. The memory plays over and over as I lie all cozy in my bed only to be interrupted when I feel a kiss on my stomach then on my cheek.
"Happy Anniversary Love."
"Happy Anniversary to you to Derek." I smile up at him reflecting his bright smile and give him a quick peck before hiding under the covers.
Thanks to my little uterus occupant, she has started being a bit active at night preventing me from a good night's sleep. Which is hard because I worry something is wrong but remember, everything is fine and no need to call mom or Julia.
"Darling I know our reservations aren't until later but we should still enjoy the day." Derek says as I feel him get off the bed and I am still in a cocoon of blankets with tired eyes refusing to get up.
"Derek, I'm 36 weeks pregnant I am not productive whatsoever! Sorry babe but I'm tired and I hurt."
I hear him lightly laugh as I lower the sheets so my eyes make contact with him as he heads back onto the bed with one arm on my back the other looped under my knees and he places his head against my inflated stomach.
"Your mommy is silly today." He whispers before kissing it and lifting me up bridal style
"AHHHH! Der-ek!" I squeal as he climbs down the stairs
"I needed this workout darling so thank you." He jokes as he puts me down and I have him in a sweet embrace with our lips locked.
I can already feel a pain in my abdomen but I just ignore it, not wanting to give Derek another heart attack. He grabs my hand and leads me to the couch where we sit close together with our hands on my belly watching our good old friend Tatiana.
"Well Broadway's biggest night is just one month away and here is the recap of our front headers! Madonna powerhouse'Material Girl' has won the 'Outer Critic Circle Award' for 'Best Musical', 'Best Director' and 'Best Book' while 'Carmen' swept the 'Drama Desk Awards' getting every nomination and our favourite Broadway wife Karen Wills took home the ' Audience Choice Award' for 'Favorite Actress in a Musical while 2 time Tony winner Veronica Moore took 'Favorite Diva Performance'. It is a Rand show down this season and we will see who will take it all on June 5th." And with that the program ends and Derek and I stare at each other.
"I still can't believe Bobby won that!" I scream
"Calm down love it's the celebrity bug thing with award season."
"That's true so anyways I really hope you like your present Derek! You will see it tonight."
Derek then again smiles making me smile back as his hands place on my stomach and the baby kicks. She has very good timing.
"You are my present for everything Karen. Now with my little girl and you, I couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate our anniversary."
My head presses to his and we just sit there for a while taking in this moment.
"I love you." I whisper
"Love you to."
Derek gave me a great present of spending the day together doing nothing and just waiting until we had to get ready. We are dinging at '54 Below' tonight for dinner which was our choice restaurant. Though we restrain at first, we are able to pull ourselves off the couch and get ready. I scan my closet and grin to see my Marilyn dress and slip that on with my wedding present, the engraved rose necklace. I put on flats for shoes because heels are ruining my feet and I'm not going to an award show…it's just me and Derek and he would still call me beautiful if I dressed in a paper bag. I love Derek.
I head downstairs to see my husband already dressed in the nice grey dress shirt and black dress pants I bought him making me swoon…again as I toss something lightly in my hand.
"You look stunning Derek but you forgot these on the dresser." I point out showing him his cufflinks that he had laid out.
"Oh thanks darling. Funny they are the same ones I left at-"
"I get it." I say as I turn beet red and help him put them on and he laughs a bit. I really love his laugh.
"Love, you are even more adorable when you are blushing. Julia is alright now that is long gone and look what we got from it." Derek states putting his hand at my stomach making my grin grow wider.
I place my hands over top and give him a quick peck "I am very happy we got something out of it. Let's go." I say and grab his hand as we walk through springtime in New York City.
We arrive at the cabaret and are escorted to our seats. The service here is so genuine and it is really nice to have the smooth jazz play while we dine, flirt and reminisce.
"Oh so you know how Ana has been heartbroken?"
"Gee hmm no." Derek answers sarcastically making me laugh
"Well, she got asked to be a put in for Sophie in 'Mamma Mia' for a few weeks and after her first night, her Sky asked her out and they have been inseparable."
"Good for her, she has a weird taste in men. I've worked with him before, he seems good for Ana."
"Yeah she seems in love again"
"Speaking of love." Derek states while pulling out a wrapped flat box and handing it to me with an envelope on that reads 'Karen' "Happy Anniversary Love."
I get a bit teary eyed while aghast in what he did for me "Derek, you didn't have to just be-"
"Darling, it will be worth it." He smirks as I open the card and read the Hallmark message but it is the written message that I look forward to.
'My love, these past 2 years have been blissful. Although we had many surprises tossed our way, you are still my world and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life married with you and a father at that. I understand love even more with you. Love D."
I begin to cry in happiness just reading the card before closing it and lightly opening the wrapping paper and availing Derek's surprise. My fingers graze over an edge that is a deep black before tearing it in fury and my anticipation is gone. It is a photo frame with a picture from our fall shoot a few years ago, one of us kissing from the wedding shoot, during our first dance where are heads are pressed together and the last one is he and I on stage from the opening night of 'Oliver' and 'Bombshell'. In the center is a quote that says 'Our day has come 5.14.2014' which was our wedding date and before I can cry anymore, I fling myself to him as fast as I can and kiss him with full on passion and tenderness while he is locked in my arms.
"Thank you so much Derek! This is astounding!"
"For you love, anything." He says as we stare in each other's eyes for a minute and smile.
"Now your present!" I declare as I run on stage and pull out a few sheets and give them to the man on the piano man who smiles and nods as I sit on the stool with the microphone and look at Derek smiling and the other people out here for supper watch.
"So um, this song is something I actually wrote based on personal experiences. It all started when I met my husband and I fell over head in heels in love with him and it took me awhile to write because I wanted to make it about our journey and the special affect he has on me. Then thanks to my mother in law, while I was in London I was able to write it to music in time to give it to him for our anniversary."
I look over at the man at the piano and cue him to start as the intro begins.
"Happy Anniversary Derek." I say quickly as people awe and I begin to sing ( www .yo /watch?v=i8UnPu lUxWI)
"I was a line and faith
It was worth the wait
We're here face to face together
All the candle lights
Caught us by surprise
Now we see our eyes forever
You set me free
From the past about me
A beautiful stranger
That came here and found me
I'd always chase love
But never face love
Now I can see you set me free
Asked my disguise but you
Stole it to my eyes
You realized we were connecting
And I understood and you knew
That I would fall for you
I come through not expecting
Oh you've set me free
From the past about me
A beautiful stranger
That came here and found me
No need to chase love
But, now I can face love
Now I can see you set me free
Yeah
You're all I need The air that I breathe
I survived
Right by your side
At this point I stand up and make my way to a near teary eyed Derek
"You set me free
From the past about me
A beautiful stranger
That came here and found me
I always chase love
But, never face love
Now I can see you've rescued me
You set me free
From the past about me
A beautiful stranger
That came here and found me
I always chase love
But, never face love
Now I can see you've rescued me
Yeah...
At this point I am right in front of Derek looking up at him smiling.
"You're all I need
The air that I breathe
Now I can see
You set me free
Ohhh... I... yea..."
The audience around us claps as I look up again at Derek who is smiling and has watery eyes.
"Happy Anniversary Derek." I whisper before he pulls me in for a kiss and the spectators cheer us on making us laugh when we break apart.
"That was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard." Derek says as we head out and walk in the night.
"It's what you were to me…a beautiful stranger."
"That caaaame here and found me." Derek sings which isn't so bad but earns a laugh out of me.
We do lots of walking at end up at 'Longarce' and see Breanne out signing playbills beaming while she does it.
"Breanne who do you think will take home Tony's this year?" someone asks
"I am rooting for 'Carmen' and 'Oliver' I saw the workshop for 'Carmen' and fell in love."
"So Ronnie v.s Karen?"
"VS DAISY!" someone from the back shouts earning a cringe from me but I keep my cool.
"Well those three are incredibly talented so I will see what happens. Although a slight pull from my Mimi Karen who is right there!" she answers and suddenly turns all the attention to me with a few autographs and pictures.
"Karen when is the baby due?"
"June 16th and I want it to come sooner!" I say beaming
"Boy or girl?"
"Girl"
"Name?"
"We haven't decided yet." I say looking at Derek who still has his hand around my back.
"Well what a coincidence!" I hear a reporter say as I turn to face him with Daisy beside him. "Mind if I get a shot with you two ladies?"
"Sure" we act happily getting in the picture with are arms around each other as we smile
"That Tony is mine! You and Derek will walk out empty handed on Tony night." She grits in between her teeth.
"Bring it on." I grit back 2 can play at this game!
"Thank you so much!" the reporter says as we part our separate ways.
"So she really said that?" Derek asks as we arrive in Central Park
"Yes but don't worry, we get the best prize." I beam with my hands on my stomach walking up to the bridge.
"Remember this love?" he asks me while hugging me from behind.
"I do. It was magical." I say as we walk around the park again for a while and then come back to the bridge for one last look.
"Kiss me." I propose
"Indeed." Derek replies pressing his lips to mine softly and sweetly before spinning me around and my laughter muses him.
"Oh how do you make my days better?" Derek asks putting me down
"I'm your muse, it's what we do." I say and Derek grabs my face and strokes it with his thumb before pulling me in again.
We walk hand in hand to our home and once we are inside, our lips press tightly and we celebrate our love for the rest of the night.
"Karen…you awake?" Derek asks me kissing my shoulder.
"Yeah. What day is it again?" I ask as he rubs off a laugh and places his hand on my stomach.
"12 hours until the Tony's"
A.N. Yeah I stole that punch line, I had to. Hope you all enjoyed and just for clarifying the years for the stories went.
Dreams: March-September 2102
Reality: June 2013-May 2014
Moments: September 2015-TBD
So technically today is the day they get married :3
Hope you all enjoyed the update. Few more to come
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