This chapter has a little bit of an "Animal House" influence in it. I think the poeple who have seen the movie will spot it out

Later on that day, the whole band rehearsed once again, but since the rehearsal went smoothly, the whole band finished early and went off for dinner together as a band. The band arrived at this restraunt called "Bejing Noodle No. 9" a chinese restraunt.

"Well" Maria began once the drinks came in and she got her coke bottle and raised it "To a sucessful gig tomorrow"

Jake and Elwood lifted their bottles up, but the rest of the band didnt.

"Hey, are you guys ok?" Maria asked concerned.

"We're nervous about tomorrow" Tom told her

"Yeah" agreed Murph "What if they don't like us?"

"Dont worry" Jake said "We already had a word with the bride and groom, they love us!"

"But thats just two people!" Matt argued "What about the other thousand guests that are expected to be there? The blues is dying so I doubt the people would even concider paying attention to us."

Maria remembered the words Elwood told her on their first date 'The Blues is a dying music genre'

"This gig isnt gonna be like the average wedding reception" Maria spoke up to the guys "and because of that, you guys should grab this gig by the horns and take full advantage of it. Did Jimi Hendrix take full advantage when he was at Woodstock?"

"Uh...Yes?" Elwood replied uncertain if he did or not.

"Hell yes!" she replied "And did The Doors take full advantage when they were on the Ed Sullivan show before they got banned for saying 'higher'?"

"...yes?" Matt asked

"Yes! They did!"

"Ok ok...get to the point" Jake complained

"Let her be" Elwood said "She's rolling"

Maria stood up from her chair and looked over at the whole band "This gig is gonna be like a concert for us and you guys are the backbone of a great R&B band. You guys are the unsung heroes and you shall be known as you play those brass, stringed and percussion instruments to your hearts content! I have seen and been with many bands, but none of them had as much enthusiasm and niceness as you guys. I have told Elwood that I know I can't fully replace Steve Cropper, but it meant alot to me that you guys still accepted me as your bandmate."

The band seemed happier and movtivated by her words of support and honesty.

"Yeah you're right!" Willie exclaimed

"We have a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline!" Don said "If our power can do that, think of what else we can do!"

The band chattered on a bit happily and Maria turned to The Blues Brothers

"As for you two..."

"Here we go..." Jake mumbled

"Jake, you can be the most perverted and irritating person, but...you've also treated me like a real friend and I appriciate that very much"

She hugged him, gave him a small quick peck on the cheek. Jake seemed a bit suprised at that peck as she turned to Elwood.

"I wish words can describe how I feel about you..." she told him kindly, not at all shy about the fact she's saying it outloud for the band to hear "and how youve made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

He half-smiled shyly and she gave him a small kiss.

"Oh god..." Mr. Fabulous commented as he rolled his eyes "You guys shouldve just kept the relationship a secret"


In the late afternoon the next day, Jake and Elwood were getting prepared for their performances. They warmed up thier voices, and even thier bodies since they were expected that they were going to be dancing around alot. As Jake was in the shower, Elwood found the Eric Clapton record he 'bought' from Ray's music exchange.

I guess I'll give him a try.

He put it on the hotel room record player and listened to it as he changed into his usual outfit. The song "Wonderful Tonight" began playing and he listened.

It's late in the evening; she's wondering what clothes to wear.
She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair and then she asks me, "Do I look all right?"
And I say, "Yes, you look wonderful tonight."

Wow, this guy isn't bad at all.

Elwood began listening throughouly to the song and even read the lyrics along with the song.

We go to a party and everyone turns to see this beautiful lady that's walking around with me.
And then she asks me, "Do you feel all right?" And I say, "Yes, I feel wonderful tonight."

I feel wonderful because I see the love light in your eyes.
And the wonder of it all is that you just don't realize how much I love you.

He reread the lyrics when the song mentioned the "Love Light".

I feel wonderful because I see the Love light in your eyes...

The vison of Maria's eyes and smile appeared in Elwoods mind as he reread that lyric. He had always loved the happiness he could see in her eyes whenever she is with him and he could tell that Eric felt the same way with his wife. At that moment Jake came out of the shower, wearing his black pants and an undershirt.

It's time to go home now and I've got an aching head, So I give her the car keys and she helps me to bed.
And then I tell her, as I turn out the light, I say, "My darling, you were wonderful tonight. Oh my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

"Who was that? Jake asked once the song finished

"Eric Clapton"

"Huh...he's good."

"Yeah. He is."

The brothers continued changing into their clothes until...

"Hey I meant to ask you" Jake began "Have you given Maria the locket yet?"

"Not yet" Elwood replied "I'm actualy thinking about giving it to her today"

Jake chuckled slyly at what Elwood said "I bet you will give it to her"

Elwood rolled his eyes "The locket, Jake!" he replied with slight irritation

"Hey I'm just sayin'!" Jake replied innocently with his hands up a bit in surrender

"This is something special I want to give her, not a damn one night stand!"

Jake shrugged "Whatever, Loverboy. I think she'll like it, or else it would suck to be you if she didn't."

"That's what I want to avoid"


Maria got out her maroon strapless dress and laid it out on the bed, preparing it for when she got out of the shower. After she got out, she made sure to find a strapless bra to go with the dress. She found one, but quickly realized she couldn't hook it to the back since she couldnt reach.

"Damn it!"

"Maria?"

knock knock knock

She jumped a little and held the bra close to her chest. Elwood was knocking on the door as he and Jake were waiting outside for her.

"Are you almost ready?"

"Uh..." she stammered "Yeah I just gotta...add some makeup."

"Oh god." Jake replied as he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms impatently "That's it, I'll meet you there Elwood. I cant have the pateince for a woman and her makeup."

"Alright"

Jake left leaving Elwood alone in the hallway outside of Maria's door.

Shit!

"Uh, Elwood?" Maria asked uneasily "Can you help me out with something?"

She quickly unlocked the door and went back to her mirror and makeup bag.

"Sure"

Elwood opened the door and got in the room. He looked up at Maria and froze on the spot.

The front of the dress was down and Maria crossed her arms, holding up her strapless bra against her chest. He hadnt seen her expose so much skin since he saw her in the black swimsuit.

"Could you uh..." Maria asked embarrassed and turning a deep red "Help me with the hooks on the back and zip up the dress?"

"Uh..umm" Elwood stammered, tyring not to stare at her almost fully exposed chest "Y...yeah sure"

As sexy as that looks, I dont want her to think I'm a pervert.

"You're not the first one who has tried not stare at my chest" Maria told him slyly, noticing his odd behavior. "however...you are the first one whom I'll let see it...maybe"

He gulped, turned red and hooked the bra hooks; even though he tried to ignore the fact his girlfriend was teasing him. She smiled smugly at her teasing, held the front of the dress to her chest and Elwood zipped up the dress at ease.

"Thanks" she said, blushing a bit more. "I uh...shouldve thought of that when I picked out the dress."

"It's uh..." he replied just as shyly "No problem."

"All I need is the makeup and I'll be done so uh...will you wait just a bit more?"

"Sure. I can wait"

Elwood sat down on the sofa, reaching for his harp until he found the locket case.

After she's done with her makeup...

She looks so stunning he thought to himself as he shot a glance at her She is definately gonna turn heads tonight

After a few minutes, Maria turned to Elwood, finished with her makeup "Do I look alright?".

He noticed she didnt apply any eyeshadow, but she applied a dark red lipstick that matched her dress perfectly. Her black hair, dark eyes and red outfit went together beautifully.

He smiled a bit "Yes. You look more than alright. Youre amazing."

She smiled at him and lifted her hair up "Do you think I Should I lift my hair up or leave it down?"

"How about when you're onstage you tie it up so it wont be in your way." Elwood offered as he lifted her hair up a bit, getting a good look at her "and when we're on break, you leave it down?" he continued as he let go of her locks

She shrugged "Alright"

She tied her hair back, exposing the tattoos on her shoulders and back. She knew the tattoos would spark some conversations between the guests at the reception but she didnt care. As long as she was with the band and Elwood, she didnt care what people thought of her.

"Ready!" she said happily as she got her guitar

"Wait.." Elwood began.

She turned to him

"Yeah?"

"I uh...have something for you and I think it'll go with your outfit nicely..."

He reached into his pocket and took out the case.

"I got this for you when you and the band ...um...were out shopping"

He opened the case and showed her the silver locket. Her eyes grew in surpise and she gasped.

"You..you actually bought this for me?" she asked quietly

"Yeah." he replied as he looked at the ground shyly. "I wanted to give you somthing special and I found this so..."

She smiled and laughed in happiness. "It's gorgeous; I love it!"

He smiled in relief and happiness as she took the locket out and put it around her neck. She looked at her reflection in the mirror noticed the engraved letters.

"Our initials" she cooed "Oh Elwood!"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a loving kiss.

"Thank you so much!" she wispered in his ear. "What did I ever do to deserve a guy like you?"

"Im so glad you like it" he replied

He felt like melting when she said those words. It was the sweetest thing she has ever said to him...

She let go of him and got her guitar, ready to go

"Shall we go?" Elwood asked as he held out his arm for her to take.

She kissed his cheek and took his arm "Yes. Let's go save the orphanage"

bAN: Up next...the gig. bum bum buuummm!

And do I sense some intimate temptations between Elwood and Maria? O_o

But at least he gave her the locket ^_^

Maybe some more romance will unfold...or maybe not...find out soon! R&R please. Feedback is always appreciated.