Something more Hollywood Heights
It's you Chapter 23
Loren holds Rick's hand and he gets up, he's confused. "I want to marry you, I love you."
Loren knows Mel, Ian and Eddie are watching. "You're very sweet, but we just met, marriage is a huge step; I'm not ready for that."
"I am, I need you by my side, I need you with me, what can I do to prove it to you?"
She downcast her look. "I need time Rick; I need to be in love to marry you."
"Is that it? Hey, I'll have you falling for me in no time."
Back on the Plane. "I think we should be going Ian." Mel holds his hand.
"Yeah, you coming mate?"
Eddie keeps his eyes on Loren and Rick. "He's got to be kidding if he thinks she'll say yes."
"Really?" Mel smirks.
"They just met!"
Ian looks sternly at Eddie. "You're not doing anything about it, let it be; besides aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
Leah's walking out of the plane. "I need a ride home."
He rolls his eyes, he sees Loren and Rick drive away. "Yeah, come on!"
Loren tours several nearby cities, she's officially dating Rick, she attends some of his plays, they're seen everywhere holding hands. He attends her local shows in the San Diego area, and nearby cities. She's back to L.A. for Phil and Adrianna's wedding.
It's Phil and Adrianna wedding day, the ceremony's over, the guests are arriving at the reception, within the hour dinner's served. Mel and Ian are there, Loren arrives with Rick, it's time for the bride and groom to have their first dance.
Loren walks to where the band is playing and grabs a mic. She's wearing a strapless Vera Wang gown that settles beautifully on her body, her hair's combed to the side and her make-up is perfect, she looks sophisticated, she fits perfectly in her role, she's a well-known artist in the music world. Rick watches her in awe.
Eddie walks in and heads towards Mel and Ian.
"You decided to show up?" Ian questions.
He sighs, he turns to where Loren's standing. He's mesmerized. "She more beautiful than ever."
"She is, you're on time, she's performing a song for Phil and Adrianna."
"Good evening friends, Phil and Adrianna requested a song for their first dance as husband and wife; they love the song "Because you loved me by Celine Dion. I hope you'll enjoy my interpretation of this amazing song, Phil and Adrianna this is for you.
"For all the time you stood by me
For all the truth you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one that held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through; through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
You gave me faith cos you believed
Lifted me when I couldn't reach
I'm everything I am because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand and I could touch the sky
I lost my faith and you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love and I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith cos you believed
I'm everything I am because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
The love in the dark shining
Your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you…"
Loren continues to sing the song with all her inner strength, and feeling, each lyric raises her voice to the height Celine Dion does, everyone watches in awe, she makes eye contact with Eddie. She hasn't seen him since the day they returned from their weekend show in Hawaii. She finishes the song and bows her head, she's given a standing ovation. Phil holds Adrianna's hand; they raise them to thank Loren for the amazing interpretation of Celine's Dion song.
Rick helps Loren off the stage. She walks towards Phil and Adrianna, she hugs them.
"Thanks so much." Phil tells her.
"You're welcome." She looks at Adrianna. "Make Phil happy."
Phil smiles and he pulls Loren into a hug. "Love you, you know that."
"I know; you're going to make me cry." Loren tells him. "I love you too."
"No crying allowed, hey, I heard you're dating, I don't see that sparkle in your eye."
"Really? I need to sparkle?" She looks at him confused. "What do you mean?"
"Follow your heart Loren, you deserve to be happy, I know you very well, you know exactly what I mean."
She smiles, Rick approaches her. "Congratulations you two."
She holds Rick's hand, they walk to where Mel and Ian are sitting. Eddie smiles when he sees Loren getting closer.
"You did an amazing job."
"Thanks." Mel hugs her. "Hey you're going to have to sing at my wedding too."
She smiles. "You know I will."
Rick pulls the chair for Loren to sit, he sits next to her, Eddie's next to Ian.
"It's great to see you Loren, you look gorgeous tonight." Eddie adds.
Loren semi smiles. "Thanks Eddie."
Mel signals for the waiter to bring them water. The waiter asks if anyone wants anything else to drink.
The band starts to play, Ian asks Mel to dance, Rick and Loren follow them to the dance floor. Eddie takes small drinks from his beer, he watches Loren sway to the music in Rick's arms.
After a few songs, Rick and Ian walk back to the table, Loren and Mel make their way to the ladies' room.
"Congratulations Rick, I heard you and Loren are dating?"
He smiles proudly. "Yes, I owe you my happiness."
"Really?"
"I ran into you at the Grammy's and my life changed forever, I never thought I'd fall in love this fast."
Eddie glares at him. "You've been a playboy all of your life, are you sure it's the real thing?"
"Hey when have you known me to propose to any of the women I've dated?"
"Oh yeah, she said no."
"I'm going to ask again, I'm sure she's not turning me down this time."
Ian looks at Eddie for a reaction, he turns his attention to Rick. "Give yourself more time mate."
"I'm planning on it, it's going to be very romantic, Loren's scheduled to fly to Italy for her line of clothing, I will join her there and ask her."
Eddie's sweat on his forehead is very visible, he took too long, Loren and Rick? How could he let this happen?
"Are you sure she's going to say yes? It's been a few months?" Eddie smirks.
"We've been dating a long enough, by the time she flies to Italy, she'll be more than ready."
Eddie takes another drink from his beer. "You're that sure?"
"Definitely, I know we're in love."
Rick looks around. "Let me find my lady."
He walks away, Ian turns to Eddie. "Mate are you crazy?"
"Crazy mad if that's what you mean!"
"Questioning him like that?"
"He has no right to ask her anything! He barely knows her!"
"What do you mean no right?"
"I'm in love with her Ian; she belongs with me, not with him!"
"Do you realize what you just said?"
Eddie places his hand on the table. "Yes, I love her, I'm ready to say it."
"And you waited this long? Can I ask why?"
"Let's just say I've been very stupid; it took this idiot to wake me up!"
Ian sits back on his chair. "You can't do this to Loren! Maybe she's happy, have you thought of that?"
"I don't care, I have to know, if she says she's in love with Rick, I'll walk away."
"You're going to give up that easily!"
"I'm done, I'm ready, I can't be dating a different girl each week, you know it's not who I am."
"I think you should leave Loren alone, she and Rick look happy."
"They're far Ian, how can you tell, I made eye contact with her, she looks at me like she's been doing since day one."
"Let her go, you had your chance and lost it mate."
Eddie takes the last drink from his beer and gets up. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to find out how Loren feels."
"What! Are you crazy? Here, right now?"
"Yes, let go of my arm!"
"How many beers have you had?"
"Just one!"
"I recall the day you told her you loved her, then you kissed her, are you sure about this?"
"I'm not drunk, I've had one beer, let go of my arm!"
Mel walks back to the table. "They're going to cut the cake, what are you two doing?"
Ian's the first to speak. "He wants to tell Loren how he feels?"
Mel eyes widen. "Now?"
"Why is everyone so surprised?"
"She's dating someone else!" Mel tells him.
"They're not married yet."
Mel bites her lower lip. "Omg Eddie, why are you so difficult, Loren's starting to.."
"Too what? I know she loves me, she has all along, I was an idiot not to realize it until now!"
Mel narrows her eyes. "You mean you knew? And you never said anything to her?"
Eddie sits back down. "I went through hell with Chloe, I had to be sure."
"Today, out of all days?"
"Has she said anything to you?"
"About what?"
"That she still loves me?" Eddie asks.
"No, she and I don't talk about you anymore."
"Why? "
"Because it hurts that's why? She's been hurting for a long time Eddie, wishing and hoping you wanted something more than a friendship, she threw herself in front of a bullet for you, do you want more proof then that?"
"I know Mel, if I don't speak now, I never will."
"Are you ready? She might reject you."
"I told Ian, I'll walk away."
The music stops, an announcement is made that the cake's going to be served; soft music in the background begins to play.
Loren walks back to the table alone. Mel smiles. "Where's Rick?"
"Something happened at the theatre, he has to go and check on it, he said he'll be back."
"Oh great, I'll sit with you until he comes back."
Loren smiles. "Go and have fun, dance with Ian."
Ian gets up. "That's a good idea, let's go!" He holds Mel's hand and they walk away; Mel gives Eddie a look, trying to tell him to stay quiet.
Loren looks at Eddie. "Where's Leah?"
"I don't know; I guess she's home."
"I see; you're dating someone else?" She smirks.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just wondering who the girl of the week is."
"Lately, it's just one girl."
She looks at him again. "Wow, you're finally getting serious huh?"
"Yes I am, I've realized who I want, who I love."
She sighs; she looks at him with doubt. "Really? Who's the lucky girl?"
He locks eyes with her. "It's you, Loren."
Omg! Finally, Sorry it stops here today! What will Loren say or do? R & R guys!
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