The promise Hollywood Heights
Spaghetti Sauce Chapter 14
"I've told you the reasons why I can't call this wedding off, you know why, and yes, I love him, I always will."
"I know, making sure, remember anything can happen, maybe even a miracle."
Alex turns to Loren. "Daddy's finished, let's go to his room."
"Let's wait for Jake to tell us it's ok."
Kelly takes them to Eddie's dressing room. They walk in, Eddie's talking to Jake, Alex hugs Eddie from behind. "Daddy you were awesome; I want to sing like you."
Loren smiles, she looks at Mel. "I can already see him on stage."
"He has the dreamy blue eyes; he's going to be a lady killer." Mel says with a giggle.
Loren sighs. "He's a lot like Eddie at his age."
"You remember him at that age?"
Loren smiles, and blushes. "I've loved him from day 1, the day mom took me with her to give Eddie his first lessons, I know we were so young, but, our eyes locked, I blushed, I knew it from that moment on."
Eddie walks towards them, carrying Alex. "You ladies ready to go?"
"I am, and I'm starving." Mel adds.
"Great, we can stop and get something to eat, are you hungry Loren?"
"I'll be fine with a salad, it's late."
Mel shakes her head. "That's how she stays in shape, I'll eat."
Eddie laughs, they leave; the limo stops at a Chinese restaurant where Eddie picks up an order to go.
They arrive at the Hotel suite, Mel sets the food on the table, Eddie takes Alex to wash his hands.
They sit to eat, Alex gets ready for bed after his bath, Loren heads to her room, Mel offers to pick up. Eddie walks out to the patio balcony, he walks back in. "Is Loren coming back?"
"She has a headache; today was a very long day." Mel adds.
"I'm sure buying a wedding dress took a toll on Loren."
"Why the sarcasm?" Mel asks.
"Didn't mean to sound that way, I don't know what to think anymore, I know she loves me, yet she insists on this wedding."
Mel sits in front of Eddie. "She's been through a lot, after your Aunt Lorie kicked them out of the cottage, Loren cried for days, she tried for so long to be strong, especially when you were all over the news, the gossip shows always had video of you with different girls, to make things worse, you married that Chloe chick, she remained strong, she tried to move on, then Cam appeared when she needed the support, he was there for her."
"I never knew what happened, Jake had a note to deliver, I tried calling, the label was very insistent that I go that night, believe me I didn't want too."
"In her eyes, you broke your promise to be there, that hurt Loren the most, the moment you didn't show for your wedding, it shattered her, she's never been the same, she tries hard and pretends everything is fine, she's dying on the inside."
"Believe me when I tell you I looked for her, it's like the earth swallowed her."
"I'm sorry Eddie, I really am."
"Maybe I should have looked harder."
You could hear the pain in Eddie's voice, his eyes tear, heartbreak and sadness in his voice.
"If it wasn't for Alex I don't know where I'd be today, I never stopped loving her, she is the love of my life."
Mel hugs him, she looks at her watch. "It's late, I better head to bed, you need to rest, your concert was amazing."
"Thanks Mel, what do you think of the new song?"
"You threw down, it's a song for Loren?"
Eddie smiles. "Yes, heck, most of my songs are about her."
"I know Eddie, thank you for tonight, I enjoyed it."
"That's great, did Loren enjoy it?
"Let's just say she didn't blink once." Mel smirks.
Eddie smiles, he's happy Loren enjoyed the show.
"Thanks Mel, I appreciate it."
She heads to the bed. "Good night Eddie."
He waves. "Yeah, sweet dreams."
Mel closes the door behind her, Eddie gets a beer from the fridge, he's sits outside on the balcony, and takes a sip of his beer, she's in his thoughts, it will always be Loren.
The following Morning
Loren and Mel walk out of their room. Loren puts on her running shoes. "I'll be back, going down to the gym."
" I'd join you, but, I showered."
Loren leaves, Alex walks out of his room. "Where's Loren?"
"She's at the gym, are you hungry?" Mel asks.
"Will she be long?" he asks.
"No, she'll be back soon, I asked if you're hungry?"
"Yes I am, where's daddy?"
"He's still sleeping; remember he was busy this weekend? I can make you something to eat."
"It's ok, I'll wait for Loren."
Eddie comes down from his room; he showered and wearing shorts and a tank top.
"Why are you waiting for Loren?"
"Mel said she's at the gym, I want her to come and feed me."
"No, Loren is your teacher, not your babysitter." Eddie tells him.
"Come on, we'll make some pancakes." Eddie gets the ingredients and the bowls.
Loren returns, and takes a quick shower, and breakfast. "Alex, get ready for your lessons."
"I'm ready."
"Do you want to sit out in the Patio?"
He picks gets his books. "I'll sit there."
Loren heads to the patio, there's a knock on the door. Eddie's nearby and opens the door, and finds a person holding a huge box. "I'm looking for Loren Tate."
"She's here." Eddie signs for it.
He brings it in; Mel's reading a book. "Oh that must be Loren's (She stops when she realizes what she's about to say.) "Her what?" Eddie asks.
"It's her wedding dress; I'll take it to her room." Mel says.
Eddie stops her. "No, leave it here; when she's done she can take it to her room."
Mel can tell Eddie's upset; the whole idea of Loren going through with this wedding is killing him.
A few hours later, Loren done for the day with Alex.
"Daddy, can I go to the pool?"
Mel interrupts. "Alex get ready, I'll take you."
"I'll be back soon!" He gets ready, Mel sees Loren typing in her iPad. "That box arrived for you."
"Ok, thanks."
Alex returns with his swimming trunks on and a towel in his hands, he holds Mel's hand and they walk out.
Loren finishes whatever she's typing and picks up the box. "Need help with that? It's not too heavy is it?" Eddie asks.
"No, it's fine."
He steps in front of her. "You're still going through this with this?"
Loren rolls her eyes and looks away. "How many times are you going to ask me?"
"You know that's the only thing I don't miss about you, you're stubborn."
"Oh great, now I'm stubborn?"
"Yes! You want proof, here it is, you're holding your wedding dress in that box, a dress you should be wearing for our wedding."
Loren tries walking around him. "I came on this tour for Alex, I don't need you hounding me about my wedding to Cam, if this is going to be a problem then I can't work like this!"
"You can't take the truth, you can't even look me in the eyes and tell me you've stopped loving me, do it Loren."
"Do what Eddie? What is it that you want me to do?"
"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me anymore, face the truth, I will not bother you ever again."
She looks away, tears ready to escape her orbs. "Please, don't do this."
"I'm asking you is to look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love me."
Loren looks down; she drops the box and sits in the sofa. "I don't love you."
He laughs. "I said look at me, you can't and you know why? You still love me, that's why you can't do it."
Loren tries to control herself, her heart will beat right out of her chest, she wants to run, she can't look at him, she can't tell him she still loves him and only him, she's trapped, there's no way she's going to admit the truth. She picks the box up and walks away, slamming the door behind her.
Eddie smiles, this is one promise he isn't going to break, yes, Loren will get married, not to Cam, but to him.
Weeks later, Mel flies back home, she spent 2 weeks with Loren, Eddie's tour takes him to Boston, then New Jersey. They arrive in New Jersey; Cam flies in to spend a couple of days with Loren.
He books a room at a nearby Hotel. As soon as he's settled, Loren calls the nanny, and joins Cam for dinner.
It's been a long 10 weeks, skyping and face time with Loren isn't enough for Cam, he has to fly in and see his fiancé.
"I'm happy to be here and see you, is it fun living at a Hotel?"
Loren smiles. "It has its advantages."
"Enjoy the Hotel life, because once we're married, you can't tour with Eddie anymore, he's going to have to get someone else to go with him."
Loren plays with her hands. "I know, I'll be back home in a month, there will be another tour for the southern states in 4 months."
Cam reaches for her hand. "You'll be Mrs. Cam Phillips by then, Eddie will have to figure it out."
"I know." Her smile is weak; will she be able to go through with this wedding? Will she survive?
"I was able to get your favorite park for our reception, there will be tents, we can celebrate our wedding there."
"Looks like you have everything under control."
"Yes, I think it's ready, when you get back we can mail out the invitations, I made an extra 10 just in case."
"Is it time to mail them?"
"When you get back we will have about 11 weeks left."
"Time is flying by very fast." She wonders.
Cam leans in. "I can't wait Loren, I love you."
Loren's smile is weak, she has no idea how to respond, her heart isn't in this wedding. "Me too."
Cam returns home, Loren stays busy with Alex, Eddie's at rehearsals during the week, preparing for his weekend concerts.
One evening, Loren shops, she's going to make dinner, she's tired of take out.
"What are you making" Alex is curious.
"I hope you love spaghetti; I make the best sauce."
"I love spaghetti; can I help you?"
She prepares the ingredients, the sauce is simmering and the pasta is cooking. Alex helps butter the French bread and Loren prepares a salad with lots of greens.
A few hours later, dinner's ready, Eddie walks through the door the moment Loren is serving Alex some spaghetti. "It's smells amazing in here, what did you order?"
"Loren made spaghetti." Alex says with a big smile.
Eddie drops his things and walks into the kitchen. "I love your spaghetti."
"I'm sure you're tired of take out, thought this would be a treat."
Alex enjoys his plate of spaghetti; Loren serves Eddie a plate of her famous dish.
She serves herself a plate and sits down next to Alex. He looks so cute with his whole face splattered with sauce. "You have to marry daddy; we need you."
Loren smiles. "Thank you Alex." Loren makes eye contact with Eddie. He smiles back, you can tell how much these two love each other.
Loren continues to eat, Eddie can't take his eyes off of her, this is how happiness feels.
I love this story, hope you do too!