NOTE TO heavenly1998: I'm glad you've enjoyed them! I'm also amazed that you've been able to read all of them once, then over again in a mere couple of days! That's pure enjoyment! Since you've just read all the stories recently, you should be able to answer these trivias in a snap!
TRIVIA: What does Sue mean by "if it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be part of our family"? (clue; think back to how Sue met them in the first place)
BONUS: Who is Howie's love?
?-?
"Do you see Howie?" Jack asked, looking at every car that was waiting for people.
Sue shook her head, only pausing in her search to look at her husband. "No." There were several taxis waiting, several cars coming and going with their passengers, but only 3 cars waiting for longer than 30 seconds, other than the limo, which had been sitting there since before they arrived outside. Looking at the driver of each of the cars, she didn't see Howie. "Do you think he forgot?" She asked, looking at her husband again.
"I didn't recognize you with those kids!"
Jack chuckled, pointing at something. Not knowing what he was pointing to, she frowned and looked in that direction. Upon seeing what he was pointing to, she laughed. It was Howie, stepping out of the limo, wearing the classic eccentric California filmmaker's clothes; tropical shirt, shorts, socks and sandals, sunglasses and a beret.
"Howie! I don't recognize you!" She exclaimed, chuckling as well.
"Hi! I'm Howie, who are you?" He asked the kids, bending over to be eye level.
Looking from Howie to Sue, then back again, the two kids stayed silent.
"This is Mellody and Chris. We're adopting them. In fact, you have a lot to do with us adopting them. If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be part of our family."
"Oh?" Howie asked, standing up straight.
Sue nodded. "We'll tell you later, OK?"
He nodded, then smiled widely. "Come on, let me take you to your home for the week!" He excitedly said, hopping backwards to the limo.
Laughing at their friend, the family carefully crossed the street and started to put their suitcases in the trunk of the limo.
"Stop!" Howie announced.
"What?" Jack asked, a suitcase in midair.
"Hector can do that. Hector!" He called. Within seconds, the driver appeared at the trunk and started to pack the trunk.
"That's the joy of being a filmmaker. You can get everything done for you, leaving you to just sit on the beach with your love!" He said as he got in the limo, then stretched his legs as if he was lounging on a lounge chair. Within seconds, he popped back up again and everyone started piling in. "I have so much planned! We can-" He abruptly stopped, looking at Mellody and Chris. "Will we be able to do everything I have planned?"
Sue smiled. "Thank you for thinking of them, Howie, but most likely we will be able to do everything you planned. It might be slightly modified, but we will make do."
"I want to see a movie being made!" Mellody excitedly exclaimed.
He smiled at her. "Of course you will! We will spend most of the time on set. And oh what a set! I saved the best scenes for last for you!" He exclaimed, turning to Sue and Jack.
Sue smiled. "Thank you, Howie, I'm sure we will love watching your movie being made."
"You will! I can't wait!" He exclaimed. He went on to tell the excitement that goes on on a movie set all the way to the hotel. "I will let you settle in today, but tomorrow I'll give you a tour of LA. Monday we'll go to the set. Sound good?" He asked as everyone was getting ready to get out.
Sue nodded and smiled. "It's your tour. I just have one request."
"Anything." He replied.
"Can we go to church tomorrow morning first? It is Sunday."
Howie's face twisted in thought. "It will alter the schedule, but not by much, I think. I suppose we could."
"Thank you, Howie." She replied, then got out. Once she and Jack helped Hector with the bags, they waved to their friend as his limo drove away from the hotel.
"What's so funny?" She asked, seeing her husband laughing as they grabbed their suitcases and herded the kids into the hotel.
"Nothing, it's just that I think you're the only person that Howie would go to church for."
"Why? Did something bad happen?"
He cocked his head to the side as they arrived at the front desk. "You know, I have no idea. He just doesn't seem like the church going type of guy."
"No, he doesn't, but I'm glad he's going with us!" She happily exclaimed as Jack checked the Hudson family in.
