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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 52 Reaching to grab her carry-on bag from underneath the seat in front of her, Cheryl noticed her hands trembling and sighed. She hadn't told anyone about her fear for this weekend jaunt to Milwaukee. Not Howie. Not even Kris. She was nervous � visibly so. Not only was this the final parental test for Howie, but it was the first time she had seen her father in nearly two years. The last time had been a brief encounter during a business trip to Minneapolis. This would be the first time she had ever been to Milwaukee since her father had remarried and returned to the city of his birth. Cheryl thanked the crew in passing then stepped onto the jetway. She had arranged that Howie meet her rather than her father in order to give her extra time to adjust to the situation. Really, it was only an act of procrastination, prolonging the inevitable. She raised her blue-green eyes when she crossed through the gate and into the terminal, searching the crowd. She did a double take and smiled. "Hey, Nelson!" Cheryl greeted after approaching the skyscraper of a man. She laughed at his baseball cap and sunglasses. "What are they making security go incognito now?" He shook his head. "Nah, I'm just trying to look like I'm somebody. Do we need to head down to baggage claim or are you all set?" "This is it. I packed light," she said referring to her slightly oversized duffel bag. "Good," he replied then leaned in close as if telling her a secret. "And speaking of packing light, I have a surprise waiting for you outside." He wiggled his eyebrows. Cheryl playfully slapped the bodyguard before following him through the labyrinth of terminals to an awaiting nondescript hunter green SUV with dark-tinted windows. "I'll toss this in the back. You go ahead and take a seat," Nelson offered. Cheryl opening the door what she saw made her smile. She waited to close the door before leaning to lift one of the white roses to her nose. "What kind of greeting is this for someone you haven't seen in a month?" a voice said from the front seat. Cheryl's smile widened although she had known he was there all along. Howie climbed in between the bucketseats to join her. Without another word, he wrapped her in his warm embrace then she retreated enough to kiss him slowly. The two were nearly breathless as they parted. Howie caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Hiya, Sparky."Timing allowed for a trip to the Boys' hotel to freshen up and relax before the group had to drive to the venue. After saying her hellos to the other guys, Cheryl and Howie escaped to his room. Once the door was closed � acting as a barrier for privacy, Howie gave her a kiss worthy of their weeks apart. "I can't believe the Mouse allowed you time off to come," he commented kissing her again. "I think I lobbied the sympathy vote since I've had to cancel on you so many times." She dropped her head in shame. "I'm so sorry about that." "Hey," Howie lifted her eyes to his. "We're here together now. That's all that matters." His lips met hers again and he felt her moan. "God, I've missed that� So how are things going to work with your dad?" Cheryl turned her head away from him for a moment to try to hide the anxiety she felt then answered, "I need to call him. I just wanted some time along with you before the parental bombardment." Her explanation was true to a point, but she there was still so much more to her apprehension. Her boyfriend stole a long gaze into her eyes. "There is something else, isn't there. What's wrong?" "D, there are a few things you need to know about my relationship with my father." "Okay�" Cheryl dropped onto the bed. Howie stretched out next to her coaxing her closer until she had her head pillowed on his shoulder. Now more relaxed, she began her story. She talked about her upbringing, about the emotions surrounding her parents divorce and her father's subsequent remarriage. She told him how their father-daughter relationship had been reduced to phone calls. Granted, she had never really been a daddy's girl, but in listening to the emotions behind the words, Howie understood the pain of living life with a long-distance dad. "Howie, this is the first time in two years that I've seen him and the very first time I've been out to see him since my parents filed for divorce. I've never seen him in his new life." "Oh, sweetie, why didn't you tell me sooner?" He smoothed her red curls with the palm of his hand. "You aren't alone in this. You never have been. We're here for each other. We might be a couple, but in my mind, we're friends first. I had hoped that you felt the same." Cheryl tried, without success, to keep the emotions from tainting her reply. "I do. I believe that, but I just didn't want to burden you." "The weight is much easier to carry between two people, don't you think? Remember the time we talked about Caroline or when I told you about my frustrations of being the `invisible Backstreet Boy'? My heart was no longer as heavy with you to share my load." Howie searched her hazel eyes. "Please know that I'm never to busy to talk to you. I may have to call you back, but I will ALWAYS call you back." "D�you know the same hold true for me." He nodded. "I love you." "I love you, too." Before heading to the venue, Cheryl opted to take a shower to revive her body from the journey and her mind from the emotional discussion. She pulled on her navy blue jumper with a white t-shirt then added some tights and flats. Howie came in and before she could protest, he had begun to blowdry and style her hair. "I know what it takes to tame unruly curls," he reassured her. Still watching their reflection in the mirror, Cheryl reached behind her and ran her forefinger over the sensitive skin at the nape of his neck. "I trust that you do," she said and smiled as she gauged his reaction. Howie had finished her hair and left her to apply her usual minimal amount of makeup. "Tah dah!" She presented herself then did a turn worthy of Donatella Versace's catwalk. "Hmm, nice," he said with appreciation, "But it is missing something." His face reflected his deep thought process. "Ah, yes�" Howie walked over to his suitcase and retrieved a small blue velvet box. "I think you should wear this." He carefully popped open the lid revealing an exquisite necklace. The heart pendant was encrusted with Alexandrites � her birthstone � alternated with what she assumed to be small diamonds. Cheryl glanced between his handsome face and the gift in front of her. Her eyes reflected awe, happiness. "I don't� it's beautiful. But what's the occasion?" Howie led her over to the mirror across from the bed and withdrew the necklace from the box. She watched his able fingers as they clasped the piece around her neck. He turned her toward the looking glass, encircled his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "The occasion? I love you. I think that's reason enough." There were tears in Cheryl's hazel eyes when she turned in Howie's arms. She traced the pad of her index finger over his goatee then whispered, "There is no better reason, and you know something? I love you, too." Howie smiled and lowered his lips to hers. "As much as I would love to be here alone with you all night, we need to get to the arena."Cheryl placed her phone call then hung out with Leighanne while the Boys did their soundcheck. She was doing everything possible to keep her mind from obsessing over Howie's impending meeting with her father. It may have been a clich�, but she was positive "Daddy" wouldn't approve of his "little girl" dating a "rock star". After wishing Howie and the other Boys luck on the show, Cheryl followed Leighanne into the arena. The crowd was growing restless chanting impatiently for their idols. The two women wove through the masses of people pausing a few times for Leighanne to sign autographs and pose for photos. It was times like these that Cheryl was thankful that Howie had kept her and their relationship well-guarded. Certainly, some fans knew who she was but Cheryl was nowhere near as recognizable as Amanda, Leighanne, or even Kristy. Once the pair maneuvered their way through the crowd, Cheryl spotted her father and stepmother in their first-row, loge-level seats. It had been over two years since Bob had remarried and Cheryl was still unaccustomed to the idea. Jean, her stepmother, was so unlike her own mother. Blonde � though bottled. A bit over-concerned with the trends in fashion. Her father had never owned a pair of jeans but there he was in denim glory holding hands with his new wife. Cheryl took a deep breath before approaching. "Dad?" She hugged him first then gave Jean a more platonic embrace. She introduced Leighanne and the two women claimed their seats. The group talked about the fans' overzealous behavior while waiting for Backstreet to take the stage. Cheryl eventually felt herself relax, and Leighanne, who she had confided her fears in earlier, smiled in reassurance. Everything would be okay. As the haunting bass strains of the Empire Strikes Back theme echoed through the Bradley Center and the Boys rode through the air on their hoverboards, Cheryl noticed her father's appreciation. It had been their father-daughter ritual in the early 80's to see each Star Wars saga as it was released to the theatres. In a way, their relationship had come full circle. "Meeting Daddy" was a ritual in itself. The thought brought Cheryl's nerves back to life. Her father leaned over and whispered loudly as Kevin led the Boys and their dancers to the closest side of the stage. "So which one is your boyfriend again?" Cheryl sighed. Of course, he wouldn't remember what Howie looked like from the photos she had sent. "There, that's Howie." At that moment, her boyfriend glanced toward their section, caught her eye and winked with a smile. Rather than watching the concert that night, Cheryl occupied herself by gauging her father's reactions to all that was happening onstage. She would never forget his facial expressions while the Boys performed "Don't Want You Back". He seemed especially surprised by the antics of A.J., Nick, and � unfortunately � Howie, who didn't tone down his usual pole-dancing. Bob also managed to stifle a chuckle when the group emerged in their pink and gray zoot suits for the ballads. After the show, Cheryl led her guests backstage introducing them to various crewmembers along the way. According to the plan she had devised earlier, A.J., still clad in his wifebeater, met them in the hallway. "Hey, C!" He snatched her into a hug. "Bone, put me down. You're all sweaty," she said with a laugh and pushed him away. "Dad, Jean, this is A.J. McLean. J, this is my dad, Bob, and my stepmother, Jean." Graciously, he shook hands with them both then began charming them. The plan was for them to get to know the group's " sweetheart-in-rebel-clothing" first � the appearances can be deceiving idea � before subjecting Howie to the torture. It also gave him time to make himself presentable. "�yeah, Howie and I have been friends for years," A.J. finished. As if on cue, Howard Dorough, impeccably dressed in black slacks, burgundy shirt and a leather jacket, joined the group. Cheryl exhaled the breath she had been holding and grasped her boyfriend's hand gently trying to siphon his courage or at least pool their resources. "Howie, this is my dad and Jean. This is Howard Dorough, my boyfriend." "It's nice to meet you both," he said politely as he shook their hands. "I hope you enjoyed the concert." "You all seem to have quite a bit of energy. It was very good." Howie thanked Jean for her compliments. "Honestly�" Bob started and Cheryl found herself squeezing Howie's hand awaiting the verdict. "I think you are all very talented. Quite a production and you do this every night?" "Almost. I really love what I do. It's such a rush to be able to perform in front of a crowd, to know that the smiles on their faces are because of your music." Bob smiled to himself as he watched his daughter's face flush with pride. `Evidently, there is more to it than that, son.' Later that night, Cheryl and Howie lay in bed talking quietly. The couple had gone out for a late dinner with her second set of parents at a Chinese Restaurant. It had been a relaxed outing thanks in part to the favorable impression Howie had presented. "So you actually caught your father singing a New Kids song in the shower?" he asked now as he cradled her in the crook of his arm. "Yep. Guess I played them enough around the house. You should see my high school graduation video. Dad had the bright idea of bringing my friends to my room to take a look at my wallpaper." "What was so special about that?" Howie asked before he caught the glint of mischief in Cheryl's hazel eyes. "Oh God, NO!" He laughed. "Yep. Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jon, Jordan," she sang to the tune of "New Kids Got Run Over By a Reindeer". He laughed again. "So what song was it that your dad sang?" "`The Right Stuff'." "Somehow I can't hear your dad singing `oh-oh, oh-oh-oh.'" "That was actually his favorite part." "So what was it he said to you at the end of the night?" "He said that there was no need for A.J. to run interference for us. As long as I know what I'm doing, he trusts my judgement. It didn't matter to him who you were, what you did for a living�" "�as long as I love you," he quipped with a twinkle of amusement in his brown eyes. Cheryl smiled. "As long as you love me."Next: Chapter 53 |