December 5, 2000 – NASCAR Awards Banquet

(E.N:  Not sure of the exact date…but this is fictional story, so dates and times really don’t have to matter.)

Noelle stepped out of the bathroom and looked at herself in the full length mirror in the hotel bedroom. She put in her earrings and smiled. The dress she had picked out was perfect and Junior’s sister, Kelley had done an awesome job on her hair.

“You look gorgeous!” Kelley said taking a picture of her.

“Kelley…quit with the pictures already.” Noelle laughed as she turned around.

“Sorry, it’s my first time doing someone’s hair for a huge event like this. So I’m proud of myself. Now let me take a picture of your ring!” Noelle rolled her eyes and held out her hand so Kelley could snap some pictures of the engagement ring.

“What are you two doing?” Junior asked walking into the room and then whistling when he saw Noelle. “You look gorgeous.”

“Wow…two people have told me that now.” Noelle said as he turned her around to look her over. “You don’t look to shabby yourself.” She eyed Junior over and smiled. He looked great in his suit and tie. “You clean up pretty good.”

“I always look good.” Junior laughed. “I’m very G.Q. ya know.”

“Uh huh.” Kelly laughed and took a picture of the two of them together.

“Get that camera away from her.” Junior laughed.

*****

Cameras were going off consistently as the drivers went inside the Waldorf-Austria hotels in New York for the awards banquet.

“Dale Jr.! Can you answer a few quick questions?” A reporter asked as they walked down the red carpet. Noelle felt like she was going to some huge Hollywood premier. Junior nodded and stopped, keeping his arm around Noelle. “Who is your escort tonight?”

“My fiancée, Noelle.” Junior said with a smile. The reporter’s eyes grew wide and he took a picture of the two of them. He went on to ask Junior some more questions and then they were free to go on into the hotel.

“Just one more question.” Another reporter asked as they stepped through the doors of the hotel. Junior and Noelle stopped. “What does your family think of your engagement?”

“Daddy has already given us his approval.” Junior laughed as he hugged Noelle closer to his side. “They love her just as much as I do.” The reporter took a quick picture of them before they were rushed into the banquet hall.

Junior was not receiving any awards that night, but he had been invited to attend, along with most of the other drivers. They sat at a table with Dale Sr., Teresa and a few other DEI employees.

“Noelle.” Teresa leaned closer to Noelle. “Did your sister and Tony really get married when you all went to Vegas?” Noelle glanced over at Tony’s table and saw Hollie laughing with a few of Tony’s crew members.

“Yeah, they did.” Noelle picked up her glass and took a sip of wine. “But they’re trying to figure out how to get it annulled.”

“At least that’s what they said when they were at our house the other day.” Junior cut in.

“Why?” Dale Sr. suddenly became interested in the conversation.

“She’s still married for another week or so. The divorce hasn’t been finalized.” Noelle set her glass down. “She’s worried that she’ll get in trouble for bigamy if anyone finds out.”

“I’m so glad that you two didn’t do something as stupid as them and get married while you were out there.” Teresa sighed. Junior and Noelle glanced at each other quickly. “I find Vegas weddings tacky. Getting engaged was good enough. Now you can have a nice church wedding.”

“Yeah.” Noelle agreed. She glanced at Junior again and mouthed, “When are we going to tell them?”

Junior leaned into her and whispered in her ear. “Christmas.” She nodded.

“Why’d you say, ‘our’ house, Junior?” Dale Sr. asked. Junior’s head shot up and he looked at his father. “You two aren’t living together yet, are you?”

“She just has a few things at my house. Mainly clothes for when she stays over. But no, not yet. She won’t move in until we’re closer to the wedding.” Junior said quickly.

“It doesn’t matter if you were. Hell…I’d have Noelle move in and sell the house of hers to Hollie.”

“Well, she’s going to move in with Tony, I believe.” Noelle said as a plate was put in front of her. “But we’ll talk about it. Right now, we’re just trying to figure out when the wedding is going to be.” Junior nodded in agreement. “I was looking over the schedule for 2001 and we don’t know whether to do it before the season starts or during an off-week.”

“Doing it before is going to be rushed, don’t you think honey?” Teresa asked Dale Sr. He didn’t answer her. “It’s up to you two, really.”

“We’re still talking about it.” Junior took a bite of food. “We’ll let you know soon though.”

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30