Rachel was just about done with the editing on the book. She glanced down at her watch and then up towards the front of the bus. She thought for sure Howie would be back by now. The guys probably had him out shooting basketball or something and lost track of time. Clicking on her modem, she decided to pop online and double check a couple of references before emailing the file of the book off to Bev. With those verified, she opened her email to send the file and found a new message waiting for her.
"Hey babe. I'm too lazy to walk back to the bus and don't want to disturb you. When you get done, can you pop over to the other bus and get Kev's camera from him. I want to use it for something later. See you shortly.
Howie"
How strange, she thought to herself. Rising, she stepped back and combed through her hair while the file was transmitting to Bev, then shut down the machine and headed off towards Kevin and Brian's bus. Peeking her head up the steps, she saw Kevin sitting there. "Kevin. Hey. Howie sent me an email about stopping by and getting your camera?" she looked at him funny.
"Oh yeah," he said, reaching behind the couch to get the camera case and a red rose, handing both to her. He saw her smile when she saw the flower, inhaling it's fragrance as he handed it to her. "That's from D too," he laughed.
"I hope so. I'd be a bit worried if you, an engaged man, was giving me flowers," she giggled.
"Hey, check in the case and make sure the flash is in there," he told her.
"Ok," she said, opening it and finding a slip of paper. Opening it, she saw a note...a clue actually. "Next step...go snap a picture of our resident blonde terror on wheels." She gave Kevin a questioning glance.
"Hey, I’m just the messenger," he laughed, shoo'ing her off the bus.
"Hm." she said beginning to suspect a plot. Holding the delicate petals to her nose, she strolled over to an empty part of the parking lot where Nick liked to blade. Sure enough, there he was, showing off for the dancer, who looked happy even if her arm was in a sling.
"Red!" shouted Nick "Hey hey!"
"Smile!" shouted Rachel, shooting several pictures of him mid-flight."
"Hey, I have something for you!" said Nick, blading up.
"I rather suspected that you did." laughed Rachel, "So?"
"So!" he pulled a rose from behind his back, and a large envelope. "Happy hunting!" he said, wheeling off.
"Hm." said Rachel, opening the envelope. There were several pieces of beautiful square paper, and a note. It said 'Go ask Myumi what to do with these. Take your time and learn it right! Then...'
"You devil." said Rachel, her cheeks pinkening. This was a most interesting adventure...
Making her way to the crew bus, she found Myumi sitting outside under the same tree they'd all shared that first lunch under. "Hey girlie" she shouted as she approached, careful not to prick her fingers with the two roses she held. "I think you are supposed to teach me something this afternoon?" she laughed, holding out the crisp sheets of paper.
"Ah yes, have a seat," she pointed, pulling out a board and setting it between them. "Time for Origami 101 - the Art of Paper Folding," she giggled. She saw Rachel's eyes grow wide.
"Paper folding? Seriously?" she asked.
"Yes. You are going to learn how to fold a paper crane. No clue until you get it right," she smiled.
"Good lord," Rachel groaned. She sat and watched Myumi then attempted to follow her. Her first attempt was a disaster. "Does an abstract crane count?" she giggled, holding up her folded paper.
"No, you goof. Try again!" After about half an hour and several sheets of paper later, she finally help up a crane triumphantly.
"There ya go. Now here's your next item and your next clue..." she handed her friend a box with a card on top. She watched as Rachel took the box and slid the lid open.
"Oh my god," Rachel murmured. Inside the box was a beautiful little shimmery slip dress. She opened the card. "Hope it fits. Now on to your friend's love for part four...." She laughed. "Looks like I have to get going," she giggled, giving Myumi a hug and heading off to find AJ.
She tucked her perfect crane in the box. The three roses were on top of it. That dress... stunning. What now? She went back to their bus and found AJ outside, having a smoke. "Well, well." said AJ, grinning slowly. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Mmmm hm." Laughed Rachel, "Now what?"
"Now, my dear, you are going to get the best manicure you have ever in your life received."
"From YOU?" asked Rachel incredulously.
"Yes, from me. A girlfriend in high school taught me how. Chicks dig it."
AJ led her into the bus where he had a whole manicure kit set up. "OK dahling," said AJ, "first we clean, then we soak."
To his credit, AJ did, in fact, give a great manicure. He cleaned off the old polish, did a soak and massage, trimmed and pushed the cuticles and then gave her a french tip. "Lovely hands, just lovely." he said holding them in his.
'Thanks to you." giggled Rachel.
"Ok, dolly, go put on your dress."
Rachel put her dress on. It fit perfectly. She piled her hair up on her head and slipped her feet into her black heels which just *happened* to be sitting in the hallway.
She walked out and spun for AJ. AJ put his hand on his heart. "Stunning. Breathtaking. What can I say? The nails are perfect." Rachel threw a pillow at him. He laughed. "Ok, ok. pretty hands need something pretty." he handed her a box and a rose.
Opening the box Rachel gasped. It was a diamond tennis bracelet with several rubies. AJ took it out and clasped it around Rachel's arm. There was, of course a note.
'How many Backstreet Boys are there? Go find the brother you haven't seen.'
"Brian?" she gave AJ a glance. He nodded and motioned outside. I think he and Kev are working on some songs. Go check their bus," he hinted to her.
She smiled and hugged AJ before turning and carefully making her way outside. When she got to the other bus, she could hear the sound of Kevin's keyboard as the two cousins worked together. Quietly she knocked on the door before pulling herself up the stairs. "Sorry to interrupt you two," she grinned.
"Wow," Brian said, raising his eyebrows when he saw her. "Now, come over here and have a seat," he said, taking her hand and setting her on the small sofa opposite them, handing her her fifth rose. He looked at Kevin who began to play something on the ivory keys in front of him, and Rachel felt her heart to a little flip flop. It was Brian McKnight. Slowly Brian began to sing to her, his eyes sparkling since he knew what his friend was up to. He saw Rachel's eyes go all misty, and knew they'd picked the perfect song...Could.
Lying Alone in my room
Don't know what I'm gonna do
Trying to figure out If this is it,this time
Just Can't Stop thinking About the way you make me feel inside
I just can't get you off my mind
No matter how hard I try
(Chorus) Could you be the one for me
Could we dance the night away
I wanna give you everything
Though I don't have much
Could you fall in love with me
Could you love me the rest of my life
Could you forever be
The one for me this time
I walk around in a daze
The ice melting from my heart
How Can I ever know if you feel the same
Are you the sunshine that's begging me
To come in from the rain
Or have you come into my life
To turn around & take your love away
(Chorus)
When I look into your eyes (Oh,Oh,Oh,Oh)
They tell me that you're mine
But I keep asking myself
(Chorus)
Could you forever be
The one for me This time
When they were done, Rachel was speechless. "Wow..Brian..Kevin...thank you," she beamed.
"You're very welcome. But you've got one more box and clue," he said, handing her a smaller package. He watched as she opened the box and saw a bottle of fragranced bubble bath. "Bubble bath?" she laughed.
"There's more. Keep looking," Brian urged.
She pulled out an envelope and opened the crisp flap. Inside was a key and an address. "What's this?"
"There should be a cab outside waiting...give him this address and go finish your treasure hunt," Brian told her, leading her back to the door.
She gave each of the guys a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was really beginning to feel like a princess in a fairy tale! There was the cab, sure enough. But not just a cab.... a horse drawn hansom cab! She gave the cabbie the address and they clip clopped away.
Rachel sniffed her roses, her head spinning. This was by far the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. After about half an hour of clip clopping the driver pulled up to a gorgeous old Victorian B&B. The cabbie handed her a rose and smiled at her as he helped her down. Looking at the rose she saw a little tag: room 103.
"Ok, Mr. Howie Sweet D Dorough, if you are not behind door 103 I am going to scream!" she giggled.
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