Chapter Four-Hundred-Four
“You know Brookie, I am perfectly capable of doing my own hair” Howie announced amusedly as he sat in the chair Brooke had forced him into after his shower where she had instantly gone from Orphanage Mistress to Barber Shop Mistress. She had finally just turned the hair dryer that she brought over off and was in the process of gently combing through his naturally short curly hair with her fingers.
“Yes, but we’re in a hurry and I don’t ever get a chance to play with your hair so you know what? Your gonna let me cause I let you hang around my orphanage all the time” she told him sweetly while giving him the sweetest look she could muster and Howie chuckled.
“All right fair enough.”
“Look at it this way. You do stuff for me all the time during your spare time simply because you love doing so, and now its my turn to do something nice for you. You are being pampered here Dorough, enjoy it.”
“Yes but you still haven’t told me why,” Howie insisted. “Just exactly what do you have up your sleeve here? And who is down in the kitchen creating such a delicious smell while you are up here with me?” Brooke smirked at him as her only response and she stopped playing with his beautiful curls and went to fetch his cologne.
“Brookie” Howie persisted eagerly.
“What kind of jewelry do you have D? Any nice yet casual stuff?”
“My watch is lying on the dresser…and I have a silver cross necklace that I like to wear sometimes.”
“Perfect,” Brooke replied and then walked on over to the dresser. She worked on getting Howie ready for five minutes more and by the time she finished and they were walking down the stairs the living room and dining room lights were dimmed, the dining room table was set for two, and there were candles lit. There was also a single red rose lying next to one of the plates. It was the perfect atmosphere – it has a light romantic touch to it, but not too overwhelming for a woman who was widowed not too long ago. It was then, that Howie finally caught on. He watched as Riley came out and grabbed up both of the plates, go into the kitchen, only to return a moment later with them filled with Chicken Stir-Fry and Ann and Jackie followed, one holding a little plate of egg rolls, and the other had some cut up oranges.
“No, you four aren’t seriously thinking….” Howie trailed off as he watched the three of them disappear in the kitchen again and Brooke gently squeezed his shoulder.
“The key to winning her heart is not to overwhelm her,” She began coaching. “You want to let her know you care about her but remember to be sensitive about the fact that she lost her husband. She’s not going to want to rush into anything.”
“And that is exactly why I am not so sure this is a great idea,” Howie insisted skeptically.
“Just make it seem like you really wanted to do something nice for her – she worked all day long and is probably going to come home exhausted. I bet it will be nice for her to find dinner on the table and a sweet friend like you to share it with” Riley insisted when she came back out and she winked at him.
“You don’t think she’s not going to feel overwhelmed when she finds out you four set this all up? She’s going to figure out why the moment she does she’s smart like that.”
“That’s why we aren’t staying,” Brooke beamed. Howie opened his mouth to respond and she reached out and gently placed her finger to his lips to shush him. “Make her think it’s all your grand plan to please her after a long tiring day at work. You made the dinner, you bought her the rose, you set this romantic scenery up, and you cleaned yourself up all on your own. That’s all she has to know.”
“But—“
“—Come on Howie. We all know you have feelings for her so why don’t you get it over with already and do something about it?” Riley encouraged gently.
“Because I’m trying to be respectful to her and most importantly I’m trying to be respectful to Rick. How do you think he would feel if he knew some jackass was moving in on his family while he hasn’t even been dead for very long?”
“I think he would want his heartbroken wife, his lonely son, and his little girl to be happy. Ryan wants this more then anything Howie. I’m sure if he’s looking down on his family right now he recognizes that. He would want his broken family to move on and be happy.”
“Wouldn’t you if you were in his shoes? If the situation was reversed?” Brooke challenged.
“Well yes but…”
“We aren’t asking you to make any drastic moves on her right now…just put yourself out there and gently let her know you care. Baby steps, that’s all.”
“You are just going to have to go with it sweetie cause we really need to go. If what Ryan told us is true, she’ll be walking in the door in about five minutes.” Just then, Ann and Jackie finally came out of the kitchen. Brooke and Riley both leaned forward to kiss Howie on each of his cheeks at the same time and then they pulled away and followed the two moms out the door leaving him alone to work his sweet D charm on the woman he loves. Howie scowled and looked at table that was nicely set. Before he even had the time to think though, he heard his car pulling in and suddenly felt knots in his stomach. Okay Howie…she’s here. It’s too late to quickly clean up now. You are just going to have to go with the flow here. He inwardly coached himself. He looked around the house nervously, not exactly knowing what to do with himself. Drinks. They forgot to get them drinks. He rushed into the kitchen then closing the door behind him and he began to busy himself with that. After a few moments he heard the front door open.
“Howie? Ryan? I’m home…” he heard her curious voice in the living room. “Where are you guys?”
“Just a minute Lindz,” Howie called back gently as he fished through his cupboards for the red wine that he kept. When he found the bottle he placed it on the cupboard and walked casually to the door. He opened it up and poked his head out in attempt to make himself seem like he’s been slaving away in the kitchen all day just to please her after such a long day at work when he was suddenly caught completely off guard. There stood Lindsey in the middle of the room in a purple draping bare shoulder top that was complete with a detachable necklace. She has on black striped dress pants, black ankle boots, and her naturally curly blonde hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail. Shed done her makeup all nice and just standing there in front of him completely took Howie’s breath away.
God why does she have to do that? he whined inwardly to himself. Why does she have to be so beautiful? She even makes coming home from a long day at work look beautiful! It’s not fair. How am I supposed to pretend that I don’t want her if she’s going to make it hard on me like this? He hadn’t seen her before she left for work this morning, he was still asleep but he’d given her permission the night before to take his car. It’s a good thing he didn’t see her, otherwise she probably wouldn’t make it out of the house. And that would be a very sure way to scare her off for sure. Shaking his head at his thoughts as if he were trying to rid them from his mind, he tried his hardest to concentrate. Lindsey – he should say something. What was he going to say? Damnit I’m hopeless.
“Hey you, how was work?” he asked sweetly as he pushed the door open more and walked further into the room.
“Pretty good…though it kind of dragged on. What’s all this?” She asked indicating toward the table and the candles. “Where is Ryan?”
“I just thought it would be nice to have dinner on the table when you got home. Ryan took it upon himself to stay at Kevin’s tonight. Here why don’t you sit down? I was just pouring us some drinks. Is red wine okay?”
“Yeah that sounds great,” Lindsey answered while eyeing him curiously and looking highly impressed at this really nice gesture. Howie pulled her chair out for her and she sat down. “Why did Ryan decide to stay at Kevin’s? He and Ellie aren’t exactly the best of friends or anything…” She wanted to know as he disappeared in the kitchen to fetch the wine and she noticed the red rose for the first time.
“I’m not sure,” Howie lied easily as he returned with two wineglasses and he sat one down in front of her. “I was very surprised myself. I guess he thought maybe you deserved a nice quiet evening after working all day…do you like your rose?” he asked hopefully.
“Yes its beautiful. Roses are my favorite…but Howie you didn’t have to go through all of this trouble.”
“No, but I wanted to” Howie insisted sincerely. It wasn’t a compelete lie at least, Howie thought inwardly to himself. He’ll admit that even though he protested to this the moment he found out what was going on, a small part of him – a very small part of him did want to do something nice for her so she wouldn’t think he is a complete asshole. “I hope you like stir fry. It’s a recipe that I borrowed from Brian’s mom,” he added as he watched her grab up her fork. He had to put some truth into the story at least – he hates lying to her even if it’s a little white one and he’s only doing it to win her heart.
“It smells so good,” Lindsey insisted as she gathered some up in her fork and took a bite. “Mmm…” she told him appreciatively and Howie grinned, picked up his fork, and he began to eat too slowly feeling better about this whole thing. He is just glad she’s not getting the wrong impression and hasn’t stormed out of here by now. Lindsey quietly watched him as she ate her dinner and wondered where this huge turn around in his behavior had come from. It was only just last night when the two of them were going at it for something completely stupid…simply for the very excuse to fight with one another and now here he is being the perfect sweetheart. Clean House? Dinner by Candle light? Wine? Red Rose? And not to mention he sure did go through a lot of trouble to make sure he looked nice this evening. Not that he doesn’t look handsome every night that is. She would be a fool not to think so, but tonight…just seems different. Or is just her imagination? Maybe its just this candlelit setting he has going on that has her seeing a whole new side to him. She really doesn’t know…but there is one thing she knows for sure. This is a very nice change. Just then, he noticed her watching her and he grinned at her in that sweet loving way that she loves so much.
“Whats on your mind?” he asked with sincere curiosity.
“You,” Lindsey answered honestly as she carefully averted her eyes to her plate.
“What about me?” Howie asked not letting himself feel good about that answer just yet. She could be thinking about what a complete jerk he is.
“Oh nothing really…its just that whenever I think I have you all figured out you surprise me.”
“I know in the beginning you thought I was a huge jerk,” Howie told her softly. “But that’s not me Lindsey…I promise.”
“I’m beginning to realize that,” she replied and she reached across the table and placed her hand on his causing his heart to flutter. "It makes me wonder what you are hiding from me,” she added looking deep into his eyes searchingly.
“Hiding something from you?” Howie asked playing dumb and he arched his eyebrow.
“You’ve obviously been hiding behind your anger for some reason…” Howie grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
“What can I say I’m a man of mystery?”
“I’ll have you figured out one of these days Howie Dorough, you just wait…you can’t hide from me forever.”
“We’ll see about that,” Howie challenged playfully. Lindsey shrugged as she looked at him with a small smile.
“Just let it be duly noted Dorough. You encourage me to open up to you all the time and let you in…one of these days you’re eventually going to have to open up to me.”
“Sometimes certain things are just better left unsaid,” Howie told her quietly.
“Not when it’s obviously hurting you.”
“Great, she’s turned into Dr. Phil on me now” Howie teased lightly.
“I’m a mother, I don’t need to be Dr Phil to see the little things.”
“Ryan and Laila aren’t here. You are supposed to be taking the night off from mother-duties love.”
“A mother’s job never ends even if her children aren’t here.” Howie chuckled and squeezed her hand gently.
“We really can’t go through an evening without disagreeing over something can we?” Lindsey laughed too.
“Yeah I don’t know how we do it…it just happens that way.”
“We aren’t going to fight tonight” Howie vowed gently. “I won’t let it happen.”
“Good, because I don’t want to fight.”
“Me neither…wait! Was that an agreement? Did we just agree?” Lindsey laughed amusedly and nodded.
“I think we did. What a miracle.” Howie smirked as he sat there gently rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand and continued to eat his dinner. He loves to see her laugh and smile – it’s his greatest pleasure because it doesn’t happen enough.
~*~*~*~*~
“Ryan is gonna WHAT?!” Ellie exclaimed loudly in exasperation as she followed her Uncle around Blockbuster.
“Spend the night at our house,” Jerald answered not making eye contact with her.
“What fors?! He has is own house! Why doesn’t he stays there?”
“Because he’s being a sweetheart and giving his mom and Howie the evening alone.”
“Buts he had to stay at OUR house?”
“He has no where else to go honey, I’m sorry. You are just going to have to make the best of it.”
“That’s NOTS fair!”
“Life isn’t fair.” Elenore scowled and crossed her arms over her chest detestably.
“I DON’TS like him Uncle Jerry, I DON’TS! An’ I especially do nots like him in my house of all places!” she informed and she stomped her foot for dramatic effect as the two of them stopped so he could look at a movie.
“I know sweetheart, I hear you loud and clear. But like I said we do not have a choice in the matter.”
“Like hells we do. Makes him sleep in the yard” Ellie insisted irritably.
“Watch your language young lady or you won’t be getting any candy and you’ll sit up in your room all night while Ryan, Kevin, Grandma and I all watch movies.”
“Hmph!” Ellie protested, and she punched a movie causing it to fall off its shelf and she jumped back slightly as if she hadn’t expected it to make such a clatter. Jerald rolled his eyes, turned around, and crouched to her level and he gently grabbed her arms and looked her in the eyes seriously.
“Pick it up. Now.”
“No. You picks it up.” Jerald narrowed his eyes.
“I’m giving you one more chance to pick the movie up and turn this attitude of yours around right now or not only will you sit in your room all night but I will take your stereo away too. I know how important that’s been to you lately.” Ellie narrowed her eyes at him in return testily for a long moment, and then leaned down, picked the movie up, and put it back on its shelf. All the while she held his gaze.
“I realize you don’t like Ryan. We all do. There is no reason for you to throw your tantrum when we know already – loud and clear. I am sorry that you have to share your house with him for the evening – it sucks. I know. But things happen and sometimes we just have to roll with it. Understand?”
“No.”
“Well what can I do to help you understand?” Ellie looked away from him stubbornly.
“I didn’t agree to have him spend the night to purposely upset you. I didn’t wake up today and say to myself hmm…what can I do to make that niece of mine unhappy with me? you know I didn’t do that. It just happened and I’m sorry.”
“Where is he sleeping at?” Ellie asked defeatedly as she continued to look away from him with so much emotion in her eyes.
“The guestroom.” Ellie leaned into Jerald’s arms then and slid her own around his neck before resting her head comfortably against his chest. He stood up with her and kissed the top of her head as he walked around the store with her. “That’s a good girl,” he praised happy that she wasn’t going to go into full blown tantrum mode and he gently rubbed his hand over her back. They picked out their movies, Jerald let her pick out her candy, and just as they were getting ready to get in line to pay he noticed Kristin walk in with two happy children at her side and the other waitress from Denny’s. Ellie spotted her too and opened her mouth to say something when Jerald gently covered it with his hand. Ellie looked up at him with narrowed eyes.
“Shhh” He told her quietly, and then slipped behind a shelf where he wouldn’t be seen.
“Can we rent the Pokemon Movie Aunt Kristin, please, please?” the little boy asked eagerly while hanging on her arm.
“The Pokemon movie?” Kristin asked in a playful incredulous tone and she lifted the eight-year-old up into her arms. “But we’ve seen that over a dozen times don’t you want to find something new?”
“But what could be better then Pokemon?”
“How about Ninja Turtles? We don’t get to watch that enough. Or maybe Power Rangers, or Batman…”
“How about all three and Pokemon?” the little boy suggested. “We could have a movie marathon of super heroes! It would be great!” The other waitress from Denny’s laughed at this suggestion and ruffled the little boy’s hair playfully. “I don’t think your father would like that too much. He’d clobber us for sure. Especially since he wants us to get you in bed by ten tonight.” The little boy scoffed.
“Dad won’t clobber you. What will he do without his baby-sitters?”
“You’ve got a point there” Kristin told him amusedly.
“An’ besides, he says you two are his favorite sisters. Why would he clobber his favorite sisters?” Kristin laughed and hugged the little boy close to her before kissing his cheek affectionately.
“Way to butter us up Nate.”
“Is it working?” the little boy called Nate asked hopefully. Kristin smirked and placed her nose to his giving him an Eskimo’s kiss.
“Only because you are too sweet for words,” She insisted. “And I have a huge soft spot for you. But if you tell your father that we let you stay up late for a cartoon marathon we will deny everything. Got it dude?”
“Got it dude” Nate agreed while grinning triumphantly.
“Momma can we rent the Rugrats Movie too?” the little girl asked hopefully as she tugged on the other waitress’s shirt.
“Aw, sweetie we’re already renting four others. By the time you’ve watched all of those it will be so late…”
“Aww…come on sis, let her pick out a movie. Nate got to, it’s only fair” Kristin insisted while gathering the other girl up into her arms and kissing her cheek. The other waitress sighed defeatedly as she watched the two children and her sister give her the pout.
“Oh all right…”
“Yes!” Kristin and the two children cheered happily and they ran off to search for their movies leaving Kristin’s sister there to shake her head in silent amusement.
Author's Chapter Notes:
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