Chapter 37: I
Could Not Ask For More
Two weeks had passed since hell broke loose for Chance, Darren, Shiri, and Dan. Chance and Darren had grown closer in that time, spending each waking moment with each other, even some time on the set of “Roswell.” Yet Shiri and Dan were on the road to disaster. Neither one was talking to the other, and their only means of communication had been through other people like Chance, Darren, or Majandra.
Chance was desperately trying to find a way to orchestrate her plan to get them back together, but by them not talking to each other, it made it harder for her. Fortunately, Darren was planning a record release party at a small café in San Francisco that weekend which meant Chance might have a shot at getting her two best friends back together.
By the time Saturday had rolled around, everything on the set of “Roswell” had fallen apart. With Shiri in a foul mood, Chance had been pulling double shifts in order to keep her focused on the show and not Dan. Darren, on the other hand, had been stuck in San Francisco for the entire week planning the party and getting things ready. He was oblivious to the antics going on in Chance’s life. He had his own problems to think about and wasn’t about to listen to Chance rant about her recent quarrels with cast members. Instead, they spent less than five minutes on the phone each night so she wouldn’t get pissed at him again for not calling.
That night, Chance sat in the stretch limo that would be taking her and the rest of her friends to the café. It would be a long three hours before they’d reach their destination and another three to get back home. Chance secretly hoped the ride to the café wouldn’t turn into the ride from hell. She prayed that Dan and Shiri would stay out of each other’s hair and be quiet instead of yell at each other.
Chance looked down at her watch to find it was well past 4:30 in the afternoon. ‘What is taking them so long?’ she angrily thought, her fingers tapping on the side of the door as she waited for Dan come downstairs. He ran down seconds later and hopped into the limo. An hour later, the rest of their friends had joined them and were heading for San Francisco in high spirits.
They arrived at the café around eight that night, just in time. Chance silently thanked God that everything was going as planned. As soon as she entered the café, things began to get weird. Chance walked in expecting a very crazy and party mood, but found a cozy café scene. She was already beginning to like what she was seeing then spotted Darren at the other end of the room dressed casually in a tight black shirt and blue jeans. He walked over to her and gave her a kiss.
“This place looks incredible,” Chance commented as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
“I wanted it to be as soothing and as romantic as possible,” Darren replied. “I’m glad you like it.”
“At least now I have some time to set things up so that Dan and Shiri end up together by the time tonight is over,” she said. He released his grip on her waist and let her go. “I’ll see you around in a little while. I have some matchmaking potions to mix.”
Chance scurried off towards Shiri’s direction. She found her talking to Majandra near the bar, a tall drink in her hand.
“Don’t you dare get plastered on me,” Chance warned her. “I have a really good idea about how to get Dan to admit he loves you and can’t live without you.”
“Really?” Shiri replied sounding a bit sarcastic. “What is it?”
“You’re going to be doing some singing. And I won’t take no for an answer,” Chance said as she took Shiri’s hand and led her towards the mic stands set up at another corner of the room in front of a black curtain. Taking a binder off one of the small tables in the middle of the room, she scanned through pages of song titles until she found one that she was looking for.
“Chance, you are seriously deranged,” Shiri answered. Chance pointed to a song title and she read it over.
“You know this song, don’t you?” she asked.
“I think I do,” Shiri said.
“Okay, sing this, then this.” Chance pointed to another song on the list. “That’ll give him the big picture.”
“And how do you know that?
“Because Chance knows all.”
Shiri began to laugh at her comment. “You don’t know shit.”
“But I do know that Dan is in love with you, he’s just afraid to tell you because of a few good reasons that I can’t mention to you, but one has to do with your reaction,” Chance said.
“Why hasn’t he told me, then?” Shiri asked.
“Because he’s afraid. He’s a scared little boy that needs some guidance. Maybe if you hinted to him that you also love him, he’ll come around,” Chance replied. She walked away from Shiri and began to flip through a stack of CD’s on another table near the mic stands. She found what she was looking for and made her way towards the CD player near the mics.
“Can I have you attention please?” she said into the mic closest to her. “Is this thing on?” Seeing everyone turn towards her, she knew it was time for introductions. “Hey everyone. It’s me, Chance, your co-entertainer tonight. I’m glad you could all be here for the promo party. Right now, I think I’m gonna stray from the subject a little and have you all listen to the vocal stylings of Shiri Appleby. Take it away, Shiri.”
Chance stepped away from the mic and pressed play on the CD player. She watched as Shiri stood alone waiting for the music to play.
“She stole your heart. Only did it because she could. Chewed you up and spat you out. That girl never was no good. Baby I would never do that. I’ll love you faithfully. But your suspicious mind thinks I’m gonna repeat her story. She’s making you crazy, making you a wreck, making you follow me, making me a suspect. You seem to think I’m playing her game. Don’t you know my name?” Shiri clearly sang as if she had been doing it all her life, but there was a hint of fear in her voice. Chance jumped up on stage and began to sing the chorus with her.
“That was her, this is me. We’re different as can be. She and I are nothing alike. You’re confusing day and night. That was then, this is now. You wanna trust me but you don’t know how. I’m never gonna mess around, let you down. Can’t you see? That was her and baby this is me,” they sang together in perfect harmony. For the rest of the song, Chance and Shiri took turns on vocals, each one singing a different part of the song until it was over. Chance began to leave the makeshift stage when Shiri grabbed her shoulder.
“Thanks, Chance. That meant a lot to me. I’m glad you came up on stage. I was kinda getting a little nervous,” Shiri said as she made her way off the stage with her.
“I could see you were scared, but you did a great job. How long have you been singing?” Chance replied as they sat down at Darren’s table, the closest one to the stage.
“Actually, I don’t sing. That was just one lucky shot. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to do anything like that again,” Shiri answered, her head turning in Dan’s direction to see what he was up to and if he had taken notice.
“Never?” Chance said, astonished. “Maybe you should take that up if your acting career ever goes south.”
“Quick, here comes Dan,” Shiri interrupted, turning back towards Chance and trying to make it seem if they had been talking without realizing he had been heading their way.
“Sorry to interrupt, but could I talk to Chance for a moment?” Dan asked. Chance stood up and walked with him towards the entrance of the café.
“What is it, Danny?” she replied.
“Was that song intended for me?” he said.
“Maybe, maybe not. You figure it out,” Chance answered, turning and making her way back to the table where Shiri had been waiting for her. “Time for you solo. If this doesn’t get through his thick head, I’m gonna make a little announcement.”
Shiri stood up again and make her way back to her mic. Chance pulled the right CD, but before she played it, she took another mic from the stand and said, “Alright, party people. Here comes another hit brought to you by Shiri. And maybe this time, someone in the room will get a hint as to what this song means.”
The music began to play, and Shiri began to sing, “My friends say you're so into me, and that you need me desperately. They say you say we're so complete, but I need to hear it straight from you if you want me to believe it's true. I've been waiting for so long it hurts. I wanna hear you say the words, please.
“Don't, don't let me be the last
to know. Don't hold back, just let it go. I need to hear you say you need me
all the way. Oh, if you love me so, don't let me be the last to know…”
Chance stared back at Dan as he stood in the back of the room near the
door. His eyes began to well with tears until he couldn’t take it anymore. He
ran out of the café and out into the street. Shiri also saw the door fly open
and stopped mid song to run after him. Chances quickly made her way to the closet
mic and assessed the situation.
“Sorry about that, folks. A slight technical problem has occurred and
I think we should wait until it’s fixed to continue this. Again, I’m really
sorry about that,” she said. After putting the mic back on the stand, Chance
ran to the window and watched as the muted scene unfolded. To her surprise,
a few minutes of arguing turned into a long, passionate kiss between Dan and
Shiri.
“Are they back together?” Majandra yelled from the back of the room.
“Yep,” Chance happily called to her. She stepped away from the window
to give them some privacy.
“I knew they would get back together after tonight,” Katherine said as
she leaned into Jason.
“Okay, enough mush for one night, it’s time for the real party to start!”
Chance hollered as she made her way back to the stage. New, faster, more energetic
music began to play on the sound system. Everyone stood up to dance as Chance
sat down beside Darren to watch their closest friends having the time of their
lives in the cozy setting.
“So, how do you think the rest of tonight is going to pan out?” she asked
him as she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Well, if you consider this a great start, then it’s going to get even
better,” Darren answered as his lips made their way down to hers. “Come on,
get up and dance with me.”
Chance stood up and Darren led her out onto the floor. She pressed her
body up against his, her blood racing to the beat of the music. They danced
together for several songs until Darren stopped the music to say a few words.
“Is everyone having a good time?” he yelled into the mic. Clapping exploded
across the room, but he wasn’t satisfied with it. “I said, is everyone having
a good time?” Hoots and cheers flew thru the air, filling Darren’s ears with
what he was hoping to hear. “How about making it a little better with a performance
from yours truly?”
“Bring it on!” Chance called from her seat.
“Hey, don’t think you’re just gonna sit back and relax,” Darren told
her. “Get you ass up here and help me. The new single isn’t all me.”
“What is the new single, anyway?” she asked, making her way to her mic
beside him.
“I thought you already knew.”
“Was someone supposed to tell me or something? Because I never got the
message.”
“Then this is going to be the biggest surprise you’re ever going to get.”
“Darren, what is the single?”
“I’ll give you one guess and one hint. It’s the last track on the CD.”
Chance scratched her head for a moment trying to remember the last track
on the CD. Finally realizing it was “Another Dream,” she nearly screamed into
the mic, but not before Darren covered it up with his hand to keep her from
blowing the speaker system.
“You’re kidding me, right?” she excitedly asked.
“No, that’s going to be the first single off the album,” Darren said
as she wrapped her arms around him.
“Oh, my God! My song!” Chance cried. She held onto Darren’s neck, slowly
cutting the blood flow to his brain.
“Could you pleas get off me?” he whispered, his air supply also being
cut off.
“Oh, yes! Anything for you,” she replied.
“Alright, let’s show them we’re just as good in real life as we are on
the record.” Darren took his mic from the stand. He reached behind him and pulled
up a large guitar case, handing it to Chance once it was opened. She played
the first few chords and began to sing her part of the song.
“I lay upon my bed at night hoping to see your face. Somewhere in my dreams you take me away. Someplace the sun never sets. A place my heart can rest. Then I wake up and remember you’re not there.” Chance belted out the heart-felt ballad with her eyes closed.
Darren joined her with the chorus. “Another dream. Another day. Another time far, far away. Another night. I see your face and wish that I could feel your embrace,” they sang together.
After finishing the song a few minutes later, both stayed on stage as the applause rolled in from their friends. Chance was the happiest she had ever been and knew that nothing could possibly ruin her day now that she found out her song would be heard around the world. Her heart was ready to explode with the excitement she was keeping bottled up. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore and burst into tears.
Darren quickly turned to her and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just so happy. I can’t believe that a song I wrote for a very serious reason is going to be played on radio stations everywhere. It’s overwhelming. I can never begin to thank you enough,” Chance replied as she gave him another tight hug then a sweet, simple kiss. She made her way off the stage and sat down at her table.
“Hey, Chance! That was great!” Majandra complimented as she walked over to her. “I love the lyrics. They’re so deep.”
“Yeah, I wrote most of that song for my parents, then for Scott after all of them died. It’s very personal, and I’m really happy you like it,” Chance replied as Darren sat down beside her.
“Aw, that’s so sweet. Well, I hope that song becomes a hit,” Majandra said as she walked towards Brendan on the dance floor.
Chance looked out across the room to find that Dan and Shiri was slow dancing to 98 Degrees, “I Do (Cherish You.)” Chance stood up and took Darren’s hand to lead him onto the floor again. She wrapped her arms around his neck trying to remember the last time they had slow danced. Her eyes closed as she breath in the scent of his sweet cologne.
“Oh, God, how I love you,” Chance whispered into his ear.
“I love you too,” Darren replied as he held onto her a little tighter. He loved her more than anything, and tonight he would prove it. Getting into position, he waved to Dan from behind Chance’s back to get his attention. It was then that he motioned for him to change the CD once the song was over.
Dan stopped dancing and took Shiri’s hand to lead her towards the CD player. He popped the lid open and placed a new CD in.
As the new track began to play, Chance placed her cheek on Darren’s shoulder. She instantly knew the song by the first few lines. “Till my body is dust. Till my soul is no more. I will love you, love you…”
“Our song,” she quietly whispered into his ear. “What’s the occasion?”
“What do you mean what’s the occasion?” Darren replied. “I don’t need a reason to play this song for the woman of my dreams.”
Chance smiled at his comment then said, “How much better can this night get? First, Dan and Shiri get back together, then I find out my song is going to be our first single, and now I’m dancing with you to our song in the middle of the perfect setting.”
“I know how it could get much better,” Darren answered. He stopped dancing and looked deep into her eyes. Chance stood silent as the lights in the room faded and the candles on each table were lit. She stared back at Darren with the same intensity he had been giving her. “Marry me,” he whispered.
Chance kept her gaze on Darren as he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened it in front of her and said, “Chance, I love you, and that’s about all there is to say. I can’t put my feelings into words, so I’m not gonna say anymore. Marry me, Chance.” Darren slipped the four-karat ring on her finger and waited for her response.
Chance stood in the middle of the floor, her friends encircling her and Darren waiting for her answer. She looked down at the diamond on her finger admiring it in the dim light. Her thoughts drifted back to Scott’s proposal, but somehow she could barely remember it. It had faded from her memory almost completely. All she had left was her response. Chance smiled, tears streaming down her face, and whispered, “Yes.”
Darren scooped her up into his arms and kissed her. As he let her down, “Truly Madly Deeply” began to play in the background. He smiled and said, “I want to dedicate this song to you because I promise I’ll do everything in my power to be everything for you.”
“I love you, Darren. I love you so much,” Chance cried as she held onto his neck. “You’ve made tonight the best night of my life.”
“I told you it would get so much better,” Darren replied as he kissed her again.