Finding Home Pt. 22

Tom smiled at Andy and affectionately patted his arm. "Drew, I made more than my share of mistakes with my kids - Heather especially. I'm sorry my shortcomings as a parent affected you the way it did. You deserved better than the way she threw you overboard. And, just to make sure we understand each other - her mother got the whole story out of her later. I know what she said to you," he grinned and chuckled. "Now that she's a little older, I'm sure she's kicking herself."

Andy could only nod. This night kept getting weirder and weirder. Thankfully, his watch buzzed.

"Tom, I'm sorry to go, but I've got to get ready to play with the band," he admitted.

"Greatest Showman?"

Andy smiled, "Nope. My showtunes days are behind me. Everything we're doing tonight counts as classic rock-and-roll. Sara's stepdad is the bass player for the Harry Connick, Jr. Trio, so when we're with Tommy and Ellen and Christopher we have these kinds of impromptu concerts; though," he added, "the production value tonight will be ramped up a bit."

"I look forward to hearing it. Julie loved hearing you and Christopher sing together - and Ellen. That's quite a match," he smiled.

Andy nodded, and took his leave.

______________________________________________________________

Andy stood in awe as he played rhythm guitar for Ellen's rendition of Eleanor Rigby. Mallory Ross was a last-minute addition to the back-up singers, and the trio of Mallory, Mary Frances, and CeCe was crushing it. These ladies were seriously good. He had no idea Ellen could cover Aretha Franklin, but his little sister was doing honor to the original. The gathered group of guests was as awestruck as the band behind them. Andy began to feel nervous; the ladies had set the bar unbelievably high. The end of the song brought robust applause from the audience.             

Andy moved forward and received a smile from Ellen and CeCe. He noticed the glow emanating off Mallory Ross, and she blushed when she looked at him as she walked off stage. Andy took his spot, and the Les Paul ripped into the familiar rhythm guitar part of It's Only Love. Andy saw the grin on CeCe's face out of the corner of his eye as he began to sing.              There's that feeling inside you, and there's no use pretending.

Don't you worry, it's only love.

When your world has been shattered, there ain't nothing else matters

It ain't over, it's only love and that's all - yeah.

Randy's Stratocaster blistered through the bluesy guitar lick, and Andy braced himself for the wall of sound that would come from CeCe. He was not disappointed.

Tommy had chosen this song well. The original song had been performed by the gravelly-voiced Brian Adams, and the powerhouse vocals of Tina Turner. Andy's raspy baritone and CeCe's jazz infused lyrical stylings fit this song perfectly.

Andy saw the look on Gina's face as CeCe sang the second verse. It was all he could do to keep from laughing, in fact, he had to turn to the band. The universal awe of the audience at hearing CeCe bust into this song left Andy grinning. The band, however, was equally awed. This lady had chops. Andy turned around in time to sing with CeCe, You can live without the aggravation, you gotta wanna win, you gotta wanna win. He could see the smile on her face as well. Singing with this lady was fun, in fact, next to singing with Ellen, it was the most fun Andy had ever had musically. The back and forth continued, as each riffed off one another.

The end of the song was met with raucous applause. Again, Tommy's song choice meant that the older folks in the audience, the very people the college desperately wanted to cultivate as donors, might know the original. CeCe's performance left everyone awestruck.

Andy felt the ubiquitous roadie switch guitars with him, and he once again moved away from the center microphones. He smiled as he went to Ellen's mic. They were singing backup on the Tears for Fears classic, Woman in Chains. He was thankful that CeCe was talking now, it gave him a chance to get a sip of water and catch his breath. He glanced at Sara and smiled at her; as usual, she had tears in her eyes. He was vaguely conscious that CeCe had stopped talking.

"Droobie!" Ellen whispered, "You need to say something. CeCe is complimenting you."

Andy looked at her dumbfounded. He turned to the crowd.

"Wow. Um - thank you," he blustered into the mic.

The crowd applauded once again. He looked at his sister and shrugged. Thankfully, the band launched into the song, and Andy heard Ethan's buttery tenor as he sang, Better love loving and you better behave. Better love loving and you better behave. Woman in chains. Woman in chains. This song choice was a stroke of genius. It was soulful and bluesy enough to show off the band's considerable chops, and yet subtle enough musically to let Ethan and CeCe do what they did best. The crowd showed their hearty appreciation when the song ended.

Andy was handed yet another guitar, and he moved to the center microphone. He knew the rest of the band needed time to get off stage, and Brian Foy, the piano player, needed to swing the piano a bit so that he could see Andy.

"Thank you for coming tonight. This week has been a priceless experience," he began. "It's been a joy to work with Donna Karan, CeCe Givens-Price, and their very talented group of people. It's also been particularly meaningful to see my younger sister do her thing. Seeing Ellen's designs come to life has been a profoundly cool experience. It's also given my six male compatriots and I a front row seat to watch seven stunning women - women who are kind, and smart, and funny, and beautiful - a chance to believe that about themselves. I'm proud of our work this week for that fact alone," Andy paused as the crowd applauded politely. "A friend of mine introduced me to this song when we were deployed in The Sand Box. It's for all the ladies here tonight, but for one of them especially. I'm honored she loves me. I'm stunned she agreed to marry me, and I can only hope to live up to my part of this song."

He nodded to Brian, and they took off.

To really love a woman

To understand her

You gotta know her deep inside

Hear every thought

See every dream

And give her wings

When she wants to fly

And when you find

Yourself lying helpless in her arms

You know you really love a woman

When you love a woman you tell her

That she's really wanted

When you love a woman

You tell her that she's the one

'Cause she needs somebody to tell her

That it's gonna last forever

So tell me have you ever really

Really, really ever loved a woman?

To really love a woman

Let her hold you

'Til ya know how she needs to be touched

You've gotta breathe her, really taste her

'Til you can feel her in your blood

And when you can see your

Unborn children in her eyes

You know you really love a woman

As Andy sang, he had eyes only for Sara. Overcome with emotion, she had to sit down, to be joined by Eden as she sought to comfort her friend. As the song continued, Andy was awed that the older half of the crowd had not only joined in, but moved closer to their significant others. He knew Eric and Felicia Taylor would appreciate the song, and Andy caught the subtle nod Eric threw his way.

The crowd erupted in applause when he was done, and Andy nodded to Brian Foy and asked him to stand. The two bowed to the audience and quickly moved off stage. As they found their bandmates, Andy got a boisterous hug from Ellen, followed by the same from CeCe. The crowd was chanting for an encore, and Tommy approached him.

"What do you want to do?" asked a smiling Tommy. "This is your crowd, Andy. You could sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, and they'd lose their minds."

Andy shrugged. "You're the band leader. You tell me."

The group huddled quickly, and a decision was made.

Their return to the makeshift stage was met with more applause.

This time, it was Christopher who spoke. He gave a bit of the backstory to this song, and the band launched into Isn't She Lovely. Ethan took the first verse, Christopher the second, and Andy handled the third. As usual, he slid Sara's name into the third verse, and as he looked for her, he could not find her in her spot. He could, however, see the expression on Gina's face. She was smiling, even as the tears rolled down her face.

The band finished, took a bow, and quickly exited the platform. Dr. Oliver was johnny-on-the-spot and closed the evening with his final remarks. That man knew when there was money to be raised, and he artfully worked the crowd.

Jessica and his grandmother met him when he walked off stage. He hugged them both, and feeling rather embarrassed, received their compliments. Finally, he found his voice, "Where's Sara?"

His sister grinned at him. "She and Eden had to step out. You're just too damn smooth, Droobie. You keep making that poor girl swoon. She'll find you, though, when she's ready." She turned around. "I think you need to work the crowd a bit, before she finds you."

Andy felt Gloria Adams take his arm and she whisked he and Ethan around to various folks lingering on the lawn. He was more than a little annoyed at this, but he knew he had a part to play, so he played it. It was not until the smiling faces of his former teammates and their wives or significant others that he felt himself relax.

"Damn Captain, that was fucking amazing," began John Filka. "You and Christopher were good in high school, but that was unreal."

"Thanks, the band is really good, and CeCe and Ellen are fantastic. It's tons of fun, actually," replied Andy sheepishly.

He received hugs from Priya and Juliette, and turned to Grace.

"Thanks Andy," she whispered. "That was amazing. I know it was overwhelming for Sara," she smiled at him. "And thank you for what you said about this week. You made it a great experience - for everyone."

"You're welcome, Gracie. You ladies are amazing. I'm glad to have been a part of this project," he grinned.

Andy felt Sara embrace him from behind. He smiled, and said softly, "Hello Bellissima."

He felt her body relax, and she released him enough so that he could turn to her. She looked up and him and kissed him softly, but lingered in the kiss.

"Hello baby," she replied. "That was . . ." she paused. "I don't think I have the words. Except thank you, and to tell you that your woman knows exactly how well she's loved by her beautiful man."

"I'm glad of that. I don't want a stunning woman wondering what I feel for her."

"Baby, I think the whole campus knows, as well as all the big-time donors of this school," she giggled. "Did you have fun, Andrew David?"

He smiled at her. "I did. CeCe and Ellen are amazing. I was just trying to keep up."

Andy could see Gloria over Sara's shoulder. She had an older couple with her, and she nodded to Andy. He squeezed Sara, and the pair turned toward Gloria.

"Andy and Sara, I'd like you to meet Hal and Doris Jennings. They're friends of the college, and music lovers. They wanted to come and thank you for this evening," Gloria smiled.

Andy shook their hands, and introduced Sara to the couple.

"Andy, we're avid fans of live music. I've already complimented your father-in-law. Please know that only Springsteen and Sting top what we heard tonight. That was quite the show," said Hal.

"Young lady," interjected Doris as she looked at Sara. "You should feel incredibly honored. That was one of the most romantic and touching things I've ever seen. I wish our daughters had been so fortunate," she said ruefully.

"I do feel honored, and loved. I'm a very fortunate girl," she smiled. "It's a bit overwhelming - but in a good way."

"As I said, we've already talked to Tommy - I believe his name is - we'd love to have your band play an event for our company. Our Christmas parties are quite legendary," Hank paused. "And I've been talking with Tom Benson and your grandmother. It sounds like we're going to be doing business together here in the near future," he grinned.

"Well, I know you're in good hands with Tom and my grandmother," replied Andy. "And I'm glad you enjoyed the show."

"At some point, we'd love to have the two of you to Cape Cod," continued Doris. "Gloria has told us some of your story, and we'd love to have a weekend to get to know the two of you," she smiled. "I promise it won't be all business."

"That sounds wonderful," said Sara. "We'd be honored. I'm afraid this summer is filling up fast, but we can make something work, I'm sure."

Hal and Andy shook hands, and the couple took their leave with a beaming Gloria in their wake. She paused and turned to them, "Don't leave your house before I get a chance to talk to the two of you," she hugged them both, and followed her guests.

_______________________________________________________

At 9 PM, Andy and Sara were in the truck headed to their new home. Andy handed out keys to the Broquard's, Jake, Grace, Kail and Eden before he and Sara took their leave. Jeannie already had her key. The couple held hands, and enjoyed the silence before Sara's giggling broke the quiet.

"Baby, what did you say to Adriana Glass and Gus McLeod?" she asked with her eyebrows raised.

He looked at her and grinned mischievously.

"Andrew David, you have about two seconds to spill it, and don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. Half the school witnessed Adriana plant one on our boy Gus-Gus. Don't tell me the DeGroat voodoo was not a part of that."

He grinned, but said nothing.

"Boy, you had best start talking," she protested.

Andy squeezed her hand. "I love you; even when 'Sara from the block' magically appears. And I want you to know I listen to you."

She nodded. "Go on."

"Do you remember what you said to me about being introduced to two former girlfriends after we met them in Boston?"

"I said I liked Anna and Praja, and I liked them even better with boyfriends," she giggled.

"I like Gus. He's a good dude. I also happen to care about Adi, but like a younger sister. They're great people. Sometimes great people need a little encouragement to do what they want to do anyway. I gave a push in the right direction. I was a catalyst, that's all. If that already happened, it's because they were already on one another's radar."

She giggled. "You're protecting us, aren't you?"

He nodded. "But not just us. I'm also protecting our roommates and their fellas - all of whom I like a great deal. I saw the four of you checking Gus-Gus out tonight," he grinned. "And I can only say, 'Well done' to the Misfits. He's a damn good-looking man."

Sara leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, baby."

"It's how we do us, Bellissima."

"You're worried about a repeat of Monday, but with Gus?" she asked in as small a voice as Andy could imagine coming from the woman he loved.

"No. Like I said, I do listen to you. Adriana is totally my type. Why invite potential problems when you can help find solutions where everybody wins? Besides, I'd be more worried about Kail and Eden then about you."

"Baby, you know Gus is totally my type," she admitted.

Andy nodded. "I do, but it's not you I'm worried about. I know you love me and would never intentionally hurt me. Gracie and Jake are solid. I'm not sure about our other two roommates. I know the whole dating thing is new to all of you, and I'm just trying to run some interference here. If Eden and Kail want something more with their guys, then I'm on board. If they want something different, that's fine, but there's a right way to go about that. Having another dude waiting in the wings is bad business."

Sara smiled at him, and kissed his hand affectionately.

_____________________________________________________

The house completely blew them away. Each room was filled with thoughtful details that spoke of the love and support of their families. The living room had the panoramic photo that Andy had taken on the afternoon they got engaged, enlarged, and framed above the fireplace. Every room had similar, very personal touches. Andy and Sara walked through silently and soaked the moment in.

When they got to the basement, they discovered they were not alone in the house. Jeannie Flannery was standing in the doorway of her room. The small woman was unable to move, unable to speak. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. Sara walked up to her and hugged their friend.

"Welcome home, Jeannie," she said softly.

"I've never had my own room. Like ever," she admitted tearfully. "It's beautiful. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Jeannie wheeled suddenly, and faced her friends.

"Why would you do this for me?" she demanded.

"Because you're family," said Andy in a calm, matter of fact voice. "Family takes care of one another."

"But I'm not your family!" she protested.

"Jeannie, if you ever say that around my sister, you'll know just how wrong you are," he smiled kindly. "You are family. There are very few people in this world that I'm afraid of. Jessica DeGroat Fedorov is at the top of that list. If she says you're family, then you're in. It's just kinda that simple."

"But I can't repay you!" she replied, sounding desperate and frantic.

Andy moved to her and engulfed her in his embrace.

"No one is asking you to. That's not how family works. You are loved, and you give love in return. That's how it works," he paused to let his words sink in. "Do you feel loved?"

She nodded through her tears.

"OK. Then give love in return."

"I'm not sure I know how," she admitted tearfully.

"Well, you'll figure it out. Besides, you're already one of the most loving people I know," he said.

She looked up at Andy, her face filled with disbelief. She turned to Sara and saw her smiling response.

"Jeannie, you should be bitter and angry at the world," explained Sara. "But you're not. Haylee and Sydney think you're an amazing friend. Andy and I look forward to having you around the house whenever you'd like to be here. I mean, if you don't want to live on campus after your freshman year, you have a place to live - but only if you want."

"Have you seen my room?" she asked quietly.

"Not yet," said Sara. "But we'd love a tour."

"I don't know how they did it, but there are signed posters on the walls from five of the greatest goalies of all time. How the hell do I rate autographs from Dr. Dre, Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Tuukka Rask, and Dominick Hasek?"

Sara smiled at her. "I'd say your family loves you very much."

Their moment was interrupted by Kail's loud voice from the family room upstairs. "Holy shit! This place is about nine different kinds of awesome! Way to go OG's and Boy Toy!"

Andy and Sara smiled at one another and headed upstairs.

___________________________________________________________

The guided tour of their house left the couple speechless. There was art and skill and craftsmanship in every detail; not to mention love. At one point, Ellen slid next to her brother and took his hand while lovingly putting her head on his shoulder.

"I know Sara is home for you, but the Boy Toy and I wanted to give that home a physical space," a grinning Ellen whispered to her older brother. "You made our relationship possible, and gave some helpful nudges along the way. We wanted to show our appreciation."

"It's amazing Ells," said Andy. "Your talent is stunning. I've seen it all week, and yet I'm still blown away by how amazing you are."