Welcome to My World

Chapter 5

Dean and Caroline walked back to her room and went inside. Frank had said that he was going to retire to his room if they needed anything. They sat down on the edge of the bed and Dean instantly began to cry. "Cara, I... I'm so-"

"Don't say anything, Dino." She planted a kiss on his lips, "It's been a wonderful month with you and I know it's early, but I love you."

"I love you too. I've never felt this way about anyone before. It's just Frank scared me-"

"I know... He told me. Look, Dino, I'm not like these Hollywood girls. If I hadn't opened for you all, I never would've stayed here in Vegas. I'm not into all the publicity. I just wanna sing."

"You're my kinda girl," he laughed through the tears that streaked his cheeks, "I guess I can't imagine how a pretty little twenty something would want to tie herself up to me... I'm about to be forty in a couple years here. I'm not as young as I once was."

"You aren't that much older than me. Age is just a number anyway."

"I guess my point is... would this be serious? God, I've only known you for a month."

"Serious, how?"

"Like... If we date for a year or so and we hit it off, are you interested in marriage, kids?"

"Yeah, Dino... I would be."

He breathed a sigh of relief as he lit up a cigarette.

Caroline laughed, "So after all of this, you're telling me we're dating?"

He pulled her close to him by her waist, "I'm a dumbass, aren't I?"

"Nah, I blame Frankie."

"Me too, the son of a bitch," he laughed.

"Hey, Dino, you really scared me today. I was worried about you and I missed you. Please never do that again."

"I promise, Baby," he kissed her on the lips, "Come on. I owe the boys a drink. I've kind of been an ass."

Caroline laughed, "Dino?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, Cara Baby."

They walked hand-in-hand to the Rat Pack suite. Dean knocked on the door and Frank opened it, "Hey there, you two. How's everyone?"

"We're good," Caroline said displaying the pair holding hands by holding their hands in the air. Dean let go of her hand and put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry to both of you. I guess I'm just overprotective of this big dumbass and the little dumbass passed out on the bed," Frank laughed motioning to Sammy.

"Lemme buy you a drink, Frank," Dean said.

"Nah, I was the one that screwed everything up."

"Come on, Frankie," Caroline said hugging him, "It's all okay."

"Ah hell, let's go."

Dean held onto Caroline's hand with Frank leading the way and they went to bar just before last call. As they sipped on their drinks, Frank and Dean drinking Jack Daniels and Caroline sipping on a strawberry daiquiri, they chatted.

"Hey, Baby, tomorrow's our last night performing here and then we'll have a break before we start the tour," Dean said, "Can you believe you stepped onto that stage for the first time a month ago?"

"I really can't..."

"We're glad we found you," Frank said, "And I know Dino is awfully glad he did."

Caroline blushed, "Hey, we should do something really amazing for our finish tomorrow."

"What are ya thinking of, Baby?" Dean asked.

"I got it, Dino... I've been working on that new one, "Come Fly With Me" and I think that would be a great way to finish our time off in Vegas," Frank said.

"Oh, Frank, I love that one. We could add some silly dancing into the beginning of it while the band opens," Caroline exclaimed.

"This'll be great," Dean smiled, "Alright, we need to rehearse this so we should all head to bed. Cara, if you're ready, I'll walk you back to your room."

"Yeah, I'll take you up on that offer, Mr. Martin," Caroline said feeling the alcohol warming up her body.

He took her hand and led her back to her room after assuring Frank he would return to their suite in a few minutes. When they arrived at her room, she let him in for a moment. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head, "You're beautiful."

She looked up into his big brown eyes and he planted a kiss on her lips. It left a tingling sensation on her lips. "Hey, Dino?"

"Hmm, Baby?"

"I don't know where to go after this..."

"What do ya mean?"

"I gave up everything to come here. I mean I have money from the gigs, but I'd have to find a place and-"

He silenced her with another kiss, "Baby, listen, I have that big Beverly Hills mansion all to myself."

"Dean, I don't know if... I'm Catholic after all..."

"No, no, no. I know what you're going to say. That's not even a consideration. I put on the player act, but I'm Catholic too. We will sleep on opposite ends of the house," he laughed.

"You're really incredible," she smiled.

"Get some sleep, Baby. We got a big day ahead of us."

Caroline woke in the morning to a knock on the door, "Room service." She answered and found a breakfast cart with a bouquet of flowers, "From Mr. Martin, ma'am."

"Thank you." Caroline smiled.

She brought the breakfast into her room and ate it while she opened the card attached to the flowers: "Cara Baby, it's hard to believe tonight is our very last night performing together in Vegas... I have loved every minute of singing with you and I can't wait to continue singing with you. Please meet me for rehearsal this afternoon. I've written a song for us to sing together. I think you'll enjoy it. It'll be a great little closer. See you soon. Love, Dino."

"Love, Dino..." she said aloud. The words tasted sweet as she said them and left a pleasant smile on her face.