Welcome to My World

Chapter 6

Caroline showed up to rehearsal and saw Dino singing, "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife." The songs brought tears to her eyes as he sang it. When he finished he saw her, "Hey, Baby," he called out to her, "Get up here." Caroline walked up to the stage and got up on it. Dino gave her a quick kiss as if by natural instinct, "Alright, hit it. Have a listen."

He sang "Ain't That a Kick in the Head." When he finished, she applauded loudly, "Beautiful, Dino!"

"I'd like you to jump in on the choruses. Let's give it a go," he handed her the lyrics. They ran it a few times. Then Frank and Sammy showed up to practice the grand finale. The ran it twice and Dino called it quits, "We're good to go, Baby. Come on. I planned a special dinner for our last night here.

"A real date?" she joked, "Not just drinks with the boys?"

Dean laughed at her, "Cara, I love you."

She smiled, "I love you too, Dino."

They walked down the Las Vegas Strip to the brand new Tropicana hotel. "There's a nice new restaurant here and I got us reservations," Dean smiled. Caroline straightened his bow tie and patted his chest. He was always dressed so perfectly with his beautiful curly hair combed perfectly. He kissed the top of her head and grabbed her hand leading her into the restaurant. 

They enjoyed their dinner and then strolled back to the Sands soaking in the dusk. The Strip was completely lit up and it gave Caroline a warm feeling inside. She held onto Dean as if her life depended on it. "Hey, Baby," Dean said quickly, "I'm just warning you there's press up ahead  so if you wanted to keep our relationship quiet, we shouldn't be so lovey for a minute."

"Oh... I hadn't thought about it. I guess I'm not used to this fame thing..."

"Oh screw it," Dean said holding onto her hand tighter. 

The press went nuts. Dean put on the player persona by having girls dance with him during his routines and surrounding himself with beautiful women, but never had the press seen him with one woman let alone holding her hand in a protective way. However, they were respectful because the press knew that if they laid a finger on Dean or Caroline, Frank Sinatra would lose his whole mind on them. 

"Hi, Mr. Martin. Hi, Ms. Billings," most of them said timidly. 

They waved and continued onto the Sands. Caroline went to her dressing rooms and swept on some stage makeup then changed into her polka dot dress and bright pink pumps. It had become her stage signature: black and white dresses with brightly colored stilettos and belts.

Caroline was jittery to go on for the last time, but when the stage manager announced her name, she strutted onto the stage like she owned it, "Good evening, Las Vegas!" she called out. The crowd cheered wildly, "Well, I'm Caroline Billings like they so kindly announced. Guess he figured out my name was Caroline instead of Catherine after a month," Caroline made a face causing the whole audience to bust out laughing, "We're gonna song some sings now-ah damnit," she began laughing at herself as did the audience.

Frank and Dino sat backstage, "You two are perfect for one another," Frank rolled his eyes. 

"Look folks, I came to Las Vegas only ever having church wine and wine on Christmas. Now, I'm hanging around with these people and I'll be putting a new liver on my Christmas list this year," she laughed charming the audience with her gorgeous smile and contagious laugh.

Sammy joined Dino and Frank to watch Caroline, "How's she doing?" Sammy asked. 

"Wonderful as usual," Frank said as Dino just gazed at Caroline.

Caroline put on the best act that the boys had seen so far in Vegas. The audience was on their feet even before her closing number, "Well, if you'll all just give me a minute, I'll do one more!" she laughed despite the tears of pride and joy that were forming in her eyes. The audience continued roaring and screaming her name. The cheers wouldn't die down and so the stage manager brought her a bouquet of flowers and the Rat Pack and the band all came on stage standing and applauding her. Tears were streaming down her face when it finally stopped, "Now, you've all ruined my makeup," she laughed through her tears, "Ladies and gentlemen, I can't thank you enough for welcoming me into the Fabulous Las Vegas. I'd like to give you one more song. It's very special to me and it goes out to someone very special... You know who you are." 

Caroline sang her own rendition of "Can't Help Falling in Love" and Dean smiled from ear to ear as he watched. When she finished and took her final bow, the audience went wild. She went backstage and was greeted with hugs and kisses from the entire Rat Pack. Dean squeezed her close to his chest so she could smell his musky cologne, "You were stunning out there. Thank you for the song, Baby," he whispered kissing her lips. 

The rest of the show went on perfectly. When Caroline and Dino sang "Welcome to My World", he kissed her at the end and the audience went wild. Caroline chuckled and said, "If you were wondering, it was for him," referring to her song earlier on. 

At the very end, the four of them sang "Come Fly With Me". They took their bows and then went to their dressing rooms. Caroline sat in disbelief for a minute. Dino knocked on the door, "Come in."

"Hiya, Baby. I have a gift for you."

"What? Why?" 

"Because..." he handed her a rectangular object wrapped in newspaper. She opened it find a picture frame that said "The Sands" and a picture of her and Dino singing together. 

"Oh, Dino! I love it!" she hugged him. 

He loved her so much he couldn't stand it. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, it's tradition that Sammy, Frankie, and I  go out on the town during our last night there."

"Go ahead, Honey."

"No, you're welcome too. I was just telling you that they'll want us to go."

"No, no. Go be with the guys. We'll have plenty of time to spend together in Beverly Hills. Enjoy!" she kissed his cheek. 

"Cara, are you sure? We want you there."

"I want you to go be with your friends and enjoy Vegas. We'll have plenty of time; I mean it."

"I'm at least seeing you back to your room," he said quietly. 

Dino got Caroline back to her room and he kissed her goodnight, "I love you, Baby."

"I love you too, Dino."

Caroline locked the door and began to pack for their flight the next day sighing as she looked out her hotel room window, "How did I get so lucky?"