Ch. 8 Will’s Offer Still Stands and Lisa and Julie

When Lauren, Holly and James finished all their interviews with reporters from their hometowns, E News Live, ET, and Access Hollywood, they made their way outside to the car that would take them back to the hotel. A few people who had showed up a couple weeks early were standing outside, hoping to get an autograph or a picture with the three.

“Can we have your autograph please?” asked a little girl about eight years old.

“Sure sweetie, what’s your name?” asked Holly, taking the pen and bending down to the little girl’s level.

“Lisa,” said the girl. Holly signed the autograph book. The little girl smiled and hugged Holly as she read what Holly wrote.

“To Lisa, may your dreams and hopes come true someday like mine did! Never stop dreaming and you may be where I am! God Bless. Love, Holly Cavanaugh. THANK YOU!” said the girl as she hugged her.

“You’re welcome sweetie! And what about you?” asked Holly to the little girl next to Lisa as Lisa got James and Lauren‘s autographs.

“I’m Julie.”

“Well, Julie, would you like an autograph?” asked Holly. The little girl, who was a mere six years old Holly guessed nodded and Holly signed her autograph. The girls’ mother and father were a few feet away and she smiled at them, remembering when she was their age and simply used to go gaga over celebrities. She hugged Julie and waited until Lauren and James signed her book before they posed for a picture.

“How would you guys like to come watch us in two weeks when the live audience starts?” asked Holly when they were done taking pictures. “If it’s okay with your parents I think we can get you front row.” She winked at James. Lisa and Julie’s eyes lit up.

“Really?” asked Lisa. “Can we Mommy? Can we come watch them in two weeks?”

“Sure, it’ll be fun,” said her mom. “And it won’t interfere with your sister’s bedtime.” Lisa and Julie hugged their mother and then hugged Holly again. Holly gave Lisa and Julie’s parents her phone number to call her with the arrangements.

“If you guys want to ever hang out just call my cell phone. Your parents have my number, okay?”

The two girls hugged her again and they left saying, “Bye Holly! Bye James! Bye Lauren, thank you! See you two weeks!”

Holly waved to them as the girls got in the car and James came up to her, wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head.

“That was very sweet of you,” he said as he looked down at her.

“I was like them once, I’ve had my moment.” She laughed and grinned at her and the two of them held hands all the way to their car.

* * *

Once they got back to the hotel, they found Will standing outside James’ room.

“So, you guys made it,” he said to Lauren. Holly looked at them then grabbed James’ hand, pulling him into her room.

“We’ll just be in here, ya know, to give you guys a minute. Come on James!” They shut the door, leaving Lauren and Will out in the hall.

“Umm, so, does that offer still stand?” asked Lauren, grinning.

“You bet it does,” said Will. Lauren closed her eyes and leaned in to Will as his lips met hers in a sweet kiss. They pulled apart.

“Well, good night,” said Will, kissing her again and he went back into the room as Lauren stood there, a big grin on her face.

* * *

Two weeks later, Holly’s phone rang while she was getting her hair and makeup done for the Top Ten show. The Top Ten consisted of James, Holly, Lauren, Will, Jen, Jamie Watts, Devon Parker, a girl by the name of Raelin White, A.J. Colt, and the Wildcard pick from Group 1, Scott Fulton.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is Holly there?”

“Speaking.”

“This is Ryan Holmes. I’m with Security outside. There’s a elderly couple here with two little girls saying that you invited them to the show?”

“Yes! They should have seats in front somewhere near my family. Would you escort them backstage?”

“Sure thing.”

“Okay, I’m in dressing room 5. Thanks man!”

“No prob. See you in a bit.”

Holly hung up and grinned at Lauren.

“Who was that?” she asked.

“Ryan from Security. Lisa and Julie are here! They’re coming backstage.”

A knock came at the door and holly got up from her chair to open and greet the little girls. But it wasn’t their parents with them, but what appeared to be their grandparents.

“Hi guys! Are these-”

“-their grandparents,” said their grandmother. “I’m Alice Germane, I’m their mother’s mom.”

“I thought they were coming though?” asked Holly.

“Girls, why don’t you go say hi to your other friend and let me talk to Holly in private for a minute?”

“Okay,” said Lisa. Holly and the Germanes stepped out into the hall.

“This is very difficult, but I didn’t want to upset the girls before the show. Their parents were supposed to fly back from Colorado today, but they never made it. Their plane crashed near Nevada, no survivors were found.”

“Oh my god, I am so sorry, oh those poor girls,” said Holly, trying not to ruin her makeup. “Did they find the bodies?”

“Yes, we got the phone call about an hour ago while girls were still in school. Their bodies are being flown back here tomorrow and the funeral is Friday. I know the girls would like you to be there.”

“I would too. Tell me, are you their only family left?”

“Yes, both of their parents were only children in their family, and Greg, their father, lost his parents last year. And Hank and I aren’t sure if we’re gonna be able to take care of them with our salaries. We’re both living off Social Security, so I doubt we’ll be able to take them in.”

“I’d like to adopt them, if that’s alright with you,” Holly said quickly. Alice opened her mouth in shock. “I know I’m old enough to be their sister, but James and I, we were planning on living together after the show ended and working on our albums, and we’d be able to support them. With your permission, and of course I know James won’t mind, I’d like to be their mom.”

“This is just a little quick though, don’t you think?” asked Hank.

“You see the way those girls look at me? They love me and James. When I first met them, they were so precious. It made me want to have children. I come from a Christian family sir, they’d be living with two wonderful people.”

“Have you and James discussed marriage? And raising children?” asked Hank.

“Marriage we have, and children sort of. He wants a big family, so do I. I grew up with several cousins sir. I have cousins their age even. And I was their age once, so I‘ve been there. I‘d promise you weekly visits with them. And Holidays too. They need to be spoiled by their grandparents once in a while.”

“I suppose then, once you clear it with James, you’ll file for adoption? The both of you?” Holly nodded and looked back at the two girls who were smiling and laughing with Lauren and Jen.

“Yes. Jen would be their aunt legally too,” said Holly. “They’d have cousins and playmates in their future.”

“Well then, welcome to the family,” said Alice as she hugged Holly. Holly hugged her back and then hugged Hank.

“I gotta go talk to James. Tell them. They’ll understand.”

Holly hugged them again and knocked on the boys’ dressing room.

“Hey, can I steal James for a minute?” asked Holly. The guys whistled and cat-called.

“Go get your girl, Stevens!” said Scott Fulton.

“Bite me Fulton,” said James and he joined Holly in the food room.

“What’s up?”

Holly went into detail about Lisa and Julie and the talk with Alice and Hank. James stood their in shock, not saying anything but listening.

“And then I offered to adopt them.”

“What?”

“James, think about it. You and me would be able to raise them better then Hank and Alice. Plus, what if they die? Then where would they go? I don’t want them being put in foster homes and moving from one to another. Help James. Be their father and me their mother.”

“Okay,” he said.

“I’ll understand if- wait, what did you say?”

“I said, okay,” said James. “I’ll be their father. I’ll adopt them too.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” he said taking her in his arms. She grinned at him and he picked her up and swung her around.

“Cavanaugh, Stevens! Fifteen minutes to start!” said a stage manager popping his head in.

“We’ll be right there,” said Holly, fixing her hair. They walked out and saw Lisa and Julie standing there, Julies eyes shimmering with tears.

She told them… said Holly.

“Are we really coming to live with you?” asked Julie. Holly nodded and got down to the ground at their level.

“I know I can’t bring your parents back, and I might not be old enough to be considered you mom, but I am old enough to adopt you legally. James and I want to adopt you. Your grandparents okayed it, and they’ll get to come and see you all the time. How would you like that?”

“Really?” asked Lisa. Holly and James nodded and the two girls cried into Holly and James’ arms. The other contestants smiled and Lauren grinned at Jen.

“Looks like you’ve got some nieces,” said Lauren and Jen smiled. She walked over to them.

“And guess what, I’m gonna be you aunt once the adoption’s final How cool is that?”

“An aunt! We never had one! SWEET!” said Lisa, hugging Jen. The five of them hugged and the Germanes led them out to the audience as the others stood back stage. Ryan and Brian were out on stage already, and the others went to take their place out front to start the show.

“And we’re live in 5, 4, 3, 2, and…”

“These ten finalists have made it to the Final Ten. Who out of this group will be America’s Idol? It’s up to the public to decide who stays and who goes, live, on American Idol,” said the announcer. As the credits rolled, the other rushed backstage to be called out one by one.

“Welcome everyone,” said Ryan. “I’m Ryan Seacrest.”

“And I’m Brian Dunkleman. Welcome to American Idol!”

“Let’s get right to it, your top ten! It’s Raelin White! Scott Fulton! A.J, Colt! Jamie Watts! Devon Parker! Jennifer Stevens! James Stevens! Holly Cavanaugh! Will Youngerman! And Lauren Fairweather!”

“It’s Motown Night everyone! It’s time to get cracking! But first, let’s welcome our guest judge of the night. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Motown’s greatest, Ms. Diana Ross!”

The audience went wild as Diana walked out on stage and waved to everyone. Brian helped her down to the judges table where she greeted Randy, Paula, and Simon.

“Okay, time for our first performer. Let’s take a look at the clip.”

* * *

Holly sighed. She was second tonight, and singing Baby Love. With Diana Ross there in front of her! Even at rehearsal she was nervous. She pulled out the autograph from her pocket along with the picture of her, James, Lauren, and Lisa and Julie.

I’m doing this for the girls… she thought. And for me and James.

As Devon finished listening to his comments and they introduced Holly’s clip, Holly took a deep breath as the clip showed her hometown, her family, where she worked, still embarrassed that it was McDonald’s where she worked, her college, and her friends. Video Holly was going on about how she loved listening to Motown and how she was raised on it. She was going on about Diana Ross and her songs and why she picked her as her Motown idol.

“Ladies and gentleman, singing ‘Baby Love‘ by our guest judge Diana Ross, it’s Holly Cavanaugh!”

The crowd cheered as the music started and Holly started singing.

The crowd cheered as she finished and stood on their feet. Holly blew kisses to her family and to Lisa and Julie.

“Randy Jackson, your comments please,” said Ryan.

“Dude, that was great. I loved it, I love your outfit. Keep it coming,” said Randy.

“Paula?”

“Holly, you are amazing and I hope you win this thing. You are incredible!”

“Thank you,” said Holly as her family cheered.

“Diana?”

“You know Holly, when we met in rehearsals, I thought you were unbelievable. You have an amazing voice, what you have is unbelievable, and I think you’ll go far. Thank you for that wonderful performance of my song.”

“No, thank you for letting me,” said Holly and she blew a kiss to Diana. The audience cheered and she grinned at Ryan.

“Simon?”

“I agree with Paula and Diana. You will definitely go far and you are the one that everyone’s got to beat. Nice job.”

“Thank you,” said Holly, and she made her way over to Ryan and Brian.

“So the judges love her, does America? If you want to vote for Holly, dial 1-866-IDOLS-02 or text the word VOTE on your AT&T Wireless phone to 4365702. Remember, vote AFTER the show’s over. Holly, wanna find out who’s next?”

“Sure.”

“Here’s the clip.”

* * *

The next night Raelin was booted off the show. She, A.J. and Scott had been in the bottom three, but the girls were glad to see her go. They didn’t like her that much.

“Well, I guess we should go see if the courthouse is still open, and see about the adoption,” said Holly.

“Good idea, I doubt it is, but this is California, so who knows?”

James and Holly took Lisa and Julie with them and drove to the courthouse in L.A. Sure enough, it was still open and the four of them went in and walked up to the clerk’s office.

“Can I help you?” asked a clerk.

“Yes, these little girls lost their parents in a plane crash a couple days ago and we’ve been given permission by their guardians to file for adoption. Everything is here,” said Holly. She handed a stack of papers, including the written permission from Alice and Hank on top, to the clerk and she looked through them.

“Everything seems to be in order, so I will get a temporary transfer of guardianship form for you, and then we’ll file the adoption process after that.”

After signing all the necessary forms, the clerk smiled.

“okay, you’re all set. It should be about three weeks for the process to finished. We’ll give you a call to let you know when the adoptions are legal. Is there a number where we can reach you?”

Holly gave her cell phone number to the clerk and she wrote it down.

“Thank you Mr. Stevens, Miss Cavanaugh, and good luck next week on the show.” She winked and the two of them smiled.

When they got to the mansion, everyone was already waiting for them, with a party for Lisa and Julie, welcoming them to the family and stuff.

“Okay girls, you’re gonna go sleep in the spare room okay?” asked Holly as she led them into their room. There’s two beds in there and two dressers so you guys can put your stuff in there. Do you need anything?”

“No, but can we call you Mommy?” asked Lisa.

“You can call me whatever you want,” said Holly, smiling.

“Mommy, will you get Daddy. I wanna say Goodnight,” said Julie as she got into her P.J.s.

“I’ll get him, hold on a sec. James? The girls want you.” James came in and was taken aback when Julie came and hugged him goodnight.

“Goodnight Daddy.”

“Goodnight sweetheart, sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite.” He tucked Julie in as Holly tucked in Lisa. They kissed them and traded and kissed the other. They turned off the light and left the door open a crack so the hall light could slip in for them.

“Well, Mommy, that was fun,” said James.

“Yeah it was Daddy,” she said. She giggled softly and he kissed her.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”