CHAPTER TWELVE

"So, Isaac, when can I tell people?"

"You'll know when you can tell people, I'll let you know."

The band was on TRL on a Tuesday in late March, the day their album was released. I knew there would be a lot of screaming girls out on the street, but I wasn't prepared for the number I saw; it seemed like the crowd outside didn't stop. Since I had to teach, I had taped it, but watched it the second I got home. They were interviewed by some guy whose name I didn't catch about how their music had changed, and of course, their personal lives. He asked Taylor about his new wife Natalie and what she thought of all this, and how he was adjusting to life as a father. And of course, he went to a commercial with, "Isaac, those of us who have the album and have read the thank you's are curious to know something about your love life. When we come back, we'll find out what the deal is with 'A.M.S.'" Cut to screaming 15-year-olds and a Noxema commercial.

"We're back with Hanson, and Isaac, before the break, I mentioned something that you put in the notes, in the thank you's on the new album, Underneath, which by the way, was released today, go pick up a copy. Would you like to read it to the crowd?"

Isaac blushed. "No, I'll let you."

The host said, "Okay, this is a portion of the thank you's from Isaac: "A.M.S.: '...when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.' C.I.H." Isaac blushed even more. Girls oohed and aahed, and the VJ added, "In case you don't know, this a quote from the wonderful '80s movie When Harry Met Sally... well, has she seen this?"

"Yes," Isaac replied.

"Sounds pretty serious."

"It is...I asked her to marry me," he said, blushing more still, and was met with whoops and hollers.

"And what did she say?"

More blushing. "She said yes!"

Screams and applause from the girls (and a couple guys) in the studio audience. He prodded for more information. "And who is this A.M.S., exactly?"

"She's a family friend, we go way back, she's a high school English teacher, but that's all you're gettin', I want to protect her privacy."

"That's cool man. So, any date set yet?"

"I can't say now, but you'll know when it happens." More woo-hoo's from audience.

"Alright, the latest scoop on Isaac Hanson's love life, now there's two Hanson brothers down, one to go, ladies. Right now, here's the number four video, from Good Charlotte." As they cut to the video, Zac plopped down on the lap of a cute brunette sitting in the front row. I thought to myself, well, guess now I can tell people.

***

I decided I should phone my parents that night. They already knew anyway. I knew they hadn't seen the show, as probably any other people their age. I called them after dinner, and Dad answered the phone.

"Hey Daddy!"

"Ree!" He covered the mouthpiece with his hand and shouted, "Hon, Ree's on the phone!" He came back to me with, "Hey dolly, how are you?"

"I'm fine Daddy, just fine."

"Any news for us?" Mom teased as she picked up the phone.

"Actually, yes...I guess it's officially official now. The album came out today, and Isaac made an announcement on TRL this afternoon!"

"TRL? What's that?" Dad asked.

"It's this teenybopper countdown show on MTV, their American Bandstand, that the kids call in and vote for their favorite videos, and a lot of stars go on the show, too, and they were on today since the album came out today, and Isaac was asked about what he'd put in the liner notes...ah, heck, I'll just play the tape for you." I rewound the videotape to that part (I'd already played it five times), and turned up the volume so they could hear it. "Well?" I asked when it was done.

"Why do they scream so much?" Mom asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I dunno, Mom. I work with kids that age every day, I was one of those kids with New Kids on the Block, and I still can't figure it out."

"Well, official congratulations to you, dolly," Dad said, chuckling.

"Have you two talked about a date yet?" Mom asked impatiently.

"Yeah...their tour begins in June, and he wants me to go with him, since the whole family always goes. We're getting married before that." I held my breath waiting for her response. I knew this wouldn't be good.

"JUNE?! Honey, that's only three months away...what are you going to do on tour?"

"I'll be with the family, helping Diana with the kids and Natalie with Ezra."

"And what about your job?" Mom continued.

"I'm...not going back next year."

"Really..." Dad said.

"Nope...I'm going on the tour with Isaac, and after that we'll look for a house. I won't technically have to work, but I want to, but we're kinda taking it one thing at a time here, I guess."

"Where are you looking for a house?"

"I don't know yet, I told you...probably Tulsa, but I don't know."

"Well, at least Mel's still there, you two can visit each other more often, and it'll be easier getting the family together," Dad replied. "What about your house?"

"I'll be putting it up on the market in a month or so. Once the tour starts, I'll put my stuff in storage, and the house will be empty."

"And the cats?" Mom asked.

"The cats are going with us, too, Mom. I've thought of everything."

"I know honey, it just seems like it's happening so fast...I'll need to call Diana about plans. If we've only got a few months--"

"I know she'd love to hear from you, Mom. You still have her cell phone number?"

"Yes, somewhere I believe I do."

***

No sooner had I hung up with Mom & Dad, the phone rang again. I picked it up without bothering to look at the caller ID. "'Lo."

"Is my fiancee there?"

"Isaac! I didn't know you were gonna do it THAT way!"

He laughed. "Sorry...when we met with him before the show, he asked me if he could ask me about it, and your answer, and we figured we'd go with that."

"I just thought it'd be in a press release, or afterwards like with Tay, but well, you kinda made that impossible putting the proposal in the liner notes," I stressed jokingly.

"Are you mad?" I could hear him pout.

"No...I'm relieved actually. No more hiding now. I can put the ring on the proper hand!" I said, switching it over to the ring finger on my left hand and admiring it. This is where he had put it when he proposed, and where I put it when I got home every night. This is where it belonged.

On to Chapter Thirteen
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