Part 114
It was mid-afternoon when the family and friends finally cleared out of the house leaving the Doroughs and the guys with Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor went into the family room where he found the group gathered watching television and still wearing their nice clothes from the funeral. Becca and Nick were cuddled on the love seat; Kevin was stretched out on the couch; Brian had the recliner; and Sarah was curled up in Howie’s lap in the other chair.
"What a rag tag bunch!" laughed Mr. Taylor. "I have a suggestion to make. Why don’t the six of you get out and have some fun?"
"What’s there to do?" asked Nick.
"There’s the pond to go swimming," said Brian.
"There’s also four-wheeling," said Sarah. "I’m not up for much though so I’m gonna stay here."
Howie rubbed her stomach and whispered, "Want me to stay with you?"
Sarah smiled, "No…you five find something to do and have fun. I’ll be okay."
Kevin said, "I vote for four-wheeling."
Nick frowned, "But Becca can’t do that."
"That’s okay, baby," said Becca as she looked at Sarah sitting in Howie’s lap. The way
Howie was rubbing Sarah’s stomach hadn’t escaped her attention. It was the same way Nick rubbed hers. "I’m gonna hang with Sarah…keep her company."
Nick grinned, "Cool. So, where’s the paint ball stuff?"
"On our bus," said Sarah. "Sorry."
Brian spoke up, "Let’s go four-wheeling then and end up at the pond. I want to see the rest of this place."
"Sounds like a plan to me," said Howie. "Angel, why don’t you go down to the docks and lay out while we ride?"
"How long will you guys be?"
Kevin offered, "Not long. You could take our suits with you and some towels for us."
"Not a problem."
*************
Alone in their room, Howie took Sarah in his arms and kissed her, his tongue demanding entrance and her mouth willingly allowing. His hands went to her waist pulling her closer.
Feeling him pressed against her, a moan escaped into his mouth and Howie pulled out of the kiss. "God...I love the feel of your body next to mine, the way it reacts to mine."
"I need you. I crave the feel of you, your touch. Make love to me, D," begged Sarah.
"As much as I want to, we can’t. The guys are waiting on me."
Sarah leaned her head against his chest and groaned. Howie laughed at her and lifted her chin to kiss her again.
"I promise, it’ll be worth the wait."
"It always is!"
The two quickly changed and as Howie lay his jacket on the bed, he saw the letter for Sarah from her mother. Sarah saw it too and said, "I should read it."
"Yeah."
"But I don’t want to without you around."
"Why don’t you wait until tonight…after we’ve had a chance to relax some?"
"Okay."
Sarah had slipped on one of her bikinis, Howie’s favorite, and was now pulling on a pair of shorts. He watched her, marveling at her beauty and trying to picture her pregnant with twins. He thought to himself, ‘Inside her body are two little lives…. lives that I helped create. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m the father.’
"Hey…D! Come back to me."
Howie snapped out of his daydream. "What?"
Laughing, "Where were you? I asked you for your bathing suit three times."
"I was just imagining you pregnant with twins."
"Trying to figure out how we’re gonna be able to make love when I’m eight months pregnant?"
"Where there’s a will, there’s a way, Angel. Aren’t you gonna wear a shirt?"
"Nope."
"Aren’t you worried about your father’s reaction?"
"Yeah, and he’ll blame you for it but it’ll take his mind off Mama for a little while."
Howie hugged her. "You’re amazing. Willing to get fussed at so your father can be distracted for a little while."
"Come on, D. Let’s go."
Downstairs, the others were waiting for Howie and Sarah and when Kevin spotted Sarah wearing her bathing suit, his heart skipped a beat. He took her in his arms and started to spin her in a tight hug.
"Whoa! Kevin! Be careful! She’s still not feeling well!"
Kevin stopped but continued hugging her. "Baby, you keep getting hotter and hotter."
Sarah laughed, "Thank you. Now put me down!"
Mr. Taylor came into the room and spotted Sarah’s tattoo. Casually, he said, "An angel, huh?"
Sarah and Howie froze looking at each other. Neither knew what to expect.
Mr. Taylor continued, "It suits you, babygirl."
Together, they let out a sigh of relief and Sarah said, "Thank you, Daddy."
With that, everyone headed out to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The guys went to get the four-wheelers while Sarah and Becca headed down to the pond.
In the shed, Kevin looked at Howie. "D, we’re all worried about Sarah. She’s showing all the signs of purging again. She’s losing weight; she’s pale; and she’s passing out or collapsing more frequently. You both say it’s the flu and the stress of the situation with AJ, but I…. we," said Kevin acknowledging that he was also speaking for Nick and Brian. "We feel like there’s more to it."
Howie looked at the three men standing in front of him and took in the words Kevin had just said. He was tired of keeping the secret and it had only been a week. These were his best friends whom he was with day and night and they loved Sarah equally and they deserved to know the truth…not to mention he was excited at the prospects of being a father. He took a deep breath and said, "Okay, you’re right and I can’t keep this to myself any longer. This stays between us until I can talk to Sarah…but, Sarah’s pregnant."
"Whoa! That’s AWESOME, D," said Brian. "I know you’ve wanted this for some time."
Kevin eyed him suspiciously, "And so has Sarah. So, what’s the problem? Why aren’t the two of you shouting it to the world?"
"Sarah’s scared for a couple reasons. First, there’s the miscarriage last year…"
"But that was because of the bulimia," said Nick. "Wasn’t it?"
Howie shook his head, "Sarah isn’t convinced that it was. See, she’s really dizzy with this one…."
"And she was dizzy last time, too," finished Kevin remembering what Sarah had gone through with the morning sickness.
"Yeah, and she said the night she fell down the steps, she was really dizzy. I just assumed it was from the miscarriage but seeing her now, I don’t know."
"I assume she’s been to a doctor," said Kevin.
"She’s gonna go when we get back to Orlando. Oh, and here’s the best part. It’s possibly twins. They run in the family. In fact, Sarah was a twin but her mother miscarried one."
"WOW!" said Nick in amazement.
Howie grinned, "Yeah."
Brian asked, "So what’s the second reason?"
"That’s the toughest part and probably the MAIN reason we’ve kept it to ourselves. There’s the slight chance that AJ is the father…." Howie’s voice trailed off trying NOT to give in to Sarah’s fear. "In my heart, I’m the father."
"What if you’re wrong?" asked Nick.
Howie looked at Nick. "I’m NOT gonna leave her because of it. AJ has agreed NOT to cause any problems."
"You’ve told him?" asked Brian.
"Sarah and I both agreed that he deserved to know. I personally think it played a part in him realizing that he had a problem."
All three thought about the news and then broke out into silly grins at the prospect of Howie becoming a father.
Kevin gave Howie a hug. "Congrats, bro! You two deserve all the happiness in the world. I just wish you didn’t have to contend with wondering if it’s AJ’s or not."
"Thanks, but PLEASE…let me tell Sarah that you guys know."
Meanwhile, Becca and Sarah were down at the pond sitting on the deck. Sarah had brought a CD player with them and they were listening to the music as they sat staring at the water.
Becca finally broke the silence. "Sarah, what’s going on with you? And DON’T tell me its stress or the flu."
Sarah laughed, "Cut to the point why don’t you?"
"You told me not to keep things hidden. So why are YOU doing it?"
"What makes you think I’m hiding something?"
"Well, let’s see. Howie’s being more protective of you than normal. You’ve missed several events that you normally wouldn’t have missed if everything were okay. You’re pale, thin, losing weight, and passing out. Not to mention, Howie was rubbing your stomach today just like Nick does me. You’re either purging again…which if you are, Howie is gonna KICK YOUR butt right after the rest of the guys do…or you’re pregnant. So which is it?"
Sarah laughed, "Okay! I give in. I’m pregnant and I just found out when we were in
Boston."
"So why aren’t you excited? This is something you’ve been wanting since last year."
"It’s NOT that I’m not excited. It’s that I’m SCARED. There’s SO MUCH you don’t know, Becca."
"So tell me. The guys are out riding and we’re alone."
Sarah proceeded to tell Becca about the miscarriage last year…how it had been twins and that the bulimia had been the primary cause but that the doctor felt like it might have happened without the bulimia too. She also explained what she had learned that morning, about how she had been a twin but her mother had miscarried the other. And she talked about her fears of AJ being the father and not Howie.
When Sarah was done, Becca said, "Sarah, it sounds like Howie’s cool with all this. Why don’t you relax and trust in your relationship? God knows, you two have a strong one!"
"I’m slowly coming around to his way of thinking. Most of the time lately, I find myself not even considering AJ but then I’ll have a dream and it will just stir it up all over again. I love Howie so much and I don’t want to hurt him."
"I don’t think you’re gonna hurt him if AJ is the father. You know, he DID rape you. Its NOT like you went and voluntarily slept with him."
"True."
"You know, I love watching you and D. It’s like you’ve been married forever the way you can finish each other’s sentences and you share EVERYTHING. I want to have that with Nick."
Sarah smiled and took Becca’s hand in hers, "Bec, it takes work and Howie and I have made our mistakes. You’ll get there one day. There’s also the age difference…with Howie and Nick. Howie’s had time to make mistakes in relationships and to know what he wants. Just relax and it’ll come." Hearing the four-wheelers screaming through the field just over the hill from the pond, Sarah said, "Sounds like we’re about to be invaded. Don’t tell Howie that you know yet."
"No problem."
The four men were trying to race, but every time one took a slight turn they came close to tipping over and fought hard to keep the vehicles upright.
Becca shook her head, laughing right along with Sarah. "Look at Nick, on the water he's a pro, but on land? He's a disaster waiting to happen. You'd think that with his hand still in a cast he'd be more careful."
"Bec, if he hurts himself management is going to have my head!"
"Don't sweat it, he'll be fine. God watches out for babies, small animals and dumb husbands."
"Rebecca!" Sarah laughed as Becca smirked.
"Well," she said indignantly, "it's the truth." Winking at Sarah she turned back to watch them all trudge up towards the deck, hot, dusty and sweaty. "Besides," she whispered, "it didn't seem to bother him too much last night."
Sarah looked sideways at Becca, who was trying her damndest to keep a straight face. Sarah began to snicker, and Becca lost it, too. They were still giggling when they looked up to find all four men looking at them as if they'd lost their minds.
"Well, hi Boys!" Becca said, smirking. She heard Sarah snicker and lost it all over again.
"Baby, you've been out in the sun too long," Nick said, shaking his head.
Kevin was the first to intercede. "Sarah, you brought out our suits, right?"
"Sure did, they're over there by the cooler." Sarah leaned back on her elbows, beginning to wonder just where they planned on changing. This should be good. She shot a look at
Becca who was just beginning to wonder the same thing, but not quite sure how far they would go.
"Thanks," Kevin said, reaching in the bag for his swimsuit, not a care in the world.
Without hesitating he pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it aside and popped the snap on his jeans. As he lowered the zipper, Becca glanced over at Sarah and raised her eyebrows.
"Ahem." Sarah cleared her throat.
Kevin never even heard her. Oblivious to the stares of the others, he dropped his pants and gracefully stepped out of them, leaving him clad only in his boxers. He hooked his thumbs in the elastic, and as he pushed them over his hips-
"KEVIN!"
That was what was known as impeccably poor timing. As Sarah called his name, he turned around, at the same time pushing his boxers to the deck leaving him stark raving naked.
It all seemed to happen in slow motion. Before he had a chance to realize what he'd done, he found himself airborne. He hit the water of the pond with a huge splash, and came up sputtering.
"CARTER! What the HELL did you do that for?"
"Damn Kev, there's ladies here. You wanta have some decency?"
"LADIES? You asshole, they're your wives. It's not like they haven't seen it before."
By this time Sarah and Becca were in hysterics once more and Brian was threatening to make Nick join Kevin, a fate that Nick was protesting rather loudly.
"Man, do NOT throw me in, I can't get my cast wet!"
Brian and Howie were both advancing on him now.
"Come ON, guys, this isn't funny, I could hurt my hand again."
"I didn't hear you complaining last night, Nick," Becca said innocently.
Kevin roared with laughter. "D, your wife's been giving Becca lessons?"
"Sounds like it, Kev." They continued to wrestle Nick to the edge before giving up and letting him go. Fun was fun, but they really didn't want to risk hurting him. Before all was said and done, Brian and Howie both ended up dropping their pants and joining
Kevin while the other three sat on the sidelines and watched.
"So, what have you two been talking about while we were out playing?" Nick asked as he sat with Becca between his knees.
"You," Sarah retorted, not missing a beat.
Becca grinned. "Stuff, Nick. Girl stuff."
"No, I do NOT need the details," he groaned. "Being around my sisters is bad enough when they get like this."
"Like what?" Becca asked.
"Hormonal. Female stuff, you know. And especially now, with you both-" He stopped short, mortified that he'd nearly slipped about knowing that Sarah was pregnant.
"Both what?" Sarah asked.
"Being together all the time," he covered. "I expect any day now you're gonna start talking in code or something."
"Cool, Bec, he's scared of us. I’m beginning to like this."
Nick groaned. "Thank goodness this baby won't be sucked into all this girly stuff."
"Oh? And why not?" Sarah sat up, winking at Becca.
"Because my son will have better things to do with his time than giggle and paint his toenails."
"Son? Oh Nick, you're too much. The male ego is such a fabulous thing to behold. Bec, is he ALWAYS like this? I was hoping marriage would have changed him by now." Sarah snorted.
"Yes, I know for a fact it's a boy," Nick replied smugly.
"Oh, do tell," Sarah smirked. "Bec, you didn't tell me you'd had a sonogram."
"I didn't, but Nick is convinced that we're having a boy. I've almost given up arguing about it." She shook her head, knowing that the conversation was pointless.
"It's true!" He stood up, pulling Becca to her feet. "Look!" He turned Becca sideways so that Sarah could see her profile. With his good hand, he traced the curve of her abdomen like a tour guide. "Look at the way she's carrying the baby, Sarah."
"So? And your point?" She knew where he was heading, but was going to make him work for it.
Nick sighed dramatically. "Look. The baby is way up high, see? That's the way women carry boys. If it's a girl, they're lower, like down here." He swept his hand down below the waistband of her shorts as if to prove a point.
"Carter, you're so full of it. All that means is that the baby hasn't dropped into the birth canal yet. It's still way too early for that to happen."
"You'll see." Convinced that he was right, he strutted proudly to the cooler to get a soda, not seeing the look that Sarah and Becca exchanged.
"I have a better way to tell," Sarah said.
"I doubt it," Nick smirked.
"Give me your wedding ring."
"Excuse me?" he asked as Becca stifled a giggle.
"Seriously, I need your wedding ring to do this." She sighed as he hesitated. "Nick, it’s not a sacrilege to take it off, you're still married, ok? Sheesh."
Nick struggled with the ring, but it wouldn't budge. "Umm … it's tight."
"Dork, it's supposed to be. Once the ceremony is over the rings shrink."
"No way!" he responded automatically before realizing she was teasing him.
"Gullible much?" Sarah laughed. "Come on, spit on it or something. Just take it off."
Finally it worked its way loose and he handed it to Sarah. Sarah was looking for a string, and finally spotted the pile of unused swimsuits. Picking up Brian's swim trunks, she pulled out the drawstring and tied Nick's ring to one end.
"WHAT are you doing?" Nick chortled.
"Watch and learn, blonde boy." Sarah pushed Becca back onto the lounge chair and held the ring suspended above her abdomen. Carefully she looked up at the trees to discern which way the breeze was blowing. Satisfied that there wasn't enough breeze to skew the results, she began. "Now watch what happens."
As they sat completely still, the others climbed out of the water. Wrapping towels around their waists, they gathered around to watch.
"What are you doing?" Brian whispered.
"Trying to tell whether Bec's having a boy or a girl," Kevin whispered back.
"No way Kev, that shit doesn't really work."
"Sure it does," he answered, elbowing Brian in the ribs and winking. "We did this with my brother's wife and it was right every time."
"It worked with my sisters’ kids, too," Howie added for effect.
Nick was falling for it hook, line and sinker. "So how does this work?"
Poor Nick. Becca felt sorry for him being suckered in like this, but not sorry enough to put an end to it. After all, he was so damn macho sometimes that he needed to be brought down a peg or two.
"Shh, you guys are gonna make me mess this up." Sarah concentrated even harder. "Now watch … the ring will begin to spin." And sure enough, it began a slow circular arc. "If it spins clockwise then it's a boy. But-"
They all watched, mesmerized as the ring began to spin counterclockwise.
"Damn," Nick whispered. "You mean-"
"It's a girl, Nick, get used to it." Sarah somehow managed to keep from giggling at the look on his face. Poor baby, he was so disappointed!
"Tough break, Nick," Howie said patting him on the back. "Come on up to the house with me, you can help me bring some food down." The two walked off together, Nick's head drooping with resignation and Howie's arm draped sympathetically across his shoulders.
The rest of them could barely contain themselves until Nick and Howie were out of earshot, and finally cracked up.
"Bec, you gonna tell him?" Brian asked.
"Hell no, do *I* look like an idiot?" she laughed.
"No, but Nick does," Kevin drawled. "You're evil Bec, much more than I ever gave you credit for."
"Thank you." She lifted her soda can in a toast and grinned. Poor Nick indeed, she thought with a snort. He must have done something to the guys to deserve payback, so she was willing to call it even. She figured some day she'd confess, but … maybe not. Right now she was having too much fun.