Part 123
Standing backstage, Sarah watched the crowd getting bigger and bigger. She wondered why she’d ever let Howie convince her to do this. She’s already been to the bathroom three times to throw up.
Kevin snuck up behind her putting his hands over her eyes. Disguising his voice, he said, "Guess who?"
He pulled her against his body and Sarah put her hands on his. "Hey, Boo!" she laughed.
Letting her turn to see him, he pouted, "How’d you know?"
"Gee, Kevin! Let’s see…there’s your cologne, the fact that you pulled me against you, and your hands. All details that I’ll NEVER forget. Are you alone?"
"Not really. Brian and Sonja are out front and Nick and Becca will be here shortly."
"What about Vanessa?"
"Gone to visit her family."
"Why didn’t you go with her?"
"Wanted to be here for you and Howie. Where is D anyway?"
"Probably passing out cigars by now," snorted Sarah.
"What’s that suppose to mean?"
Howie bounced backstage and said, "She’s pregnant."
"D, you already knew that."
"Yeah, but we saw them…twins…and I’m the father," bubbled Howie.
Kevin laughed as he looked down at Sarah who just shook her head. "What’s wrong, baby?"
Sarah pointed to Howie, "HIM! You’d think he’d just won a Grammy or
something."
"Well, baby! It is EQUAL to that. You gotta remember this is his
first."
"Hey…it’s my…well, it’s my first with a man that I TRULY love and he loves me."
"Not true, baby. Not to bring up…"
Howie cut him off, "Don’t Kevin. Sarah’s excited but I have kinda
overwhelmed her."
Sarah saw the hurt in Howie’s eyes and it broke her heart. She pulled away from Kevin and took Howie’s hand in hers. "Let’s go talk, D. I need you to run through the play list one more time."
"Angel, you know it…"
Kevin had seen the look in Howie’s eyes too and said, "You two go on. I’m
gonna go join the others."
Sarah watched Kevin leave then turned to Howie. "Sweet D, I’m so
sorry. I never meant to hurt you and I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I
really didn’t. I love the fact that you’re worrying about me…I’ve just
never had anyone make over me the way you are because I’m pregnant."
"But Russell was excited that you were having a girl."
"Yeah, but he didn’t worry about me or make over me. It’s SO
different."
Howie cupped her face, "I’ll back down, Angel."
"NO…DON’T! I DO love it because I love you."
Tito stuck his head backstage, "Sarah, telephone."
Sarah took the phone, "Hello."
"Hey, baby! Whaz up?"
"BONE!" cried Sarah. "GOOD GAWD!"
Alex laughed, "It’s good to hear your voice, even if it IS a BAD imitation of me. Are you getting ready to go on?"
"Yeah! I wish you were here, Alex! I miss you!"
"Me too, baby, but you’ll be fine. I KNOW D is there with you and I expect Kevin and the others are too."
"They are but it’s NOT complete without you. You’re JUST as responsible for me doing this as they are," said Sarah as she took Howie’s hand in hers. "You sound so good, Alex."
"Thanks. Look, I just called to let you know I wish I was there and to tell you knock ‘em dead! Are you gonna do ‘our’ song?"
"Yeah, but Howie and I have changed the words a little. Alex, thanks for the flowers you sent today. They really were special!"
Howie whispered, "It’s time, Angel."
"Bone…I gotta go. We’re coming to see you soon, before we go on our
honeymoon."
"I can’t wait to see you, Sarah. Knock ‘em dead, baby!"
Before she hung up, Sarah said softly, "Bone, I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
Sarah handed the phone back to Tito and turned to Howie. "It’s REALLY happening!"
Howie laughed, "Yeah, Angel…it is! Take a deep breath and you’ll be fine! Our band is backing you up, I’ll be right here, and the others are in the audience. You’re gonna be great!"
As Howie said that, Mook and the others headed out onto the stage and Howie followed them to welcome the crowd and introduce Sarah.
As Sarah made her way out, she was met with thunderous applause and she heard Nick and Kevin in the crowd hollering the loudest. She laughed as she waved to the crowd and the music began. The playlist Howie had done for Sarah had a variety of songs that included stuff he’d written just for her, some BSB stuff that was special to them, and songs from other artists.
Howie went out to join the group so that he could get a better feel for the audiences’ reaction. He was amazed by how natural it all was for Sarah. He could tell that as the first song was almost over, Sarah had gotten over her nerves and was working the crowd. Becca had been right…Sarah WAS comfortable in front of a crowd and she worked them like she had been doing it all her life. She went into the audience picking out different people to sing to, including Kevin, Brian, and Nick. She made it a point to sing to just him when she did their song, ‘That’s When I’ll Stop Loving You’. The audience truly loved her and it wasn’t just because she was his wife. It was because she was THAT good.
At the end of the show, Sarah introduced the band and then said, "I’ve seen a LOT of audiences and in the words of AJ…YOU ROCK!! Thank you SO MUCH for being the best 'first’ audience outside of my family EVER! I also need to thank a few other people. First of all, AJ…he’s not here tonight but he has had faith in me from the beginning and been a wonderful friend. Becca…. you were my roommate first and then my sister. Thank you SO much for EVERYTHING. Nick and Brian….you’re the best! Thank you for being here tonight. Your support means the world to me. Kevin…you broke through the wall I’d built and made me realize I can follow my dreams. Finally..I have to thank my boss, my husband, and my soul mate…without his love, support, and encouragement, I wouldn’t be doing this tonight. D…thank you and I love you with all my heart. Now get you butt up here and help me with this last song."
The audience laughed at that as Howie made his way to the stage. Sarah greeted him with a kiss and he asked, "What are we gonna do, Angel?"
"How about ‘From This Moment On’?"
Howie turned to the band to tell them while Sarah introduced the song. Together in perfect harmony…just like their marriage, they performed the song, never once taking their eyes off one another. It was obvious to everyone watching as the couple sang just how in love they were.
After the show, Howie rushed Sarah up to his office where he slammed the door shut and pinned her to the door. Claiming her mouth in a lustful kiss, he felt her body meld with his. Pulling back, Howie said, "You were awesome, Angel…so at home on the stage."
Sarah laughed, throwing her head back, "It felt so right, Howie!! So magical…just like making love with you."
"That’s it, Sarah. That’s how I feel every time I go out."
The couple was interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by an impatient pounding. Both of them started laughing knowing that it was Nick and as they opened the door, Nick fell into the room.
"God, Nick! Stand much?" cracked Sarah.
Regaining his footing, Nick grabbed Sarah from Howie’s arms giving her a bear hug. "You were INCREDIBLE!"
Sarah couldn’t help but laugh, "Thanks, Nicky!"
Looking around the office at the remnants of Howie’s surprise for Sarah, Kevin asked, "Jeez, Howie! Didn’t buy too many stuffed animals did you?"
Howie and Sarah both laughed and Howie said, "Just move them out of the way."
Kevin, Brian, and Sonja moved the animals enough to get comfortable on the couch while Nick and Becca took the other couch. Howie sat in his chair at his desk with Sarah in his lap. As they sat together, they talked about the show, each of the guys pointing out what they thought was good and what Sarah should change.
As she sat in Howie’s lap, his arms wrapped tightly around her, Sarah listened to them. She was tired and her mind kept drifting to her mother. She wanted so bad to tell her mother about tonight and about the babies but she wasn’t there.
Becca was watching Sarah and saw the expression in her eyes. Something was wrong and the guys were too wrapped up in the show to notice. She had to get Sarah away from them and find out what was wrong.
"Sarah, go with me to the bathroom."
Sarah welcomed the escape but Nick said, "Baby, can’t you go alone? We’re
trying to give Sarah pointers."
"No, I can’t. It’s a girl thing!" smirked Becca. "Besides, I’m
sure Sarah will hear this AGAIN and AGAIN a dozen times between now and the next
time she performs. Now help me up!"
Nick helped Becca up as Sarah turned to give Howie a kiss. He saw the look in her eyes but didn’t say anything. He knew she’d tell him soon enough, when everyone was gone.