Part 196
"You have to wonder…do the Backstreet Boys have what it takes to come back? With an unexpected break for perpetual bad boy AJ McLean to enter rehab, the Boys were already suffering from lagging ticket sales with very few sold out shows….."
"Asshole," mumbled Sarah as she cut the television off. "How can you watch this crap?"
From the bathroom, Howie asked, "Watch what?"
"This news…all they do is knock you guys down."
Howie came out of the bathroom in time to see Sarah wipe the tears. He sat
beside her on the bed and took her hand in his. "Angel, you’ve heard the
negative press before. How many times have you heard them say I’m gay or that
Kevin is bisexual or that Nick is doing cocaine?"
"Lots."
"The more they say it, does it make it true?"
"No…but it doesn’t make it hurt any less."
Howie smiled as he wiped her tears. "Sarah, you need to remember that you’re super sensitive right now. You’re hormones are in overdrive and you’re taking everything way too seriously. We’ve got our critics and they’re gonna take EVERYTHING they can dig up to slam us every chance they get."
"But…."
Howie silenced her with a kiss then took her hand pulling her off the bed. "C’mere, Angel."
"Do I have to?" whined Sarah.
"Yes," and Howie made her stand in front of him at the window at the back of the bus. With one arm around her waist, he held her close as he opened the window. They heard the screams and shrieks of the fans as they leaned out to wave. Howie asked, "Does THIS look or sound like our fans have deserted us?"
Sarah laughed, "No…it doesn’t."
"Then stop worrying, Angel, and concentrate on the fun things…like singing tonight, the ambush you have planned for AJ…"
"Being in your arms."
"Most definitely."
The two closed the window again and Howie led Sarah back to the bed. "How long are Nick and Becca gonna keep Jesse?"
"Until after I finish."
Howie began unbuttoning her shirt as he whispered, "You have on WAY too many clothes."
"I thought this was our day not…."
Howie kissed her. "It is but we can still explore. I want to hold you and touch you."
Sarah loved it when Howie was like this. He was always attentive but on their days when they shut out the rest of the world, he was more so. She quickly finished undressing and hopped back into bed. She watched as Howie turned the lights down and turned on the music. It was one of their serenity CDs with sounds of the ocean that Sarah had picked to do her relaxation practice.
"You trying to put me to sleep?"
"I would like for you to rest since you’re gonna be performing tonight," answered Howie as he sat down with her. "Roll over, Angel, on your stomach."
"Why?" she asked curiously.
"I read an article on the plane yesterday that Nick gave me about giving body massages to pregnant women. Thought I’d give you one and help you relax."
"Oh god…Nick giving YOU advice? I’m in trouble now!" teased Sarah as she rolled over.
Howie laughed too and said, "Yeah…it’s getting pretty bad."
He started with her shoulders, his strong fingers working into her muscles, rubbing and kneading tenderly. He worked his way down her back taking his time to knead the muscles that were tight. Next were her arms. He started at the top and worked his way down to her fingertips where he kissed each one. On to her legs…Howie started at her thighs massaging them. As he did, his hands grazed over her pink folds ever so lightly and she moaned softly. He smiled as he felt her quiver but continued with her massage working his way down to her feet. He carefully rubbed her feet working out the kinks.
Howie moved back up to be beside Sarah adjusting he pants to accommodate the erection he now had and whispered, "Angel, roll over. It’s time for the front."
Sleepily, Sarah rolled over and through half-open eyes looked into his. "This is so wonderful."
"Yeah, it is," responded Howie as he began to massage her breasts working down to her stomach. He skipped over her belly and moved to the fronts of her thighs and down her legs. When he had finished, Sarah was completely relaxed and almost asleep. He slid into bed with her and gathered her in his arms. Running his hand across the slight swell of her belly, he placed tiny kisses along her neck and whispered, "You are so beautiful. You’re body is so amazing…nurturing two little lives inside you…two little lives that I helped create."
Sarah snuggled closer enjoying the warmth of his body next to her and his hand on her stomach. She sighed contentedly. "It’s all so perfect…isn’t it?"
"From the minute our eyes met in the parking lot. I wouldn’t trade a single minute of our lives together, Sarah."
"D, I know it’s too early to really be considering names but if these are girls, I want to name one of them Caroline…after your sister," whispered Sarah sleepily.
Howie’s eyes grew moist as he kissed her tenderly. "Thank you," he answered, his voice betraying the emotions he was feeling.
Sarah didn’t hear him because she had fallen asleep in his arms. The massage had relaxed her completely and he watched her, his heart swelling with love for the woman that lay next to him, her body changing rapidly with HIS children.