Part 208
The weekend at Sarah’s grandparents’ was an absolute success for the gang. They relaxed and enjoyed the home-cooked food that they had all missed. They played games with the younger kids, entertained the group with their singing, and shared their own memories of family reunions.
For Howie and Sarah, they were inseparable. He showered her with attention, getting whatever she wanted and not letting her out of his sight, their love evident in every look and every touch.
Jesse was smothered with love and presents from all her cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They were excited to have her and amazed by the story of what had happened.
Late Sunday night, the buses rolled out of Virginia, headed to New York for the next show, seven people quite happy and relaxed.
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"So, Jesse, what would you like to do?" Becca sat down next to the little girl, ruffling her hair and smiling as she squirmed away.
"I'm bored," she said, rolling her eyes in an exact imitation of her mother.
Nick grinned at Becca, who was trying not to laugh. "Bored, huh? Well, let's see," he made a big show of thinking very hard. "I know, we could play video games," he suggested.
"Uncle Nicky, no. We did that yesterday," she said in exasperation.
"What about dolls? We could dress up and have a tea party," Becca suggested enthusiastically.
"No, I'm tired of being inside," she whined.
"I've got it!"
"What, Nick?" Becca watched as he stood looking out the parted curtains of the hotel window.
"There's a playground across the street. We could take Jesse over there to play for a while and you could get some fresh air, too."
"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Jesse began bouncing on the sofa next to Becca.
Becca laughed. "Nick, I don’t know, what about security?"
"So, we'll take them all with us. The more the merrier."
"Please? Please Aunt Becca?" Jesse laid her head on Becca's shoulder, clearly understanding how the game was played.
"All right!" she laughed. "You win. Let me call Howie to let him know what we're doing while you talk to security." As Nick turned to go she called out, "Be sure to let Billy know he has to go on the swings in order to blend in and look normal."
Nick snorted. "No fuc-," he broke off, suddenly remembering the four year old that was listening intently. "No way," he amended. "He's YOUR bodyguard now, YOU can tell him."
* * * * * * * *
"Higher, Uncle Nicky, higher!"
Becca cringed, just knowing that Jesse was about to go flying out of her swing and across the playground. Broken bones were NOT on their agenda today. "Nick, please?"
"Aw, c'mon, Bec, she's fine. Hold on tight Jess!" Even though he was certain that she was fine, he did slow her down a bit and felt, rather than heard, Becca's sigh of relief.
In spite of all Becca's cajoling, Billy and Eddie stood off to a discreet distance keeping an eye out for fans and photographers. From the swings they made their way to the slides. Jesse insisted on climbing the highest one and no amount of ribbing on Becca's part could keep Nick from sliding down right after her. As they both landed at Becca's feet, their sneakers kicked up a cloud of dust and Becca hastily stepped back out of the way.
"Hey, you two! You're getting me all dirty!" She pretended to be angry, standing with her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry Aunt Becca! But it's ok, mommy will help you get clean." Jesse took Becca's hand, smiling up into her face.
"She will?"
"Uh huh. I heard her telling Daddy and Uncle Kevin that she was giving you a shower tonight," she announced innocently.
Nick and Becca exchanged amused looks. "She did, huh?" Nick asked. "And just where is she going to give Aunt Becca a shower?"
Jesse shrugged her little shoulders. "Our room, I think. Is your bathroom broken Uncle Nick?"
"Not that I know of, peanut. But your mom's pretty smart to plan ahead like that."
"Yep, she's the smartest mommy in the world," Jesse said, running off to play tag with Billy and Eddie.
She was barely out of earshot when Nick and Becca began to laugh. "That's priceless," Becca chortled.
"Kids, gotta love 'em huh?" Nick took her hand, pulling her to sit on a park bench as they watched Jesse captivate the two huge men.
"She's so cute, and Sarah will be so upset that she spoiled her surprise."
"Don't tell her."
"What?"
"We don't have to let on that we know. I can act surprised, can you?"
"Of course, I can."
"Wonder who all will be there?"
"I guess we’ll find out tonight." Becca turned sideways on the bench, leaning against Nick and propping her legs up. It took her a minute, but she finally maneuvered into a comfortable position, and Nick wrapped his arm around her to help her balance.
They watched Jesse play, enjoying every minute of it.
"Not much longer till we have one of those," Nick said, watching Jesse hang upside down on the monkey bars.
"Yeah, only about four years." Becca laughed.
"Goof, I meant a kid, not a 'big girl' like Jesse."
Becca giggled. "I knew what you meant, I just couldn't resist."
"You look better, Bec. You feeling ok?"
"Yes, I am. REALLY. I'd tell you if I wasn't, I promise."
"I hope so, baby. Nothing is worth risking you or the baby for." He kissed her tenderly on the top of her head, sighing in contentment.
Becca turned is his arms, to look up at him. The sunlight was shining through his hair and the wind had tossed it every which way and he'd never looked more desirable. "Nick?" she whispered.
Looking down, he caught the look in her eye and smiled. "Hold that thought, Bec, we're babysitting."
"Niiick…"
"Don't whine, it's unattractive," he grinned.
"But-"
"Here, maybe this'll hold you." Taking one last glance to make sure Jesse was with Eddie and Billy, he leaned over and pressed his mouth to hers, moving his lips softly back and forth over Becca's. Slowly he kissed her, never allowing her to take it that next step further. When she parted her lips he pulled away, planting soft kisses along her cheek and over to her ear.
"Nick," she pleaded.
"Not here, baby." He captured her mouth again, this time touching his tongue to hers just briefly before breaking away. When he might have taken her mouth again, he was cut off by the shrill ringing of his cell phone. He ignored it, threading his fingers through her hair and leaning close. The phone rang insistently.
"What?" he barked, activating the annoying piece of technology.
"Whatsa matter, Nicky, did I interrupt something?" Sarah laughed on the other end.
"Yes, you did, and I'd like to get back to it."
"Payback's a bitch, isn't it? This is for all those times you and your wife have dragged Howie and I from a sound sleep. Or other more important matters."
"Sarah, what do you want?" he sighed, the mood completely ruined.
"To let you know I'm back, so you can bring Jesse here whenever you've had enough fun. Oh, and to invite you and Becca to dinner tonight."
"Dinner?" he said, sitting up and smiling at Becca. "Gee, I don't know, we kinda have plans for tonight. Maybe tomorrow."
Becca had her hand over her mouth, her eyes crinkling with mirth.
"Why's it have to be tonight? We can-" Nick held the phone away from his ear as Sarah talked. "Well, let me ask Bec, hold on." Nick covered the mouthpiece and counted to ten, pretending to talk to his wife. "Ok, Bec says we'll come, but I owe her a romantic dinner somewhere. Eight o'clock? Your suite? Ok, see you then." He cut the connection smiling conspiratorially at Becca. "I have an idea," he smirked. "Let's take Jesse back and we'll talk about it."