Part 253
Sarah sighed. "That was good, even for hospital food."
"Just don't tell Becca what she's missing, and you shouldn't be using all that salt, either, you know."
"I'M not the one with high blood pressure, D."
"Well, you never know, it could happen. I just don't want-"
"D, please! Give me a break!" Sarah laughed as the elevator chimed, signaling its arrival at the lobby.
Stepping onto the elevator, Howie and Sarah heard AJ call out, "Hold the doors, ‘Tigger’!"
The couple spotted AJ, Kevin, and Brian rushing to catch up with them and Howie reached out to hold the doors.
With their friends safely on the elevator, Howie let the doors close and AJ took Sarah in his arms to hug her.
"You look like you feel better."
"I do now that I’ve had some sleep."
Kevin smirked, "And a little ‘Sweet D’ lovin’?"
"That goes without saying," said Howie as Sarah stepped into his embrace again.
Brian shook his head. "You four think sex makes everything better."
"Who said anything about sex, Brian?" asked Sarah completely straight-faced. "Kevin simply said some ‘Sweet D’ lovin’…that could be the same as TLC."
"She’s got a point, Rok," chimed in AJ. "You’re the one who mentioned sex."
"Damn, Cuz! You’re mind is REALLY in the gutter," quipped Kevin.
"I’m sayin’," said Howie. "And he accuses US of being in the gutter."
Brian turned red and Sarah laughed. "It’s okay, Brian. Nick’s not here for them to pick on so you’re the target now."
"Feel the love," teased AJ.
Brian mumbled, "You guys suck!"
They burst out laughing as the doors opened onto the maternity floor. Several nurses looked up with disapproving looks for the disturbance.
"Y’all hush!" scolded Sarah. "There are new moms trying to sleep."
Surrounded by her guys, Sarah led the way down to Becca’s room and pushed the door open gently. "Hey, we’re back and guess what the cat drug in?"
Becca peaked around Nick eagerly to spot the three men with Sarah. Smiling happily, Becca sang out, "Hey you three! It’s about time you came by to see me."
"Oh great!" groaned Nick. "The entertainment staff."
"So where’s the star?" asked Kevin looking around the room.
Knowing full well that Kevin meant Garrett, Becca decided to give him a hard time. "I’m right here, Kev. Who else were you expecting?"
Embarrassed, Kevin said, "Uh…I didn’t…shit…"
"It’s okay, Kevin," laughed Becca. "Garrett is in the nursery for a check up with the hospital pediatrician."
"I’ll go get him," offered Sarah. By now, the whole staff knew Howie and Sarah as well as Nick and Becca and let Sarah come get the baby as if she were the mother.
"Thanks, sis."
"I’ll go with you," offered Nick.
"No, stay with Becca and visit," said Howie. "I’ll go."
After the two were gone, the other three took seats and Brian said, "You really scared us."
"I’m sorry, Brian," said Becca meekly. "Believe me, it wasn’t exactly my idea of fun either."
"Are you okay now?" asked AJ.
"I will be. They’ve still got me on a VERY bland diet and meds for my blood pressure."
"How long are they gonna keep you here?" asked Kevin.
"I’m not sure," answered Becca sullenly. It wasn’t something she or Nick had even begun to consider.
Before things got depressing, Sarah and Howie returned with Garrett. As she walked in, all three got up to surround her. Kevin was looking over Sarah’s shoulder and Brian and AJ were in front making goo-goo eyes at the baby.
"He’s so little," whispered Brian not wanting to wake the baby.
Nick and Becca watched proudly as their friends marveled over their son. It was fun to watch four grown men become babbling lunatics over a little baby.
"Hey guys! He may be little but he WEIGHS a lot. Wanna let me get in the room and sit down…PLEASE?" said Sarah.
"Here, let me take him," offered Kevin.
Sarah gently handed Garrett to Kevin who cradled him in his arms holding him close to his chest. Sarah motioned for Howie to get the camera and a picture was taken with Uncle Kevin holding Garrett. The look on Kevin’s face as he peered down into the infant’s face was enough to melt Becca and Sarah’s heart as they looked at each other.
Next it was Brian’s turn and he began to talk to Garrett. "Hey, Little Guy! I’m your Uncle Brian and your dad is one of my best buddies."
Howie took more pictures as Sarah moved over to stand beside Becca who was now in tears.
The last was AJ and Sarah moved to help him since he appeared to be a little nervous about the whole thing. "Hey, Little Nicky!! I’m crazy Uncle AJ!! We’re gonna have LOTS of fun aggravating your mom and dad!!"
"Hey…give me my nephew back. It’s been a whole ten minutes since I held him."
Sarah was sitting in the rocking chair now and AJ handed the little guy to her. As he did, Garrett started to wake up. "Hey, little guy," soothed Sarah. "All the jostling around wake you?"
As Garrett began to cry, AJ teased, "Way to go, Sarah! You scared him!"
"Oh, shut up, Alex," retorted Sarah as she put the tip of her pinky in Garrett’s mouth. He immediately began to nurse and Sarah said, "He’s hungry, that’s all." Then feeling his diaper, added, "And wet! Who gets the honors?"
Brian piped up, "I’ll feed him but I’m NOT doing the diaper."
Howie laughed, "Uh…Brian…you’re not equipped to feed him."
Puzzled, Brian asked, "What do you mean?"
"Becca’s nursing him," said Sarah.
Brian turned purple this time and the others laughed.
Sarah said, "I’ll get the diaper since none of you MEN seem to know how to do it."
"Whoa!! I never said I didn’t know how!" said Kevin. "Just didn’t offer to do it myself."
"Howie, you should do it…get in a little practice now," said AJ.
Howie smiled, "That’s okay. I’ll let Sarah teach me later."
"They don’t make them big enough to fit you, D," shot AJ.
The bantering continued as Sarah changed Garrett’s diaper and then handed him to Becca to feed.
Howie distracted the guys knowing that Becca was uncomfortable. "Angel,
got enough battery to run the pictures?"
"Yeah, D….go ahead."
"Come on guys. Let’s look at the pictures I took this morning."
Becca smiled at Howie gratefully and he gave her a wink as he began to set up Sarah’s laptop. While the guys looked at the pictures, Sarah and Nick helped Becca get situated to feed Garrett.
When Becca was set, Sarah went to stand behind Howie putting her hands on his shoulders. Howie looked up at her and smiled as the pictures flipped through for the others.
He leaned his head against her stomach. "You look tired, Angel," he whispered.
"I’m fine, D. Just kinda anxious. I wish Dusty would hurry up and get here."
Becca heard Sarah and asked, "Why’s Dusty coming up?"
"He’s bringing Jesse and Chelsea in on a military flight. He’s suppose to call from the airport so that I can tell him where we are and where to meet us."
"How is Jesse?" asked Brian.
"We talked to her early this morning and she’s scared," said Howie. "She thought she’d lost Sarah once and then she heard the news reports."
"God, I can’t imagine what she was thinking," shuddered Becca.
Tears welled up in Sarah’s eyes as she said, "She’ll never have to worry again. I’m sending Chelsea home as soon as things calm down."
"Why?" asked Kevin.
"I’m gonna be the mother that I’m SUPPOSE to be," said Sarah moodily.
"You are a good mother," said Howie reassuringly. "Don’t you EVER doubt yourself!"
"Sarah, how are you going to perform without someone to watch out for Jesse?" asked Brian.
This was something that Howie and Sarah had discussed earlier and he answered now, "There are enough of us to watch her when Sarah’s performing if I can’t."
"These pictures are awesome, Howie," said Kevin.
"So, Howie…what had Fatima and Tammy at each other’s throats after leaving your room this morning?" asked AJ.
"It was more like Fatima was at Tammy’s throat," corrected Brian.
Closing up the computer, Howie said, "Tammy gave Claudia a pass to get up onto our floor."
"Whoa! Claudia was on our floor?" questioned AJ.
All eyes turned to Sarah who said, "WHAT?"
Becca asked innocently, "Remind me, who’s Claudia?"
Sarah’s eyes flashed green as she mumbled, "Howie’s ex!"
Coolly, Howie added, "And she paid us a visit this morning."
"What happened?" asked Nick curiously.
Howie pulled Sarah into his lap holding her close as he explained the morning’s events. The whole time he talked, Sarah sat quietly, a storm cloud building over her and her emotions playing out in her eyes. She played with his hand and his wedding band as she listened.
When Howie was done, Brian said, "Man….I NEVER realized Claudia could be like that."
"I guess I made her think she had a chance with me when I agreed to see her this time around."
Becca had silently watched her best friend’s mood change dramatically as the story was told and made a note to herself to ask her later, when the guys weren’t around. She knew Sarah would NEVER say anything in front of them.
Nick said, "I’m surprised you didn’t go off on her, Sarah."
Sarah started to say something but Kevin spoke up, "Sarah’s never had problems with Howie’s exs or girls who liked him. I agree with you, though, Howie. Tammy shouldn’t have done what she did and I’ll speak to her later about it."
"Let it go, Kev," said Howie. "I think the chewing out Fatima gave her will be enough."
Sarah changed the subject. "Guys, a friend of ours is coming by in a little while and she’s a huge fan."
AJ too had noticed Sarah’s mood change and he now made an attempt to lighten it. "You two have friends?"
"Yeah, interesting concept, isn’t it, Alex?" said Nick.
Kevin began to act as if he were choking, "When did you learn to use such big words, Nickolas?"
Nick made a disgusted face and said, "Oh, bite me, Kevin!"
"Anyway…" started Sarah.
"Hold on! How do you two have friends here in Toronto when neither one of you have been here before?" questioned AJ.
"Would you SHUT UP and let me explain?" snapped Sarah irritably. "Bec and I are on an email list and the girl who owns it lives here in Toronto."
"Is this one of those lists for us?" asked Brian.
"Sorta. It’s a private list with only twelve members and we talk about
anything."
"So, what’s the name of this list?" asked Kevin casually.
Nick and Howie exchanged amused looks as Becca turned red.
"Doesn’t matter," said Sarah in an effort to avoid embarrassing
Becca. "What I was TRYING to tell you…"
"No…hold on," said AJ. "Nick and Howie are laughing about
something and Becca’s obviously embarrassed about something that Sarah is
trying to cover. WHAT is the name of the list?"
Nick and Howie looked at Sarah and chorused, "Tell them."
Sarah looked at Becca who shrugged, "Might as well."
"Fine…it’s called Backstreet Love Slaves."
AJ and Kevin howled with laughter startling Garrett.
Sarah slapped AJ. "NOW look what you’ve done!"
Nick picked him up and began singing to calm his son as Becca said, "Julie owns the list and we talked to her this morning."
"Go back…Backstreet Love Slaves?" questioned AJ. "Exactly WHAT are your screen names?"
Becca spoke up, "BeckyBSB."
"Alex…would you JUST let it drop?" said Sarah even more irritably. She really didn’t want to explain her screen name…not after this morning.
"I can’t. This is WAY TOO GOOD! I mean, I can see you, ‘Tig’, but
BECCA? A love slave?"
"Hey…she’s MY love slave," said Nick indignantly.
Howie was now curious too and said, "Angel, you said you weren’t using your usual screen name, so what ARE you using?"
Sarah looked to Becca for help but Becca simply shrugged her shoulders. "You’re NO FUCKING HELP!"
"Sorry, Sis."
"What is it, baby?" asked Kevin.
"Darksidefanatic," said Sarah. "You SATISFIED, ALEX?"
"Darksidefanatic?" questioned Brian.
AJ and Kevin snickered as Howie said quietly, "Kevin, AJ, and me….some of the fans call us the Dark Side because of our dark hair."
"Among other things," added AJ. "This is too good!"
Howie hadn’t missed the tears in Sarah’s eyes as she glared at AJ. "DROP IT, ALEX!"
"Fine! God…your hormones are back in overdrive."
"ALEX…FU…."
"Sarah! He’s only playing with you," Howie said cutting her off. "AJ, back off!"
Kevin watched Sarah as Howie pulled her tighter to him as he said, "Go ahead, Sarah. Finish explaining."
"She’s expecting Nick and Howie but I don’t want to overwhelm her with ALL of you," and they began to come up with a plan.