Part 27

"Angel, it’s time to cut the cake and I want us to clear out of here before it gets too late."

"I want to dance with the other three too before we leave."

"No problem," he answered with a kiss.

Howie and Sarah made their way over to the cake and had the guests gather around them. With the cake cut, Sarah took a piece of the cake to feed Howie and started laughing.

Howie grinned knowing what she intended to do. He picked up a piece of cake too and said, "Be NICE, Angel."


AJ cracked, "Yeah, right! You want Sarah to play nice! Now I know you’re off your rocker, ‘D’!"

Sarah laughed, "I’m always nice, Age..never heard YOU complain."

Howie and Sarah fed each other the cake and then Sarah grabbed another slice. She turned to find AJ who was now involved in a conversation with Brian.

Howie saw what was coming next and whispered, "Be careful, Angel."

"OH, ALEX," said Sarah sweetly. "I have your cake for you."

AJ turned around just in time for Sarah to smash the cake into his face. She broke out laughing hysterically and when AJ made a move to grab her, she moved quickly behind Howie who was laughing along with the rest of the guests.

AJ wiped the cake off his face as Alison tried hard not to laugh. "Okay! Sarah," snarled AJ. "YOU ARE MINE!"

AJ started after her but she said, "STOP!"

He stopped in his tracks, "What? There’s NO talking your way out of this."

"That’s payback, ALEX!"

"For what?"

"Well, let’s see…Ft. Lauderdale show where you pretended it was ME calling you at the beginning of ‘The Call’…for the April Fool’s Day trick where you told me Howie was arrested for Russell’s disappearance…shall I continue?"

AJ smirked, "No, that’s enough! Okay, we’re even."

"NO WAY! I’m no where NEAR done with you yet, McLean! I’m ONLY just getting started."

John stepped up, "Okay! Enough playing…it’s time for the toasts and as best man, I get first dibs on it."

Champagne was passed out to all the guests and John took the first round. Then several more of Sarah’s and Howie’s friends stepped up to toast the couple. It turned into more of a roast because with each new person, they managed to tell something to embarrass the couple.

Finally, Nick came forward. "I’m not real good at this stuff but I have to say something from my heart. Howie calls Sarah his ‘Angel’ because when he described her to us that night at Kevin’s after he’d had a dream about her, that’s what she sounded like to me. I never imagined that he’d meet her or that she’d be just like he described her. Well, actually, she was more because he never really described her inner beauty. They’ve been through some tough times and they’ve stood by me in some difficult times as well. Howie, Sarah, thank you! You’ve shown me what true love really is and that no matter what, love will conquer all. May you have MANY happy years together."

Howie and Sarah both gave Nick a hug and Howie announced, "Everybody, Sarah and I would like to thank you for coming tonight. We’re gonna be leaving soon for our honeymoon so all you SINGLE ladies, you need to get ready to GRAB the bouquet!"

With that, the music started again and the guests went back to dancing. Howie and Sarah were standing around talking quietly with Becca and Nick when AJ grabbed Sarah by the waist.

AJ had cleaned off the cake and was now ready to dance. "Come on…we’ll call it even if you’ll dance with me."

Sarah looked at Howie and then Ali. Both nodded ‘okay’ and Sarah went with AJ out on the dance floor. Their song was playing courtesy of AJ and they had their usual good time dancing to it. When the song was over, AJ gave her a hug and she went back to dancing with Howie who had made his way out to the dance floor again.

The dancing continued with Howie and Sarah spending most of their time together, not wanting to be apart any more than necessary.

Part 28           The Dance Index