Part 332
As the group headed to the waiting cars, Nick said, "Howie, give me Jesse’s bag."
"It’s right here," said Howie holding it for Nick to take.
"Why do you need her bag?" asked Sarah.
"She’s gonna stay with us until we get back to Calgary," said Nick.
Howie explained, "Nick and I talked in Minneapolis and since he’s not gonna be with us at the studio or video shoot, he offered to take Jess with them."
"I thought it would be just for the day," said Becca.
"Baby, it’s the least we can do," said Nick. "Especially after the pain I was for the week you were in Toronto."
"Nick, you guys have a brand new baby," argued Sarah. "And you’re gonna be at your parents’. You don’t need Jesse the entire time."
"Nonsense," said Nick. "Aaron, Angel, and BJ are gonna be there to entertain her and besides, when was the last time you and Howie had a night alone?"
Sarah looked at Howie who said, "Angel, it’s just for one night. Jesse will be fine."
"When did you two discuss all this?" questioned Becca. "I offered on the bus when you came to ask if we wanted to fly with you out here."
Howie and Nick looked at each smiling as Nick said, "We set you up, baby. Howie and I already had this planned before dinner. Originally, Howie was just gonna run Jess over when they went to the studio but then I decided it would be easier for us to just take her with us now."
"Just out of curiosity…don’t Becca and I have a say in all this?" asked Sarah.
Together, Nick and Howie said, "NO!"
Everyone laughed and Becca said, "Sarah, don’t worry. It’ll be fun having Jesse with us."
"Fun for who?" quizzed Sarah. "The way she was today, I’m afraid to think what she’d say to Jane and Bob."
"Oh, I don’t know. I think it would be a real treat for Jane to have Jesse around," cracked AJ. "I’d love to see the look on her face when ‘Little One’ throws a temper tantrum because Jane won’t let her do something and Jesse tells her to fuck off."
"NOT FUNNY, Alex," scowled Sarah. Looking at Becca, Sarah asked, "Are you sure?"
"Positive. You and Howie need a little time alone. When was the last time you two spent time alone…like you usually do, shut off from the circus?"
Looking at Howie, Sarah thought. Then she said, "It’s been about a month, I guess."
"Okay, then relax. Enjoy the time with Howie, even if you do have to work."
Howie put his arms around Sarah’s waist, "Come on, Angel. Jesse will be bored with us and this way, we can concentrate on what needs to be done for the CD and the video."
"Okay! Okay!" conceded Sarah giving in to Howie’s pleading eyes. "Thank you, Nick and Becca."
"No problem, sis," answered Becca. "Now go have fun."
Sarah rested her head on Howie’s shoulder, "It should be interesting to say the least."
"We’ll see you in Calgary on the 26th," said Nick.
Raoul had Jesse in his arms as she slept and now headed to Nick’s car with her. Before putting her in, Sarah and Howie gave her a kiss and then watched as Nick and Becca got in with Garrett.
Sarah stood back in Howie’s arms and watched as the car pulled away.
"Come on, Angel. Let’s head to Kevin’s so you can get some sleep," said Howie.
"My baby…"whispered Sarah tearfully.
"Will be fine, Angel," soothed Howie as he stroked her stomach.
Sarah looked over her shoulder at him. "I promised her we wouldn’t be apart ever again. She won’t know where she is when she wakes up."
Howie kissed her. "Shhh, she knew she was going with Nick. I told her before the show. She’ll be fine, Sarah. If you want to worry about someone, worry about Jane and Bob."
That made Sarah laugh. "Good point."
"Hey, you two! We need to be at the studio in seven hours," called Kevin.
"And I need my beauty rest!" cracked AJ.
"You do need all the beauty rest you can get," shot Sarah as she and Howie walked arm in arm back to where the others were waiting.
Kevin reached out to brush Sarah’s hair back and said, "Jesse will be fine, baby. Stop worrying about her."
Sarah took Kevin’s hand in hers. "Thanks, ‘Boo’, but I can’t help worrying…kinda like you worrying about me."
It had been forever since Sarah had called him ‘Boo’ but it had the same effect as always. He was mush on the inside hearing it and he smiled tenderly, "I understand."
Howie helped Sarah into the car and the guys followed. The ride to Kevin’s was quick and quiet.
Once they were at the house, Sarah kissed each of the guys goodnight and headed upstairs to their room to get some sleep.
"Yo, D," said AJ. "You and Sarah gonna watch some movies with us?"
Howie knew what AJ meant by ‘movies’ and he said, "I might but Sarah and I won’t be doing that any more, ‘J’."
"That’s cool, bro. I sorta had the feeling that was the case but I had to be sure. Why don’t you skip it tonight and go cuddle with that sexy wife of yours? I’ll see you in the morning."
Howie left AJ and Kevin as they settled in to watch television. A need to feel her in his arms overwhelmed him as he climbed the steps to their room.
Closing the door gently behind him, he stood gazing at Sarah as the light from the bathroom fell across her. She was lying on her side facing him with her hair falling across her shoulder and face and her hand resting on her stomach.
God, she’s so beautiful, he thought as he quickly undressed. Sliding into bed behind her, Howie put his arm across her and buried his face in her hair.
Sleepily, Sarah mumbled, "What took you so long?"
"AJ wanted us to watch TV with him and Kevin."
"Oh?" she asked as she rolled to face him.
"They’re cool with our decision. Go to sleep, Angel," whispered Howie brushing her hair back as he began to began to sing to her softly. Within minutes, her breathing slowed and he knew she was asleep. He caressed her cheek as he watched her. Carefully, he traced the line of her eyebrows, her nose, her lips, and then her jaw line as if to memorize every minute detail, as if he could ever forget. He felt his heart swell with the love he felt for his wife as she slept. "You’re so innocent when you sleep, my beautiful Angel…so untouched by the world. Only I know the horrors you’ve seen and been through. All the beautiful things, all your dreams and desires…I’ll give them to you and you don’t have to ask. I love you, Sarah," he said softly before pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Watching her sleep, Howie drifted off to sleep with thoughts of their future together.