Part 337
As Howie closed the door behind him, he heard Sarah in the bathroom getting sick. Shaking his head and smiling, he headed to check on her.
Hearing Howie, Sarah leaned back and gratefully accepted the cool cloth that he pressed to her forehead. She rested against his chest as he wrapped his arm around her.
"How do you always know?"
"Because I know you. Are you okay, Angel?"
"I will be. Having your arms around me makes me feel better."
Howie removed the cool cloth wiping her face with it and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Think you can finish getting ready?"
"I think so."
Howie helped Sarah up and the two went back to the bedroom. Lying on the bed, Howie watched as Sarah finished dressing. A soft chuckle escaped as he watched her try to pull on a pair of jeans that when she wasn’t pregnant was tight.
"Damnit!" mumbled Sarah slipping the jeans off again.
"Angel, you said your clothes were getting tight. Why’d you even try those jeans?"
"Wishful thinking, I guess," groaned Sarah as a tear slid down her cheek. Throwing her jeans back in their bag, she mumbled, "Here we go. I’m getting fat and you’re gonna find someone else."
Howie smiled knowing Sarah was being hormonal. He got up and took her in his arms. Tenderly, he brushed her hair back from her face and placed a feathery kiss on her forehead. "My beautiful angel, look at me," he whispered placing a finger under her chin lifting her eyes to look at him. "Sarah, with each passing day, you become more and more beautiful to me. You’re carrying OUR babies and I’d NEVER even consider looking at another woman."
Sarah felt her knees turn to jelly as she looked into Howie’s eyes. The same tenderness she’s seen when she’d first met him, the same tenderness she’s fallen deeply in love with was there now. The gentility and sincerity of his words soothed Sarah and there was absolutely no doubt in her mind just how much Howie loved her. "You have been so wonderful through all this…the morning sickness and my mood swings."
"What did you expect, Angel? I helped create these little guys and I love you."
"I love you too, Howie. I’d better get dressed."
"Where’s your maternity stuff you and Lisa bought?"
Sarah pointed to the closet where their clothes were hanging. Howie went over and looked through her things. He picked out a beautiful blue outfit that matched her eyes and handed it to her.
"Here you go, Angel."
As she took the outfit from him, her hand brushed his and she smiled. His touch never stopped having an effect on her.
When Sarah was ready, Howie took her hand and they headed downstairs. They found the others waiting patiently for them in the living room.
"Hey, Howie! Where’d you find the tent for ‘Tigger’ to wear?" teased AJ.
Sarah bolted for the bathroom but they all saw the tears as she left.
"Way to go, ‘Bonehead’," chastised Kevin.
"I was JUST teasing," answered AJ defensively. "How the hell was I suppose to know she was hormonal?"
"You weren’t," defended Howie. "Do me a favor though. Lay off the teasing about her getting bigger, please."
"No problem," said AJ. "I’ll go check on her, ‘D’."
"Are you sure? I mean, she might bite your head off."
"I’ll be fine."
AJ found Sarah leaning over the toilet throwing up and he took her hair in his hand to hold it back for her. At the same time, he reached for a cloth, got it wet, and pressed it to her forehead. When she was done, she leaned against him giving him a chance to wipe her face.
"What are you doing here?" she asked suspiciously.
"Came to check on you…and apologize."
"Howie chewed you out," smirked Sarah.
"No, actually he didn’t. He just asked me to back off the teasing," laughed AJ. Helping Sarah up, he said, "I told you when you were in Baton Rouge that you were gonna be the sexiest pregnant lady I knew and I meant it, ‘Tigger’. You are incredibly sexy even though I tease you and Howie’s a lucky man to have you."
"I’m the lucky one. I have an incredible husband who loves me and four of the most amazing guys who are my best friends," said Sarah tearfully as she hugged AJ. "Thank you, Alex."
Holding her close, AJ whispered, "You’re welcome, ‘Tigger’."
Rejoining the others, Howie put his arms around Sarah as he asked, "Are you okay, Angel?"
"I’m fine, ‘D’. Are we ready to go?"
"Just waiting on you, baby," said Kevin.
As they started to the door, Howie asked, "Rok, is Nick gonna meet us there?"
"Nah," said Brian. "He’s not ready to face Kellie just yet."
"Did he say how Jesse was?" asked Sarah.
Brian laughed, "No, but he answered the phone with ‘Carter Asylum’. I’m assuming Jesse was up because none of the others would be this early."
"Oh god," groaned Sarah.
Howie laughed, "This should be good. I’ll bet Jane will wish she’d never met Jesse after this."
"If Jane didn’t hate me before, this should seal my fate with her for sure," said Sarah.
The four men laughed as they piled into Kevin’s Excursion and headed to Kellie’s. They had a long day ahead of them and they were anxious to get started with it.