Part 35
"God, Bec, what a day!"
She laughed in reply. "I'll say so. Here, let me help you," she stepped behind Sarah to undo the buttons down the back of her gown. "I'm sure you’d rather let Howie do this, but-"
"There's no way I'm riding all the way back to Miami in this dress. Say, wanta give us your house for the night?" she grinned.
"No way! I love you, but Nick and I have some plans to start making."
Sarah snorted. "Among other things, I'm sure."
"Never mind." Becca smirked, reaching for a hanger for Sarah's gown.
"Are you ok?" Sarah asked with concern.
"Very ok, why?"
"Kevin."
"Sarah, don't worry about it, he was drunk."
"But I could tell he wasn't very kind to you. Tell me what he said to you."
Becca shook her head. "No, it's over, Sarah. There's no need."
"Then at least talk to Nick about it."
"No way. He doesn't need to hear the details. Sarah, Kevin said some really hurtful things and it would tear Nick up and I won’t do that to him. He really looks up to Kevin."
"I know he feels you let him down when you left, was that all?"
"No," she replied sadly, handing Sarah her jacket and sighing. "Promise you won't tell Nick?"
"I promise. Bec, what did he say?"
Becca took a deep breath. "He as much as accused me of having someone else's baby."
"Jesus, Bec!"
"I know. Look, I know he was drunk. He's angry and-"
"He needs to get over it. I'll talk to him when we get back to Orlando."
"Sarah, just let it go. Please? Nick and I have so much to look forward to and I don't want anything to spoil it."
"I can't believe you're getting married in ten days!"
Becca giggled. "Me either! When he asked me again, I jumped at the chance. I was afraid if I waited he might back out."
"You goof! There's no way that boy's gonna let you go now." She shook her head in exasperation as Becca stood looking at her engagement ring. The heart-shaped diamond sparkled and Sarah took her hand. "It's beautiful, Bec."
"I'm so lucky and so blessed. You'll be there with me, won't you? Be my maid of honor?"
"Nope," Sarah shook her head.
"But-"
"I'll be your *matron* of honor, silly girl, I'm married now." She smiled. "God, Bec, I'm married!"
"Now who's being a goof?!"
"Both of us. God, the guys don't know what they've let themselves in for."
"Let's not tell them," Becca said as they locked their pinkies together and giggled.
"Pinky swear!" they said in unison and cracked up.
"Where's my wife?" Howie yelled from downstairs.
"Wife …. geez!" They broke into another fit of giggles.
Sarah was turning toward the stairs, but stopped. "You never did tell me how you made it to the wedding on time."
"The short version? All I had do to was clutch my belly and act faint. The Coast Guard had us back here in record time. I think I scared them half to death." Becca winked at Sarah.
"Evil, Bec, pure evil."
"Thank you!" she laughed. "Now go on, get your honeymoon over with so you can help me plan *my* wedding!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Arm in arm they headed down the stairs, stopping halfway as they saw both Howie and Nick waiting expectantly for them at the bottom.
"God, he's beautiful," Sarah sighed.
"Yes, he is," Becca whispered, her eyes never leaving Nick.
"Bec!"
"They're both gorgeous and they're OURS. God, Sarah, this is like the Valentine's Day I never had this year."
A thought began to form in the back of Sarah's mind as she pulled Becca down the last few steps. "Nick, would you kiss her or something before she cries all over me?"
Nick took her hand. "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing." She smiled into his eyes as he hugged her. "Everything's perfect."
"You ready, Angel?" Howie asked Sarah.
"More than ready," she grinned.
"Hold that thought," Howie said, winking at her. Their bags were in the car and after a brief goodbye to their families and friends, they ran to their car beneath a shower of birdseed and rice.