Part 397
With the show over, it was time to head to the next town, Edmonton. It was a short trip, only three and half-hours, so Howie and Sarah decided they’d use the time to talk.
As the bus rolled out, Sarah grabbed two bottles of water for them while Howie went to kiss Jesse goodnight like he promised. Rejoining Sarah, he turned on the stereo and took a seat on the couch with her. He sat so that she could lean against him between his legs and wrapped his arms around her.
Sarah nestled next to him resting her head on his shoulder. "Tonight was so awesome and Becca…she was wonderful."
"You, my beautiful ‘Angel’, are ALWAYS awesome," responded Howie as he kissed her hair. He held her close taking in her scent. "And Becca was remarkable. Are you gonna get her to sing with you some more?"
"She needs to but I doubt she will. I’ll just have to find another song to do and tell about her foundation for her."
"You know, we need to talk about something else besides the show."
"Jesse?"
"Uh huh. Becca’s got a very valid argument."
"Believe me, I know Jesse needs the socialization but I don’t know what else to do, Howie. I’ve never believed in home-schooling but it’s the only way I know for us to be together as a family."
"Jesse needs routine and we aren’t giving it to her on the road like this. And you know that her temper tantrums are because she’s tired….like you?"
"I know. Is that why you said she needed a set bedtime?"
"Yeah. I was talking to Mama while you and Becca were rehearsing and she said that would help," said Howie as he laced his fingers with hers.
"I know you’re right but how do we do that when we have shows? Then there’s nights like tonight when the trip is short. We’re gonna have to wake her when we get to the hotel."
"As far as the shows, I can get her to bed and be back inside in time to sing with you. Angel, I’ve given this a lot of thought after talking to Mama and Polly. We’ve got several options and before I tell them to you, I want you to promise me you’ll listen and not get angry."
"I know you’re just trying to look out for Jesse."
"I do love her. Okay, first, we can do nothing and wait until we get back to Orlando to enroll her in school, which will be November. Second, we can hire a nanny and continue to keep her with us until November."
"What’s THAT gonna do?"
"Mainly make sure she’s in bed at a decent time rather than one of us rushing to get her down. Then there’s the third option."
Howie hesitated and Sarah knew this was what he truly wanted to do.
Continuing, "Pol has offered to fly out to meet us with all the paperwork to register Jesse in school and take her back. Mama said she’d be thrilled to have Jesse stay with her until we can get back and Pol and Ang have offered to help get her to and from school and so forth."
Sarah remained quiet as she thought about what he had said. This was the only logical solution but her heart had objections. Softly, she said, "But we’ll miss her first day of school."
"’Angel’, with our lives the way they are…touring and special appearances for the group, your career, and the foundation…we’re gonna have to miss some things in her life. It’s gonna hurt…all of us…but we have to do what’s best for her," reassured Howie. Then, to try and make it a little better, he said, "You know, Pol and Ang will probably take PLENTY of pictures for us and video tape it. And if the press gets hold of it, we can see it on the news."
Sarah fell silent again as she considered it all. She was so conflicted with it all. She knew in her head that Howie was right but she just didn’t want to be away from Jesse again.
"Talk to me, ‘Angel’. What are you thinking?"
"I know you’re right."
"But?"
"I’ve missed three years of her life and now we’re talking about being separated from her again."
"Look at it this way. You’ll KNOW where she is and you can call her whenever you want. ‘Angel’, I’m gonna miss her too but we’ve got to start thinking about what’s best for her. We’ve got another month on the road, then we’re headed to Japan, and then we’ll be home for a while. I doubt very seriously that the group will do much before summer."
"What about the cruise? She’s not gonna be out of school yet."
"A few days won’t hurt her. She’ll go with us and you can help her with what she misses," soothed Howie hearing the tears in her voice. "We can take her with us to LA when we do the ‘Hollywood Squares’ too. She’ll get a kick out of that."
"When’s that suppose to be?"
"The week after Christmas."
"We’re still planning to go to Virginia after the cruise, aren’t we?"
"Of course, and after we tape the Valentine’s special for ‘Hollywood Squares’, we’re going to go BACK to Orlando and we’re NOT going to do anything until after the twins are born," whispered Howie into her ear as he caressed her stomach. "So, you agree Pollyanna should come get our little princess?"
Sarah nodded her head, "Yeah, I do. When are we gonna tell Jesse?"
Howie thought about it for a minute as he held her close. He knew this was hard for Sarah but it was hard for him too. He adored Jesse and he never once thought of her as his ‘step’ child or adopted. He had eagerly and willingly given her his name the same way he’d given it to Sarah. He loved her as much as he loved the two Sarah was carrying now.
Sarah felt his chest move as a breath caught in his throat and she ran her hands over his arms.
"I think we should wait to tell her, closer to when Polly’s gonna be here. She’s NOT gonna like it."
Softly, Sarah said, "I don’t like it."
"Neither do I, ‘Angel’, but we…."
"Need to do what’s best for her," finished Sarah. "I know
that. Do you regret bringing her home to me?"
"Not in the least! We’d have had to do this eventually with the twins too. I know I was set on having the family together but it’s just not possible right now. Maybe in the future, with other tours, we can set it up so that we can take Jesse and the twins to like a center, like the one have back home."
Howie took a swallow of water, then went on, "I’ve never considered Jesse yours and Russell’s daughter. She’s always been a part of you, making her a part of me. The first time you told me about her, it hurt me so bad thinking that you’d never see her again and I’d never have the chance to be a part of her life."
Sarah turned her head slightly to kiss him. "Why couldn’t I have met you when I was fifteen?"
Howie laughed, "Because you were in Fernandina and I was in Orlando."
"So, where is Polly gonna register Jess?"
"Same school I went to. Did you ever get Bec to check your blood pressure?"
Sarah laughed, "Changing the subject?"
"Of course! I’m not giving you a chance to change my mind," teased Howie as he tried to bite her neck. "Now, what did Becca say?"
Sarah tucked her head and mumbled, "It was 120 over 90."
Alarmed, Howie said, "Sarah! That is WAY too high!"
Defensively, Sarah said, "It’s YOUR fault it was high."
"How do you figure THAT?"
"Because I was worried that you were turned off by me. You wouldn’t hold me or touch me or kiss me," pouted Sarah as she played with his wedding band.
"Well, let’s see if I can make up for that now," he whispered as he reached for the remote control. He pushed several buttons changing the CD to one that was strictly instrumental…him playing the guitar and Sarah on piano. Then he reached to turn the lights down low. Putting his arms around her once again, he whispered, "Close your eyes and pick a spot."
Sarah did as he asked and whispered, "The house in Virginia."
"When?"
Pausing for just a minute, Sarah said, "Christmas."
"What are we wearing?"
"That’s easy…you’re wearing a pair of jeans and the white sweater that you wore on the cover of ‘Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely’ single. One catch though."
"What’s that, ‘Angel’?" prodded Howie as he moved her hair away so he could kiss her neck.
"Your hair is long and pulled back in a ponytail."
Sarah felt him laugh against her skin and then his tongue ran from just behind her ear to her shoulder. Chills coursed through her body and she felt her nipples harden.
"What about you? What are you wearing?"
"You decide."
Howie ran his fingers lightly over her arms. "A satin white gown with little, thin straps and it dips down…" Howie ran his fingers down between her breasts, "to here with lace covering your full breasts. It hugs your very beautiful, very pregnant body as it reaches to your feet. There’s a slit up the side so all I have to do is slip my hand under to caress you. Your hair is hanging on your shoulders and you are so incredibly HOT."
Sarah let out a soft whimper as Howie kissed her lightly before sucked on the pulse point at the base of her neck. At the same time, he slid his hand up the inside of her thigh.
"What are we doing, ‘Angel’?"
"Decorating for Christmas. There’s a real cedar tree, holly, poinsettias, and mistletoe everywhere. There’s a fire in the fireplace…a real one, not gas logs."
"Hey, I thought you liked the gas logs," pouted Howie.
"In Florida, yeah! But this is Virginia, ‘D’."
"Okay…go on."
Sarah took Howie’s hands, "It’s snowing outside but it’s warm inside. There are tons of presents to go under the tree and a plate of sugar cookies with milk for Jesse, you, and me. Jesse’s hanging the stockings by the fire before her bed time story. Then, she joins you, sitting in this HUGE chair beside the fireplace and you tell her the story of Christmas."
"Are you listening?"
"Ummm…of course. I love to hear your voice. We take her to bed together,
tuck her in, and go back down to finish decorating…but we have to stop at the
bottom of the steps, under the mistletoe. You put your hands on my stomach to
feel the babies as we kiss."
"Sounds perfect, ‘Angel’."
"It’s because we’re together as a family, ‘D’."
The couple spent the rest of the time talking about their plans for the house in Virginia and when they reached the next town, they were both very relaxed.
Following the others, Jesse in Howie’s arms asleep and the couple holding hands, they went inside. They had to wait for their keys so Becca and Sarah stood together talking softly.
"You look so much better," whispered Becca.
"I feel better. We talked all the way here and he held me…like he always does," smiled Sarah as she rested her head on Howie’s shoulder.
"The best medicine in the world…your man’s arms to make you feel safe."
"Uh huh," answered Sarah dreamily.
Becca shook her head watching her best friend as Nick wrapped his arms around her resting his chin on her head.
Nick whispered, "Fairy tale endings."
The drama of Calgary left behind on the dark road, the group headed up to their rooms to get some much-needed sleep.