Part 408
Howie looked up at Sarah as she stood beside him, her hand on his shoulder. The look they exchanged told him that everything was fine.
Not believing Becca, Nick said, "Don’t try to tell me that. When we
looked over, you looked like you were gonna claw Sarah’s eyes out and you’ve
been edgy all morning. Now, what’s going on?"
Becca looked at Sarah who spoke up, "Nick, nothing’s going on. Let it go."
Leaning to him, Becca reached under the table running her hand up the inside of his thigh stopping just short of his crotch. "I promise, Nicky," she purred. "Nothing’s going on except two friends…."
"Best friends," corrected Sarah as she sat down and took the lunch Howie handed her.
"Best friends," grinned Becca. "Two best friends talking. Now, give me my lunch."
Nick reached under the table to take Becca’s hand and whispered in her ear, "You know what you’re doing to me and it’s not fair."
"All’s fair in love and war, baby."
While Nick and Becca were occupied, Howie took the chance to lean to Sarah and kiss her. "Is everything really okay?"
Sarah ran her fingers through his hair leaning her forehead against his. "We’ll talk later but yeah, it’s fine."
Jesse interrupted both couples. "Mommy, Uncle Kevin wouldn’t let me have what I wanted for lunch," complained the little girl tugging at Sarah’s arm.
Sarah pulled away from Howie and the two looked at her tray as Kevin set it down. There were four milks, two bowls of fruit, and two sandwiches.
"’Princess’, what did you want?" Howie rested his chin on Sarah’s shoulder.
"Cotton candy," said Jesse confidant that her parents would let her have it.
"Good for Uncle Kevin," said Sarah. "Now have a seat and eat what he got you."
"Mommy!" whined Jesse.
"Now, young lady," replied Sarah sternly, effectively ending Jesse’s defiance.
Jesse flung herself into the chair beside Sarah crossing her arms and rolling her bottom lip. She stared silently as Kevin set her lunch in front of her.
"’Boo’, that’s way too much for her."
"It’s my lunch too. I didn’t really expect her to eat more than half the sandwich anyway."
Howie looked at Jesse as she pouted. "You know, ‘Princess’. You can go ahead eat and I’ll get you some cotton candy after lunch or you can keep pouting in which case, I’m not going to bother taking you to the gift shop either."
"Yes sir," conceded Jesse and she sat up to eat.
Lunch was light with plenty of conversation. Every opportunity to tease Kevin, AJ, and Brian about their girlfriends arriving that afternoon was taken with Sarah and Becca joining in as well.
As soon as Jesse was done, she was up and gone again.
Sarah groaned, "Howie, do something."
"What’s wrong, ‘Tigger’? Can’t you keep up with her?" teased AJ.
"NO!"
"I’ll catch her," offered Nick.
"Thanks, Nick," said Howie as he put his arm around Sarah. "Angel, are you okay?"
"I’m just tired, ‘D’. It’s been a long morning," answered Sarah wearily as she rubbed her stomach.
"I promise, we’ll go as soon as I take her to the gift shop." Howie placed a kiss on her forehead.
Seeing the gift shop across from where they were sitting, Becca suggested, "I’ll stay here with you, Sarah, and the guys can take Jesse to the gift shop. It’ll give you a few extra minutes to rest."
Howie looked at Sarah as she said, "That’s a wonderful idea. Thanks, sis."
"We’ll be back in a few minutes then, ‘Angel’."
"Take your time, ‘D’."
Howie started to get up but stopped when he saw Sarah grimace and grasp her stomach. "Sarah?"
"It’s nothing, ‘D’. Go on."
Howie looked at her doubtfully but Becca said, "She’ll be fine, Howie."
Looking extremely skeptical, Howie gave Sarah a kiss and headed with the guys to catch up with Jesse and Nick. Before going in the shop, he looked back at Sarah who was watching him. Placing his hand on his heart, he told her he loved her then let Jesse pull him inside.