Part 421
"So anyway," Nick laughed, "did you SEE the sign that chick over on the left was holding up? Man, I’ve seen some funky propositions before but this one-"
"Shh!!" Raoul sternly blocked the way, glaring at Nick for the noise he was making.
"Dude, step aside!" he giggled, "We wanta change and get the hell outta here!"
"Well then. ‘dude’," Raoul smirked, "you need to keep it quiet."
"What the fuck-" Nick turned to Howie. "Did you post this gorilla by your door on purpose?"
Howie laughed and shook his head. "He must have a reason, Nick. What’s up Raoul?"
"Nothing yet, but if you don’t keep the noise down both Sarah AND Garrett are going to be up."
"They’re sleeping?" Becca asked. "I thought Sarah was taking him on out to the bus."
"She changed her mind, I guess," Raoul said.
Howie smiled. "Have they been in there the whole time?"
"Yep. Sarah’s quite a pro, you know. Bathed the little monster in no time flat and he was out like a light."
"She bathed him?" Nick chuckled. "She was that bored?"
"Nick, stop it," Becca frowned, swatting his arm as he tried to fend her off. "I should go in and get him so she can head on out to the bus and get some real sleep."
Raoul shook his head. "No need. I booked them a room in town for the night. Since everyone is headed to the ball game, it didn’t make any sense for the two of them to sleep on the bus."
"Raoul, that’s perfect. I know Sarah needs her rest tonight. It’s been a really long day for her," Becca sighed. Laughter a bit further down the hall made her turn, and she smiled as she saw Kevin and Lynne talking. Kevin was leaning on the concrete wall, his hand braced on the wall right by Lynne’s head, and as he talked she looked raptly up into his eyes.
"Looks like Kev is gonna be occupied for the next few days, huh Bec?" Nick grinned.
"Damn!" she exclaimed. "Raoul, did you get a room for Kevin too?"
"No, just for Howie and Sarah, why-" he stopped as realization set in. "Ah shit, I forgot they were going to be on the bus together. Gimme a few, I’ll call and set it up."
"Nick, come on," Becca said. "Let’s get Garrett and head back to our room. I don’t want him up all night."
"Okay, babe, I’ll get his stuff together." Hand in hand they opened the dressing room door, peeking in so as not to disturb the baby.
Becca stopped short, tugging on Nick’s hand and reaching for Howie with her other hand. "Oh my god, how sweet is that?" she whispered, nodding toward the couch on the far wall. Sarah and Garrett hadn’t moved the entire time they’d been there. Sarah was sound asleep, her lips curved into a gentle smile, and Garrett was curled up on her chest, his tiny thumb still in his mouth.
"That’s too cute, Bec," Nick agreed. "So sweet and calm, so innocent …"
"Garrett’s adorable," Howie agreed.
"Garrett? Hell, man, I was talking about Sarah!" Nick cracked up at his own joke, while Howie actually grinned, but Becca simply rolled her eyes muttering something about actually having two children instead of one. She tiptoed over to where they were sleeping and looked for the best way to pick Garrett up without waking him.
"Hey sweetheart," she cooed, "come to mommy." Slipping her hands underneath his tiny warm body, she began to lift him into her arms, reaching for a receiving blanket to wrap him in. He snuffled softly as he was moved, but as Becca patted his padded little bottom he settled back to sleep.
"Angel?" Howie sat beside Sarah, brushing her hair back from her face. "Wake up sweetheart, we need to get out of here soon."
"Hmm?" Sarah moaned and instinctively reached for the tiny body that she’d been snuggling with. "Garrett?" she said, sitting up in alarm.
"Sis, it’s okay, I’ve got him." Becca said with a smile. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Sarah yawned, "I guess so. The show’s over already?"
"Yeah, baby, it’s time to head to the hotel," Howie said.
"I can’t believe I slept that long."
"Sarah, you were exhausted." Becca said.
"Hey, d’ya’ll start the party without us?" Kevin said from the doorway, his arm draped lightly over Lynne’s shoulder.
"Yeah, Boo," Sarah snorted. "More like a slumber party."
"Speaking of slumber parties," Raoul said, peering over Kevin’s shoulder.
"What’s up?" Howie asked.
"Got a problem, Howie. I called the hotel back like you asked, but you and Sarah got the last room."
"Raoul, there has to be something," Howie said.
"Nope, I tried. Nothing, not a thing, Boss. I’m really sorry."
"D? What’s wrong?" Sarah asked.
"In the plan change for tonight, Raoul got a room for you and me, but didn’t get one for Kevin and Lynne."
"Oh, but I-" Lynne stammered. "I mean, I didn’t think I was-" She was obviously very flustered and Becca came to her rescue.
"Lynne can stay with us tonight, right Nick?" It was clear that Lynne hadn’t planned on actually staying in the same room with Kevin.
Sarah came to her rescue as well. "And Kevin can stay with us, D, it’s just for one night."
"Angel, are you sure? It’s been a long tough day for you." Howie whispered, cupping her cheek in his hand.
"I’ll be okay, and it’s been just as hard for you," she whispered. "Besides, he can’t stay with Brian or Alex, they both have their girls here."
"I guess you’re right. Kev, looks like you’re bunking with us for tonight."
It was almost comical watching Kevin’s disappointment and Lynne’s relief at her brief reprieve, but everyone knew it was the only answer.
Almost as if pre-planned, the group broke into pairs, carrying their things out of the venue. Becca and Lynne left first, as Billy shielded them from the remaining fans.
"Becca, are you sure this won’t be a problem? I mean, me staying with you and Nick?"
Becca laughed. "Not a bit. I want some more time to talk anyway, and it’s not like Nick and I can do anything else in the evenings."
"Oops," Lynne laughed. "Finding it hard to wait?"
"You have no idea," she began, but then thinking back to the looks on both Lynne and Kevin’s faces she said, "Well, okay, maybe you do."
"Bec, I have no idea what I was thinking flying out here like this."
"Sure you do, Lynne. A tall, drop-dead gorgeous man offers to fly you out to be with him for a week so you said ‘yes’. It was definitely the right answer, girl."
"Really?"
"Really! You should see the way his eyes get all goofy when he talks about you." Becca giggled as Lynne blushed. "So," she smirked, elbowing her friend as they go into the van,
"Where are you sleeping tomorrow night?"
Sarah watched Kevin watching Lynne and just grinned. "Impatient much, Boo?"
"Hell yes," he sighed, his voice laced with frustration.
"So, have you kissed her yet?"
"No ‘mom’, I haven’t," he sneered. "Hell, Sarah, we haven’t been alone for ten seconds since her plane landed."
"Poor baby," she said patting his back. "All in good time." She chuckled as Kevin grumbled something but didn’t bother to ask him to repeat it.
Howie and Nick were carting the last of Garrett’s things and waving to the die-hard fans as they struggled to keep up with the others. "Hey, D?" Nick asked, pulling Howie back just a bit.
"Come on Nick, we need to get going."
"Hold on, D. I just … I mean … about what happened tonight, you know, with GT? You’re not gonna tell Bec are you?"
"Why would I do that, Nick?" Howie asked sincerely. "Nothing happened that we didn’t deal with, and I’m really proud of the way you handled everything, Nick. You really are a good father to Garrett."
Nick sighed. "Thanks Howie, that means a real lot to me. And you’re really not gonna tell Bec?"
"No, Nick, I promise. I won’t tell Bec." He smiled to himself as he thought, I promised not to tell Becca. I’ll tell Sarah, and then SHE’LL tell Becca.