Part 424
Sarah’s cell phone lying beside the bed rang, interrupting them. Howie reached for it as he continued to stare into her eyes. "Yeah."
In a timid voice, "Daddy?"
Smiling as he recognized the voice, "’Princess’, where are you?"
He heard her ask Pollyanna where they were and then her voice again. "Chicago. Daddy, I miss you. Please come get me."
Howie heard the tears in her voice and he said, "’Princess’, I can’t come get you. It’s not like you’re across town. Let me talk to your Aunt Polly."
Sarah heard the tone of Howie’s voice and asked, "What’s wrong, ‘D’?"
"I don’t know. Polly…what happened? Jesse sounds upset and scared."
"We had to make an emergency landing because a bird flew into one of the engines and there was a small fire. She saw it and panicked. Howie, she’s been in hysterics for the last hour. The only way I could calm her was to tell her I wasn’t going to call with her crying so hard."
"Are you okay, sis?"
"I’m fine. I’ve called Mama and told her that we’re being delayed so they won’t worry."
"Let me tell Sarah what’s going on…hold on." Covering the phone, Howie told Sarah about the fire in the engine. "You need to calm her down, ‘Angel’."
"Howie, how the hell am I suppose to calm her down when I’d be just as upset if it were me? Can’t they find another way home?"
"How?"
"A train?"
"It’ll take too long, Sarah. Just talk to her."
"Okay. I’ll do it but I don’t know how I can convince her when I’m terrified to fly myself."
"You’ll find a way, ‘Angel’."
Sarah took the phone, "Polly, let me talk to Jess….hey, baby. I miss you."
Between her sobs, Jesse choked out, "I…miss…you….Mommy."
"Baby, Daddy told me what happened and I know you’re scared but I really need you to be a brave little girl for me."
"But, Mommy….I don’t want to die," cried Jesse.
"You’re not gonna die, baby. God and your guardian angels are looking out for you…I promise. They aren’t going to let any harm come to you."
"But…but…the planes…you…"
"I know but it’s not going to happen again. They’ve taken every precaution to make sure you’re safe."
"Mommy, what’s precaution?"
"It means they’ve done everything possible to make sure you’re safe, Jess. They even got Daddy’s seal of approval," smiled Sarah as she looked at Howie.
As usual, once Jesse had her answers and felt better, she changed the subject. "What are you and Daddy doing?"
"We were just laying here kissing."
"Ewww…YUCK! That’s all you EVER do."
Sarah laughed, "Blame it on your daddy!"
"Mommy, Aunt Polly wants to talk to you."
"Okay, baby. Your daddy and I love you very much."
The next voice Sarah heard was her sister-in-law and they spoke for a minute before saying goodbye. Sarah cut the phone off and handed it to Howie.
"You know, you’d better get over your fear of flying. That’s the only way for us to get to Japan."
"Can’t I just take a slow boat to Japan?" groaned Sarah as she buried her face in his chest.
"No, and it’s a slow boat to China, NOT Japan."
"SO?" pouted Sarah. "I swear, you’re gonna have to give me the whole prescription of sedatives to get me on that plane."
Howie laughed, "How about I just take you in the back of the plane and make love to you the whole way?"
"That would work too," smiled Sarah. "So, tell me about babysitting this afternoon. What happened?"
The couple settled into the pillows wrapped in each other as Howie told Sarah about the adventures in babysitting. Sarah was laughing so hard hearing that Garrett had peed in Alex’s face that she had tears streaming.
Kevin came out of the bathroom wearing just a towel around his waist.
"God, Kevin!! Have SOME modesty!" smirked Sarah.
"Nothing you’ve never seen before," said Kevin tossing the towel at her leaving him stark naked. He climbed into his bed and pulled the covers over himself. "Were you telling her about what happened this afternoon?"
"Yeah," laughed Howie as he tossed the towel across the room.
The two men began discussing Sarah’s set for Seattle as she snuggled next to Howie. They worked out the play list leaving out the stuff about the foundations and the duet with Howie, much to Sarah’s dismay. As they talked, they’re voices lulled Sarah to sleep.
Howie looked down at her. "She’s out. Wanna watch TV?"
"Sure. Howie, thanks."
Howie didn’t have to ask what Kevin was talking about, he knew. "No problem."
The two continued talking as they watched television relaxing. After about thirty minutes, a silence came from Kevin’s bed and Howie looked over to see Kevin asleep with a smile on his lips. It was the first time in a long while Howie could remember Kevin being truly happy. He turned the TV and light off, then snuggled closer to his wife, pulling her protectively against his chest. He fell asleep thinking about what had happened between her and Kevin. He understood both of their feelings for each other and was secure in his relationship with Sarah. Kevin had said it, they were meant to be together. Fate, Destiny, God…all had played a part in making sure they were together, forever.