Part 446
Sarah had fallen asleep in the warmth and security of Howie’s arms and she’d slept peacefully for a couple hours. Now, as she woke, the spot next to her was empty but she could hear his voice from the living area. She stretched and got up to go out with him. Stopping at the entrance, she was greeted by the most precious sight and it made her long for the day the twins would be born.
Sitting on the couch, Howie had Garrett cradled next to his chest holding the bottle. All the while, he spoke softly to the infant. "You know, I can’t wait until it’s one of my own that I can do this with. It seems like forever since Sarah found out she was pregnant and even longer to February but it’s all good. I love watching the changes she’s going through. I can’t tell her enough how much I love her even with all the mood swings and the morning sickness. It just makes me love her that much more. She’s been through so much but she keeps getting stronger. She is so amazing, Garrett. I can’t wait for you to grow up and get to know her. You’re gonna love her as much as I do. You probably already know how much she loves you since you spent last night with her."
Howie took the bottle from Garrett who let it be known he didn’t appreciate it one bit but Howie didn’t let it bother him. "Hey, Hey…enough of that. You’re gonna wake my ‘Angel’ and we can’t have that. Besides, if you don’t burp, you’re gonna have a tummy ache. Don’t be a pig like your daddy."
Sarah smiled and rubbed her belly as she watched Howie place Garrett on his shoulder complete with burp rag and pat the infant firmly. Instantly, a raucous burp erupted from him and Sarah had to cover her mouth to keep the giggle from being heard.
"I guess you come by it honestly," smirked Howie checking to make sure he got all burp. Returning the infant to his arms, Howie gave him the bottle back and continued talking to him. "I sure am glad you’re with us. When I get to missing Jess too much, I can snag you from your mom and dad. I know it hasn’t been that long but I already miss the little princess. I should have woken up this morning to her trying to climb into bed with us instead of Kevin’s pillow in my face."
Sarah heard all that Howie had said clearly and made up her mind. It was time for a change, to give back to him all that he had given her.
Howie and Sarah were both interrupted by the doors of the bus opening and AJ’s voice, "Hey, ‘D’, is it safe to come back?"
"Come on, ‘Bone’."
AJ made his way back saying, "Dinner’s ready."
"Cool. Do me a favor and go wake Sarah while I finish with Garrett."
AJ looked at him curiously, "She’s standing right there, ‘D’."
Howie looked up to see Sarah standing in the door. "How long have you
been up?"
"Not long. I was just enjoying watching you and listening to you talking. Alex, would you mind getting Raoul to fix me a plate and bring it out here? I’m not up to going in there just yet."
"No problem, ‘Tigger’. I think I’ll join you two. Ali and Vanessa are gushing over wedding plans."
"That’s cool," said Howie. "Tommy can fix my plate."
"I’m on it," called AJ as he headed back out.
Sarah went to Howie and got comfortable sitting beside him. Leaning against him, she took Garrett’s hand in hers as she watched him finish the bottle. "He’s so sweet."
"Yeah, he is. Hard to believe he’s Nick’s son. How do you feel?"
"Nervous. ‘D’, I owe you an apology."
Confused, Howie looked at her. "For what?"
"The stuff about the corvette. It isn’t fair of me to make you give up your dream."
Howie kissed her forehead. "Thank you but you didn’t have to apologize. You made sense with your reason but we can afford to keep it and get a family car or something. What I want to know is, what is the one thing you always dreamed of having if you ever made it big."
"That’s easy…love, and I have it."
Howie watched as Sarah took Garrett to burp him. "No, ‘Angel’, material thing."
"I never dreamed of anything, Howie, except you," was her answer as she got a burp from the infant. Leaning over, she placed him back in his seat then settled back into Howie’s arms. She took his hand in hers and traced the veins on the back. She loved his hands. "When I was with Russell, all I could dream of was my knight in shining armor riding in and rescuing me and you did that, ‘D’."
Howie squeezed her hand. "What about the horse Ali mentioned?"
Sarah laughed, "Well, okay, I use to dream of owning a thoroughbred that won the Triple Crown."
Howie pressed his lips to her forehead. "Then you’ll have one, ‘Angel’," whispered Howie. "I want you to have ALL your dreams."
"I have my dreams, ‘D’…I’ve got you," answered Sarah snuggling closer to him.
The two sat together in silence for some time basking in the warmth of their love. They’d come so far together and were extremely happy to be together.
Sarah looked at Howie’s watch and broke the silence. "I wonder what Jess is doing?"
"Why don’t we call her?"
"Can we?" asked Sarah eagerly.
Howie looked at his wife in amazement. "When did you EVER wait for my permission to do anything?"
Smiling innocently, "I’m turning over a new leaf."
"Uh huh, I’ll believe it when I see it," smirked Howie as he reached for his cell phone. Pressing one number, he laughed as Sarah pouted. "Okay, so you’re gonna be an obedient wife. You know I love you just the way you are?"
"Uh huh…you love having a wife who’s a pain in the ass?"
"But what a…Mami, hey! What’s Jesse doing?….Oh, okay. We’ll try back after Sarah’s show….Yes ma’am. She’s opening for ‘Nsync in Seattle and then we’re headed to our next town…She’s fine, a little morning sickness."
"A little?" questioned Sarah.
"Okay, she’s had a lot of morning sickness but it’s because of her nerves. She’ll be okay once she’s on stage." Howie looked at Sarah and winked. "I keep trying to tell her that too but she won’t listen to me….I’ll tell her. We love you too, Mami. We’ll call later." As Howie hung up, AJ returned with their dinners and he said to Sarah, "Jesse was out with Chelsea shopping. I’m gonna go get us something to drink."
Howie started to get up but Sarah stopped him. "I’ll get it, ‘D’. Stay put."
Sarah popped up quickly and brushed by AJ to get the drinks. AJ looked at her as if she were crazy.
"What’s with her?" whispered AJ.
Howie shook his head, "She says she’s turning over a new leaf."
Sarah returned with three bottles of water for them, napkins, and eating utensils. Handing them out, she sat back down with the guys. As they ate, the guys talked about music but Sarah remained quiet. Both men noticed but didn’t comment.