Part 549
Despite the nausea of morning sickness or the prayers to the porcelain god for mercy, early morning was still Sarah’s favorite time of day. Waking to the warmth of Howie’s presence or the feel of his morning stubble on her skin or the weight of his arm across her were just a few of the daily reminders of how much they loved each other. She knew without a doubt that if she left their bed, he would wake and go in search of his ‘angel’.
Lying beside him now as the sun began to lighten the back of the bus, she watched her sleeping husband. He was even sweeter in his sleep; his long eyelashes curling, his full lips parted slightly as he snored quietly, the pure innocence of a baby. Carefully, she reached out to touch him, trace the outline of his lips, the curve of his eyebrows. Kissing her finger, she placed it on his lips before getting out of bed.
Pulling on her robe, she headed out to the kitchenette, found a clean glass, and poured herself some fresh orange juice. Peaking out the window, she saw the filming crew getting set up for the day’s shoot. The boys had decided, with management’s insistence, to redo the ‘Drowning’ video and today was their only chance to do it. After the Bakersfield show, they’d opted to head straight to the shoot location and sleep on the buses.
As she watched the commotion outside, Sarah felt his arms slip around her and she leaned back against his chest.
"Morning, ‘D’."
"Morning, ‘Angel’. How do you feel?"
"Nauseous…as usual. I haven’t started the coffee yet."
"That’s okay. They’ll have some for us with breakfast. Ready for the day?"
"Mmmm, not really. I have a ton of stuff to get caught up on and all kinds of offers for appearances are starting to pour in, for me and for the foundation."
"Work? NO! Today is your day off, woman, and THAT is exactly what you’re gonna do…take the day off. I do not want you NEAR that computer or the phone or anything else you can use to do anything for the foundation or the center or your career."
Sarah whined, "’D’, I can’t afford to take the day off."
"Oh yes you can, young lady! You’re coming with me OFF this bus. The fresh air and sunshine will be good for you and the babies. Besides, you missed it the last time we did this. I want you to watch so I have you to sing to. It just wasn’t the same singing to Becca."
Sarah heard the plea in his voice and just like him, she couldn’t say ‘no’. Truth be told, she really did want to watch the taping rather than deal with business. "Okay, I give up," she laughed. "I’ll just have to FORCE myself to go watch five gorgeous guys singing a romantic song that makes me think of THE most perfect day of my life."
Howie laughed, "Tough, I know, but I’m sure you’ll get through it somehow. Why don’t you come help me pick out something to wear for this?"
"Wardrobe isn’t gonna do that?"
"Not this time. Cheaper for us to wear our own stuff."
Sarah shook her head. "If money was gonna be a problem, why are you having to do it over?"
"You know why. The other one is too dark and after 9/11, Jive doesn’t think it’ll make it."
"In other words, Jive’s not gonna do anything to promote it if you DON’T follow their wishes. They need to listen to the fans because the fans want WET boys. I swear, between making you guys redo this video, cutting the budget for it, and releasing the greatest hits CD BEFORE you five wanted to, I don’t understand why management isn’t doing more to HELP you. I’m SOOO glad you, Kevin, and AJ agreed to be MY management. At least you three will listen to MY wishes."
Taking Sarah’s hand, Howie led her back to their room as he said, "Our contract with ‘The Firm’ runs out at the end of the year and we’ve all been discussing our options. You know that. And the three of us being your management isn’t necessarily a good thing either."
"Why not?"
"We aren’t exactly impartial, ‘Angel’, and NONE of us knows how to say ‘no’ to you."
"Jane’s not impartial either but she’s Aaron’s manager. ‘D’, you three know the business and I trust you. Isn’t THAT what’s important?"
"Yeah, it is, mostly, and so far we’ve been lucky not to encounter any problems. Is this what you want me to wear?" asked Howie as Sarah handed him the pants and shirt Jesse had given him for his birthday.
"Uh huh," answered Sarah giving him her most angelic smile. "The necklace too…it’s perfect for a monastery."
Howie laughed at Sarah’s dreamy expression.. "Okay. Look, I’ve been thinking about this for a couple days," started Howie as he pulled on the shirt.
Sitting on the bed to watch, Sarah asked, "Thinking about what?"
"Hiring us an assistant to help you keep track of stuff, especially when we’re both busy with shows and stuff."
"I don’t know….it would have to be someone we both know and trust."
"I already have someone in mind and she’ll be able to handle any legal issues that might come up…plus help a friend."
Sarah eyed him suspiciously. "Howard?"
"What?" he questioned innocently. "Seriously, I think Kryss would be perfect, ‘Angel’….if you can get past being jealous."
"I’m NOT jealous," pouted Sarah. "Just POSSESSIVE."
Howie gave her a smirk, "Uh huh. Is THAT what you call it? You know, sometimes I enjoy it but this isn’t one of those times. I love you with all my heart and no one will ever change that, Sarah."
Howie sat on the edge of the bed to put his shoes on and Sarah moved to sit behind him, her legs wrapped around him. She put her hands on his shoulders massaging them as he stopped what he was doing. Her touch was magic easing the nervousness he always felt before doing something like this. She knew him so well and knew just what to do to help him relax. He needed her…no, he craved her with every beat of his heart.
Turning to lay her back on the bed, he lay beside her and caressed her face gazing into her eyes. He watched her every move taking in every little thing she did.
The love in his touch and his gaze brought tears. Smiling, Howie flicked them away with his index finger. "’Angel’, there’s no need for tears," he whispered.
"Why do you do this to me?"
"Do what?"
"Turn me to mush."
"Because that’s what you do to me every time you look at me, touch me, say my name…that cute Southern accent just about kills me." Sarah blushed and Howie laughed. "I can’t believe you actually blushed. I don’t think I’ve EVER seen you blush about something like that."
Sarah turned her face into his chest. "You’ve never told me you like my accent before either."
Howie ran his hand through her hair. "I love everything about you….your hair, your smile, your body, your accent, the look in your eyes when you’re up to something…the fact that after all this time, I can still make you blush with a simple compliment and turn you to mush."
From the front of the bus, "Yo! D! Get a move on and stop fooling around with ‘Tigger’!! They need you in make-up."
Both of them groaned and Howie answered, "On my way, ‘J’."
Hearing the doors close behind AJ, Sarah said, "I love you, ‘D’."
Kissing her tenderly, he cooed, "Yo lo amo, el cuerpo y el alma."
That was it…she was gone. Howie spoke in Spanish and she was a puddle, a pathetic puddle of mush, and her tears coarsed down her checks. She wiped the tears and watched as he put on the finishing touches, his necklace and ring she’d given him for his birthday, and he disappeared out to get his makeup done.
Anxious to see what the other guys were wearing and hungry for some breakfast, Sarah hurried to get dressed. Headed out, the nausea got the better of her and she spent the next half-hour throwing up.