Part 551
Taking his hand, Sarah walked with him towards where they were going to start shooting the group together only to be greeted by a myriad of photographers. Flashes started going off capturing the couple for whatever paper or magazine they were with.
Getting Sarah settled in her chair, Howie gave her a quick peck and headed off to join the other four.
Becca was already in place and looked over at her best friend. She was always amazed by the look in Sarah’s eyes whenever she was watching Howie. They’d been together for over two years but she still got that starry-eyed expression of new love. Even through all their problems, when Sarah would talk to Howie or see him or even glimpse his picture, she got that same look. Becca had known that the two would get back together. It was written in the stars. Sarah and Howie loved each other so completely that no one could replace one in the other’s eyes.
Becca nudged Sarah breaking her out of her obvious daydream. "What ‘cha thinking about, sis?"
"Our wedding day," spoke Sarah softly without taking her eyes off Howie.
"It was so…"
"Magical," finished Sarah. Turning to Becca, Sarah said, "Everything about that day was magical…from having my sister back where she belonged to marrying my best friend to having ALL my friends with me."
Becca leaned over to hug Sarah. "It IS all so right!"
"Without a doubt and the words are so perfect, Bec….forever isn’t long enough." Interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone, Sarah smirked, "That’s you. The ‘BOSS’ hid mine from me."
Becca pulled the source of annoyance from her pocket to see that it was her mother-in-law. Not wanting to be a problem, she moved away from the set towards the busses to talk to Jane.
With Becca gone, Sarah turned her attention back to the guys. They were all in place listening to the director’s instructions. One of the biggest disappointments of this whole reshoot was Kevin wouldn’t be playing the piano. Sarah adored listening to Kevin play and envied his ability. It all came so easily to him where she had to work at it.
Howie glanced over to catch her watching and gave her a wink.
God, she thought. He knows what he does to me when he does that! God help the fans when he does it.
AJ was watching Sarah too and laughed, "’D’, you’d better stop that shit or we’ll have to stop so you two can go do the nasty."
"Do what?" asked Nick.
"He’s winking at his wife and he KNOWS that it does to her," cracked Kevin having seen it too.
"I thought she was gonna have a freakin’ orgasm right there and I’m NOT sure she didn’t."
All five guys laughed and Sarah knew they were talking about her. She blushed which only added to their amusement.
Becca returned as the director called out for quiet and the guys took their places. "What were they laughing at?" whispered Becca.
"Me."
As silence fell over the set, the boys waited and the music began. Sarah sat back to watch, listening to the music and the words. Her mind drifted to the day she and Howie had gotten married and with the music, it was all very vivid.
Sarah set the makeup down and went into their bedroom where she found Howie standing by the sliding door to the balcony off their room. He was holding a white rose and wearing an ivory-colored tux with his hair pulled back into a ponytail. He looked incredible and Sarah had to catch her breath.
"D, isn’t a tux a little much for dinner with your parents?" asked Sarah teasingly.
"Yeah, it is but that’s NOT what I had in mind for tonight," said Howie as he moved to her. He handed her the rose and said, "Sarah, you’re everything to me…my angel. When we were apart, it nearly killed me to think that I’d never be able to wake up again with you in my arms and I never want to feel that way again."
Tears started streaming down her cheeks as she realized what Howie was about to do. She whispered, "You don’t have to, Howie."
Getting down on one knee, Howie took Sarah’s hand in his as he pulled the diamond out of his pocket with the other. He slipped the ring on her finger as he said, "I want to say this right, and it has to be tonight, I don't want to live this life, I don't want to say goodbye, with you I wanna spend the rest of my life…Sarah, will you marry me…tonight?"
Sarah looked at Howie in disbelief. "Tonight?" she questioned.
Howie stood up but continued to hold her hand in his. "Sarah, I’ve got it all planned. The chapel is already decorated. I have your wedding dress, your mother’s. Ali is gonna be your maid-of-honor. Kevin’s gonna sing. And BOTH of our families are here for it."
Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "You’ve done everything?"
"I even have the wedding bands in my pocket. Sarah, please? Answer me? I can’t go on without you in my life and I have to have you now! As Mrs. Howard Dwaine Dorough…my wife. And yes, it does sound perfect."
Sarah laughed. "You WERE listening!"
Howie grinned impishly. "Yes. And I almost lost it then. Sarah, I’ve had this weekend planned for so long….ever since I found out that we were doing the TRL special here in Key West. I’ve wanted to propose to you for almost a year now and something has always happened. Well, all that’s behind us now and I want us to start with our new lives together, as husband and wife. We’ve got something that NO one will ever come between again."
Sarah put her hands on the sides of Howie’s face and kissed him lightly. She whispered, "I’d be honored to be your wife, Howie. Yes…I’ll marry you…TONIGHT."
The music stopped and Becca smiled. "Hey, come back to California."
Sarah wiped her eyes and looked at Becca. "God, I was remembering when Howie proposed."
"He always was the romantic…and definitely knew what to do to sweep YOU off your feet."
Sarah laughed, "Yeah…corny lines and white roses."
Howie came over and stood between Sarah’s legs. "What do you think, ‘Angel’?"
"It’s perfect, ‘D’," smiled Sarah as she played with the pendant on his necklace.
"Even though we aren’t wet?"
Becca snorted, "You five may not be, but SHE is!"
Sarah groaned burying her face in his chest as Howie laughed. "I figured as much."
"When are you gonna do the individual shots?" asked Becca.
"Probably after lunch."
"Too bad I’m gonna miss it."
"Why?" asked Nick joining them.
"Your mom called and she wants to have lunch. I don’t really have a good excuse NOT to go."
"Yeah, you do. You’re watching ME work," replied Nick.
"Uh huh…and what makes YOU so special, ‘Blondie’?" shot Sarah.
"Cuz I’m NICK CARTER," replied Nick with that infamous Carter smirk.
That caused everyone in earshot to groan.
Becca jumped in, "And your point?"
Nick put his hand over his heart, "OUCH!! Woman, you’re SUPPOSE to be on my
side!"
"I am…I’m going to have lunch with your mother so she can see your son…HER grandson. Sarah, wanna come along?
"And have even MORE reason to hurl besides morning sickness, no thanks. I’d rather take an armful of shots than eat lunch with Jane. Besides, ‘D’ wants me here."
"You know, you two won’t die to be apart for a couple hours," remarked Nick.
"Maybe not but if I don’t have to be away from her, I’m not gonna be," said Howie as he hugged his wife.
"And I really don’t wanna be away from Howie," added Sarah putting her hands on Howie’s stomach.
"You two are pathetic," grinned Nick.
Becca smiled, "No, they’re not….just very much in love. Sis, I’m going to check on Garrett. I’ll be back in a minute."
"Okay, Bec."