Part 552

While Becca was gone, the guys took their places again. Once more, the director gave his instructions, called for quiet, and the music began. Just like before, the music carried Sarah back to the most perfect day of her life.

Sarah smiled as she felt his lips on her cheek and his arms around her from behind. "I did it again, didn’t I?"

Howie chuckled. "Yeah, but it’s okay. Our wedding again?"

Nodding her head as he moved to stand in front of her, "How can I NOT think about that day? Everything about this song reminds me of that day."

"I know…me too," whispered Howie holding his hand up. She placed hers against his and they wove their fingers together. "You know what my favorite part of that day was?"

"The ride to Miami after the reception?" smirked Sarah.

"Well, besides that," blushed Howie.

"No. What was your favorite part?"

"Saying my vows, pledging my faith to you."

Their foreheads touching, Howie and Sarah stared into each other’s eyes, to hell with the world around them. They were deeply and passionately in love with each other.

Nick rolled his eyes seeing the couple. "We’ll NEVER get through this as long as those two keep THIS up."

"Leave them alone, Nick," said Brian. "This song is special to them and I expect they’re remembering their wedding day."

"They need a bucket of cold water dumped over them," mumbled Nick looking around. Spotting the ice cooler, Nick decided it was time to cool them off. He knew he couldn’t mess with Howie because of the video stuff but there was always Sarah. Quietly, he worked his way around behind the couple and dumped the ice down Sarah’s shirt.

Sitting straight up, Sarah cried, "ARRRGGGGGGGGG!"

From behind Nick and Sarah, "NICKOLAS GENE CARTER!"

"Oh shit," mumbled Nick hearing his wife and knowing there would be hell to pay.

"You’re in for it NOW," cackled AJ seeing Becca storming across the way from the buses.

"I WARNED you to leave them alone," said Brian.

Seeing Sarah dancing around to get the ice out of her shirt, Kevin growled, "DAMNIT, KAOS!! Why in the HELL can’t you LISTEN?"

"’Angel’, are you okay?"

"I’m FINE, but HE ISN’T!" answered Sarah as she glared at Nick. "I WILL get even, NICKOLAS!"

Knowing everyone was irritated with him, Nick meekly said, "I’m sorry, Sarah."

"SORRY DOES NOT CUT IT!" shot Becca.

Sarah closed her eyes as if in pain and grabbed Howie’s arm.

"’Tigger’? Are you okay?" asked AJ suddenly concerned.

"No, damnit!" she cried clutching her belly and practically doubling over.

"Sit down, Sarah," urged Kevin as they all gathered around.

Howie helped her back into her chair. "’Angel’, what’s wrong?" asked Howie trying not to panic.

Leaning over in pain, she whimpered, "I’m having contractions. Howie, please…do something."

Howie had to kneel down to look in her eyes and he was in a position where no one else could see her. Squeezing her hand to acknowledge the look they had exchanged, he stood up. "DAMNIT, NICK! This is YOUR fault! She’s having contractions!"

Nick was blown away as he stammered, "But…I swear…"

"Just SHUT THE FUCK UP! Damn, Nick! You’re always playing around! When are you going to grow up?" bellowed Kevin and Nick cringed.

Becca moved to stand beside Nick putting her arm around him. "Kevin, Sarah doesn’t need you bellowing at Nick and he REALLY didn’t mean to hurt her."

AJ had moved to Sarah and was holding her hand. "Sarah, what can I do to help?"

"Hold my hand, AJ," moaned Sarah as Howie pulled out his cell phone to call a doctor. Looking him dead in the eyes, she mouthed, ‘Get me some ice.’

"How about I get something for you to drink?"

"I can’t have anything," said Sarah. "If I’m in labor, I can’t have anything but chipped ice."

"I’ll get you some then."

Everyone was gathered around Sarah, concern growing by the minute and the only ones who seemed to know what was really going on were Howie, AJ, and Sarah.

"Baby, let Howie take you to the bus," urged Kevin.

"No…not yet."

"The ambulance is on its way," said Howie taking Sarah’s hand in his. "’Angel’, your water didn’t break, did it?"

"No…I don’t think so."

Becca moved to Sarah to be of some comfort. "You need to go lie down and rest, Sarah."

Sarah looked at Becca and didn’t have to say a word. The look they exchanged was all that was needed.

AJ pushed his way back to Sarah and handed her a tall glass of ice. "Here you go, ‘Tigger’, crushed ice."

Sarah took it and said, "Maybe Nick could carry me to the bus…to apologize."

"Sure, whatever you need, Sarah," answered Nick quickly.

"NO!" exclaimed Howie. "I do NOT want you anywhere near her! You’ll drop her and then we’ll have more problems!"

"I swear, Howie, I won’t drop her," swore Nick. "Cross my heart!"

"’D’, it’ll be okay. Nick’s not stupid."

"Well…if you trust him…"

Nick moved quickly to pick Sarah up but before he did, he said, "Sis, I…"

"Hush," soothed Sarah. She saw how scared Nick was and she halfway regretted what she was doing to him. "I know you didn’t mean to hurt me."

"Not in a million years."

"And you agree you deserve whatever I do to get even?"

Nick smirked, "No, but I know you’re gonna come up with something. Are you still in pain?"

"Umm, a little. Give me a hug and see if that’ll help."

Nick reached to hug her and hit the cup she was holding. Taking it from her, he handed it back to AJ and wrapped his arms around her.

As Nick held on to her, Sarah reached for the cup and AJ put it back in her hand.

"Feel better?" asked Nick.

"Not yet, but…." Sarah pulled his shirt out and dumped the ice down his back.

Nick let go of her quickly as he swore, "DAMN! THAT’S COLD AS SHIT!"

"NOW I feel better," grinned Sarah as everyone broke out laughing. "Do not EVER do that again, Nickolas."

Howie moved to her and put his arms around Sarah as Nick said, "You weren’t having contractions, were you?"

"Uh…NO!"

"God….I should have known better."

"Hey…you got what you deserved but I do apologize to everyone else for scaring them," said Sarah.

"What possessed you to put ice down her back in the FIRST place?" asked Becca.

"They needed cooling off. I swear, those two are ALWAYS stuck together. I’m surprised Howie doesn’t keep a permanent hard-on."

"Who says I don’t?" cracked Howie.

"HOWARD!" said Sarah shocked Howie would say something like that.

"Maybe I should have put the ice down Howie’s pants!"

"I don’t think so," shot Howie.

"Enough games! We’ve got a video to do," announced Kevin seeing the director’s growing irritation.

"But I’m all wet!" protested Nick.

"Oh well! Shouldn’t have messed with Sarah. Let’s go. We aren’t shooting your back anyway and your hair and make-up are fine."

Nick looked to Becca who said, "Don’t look to me for sympathy, Carter. You’re lucky that’s ALL she did."

"Geez," he mumbled hanging his head scuffling after Kevin. "Just cuz she’s pregnant, everyone defends HER!"

Alone again, Howie put his hands on her stomach. "Are they really okay?"

"They’re fine, Daddy," smiled Sarah reaching to touch his face.

"I’m almost afraid to find out what you have planned for Vegas to get even with us for soaking you," groaned Howie.

The couple had talked about it and now Sarah laughed, "I promise, it won’t be bad and the fans will LOVE what I do."

"Let’s GO, ‘D’," called Kevin.

Howie gave Sarah a kiss. "BEHAVE!"

"Always," smirked Sarah and watched him join the others.

Becca sat down with Sarah. "Now I’ll ask. Are you sure you’re okay?"

"I’m fine. I didn’t mean to scare everyone or steal your joke but I had to do something to get Nick in close."

"Honestly, I knew what you were up to. If you’d really been in labor, Howie wouldn’t have been so calm."

Sarah laughed, "True!"

The girls grew quiet as filming resumed. Sarah once more drifted off into her own little world where she was remembering her wedding. Becca sat back enjoying watching the guys singing and Sarah lost in her daydreams.

The one prevailing mood throughout the entire set was that of happiness. Despite all that had happened to them with this tour, everyone was completely happy. AJ’s voice was stronger than ever. The guys were as close as they had ever been and all five of them were totally in love. And there was already one baby Backstreet in the world with two more on the way.

Part 553        Index