Part 554

The afternoon brought more filming, each guy doing their individual shots. Becca had taken Garrett and gone to meet Jane for lunch leaving Sarah to watch with just her four bodyguards. She welcomed the solitude because it gave her time to think.

Brian was up first and he sang:

Sarah watched him as he sang to her and listened to the words. Out of nowhere, it hit her. The song meant so much more than that day in May when they had first sung it for her. As Brian went through his part again, she watched more intently. He was telling her she had nothing to be sorry about, that she had the power to rise above it and had done that, and he would be there as her friend to help her.

Next up was Howie, her ‘Sweet D’. He took his place and as he waited, he played with his ring, looking at it and remembering the day she’d put it on his finger.

"Yo, ‘D’! You missed your cue!" laughed AJ.

Sarah giggled too, that same giggle that he’d just remembered from their wedding and he winked at her.

"Sorry," he blushed.

The music restarted and Howie listened to Brian’s part. On his cue, he looked at Sarah and sang, "I can’t imagine life without your love and even forever don’t seem like long enough."

The words would always have the same meaning. His love was forever no matter what had happened in the past or what happened in the future. She had tears in her eyes as she watched him.

AJ was standing with her watching and saw her reaction. He stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

Sarah welcomed his embrace and leaned her head back against his shoulder putting her hands on his arms. She whispered, "Thank you."

"No problem, Sarah. I just hope one day, Ali and I will have as strong a relationship as you two have."

"You will, Alex. It just takes work and knowing what you want. You have come so far in the last few months. Have you two set a date yet?"

"Valentine’s Day. I just hope you can hold out that long. I really want you there for it…and Howie. Think he’ll agree to be my best man?"

"Alex, as long as you two have known each other, do you really think he’d say ‘no’?"

"Well, sorta…I mean…after what happened…."

Sarah turned her head to look at AJ. "Alex, that has LONG been forgiven and forgotten. Let it go."

"I can’t, Sarah," whispered AJ. "I can’t forgive myself for hurting you and ‘D’. And you’ve been so wonderful to me."

"That’s cuz we love you, Alex. We all make mistakes. Hell, look at Howie and me and what we did to each other. Please, stop punishing yourself. I love you and so does ‘D’. All you have to do is ask him. I’m sure he’ll say ‘yes’ and be honored that you asked."

"Damn…why can’t you be my woman…or at least have a sister?"

Sarah laughed, "Cuz then it wouldn’t be the same…and I do have a sister…Becca…..WHOA!"

"What?"

Sarah took AJ’s hand and placed it on her belly. "The babies are moving."

AJ left his hand on her stomach waiting to feel the movement. His wait wasn’t long and he was rewarded with a sharp kick. "GOOD GAWD!" exclaimed AJ, his eyes wide with awe.

By now, Howie was done and had joined them. "It’s wild, isn’t it?"

"Uh huh!" AJ was still staring at Sarah’s stomach waiting to feel another kick.

"You’re up, AJ," called Kevin.

"Go on, Alex," said Sarah softly. "You can talk to ‘D’ later."

Giving her a kiss on the cheek, AJ took off and Howie sat down with her.

"What was that all about?"

"He needs to talk to you but he was a little worried."

"About what?"

"That you were still mad about what happened this summer."

"You told him things were cool, didn’t you?"

"Of course!"

With the signal for quiet, Sarah leaned to Howie to rest her head on his shoulder.

Of the five men she was watching, her relationship with AJ had changed drastically. She had been the one to save him from himself. He had turned to her in his hour of need and she had guided him through without questioning him or judging him. With her, he didn’t have to pretend to be something he wasn’t and it was with her help that he was learning that he didn’t have to be that way with the ones he loved. She was his lifeline and when the time came, he would do the same for her if need be.

Nick was next and Sarah took Howie’s hand.

"’Angel’, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I’ll explain later."

Watching Nick sing the same words as Howie, she thought about what they meant to her coming from him. She had only found out recently that Nick had had a crush on her but she’d always been fond of him. He truly was the little brother she’d never had and now he was married to her best friend. With all his heart, she knew Nick loved her and wanted her as his ‘big sis’ forever. She’d be there for him too.

Kevin was last and god, what he did to her. How could one man be so damn sexy but yet so damn aggravating? She smiled watching him trying to get several loose strands of hair out of his face.

"’Boo’, come here." Kevin moved to her and she instructed, "Turn around."

Carefully, she took the rubber band holding his hair in a ponytail out and pulled his hair back into a ponytail again.

"Thanks, baby," smiled Kevin.

Taking his place once more, the music started.

Kevin had always believed in her and supported her dreams. Now, he looked at her and told her that she could continue to tell him her dreams. He would do whatever he could to make them come true because there was no way he could tell her no. All he asked in return was for her to continue to love him.

"Okay, gentlemen…One more group shot on the steps," called the director.

"Back in a few, ‘Angel’," said Howie giving her a kiss. Leaning over, he put his hands on her stomach. "Now you two stay calm for your mama, okay?"

That just added to Sarah’s already raging hormones and tears welled up in her eyes. "Would you just GO?"

Howie laughed, "Mush?"

"What do you think?"

"Mush. I think I like THIS part of your pregnancy. Might make it worth it to keep you pregnant."

"GO AWAY!" laughed Sarah pushing him away from her. Howie laughed and took off to join the others. Sarah sighed as she rubbed her stomach. "Your daddy loves us so much," she whispered.

Once more through the song was Sarah’s undoing. As each guy sang their part, all the emotions she’d felt came spilling out. This one song held so much meaning for her…five men, her best friends, had helped her through some tough times, had accepted her and her past, and loved her without question. She was the luckiest woman around.

With the last group shot done, Howie didn’t wait for the cue to leave. He rushed straight to his wife and took her in his arms. Rubbing her back, he held her as she cried silently. He had seen the impact of the words throughout the day and was surprised she’d made it this long before breaking down.

Sarah pulled back and Howie wiped her tears. "Ready to go to the bus, ‘Angel’?"

Nodding her consent, he led her to the bus, both ignoring the calls from the crew and the other guys and Becca to wait to discuss dinner plans. They had to be together.

Climbing on the bus, the door to the outside world was closed and it was just their world. Howie quickly led her to their room where he undressed her then did the same for himself. Coming together, they were consumed by the passion of their love. Making love had never been so sweet. They had taken their time, touched the familiar spots, and loved each other.

As they lay together afterwards, Sarah played with Howie’s fingers as he watched her. She was quiet, unusually quiet and he was a little concerned.

Softly, he asked, "Angel, what are you thinking about?"

"Today. I never expected to be so blown away by a song, especially one I’ve heard so many times."

"I noticed."

"I mean, the song is special anyway because you sang it at our wedding and it says exactly how I feel about OUR love…like I’m drowning in it which is definitely a good thing."

"But?"

"But today, I realized there was more to the words, that each part has a special meaning, from each one of you…" and Sarah told him what she had discovered.

"WOW! No wonder you were blown away but it all make sense."

Sarah propped her head on her hand to look him in the eyes. Carefully, she traced his eyebrows and then his sideburns. "I am THE luckiest lady in the world. Thank you for loving me."

"Any time, any place, ‘Angel’. Ready for some dinner?"

"I guess so. I kinda like where I am though."

"Me too but Kevin had wanted us to find a spot where we could all eat together…before we head to Vegas and the last show."

"What, is he in a ‘bonding’ mood?" Sarah rolled her eyes.

Howie laughed, "Probably. It won’t hurt to have dinner together. Come on, wench. Let’s go see if anything has been decided."

The two redressed quickly. Going out, they found everyone sitting around talking with the crew and they joined them.

Part 555        Index