Part 562
If anyone needed a definition of chaos, they simply needed to watch a gathering of the Backstreet crew. Now was a prime example and in the midst of all the chaos were the three stooges…AJ, Sarah, and Nick…creating a LARGE part of it. Those three together were always trouble and now wasn’t any different. And even though everyone was keenly aware of their antics, they always managed to get some unsuspecting victim, someone who’d let their guard down.
Howie stood on the outer edge of the group sipping on a glass of water and watching his wife. Occasionally, he’d question himself about how he’d been able to hold on to her and now was one of those times. He’d watch her horsing around with AJ or dancing with Kevin and think that she was so much better suited to be with one of them. Now was one of those times when he pondered that along with the news he had to break to Sarah.
Becca had been talking to Fiona about the shopping trip that morning as the two played with Garrett when she glanced over at Howie to see him deep in thought. She followed his line of sight to see that he was watching Sarah and smiled. The freshness and intensity of their relationship always amazed her but she was also grateful that Howie had come into her best friend’s life. He had made such a difference in Sarah’s life in so many ways.
"Fi, I need to talk to you and Lisa later about my ideas. I want to go talk to Howie."
"Okay. We’ll be around."
Taking Garrett in his seat, Becca went to stand beside Howie. "What’s got you so quiet?"
Howie shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Just watching Sarah with AJ and Nick."
Becca looked in the direction of the threesome in time to see Nick and Sarah ‘get’ Fiona. "Those three a menace," she laughed.
Howie laughed too as he said, "Yeah, but they’re having fun." Turning to look down at the sleeping infant, he asked, "Ready for the tour to be over?"
"Beyond ready! I can’t wait to get home to my own bed, my own kitchen, my own HOUSE that DOES NOT have wheels and rolls. I just wish there weren’t all those extra appearances to do."
"It won’t be so bad, Bec. At least we’ll be able to stay in one place for the most part and NOT on the buses," pointed out Howie.
"True."
Hearing laughter from across the room, the two looked up just in time to see yet another person fall victim to the threesome.
"Sarah’s in a really good mood considering she’s so tired."
"Yeah, she is, and I REALLY dread the thought of having to ruin that good mood."
"What’s up?"
"We’re taking a commercial flight out of here to New York."
"I thought we were gonna take a private jet," frowned Becca.
"I was gonna try and get the foundation’s jet but that’s not possible. I don’t know how to tell Sarah."
"I’m sure you’ll find a way."
Becca watched the three as they made their way through the room in search of their next victim. She wasn’t thrilled with having to take a commercial flight either but she had at least flown on one unlike Sarah. Her best friend had point blank refused to fly on anything other than the foundation’s jet since the 9/11 tragedy.
"You know, Sarah will be okay as long as she has you."
"I guess you’re right," shrugged Howie.
Becca looked at Howie in disbelief. "You DOUBT me?"
"Not really. It’s just that there are times when I wonder how I hold on to her. She and AJ are a much better couple and we won’t even get into her and Kevin."
"I don’t believe you! You and Sarah are so perfect together. You round each other out so well. You are calm and even-tempered and she’s got such a hot temper. You finish each other’s sentences. You…you…Howie! I can’t believe you’d even THINK you two didn’t belong together."
Howie blushed and looked down at his wedding band. "Bec, I can’t explain it. I mean, yeah, she’s the perfect girl for me but…I don’t know. She and Kevin are so much alike…and AJ too. You’ve seen them together."
"Yeah, I have but I’ve also seen you two together and the way she looks at you. Howie, you two have worked so hard on your relationship. Sarah loves you because you let her be herself without judging her. You support her, not control her and you love her despite how much she aggravates the hell out of you."
Howie laughed, "Yeah, I do."
"And it’s the same for you on her part. You know, I don’t think I’ve EVER seen this side of you."
"It doesn’t happen often. I guess the toll of being on the road all the time and everything that’s happened with this part of the tour.
Before Becca could say anything, Sarah rushed into Howie’s arms. "Protect me! ‘Mook’ is after me!" she squealed with laughter.
Seeing ‘Mook’ chasing after her, Howie laughed. "What did you do THIS time?"
Angelically, Sarah said, "Nothing, ‘D’, I swear!"
"Uh huh," laughed Becca. "And I’ve got some swamp land for sale."
"Hmpf, some friend YOU are!" pouted Sarah. Running her hands across his chest, Sarah purred, "You believe me, don’t you, ‘D’?"
"Of course I do, ‘Angel’."
Sarah stuck her tongue out at Becca. "Nah!"
Becca laughed as ‘Mook’ finally caught up to her and tried to grab her. Howie pushed her behind him to protect her.
Out of nowhere, Nick and AJ bounced up and Nick asked, "Where’s Kev and ‘Rok’?"
"Brian’s on the phone with his parents," said Howie pointing to Brian in the corner.
"And Kevin and Lynne haven’t come down yet," smirked Sarah.
"You sure they haven’t ‘cum’?" cracked AJ. "I’m willing to lay odds they have."
"Several times," added Howie.
"HOWARD DWAINE!" scolded Sarah and then broke out into a fit of giggles.
"You two should be ashamed of yourselves," reprimanded Becca. "I’m glad Nick’s more mature than THAT to make cracks.’
Sarah smirked at Nick as he wrapped his arms around Becca. "Nah, it ain’t cuz he’s more mature…it’s cuz his six weeks are almost up and he doesn’t wanna blow it," teased Sarah as she laced her fingers with Howie’s and pulled his arms around her.
"Sarah! You’re as bad as Howie and AJ." Becca tried to maintain a serious, motherly look but gave it up as Sarah began to giggle again.
AJ pointed towards the door, "Looks like the love birds are done doin’ the nasty."
All eyes turned to see Kevin and Lynne entering the room, Kevin’s arm draped
across Lynne’s shoulder holding her close. It was plain to see the couple was
oblivious to the stares as they gazed dreamily into each others’ eyes.
AJ nudged Howie, "Time to give him a taste of his own medicine."
"Nah…let it go, ‘Age’. We want Kevin to remain calm. You KNOW how he is on the last night of a tour."
"True."
"Looks like lunch is ready," said Becca. "Nick, going first?"
"Nah, baby. You go ahead and I’ll watch GT for you."
"Okay. Thanks," she replied as she gave him a peck. "Back in a few."
When Becca was gone, Nick said, "Sarah, have you asked Howie?"
"Yeah, it’s set. You can have the house the second night." Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a piece of paper. "Here are the numbers you need to order what you want."
"Thanks, Sarah! I owe you….AGAIN."
Sarah laughed, "I can’t WAIT to collect."
Howie started towards an empty corner as he said, "Angel, I need to talk to you…alone."
"Come on, Nick," said AJ grabbing Garrett’s carrier. "This is our cue to leave."
"What’s up, ‘D’?"
"’Angel’, I don’t know how else to tell you this but we’re gonna have to take the commercial flight management booked for us to New York."
Sarah’s heart sank and her stomach flipped. "But you PROMISED…"
Taking her hands in his, Howie spoke calmly, "’Angel’, I said I’d TRY but it’s just not possible. The foundation’s jet has to stay here to take Angie and Alyssa home and I couldn’t find another private jet. It’ll be okay. I’ll be there with you."
Tears rolled effortlessly down her cheeks as she looked at his hands holding hers. "I can’t do this, Howie. I’m not ready."
"Sweetheart, you’ve gotta do this. How else are you gonna get to New York?"
"The bus."
"You’d never be there on time. Be reasonable. Flying is the fastest way to get to New York."
"Fine. I’ll go back to Orlando."
"You have to be in New York for TRL and I want you with me. What are you gonna do when it’s time to go to Japan?"
"Take a slow boat."
Howie smiled, "Angel, come on. Everything will be fine. Security is MUCH tighter and I’ll be with you. I’m not going to let anything happen to you," promised Howie pulling her closer and stealing a kiss. "You KNOW, you’re really cute when you pout."
Sarah couldn’t help but giggle. "I love you, ‘D’."
"I love you too, ‘Angel’, more than I’ll ever be able to show you."
Sarah’s eyes twinkled. "Why don’t we skip lunch and go to the room so you can TRY to show me?"
"And miss all the fun of harassing Kevin? How about we wait until AFTER lunch?"
"That works too. Come on, Dorough. I’m hungry and if we’re gonna spend the afternoon making love, I’m gonna need nourishment for strength."
Sarah started to head towards the table where the others were starting to gather but Howie stopped her and pulled her back to him. Taking her face in his hands, he pressed his lips to hers. Sarah’s hands slid across his chest and he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping in to tease her.
Pulling apart, Sarah sighed, "You turn me to mush, ‘D’."
Howie laughed, "Yeah, and you know what you do to me! Let’s go eat."