Part 584

What a welcome relief it was to be able to sleep in!  Sarah stretched and rolled over hoping to cuddle with Howie but was disappointed to find he was gone.  She must have been exhausted because normally she couldn’t sleep without him.  Sitting up, she brushed her hair back and spotted a note on the bedside table with a silver bell. 

Good Morning my sweet angel, You were sleeping so peacefully and so beautiful with the sun streaming in on you, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.  Just ring the bell when you wake.  I have a special surprise for you.  XXOO  ‘D’

“Hmm, wonder what that wonderful husband of mine is up to?” said Sarah aloud as she snuggled into the covers. Anxious to find out what the surprise was, she rang the bell and waited. 

It wasn’t a long wait either.  Just seconds after ringing the bell, the door opened and Howie stuck his head in.  “You’re awake.” 

“Uh huh…and missing my wonderful husband to snuggle with.  You gonna join me?” 

“Sure,” said Howie as he pushed the door open and a bright little face popped in. 

“MOMMIE!!” squealed Jesse running to the bed. 

“OH MY GOD!!  JESSE!!” beamed Sarah as her daughter bounced onto the bed and into her arms.  “Where did you come from?” 

With an exasperated sigh, Jesse said, “From your tummy, Mommie!!” 

Sarah and Howie laughed as Howie explained, “Danielle and Chelsea flew up here with her.  Taking his seat on the bed beside his girls, he reached out to play with Jesse’s hair.  “Our little princess is going to the benefit with us tonight and headed home tomorrow after we perform in DC.” 

“Thank you,” whispered Sarah giving him a kiss. 

“My pleasure, ‘Angel’.” 

“Daddy, can you go with us to the zoo?” 

“Zoo?” questioned Sarah. 

“I thought you two could go to the zoo and spend the afternoon together, mother/daughter time.  ‘Princess’, I can’t go to the zoo with you and Mommie but we’ll spend time together, I promise.” 

“Maybe I should give Becca a break and take Garrett with us.” 

“YES! YES! YES!” cheered Jesse as she bounced on Sarah’s lap accidentally hitting Sarah’s stomach. 

“Calm down, ‘Princess’,” instructed Howie.  “You can’t be bouncing on Mommie like that.” 

“Yes sir,” and she got still again snuggling between her parents. 

“Becca’s not gonna be able to be alone with Nick if that’s what you’re thinking, ‘Angel’.  Why don’t you ask her to go with you?” 

Sarah frowned, “I doubt VERY seriously she wants to spend time with me.” 

“Mommie, you’re the funest to be around.” 

“Thank you, baby, but Aunt Becca isn’t very happy right now.” 

“Why not?  Is Uncle Nicky being mean to her like my father was to you?” 

“No baby.  Uncle Nicky isn’t being mean to her.  NO ONE can be like your father.” 

Sarah looked to Howie and he said, “’Princess’, Aunt Becca’s homesick and she’ really tired.  It’s tough being on the road constantly especially with a little baby.  You remember how we told you it was difficult for us to do what was right for you before you went back to stay with Meme.” 

“Uh huh.”  Jesse thought about what Howie had said and then looked at him.  “But you always say home is where your family is, Daddy, and Uncle Nicky and Garrett are her family and Mommie is her sister.” 

“That’s true to a large degree, baby, but Aunt Becca’s ‘life’…her routine…is in Orlando,” tried Sarah.  Seeing Jesse’s confusion, she said, “You’ll understand when you’re older.” 

“Mommie, do you get homesick?” 

“Yeah, I do,” sighed Sarah putting her head on Howie’s shoulder. 

“What do you miss?” 

“Besides you…lots of things.” 

“Like what?” 

“Well, there’s the sound of the ocean, the smell of Mom’s kitchen, horseback riding, your grandparents, your uncles.” 

Jesse looked up at Howie.  “Do you get homesick, Daddy?” 

“Sure I do, ‘Princess’, but having your mom with me helps…and talking to you on the phone.” 

“If you get homesick, why do you do it?” 

“Making thousands of people happy with my music makes it worth it,” smiled Howie. 

“Ya know, baby,” said Sarah.  “I haven’t always gone with your daddy on tour.  When we first met, I had to stay home to take care of Daddy’s businesses.”

“Did you miss him?” 

“Very much,” she whispered as she leaned to him to give him a kiss.
 

“Oh good grief!” groaned Jesse. 

The two broke apart laughing and Howie began tickling Jesse.  “Oh good grief, huh?  NOW what are you gonna do?” 

“STOP!  PLEASE, DADDY!!  STOP!” cried Jesse trying to get away from Howie. 

Howie stopped and pulled her to him to give her butterfly kisses.  “Why don’t you go give Aunt Becca a hand with Garrett while your mom gets ready?” 

“Okay!” bubbled Jesse as she bounced off the bed and out of the room. 

Alone, Howie turned to Sarah and pulled her to him.  “Are you happy, ‘Angel’?” 

“Extremely,” sighed Sarah as she placed her hand on his and traced his wedding band.  “I’ve really missed Jesse.” 

Howie continued to hold his wife watching her as she continued to play with his ring.  That simple act, something she’d done from the very first day they’d met, signaled she was thinking about more than what she was saying.  Knowing her like he did, he knew what was on her mind too. 

Softly, he said, “’Angel’, having Becca and Nick go with us to Virginia was NOT your idea.  STOP doing this to yourself.” 

“No, it wasn’t my idea but I shouldn’t have offered the house to Nick.  I should have made him realize how important all this was to her.  Now she won’t even speak to me.”

“Why do you say that?” 

“You saw her on the way from the airport to here last night.  She barely said two words to me.” 

“Sweetheart, EVERYONE was tired, including you.  Why don’t you go get a shower, get dressed, and before I take my girls to lunch, you can invite her to go to the zoo with you.  The worst she can say is ‘no’.” 

“Oh, I’m SURE she can think of something far worse than ‘no’,” snorted Sarah. 

“Make a deal with you.  If Becca says ‘no’, I’ll skip sound checks and go to the zoo with you and Jess.” 

“And if she says ‘yes’?” 

“YOU hire Kryss as your personal assistant.” 

Sarah looked up at him.  “You’re determined to get me to hire someone to help me, aren’t you?” 

“You have four months left in the pregnancy, ‘Angel’, and I don’t want you stressing over ANYTHING.  We’ve got A LOT going on between now and February.” 

“But why Kryss?  Why not go through an employment agency?” 

Howie knew the question wasn’t based on jealousy but more curiosity.  “Well, we already know her and we both get along with her.” 

“But when you FIRST suggested her, I didn’t!!” 

Laughing, “But I knew you’d come around.  Kryss is a nice girl and she has a legal background to deal with any legal issues that might come up.  Now, it’s NOT because I don’t think you’re doing a good job because I think you’ve done an AWESOME job.  I just want you to enjoy the last few months of your pregnancy and you’ve got your first single and video coming out and your first CD.” 

Sarah studied his eyes and his expression as she thought about what he’d said.  “This means a lot to you.” 

“Yeah, it does, ‘Angel’.  I just want you to enjoy this…being pregnant and your career successes…as much as possible.  I mean, I know it’s tough because of the morning sickness but when you aren’t sick, you’re so busy, you can’t relax and enjoy ALL that’s going on.  OUR dreams are coming true, ‘Angel’, all of them.”  The whole time he’d been talking, he’d been caressing her stomach and playing with her hair. 

Sarah smiled, “You are so wonderful!!  How did I get so lucky?” 

“Destiny, ‘Angel’.  We were meant to be together.  I love you so much, Sarah.” 

“I love you too, Howard,” whispered Sarah as a tear escaped. 

Howie kissed the tear away and said, “Go get ready.  We’ve got a lunch date with a certain little girl.” 

Howie helped Sarah up but remained on the bed watching as she went about getting ready.  Every day he loved her more and he never wanted to lose that. 

Howie had been right.  With some rest, Becca was in a much better mood and was eager to take the kids to the zoo.  In fact, she was relieved that she would be able to get out and get some fresh air for a change.  Jesse’s visit also seemed to be an extra boost to everyone’s morale.

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