Part 587
Stepping off the bus into the cool crisp October morning, Sarah took in a deep breath and closed her eyes as she tilted her face up to the sun. All the pressures and demands of their life were washed away and she felt as light as the clouds that drifted overhead.
Howie stepped off behind her and smiled as he watched her spin around. He loved his wife and seeing her happy was a joy.
Sarah spun into his arms and kissed him as she ran her fingers through his hair. “I’m SOOO glad you said we could come here.”
Holding her close, well, as close as her stomach allowed, he smiled and said, “Me too! I love seeing you like this.”
Nick stepped off the bus carrying Garrett’s diaper bag. “Brrr….DAMN it’s cold!”
“Ah, poor baby!! Can’t take a little fall air, blonde boy?” teased Sarah.
“Oh BITE ME, Sarah,” smirked Nick.
Irritably, Becca stepped off the bus and said, “Would you two STOP!! Jeez, can’t we have ONE morning where you two didn’t harass each other?” She adjusted the blanket to be sure Garrett was protected against the cool air and mumbled something about it not being cold in Florida.
Sarah and Nick exchanged looks as the front door opened and closed.
Howie felt Sarah’s body tense and he whispered, “It’ll be okay, ‘Angel’. I’m right here for you.”
From the front porch, “It’s about time you four got here.”
Sarah rushed up the steps and into her father’s arms. “DADDY!”
Hugging his very pregnant daughter tight, Lee Taylor felt a rush of sadness that his wife was missing their baby’s dreams coming to fruition. “How’s my baby girl?”
Stepping back so she could look at her father and so he could see her, “I’m find, Daddy. You look wonderful!”
“You, my beautiful little girl, are absolutely radiant! Are you still having problems with morning sickness?”
Howie had joined Sarah and her father and as he slipped his arm around her waist, he said, “Yes sir, but she’s been amazing through it all. It’s good to see you, Dad.”
“Howard!” beamed Mr. Taylor as he shook Howie’s hand. “You must be taking good care of my daughter!! I don’t think I’ve seen her this happy, other than on your wedding day.”
“I’m trying,” smiled Howie as Sarah put her head on his shoulder.
Spotting Nick and Becca, Mr. Taylor greeted them with as much exuberance and warmth as he had Sarah and Howie. He even insisted on taking Garrett for Becca and began fussing over him just as he would any of his grandchildren.
On the porch, Sarah put her hand on Howie’s chest, “He looks so good, ‘D’.”
“And clear! From your brother’s accounts, I NEVER expected him to recognize you.”
“Me either! Daddy, is there any breakfast?”
With Garrett in his possession, Mr. Taylor said, “Just waiting for you to get here. Boys, there’s coffee for you. Nick…I got you a BIG box of cornflakes, Becca, Paula sent me some oranges so you have fresh squeezed orange juice, and Sarah, I made your mother’s sausage gravy and biscuits for you and Howie.”
“Sounds wonderful, Dad,” smiled Becca following Mr. Taylor. As she passed Sarah, she glared irritably at her.
Sarah shrugged her shoulders and she and Howie followed everyone to the kitchen.
“Here, Daddy. Let me take Garrett for you,” offered Sarah.
“No, you don’t. You get to see him whenever you want. Let me have some time with this little guy,” said Mr. Taylor as he lifted the infant from his seat. “If my memory serves, he’s six weeks old….tomorrow.”
Sarah cringed as Becca shot venomous arrows in her direction as she said, “That’s right, Dad.”
Much to Sarah’s relief, her nieces came bounding into the house having spotted Howie’s bus, eager to see their uncle and his friend.
“Aunt SaSa!! You’re HERE!” bubbled Courtney.
Sarah laughed because all three weren’t paying any attention to her as they hugged Howie and Nick. “You three don’t give a rip about ME being here!!! You just wanna drool over Howie and Nick.”
All three chorused, “Uh huh!”
Sarah looked at Becca, “We’re just chopped liver, ya know!”
“What’s new, right?”
As Mr. Taylor played with Garrett and Nick entertained Sarah’s nieces, Sarah and Howie got things for breakfast ready.
Sitting down together to eat, Howie asked, “You girls watch TRL yesterday?”
“We missed it but Mama taped it for us,” said Rebecca. “Why?”
“You’re Aunt SaSa’s FIRST video premiered yesterday,” said Nick as he took a bite of eggs.
“Oh COOL! Mama said we’d be surprised!”
Sarah told them about co-hosting TRL and as she ended her story, they all heard giggling coming from the stairs and a minute later, the source of giggling appeared.
Wearing one of Dusty’s shirts and his arms around her waist, Kryss froze in the door seeing everyone’s amused looks.
Seeing his sister, Dusty smiled, “Hey, sis!! When did you get here?”
“About 20 minutes ago. Kryss, what are you doing here?”
Kryss looked to Howie helplessly not exactly sure what to say.
Howie came to her rescue though. “I asked Kryss to do me a favor.”
Mr. Taylor mumbled, “And Dustin wasted NO time.”
Kryss was a bright shade of red. “I’ll…uh…go up and get dressed. I didn’t know anyone was up yet.”
“We’ll be back in a few minutes,” called Dusty.
“Dusty, wait a minute. I wanna talk to you,” said Sarah getting up.
Howie took her hand, “Sarah…don’t.”
“Don’t what? I just want to talk to my brother,” replied Sarah innocently.
“Uh huh, and I’m the Pope,” muttered Howie.
“Well, Your Eminence, if you’re so worried about what I’m gonna say, come with me,” sassed Sarah.
“I think I will,” answered Howie as he stood to follow Sarah. Looking at the others, “We’ll be back in a minute.”
In the family room, Dusty gave Kryss a kiss and promised to be up shortly. Then he turned to his sister. “What’s up, Sis?”
“FIRST OFF, how DARE you sleep with a woman under Daddy’s roof?” hissed Sarah trying to keep her voice down.
Howie put his hand on Sarah’s back and tried to stop her, “Sarah…”
Squaring off with his sister, Dusty shot back angrily, “BACK OFF! You have NO room to judge me!”
“When YOU find it necessary to judge Daddy for sleeping with a woman, then you shouldn’t be doing the same thing. Not to mention you walked down here with NO clothes on and Courtney, Rebecca, and Ashley were here.”
Dusty knew his sister was right so he calmed down. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to be up yet.”
Sarah backed off too. “Dusty, what I REALLY wanted to talk to you about is Daddy.”
“What about him?”
“From everything you have been telling us, he’s getting worse but he’s just as clear as a bell this morning. What’s up?”
Dusty cringed and Howie said, “Let me guess…he’s not as bad as you’ve been saying?”
“Uh, no. In fact, he’s doing pretty good.”
Sarah started after Dusty but Howie grabbed her by the waist and held her as she growled, “I swear, I’m gonna HURT you!! WHY do you keep doing this?”
Dusty tucked his head ashamed of what he’d done. “To get you to come home,” he said sheepishly.
“All you have to do is ask us,” said Howie. “Telling us your dad is getting worse is NOT the way. You had Sarah terrified to see her father and I’ve lined up interviews so he can have around the clock care.”
“Oh geez!! I’m really sorry, Howie.” Hearing someone upstairs, Dusty said, “No, Sarah, Dad hasn’t told anyone else, but he’s getting married Friday.”
“MARRIED?! To WHO?”
“Stephanie.”
“His nurse?” asked Howie.
“Yeah. So, sis. How do you feel about having a little brother or sister?”
“No….please…” Sarah said in disbelief.
Stephanie walked in about that time and Sarah recognized the look. It was quiet obvious that Stephanie was suffering from morning sickness.
Seeing Sarah and Howie, Stephanie smiled brightly, “Sarah! Howie!! I’m so glad you made it. Your father has been looking forward to your visit.”
“Thanks, Stephanie,” greeted Sarah giving her a hug.
Howie greeted Stephanie with a kiss on the cheek. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Casting a sharp look at Dusty, Stephanie replied, “Yeah, thanks but Lee was going to tell the whole family after breakfast.”
“Don’t worry. We won’t say anything,” said Sarah. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine. I’m just a little nervous about the announcement. Not EVERYONE is thrilled with the news.”
“Ignore the jackass over there,” shot Sarah looking at Dusty. “It’s yours and Daddy’s business….NO one else.”
“I know that but having his children’s support would make things a little more pleasant.”
“I’m sure my other brothers will be thrilled. Come on, think you can eat something?” asked Sarah as she linked her arm with Stephanie’s.