Part 6
"Looks like a happy ending," Howie said, still holding Sarah close.
"She looks good, doesn't she? She's gonna make a good mom." Her voice broke and as the tears spilled from her eyes Howie held her tighter.
"I'm sorry, Angel," he whispered.
"This is just about the time *our* baby would have been born."
"I know, Angel, I think about it a lot."
"You do?" She turned in his arms.
He nodded his head. "It'll happen, Sarah, I know it will. You just have to have faith. And now that Becca's home you can relax and concentrate on *us*." He kissed her gently as Nick and Becca walked up the steps to the deck.
They pulled apart as Nick cleared his throat. "Guys –" Nick started, then stopped abruptly, dropping his eyes to the floor. Becca slipped her hand into his and then he had the courage to continue. "Thank you, for everything you did for us. If it wasn't for you, Becca wouldn't be here tonight."
Howie hugged him. "You were there for us last fall and all the time Sarah was in treatment."
Sarah spoke up, "Just be happy, Nick."
"You know it. We have a lot going for us. Wait … how long have you two known about this?" he asked, pinning them with a look.
"Only yesterday!" Howie laughed. "It's a long story."
"The bus ride-"
"Hey, I had to keep your mind occupied while Sarah went to Denver."
Nick looked at Becca. "Denver? *We* were in Denver-"
"I know," Becca said. "I almost came to see you, but-"
"But you’re a chicken-shit," Sarah added and they all laughed.
"No more secrets," Becca said. "Secrets are not healthy."
"Oh, I dunno…." Nick said, winking at Howie, who grinned and winked back. "Some secrets are good."
"Nick?"
"Long story, Bec. C'mon, let's go home and I'll fill you in. You hungry?"
"Ravenous! Got any cornflakes?"
Nick laughed heartily. "For you, fan-girl? A big ole box. See you two tomorrow."
Becca hugged Sarah again on her way out the door. "Thanks, sis," she whispered.
"Any time Bec. Go on, get reacquainted."
Howie and Sarah watched from the door as Nick and Becca drove away, north to Marathon.
"What was all that between you and Nick?" asked Sarah.
Innocently, Howie asked, "What do you mean?"
Sarah looked over her shoulder to see the playful grin in Howie’s eyes, "Oh, you’re up to something! I can tell! Spill it, Howard!"
"Calling me Howard is NOT going to get you anywhere. And what makes you think I’m up to something?"
Sarah turned around in his arms. "I saw the winks you and Nick exchanged and Nick’s comment about secrets. You KNOW my feelings about secrets and keeping things from each other."
Still teasing, Howie said, "Sarah, why would I wink at Nick? That’s just WAY too kinky for me."
With that, Howie started backing away knowing Sarah was getting exasperated with him. He wasn’t paying attention to where he was going because he was laughing and trying to keep his eyes on Sarah so he ran into the couch falling backwards.
"Oh, I don’t know, you and Nick would be a cute couple," said Sarah as she followed him.
Howie grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his lap. "Not as cute as you and me though. Okay… I am up to something. I have a surprise for you and I think you’ll like it but you have to be patient."
"You know I hate being patient! Please," she begged. "What are you up to?"
"No! No amount of begging is going to get it out of me. You’ll just have to wait, Angel," said Howie as he kissed her on the tip of her nose.
"Puleeeezzzzzze, Sweet D! You know how much I love you," said Sarah putting on her sweetest, most innocent face.
Howie laughed, "You’re so adorable when you try to be innocent but it won’t work. Now, take your beautiful self upstairs and get your bathing suit on."
"Why?"
"Because we’re going down to the beach."
"And what if I don’t want to go?"
"Look, wench! I didn’t ASK you what you wanted to do," said Howie attempting to be forceful. "Now get your beautiful butt upstairs and change."
"You’re so cute when you’re like this."
Howie laughed as Sarah got up and ran upstairs. Quickly, he called his sisters and then went to change as well.
The couple came back down and headed out to the beach holding hands. Sarah was like a little girl on Christmas Eve and Howie watched happily as she danced around him talking about the trip out to Denver. He felt like it had been forever since he’d seen Sarah this happy and he remembered that first time they’d walked on the beach together. He knew exactly how she would react to his surprise and he couldn’t wait to see her eyes light up.
Howie’s mind drifted to his plans for the wedding as they walked quietly. He didn’t notice Sarah going into the water. She had realized his mind was elsewhere and she wanted to get his attention so she splashed water on him.
Startled, Howie said, "What was that for?"
"What’s she like?’
"Who?" asked Howie puzzled.
"The woman who’s got you so distracted that you aren’t paying attention to me," she said splashing him again.
Howie grabbed her hands holding them behind her back as their bodies pressed together. "She’s absolutely gorgeous; hair that is golden brown that reaches to mid-way her shoulder blades; amazing blue eyes, blue like the sky; and a body that makes me hard every time I just think about it. She’s pure heaven…an angel."
Sarah giggled softly feeling Howie’s growing excitement. "She sounds really beautiful."
"What makes her even more beautiful is what’s on the inside. She has the BIGGEST heart looking out for all that are close to her and the fans too. She’s generous with her love and attention…her time too. She gives me so much…her support, her love. She’s got a power over me that makes me weak inside and leaves me breathless. I can’t imagine my life without her love and forever doesn’t seem long enough."
Sarah was swept away by Howie’s words, words that he and the guys had put into a song and they were going to sing at the wedding, and emotions that flowed from his heart in the form of tears. She said softly, "You don’t have to imagine life without her love, ‘D’."
Howie let go of her hands but continued to hold her tight as the waves crashed around their feet. He leaned to her, kissing her gently as she ran her hands across his chest.
Pulling away from him, Sarah grinned mischievously. She backed away from him and reached out to touch him. "Tag! You’re it!"
Running from him as fast as she could, Sarah headed down the beach. Howie looked after her, laughing, and then took off to catch her. He caught her easily wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her in a fierce hug. They stood in the water kissing and holding onto one another for some time before deciding to play in the water.