Part 604
With Nick and Becca gone, Sarah had decided she wanted to stay at the new house for the rest of the weekend to give her dad and Stephanie some privacy after the wedding. She and Howie had tried to convince them to go ahead and go on their honeymoon, a week at a bed and breakfast on the Virginia/Kentucky border courtesy of Howie and Sarah. The wedding had also been moved to the new house so they wouldn’t have to contend with the decorations once the wedding was over.
The finishing touches for the wedding were in place and Sarah stepped back to take it all in. She sighed happily remembering her own wedding just a few months ago. It had all been so romantic and Howie had made sure she had her dream wedding.
As she felt the babies moving, she put her hand on her stomach. "Hey, stay still would ya? It’s hard enough without you two practicing your daddy’s salsa steps."
Howie had come down from their bedroom half-way dressed in his suit but his shirt unbuttoned and hanging open when he heard her. Quietly, he slipped in behind her and slid his hands around her stomach. "What are my little angels doing now?" whispered Howie against her skin.
Closing her eyes, she leaned against him as she answered, "Imitating you!"
Howie caressed her stomach lovingly knowing his touch usually calmed them. "Everything looks wonderful, ‘Angel’."
"Thanks, ‘D’. I just hope Daddy and Stephanie like it."
"I’m sure they will."
The couple stood in silence looking around the great room of their house at all the decorations. Howie had his arms wrapped around Sarah’s growing waist placing soft, moist kisses along her neck
"’D’, am I crazy for being happy for Daddy?"
"Not at all," reassured Howie. Turning her to face him, he brushed a stray hair off her forehead. "Sarah, you have had so much hurt and sadness in your life…enough for a dozen people…it’s perfectly understandable that you want the ones you love to be happy."
“But she’s my age,” protested Sarah weakly as she played with his crucifix.
“Tell me something. If I were say, 15 years older than you, would it change the way you feel about me?”
“No, because you’d still be the same man I’m in love with now…just a little older.”
“Yeah, I would. You’ve said it yourself, ‘Angel’…Stephanie makes your father happy and she appears to be extremely happy too.” Howie kissed her tenderly on the lips. “Love knows no age,” he whispered as he ran his hands along her stomach as he placed feathery kisses along her face. “Let me go up and help you get ready.”
“What did you come down for in the first place?”
“Looking for my beautiful wife,” cooed Howie as he kissed her neck and his hands moved up to her breasts.
“Uh huh, try selling that to someone who believes you,” laughed Sarah as she pushed him back. “Truth!”
“Okay…busted! I need your help with my cuffs,” answered Howie holding his arms up to show her his sleeves.
Sarah laughed, “What would you do without me?”
“Don’t wanna find out. Come on, woman!! I need my wife,” growled Howie in her ear and pressing against her.
Before they could start up the steps though, the door burst open and Jesse bounded into the room. “MOMMIE!!DADDY!!” she squealed as she rushed to them.
They both laughed as Howie scooped her up in his arms hugging her tight. Behind her were Howie’s parents looking rather weary from their journey.
Sarah greeted them both with hugs, “How was your flight?”
“It was smooth,” said Mr. Dorough hugging his daughter-in-law. “You look wonderful. I take it my son is being good to you.”
Sarah smiled looking back at Howie as he held Jesse. “He’s being extremely good to me, Pop!! Are your things in the car?”
Jeff appeared at the door with the Dorough’s suitcases as Mr. Dorough said, “Your brother has them.”
Looking around the house, Mrs. Dorough said, “This is absolutely gorgeous!”
“Thanks, Mami!! Just to show you how good Howie’s being to me, he arranged to have the house completely ready for me when we got here. We’re staying up here tonight and you have a room already prepared for you at the top of the steps. Why don’t you go on up and get yourself freshened up a bit? My family will be here in about an hour.”
“I’ll show you to your room, Mami,” said Howie as he set Jesse on the floor.
Jesse’s pout prompted Mrs. Dorough to say, “We can find it, son. Spend time with Jesse.”
Howie touched his finger to her nose and said, “The little princess needs to see HER room too and get changed along with her mother. Come on.”
Holding Jesse’s hand and putting his other on the small of his wife’s back, he led his parents up to their room. As Jeff put the bags in the room, Howie gave his mother a kiss.
“We’ll see you in a little while,” said Mrs. Dorough.
“Take your time, Mami. I’m gonna go make sure my princess gets a bath,” said Howie.
The group dispersed to get ready for the wedding, Howie going with Jesse and Sarah heading to their room.