Part 13

    Sarah followed Howie downtown to what appeared to be an attorney's office.  She got out and met Howie in front of the cars.  As they walked in, she asked, "Howie, what are you up to?"

    "Angel, Russell really did a number on you, more than what you realize.  He had his name on everything, including the car and your bank account."

    That floored Sarah.  "But he had me sign...."

    "A power-of-attorney which I've had my attorney dissolve but it doesn't undo what he's already done."

    "So, I'm broke?"

    "Not exactly.  With the help of your parents and brothers, we've gone back and figured out what you made since your legal separation and in the divorce, Russell has to give back to you that amount.  You'll have to give up the car though.  My attorney is handling that and he has the check for you."

    "What am I going to do for a car?"

    "I have the 'vette and the truck.  You're welcome to use either one of them until you can afford one of your own.  I'm going on tour soon and someone has to look out for them and since you will be living with me, it might as well be you."

    Sarah looked up at Howie as they rode up on the elevator to the third floor.  "How did you do all this?  I mean, if he had my power-of-attorney, how were you able to get so much done?"

    "Power of persuasion," grinned Howie.  "One perk of being a big name.  He can't afford to fight the legal battles."

    "You used your position for me?"

    "All five of us did.  All of us wanted to help you, Angel.  And your father and mother helped us too.  Sarah, you came to Orlando to start over and that's what I want to make sure you can do.  It's a new town, a new life, and I want to be a part of all that."

    "A new town, a new life, and a new man in my life," said Sarah as she put her arms around Howie.  "I love you."

    Howie brushed her hair back as he looked into her eyes.  "I love you too, Angel.  I want to always be there for you."

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    Sarah put her things away, changed clothes, and went to find Howie.  He and the guys were shooting pool and listening to music.  She went to him on the stool and stood between his legs leaning against his chest.  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.

    AJ asked, "How does it feel to be free?"

    "I won't feel completely free until I see the papers."

    Brian asked, "You haven't taken your wedding band off yet?"

    Howie held her hand up to see that it was still there as Sarah said, "When I get the papers, I'll take it off."

    "Can I replace it with another ring?" asked Howie softly.

    "Eventually," answered Sarah.  "Don't rush it."

    "Slow and easy," whispered Howie against her skin.

    "So, guys, who packed my clothes?"

    The five guys looked at each other with devilish grins and Brian said, "I got your stuffed animals."

    Nick whined, "They wouldn't let me do anything but get your shoes."

    Howie said innocently, "I made phone calls."

    "And I got your pictures and CDs together," said Kevin.

    That left AJ and everyone looked at him.  Sarah shook her head, "No, please tell me it wasn't you."

    AJ laughed maniacally.  "I loved the black lacy stuff but the leopard print has got to be my favorite.  Why don't you model them for us?"

    Sarah turned her face to Howie's chest to cover her embarrassment and he hugged her as the guys broke out laughing.  Howie kissed her on the forehead and said, "Sarah, I packed your clothes and AJ helped Kevin.  I wouldn't do that to you."

    AJ laughed that same maniacal laugh, "But you obviously have that stuff.  Come on, let's see you model it."

    Sarah pulled away from Howie and went after AJ chasing him around the pool table as the others laughed and got out of the way.  Sarah caught AJ and playfully slapped him.

    "You're mean, you know that?"

    AJ took her in his arms and hugged her.  "But you love me."

    "Only because you're Howie's friend," teased Sarah as she hugged him back.

    Kevin said, "Sarah, we thought we'd go back to 'Tabu' to celebrate your divorce after dinner.  How does that sound?"

    Sarah caught Kevin's look and said, "Sounds sweet.  Howie hasn't taken me there yet and I'd love to see the place."

    Howie still had no clue that Sarah even knew it was his birthday much less that she'd planned a surprise party.  The plan to go to 'Tabu' was an easy way to explain everyone changing into 'party' clothes.  Originally, Sarah was going to get Howie to take her for a walk on the beach while the guys changed and got the guests into the condo.

    They all spent the afternoon just hanging out.  They did go down to the beach for a while and when they got back, there was a messenger waiting for them.

    "Sarah, there's a package here for you," called Kevin as he tipped the guy.

    Sarah was coming out of the bedroom with Howie as Kevin came into the room with the big brown envelope.  "What is it, Kevin?"

    Kevin handed it to her and she opened it as the others looked on.  Howie put his arms around her from behind as he watched her too. She read the cover letter and then thumbed through the rest of the papers.  She put them back in the envelope, pulled away from Howie, and went to the bedroom after tossing the envelope on the coffee table.  She closed the bedroom door behind her.

    Kevin had been looking over her shoulder too and had seen the return address on the envelope so he knew what the papers were as well.  He looked at Howie and said, "That's NOT the reaction I expected."

    "Me either."

    "What were the papers?" asked Nick.

    "Her divorce papers," said Howie.

    "I'd have thought she would have been jumping around happy and all," said AJ.

    "I think that's what we all expected," said Brian.  "I wonder what's up?"

    Nick looked out the window towards the beach and saw Sarah headed across the walkway.  He asked, "She wouldn't do anything stupid, like try to drown herself, would she?"

    They all looked at him and Kevin said, "What are you talking about?"

    Nick pointed towards the beach, "Sarah's headed to the water."

    They all went out on the balcony to see Sarah walking across the beach.  Kevin said, "Howie, maybe you should go down there."

    Howie started to go but Brian stopped him, "Hold on.  What's she doing?"

    All five guys watched as Sarah slipped her wedding band off and threw it into the ocean as hard as she could.  She stood there a minute and then turned to head back.

    Howie smiled.  "She put an end to it.  A fresh start in a new town."

    When Sarah got back, she literally bounced into Howie's arms and he hugged her close.  He picked her up spinning her around as he kissed her.

    "I'm free, Howie!  It's over!"

    Everyone laughed and Brian said, "Not THAT is the reaction we were expecting."

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    Each of the guys had taken showers and changed while Sarah and Howie had fixed dinner.  They were all ready for the party by the time dinner was ready.  That left Howie and Sarah to get ready after dinner.

    While Sarah was supposedly cleaning the kitchen, Howie had gone to get his shower and Kevin talked to her about the party.  "It's still another hour and a half before everyone gets here and it's not going to take him THAT long to get ready."

    "I still have to get ready too," said Sarah.  "If you'll finish here, I think I can keep him in there for that long."

    Kevin laughed, "I'm sure you can."

    "Just promise you'll keep AJ under control and he doesn't say anything to embarrass me."

    AJ said, "I heard that."

    "Good!  Promise me you won't embarrass me."

    "Only if you promise me a dance."

    "I can do that.  Okay, his sisters have the cake and the food for me.  You guys need to set up the rest.  Use the table in the front foyer for gifts and the dining room table for the food."

    "Sarah, we can handle this.  Go get ready," said Kevin.  "I'll knock on the door when everything is set and the people are here."

    "Are you sure you don't want me to help you?  I mean, I was the one..."

    Kevin put his hands on Sarah's shoulders, turned her around, and said, "GO!  We'll handle this."  Then he pushed her out of the kitchen.

Part 14