Part 8
Friday found Sarah completely freaked out. She couldn't concentrate during the swimming lessons and when the other kids started arriving, she had to get the other staff to sign them in because she couldn't remember names. Then Howie sent her a dozen red roses and Sarah lost it completely. She sat down in the middle of the gym floor with the roses and began to cry.
Rachel went over to her and said, "Why don't you go home?"
"So I can completely lose it alone?"
Rachel laughed, "You haven't lost it, Sarah. You're just nervous about meeting his friends and the fact that his friends are ONE of the HOTTEST groups around doesn't help the matter. Go home, relax, and get ready for your date. I'll handle things here and if I need you, I'll call."
"Thanks."
"Oh, and have fun."
Sarah just smiled as she headed to get her stuff. She thought to herself, "They all think I'm freaking out because I'm meeting the guys tonight. What they don't know won't hurt them."
Before leaving the center, Sarah called Howie to let him know she was going home and for him to pick her up there rather than the center. He asked her to pick up some things for the party that night which she agreed to do.
At home, Sarah went in and put the groceries away and then went into the living room to relax. She stuck in one of the guys' CDs, turned it down soft, and pulled out a photo album. She sat down on the couch and began to thumb through all the pictures as she thought about Saturday. She was grateful that she had told Howie about Jesse and that he had agreed to take her to Fernandina. She had hoped he'd take Raoul with them in case they ran into Russell but he hadn't said anything about it.
As Sarah was looking at the pictures, Becca came home from one of her many trips and dropped her bags by the door. "New CD?"
Sarah looked up at her roomie somewhat dazed. "Huh?"
"Is that a new CD you're listening to?"
"Oh, yeah. It's one of the guys'. Howie gave me a copy of all their stuff."
Becca picked up the CD case and looked it over. "Which one is Howie?"
Becca plopped down next to Sarah and she looked at the case pointing to Howie. "That's him."
"He's cute. I like this song," said Becca as 'As Long As I Love You' played.
Sarah listened to the song's words and thought how appropriate it was for her and Howie. He had accepted her with her complete history and loved her anyway.
Becca looked at her roommate and smiled, "I don't think I've EVER seen you this happy. Howie seems to be having a REALLY positive affect on you."
Sarah sighed, "He's so....so....I can't put it into words. All I know is that I have fallen completely in love with him."
"Have you told him?"
"No, but I'm sure he knows. Look, I'm not going to be around much this weekend. We're going to a party tonight at Kevin's and then tomorrow Howie's taking me to Fernandina."
"Is that such a good idea? I mean have you told...."
"I've told Howie EVERYTHING. The second day we met, he got to meet Russell and I told him everything that night. I figured if we were going to be together, he had a right to know what baggage I was bringing into the relationship and he didn't go screaming into the night."
"What about Sunday?"
"I'm meeting his family."
Becca laughed, "And you aren't nervous?"
Sarah laughed, "Everyone at the center thinks I am."
Sarah told Becca about the morning.
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At five-thirty, the doorbell rang and Becca went to answer it but she was just about bowled over by Sarah who came flying down. She opened the door and was in Howie's arms in a flash.
"You're late."
"And you're not ready! Sarah, we were suppose to be there thirty minutes ago."
"I know! I know! But I don't know what to wear."
"Why don't you let him in, Sarah?" said Becca.
Howie laughed and Sarah moved so that he could get in. "You must be Becca," said Howie as he took her hand.
"Yes, and you must be Howie. You have to forgive Sarah. Sometimes she gets hit with a BAD case of nerves."
Howie put his arm around Sarah's waist and gave her a kiss. "A new side of you. Go get ready and I'll call Kevin to let him know we're running late."
"What do I wear?"
"It's a cookout by the pool, 'Angel'. A bathing suit and shorts."
"But I have so many!" whined Sarah.
Howie grimaced, "No whining.......please. You sound like Nick."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Definitely. Go get ready....PLEASE!"
"You think she's bad now, wait until Sunday," said Becca.
Sarah stuck her tongue out at her roommate. "You're no help."
Becca took Sarah's hand, "Come on. I'll make it up to you by helping you get ready."
Howie watched the two go upstairs and then went to call Kevin. As he was talking on the phone, he saw the photo albums on the coffee table. He thumbed through them to see pictures of Sarah and Jesse. That explained Sarah's mood. She wasn't *THAT* nervous about meeting the guys or his family. She was trying desperately to concentrate on something other than her daughter's birthday.