Linda paid the cab driver and got her bags. She walked up to the house and knocked. A pleasant looking woman answered and immediately sucked in her breath when she saw the appearance of Linda. Of course she probably looked a fright.
"Is Howie here?” Linda broke the silence.
“Um…yes…I'm sorry he isn't signing any autographs right now.” The lady said.
"No! You don't understand." Linda could feel the tears getting ready to spill over.
"Mom? Who is it?" she could hear Howie close by.
"Howie, it's me!" Linda was really crying now.
"Linda, what happened?" She heard him saying. When he saw her he pulled her into his arms.
"Howie, I can't go back…please don't make me go back…I can’t..." She trailed off she was so hysterical.
"Come on…you’re not going back. That's what I have been doing all day." She was relieved. "I've got a place, one of the condos I own." Howie continued, while he brought Linda in the house.
"Where is Amber?" Linda asked.
"She is asleep." Howie said.
"Oh". Linda was still upset as you can imagine.
After Howie's mother apologized 1,000 times for treating her that way, she suggested that the baby stay with her for the week. They were moving from Orlando to Tampa, Howie decided to stay in the group, but he wouldn't let them do that to Linda anymore. His daughter didn't need to see that. And yes that was his daughter. Brian didn't give a rat’s furry ass about Amber, his own flesh and blood. They would only be gone a week to get situated and Howie's mother's mind was made up. The baby didn't need to travel. They were leaving tomorrow.
After Linda put Amber to bed she had a little something to eat and said goodnight to Howie's mother. She finally retired to the guest room with Howie. They were snuggled together, not saying anything. Linda thought about what a perfect person Howie was to her and how they could lay together in the same bed for a year and not do anything. How he claimed Amber as his without even thinking twice. How he loved her even when she was all used up.
Howie wasn't having as pleasant thoughts. He finally saw how far this actually went; this could have been stopped before Linda even got pregnant. He felt guilty. "Linda, I'm sorry." He began.
"For what?"
"We should have left sooner and I shouldn't have left you alone with them today. I have been so careless." He choked up.
"Howie, you can't blame yourself for what has happened this past year. I love you because you were there for me. If you had got them to let me go, I would have never had Amber. And Amber wouldn't have had such a great daddy. I love you Howie and none of this is your fault." Linda said choking up also.
Howie kissed her, softly and sweetly, as the kiss intensified Linda had a feeling she never really experienced before; she wanted Howie...sexually. She began pulling at her shirt trying to get it off quickly; she was ready for him. Howie slipped her shirt off gracefully, and teased her nipples to erection. He spent time on each of her breast, giving them the attention they lacked. He slid a finger into her body and felt her walls contract around his finger. He loved her being so forthright. They continued the foreplay and Linda was definitely ready to go all the way with Howie. So ready she practically tried to rip off his sweatpants. Howie stopped her.
"What?" Linda asked almost annoyed.
"Not yet." Howie simply said.
"What are you talking about?" Linda asked trying to keep her cool.
"Not until we are married." Howie said and gave her back her shirt. She put it back on and couldn't decide on being angry or being flattered. She chose to be flattered; he loved her enough to treat her like any other lady.
