Part 6
The entire group had tried in vain to convince Sarah that she needed to eat and get some sleep before having to face the press. And the entire group had given up in frustration. Sarah had stubbornly refused to leave the hospital and Howie.
Kevin threw up his hands in exasperation, "You are the most stubborn woman I know."
"Why thank you," smirked Sarah.
Knowing that there was only one person there other than Howie who could convince Sarah to rest, Becca had slipped out. Minutes later, she returned with Mama D and Dr. Anderson.
As Mama D joined Sarah on the couch, Becca rejoined Nick and Kevin. She whispered, "I pulled out the big guns for this."
"Smart thinking," said Kevin when he saw Mama D.
Mama D sat down with Sarah and took her hand in hers. "Sweetheart, you have to take care of yourself. You’ve got my grandchild inside you that needs you to be at your best and you can’t do that if you wear yourself out."
"I’ll rest here, Mama. I can’t leave him," said Sarah softly as the tears once more threatened to fall. "Howie needs me."
"I know but you aren’t going to be any good to him if you don’t take care of yourself."
"Sarah," said Dr. Anderson kneeling in front of her. "Becca has told me what kind of relationship you and Howie have. I kind of figured it out when the first word he spoke was his pet name for you."
Sarah smiled but didn’t respond.
"That kind of love is strong and it’s what’s going to get him
through all this but I need you to help me. Howie is going to worry about you if
he sees that you’re tired and that’s not going to help his blood pressure.
Now, you can go with your friends, get something to eat and some sleep, and come
back later to see him or I can ban you from seeing him until you do. I don’t
want to have to do that but I will for your health and the baby’s."
Sarah knew that her friends had done this and she looked at them. "Some friends you are!"
"Hey…we’re just trying to look out for you," said Kevin. What’s it gonna be, baby?"
"Like I have any choice if I want to see him again. I can go and get him some stuff from the hotel for when he’s in his own room this way."
Dr. Anderson said, "Sarah, Howie will be out of recovery soon and in ICU. When you come back, I’ll make arrangements for a place for you to rest while you’re here but if you don’t rest and don’t eat, I’m gonna pull the plug on you staying with him.."
"There’s no need for a bed, Doc," said AJ.
Curiously, Dr. Anderson asked, "Why not?"
"Cuz she’ll be in HIS bed," he cracked.
Sarah stuck her tongue out at AJ and everyone laughed.
"When can I see him again?"
"Go eat, get some sleep, and when you come back, you can see him."
"Thank you."
Dr. Anderson took Sarah’s hand. "I want you to remember, I did my VERY best work on Howie and when he leaves here, he’ll be good as new."
Sarah stood up with the doctor as she said, "Thank you, Dr. Anderson."
Mama D put her hand on Sarah’s back. "Sweetie, Daddy and I are going to stay here with him until you get back. We’ll have the doctor call if necessary."
"Thank you, Mama."
***************
Breakfast was strained given the circumstances. Everyone tried his or her best to get Sarah’s mind off Howie but it was pointless. The only things that seemed to distract her were the children. She remained quiet, tears on the brink of falling the whole time.
Afterwards, AJ put his arm around Sarah as they headed to the elevator. "I seem to recall that you promised to sleep if I did too."
"Yeah, but…"
"No buts! I’m gonna go with you and we’ll get some sleep together."
Sarah rested her head on AJ’s shoulder as everyone watched quietly on the ride up to their floor. Hopefully AJ would be able to get her to actually go to sleep. They all knew it was going to be difficult.
At Howie and Sarah’s room, Raoul opened the door for Sarah and AJ and the others said their good-byes. Kevin promised to wake them in time to go back to the hospital before heading to MTV and Becca told Sarah not to worry about the children. Sarah tearfully thanked them all for their support before heading in to get some sleep.
The room was eerily quiet with the children gone. Sarah changed into a gown while AJ stripped down and the two settled into bed together.
Seeing the thoughts and emotions playing out in Sarah’s eyes, AJ said, "I promise to try and snore to make it feel right."
Sarah laughed softly, "Thanks. You know, I can’t remember the last time I slept without Howie."
AJ pulled her close to him as she settled her head on his shoulder. She tried to get comfortable and AJ laughed. "How does Howie do this with you pregnant?"
"He just does it," yawned Sarah. "Most of the time though, I have my back to him."
"What else does he do?"
"Sings to me and rubs my stomach."
"Okay then, roll over."
Sarah did as AJ requested and he wrapped his arm across her. Tenderly he began to caress her stomach as he sang softly to her.
"That feels good," mumbled Sarah sleepily. Just before dropping off, she added, "I love you, D."
AJ recognized the signs of her sleep and he kissed her softly on the neck. "Sleep tight, Angel."
