A NEW DAY by Michelle T © 2000 FEEDBACK?: mtktmt@aol.com CHAPTER FORTY Howie and Michelle collapsed in each other's arms, breathing heavily. She placed soft warm kisses all over his shoulder and neck, while he ran his hands lovingly across her back. "Oh, Howie, you are so incredible!" "You are!" "No, you are!" she said laughing and kissing his face all over. "How ever did I manage to get so lucky with you?" He responded by groaning deeply and rolling back on top of her. "I'm the lucky one, you goof. Now shut up so I can get lucky some more!" His knee parted her legs gently as she captured his lips and gasped when she felt his prize plunge into her again. "Oh god, you are amazing!" she said before succumbing to the passion boiling inside. ******************************* Kimberly looked inquiringly at Kevin and began to question him when the doorbell rang. "Saved by the bell," Kevin said grinning as he opened the door, "Hey Nick, how's it going? Nick entered quickly and ran over to Kimberly. She smiled broadly at her best friend and flung her arms around his shoulders as he picked her up and spun her around. The both collapsed on the couch laughing and tickling each other. Telly entered the room and stood smiling at them, before casting a desirable look at Kevin. She walked slowly towards him into his open arms, "Hey Baby, I've missed you!" she said huskily before he crushed his lips down onto hers. "Not as much as I missed you," he finally responded holding her tight. "Ah, look at all the lovebirds!" Brian said coming through the front door with Lauren on his back. Lauren pinched his cheek and slid off him. "You're such a little boy, Brian!" "That's not what you were saying an hour ago!" he whispered in her ear. He cracked up at her blush and pulled Kimberly off the couch and into his arms. "Hey you! Miss me?" Kim nodded her head before kissing his cheek and hugging him tightly. "Of course, I missed you. It's been sooooo boring here without you guys!" "Hey! Are you saying we're boring?" asked Telly as she tucked her arm into Lauren's and drew her towards the kitchen. "Well, ah, no, but. . . " Kim was blushing slightly. "It's okay, I was just kidding! Who wants iced tea?" ************************** "Come on, Baby, we've got to get going. We have a lot of things to take care of today and now we need to add baby clothes and junk to this list." "AJ! You goon. We've got seven months to take care of that stuff. Today, we concentrate on Michelle and Howie. You driving or am I?" Patti pulled several items from her closet and eyed AJ questionably. "No, the other one." He said pointing to a short red dress, "And, I'll do the driving. You're a maniac behind the wheel!" She laughed and ran over to him knocking him onto the bed, "Maniac, eh? I'll show you how much of a maniac I am!" She straddled his lap and ran her hands through his spiky hair. He looked at her hungrily and slid his hands over her breasts before diving into her mouth and groaning deeply. "You insatiable little minx!" ***************************** Michelle exited the bathroom and was surprised to find Howie gone. She drew her robe tightly around her and walked into the hall, "Howie?" "Down here, Beauty! Come on." She smiled happily and ran down the stairs lightly. "Oh, my god, D! What did you do?" she looked around her living room with wide eyes! Red and white roses covered every available surface. The stereo was quietly playing Otis Redding. The shades were drawn against the bright Florida morning. The coffee table had been cleared and now was flanked by a dozen white candles, two china plates and crystal goblets. She absorbed the entire scene with a shocked expression before turning to him. The smile on his face was priceless. She couldn't hold back and burst into tears. She walked slowly towards him and let him draw her into his embrace. "Oh Baby, I love you. No one has ever treated me as wonderfully as you do. I love you so much and I swear I will never hurt you again!" She clung to him and reeled inwardly from the force of her feelings. "I promise you, Howie, I'll never make you regret loving me again." He buried his face in her hair and inhaled deeply before pushing her back a bit. He tilted her chin and kissed her lips lightly. "I have never regretted loving you and I never will. And I swear I'll never hurt you either." He empathized his vow with another loving kiss and embrace. "Now, let's eat! I'm starving and honestly can't remember the last time I did eat!" She laughed lightly at him, "How did you do all this?" she asked as he pushed her gently back into the living room. "Sit. AJ and I were busy this morning and then Kevin helped us when we got here." "AJ was here?" she asked with concerned eyes before sitting down on the couch, "Is he okay? Did he seem okay?" Howie sat gently next to her and held her hand while brushing her hair away from her eyes, "Michelle, he's okay. We've spent the last four hours together and while he is still feeling really bad, he's better. Don't look so scared, Sweetie. You can see him later and talk to him, okay?" She closed her eyes quickly to blink away the tears. "Okay, I really think we need to help him with Deanna." Howie nodded and kissed her forehead before standing up, "I'll be right back and we'll talk about it some more." He returned moments later with a platter of food. Michelle looked at it incredulously. "Howie, when did you cook all this?" He laughed heartily as he served her, "I didn't, silly. It's called "Catering". Kevin just unpacked it all for us and left it warming in the oven. Now, eat!" They ate slowly, feeding each other bits of food and kissing the crumbs away. Howie poured more champagne into each of their glasses before turning to her and grasping her hands. "Michelle Jade Wyman, I love you more than life itself. I promise to honor, protect, cherish and love you for the rest of my days." He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them gently while staring into her green eyes. She smiled beautifully at him and felt her heart skipping a beat as he suddenly slid a ring onto her finger. She gasped at the beauty of the sapphire and diamonds. Her eyes flew back up to his and she was overcome with the love pouring from him. "Howie, I promise to honor, protect, cherish and love you for the rest of my days! I love you more than words can say." She leaned towards him and kissed his soft lips gently. He smiled and kissed her back. "I'm glad you said that, cause we have a wedding to go to today," he said softly against her ear. Michelle blinked her eyes and pulled back from him, confusion written all over her face, "Huh, who's getting married today?" "We are. . . I can't wait, Beauty." He grinned shyly at her, "I can't let another day go by without you realizing how deep my love really is. I don't want you ever to question my love again. Please, let me do this my way. Let me marry you today." Michelle stared back at him in shock, "Oh Howie, I don't know what to say. . . there is so much to say! First, thank you. Thank you for loving me and for forgiving me. I do so want to marry you, but we can't do it this way! Aside from the fact that you need blood tests and a license, I know that you'd want a big church wedding. I can't ruin that for you. . . "