Part 607
Mr. Taylor and Stephanie wed Friday evening in a quiet ceremony in the great room of Sarah and Howie’s new house. Afterwards, the family celebrated with a small reception. It was a very simple affair but elegant just the same with plenty of tears.
During the reception, Stephanie spotted Sarah standing alone staring out the French doors towards the pond. Touching her gently on the elbow, she said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Sarah smiled, “No, just thinking.”
“About your mother?”
“Yeah. Being home…well, here in Virginia, brings back a lot of memories.”
“I can imagine. She was such a wonderful lady.”
“You knew her?”
“I met both of your parents when your mother was admitted to the hospital.” Stephanie hesitated, not sure of what exactly to say now.
Sarah turned her complete attention now to her new step-mother. “You are so beautiful. I love your dress.”
The warmth and genuine affection that Sarah was giving her touched Stephanie deeply bringing tears to her eye. Dabbing her eyes, she mumbled, “Hormones.”
“Believe me, I understand COMPLETELY,” giggled Sarah. “Poor Howie…he catches so much grief because of mine.”
“Does it get any better?”
“Sorta. With Jesse, the first trimester and the last month were the worst for me but now, with twins, it NEVER stops.”
“How much longer do you have?”
“My due date is February 28th but the doctors don’t think I’ll make it. Most twins are born early. They’d like to get me to the 14th.”
“Will you be home when the time comes?”
“Oh yeah! Howie has informed me that as soon as we do a TV special in December, he’s taking me back to Orlando and not letting me lift a finger to do a thing. He’s gone so far as to get me to hire a personal assistant to help me with our business.”
“Howie’s such a wonderful man and an awesome father.”
“Howie isn’t Jesse’s real father. He adopted her this past August. It’s kind of a long story but yeah, he is a good dad,” explained Sarah knowing Stephanie didn’t know the whole story. She looked to see Howie dancing with Jesse and smiled. “He’s been more of a father to her in the two months we’ve had her than her real father EVER was.”
Stephanie got a sad look in her eyes. “You’re so lucky to have him.”
Sarah took her hand, “I promise, my little sister or brother will have more ‘dads’ than you can shake a stick at.”
Gratefully, Stephanie said, “Thank you….for everything.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“Yes, you have. Your father said as long as you were okay with all this, your brothers would be too. I know it hasn’t been that long since your mom died but…”
“But you make my father happy and THAT is what matters the most.”
“Your father is a wonderful man. Sarah, I want to ask you something.”
“You can ask me anything.”
“If this is a little girl, I want to name her after your mother…if that’s okay with you.”
“I think it would be wonderful,” replied Sarah hugging Stephanie.
“You know, Howard. When you get two pregnant women together, with their hormones raging, trouble is BOUND to be brewing,” teased Mr. Taylor as he and Howie joined the two women.
Howie put his arm around Sarah as he said, “Oh, you don’t have to tell be about it. I just spent almost two months on the road with two hormonal women and it was nothing BUT trouble.”
“Oh, you never had it so good, Dorough,” sassed Sarah as she put her arm around him.
“I was just thanking Sarah for what she’s done,” said Stephanie.
Lee took Stephanie’s hand as he said, “Baby girl, words aren’t enough to thank you and Howard for all that you’ve done.”
“I’d do it all again, Daddy, to see you this happy,” said Sarah as she put her head on Howie’s shoulder.
“When are you two leaving on your honeymoon?” asked Howie.
“After lunch Sunday…after
all of you have left.”
”Dad, Sarah’s leaving tomorrow afternoon with my parents and Jesse.”
“I thought you two were headed back to New York for more appearances.”
“I have to go back but I want Sarah to go home. We leave in a few weeks for Japan and I want her to rest before we go.”
“Are you going with them to Japan?” asked Stephanie.
“Sarah’s CD is being released in Japan the day we before we arrive and we’ve set up some personal appearances for her. She’s also opening for us. Then, when we get home, she’s going to relax and enjoy the rest of her pregnancy.”
“What about the cruise?” asked Mr. Taylor. “She organizes it and performs, doesn’t she?”
“Not this year. I took it out of her hands and turned it back over to my sister. My wife has one more guest appearance for the Hollywood Squares Valentine’s special and then she’s going to rest.”
“Good luck getting my daughter to relax.”
“Oh, it won’t be a problem,” smirked Howie. “She minds really well with the right incentive.”
“I’d LOVE to know what that incentive is,” said Dusty as he and Kryss joined the two couples. “Maybe I can use it on her.”
Sarah laughed, “YOU can’t use the same incentive Howie is gonna use, you dork!!”
“Oh!! Okay. Dad, Kryss and I are gonna cut out and head into town for the night. Her flight leaves early….”
"I thought you were going with her?" asked Mr. Taylor.
"I can't. I got called in so I'm gonna fly down next week."
“Kryss, why don’t you fly back with me so we can work out the details of you being my personal assistant?” suggested Sarah.
“Aren’t you….”
“No, she’s headed back to Florida tomorrow afternoon with my parents and Jesse. YOU need to be getting your things in order too to go to Japan. Sarah can tell you all you need to do.”
“Looks like I’m staying a little longer,” said Kryss.
“Cool. More time to spend with you,” said Dusty as he hugged her close to him. “I’ll call you, sis, in the morning to find out what time to meet you.”
“That’s cool. See you two later,” said Sarah.
With Dusty and Kryss’ departure, the rest of the family started to make their exits as well. Eventually, the house was quiet with Howie’s parents having already turned in and Jesse tucked in for the night. It just left Howie and Sarah.
The couple headed to their room together where they quickly changed. While Howie was doing his usual stomach crunches, Sarah slipped out onto the balcony of their room. When Howie was done, he joined her, wrapping his wife in his arms. They stood in silence for the longest time just staring at the stars twinkling in the night sky. No words needed to be said. They both knew how the other was feeling about their impending separation but they also knew it was for the best.
Feeling Sarah starting to shiver from the cold, Howie directed her inside and closed the doors behind him. Without a word, he removed her gown, gathered her in his arms and carried her to their bed where they made love….slow, hot, and passionate…just like he’d promised. Despite being tired, the two lay in each other’s arms talking softly about the evening until sleep finally claimed them.