Part 609
Putting the last thing in her bag, a tear fell. There was no use trying to fight it. No matter how many times they’d done this, it never got any easier. She looked at the picture beside the bed and picked it up. It was from her reception, the two of them dancing. He had been her knight in shining armor riding in to save her from the evil lord. She loved him so much and hated ever being away from him. Sighing, she set the picture back down and wiped her tears.
Howie came back into the room from helping Jesse. “Okay, the princess is all packed and ready to go. They’re just waiting on you, ‘Angel’.”
“I’m ready,” she whispered.
Howie took her hand and turned her to face him. Cupping her face, he wiped the tears with his thumb. “I promise, as soon as the taping is done, I’m on the first flight to Orlando.”
“I know,” she answered tearfully bowing her head and letting her hair fall in her face to hide the tears.
Howie brushed it back behind her ear and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’m gonna miss you,” he said, his own emotions evident in his voice.
“Don’t…please!”
Howie gave a gentle laugh. “I’m sorry. Come on. Let’s get going. Dusty is waiting for us.”
The ride to the airport was all too short for Sarah and Howie. Sarah was extremely quiet, resting her head on his shoulder. Like any other time when she was upset, she played with his fingers, tracing the veins.
Howie looked down at her, placing a kiss in her hair. “We’re here, ‘Angel’.”
As the small group piled out of the van, Howie helped her. Kryss and Dusty stood off to the side saying good-bye while the Doroughs said good-bye to Howie before going on to the plane.
Howie lifted Jesse in his arms and gave her butterfly kisses on her cheeks. “You’re gonna be the most beautiful princess.”
“You’re gonna get to see me, aren’t you?” pouted Jesse.
“I’m going to do my very best, ‘Princess’. Now, I really need you to do me a favor. It’s really important too.”
“Okay.”
“I need you to take care of your mommie for me.” Howie looked at Sarah giving her a wink. “She’s not really good at this being apart thing.”
Puffing her chest out importantly, she said, “I’ll take REALLY good care of her, Daddy. You can count on me!”
“Thank you.” Seeing that Kryss was ready to head to the plane, Howie set Jesse down and said, “Now, why don’t you take Kryss to the plane so I can say good-bye to your mommie?”
“Sure!” chirped Jesse as she grabbed Kryss’ hand and started to head to the plane.
“Hey! What about my kiss?” called Howie.
Jesse skipped back as Howie knelt down and she gave him a big smooch as he wrapped his arms tight around her.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too, ‘Princess’.”
As Jesse skipped off with Kryss, Howie stood up again and turned to face Sarah. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her close so that their foreheads touched. “AJ’s gonna meet you at the airport and take you home.”
“Doesn’t he have to be back in New York too?”
“He’s flying in tomorrow night. Call me when you get home.”
“Where are you gonna be?”
“Still here at the house. I’m gonna hang out with Dusty…drown our misery that our women aren’t with us.”
Sarah giggled. “That’s cool. Russell never hung out with my brothers.”
“That’s cuz he wasn’t as cool as me. You’d better go. Frank looks a little irritable having to wait for you.”
Sarah paled at the mention of getting on the plane. “I’m gonna be….”
“NO YOU DON’T, Sarah!” ordered Howie. “Take a deep breath.” She obeyed and he said, “It’s gonna be okay. You trust Frank.”
“I can’t do this,” whimpered Sarah as her tears sprang forth. She put her hands on his chest playing with his crucifix. “I can’t get on that plane without you.”
“Hey,” he said tilting her chin up to look him in the eyes. “Where’s my incredibly strong wife who stands up to her brothers when they’re being boneheads?”
“Being held hostage by an irrational pregnant woman who wants nothing more than to stay in the security of her husband’s arms.”
“Soon, ‘Angel’. I promise. I’ll be home Wednesday night and we’ll be together. Now, give me a kiss and go get on that plane.”
“Yes dear,” whispered Sarah as she gave him a quick kiss. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”
As Sarah started to head to the plane, Howie grabbed her hand pulling her back to him. “What do you call THAT?”
“A kiss!”
“NOT from MY wife it wasn’t. Come here, woman.”
Impishly, she said, “What? You want more?”
“Damn straight,” said Howie as he took her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. Slowly, they kissed, their tongues touching as Howie ran his hands over her belly to feel his babies moving inside her. Her hands found their way into his curls, tangling, holding on, as their tears fell mixing together. As he pulled away, he whispered, “I love you, Sarah, and I’m going to miss you.”
“I love you too, Howard. Take care of yourself,” she whispered.
Sarah backed away from him letting her hand slip from his. When she reached the plane, she climbed the steps and looked back at him to blow him a kiss. He caught it and put it next to his heart before she disappeared into the doorway. As the door closed, he stood watching and spotted her as she took her seat. Looking out the window, she put her hand up and he placed his over his heart.
As his wife disappeared down the run way, Dusty put his hand on Howie’s shoulder. “She’ll be okay once she gets her mind on something else.”
“Yeah, I know,” said Howie in a far off tone.
“You will be too…once you’ve had a few beers. Four days isn’t that bad. Let’s go.”
Howie chuckled as he turned to go. As he got into the van with Dusty, he looked one final time to see the plane level off and head south. Silently, he said, “Four days, ‘Angel’ and you’ll never be out of my arms again.”