After we ate our dessert of cheesecake, we went to the beach to relax. I swear, I don't know what it is about everyone and the beach. Trelyn and I removed our sandals and walked in the water for a while. I lagged behind everyone and soon got tired of just walking. I looked out and saw the sun about to set. Having never seen the sun set over the sea, I sat down on the sand. I watched the sky turn many colors as I sat and thought of how Howie and I had fun on the beach a few nights back and how I would give anything for that again. "Hey, there you are," I heard Howie say. I looked up and he was approaching me. "I go to say something to you and I see you gone. You alright?" "Yeah. Just got tired of walking. Plus, I have never seen the sun set over the sea." I sat and watched as it slowly set down. "Looks like it is sinking into the sea, doesn't it?" Howie said. "Yeah it does." The moon began to peak out from behind a cloud and a sea breeze came in, chilling me slightly. "So, Autumn, you like your new car?" I smiled. Howie looked at me. "I take that as a yes?" "Yes. It is finally nice to have a car now. Maybe I can go out and get a job now. Make new friends and go out more." The moon was now full and blue. Howie looked over at me and recalled the last time he saw me in the moonlight. He watched me pull my hair back, shiver, and moisten my lips. I was looking out to the sea and then I looked at him. Our eyes made contact. I was arguing if I should confess to Howie how I felt. Howie, meanwhile, was thinking about how bad he wanted to kiss me but he heard AJ's voice again in his mind telling him not to do it. We were still locking eyes. Howie's feelings were overtaking him and the more that happened, the more he could hear AJ saying 'Man, if you are my friend you won't do it.' Howie decided and thought 'To hell with AJ'. Howie reached his hand out to my face and gently caressed it. I sat there and briefly closed my eyes, enjoying it. Howie moved in closer. "Autumn," Howie whispered as he looked into my eyes, as if he was hoping to get lost in them. "Yes?" I whispered back softly. Howie then took his thumb and touched my lips. Still moving in and still lost in each other's eyes, Howie came in and gave me a soft, sweet gentle kiss that seemed like it had last forever. We pulled apart and Howie smiled. "Autumn, you have no idea how long I have wanted to do that." "Howie, you have no idea how long I have wanted you to do that." Howie took my hand and held it to his chest. "Autumn, I think now is the time to say it. I am deeply in love with you and I can't deny it any longer." I smiled and a tear fell from my eye. "Autumn, sweetie, what is wrong?" "Howie, I feel exactly the same way." Howie took me in his arms and we began to kiss again.
We would have done no telling what had it not been for an angry voice. "What the fuck is going on here? Howie, what are you doing with my sis?" "What does it look like AJ?" Howie said. "Man, you are my best friend. You just don't go after my sis like that. How could you do this?" By this time, Trelyn, Nick, Brian, and Kevin had caught up. "I trusted you with her man. I figured she would be safe with you and I wouldn't have to worry about this shit. I mean, hell you took care of her that night when she got wasted." Howie stood up. "AJ, I love your sister. She is smart, funny, caring, and kind. I have felt this way about her for weeks now. I tried denying it but I couldn't any longer. Why are you so against this?" "Howie, I do not want this for my sis. I don't want her receiving hate letters in the mail. I don't want her to have to worry about what you are doing on the road and with who. I want her to be happy and be able to trust you and just have a normal life. I want her to have real love, not the life we live cause it's not good for a relationship." I stood up and whispered to Howie. "But AJ, you find it," Howie said. AJ looked at Howie weirdly. Howie started up again. "But AJ you find it ok for Trelyn to go through all that...all the fans, the hours you are away from her on tour or promotions or recording. Are you saying you don't care how it is for her and if she is happy? Are you saying it is impossible for you to stay true to her and the love you say you have for her while you are away? AJ was silent. "Of course I am true to Tre and the love we have." "So," Howie asked, "how do you know that I don't feel the same for Autumn and her for me AJ?" I looked at AJ. "I know you mean well AJ, but I think that I can manage. I see how you and Tre do it and I am sure that Howie and I can make it work." AJ looked at me, all-caring. "AJ, you know how committed I am and how I don't mess around on a girl. I wouldn't do that to Autumn." AJ walked towards Trelyn. He looked at her, like 'what do you think?' Trelyn took AJ's hand. "AJ, you know Howie will treat her better than most men that live that normal life you say you want for her...I mean, I know what you mean but hun let Autumn and Howie be happy together." He goes over and looks at the guys. "AJ, Howie is good enough for Autumn. He will never treat her wrong," Kevin says as Brian and Nick agree. AJ walked back over to Howie and I. "Okay. You both have my blessing. But Howie, you know if you do anything you have to answer to me." I smiled. "AJ, he won't." Kevin. Brain and Nick walk past us heading back to their cars. Trelyn comes over and smacks AJ on the arm. "Now come on home with me and lets leave these two alone. I think you bothered them enough tonight." AJ looked at me. "Sis?" "Yeah?" "Come in whenever you feel like it. But try not to wake Trelyn and me up." They walked off and left Howie and I alone.
Howie once again take my hand. "Autumn, would you like to take a chance at love with me even though it can be scary and harsh? Autumn, no matter what happens, I will pledge my love only to you. No matter where I go in the world, my heart will only belong to you." I looked at Howie. "Well duh," I laugh and get serious. 'Yes I would love to give love a try with you. There is nobody else I want to try anything else with but you." We sealed the deal with a kiss and look out over the ocean. Howie stood behind me, his arms holding me tight. "Autumn, isn't it funny how when you look out you can see forever?" I smiled and turned and looked at Howie once more. "Yep. And you know what? That is how I see us Howie. Forever."
Well, you think that was the end? Well, it sort of was. But that was two months ago. Plenty has happened since then, namely Trelyn and AJ getting engaged. The guys hit the studio and began work on the new CD. When the Grammy nominees were announced, the guys were up for 3 categories: Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a duo or Group with Vocal, and Album of the Year. Well, they won all three. Yes, Howie and I are still together and as each day passes, our love only grows stronger. Well, if anything else develops, I will keep you informed. God bless.
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