| Chapter 55 Brian slowly opened his eyes, seeing the sun shining through the windows. He looked down to see Lyn still asleep, resting her head on his chest. He carefully moved a strand of hair from her face and watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful and content. He smiled, realizing that this would be the way they woke up for the rest of their lives, so in love and happy. Brian looked over, sensing someone else in the room with them. Tracy, Jade and Gideon appeared next to the bed. "You guys are out early," Brian whispered. "We're on a mission," Tracy smiled. "Oh? What's that?" Brian asked, curious. "We're here to collect Nick's things," Gideon answered. "Are they awake yet?" Brian asked. "No not yet, but soon," Jade said, "We've gotten them a little surprise, and we want it done before they do wake up." "So let me guess, you got them a house?" Brian asked. "Um kinda, yeah," Gideon said. "Kinda?" Brian asked. "It's a little more than that," Tracy said. "Oh cool," Brian said. "So if you'll direct us to where Nick's stuff is stored, we'll let you get back to what you were doing," Gideon said with a smile. Lyn stirred, looking up, "Why are all these people in our room?" she asked, still half asleep. "They came to get Nick's stuff," Brian answered, "Go back to sleep." Lyn mumbled something then rolled over hugging her pillow and drifted back to sleep. Brian got out of bed, grabbed some shorts and put them on, then walked out into the living room with the group. He stopped in his tracts when he noticed several more angels waiting. "Oh just gonna make one trip huh?" he asked. "Yeah," Jade said. "OK, well most of it is in boxes in the extra house. There are still a few things here," Brian said, going to an extra room and opening the closet to reveal several boxes there. "Is his art table boxed up?" Tracy asked. "Yeah, and all the supplies too," Brian said, watching the crew go to work. "OK, we're off to your house next to get Tara's things," Tracy said. "Oh, OK. I'm sure you won't have any trouble knowing what is hers," Brian said. "No shouldn't. If we have a question we'll pop in and ask you," Jade said. Brian laughed, "OK." "Is there anywhere else they've been keeping their belongings?" Gideon asked. "Um, I think Nick still has a few things at Howie's," Brian answered. "OK, we'll stop by there too," Tracy said. "Just don't scare them. I'd hate for Kira to drop that kid before it's time," Brian teased. Tracy smirked at him, "I wouldn't think of it." Brian watched as the crew gathered all the boxes, vanishing. "Tell Nick and Tara we miss them when they wake up," he said. "We will," Tracy said, "And tell my sister I want all the details of your little engagement." "You mean you weren't here?" Brain asked. "I figured you two needed your privacy," she said, smiling. "Thanks, I'll tell her," Brian said. "See ya soon," Gideon said, as the three vanished from the room. Brian walked back into the bedroom crawling back into bed. Lyn rolled over, snuggling next to him. "What did they want?" she asked. "They got Nick's stuff. Apparently they got him and Tara a house or something," he said. Lyn looked up at him, "A house? Trust me with them it's never just a house." "Yeah, that's what I figured," Brian said, pulling Lyn close. "So what would my fianc� like to do today?" he asked, grinning. Lyn smiled, "Fiance, I love the sound of that." Brian laughed, "So do I. So?" "Um, I think I'm doing it right now. I just want to lay next to you all day," she said, wrapping her arms around him. Brian kissed her forehead, "We can do that." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kira had just finished putting the dishes from breakfast in the dishwasher when the group appeared in the kitchen. "Kira," Tracy said. Kira turned around and jumped when she saw them, "God, you scared me!" "Sorry," Jade said. "It's OK, I just wasn't expecting to see you, that's all," she said, trying to calm her heart back down. "We're here to get Nick's things," Gideon said. "Oh, um OK," she said, walking out of the kitchen, "He has a few things in here," she said, showing them a few boxes in an unused room. "Is that all?" Jade asked. "Well, his cars are still here," she said. "Cars?" Gideon asked. "Yeah, his Durango and Mercedes. He never took them to Lyn's," she answered. "Oh, do you have the keys?" Tracy asked. "Yeah, in here," Kira said, leading them into Howie's office and taking the keys from a desk drawer. "So what are you guys doing with Nick's stuff?" she asked. The three smiled at each other, "We've gotten them a present. We're just putting the finishing touches on it before they wake up," Jade said. "Oh cool," Kira said, "I can't wait to see it." "Baby," Howie said, coming into the office and stopping dead in his tracks. He looked at the three, not sure why they where there. "Is something wrong?" he asked. "No, not at all," Tracy said. "They're getting Nick's things," Kira said. "Oh, is he here?" Howie asked, looking around. "No, he's not awake yet, but soon," Jade answered. "Oh, OK,"Howie said, disappointed. "When they wake, we'll bring him by before we give him our gift," Gideon promised. Howie smiled, "Thanks." "Alright, we need to be going," Tracy said. Howie and Kira followed them out to the driveway. They put the few boxes into the cars and waved at the couple before placing their hands on the cars and disappearing, cars and all. "Man that is so cool," Howie said. "Yeah it is," Kira agreed as they walked back into the house. Howie took her hand and pulled her upstairs with him, "I want to show you something." Kira's heart was pounding, "Is it the nursery?" He nodded, leading her down the hall and to the closed door, "I hope you like it," he said, pushing the door open. Kira put her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide at the sight. She slowly walked in, looking around. The walls had been painted in scenes from Noah's Arc. All the animals, the boat, the water, and the rainbow where just unbelievable. There was blue carpet, matching the water on the walls, and the furniture was a warm honey color, with pale purple sheets and blanket in the bassinet. A mobile hung from the ceiling over the bassinet, it was Noah's Arc too. Kira turned to Howie, tears in her eyes, "Baby, this is .... beautiful. She's gonna love it." Howie looked at her timidly, "You really like it? It's not to many colors?" "No, it's perfect," she said, walking to him and hugging him tight. "I love it," she said. "I love you," Howie whispered, kissing the top of her head. Kira looked up, smiling at him, "Come on, let's call Kev and Kris and have them come over and see." Howie grinned, "Alright, who knows, maybe this will spark them into wanting kids someday. Our girls are gonna need some playmates." Kira laughed as they walked out of the room, "Maybe." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gideon, Jade and Tracy looked around. "I think we're done," Jade said. The crew had just finished unpacking the last of the boxes. Everything was in its place, waiting for Nick and Tara to walk through the door. The cars where in the garage, freshly washed and waxed. All the furniture was in place, and their personal things had been placed throughout the house. "I can't wait to see their faces," Tracy said. "Yeah me either," Gideon agreed. "Well, let's go back up and see if we can't coax the two into waking up," Jade said, grinning. They all laughed as they vanished from the house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian rolled over and answered the phone, "Hello?" "Hi Brian, Jason here," he said. "Hi Jason, what's up?" Brian asked. "Well management wants to bring you guys in, in a couple of weeks, just to see where we are and maybe talk about scheduling the European part of the tour that was postponed," he said. Brian sat up a little, "Oh? I thought that was put off indefinitely." "Well, it was, but now that you're doing alright, we kinda figured that maybe you guys would be ready to get back to it," Jason said. "Um well, I guess. You say the meeting is in a couple of weeks?" Brian asked. "Yeah, haven't set a definite date yet. I wanted to call and see what you guys thought first," he said. "Oh, who have you talked to so far?" Brian asked. "Kevin and A.J. They're both for it if the rest of you guys are," Jason answered. Brian sighed, "Yeah I guess I am. I'm still a little um .... tired though." "Well, this is just a meeting to see IF we want to do anything. Just to see where we're all at," Jason reassured him. "OK, you won't be able to get ahold of Nick though. He's still off on personal business," Brian said. "Yeah, I tried his phone, got nothing. What's all that about anyway? Is he OK?" Jason asked. "Yeah, he's fine, just some stuff that's come up in his personal life he has to deal with. I'll let him know if I hear from him about the meeting," Brain covered. "OK," Jason said. Just then Brian noticed music playing in the background, and someone singing. "Who you listening to?" he asked. "Oh, it's a new prospect. I just got the tape this morning. She's a Christian artist, seeking management," Jason said. Brian listened for a moment. There was something about that voice. "She's really good. You should sign her while you have the chance," he said. "Yeah I was already thinking that. There's something about her voice that just pulls you in. Kinda like your book actually," Jason mused. Brian smiled, "Yeah, don't let this one get away." "I won't. I'll call later when I've got the details of the meeting panned out," Jason said. "Alright man, bye," Brian said, hanging up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Micah stood between Nick and Tara's beds, watching them. He had barely left their sides since they had been brought there. He wanted to make sure they where alright, he felt he owed them at least that. After all, if it wasn't for them, he wouldn't be here. He looked up when the three returned, "Everything set?" "Yes," Gideon said, walking over to stand on the other side of Nick's bed. "All we need now is for them to wake up," Jade said. Micah sighed, "Yeah." As if on cue, Tara stirred in her bed, turning over then settling back down. The group looked at each other with hopeful expressions. Tracy walked over to the side of her bed, reaching down and touching her arm, "Tara?" "Mmm?" Tara mumbled, her eyes still closed. "Honey, are you awake?" Tracy asked. "Nut uh," she said, turning over again. "Tara, can you open your eyes?" Jade asked. Tara slowly opened her eyes looking up at the group, then pulled a pillow over her head, "I wanna sleep." The group laughed. "Tara, you've been asleep for over three weeks," Gideon pointed out. Tara pulled the pillow off her face and stared at him, "Three weeks?" They all nodded. She sat up in bed, pushing her hair out of her face, "What happened?" "The battle happened," Micah said. Tara rubbed her eyes, trying to remember, then she looked up, fear on her face, "Oh God, Brian!" Tracy held her hand up, "He's fine. He's back home with Lyn." Tara sighed in relief, "Thank God." She looked over, seeing Nick in the bed next to hers. "He's been asleep this whole time too?" "Yes, what you two did took a lot out of you," Gideon said. Tara slowly slipped out of her bed and padded over to Nicks, sitting down on the edge. She gently touched his cheek, "Nick, please wake up." He moaned, turning his face away from her touch. Tara smiled, leaning down and softly kissing his cheek. Nick opened his eyes and looked at her, smiling, "Hi." "Hi," she said, "You wanna get up?" He shook his head, closing his eyes, "Nut uh." Everyone laughed. Nick looked over, noticing they weren't at their house. They where in the great hall, and being watched by dozens of angels. He sat up, rubbing his face, "Why am I here?" "This was the best place to bring you after the battle," Micah said. Nick looked at him, "Battle?" Then it hit him, "Oh God, Brian!" "He's fine," Gideon said, laughing at how much the two where alike. Nick nodded, looking at Tara. He played with the hem of the gown she was wearing, "How long have we been here?" "Three weeks," Tara said. He looked at her shocked, "Wow." "Yeah, we shouldn't have to sleep for a long time," she laughed. "I want to go home," he said, feeling a little weird with everyone standing around. Tara stood up, letting Nick up. He quickly grabbed the sheet before it fell from him, "Um where are my clothes?" "You didn't need them here," Michael said, approaching him. Nick wrapped the sheet around him, "You gave Tara clothes, why not me?" "Because she moves around in bed, and you don't," he said, smiling. "Can we go home now?" Tara asked. "Sure, we'll take you," Gideon said. "And tomorrow we have something we want to show you," Jade said. "Oh?" both Tara and Nick said at the same time. The group smiled, "Yes, call it a little appreciation gift of sorts," Micah said. Nick and Tara glanced at one another. "OK, tomorrow then," Nick said, pulling Tara to him. Gideon and Jade took their hands, disappearing from the room and taking them to their house outside the city. Chapter 56 |