| See where God leads us, he had said. She always felt she had strong faith, but hers paled in comparison to Brian�s. He had no doubts. He just knew that he, no, that they would be guided and helped along the way. She loved him so much. She had been given a second chance at happiness. How many times had Barbara and Catherine told her so? She stopped counting. They had survived the looks and comments and gossip that had permeated the town since she and Brian had openly acknowledged their relationship. So what was the big deal? His family loved her and Catherine wanted her to be happy. Her friends kept telling her to stop worrying and just do it. Couldn�t she see how Brian loved her? Of course she did. There wasn�t a day that went by that Colby didn�t feel his love. But it went beyond their love for each other. He had just told her that as much as he wanted a family, they could consider adoption. He was willing to sacrifice his chance at having his own children just to be with her. Colby looked into Brian�s eyes. There was no doubt, no fear, no anxiety, only love and faith that they would be given the strength to meet each challenge. The thunder grew closer as the clouds thickened and the air swirled around them. Taking this chance frightened her. She loved him, in that Colby had no doubts at all. Would that be enough to see them through? Brian waited patiently. He wanted her to say yes and open her heart to the possibilities before them. She had to see that their love would provide them with the strength they needed to meet any challenge head on. And in his heart he just knew that God would not fail them. Colby�s mind was in turmoil like the wind that stirred around them. There was a storm coming and as the air whirled and whistled Colby tried to sort through all the questions in her head. But it all came back to the only one that mattered. She loved him. Life without Brian would only be half a life and even though she knew she would survive without him, her days would be empty. Colby looked into Brian�s eyes. Those eyes that spoke so much to her. They were the windows to his soul and they reflected back all the love and devotion that she had been so lucky to receive time and again. The thunder rolled louder this time and Colby jumped as it cracked through the sky. Brian took hold of her and Colby relaxed as the sound dissipated into the distance. �I,� she stumbled. �I look on your love as gift, Brian, a gift I never expected. And from the beginning I never really thought about a future with you. I just imagined us together, never talking about a firm commitment, just being.� She took a breath knowing that the words she would now speak would change her life. �The thought of starting over with someone scares me and yet, the thought of giving you up hurts so much. I�ve lost once already and I don�t think I could take that again.� �Colby, love doesn�t come with a guarantee. But I know this; I will love you forever. Take a chance with me. Let�s open our hearts to the world around us and live and love and delight in the pleasure of each other.� He held her firmly in his arms and Colby could feel the strength surround her. �I�m scared Brian, I want to, but I�m scared.� �Faith, Colby, just have faith. This is all new to me too, but we won�t be alone. We will have the guidance we need.� His hand caressed her cheek as the rain began to fall lightly around them. Colby shuddered as tears fell on her cheeks. �I love you. Marry me and be my wife and let me love you body and soul forever.� Colby closed her eyes as the words repeated over and over in her head. He was offering her a new beginning. The promise of his love always and to wake up in the warmth of his arms and share their lives every day forever. I�� she said as she opened her eyes, her breathing a bit shallow. She felt her throat constrict, and swallowed before she spoke again. �I love you. It�s a love that goes so deep that it touches the every essence of my being and I can�t let it go. I never would have stopped loving you. But you see, after Rob died I thought that I would live my life alone, well the baby and me. I never thought someone would come into my life and love me so completely again and propose marriage. But I want you in my life Brian. I want to share all those possibilities that are out there for us to experience.� There was an expectant look on Brian�s face as the rain continued to fall soaking them both. �I,� she stopped and Brian took her hands, �I will, Brian.� �Yes?� �Yes I will marry you.� He let out a whoop and scooped her up into his arms as the rain began to pour down around them drenching them. When Brian put her on the ground his lips met hers. The thunder crashed around them but they were oblivious to it as they clung to each other. Finally Brian broke the kiss and ran back to the house dragging Colby with him. They reached the porch just as a bolt of lightning seared across the sky. �I love you,� he kissed her softly. �Come inside and let�s get out of these wet clothes.� He took her hand and opened the back door. They left their shoes and socks inside the door and Brian led her to his bedroom. They pealed off each other�s clothes and tumbled onto the bed. Their hunger so fierce as Brian thrust himself deeply inside her. Colby arched her back as he delved deeper into her core. They climaxed together and lay content and spent in each other�s arms as the rain pounded on the roof. Hours later as they sat curled up in Brian�s bed the remnants of their dinner still cluttered around them a grin crept across Colby�s face. �What�s so funny,� Brian asked as he moved the cartons to the floor and pulled her into his arms. �Mrs. Brian Littrell.� She smiled. �I like it.� �I like it too. Come here,� he pulled her closer. �I love you.� His mouth closed over hers as their bodies slid down the bed. This time they made love slow, letting each touch, caress and kiss linger before they finally gave over to the passion welling inside them. The storms were long gone and a light drizzle dripped off the roof. Like the rain that revived and refreshed the earth, Colby felt renewed as well. This was a new beginning for her. She snuggled closer to Brian, as his lips sought hers again. They spent the night in each other�s arms, flesh meeting flesh over and over until in the early hours of the morning exhaustion won and they both slept the sleep of lovers, sated and fulfilled. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ When Brian woke it was nearly midday as the sun cast shadows on the deck outside the bedroom. He was lying on his back and Colby was on her side with her back flush against him. He gently leaned on his arm and look at her sleeping so peacefully next to him. The blanket was draped across her with only her shoulders peeking out and her face was serene. He could feel the soft rise and fall of her body and when he thought back to the night before his loins ached with his need for her again. She was his for always and somehow knowing that had made last night different. Their joining had always been incredible but when they made love last night something had changed. Even though they had felt that oneness before, now they had truly transcended to that place that only those joined in body, mind and spirit ever reach. Brian slipped from the bed to let her sleep, knowing that like him she had not truly rested while they had been apart. He found a pair of sweats, dressed quietly and left the room. Brian brewed a pot of coffee and taking his cup he went out on the back porch. Some tree limbs were scattered about the yard, casualties of the previous night�s storm. The air was dry and a bit crisp. Autumn was truly upon them now. He sat in the old rocker sipping his coffee. There was so much they had to do. Even though Colby had said yes to marry him they hadn�t talked about any plans last night. Brian laughed to himself. They had done very little talking. His body flushed as he remembered how with sheer abandonment they had made love over and over during the night. But they needed to make plans. He would let Colby decide the kind of wedding she wanted. He didn�t care. If he had his way, they would marry as soon as possible but he would acquiesce to her wishes. Brian had a feeling though that she would want to wait a while, maybe six months or so. That would be difficult especially with the promotion and possible tour for this new album, but they would work it out. He sat for a long while enjoying this newfound contentment when the door opened and there stood Colby in a Wildcat sweatshirt still groggy with sleep. �Hey, it�s too cold out here for you to be dressed in only that.� He came to her and they went back inside. Before either said another word their lips met in a warm kiss. �Why did you let me sleep so long?� Colby murmured against Brian�s mouth as he held her close. �You needed it and I knew if I let you sleep it would be too late to go anywhere and you would have to spend the day with me here.� He beamed at her and Colby just shook her head at him. �I could use some of that coffee,� Colby yawned and stretched as Brian went to the counter and poured her a cup. She sipped the strong brew and sat on the table. Brian just stared at her over the rim of his cup. �What?� She asked as she swung her legs back and forth. �My clothes never looked so good,� he teased and came and put his arms around her. �That may well be in your opinion, but as far as I�m concerned your clothes always look good on their owner.� �Is that so?� �Uh huh. That night you picked me up for dinner last summer you took my breath away. You simply have no idea what you can do to a person.� �Really.� Colby giggled as she remembered so many other times that he had totally taken her by surprise with his good looks and indifference to his sexiness. �I love you,� he said. �I love you,� she kissed him lightly. �We have some planning to do you know.� Brian said as he sat down in the chair. �I know.� Colby got off the table and sat on the bench next to him. There in the middle of the table was a small blue velvet box. She looked at Brian confusion written all over her face. �I never returned it. I couldn�t. I always hoped that one day you would say yes.� He opened the box to reveal a diamond solitaire. Colby picked up the box. The ring was simple, yet elegant and the stone was twice the size of the one Rob had given her. She put it back on the table and Brian just knew she would still refuse it. �Brian I can�t. It�s a beautiful ring and any woman would be thrilled but I don�t need it. I�ve done the whole diamond ring, engagement party routine along with the big wedding. And unless you want all the trappings, I just want to get married.� She took his hand in hers hoping he wouldn�t be offended by her not accepting the ring. �Just get married? You mean elope?� As much as he wanted to marry her as soon as possible, he knew his family would want to be there and the guys. He wanted the guys there too. �No,� she chuckled. �Let�s just plan something small. A simple church wedding with just close friends and family to celebrate with us.� She looked at him timidly hoping they could agree. �Church and small reception, yeah I like that. Whatever you want.� He could almost see her as she walked down the aisle. �I�ll give you all the time you need, but we may have to work it around some scheduling of the album release.� �Well I was thinking what about after Christmas?� She posed the question half-heartedly. �You mean January? That would probably be okay.� According to preliminary scheduling, they didn�t start promotions until mid February. �No. I mean right after Christmas, the Saturday between Christmas and New Years.� �Colby, that�s only two months away!� �I know but I want to be with you and if we wait there is a good chance that we will be spending time apart with all the obligations you will have beginning next year. And it could be summer or fall and I don�t want to wait. I love you. Do we really need a long engagement?� She looked at Brian for an answer.� �I just thought you would want to give yourself some time.� �I�ve wasted too much time already. I know you are being sensitive to my feelings and and I appreciate it but it�s my life, I mean our lives, and well I�ve broken quite a few rules over the past months so why should I ruin my record.� She laughed. �I want to marry you. So let�s just get married. If we truly want a small intimate wedding, I think we can pull it off.� �Two months!� He squeezed her tight. �With all the preparations when will we have time for us?� He gave her a sloppy kiss. �Oh, we�ll have plenty of time together because you will be right there with me while we do it all.� She chuckled as Brian gulped and took a breath. �Okay, then the Saturday after Christmas it is. Do we have to start now?� His eyes darkened and he ground his hips into her. �Well we could work on the honeymoon,� she smirked as she ran her hand down his back and cupped his butt. �I like the way you think.� Brian picked her up and took her back to the bedroom. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ They spent three days in seclusion at the farm never venturing farther than a walk across the fields. They ignored the phone, the clock and they ate when they were hungry. And they made love. Colby thought for sure that after that first day her hunger for Brian would subside, but it only intensified. She felt a freedom that hadn�t been there before. She had finally given herself completely to Brian and they would be together forever. And as they made plans for the wedding Colby realized too that it wasn�t just lip service when Brian said they would decide their future together. This was their wedding and he made it known to her what he liked and didn�t want very explicitly. And by the fourth day they agreed it was time to face the world, but before they were given the opportunity, the world caught up with them. |