| Barbara spent three days tracking Colby down. She left messages until the machine wouldn�t take any more. Catherine and Arlene were no help either since neither of them had seen her in days. She thought about calling Brian, but that would be the last place Colby would have gone under the circumstances. Her car was gone which concerned Barbara. Where could she have disappeared to? So on the fourth morning when there was still no sign of her, Barbara took a chance, a long chance to see if Brian knew anything. She placed the call only to get his answering machine too. Well maybe a little visit was in order and with that she headed towards the horse farm. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �Oh God, Brian, do that again,� Colby moaned as the spray from the shower only heightened the sensation. Brian had her pinned against the shower wall as he moved painstakingly slow inside her. �What this?� He withdrew slowly only to thrust into her again brushing against her. She let out a groan as the tremor echoed through her body. He showed no mercy; deliberately teasing her over and over again until she screamed his name and her orgasm pulsed through her body. As her walls closed around him Brian arched his back and his release streamed into her. Neither one moved as the water continued to dance off their bodies. When their breathing had returned to a normal pace, Brian took Colby into his arms and let the shower rinse them both off. They stood under the nozzle letting the water cascade around them. Colby felt so languid in Brian�s arms that if he wasn�t holding her she would have crumbled to the floor. He sucked on her neck and she could feel his body respond again as his mouth inched upward to her ear. �I can�t get enough of you.� His voice was raspy and Colby just melted into his arms. �Me neither, but if we are going to do all that we have planned for today, we really should,� his mouth devoured hers cutting her off. She could feel the desire in her begin to surge again as his hands ran down her back. �Bri�Brian�we really,� she mumbled against his mouth. She would love nothing more than to take this back to the bedroom and stay there all day with him but she reached around Brian and turned off the shower. He growled under his breath something about her being a party pooper. Colby smoothed her hand along his face and kissed him gently. �There will be plenty of time later to continue this but right now we need to get dressed.� He kissed her quickly and stepped out of the shower. Brian took two towels and when Colby came out he wrapped her up in the fluffy cotton and then tied the other around his waist. Colby took a second towel and began to dry her hair when they heard the front door chime. They looked at each other quizzically. �I wonder who that could be.� He buzzed her cheek and dashed out of the bathroom. Colby continued to dry her hair and finding a flannel shirt of Brian�s she slipped it on. She called out to him as she came through the house. �Who is it Brian?� When she reached the foyer a grinning Barbara greeted her. �Well look at this,� Barbara took in the casualness of Colby�s attire along with Brian�s and realized she had walked in on an intimate moment. Colby glanced at Brian who just shrugged and excused himself leaving Colby to deal with Barbara. �This was the last place I expected to find you, but I must say I am happy to see you here.� Colby buried her head in the towel as she rubbed it against her hair. Brian returned dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. �Barbara, how about a cup of coffee,� he offered as they all walked back into the kitchen. Barbara peeked in the den and great room as they made their way to the back of the house. It was not what she had expected at all. The furnishings were of fine quality but this was a home that was lived in and enjoyed. Colby would be comfortable here she thought as she accepted the cup from Brian. Awkwardness filled the air as the three of them drank their coffee. Barbara waited for Colby to explain what was going on but the girl just stood against the counter. She noticed Brian had taken her hand and kept rubbing his thumb back and forth across the top of it. Something had changed, Barbara could see it, not only in the way they had greeted her at the door but there was a look about the two of them that spoke volumes. She was dying to know what had changed to cause Colby to be standing in Brian�s kitchen dressed only in one of his shirts, her hair wet and a glow about her. �Okay you two, spill it. What is going on?� Barbara finally asked not able to stand the silence any longer. Brian and Colby exchanged glances and he brought her hand to his lips kissing her fingers softly. �Are you going to tell her or should I?� He asked. Colby sucked in a breath. This was not how they had planned it but did it really matter? She kissed Brian�s cheek and looked at her friend who was ready to burst with anticipation. �Barbara,� Colby breathed deeply and looked at Brian, who nodded at her, �we�re getting married.� �Yes!� Barbara squealed as she put her cup on the table. �It�s about time.� She came and hugged Colby and then Brian. She looked at Colby, �Oh it�s going to be so much fun planning this wedding. June, yes June would be perfect.� �Ah, Barbara,� Colby interjected quickly, �I was a June bride.� �All right, then, May. It will be just as warm. Oh, Colby, I can just see it now, outdoors, lots of flowers and,� Colby stopped her. �Barbara, hold on, it�s all done.� Colby said quietly looking at Brian and rolling her eyes. �What do you mean, all done. How? When?� Her brows came together as confusion spread across her face. �We did,� Brian said as he put his arm around Colby and kissed her temple. �We�ve spent the last three days working out all the details. We made some calls and today we are going to finalize everything.� Colby laid her hand on Brian�s chest as she saw disappointment cloud Barbara�s face. �Oh,� Barbara said, �so you don�t want my help.� Colby walked around the table and came to her seeing the hurt in her eyes. �It�s not that,� Colby pleaded, �but we want it simple and since it will be the Saturday after Christmas we needed to work fast.� �Did�did you just say the Saturday after Christmas?� �Yes.� They both nodded, as Barbara looked from one to the other. �That�s two months, Colby.� �We know, but there is no reason to wait. We love each other and we want to be together.� Colby turned and her stomach lurched at the sight of Brian. She went to him and he held her close. �Didn�t you tell me to take this chance,� she looked back at Barbara. Her friend nodded. �Well I�m taking it. I�m not going to let anyone or anything stop me. We�re getting married.� She looked into Brian�s eyes and saw nothing but love radiating back at her. Barbara watched the two of them. They would be formidable. They each were head strong and determined and the love they shared would only solidify the relationship. There was no doubt in her mind that nothing would come between them. Suddenly she felt like she was intruding. There was nothing she could do, they were together and that was the important thing, the rest would take care of itself. �Well, I need to leave you two. I apologize for just showing up like this, but I was worried about you Colby.� She took Colby�s hand and squeezed it. �If there is anything I can do, please ask me. I promise to keep my opinions to myself.� She smiled and Colby took her in her arms and hugged her tight. �There is one thing. Barbara, stand with me, be my matron of honor.� �Nothing would please me more, Colby.� They hugged again. �I�ll call you so we can go shopping.� The two women started walking out to the front door. Brian just stood and chuckled to himself as he watched them as they talked about the best places to look for the perfect dress for Colby. He knew that as scaled down as they had planned nothing was that simple. He picked up his coffee and went to get dressed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Their visit with Brian�s parents had gone better than Colby anticipated. She had expressed her anxiety to Brian as they drove to the house worry filling her as to what their reaction would be but he assured her that they would be thrilled. They loved her he kept saying, so this was just a normal progression. And besides, they wanted him to be happy and Colby made him happy. Of course they were taken aback by the haste in which they planned to marry, and Jackie was still concerned. That Brian loved her there was no doubt in her mind but Colby had pulled away twice during this short and stormy courtship crushing Brian in the process. She only hoped that the girl would hold to her promise. But as she watched them, Jackie saw an intimacy she hadn�t noticed before. Maybe all the barriers had been torn down and Colby could truly love Brian completely now. She knew her son, and he would not enter into this commitment half-heartedly. She only hoped that Colby would do the same. While Brian and Harold sat and watched a bit of football on TV, Colby helped Jackie in the kitchen clean up from lunch. Conversation between the four of them had been easy, but suddenly Colby felt wary. She sensed Jackie�s misgivings and knew that it was up to her to allay her fears. As Jackie washed the few items, Colby dried and neither one spoke. Each was sizing up the other waiting for an opportunity to open up. Colby took a deep breath and dove in. �Could we go outside and take a walk?� She asked as she folded the towel and hung it on the bar of the oven. �Of course, I don�t think they will miss us.� They poked their heads into the den and both Brian and his dad were talking to the screen and each other over some play that had gone awry for the Wildcats. They went out the back door and walked down the drive to the street in silence. �Colby, is there something on your mind?� Jackie asked noting that Colby�s face was set in a determined look. Colby stopped and turned and looked at her future mother-in-law. She felt like a child having to explain her actions to a worried parent. �I can see that you have some doubts about my marrying Brian and I want to let you know that I will not fail him.� �I was that obvious?� �Yes and no. I mean I can see you are happy because he is happy, but also there is that look of a mother, worried that her child might get hurt along the way.� Jackie nodded her head and half grin crept across her face. �I know I have hurt him numerous times, because of my inability to let go of the past and my fear about our future together, but I promise to you and Harold that I will love him forever. He has been true and steadfast and undaunting in his love for me and I knew it, but my own self-doubts kept him at arms distance. I can�t live without him, because it will be no life. Catherine told me that he is the air I breathe and she is right. Without him I will cease to live, but just exist from day to day.� Colby felt like she was rambling, but it was important for her to let this woman, who loved Brian as much as she did, know that she would never hurt him again. �I love him, Jackie, I love him more than anything else in this world and I want to spend my life with him.� Jackie watched her face as she spoke. Her eyes sparkled and a slight flush spread across her cheeks. The girl was in love. �I won�t deny I had my doubts at first, but I�ve watched you together. And even though I was angry at the way you were treating him, there was nothing I could say or do. He wants you, he loves you and he will love you always.� �I love him too.� Jackie saw a hint of a tear in the corner of Colby�s eye. �Come here,� she took her in her arms and gave her a hug. �Welcome to the family, Colby. I�m here whenever you need me. I�ll listen and not pass judgment. Just be happy and love each other as if tomorrow doesn�t exist.� When they returned to the house Brian was out back tossing the basketball into the hoop. �Hey, where did you guys go?� He dropped the ball and came to Colby putting his arm around her waist. �Just took a walk.� She replied kissing his cheek lightly. Jackie left the two of them and went back in the house. �Everything okay?� Brian asked turning Colby in his arms. �Yes.� She smiled at him as they walked hand in hand back into the house. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ �You have to let me do this,� William insisted as he lifted the crystal decanter and poured the sherry into the thin stemmed glass. He handed it to Colby. Brian waved off the offer accepting a glass of Pelegrino instead. �William you did it once already and well I,� he interrupted her. �I know and I made a mess of the whole thing. Let me do it right this time.� He sat next to Catherine. She could see the wheels spinning already. He would have to be reigned in. �It�s going to be a small wedding,� Colby continued. �I,� she looked at Brian �no, we don�t want a huge celebration. It�s just going to be family and close friends.� She sat down on the sofa and Brian joined her. His look told her they were not going to win this one. Their announcement didn�t surprise them, as much as the short engagement period did. But William�s insistence on hosting the reception could cause some problems. The friendship between Brian and William was still very rough around the edges and they both treaded carefully around each other. Brian didn�t want him taking charge and running the whole wedding like a corporate fundraiser or something. Catherine could see the tension beginning to rise, even though William was nothing like his former self. It was time for her to step in and smooth the waters. Catherine knew what was going through his head. There was an inherent need to mend fences and this was his way. He was still learning how to respond and act from his heart and not his wallet. There was a way to satisfy William and also give Colby and Brian the simple, yet elegant reception they desired. �That may be all well and good, but Colby you are a Spencer and I just want to do this for you,� he looked at Brian and corrected himself, �for the two of you.� They went round and round for the better part of an hour. William trying to appease his guilt, Colby stressing her desire for a simple affair and Catherine adding her level headed understanding of both points of view. However, William would not take no for an answer and finally Colby offered an olive branch. �William, if we say yes and it�s a big if, it�s to be a simple dinner and that�s all.� Colby looked at Brian, who nodded his ahead. He had kept quiet during the whole discussion, still unsure of Spencer and his motives. Catherine spoke up, offering a solution that she hoped would appeal to everyone. �My dear, would it suit you to let these two young people plan what they want and you can just take care of the expenses?� He understood the balance sheet much better than the caterer and meal planning. �Of course.� He picked up the phone and called the country club. Within ten minutes the large banquet room was reserved. �Anton is expecting both of you tomorrow at four. Order whatever you want and I�ll secure a band for some dancing.� And so it was done. Colby looked at Brian. �Are you okay with this?� There was no point in arguing with William when his mind was made up and she could see the resignation in Brian�s eyes. �Yes, if you are. I want this to be what you want.� He stood and held his hand out to William. �I could have handled this you know.� �I�m sure you could have, but I owe this to Colby and you. Let it be my way of giving you both my blessing.� He shook Brian�s hand and then went to Colby and kissed her cheek, taking her by surprise. William looked at his wife and Catherine smiled warmly. �Well my dear, looks like we�re having a Christmas wedding.� �Yes we are,� she answered with a smile, her heart brimming with happiness as Brian took Colby around the waist and pressed his lips to her cheek. |