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Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 56 The world outside her room may have still been at the mercy of the hurricane, but inside Kristy's room, her and Kevin's world was safe, happy, and filled with love. They lay wrapped in each other's arms, letting the music from Kristy's tape speak for them. I've never been so certain Both absolutely believed that they had a Higher Power on their side in bringing them together and again tonight in getting Kevin through the storm. Kevin certainly believed in angels... he held one in his arms right now. 'Cause it's so hard to trust it Kristy had always believed in a Higher Plan. Earlier in her life she'd become frustrated that she hadn't found love, but now she knew God had His reasons. He'd planned for her to wait for Kevin. After all the might-have-beens Kevin knew there were those that couldn't understand his and Kristy's connection, but he'd felt it since they first met. And tonight, he'd had to brave the storm - even to the point of having to leave the relative safety of his 4Runner to clear objects out of the road - but he never doubted that he'd make it to Kristy. They belonged together - always. After all the might-have-beens "And THIS is absolutely right," Kevin whispered into Kristy's ear and kissed her on the temple. Kristy nodded and snuggled closer to him. After all the might-have-beens, "Just out of curiosity," Kristy started, raising her eyes to Kevin's as the melody faded, "Exactly what was so important that you had to go back to your house to get before coming here?" Kevin smiled down at his girlfriend and kissed her on the forehead before leaning over the side of the bed to retrieve his duffel bag. He withdrew a large bath-towel and slowly began to unwrap the protected object. Kristy gently traced the edge of the picture frame that held the precious photo. "Your parent's wedding picture," Kristy whispered, her voice filled with reverence. Kevin smiled and revealed the other half of the double-frame. "And us," he said, watching Kristy's reaction. In the other portion of the frame was a picture taken of them the night of the Jive party before the start of their North American tour. The record label had sent a professional photographer there to capture publicity shots of the group, but he'd also taken several shots of the Boys and their special guests. The picture was actually the second that the photographer had taken of Kevin and Kristy. The first was a formal pose, and while a good picture of both of them, lacked the emotion of this one. After the photographer had snapped the first pose, Kristy had turned in Kevin's arms and the two were gazing into each other's eyes. That was the one that Kevin had chosen to enlarge. Kevin drew Kristy into his arms and continued to hold the picture frame while he explained its significance. "When each of us boys turned 16, Mom and Dad gave us a double-frame with their wedding picture in the one side. They told us the other side was for a picture of us and the woman we'd spend the rest of our lives with." He turned Kristy's face so he could look her in the eyes. � "This is the only picture I've ever put in the frame." Kristy's eyes were filling with tears, but widened slightly and her brow creased a bit. "What about when you were with..." she trailed off as Kevin shook his head. "No. I remember at the time I kept meaning to, but for some reason I never actually did. Now I know why." He caressed the side of Kristy's face and kissed her tenderly. "She wasn't the one... YOU are."Howie opened his eyes to find his girlfriend tangled in his embrace, her redhead resting on his naked chest. He smiled remembering the intimacy they had just shared. The hurricane still raged outside the boarded up windows, but inside was their perfect, candlelit haven. Howie carefully lowered his lips to place a kiss on Cheryl's forehead. She sighed and cuddled closer. Only one word came to mind then. "Bella," he whispered. Beautiful. "Siempre Bella, mi amor." Simply beautiful, my love. Sensing Howie's gaze, Cheryl stirred. "Good Morning," he greeted quietly. She smiled and moaned sleepily, "Good morning." "And how are you feeling this morning?" "Like I could conquer the world." He raised his eyebrow and smirked. "That good, huh?" "Don't flatter yourself, Dorough," she replied, gently slapping him. "Let's remember that I have no point of reference here." "Okay, okay, enough torturing my fragile ego." He leaned down for a kiss. "You know, you look simply beautiful right now." "Like a woman completely in love. And you, my dear Howard, look incredibly sexy." "Wasn't it Bryan Adams that had that song 'The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You'? I'd say he'd be correct in this case." Howie smiled at Cheryl as his fingers began caressing the curve of her neck while she slid the St. Cecilia medal he wore across his chest. Again he had to admire the flush on her cheeks and the love in her eyes. "Bella," he whispered unconsciously. "Hmm?" "Bella, it means beautiful." "I know, but why?" "It was the first thing that popped into my head this morning when I saw you lying next to me. I don't know why but it came to me in Spanish instead of English." Cheryl smiled. "Must be that Latin Lover thing." "Oh you think so?" Howie rolled over and propped himself up on his elbows essentially trapping his girlfriend below him. "We can always test the theory again." "But, Howie, I didn't eat dinner last night. I'm hungry." "So am I." He kissed her neck as she giggled. Then without warning, they heard their stomachs growl. Howie fell to the bed in a fit of laughter. "I guess, my body is trying to tell me two things at the same time." "How about a late night snack?" "Lead the way."Hand-in-hand, Kevin and Kristy crept toward the kitchen. She went to the refrigerator and opened the door. Despite the power being cut several hours before, she felt the coolness of the air. "So what are you in the mood for?" Kevin approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind before whispering his answer in her ear. "You." Kristy felt her body temperature rise with that one syllable. "I meant to eat," she said as she turned in his arms and smiled up at her lover and best friend. Kevin's eyes twinkled as his gaze held hers. "So did I." Kristy sighed as Kevin lowered his head and willingly submitted to his kiss. Her boyfriend began to fiddle with the knot on her robe knowing all too well that she wore nothing underneath it. The couple was so involved in one another they didn't hear the other voices approaching. Howie's kiss stopped abruptly as he ushered Cheryl through the kitchen door. They gave each other knowing glances and Howie cleared his throat. "I should have known you two would be in the kitchen. Hmm, that method seems effective. When can you come to my house and defrost the refrigerator?" Kevin and Kristy parted slowly, their cheeks colored thanks to the heat of the kiss as well as their embarrassment. "W-we were hungry," Kristy explained, her mind still reeling. "Uh-huh." Howie smirked. Kevin tried to rescue his girlfriend. "I needed something to eat." Cheryl glanced at her boyfriend with a smile. "Uh-huh." "Hey, we don't want to hear any crap from the chaste ones," Kevin teased. Kristy studied the other couple. They hadn't stopped touching one another since they walked in the room. Now Howie's hands held Cheryl's hips as her back pressed against his naked torso. Her left hand lay atop his while her right hand rested on the outside of his thigh. Every so often they would sneak a kiss. And there was no mistaking the healthy blush and wide smiles they each wore. Kristy grinned. "Uh, Kev..." He turned to her, "You might want to retract that last comment." She gestured to the other couple. Kevin's green eyes volleyed between his friends' faces reading them like a best-selling novel. He chuckled quietly then wrapped his arms around Kristy, lowering his check to hers. She sighed, feeling the gentle brush of his goatee on her cheek. "Looks like we aren't the only ones taking advantage of the dark." Howie watched Kristy and Kevin leave empty-handed, their original scavenging mission forgotten. "Guess that means more for us." He turned to his girlfriend, who was now peeling a banana she had grabbed from the basket on the counter. "Mhmm." Cheryl's eyes stared into Howie's as she closed her lips around the fruit to take a bite. She smiled seductively. He swallowed deliberately. "Or maybe not?" Howie took his girlfriend's hand and led her back upstairs.Next: Chapter 57 |