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Trust In Me Chapter 32 "Come on Kev...Let's go!! We're gonna miss the plane!!" Brian shouted, holding Michelle's hand and running faster towards the runway gate. "Gee...did someone have a long night?" Bri questioned with a devilish grin. "Well I guess that's for me and Bec to know and for you to find out cuz!" he teased back. "Hmm...Mich what do you think? I'm normally the one whose last on the plane. Something had to happen for KEVIN to be late!!" She smiled, "I think your right B-rok�!" squeezing his hand tighter, knowing she wouldn't get to hear any of his silly jokes and sarcastic remarks once he was gone. Kevin slung the luggage over his shoulder pulling Bec, and making her run faster to the correct terminal. Brian and Michelle were running directly behind AJ and Anna. Anna was holding a few of AJ's bags (afterall that boy had enough clothes to stuff a million suitcases), while trying to keep her composure about leaving her man. In front of them were Sel and Howie, rushing arm and arm, through the massive crowd of people that were surrounding the airport halls. Melanie and Nicky were in the lead up front. Somehow they let Nick hold onto the tickets (dunno whose idea that was, but he hadn't lost them...yet!) so he was leading them all to the departure door. Nick looked over at Mel. She hadn't said too much since they got up that morning. He thought back to earlier when he got up off her couch. She was already up in the shower, leaving him to awake alone, without her arms around him. He guessed she wasn't too thrilled about him being late, plus he hadn't gotten the chance to explain why he hadn't come home until after she was asleep. "Hey..umm Mel.." he stuttered, still running, "Baby, I...umm I need to explain about last night." "Not now Nick...we're in a hurry. We're gonna miss the plane so we can't stop to talk now. We could've talked last night..but wait...ohh ya..YOU were with Liz...she needed you, right!" she snapped at him. Gulping down a twinge of guilt he thought to himself, "Okay, I deserved that. She doesn't know why I was with Liz. So she has every right to be mad." Melanie turned and looked back at Sel and Howie. They looked so happy together even though they would be parting in a few minutes. Howie had gladly announced earlier that they were back together and happy to be in love again. "Why can't me and Nick be that way? I'm tired of always fighting!! But why the hell was he with Liz last night. And then sneaking under the covers with me, as if I wouldn't notice. He pretends like nothing is wrong. I don't even know why I'm still going." Her thoughts were interrupted by Kevin's yelling. "Guys...guys, we're here. I see the gateway door. We still have ten minutes before boarding. I have a little something to say." The others groaned. None of them were in the mood to hear another "why it's so important to be on time" speech, especially since he was the one who was running late. "Oh come on, humor me." He teased, knowing they were sick of his pep talks. Becca added, "Ya you guys, this is big!" She was beaming. Selena noticed how happy Bec looked, in fact happier than she had been in months. The group shuffled over to the side, letting the security guys take all the big luggage to baggage check. They circled around closer to Bec and Kev. Kevin cleared his throat. "Well guys, after the awards last night, I ...I umm asked..." His southern drawl was taking too long to spit out the news. So, instead, Becca just lifted her hand, showing off the gorgeous ring that Kevin had placed on her finger the night before. A chorus of "OHMIGODs and WOWs!!" filtered the air. Sel hugged Bec, Brian hugged his cousin...everyone was jumping around, forgetting their own problems momentarily. The rest gave their hugs and kisses to Kev and Bec. After they had said their congratulations, they paired off alone together, five minutes remaining 'til takeoff. Afterall, some had to say their farewells. AJ took Anna's hand leading her to a pair of uncomfortable, plastic chairs. He sat down, and motioned for her to sit on his lap. Both her legs slung over his, she put her arms around his neck. "AJ, I don't wanna say goodbye." "I have to go, but I don't wanna leave you. I wish you wouldn't have to be away from me. Come with me Anna." "Oh AJ, don't say that, cause you know I want to. But I just got this new gig...I'm singing backup for this new all girl band. We're stationed in New York. So I have to be here." "I know. I'll be listening for you in Europe. When you girls make it big...I wanna hear my baby on the radio." "IF!! If we make it AJ!! Silly, right now, no one's even heard of Innocense." "Give it time baby, give it time. You girls have got something. But besides that, I'm gonna miss you." "Me too." Tears escaped and traveled down her cheeks. "Hey, hey, hey. Don't be doin' that now. Come on, don't let me see those tears." "I�m sorry, I can't help it 'J." "You're gonna make your mascara run darlin'." She smiled. "There you go again, making me feel better." "I try, really I do. I'll call you every night." "You better. I can't go for too long without hearing your voice." "I promise. And I promise one more thing too." "ohh ya, what's that?" "I love you, always." She sniffled. "I love you too 'J." He kissed her lips goodbye. She buried her nose in his neck, smelling the Joop cologne, saving the scent for a later time. She nibbled his ear, knowing he loves that. "Hey now, don't be getting frisky on me. I've gotta leave in two minutes. There's not enough time baby. No teasing. This is hard enough cause you feel so damn tempting in my lap here." She laughed, "That was the idea AJ. Now you've got something to remember who's waiting back home for ya." She kissed his lips playfully, not allowing him to enter his tongue yet. "Me!" He pulled his head closer, finally getting entry, and said their last goodbye. ***At the same time*** Howie held Sel's hand as they looked out at the planes taking off. "I guess your plane's next for takeoff." "Ya soon, I'll have to go." "Promise not to forget what we wished for 'D." "Of course I can't forget. We're gonna make this work...better than before. I promise you that. And Sel hunny, I love you. And I never stopped, not even for a second." "Thank you, I needed to hear you say that Howie. I love you with all I've got. All of it is for you. Come home to me soon, ok baby. " He put his hand on his heart. "This right here, belongs to you." Then putting that same hand over her heart, he kissed her. ***A few plastic chairs away*** Tyke stuck his head out of Michelle's bag. Brian leaned down to him, and let the pup lick his nose. "Man, I'm gonna miss you Tykie baby. Be good for Mich, ok. NO shoes...no drinking out of the toilet either...she won't want to fish you out when you fall in." Tyke responded with a small bark and big lick all over his face. "Okay, I guess that means yes." "Now for my other baby," He leaned closer to Michelle's face, and kissed her on the forehead. "Hmm, I'm gonna miss those Littrell lips of yours." He smiled at her joke. "I'm gonna miss more than your lips hun." "Really..." she wiggled her eyebrows. "How am I supposed to do this Rok? How do I say goodbye?" "We don't. We say...See you soon. Because from now on, I'll see your smilin' face in my mind constantly." "Oh, as if I could ever get you out of my head...not to mention your voice...Oh gosh, Brian..this is so hard." Her eyes started to well with tears. "I don't want to leave you here, in New York. It's not fair, we should be together. I can't protect you when I�m a million miles away, and i hate that." He reached for something in the back pocket of his baggy jeans. "But, I thought this might protect you while I'm gone." He revealed a small, black velvet box. "Go ahead sweetie, open it." She did, and her eyes brightened when she saw its contents. Inside was a sliver chain, and dangling from it was a small silver angel holding a tiny emerald stone. "Oh Brian, It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. He laughed at her sudden hug, "It's a guardian angel...made to protect you when I�m not beside you." She blushed, her eyes welling with happy tears. His sweetness was overwhelming. "I dunno how to thank you Brian. It's the most gorgeous, thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me. I promise to never take it off. As long as it's around my neck, you'll be in my heart. � "If that's not comforting, I don't know what is." He fastened the chain around her neck, kissing the spot where it fell naturally behind her curls. He brought his lips to her welcoming lips, as they shared in their last brillant kiss. Not wanting to pull away, he was distracted as Nick called for him to get on the plane. Mustering as must strength as she could manage, she said goodbye without letting him see her cry. She whispered, "I love you Brian." "I love you too." With that, he grabbed his carry on, and ran to catch up with the others onboard. She turned to walk away, tears streaming, when she heard his voice. "Michelle!!" She spun, saw him in the distance. He noticed her face was now red with salty tears. He signed "I love you" and blew her a silent kiss. She caught it, then signed back, watching him run off once again. Michelle looked down at Tyke, "I guess it's just me and you kid!" She hurried off with Sel and Anna. They all needed to get to work. Before they left, Michelle stopped at the newstand to pick up a paper. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stifled a yell. Her breathing came along in hurried gasps as she read the headline. ***On the Plane*** AJ chose a window seat, and snuggling his head close to a pillow, he put on his headphones. He popped in the love song mix tape Anna had made him. He missed her already. He drifted to sleep about halfway into the first song, "I'll Make Love to You". Kevin and Becca fastened their seatbelts, and ordered a coffee each...mocha blend for Kev, Vanilla flavored for Bec. As they waited for their caffine, the happy couple milled over wedding magazines. Howie got out a piece of paper and a pen. He began to write his letter. "Dear Mom and Dad,I've got good news. Sel and I have gotten back together..." "Hunny do you want the window seat or the aisle? Nick asked, trying to make peace. "The window," she requested, not willing to let him have the window seat. He still hadn't explained himself for last night. They sat down, Nick reminded her to buckle up. Melanie smiled inside...he was always worried about her. After takeoff, they sat in silence. He barely looked up from his Game Gear, and she hardly glanced up from her magazine. He tried to say something. "Mel...I was saying before..." He stopped. He didn't know what to say. He saw the hurt in her eyes, and he was at a loss for comforting words. "Ya Nick...go on..." she was willing to listen, they couldn't not talk forever. "Nevermind Mel. It wasn't important." Disappointed, "Oh, okay." He eyes fell back to her magazine. Nick yawned. His rough last night's sleep was catching up to him. He moved the pillow, trying to get comfortable. He stretched his long legs as far out as he could. He shut his eyes, and it wasn�t long before he was out like a baby. Mel looked up when she heard the rhythmical sound of his breathing. She knew that sound; he was asleep. She delicately moved some of the blond hairs from his eyes, and put a blanket over the two of them. Her mind reeled. "Maybe I was being to unreasonable with him. Afterall, it's not like we're married or something, he doesn't have to explain everything to me. I just want to know why he was with her... Why he has to come home to me last. I don't wanna be mad at him..he too cute to be mad at." The plane bumped suddenly, shaking Nick awake. He found the covers on him, his head now resting on Mel's shoulder. He figured he must have snuggled closer to her, and this time, she hadn't pushed away. "Oh Nicky I'm glad you're up." she exclaimed more cheery then she had been in a while. "Monring..sorta...how long did I sleep?" "Oh not long, an hour or so. Nick can we talk?" "Of course, there's some stuff I needed to tell you anyway. About last night." "Nick I'm sorry for the way I've been treating you. I was unfair for not letting you explain." "No Melanie...I was the one who should be apologizing. Not you." She shook her head, as if to argue the subject, but call it impulse...he silenced her with a kiss. It was steamy, well-waited for, and exceeded to all corners of the mouth. When they pulled apart, they rested forehead to forehead. Nick nuzzled her nose for an eskimo kiss. He took her hands under the blanket, and began to explain the whole Liz situation. "Mel...you wouldn't believe what that bitch of a girl did..." Brian cell phone rang, as he searched for it in his carry on bag. He could hear it blaring, but was having a heck of a time finding the darned thing. Finally he got it. "Hello...B-rok� here. � "Hey hunny." "Michelle...baby I'm so glad to hear your voice. I miss you already." "Me too Bri...I just had to call...to ya know..."she struggled for words. "Thank you again for the pretty angel, it's perfect." "Oh darlin' you're welcome. It's made for an angel...you!" Oh how could she tell him now. Maybe it was his sincerity, maybe it was the southern drawl that came out with certain words of I love you, or maybe it was because she could picture the exact way his lips would sort of pout when he told her that he missed her. It was all those things and more. But she couldn't bring herself to tell him the reason she had really called. "Mich, hun, you okay?" "Ohh ya, fine...just wish you were holding me." "Oh I wish I was too. But really, is something else bothering you? "No, I�m ok, just tired." She lied. "Try and get some rest then, ok baby. Take care while I�m not there. I'll call you when we check into the hotel." "Ok, talk to you then." "Love you Mich." "Love you too Brian." And she meant it. She hung up the phone quickly. She tried to tell him about it...she really did. But she couldn't bring herself to do it..why did it have to be that headline? A single tear dropped from her face onto the paper, landing on the front page, blurring the byline under that awful article. She watched her own name smear with the salty droplets. Next: Chapter 33 |