faith2

Chapter Two

   Brian Littrell parked his car in front of the building. He was taking care of his baby daughter and he had been on his way home when he had realized that he'd left her favorite toy in Denise McLean's office after their meeting earlier that day. Danielle was sleeping peacefully in her car seat at the moment, but Brian knew that when she woke up, she would scream bloody murder if it wasn't there.
   He picked up the car seat and hurried into the building, nodding to the security guard as he passed. As he stood in the elevator, he gazed down at Danielle. He was still in awe of her, not quite believing that he had a daughter. His wife Leighanne and he had only been married two years when they discovered that she was pregnant. Brian had been ecstatic from the very beginning, but Leighanne had been a little more reserved about it. She felt that, with her acting career starting to take off, it wasn't a good time for children. But Brian had convinced her to go through with the pregnancy.
   His smile faded and he sighed as he recalled the last six months. Since Danielle's birth, Leighanne had shown very little interest in their baby, and had spent most of her time doing movies and other functions. I guess that?s why we?ve grown apart so much lately. He thought sadly to himself as the doors opened and he stepped out of the elevator.
   As he walked into the large room that contained the many cubicles, he became aware of the sound of soft singing. Brian looked around, trying to locate the source of the sound. Somebody must have left a radio playing. He mused, and started in the direction of Denise?s office. As he approached, the singing grew louder. About halfway there, he stopped abruptly when he saw the back of a woman sitting in a cubicle. She had earphones in her ears and was singing along as she worked on her computer.
     "These arms of mine are open wide,
      From now until the end of time.
      You are the world, what can I do,
      This heart of mine belongs to you?"
   Brian was even more surprised when he recognized the little-known riff from "Back to Your Heart", a song that they had released three years earlier. This girl's really good. He thought to himself. She's hitting the right key and everything. I remember Kevin had to work with me on that riff for hours before I got it right.
   He listened, unnoticed, for a long moment, just appreciating her voice. Then he felt Danielle stir, giving him a split second to step back out of sight before her wail split the air.
   He hesitated a moment, then stepped forward so he was visible through the opening of the cubicle. Looking back at him was a pretty girl who looked to be in her mid-twenties with chin-length reddish-brown hair, and green eyes. It took him a moment to realize that it was the same girl he had bumped into earlier that day. She pulled off her earphones, looking puzzled by his appearance as well as the screaming baby in the carrier he held.
   "Hello." Brian said sheepishly.
   "Hi." The girl still looked puzzled. "Is she... okay?" she asked hesitantly.
"Oh," he looked down at Danielle. "Yes, she's just mad because I left her favorite toy in Denise's office."
   "I see." She stood up and walked slowly to the baby seat and looked down. "Hi sweetie." She said softly. "Are you a little perturbed at daddy? Oh, I know..." she cooed, then looked up at Brian. "Why don't you leave her here while you run for the toy. I don't mind."
   Brian hesitated only a moment. "Alright. Thanks." He placed the carrier on her desk and, with a quick caress of Danielle's head, he started toward Denise's office.

   Kaelyn looked down at the screaming infant for a moment, still absorbing the reality of it. Then she reached into the car seat and lifted the little girl out.
   "Hello there. Don't worry, Daddy's coming back soon." She began to rock back and forth gently, in a soothing rhythm. "I know..." she crooned softly for a couple of moments before she began to hum, then sing a quiet lullaby.
   "Bye, bye baby bunting, daddy's gone a hunting, to catch a little rabbit skin to wrap baby bunting in..."
   Brian walked back into the cubicle holding a small stuffed gorilla, which was attached by a short tether to a pacifier. He paused slightly when he saw his daughter cradled naturally in the girl's arms. Moreover, she had nearly stopped crying. Her shrieks had reduced to ragged hiccups and half-hearted sobs. When he placed the gorilla on top of her and put the pacifier in her mouth, she grew silent and stared up, fascinated, at the person who held her.
   "Your daughter is beautiful." The girl said softly. "What's her name?"
   "Danielle Marie." Brian answered.
   "Well, it's nice to meet you, Danielle Marie." She spoke to the baby. "My name is Kaelyn Anne."
   Brian looked at Kaelyn guiltily. "We haven't been properly introduced, I'm sorry." He held out his hand to her. "I'm Brian Littrell."
   Kaelyn shifted Danielle's weight so she could shake his hand. "Kaelyn Montgomery. I know who you are Brian, I work in your fan club, remember?"
   Brian chuckled. "I know, but most people don't recognize me when I'm with Danielle." They both smiled down at his daughter. "But speaking of working, why are you still here? Isn't it kinda late?"
    Kaelyn looked at the clock in surprise. It was nearly 8 o'clock in the evening. "I had no idea how late it was. Ms. McLean gave me a new project today, and I guess I got all caught up in it." She smiled slightly. "I look like a keener, eh?"
   Brian chuckled again. "No, you just look dedicated. I like it."
   Kaelyn smiled and blushed slightly. "Thanks. But I guess I should give you your daughter back so you can go home. It's probably not your idea of fun to hang out here after hours."
   Brian shrugged. "I've done stranger things."
   The two of them chuckled as Brian took Danielle from Kaelyn and put her back into her seat, and Kaelyn picked up the stuff she wanted to take home. They walked out of the building together, making small talk. When they got outside, Brian opened the door of his car and placed Danielle inside. Then he turned to face Kaelyn, who was about to turn away. "Do you need a ride?"
   Kaelyn smiled at him. "No, thanks. I was lucky enough to find a place just a couple of blocks away when I moved here."
   "If you're sure..." when she nodded, Brian continued. "Alrighty then. I'll see you some other time."
   "Yeah, goodbye." Kaelyn waved, and walked off toward her apartment.