Chapter Ten Brian paced anxiously at the house. The girls would be arriving in a few minutes and he couldn't wait to see Carissa. He'd done alot of thinking since they'd been apart and he knew that he loved Carissa. He also knew it was probably to soon to say anything to her about it. He reminded himself of of his promise and contiuned his nervous pacing.    "Rok, if you don't stop we're going to have to pay for new carpet" Kevin teased as he watched his cousin make another pass around the room. Brian stopped and looked up with a sheepish smile on his face.   "Sorry" he murmured and began pacing again.    "She's really gotten to you, hasn't she?" Kevin asked as he grabbed Brian's hand.   "Yeah she has. She's amazing Kev. She's been through so much, gone through things that would've destroyed most people and she's still going strong. But its more than that. She captured my heart the day I met her" Brian said as he flopped down on the couch.    Kevin wondered what exactly his cousin was talking about, but let it go, knowing if Brian wanted to tell him he would. Instead he said, "I'm just glad that you've found someone. She's great!"   Brian smiled and remembered all the times they had spent getting to know each other. In the middle of his remembering, he heard a car door and jumped up from the couch running for the front door.    He pulled it open and ran down the steps. Matti saw him first and started squealing from her seat. Carissa looked up to see what had her daughter so excited and a grin split her face. She took a hesitant step towards him and before they knew it they were running towards each other. Their arms wrapped around each other and they held each other tight.     "God I've missed you" Brian whispered in her hair.   "I missed you to" she answered him honestly. He pulled back a little to look her in the eyes and saw the truth there. He leaned his head towards her and she met him half way, with no hesitation on her part. She let the emotions take hold of her and sweep her away. The tingling started at her lips and flowed down her body pooling low in her belly. Her knees turned to jelly and if he hadn't been holding onto her, she was sure that she would've melted into a puddle.     She totally gave herself to him in that moment and he knew it. Tears pricked the back of his eyes and he laughed with joy.   "Its about time" Beth whispered dramatically behind them. Carissa joined in Brian's laughter, feeling lighter than she had in almost two years.    They broke apart and everyone helped bring in their bags. Matti was in seventh heaven with all the attention everyone was paying her and Carissa felt comfortable with the guys and Beth taking care of Matti when Brian asked her to take a walk.    They walked around the property in silence, drinking in the beauty of the Swedish country side. "I'm glad you're here" he said finally breaking the silence.    "Me too. There's so much we need to talk about, but I don't know where to start" she admitted.   "How about you tell me what you've been up to since I've been gone?" he asked as he gently swung their clasped hands between them.    "Well I started seeing a counselor. She's helped me alot. I've also done alot of thinking about us and what I feel about you."    Brian was quiet as they walked along. He couldn't believe that in two short weeks she had changed so much. She was stronger now, it was something he had noticed right away. Now he knew why.   Taking a deep breath he asked, "What do you feel about us, me?"   "I feel like the luckiest woman in the world. You've been so patient with me, even when I've been next to impossible. You have no idea how much that means to me. When we said good bye at the airport and I stiffened up Beth noticed and she asked me about it later. I tried to deny it, but she made me admit the truth. I spent the rest of the day and night thinking about everything, the past, the present, you and the future. I decided she was right, if I kept on like I was, I'd eventually lose you. I don't want to lose you" she whispered softly.     Brian stopped walking and pulled her to him. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere." Carissa looked up into his beautiful blue eyes and smiled. She ran her hands up his chest and around his neck and drew his head down to hers. She brushed his lips gently, tentatively with her own and reveled in the feeling of being free for the first time in twenty months.    "I love you Brian Thomas Littrell" she said against his lips.    Brian pulled back and looked at her, a silly grin spreading across his face. "Say it again" he demanded.   "I love you Brian Thomas Littrell" she repeated, obliging his demand.   Happily he sighed and said, "I love you too Carissa Brandt."