Brooke thought long and hard about what songs she should use for her little surprise.  She wanted everything about tonight to be perfect, she wanted him to remember every minute of the night, and mainly wanted tonight to be as memorable as possible.

    "What is it with you and music?"  She had asked him not too long ago when yet again he put some aspect of music into something they did.

    "It's just something else I care about a lot." and she knew then she had to incorporate something musical into his surprise, if only to outdo everything he had done for her, every song he had played her and every sweet thing he had sung into her ear while they lay in bed.   She sat on the floor of the living room putting cd after cd into the stereo, hunting for the perfect songs, the perfect words and the perfect emotions she wanted to capture.  Brooke picked up the phone that was stretched across the room, dialing Jessica's number as she put in yet another cd.

    "Hey Jess ...... yeah, I'm working on it ........ No, not yet, but I'll be over around six o'clock, okay.........  Great, thank you for letting me get ready there .............  I love ya girl, thank you ........ Okay I'll see ya soon, I'm almost done here then I'll be out after I pick up a few things ...... Bye ...... yeah, well I hope he gets them too, otherwise this'll be a bust night, and a waste of a new dress ...... okay Bye."  Brooke hung up, tossing another CD to the side, she only had one more song to find than she had to go get ready, she was cutting it close.
 

        He pulled into the parking space and stepped from the truck, hastily making his way into the building as he glanced at his watch.  He knew he was cutting it close, but he was lucky they were able to have it ready for today, it took a lot of convincing, pleading and money to get it finished in time, but they did it, and it was just how he envisioned it, it couldn't have been more perfect.

    "There you go Mr. Richardson.  Hope it all goes well."  The pleasant clerk behind the desk told him as he left with the package.

    "I hope it does too." He replied with a quick wave, setting off to pick up more things for this evening, putting the small bag she had given him in his pocket.

        Kevin came out of  the barber shop, a fresh trim and shave adorning his face, he ran his hand over his cheeks relaxing the stiffness sitting still had given him as he unlocked and opened the door to his truck.    His eyes squinted as he looked down at the small black envelope that was attached to his steering wheel.  He looked around for whomever had put it there, I'm sure the door was locked, he thought to himself.  He pulled it off, reading Clue #1 printed in metallic silver pen.   As he brought  the card closer to his face he smelled the scent of Brooke's perfume.  I should have known she was up to something, he smiled to himself, pulling out the card that was inside, as he held the envelope near his nose, inhaling her intoxicating smell.   Eight lines of words were printed neatly on the rectangular card, vaguely familiar to him, he didn't remember what they were from.

Kevin stared down at the cryptic note Brooke had posted to the steering wheel of his Four Runner, a cocked smile coming over his face.  He didn't quite know what she was up to, but he hoped her plans didn't ruin the ones he had planned for the first milestone of their relationship.    He set the letter down in the passenger seat and started up the truck, laughing as he recognized the song she had written in her note, now that played on his stereo he remembered it vividly.   He had finished everything he planned to do this morning and began Brooke's quest, turning up the stereo a little bit as he pulled out of the parking lot, humming  along with the smooth, sultry tune.   He was pretty sure he knew where this clue took him.
 

    She watched from inside the drugstore across the street from the barber shop, as Kevin held the card in front of him, she had unlocked his truck with the spare set of keys he had at the house, sticking the note to the steering wheel, putting the tape in the tape deck and dashing across the street to hide just as he emerged.  Thankfully he hadn't seen her.  She watched as he drove off in the right direction before pulling the cell phone from her pocket and dialing a number.

"He's on his way, I hope.  Thanks for doing this, just call me after he leaves.  I'll have my cell.  Thank you.  Bye!"  She closed the phone and put it back in her pocket, leaving the store and going out to buy the last few things she needed.

        Crawford opened the door with a smile and stepped to the side allowing Kevin to come in.

    "Hey Crawford.  I know this might sound weird but can I go to your bathroom?"  Kevin's comment was met with laughter.

    "You came all the way out here to use my bathroom?" He asked.

    "You know why I'm here don't you." He said with annoyance.

    "Just go to the bathroom."  Crawford said shutting the door and walking into the living room, shaking his head as he chuckled.  Kevin walked up the stairs, taking them two at a time and turning down the hall towards the bathroom.  He flicked on the light as he entered, and leaning on the sink below the mirror in Crawfords bathroom was a large yellow manilla envelope, Kevin's  name stenciled in black on it's center.  He lifted the package and sat on the closed toilet seat to tear it open.  Inside was a video cassette, the words Clue #2 written on it. He got up and made his way downstairs, Crawford sat in the living room and handed him the remote as he entered.

    "Thanks man." He said as he knelt before the VCR sliding in the tape and pressing play.  At first he thought nothing was on the tape, but then a video started to play.  Boyz II men's video for 'a song for mama' played and Kevin sat back on the couch with Mark Crawford wondering what the clue was.
 

As the video ended the screen turned to white snow.  He looked over at Crawford who put on his best 'I have no idea' face.

    "So she want's me to go to my mothers?"

    "Don't ask me man! I'm not at liberty to divulge any information."

    "Thanks." He said with frustration as he got up from the couch, grabbing the tape from the VCR and heading out the door.

    "Later man.  Good Luck." He heard Mark yell as he shut the door behind him.
 

        Brooke had finished decorating and getting almost everything ready.  All she had left now was to get showered and dressed at Jessica's.  Brooke knew she could have done it at home, knowing kevin wouldn't be there for awhile, but she wanted jessica's help with her hair and make up.    Her heart was racing with anticipation, knowing that Kevin was probably at his mothers by now, Mark Crawford called her after he left, keeping her updated on his progress, laughing about how confused she had made him.  She pulled into the parking lot of jessica's apartment building, grabbing the bag she packed from the back seat and making her way inside.  It wouldn't be long before their night began.
 

    "Why are you so nervous?" his mother asked him as he paced her kitchen.

    "Huh? Whaddya mean?" He asked, his mind not fully on the question she asked.

    "I mean why are you pacing my house, I told you I had specific instructions, you might as well sit down and talk to your mother for awhile."  Kevin sighed and sat at the kitchen table, the round table he had sat at so many times before, asking his mother for advice, telling her about his life and just spending time with her.  It was something he cherished dearly.

    "So why do I have to wait to get my last clue?"  Ever since he had gotten here she had been trying to keep him occupied.  He had obviously been right about where to go, but it did no good because she wasn't giving him his last clue, the fact that it was the last one was something she had told him.

    "I don't know." She said, he could tell she was lying.

    "Sure you don't."  he said, tapping his foot on the floor with impatience.  He looked down at his watch.  It was seven o'clock.

    "So?  What is it?  Why are you nervous?" She asked again.  He sat with his elbows on the finished oak,  drumming his fingers on the table non stop.    He swallowed a nervous gulp and looked up at his mother, reaching simultaneously into the pocket of his jeans and pulling out the small package he had picked up earlier.    He set the small white bag down on the table.

    "This is why I'm nervous."  he said vulnerably.

    "Well, what is it?  A gift?"

    "Yeah, sort of." he said,

    "Afraid she won't like it?"  Kevin nodded as he pulled a small black velvet box from the bag.  His hands shook noticeably as he opened it and turned it to show it's contents to his mother, setting it down on the table and watching her face.   She gasped in surprise as she reached across the table to grab the  jewelry box, she obviously wasn't expecting it to be what it was.

    "So?"  He asked.

    "My, my, my!" was all his mother had to say.  Kevin's heart was caught in his throat, he expected her to say something.

    "Mom! I'm going nuts here, please say something."  She still stared wide-eyed at the small black box, but lifted her eyes to meet Kevin's

    "That is absolutely breath taking." His mother exclaimed.  "Are you doing it tonight?"  He nodded yes.  "Does she know you planned on doing it this soon?" She asked with concern.  He shook his head no.

    "It's nice though huh!" He said, moving to her side and pulling the engagement ring he had bought Brooke from it's velvet pillow, giving his mother a closer look.   She spun the platinum band in her thin fingers, shaking her head with a slight grin on her face, watching the diamond and tiny blue sapphires that surrounded it sparkle beneath the lights in the kitchen.

    "What?  Do you think it's too soon mom?  It feels right to me, but do YOU think I should?" His voice was filled with hope, he needed her approval for this, he didn't know if he had the courage to ask Brooke without it.   She looked at him with loving eyes as she placed the ring back in the box wrapping her frail arms around her son and hugging him tight.

    "Yes baby, I think it's right too.  Good luck,  I hope she makes you even happier than she already does."

    "I hope so too Mom.  Thank you."  They broke from their embrace and Kevin wiped the tears that were threatening to explode from his eyes.  Mrs. Richardson laughed as she did the same, snapping the lid down on the box and setting it back on the table.

    "Okay.  Now you have to go get ready!  Once you're showered, dressed and ready to go I'll give you the last clue, so you can be on time!"

    "I thought you said you didn't know why I had to wait here!" he proclaimed.

    "I lied."  She said turning her son around and pushing him up the stairs towards the bathroom.

    "There's a bag hanging on the back of the bathroom door, apparently you have a specific dress code tonight!"  She yelled from below as he entered the bathroom.
 

    "Oh Jess, it looks awesome!"  Brooke exclaimed of the job Jessica had done on her hair and make up, soft tendrils of curl hung loosely all over her head, and the light touch of makeup she had applied suited the look well.

    "I'm nervous, I don't know why."  Brooke said as she stood up to get dressed.

    "Probably just the excitement you've built for yourself.  When did you become such a sappy romantic?"  jessica asked.  Brooke laughed.

    "I don't know.  I'm pretty pathetic aren't I?"

    "Yes, yes you are, but it's nice."  Her friend said, patting her comfortingly on the back.  "Now let's get you in the dress.   I'm dying to see what it looks like, you've kept me in suspense long enough!"  Brooke hurried her way into the bathroom to change.

    "Well, what do you think?" Brooke said as she emerged spinning in a circle, showing off the backless soft purple dress she had bought last week.  It looked perfect with her hair and everything.

    "I think I want to borrow that dress!" She exclaimed as Brooke walked over to have a look in the mirror.  "Okay we have to get a picture of you!" Jess said frantically as she dashed to grab a camera.

    "I feel like I'm going to the prom."  Brooke yelled with a smirk as she looked in the mirror.

    "Shut up, you look wicked and you know it." Jessica said as she came back in, camera in hand.  "You're going to give him a coronary."

    Brooke laughed, but she had been thinking the same thing.  It was a racy little number, but she loved it's simplicity and the color espechially.  Brooke checked the clock and her heart leapt with the approaching time.

    "Okay we have to go!" Brooke exclaimed.

    "Hold on, I said I wanted a picture!" She lifted the camera to her face, taking a shot or two of Brooke as she scowled at her.

    "Okay now let me do a nice one please."  Brooke complied and gave her friend a sincere pose.  After she took the shot Jessica began putting the lens cap back on the camera.

    "Wait!  I want one with you in it too!" Brooke whined.  Jessica sighed and proceeded to set up the camera's timer.  She clicked the button and quickly dashed to her friend, both of them posing for the camera's flash.

    "Now can we go!" Brooke pleaded as she put on some perfume and grabbed her jacket, making her way to the door.  Jessica groaned.

    "You're the one who wanted another picture."  She grabbed the car keys and left right behind her.
 
 

        Kevin bounded down the stairs, hair still slightly wet, but looking very dapper and sharp in the suit he was wearing.

    "Okay give me my last clue!" He said as excitedly as a young child on christmas morning, although with more frustration behind it.  His mother laughed and pulled a CD from behind her back, he grabbed it quickly from her hand checking for any notes on it.  Nothing.  He stare down at Brian McKnight's Back at One with confusion.

    "Figure it out." His mother said before he had a chance to ask her about it.  he shot her a dirty look and sat down on the stairs, flipping the cd case over in his hands.  Finally he opened it up, checking for a clue on the inside, pulling open the booklet that was inside.   All of the lyrics had been blacked out, except for select lines in one song, he pulled the book closer to his face reading the small print of  the lyrics, reading what she had left remaining for him.
 

        Kevin smiled a sly grin.  as  he flipped through the rest of the small book, all of the other songs were blacked out as well.   He stood up,  grabbing the keys and wallet he had set on the stairs next to himself  and sauntered towards the door, the grin still on his face.

    "Know where you're going?" His mother asked him, her own grin mirroring his.

    "Yup." he said, turning back to his mother to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. returning     quickly to the door.

    "Forgetting something?" She asked as he stepped outside, he turned around to face his mother holding the small velvet box in the palm of her hand.  He gasped as he reached to grab it, mouthing a thank you as he kissed her again and went on his way.

    "Good luck Kev." She yelled as he walked to the truck. He waved  goodbye and got inside.  He put the ring box in the inside breast pocket of his jacket, starting the ignition and ejecting the tape that had been playing.  He opened the cd she had given him, sliding it into the cd changer and going right to song eight as he shifted the truck into first and rolled out of the driveway.
 
 

        Brooke got in the  passenger seat next to Jessica, careful that the end of her dress didn't get caught in the door of the car.  It was about a twenty minute drive from Jessica's apartment to her own house, but she knew she had enought time to get there.  Mrs.  Richardson assured Brooke she wouldn't give Kevin the last part of the puzzle until after seven thirty, so she had a little less than an hour to get home and get out on the balcony where his last clue would lead him.  She already had almost everything set up in the house, all she had left to do was light a few candles, open the bottle of champagne she had chilling in a bucket and wait for him to arrive, hopefully he'd figure out the clues.  Brooke turned up the volume on the car stereo, she was nervous and laughed to herself because she didn't know why.  She was too nervous to talk to jessica, who sang along to the music, not really paying Brooke any attention.   Brooke brought her  hand up to her throat, to feel the necklace that had a tendency to calm her nerves.  Frantically Brooke's hand felt for the small star that always rested against her skin  to no avail,  it wasn't there.  She glanced around in the car, thinking maybe it had fallen off.

    "What?"  Jessica asked, looking over at a frantic Brooke.

    "My necklace, I don't have it." she cried.

    "It's just a necklace Brooke, do you need it?" She said, glancing around for it herself.

    "Jess, it isn't just a necklace,  I need it, it's important.  Oh god where is it?"  Brooke was near tears, she couldn't bear losing it.

    "Where did you have it last?" Jess asked.

     "I took it off when I got in the shower and ..... Son of a bitch!"  She cried to herself, suddenly remembering she had taken it off when she hopped into Jessica's shower. Brooke never went anywhere without wearing that necklace, and she was disturbed by the fact she had forgotten it.

    "What!"

    "It's in your bathroom, can we go get it please?"

    "Brooke we're almost there!" Jessica whined.

    "I know, but he gave it to me and it's part of the reason we're together okay.  Please Jess, you don't know what it'll mean to me.  I'll be your friend forever!" She said batting her eyelashes at her friend.  jessica sighed loudly and  slowed the car down, turning around in the next driveway.

    "Thanks Jess, I owe you big time."

    "You sure do!" She smiled, looking at the clock and  putting a little more pressure on the gas pedal.  Brooke knew she might not make it in time to beat Kevin but shrugged it off, having the necklace was important to her.  I'll make it on time.  She assured herself as she glaced at the clock, still very nervous.
 
 

Kevin rounded the bend to his house, knowing exactly where this last clue took him.  He pulled into the driveway and made his way inside, dashing quickly upstairs to find Brooke.  The sun was setting over the horizon and the balcony was lit with strands of white icicle lights, unlit candles stood in the corners and flowers seemed to be everywhere, strewn throughout the bedroom, their smell filling his nostrils. Brooke was nowhere to be found.   Kevin paced around the bedroom, pulling the small box from his pocket, and holding it in his palm like a baseball, he carefully opened the hinge and stared down at the ring that sparkled against the blackness of the small box it sat in.  He had wanted to get it engraved, but didn't know quite what to put inside it, he had so many words but none seemed to be right, so he left it, for now.

    "Did I screw up the last clue?" He wondered, "No I couldn't have." He said looking around at everything she had done.  His wandering eyes fell on the stereo that sat next to the balcony doors, noticing the note attached to it and smiling with relief.  Play me  was written on the simple black card in the same silver pen.  Kevin walked over to it and hit the play button, turning up the volume and deciding to go sit out on the balcony.  The night air was warm and dry even at the end of summer and the first hint of stars were beginning to shine in the darkening sky.  The familliar song she had put in the CD player, played on repeat as the small velvet box he held spun nervously in his hands, waiting for his love to arrive.