Chapter 14 Jessica awoke early the next morning to the sounds of Brian chasing Nick around the room. She smiled slightly at their childishness. Suddenly, her eyes opened wide as she saw that Brian's hair was now blue. "It'll wash out, Frick. I swear," Nick yelled as he ran from Brian. Jessica jumped in between them just as he was about to catch Nick. "What's going on?" she asked as if she were talking to two kids. "Frack snuck in early this morning and put something in my shampoo that did this to my  hair." Brian pointed to his hair that had once been a dirty blond, and was now a royal blue. "Sorry, Frick," Nick said softly, looking so pitiful that Brian instantly forgave him. "It's okay, bro. I deserved it." He slapped Nick playfully on the back and went to wash the color out of his hair. As soon as he heard the water running, Nick wrapped his arms around Jessica. She thought he was going to kiss her; instead he buried his head in her hair, and she thought she heard him crying. She didn't know what to do so she just stood there in silence, holding him. After a few minutes, Nick slowly pulled away and wiped his eyes. "What's wrong, Nicky?" she asked as she looked into his blue eyes. "You're going to be with Frick all day, aren't you?" He was careful to avoid her question. "Yeah; why?" she asked curiously. "just watch him closely, okay? I'll have my phone on all day. Call me if anything happens." He started to walk away. "Nick, talk to me. What's going on?" Nick never turned around; he just walked out the door. Just then, Brian came out of the bathroom wearing just a towel. Just the site of him made her smile. "Brian Thomas Littrell!" she exclaimed as she pretended to be angry with him. "Get some clothes on." He pulled her close and kissed her as they both laughed. "I'm going. I just wanted to kiss you goodmorning and tell you how much I love you. I love waking up next to you." "Aren't you sentimental this morning," she teased as she kissed his smiling face. Actually, his unusual mood worried her in light of the other things that had happened that morning. "No," he insisted. "I'm just in love with an angel." He kissed her gently. "I'm gonna go get dressed and then we'll go." "Where're we going?" she called after him as he went into his bedroom to get dressed. "Shopping," he called. "Did I hear you right? Did you just say we were going shopping?" Her voice was filled with mock surprise. "Yep. Just you and me; no bodyguards or anything." He emerged from the bedroom wearing a polo shirt and shorts. "You're not wearing a disguise?" she asked. He quickly ran into the bedroom and came out with a hat on; she laughed at him. "What about you? What are you gonna wear?" He picked her up and held her close. "You'll see," she said slyly. "Go get in the car and I'll meet you down there when I change." About 15 minutes later Brian saw Jessica walking across the parking lot waeing a short blue sun dress. "You look gorgeous," he said as he gave her a kiss and opened her door for her. "Are you ready to go?" "Where're we going?" Jessica asked as they pulled out of the parking lot. "The Mall of America. It's amazing; you'll love it." He was right. As they walked through the mall, her mouth hung open at he number of stores. "Wow! Look at this," she said to him as she stopped in front of a jewelry store. "Let's go in," he said as he pulled her inside. Brian immediately saw what he was looking for: a silver ring with a diamond cut in to the shape of a heart. It was so perfect for her. While she was looking at the necklaces, he bought it for her. "C'mon, Jess, let's go eat," he said as he hid the ring in his pocket. "I'm hungry." He grabbed her ahnd and held it as they walked around looking for a place to eat. Suddenly, she pulled him in to a quaint Italian restaurant. "Let's eat here," she insisted. "It looks romantic." They sat down at a table in the corner and waited to be served. As they sat there Brian began to sing so softly that Jessica could barely hear him. "If every word I said could make you laugh, I'd talk forever. I asked the sky just what we had, ohh it showed forever. Forever; I'd be so happy loving you." He looked up to see her smile with a tear in her eye. "Brian, that was beautiful, but I've never heard it before." "It's an old Beach Boys song. It makes me think of you." He squeezed her hand and smiled. "That is so sweet." She leaned over the table and kissed him sweetly. 'Give her the ring now,' Brian thought to himself, but as he reached for it, he was immobilized by excruciating pain. Chapter 15 Home