Forever~ Chapter 17 "Yes," she gulped. "I accept. But, Brian, I can't take your pain away or work magic for you; all I have to offer you is my heart." She looked deep into his eyes, trying to guess what he was thinking. "That's all I ever wanted from you," he whispered as he took her and hand and slipped the ring on. She laid in his arms for awhile, content in the silence. She settled in next to his chest to listen to his heart beat like she had done so many times before, when she realized that he was going to have to face life-threatening surgery in less than 24 hours. "You have to have surgery tomorrow morning," she said as she sat straight up. She was hoping that as soon as she said it aloud that it would sound to silly and absurd to be true and that she would realize that it had all been a horrible nightmare. "I'm having surgery tomorrow?" he asked incredulously. Obviously Kevin hadn't broken the news to him like he had promised. 'And everyone thinks he's the responsible one,' Jessica thought to herself. "Kevin was supposed to tell you, but he obviously didn't," she said softly. She wanted to break down in tears as she watched his handsome face fall with the news. She wanted to reach out and help him, but there was absolutely nothing that she could do... or was there? "Jessica, I want to tell you something just in case I don't wake up tomorrow," Brian began so softly that she barely heard him. "Brian Thomas Littrell, I will not have you talking like that," she said firmly as she wiped tears from her eyes. "No, hear me out," he insisted. "I love you, Jess. More than anything or anyone in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that you are the one that I should be with for the rest of my life. Crazy, I know, but I can feel it. You and I are connected and this is the best thing that I have ever been a part of." He paused as he watched her break down before his eyes. "If I never see you again after tonight, I want you to know that I love you, but I don't want you to be sad, okay? Find someone else and let them make you as happy as you have made me. You deserve it." "I'm not going to listen to this," she said sternly. "You're going to be fine and I'm going to be here for you when you wake up tomorrow. You can't give up, Brian. You can't leave me now or ever. We're a part of each other and I can't make it with out you." She put her hand gently to his face and wiped away his tears. "You can be strong because I love you and I'm not gonna let you fall," she whispered. He smiled a little. "Promise me you won't give up," she demanded. "I promise you with everything that I have," he whispered. "I'm not giving up," he said, his voice stronger. "I love you too much to ever let you go." She threw her arms around him and cried until they heard the door open. "I'm sorry, Miss, but visiting hours are over for tonight. Mr. Littrell has a big day ahead of him tomorrow," the nurse said, obviously sorry that she had to break up the beautiful scene. "Bye, Angel," Brian said as he gave Jessica a passionate kiss. "Take care of Nicky for me." "I will," she whispered before kissing him again. "Good night," she whispered. "I'm gonna be here for you through all of this; I promise." "I want you to be the first person I see when I wake up after surgery." "I will be. Good night, Bri." She kissed him again and then walked out the door looking at the most precious ring that she had ever been given. Home Chapter 18 Forever Index Email the author