Forever~ Chapter 21 "Hi, son," Harold said as he entered the room. "Hi, Dad," Brian said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Did you meet Jessica?" "Yeah," Harold replied. "She's wonderful, Bri. Everything you said she'd be." Brian smiled at his dad's praise of her. "I'm glad you both like her," he said as he looked at his parents. "Because I think she's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with." "Brian, honey, I like her, and I would be thrilled to have her in our family someday, but don't you think this is a little fast?" Jackie asked with concern. "Don't worry. We haven't even talked about marriage yet. I promise I won't do anything before Christmas; that's 5 months away." "You've never given us any reason to doubt you," Harold said. "We know you'll do the right thing." "Thanks," Brian said with a smile. ~In the waiting room~ "Nick, have you talked to Vanessa yet?" Jessica asked. "Yeah," he answered as he handed her the paper with all the arrangements. "She sounded great." You and her will get along well. You have so much in common. Your personalities are so similar that it's scary sometimes. You'll match up well." "Would you have a problem with me dating her?" Nick asked cautiously. "No," she replied without hesitation. "I think you guys would make an adorable couple." "Almost as cute as you and Frick?" he asked with a teasing smile. "Well..." she teased him. "Almost, but not quite." "If I could ever find what you and Brian have, I would be the happiest man alive." Jessica quickly nodded her head. "We are so lucky to have found each other. I mean, I'm 21 and I've already found the person I wanna spend the rest of my life with." "That's fast, Jess. I mean, you've known him for what, 3 weeks?" "Normally I wouldn't move this fast, but this is different. I wish I could explain it to you, Nick, but it's just something you have to experience for yourself." Jessica blushed alittle. She hadn't meant to gush and now she felt silly.  Nick read her mind. "That's okay. Afterall, I did ask you." He smiled a little. "Who knows? Maybe I'll find that with Vanessa." "Maybe so," Jessica hoped. "You'll definetly love her." The next morning, Jessica and Nick headed out early to pick up Vanessa at the airport. Though the airport was unbelievably crowded, Nick remained wasn't noticed and found Vanessa immediately. He ran to her and threw his arms around her; she dropped her things and returned his hug. "Hi, I'm Nick," he said, abruptly turning shy. "You must be the friendly one," she replied with a laugh though she knew well each Backstreet Boy and their personality. "No, actually that's Brian, but while he's in the hospital I'm taking his place." Nick smiled as he picke dup her bags and they began to walk towards Jessica who was waiting patiently. "So, I see you guys have met," she said with a half smile. "Yeah," Nick answered. "But I can't wait to get  to know her better," he said mischieviously. "After we go by the hospital, I'll take you back to the hotel and we'll work on that," he said as he put his arms playfully around Vanessa. She squealed in delight. "Nick, stop," she playfully protested. Jessica shot him and warning look and he looked back with pure innosence. "What?" he asked. "I was just gonna give her a tour." Jessica rolled her eyes. 'What have I done?' she asked herself as they drove to the hospital. 'I've created a monster.' When they reached the hospital, Jessica took Vanessa to see Brian. He wasn't in a particularly good mood so Jessica made sure to cut the visit short. After that, Vanessa went with Nick back to the hotel to get her room and get settled in. When she was gone, Jessica laid down beside Brian. "What's wrong, Jess?" he asked as he kissed her tenderly. He was worried by her downcast face. "Nothing," she said softly as she buried her head in his chest. She contentedly lay there and listened to his heart beat strongly. "Remember, we don't have any secrets," he reminded her as she played with his hair. "I know," she replied in a melancholy tone. "And I would love to tell you what is wrong, but I haven't even figured it out yet." She sighed as Brian held her tighter. "I know this is hard for you," Brian whispered. "I'm not naive enough to think that my surgery and my recovery is just going to effect me. You don't have to be strong for me, Angel; just the fact that you are still here is enough." "I will always be here," she vowed to him. Over the next three weeks, she was to find out how hard that promise was going to be to keep... Chapter 22 Home Email me