"Okay, everyone in your place!" cried Brian. Then he
went over to the door, took a deep breath and opened it. When he did, he drew
in a breath. "Mariah, you look absolutely gorgeous."
Mariah blushed. "Thanks," she said. "You look
pretty good yourself." Brian thanked her and let her into his condo.
"Wow, it looks great in here!" she commented. The place
was dim, lit with candles. There were beautiful red and white roses all around
the room.
"Thanks," said Brian. "Glad you like it."
"Ahem!" AJ cleared his throat. Mariah looked over at AJ.
She saw him, Nick and Howie standing together. They were all dressed in tuxes
like Brian, only they had towels draped over one arm.
"Monsieur et Madame, this way s'il vous plait." He led
them into a little balcony where there were candles lit and a small round table
for two was set. "Nicky!" he called. "Music please!"
Nick walked in with a stereo and pressed played. "Sorry, no
violins today, but we've got some on tape!" Mariah laughed at the scene.
"Just sit and enjoy, Mariah." Brian said smiling,
escorting her to her seat.
"Your dinner will be ready soon," said AJ. "If
Kevin isn't going to burn it." he added softly. Mariah laughed.
"Thanks AJ," she said.
AJ nodded and left with Nick saying, "Don't call me
Nicky!" AJ smiled and closed the glass sliding doors behind him. The two
went on bickering afterwards.
Brian shook his head, then looked at Mariah and asked, "Would
you like to dance?"
"I'd love to." replied Mariah smiling.
Brian took her hand and led her away from the table. They danced
close together. He joked and they talked while dancing. Mariah was having such
a good time when Howie interrupted.
"Your dinner is served." AJ and Nick walked in, each
carrying a plate of food, one for Brian and one for Mariah.
Mariah looked at down at her plate and said, "It smells great
guys."
"Thank you, thank you," said Kevin walking out to the
balcony. "but if you'll excuse us we'll be going. We're starving."
A.J. and Howie nodded. Nick said, "I'm going home to check up
on my mom. Plus I've got to baby-sit. See ya' guys later. Enjoy!" The four
turned around and left. A couple minutes later, Mariah heard the front door
close.
"Those guys are great." she said.
"Yup, they are." agreed Brian. "Well, bon
appetit."
Mariah smiled and they began to eat. Mariah took the first bite,
and chewed slowly, very slowly. "Well, it's uh, it's salty, and
it's--"
"It's disgusting," said Brian finishing her sentence.
Mariah laughed. "Why don't we order pizza?"
"Sounds good," said Mariah laughing. Brian went inside
to order the pizza. Mariah stood outside on the balcony and looked out at the
scenery. It was almost 9, the sun was almost completely set. There was a cool
breeze that night, and Mariah shivered.
"Cold?" asked Brian, coming back outside.
"A little," replied Mariah. Brian took off his jacket
and put it around her shoulders. "Thanks."
The two stood in silence looking at the scenery. Then Brian turned
to face Mariah. "Mariah," he began. "We need to talk."
Mariah turned to face Brian. "I know," she said sighing.
"I've just tried to put it off. I'm sorry I said anything at all. Let's
just go back to the way it was before.
Brian looked at her. "Did you mean it when you said it?"
Mariah's eyes went up to meet his, then she looked back out to the
city. She nodded her head.
"Then why do you regret anything?" She didn't answer
him. Brian lifted his hand and turned her head so her eyes met his. "I
don't regret you said anything," he started. "Truthfully, I'm glad
that you said it because now I realize how much I care about you. I know you
may not believe me, but--" he paused, then said, "I love you. It took
me while a realize, but I do, I love you, more than I've loved anyone else in
my life. You brighten my day when you smile. I've finally found someone who I
can talk to and I'm not shy around."
Mariah's eyes began to water. "Brian--"
"Wait, let me finish," said Brian, interrupting. "I
hope I haven't blown it with you with the way that I reacted that night. I was
just surprised, that's all. You caught me off guard." He paused and
smiled. Then said, "I admire everything about you. You're beautiful, loving,
caring. You've got a big heart and I hope you still have room in it for
me." He smiled at Mariah and gently wiped away her tears with his fingers.
"Brian, I don't know what to say except...I love you too. I
do have room in my heart for you. I always have and I always will."
Brian grinned. He lifted her up in his arms and spun her around.
Mariah laughed and said, "Brian, put me down." He did.
He gently set her on the ground and looked deep into her eyes. Mariah looked
right back with as much love as he was showing in his eyes. She couldn't
believe this was happening. They both leaned in and they shared their first
kiss under the moonlight.