“How long has it been?” Jac asked Sue one evening as they drank coffee on the back patio. The breeze off the water was a refreshing change to the extreme temperatures they had been experiencing.
“Too long Jac. I miss him like crazy. We just can’t seem to synchronise a time to get together.” She thought for a while. “It’s been 4 months.”
“Four months? You must be going crazy.”
Sue had a faraway look in her eye as she mumbled yeah. She was the girlfriend of a famous music artist. Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys. It was tough on the two of them, especially seeing Sue lived in Australia and Brian in USA, and travelling the world. They found it almost impossible to physically be together and their phone bills were always horrendous.
They had met when Brian, and the group of course, had stopped off in Sydney for their amazing promo tour in November 2000. Sue had been at one of their stops and given him a gift. He had been her idol for so long, and this was her one chance at meeting him. Never did she dream the day would turn out as it had or what would eventuate after that.
The moment their eyes met there was a connection between the two. Brian used all his time at that particular venue just talking to her. As he left, with one last lingering look in her direction, Sue felt torn. She was over the moon that he had showered her with such attention, but she was heartbroken that she would likely not see him again, apart from the short appearance on the stage amongst thousands of other fans that afternoon. She felt they could have so much more.
And that is exactly what had happened. She had forgotten that she had put her details in the letter she had written to Brian. She blushed when she remembered how intimate her letter to him had been, and he had to have read it to get her phone number. And he had read the letter. As he climbed into the van taking him to the next venue along with Howie in the front seat, he clutched the letter and realised it may have some way of contacting her. He had been so taken with the girl upstairs he simply had to see her again. He found her number, rang her up and invited her first on the cruise they were to take of the harbour and then later to the cocktail party where they had 3 uninterrupted hours together.
The first time Brian had kissed her, Sue had felt emotions running through her she had never in her life experienced. She saw the clichéd fireworks and stars, she felt the world turn on it’s axis. He was the one, her soul mate in life and she felt sure he was feeling the same way. His words to her, the way he held her and touched her, it all indicated to her, and anyone watching them, that there was something special going on between them.
Their last kiss that day, before Brian was whisked away to the airport and out of Sue’s world was mind blowing. They didn’t know when they would see each other again and the kiss was one that would have to last them a long time. As Brian left the room he had taken her to, Sue simply sat feeling a roller coaster of emotions running through her. Happiness, joy, love, contentment, bliss, all mixed with sadness, grief, heartache, anguish. She felt numb and didn’t notice the tears rolling down her face until a hotel staff member came to her to ask her if she was alright. It took her a moment to answer her, but yes, she was alright, she had told her as she gathered up her bag and walked to the door. She was in love.
It was less than an hour before Brian had rang her up to see how she was and the phone calls never stopped. He rang her at every opportunity over the next few weeks and Sue knew the phone bills would be massive. He told her many times he didn’t care, he had to talk to her. He wanted to see her, hold her, kiss her, but for now the phone calls was all they were able to have. Gifts began to arrive making Sue long to be with him. She ached to feel his lips on hers again.
Still studying her final year in computers at university made it almost impossible for her to go to him. And Brian was in the midst of a concert tour so he couldn’t get to her. They were star-crossed lovers, never being able to meet. Their one chance meeting is all they had together. Their many phone calls were a blessing though. Courtship over the phone lines had their advantages and soon Brian and Sue had gotten to know each other as well, of not more so, than if they had been dating in the regular fashion.
One other time they had gotten together. Brian had arranged for Sue to visit them during one of her breaks from university, but sadly it was during a heavy schedule that the Backstreet Boys were in the midst of. He apologised every time he had to leave her, and she told him it was okay, but in her heart she was disappointed because she had hoped they would have some more quality time together. She had dreamed of the first time they would make love, but it just didn’t happen during that week she had spent with Brian. They were both willing, but circumstances never allowed it. Among the tears of farewell at the end of the week, blending in with the frantic kisses, Sue felt frustrated. She wanted Brian so badly.
So now she sat here with Jac asking her how long it had been since she had seen Brian. “Yes Jac, I am going crazy. Crazy with wanting him. I know him so well, we know every little detail about each other. I love him more than life itself. But in all honesty, what have we shared? One afternoon over a year ago and a week through the year when he was so busy we barely had any time together.” Sue felt sad. Thinking about it always made her feel worse. But she had a plan. “I’ve finished my studies now Jac, and if Brian will have me, I am going to spend some time with him. See how we actually get along.”
“If Brian will have you? Get outta here, the man is crazy for you. I’ve talked to him. I’ve seen him talking on TV about the love of his life. Sue. Brian would have you over there with him in a heartbeat.”
Sue smiled as Jac spoke. He better or she would just have to smack him.
Just then there was a knock at the door. Jac ran to answer it and she heard her squeal in delight. She came to tell Sue she had to pop out for a few minutes and she wondered who on earth could have delighted Jac so much.
Sue sat quietly watching the boats below them twinkling in the early evening light. The sun was just disappearing and it gave the water a delightful red glow. She always felt at peace here in the evenings. She spent a lot of time daydreaming about her and Brian here. This was also where she brought her phone when he rang her to talk. It was almost like their special place, without Brian ever having been there.
A hand snaked around and over her eyes, frightening the life out of her. She jumped and attempted to struggle, but something urged her not to. Maybe a whiff of a scent lingering on the breeze, or a premonition, but she sat quietly, waiting for the person to say something.
A warm breath on her ear made her tingle and her mind began to imagine Brian. A kiss on the back of her ear made her shiver. “God I missed you so much,” came the voice.
“BRIAN!” Sue squealed jumping out of her chair, promptly knocking Brian over, tumbling to the floor.
Sue looked down at him and to her horror she began to laugh. She hadn’t seen Brian for months and when he turned up to surprise her she knocked him over and then laughed at him.
“Well that’s a fine welcome,” Brian joked with her, laughing along with her.
“I’m sorry Brian,” she said and suddenly the enormity of having Brian actually in front of her, in her home hit her like a brick wall. Tears began to flood her eyes and one fat tear escaped and rolled down her cheek, falling off and dropping down on Brian’s leg.
Brian jumped up in a second and pulled her into his arms. “It’s okay Baby, I was only joking.” His hands pulled close to him, resting her head on his chest so he was able to comfort her. It felt so good to be held in his arms again and she cried harder. She wanted to stay there forever.
Sue sniffed. “I know that Brian.” She finally mumbled into his chest.
“Then why are you crying?”
“Because you are here.” She looked up at him. “You are here aren’t you? I’m not dreaming?” He nodded his head at her, his eyes shining so brightly with love. “I’ve missed you so much,” she told him sniffing again.
She lifted her face to his and waited while he lowered his lips for a kiss. She clung to him as if she was never going to let him go and the kiss they shared was the same. Brian kissed Sue with a built up longing. He hadn’t wanted to rush things when he finally saw her again, giving them time to readjust, but the moment his lips were on hers, his tongue seeking hers out, he was lost and never wanted to be found again. He had missed her so desperately and now he would be making up for lost time.
Sue blinked when they finally moved apart mere inches. She noticed the sky was now dark and smiled. That was some kiss they had shared. “Don’t leave me again,” she pleaded him, her eyes still damp.
“I’m not going anywhere for now. It’s just you and me. No interruptions.” He kissed her again. “I have a surprise for you.”
“What being here isn’t enough of a surprise? You are going to kill me Brian.”
“I don’t want that,” he said seriously. “Did I surprise you?”
“You know you did.” The realisation that he was actually there still hadn’t sunk in. “You know I have dreamt of this moment for so long and now you are here.” She pinched his arm.
“Ouch, what was that for?” he chuckled, rubbing his arm where she had pinched.
“Just to make sure I am not dreaming.”
“Don’t you usually pinch yourself?”
“Oh yeah,” she said and motioned to pinch herself on her arm.
Brian grabbed her fingers. “You don’t need to do that Baby. I’m here and I am not letting you out of my sight.” He took her hand gently in his and Sue felt the familiar rush of desire curling through her body. She had felt it so often when she thought of Brian but this was the real thing. Whatever Brian’s surprise was, she knew it would be special, even if it was only watching him play basketball, though she knew in her heart it was more than that. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Go? Where are we going?”
“I told you, I have a surprise for you.”
“Yeah but… Never mind. Lead on.”
Brian took her out and led her to a flashy looking rental car. Sue made no comment but knew it was on the high scale of the rental market. Being spoiled like this when she was with Brian was going to take a lot of getting used to. She was still a struggling ex Uni student now theoretically looking for a job.
They drove along the busy Sydney streets in silence, Sue simply content to watch Brian as he drove the powerful car. She was surprised he could manage driving it so well, seeing they drove on the opposite side of the road to what he was used to. But he seemed to manage it quite easily though he did concentrate harder. Before long they pulled up at a dock by the harbour and Sue noticed an expensive looking cruiser tied up at the end. She looked at Brian questioningly.
“It’s ours for the night.”
The words ‘for the night’ didn’t escape Sue and her body warmed at the thought. Would they finally have the chance to show each other the love they felt? She knew there was now no reason not to. She looked up at Brian as he smiled down at her. She gripped his hand tighter, needing his support as her body weakened with desire.
They stepped onto the cruiser and were greeted by the captain of the boat who told them everything was ready for their departure. He would show them around then leave them in peace. Sue craved that privacy with Brian seeing they had never had it before.
Once they had been left alone Brian steered her out to the back of the boat. Lights twinkled all around them and a table was set with an array of food luxuriously set out on a table set with the finest linen, and silver tableware. Brian had spared no expense and Sue felt like a princess.
“You haven’t eaten have you?” Brian asked her, his body close to hers as he still held her hand. Neither one of them wanted to break the contact they shared even if it was only holding hands.
“No, Jac and I had thought about ordering in a pizza.” She smiled. “This is so much better.”
“How much better?” Brian asked.
“Do you need to ask Brian? I have dreamt of being in your arms again for so long now. I still feel like I am in a dream.”
“It’s real Sue, and it is going to stay real. I don’t want to leave you here ever again.”
She looked at him with a frown on her face. “Brian?”
“Come sit here.” He indicated the bench of seating right along the back. He pulled her in close as they sat and took her free hand in his. “Oh this feels so good. Just to have you in my arms. I don’t think I can ever walk away from you again.”
“But Brian…” Sue said to him but he stopped her words with a finger to her lips. The boat was now moving and the gently lapping of the water on the sides was soothing. But she was confused.
“Sue, I can’t walk away from you again. I’d give everything up for you if I have to.” He saw her about to protest and quickly went on. “I hope that won’t happen, but please believe me when I say I would.” She nodded at his words. She could feel in her heart that he was serious.
He sat back a little and took a deep breath. Taking both of her hands in his gently, he looked deeply into her eyes. “Sue, you know I love you more than anything don’t you?” She nodded, unable to speak now. “I can’t explain the instant attraction that ignited between us from that very first moment when I was last in Australia with the group, all I know is I felt it, and I know you did too.” She nodded again and waited for Brian to continue. “Getting to know you over the phone has been frustrating as well as enlightening. I’ve gotten to know you so well and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Sue looked at him, her heart pounding, wondering what he was going to say next, hoping it was what she had dreamed of so many times. “Sue. We’ve only been together physically on two occasions but I know you are the one for me, my destiny. Will you please do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Joy lurched through her body and she was thankful she was sitting. Her breathing came in spurts and her heart was beating at a rapid rate, feelings of love squeezing her tight. “Brian are you serious?” she asked. She had to be sure. Tears were prickling the backs of her eyelids.
“Never more serious of anything more in my life. I can’t bear to be apart from you anymore. I need you as much as I need air to breath.” Sue looked at him, desire and love cascading all around her. “Sue? I’m sorry. I should have given you more time.”
“Yes Brian,” she rushed out.
“Yes?”
“Yes Brian. I will marry you. It hurts so much to be away from you and all those things you said are true for me. I love you and I know we were fated to be together. I don’t want to be apart from you, but more importantly I want to be your wife, have you as my husband. I love you Brian.”
“I love you too Sue.” Brian said before lowering his lips to hers for a heart-stopping kiss. “We’re going to work this out. I am never letting you out of my sight again. We belong together.”
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“And now on MTV News we report that in Sydney Australia, just yesterday, Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell has walked down the aisle with his long distance girlfriend Sue Maddison. The two met when the Backstreet Boys had stopped in Sydney on their whirlwind 100 hour tour of the world promoting their Black and Blue album release in November 2000. Said Brian when asked about their romance, it had been a long distance relationship where many phone calls kept the romance alive. It was a difficult way for the two of them to build a relationship, but it was one built to last any test of their love. Seen here leaving the church in Northern Sydney (film shown of the two of them leaving the church, waving to the camera and sharing a chaste kiss) they made their way to a reception on a luxury yacht on Sydney’s harbour which they both say is very special to them. The other four Backstreet Boys were in attendance along with family and friends. Once they return from their honeymoon in an undisclosed location, Brian and Sue will return to USA where rehearsal for a new tour will be underway. One can be sure that this time Australia will definitely be on the tour agenda.
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