The sky has lost its color
The sun has turned to gray
At least that's how it feels to me
Whenever you're away

As the sounds of laughter filled the room, Stacy reached for another tissue. Damn, the box was empty. Glancing around she realized she had gone through the whole thing. "You are really pathetic girl! Bawling your eyes out in the dark watching home movies," she said shaking her head. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she slowly shuffled into the bathroom and looked for another box of Kleenex. "There has to be more in here somewhere!" Slamming cabinet doors she finally grabbed a roll of toilet paper and headed back to the living room. With a huff she plopped back down on the pillows she had set up in the middle of the floor and blew her nose. "Pathetic or not, I miss him," she sadly exclaimed to the empty room. Sighing, she stared at the screen and watched the love of her life.

This particular tape was from two years ago at Howie’s birthday party. He had thrown it himself at his club, Tabu. All the fellas were there along with their girlfriends, family and close friends. The party was going well and everyone was enjoying themselves. Kevin, as usual, had his video camera and was taping the festivities. He had come across Brian and Stacy sitting in a corner table talking quietly. As the music and general party noise blared on around them they sat close together. Lost in their own little world and oblivious to the fact that they were being caught on camera. Their noses almost touching, you could see the looks of love and contentment on their faces. A small smile was formed on Brian’s lips as he softly spoke to her. Stacy’s eyes were closed as she relished in the nearness they were sharing. She remembered it like it was yesterday. The way his fingers slowly traveled up and down her arm. His hot breath on her face as he kept whispering sweet nothings. Even his smell. God, how she loved the way he smelled. She was wearing one of Brian’s tee shirts so she pulled up the collar and inhaled deeply never taking her eyes from his face on the screen. Trying to recapture that moment Stacy sat transfixed in front of the television with fresh tears rolling down her cheeks.

I crawl up in the corner
To watch the minutes pass
Each one brings me closer to
The time you're coming back

Slowly Stacy lay down and curled into a ball. She missed him so much that her heart ached. The Boys were overseas on the last leg of their current tour. She had traveled with them in the beginning when her work would allow but there were times when it just wasn’t feasible. This had been one of those times. And now it was going on four and a half weeks that her and Brian hadn’t seen each other and it was driving her crazy. And yet they still had about a month to go before the tour would finally be over. Sure, they talked every day. Sometimes as many as four or five times a day even if it was for just a couple of seconds to say hi or I love you. But it wasn’t the same. She couldn’t hold him. Touch him. Kiss him. Feel him. She wanted to just be near him. To take him all in. To look into those crystal blue eyes and get lost. To hear that soft southern voice lightly echo in her ears. But he was thousands of miles away and she was stuck at home. She put up a brave front every time she talked to him but it was killing her inside. She wanted Brian. She needed him. She couldn’t wait until the day finally came that they would be together again. As more tears poured from her eyes she quietly called out to him. "Oh Brian, I miss you so much. I love you. I need you." Repeating this mantra she finally cried herself to sleep.

I can't take the distance
I can't take the miles
I can't take the time
Until I next see you smile

Brian couldn’t wait to get home and finally have Stacy in his arms once again. After their last phone call he had made a decision to come back and surprise her. He sensed that something was wrong. She was quieter than usual but only reassured him that everything was okay when questioned about it. That was Stacy for you. Always thinking of him first. Not wanting to worry him. That was one of the reasons he fell in love with her. She always put others ahead of herself. But he knew she must be lonely. He sure was. He missed her like crazy. So much so that he was beginning to get quite moody. The others noticed his change of attitude and called him on it. So, after promising management and the other fellas that he would be back in plenty of time for the next concert date he hustled to the airport and caught a flight home. He had two days to spend with the woman he loved. He was anxious, nervous and excited all at once. Brian leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes as he reminisced about their first few months together. Love had hit them both. And hit them hard. They knew going into the relationship that it would be tough. But they also knew that they belonged together. They were meant to be. She was his heart and soul. And he hers. Promising to put everything they had into making it work, they held strong. It had been tough at times but they made it. Together. And that’s the way he looked at it. They would always be together. Forever. He couldn’t imagine his life without her.

"Excuse me, Mr. Littrell, but we’re here." Brian was shaken out of his thoughts by the voice of the driver. Rubbing his eyes he glanced out the car window and recognized their house. "Thanks Paul, we made good time." "Sure did Mr. Littrell. I knew you were anxious to get home so I pushed the speed limit a little." Brian couldn’t help but chuckle as the driver removed his bag from the trunk. "I appreciate that Paul. Thank you again." "Any time, sir. Any time. I’ll be back Thursday evening for you?" Brian sighed. Two days just didn’t seem long enough to him. "Yeah. Thursday it is." "All right then Mr. Littrell. I’ll see you on Thursday. Good evening." As the driver climbed back into the car Brian waved and said good bye.

I can't take the distance
And I'm not ashamed
That with every breath I take
I'm calling your name
But I can't take the distance

Brian’s insides felt like a ball of pure energy. It had been too long. He couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise on Stacy’s face as he walked into the house. The first thing he wanted to do was smother her with kisses. To feel her in his arms. To taste her. To breathe her in. A smile playing on his lips, he pulled the keys out of his pocket and glanced up to the house. There were no lights on. Looking at his watch he noticed it was a little after one in the morning. Unlocking the door he mentally smacked himself. It was late. She was probably in bed asleep. He quietly walked in and closed and locked the door behind him. Putting his bag on the floor by the hallway closet he breathed a sigh of relief. It felt good to be home.

As Brian made his way through the darkened house he heard voices coming from the living room. Curious, he headed down the hallway. Letting his eyes adjust once he reached the door he looked around. The tv was on and there was a tape playing. Brian chuckled. It was of Howie’s birthday a couple years ago. Nick was on the screen telling some story about Howie and his ability to fall asleep anywhere at anytime. Everyone was laughing and having a good time. Brian remembered that night perfectly. Stacy looked absolutely beautiful in a lavender dress that he had given her just for the occasion. His smile grew. As he walked further into the room he saw Stacy lying on the floor in front of the tv. Curled up in a ball and wearing one of his shirts she was surrounded by tissues. Reaching her he knelt down and gazed at the face of the woman he cherished. He realized she had cried herself to sleep. His heart tore. It was because of him that she was so sad. Brushing her cheek with his fingertips he wiped away the remaining tears that had been shed. He noticed something clutched in her hands and slowly removed it. Flipping it over he saw that it was a picture of the two of them before he left for this tour. His favorite picture of them together. Stacy standing in front and Brian behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist while her arms were wrapped over his. She was looking sideways at him and vice versa. God, what had he done? He should have realized how the distance was affecting her sooner. He scolded himself for keeping away from her for so long. She must have been miserable. And yet she hadn’t mentioned anything to him. What kind of boyfriend did that make him? He loved her more than anyone or anything in the world. He never wanted to hurt her and yet he had managed to do just that. He promised himself right then and there that they would never be apart like this again. He would make sure of it. He had finally found the love of his life and he wasn’t about to let her go.

Brian continued to watch Stacy sleep, berating himself for letting things come to this point. He sighed and ran his fingers through his short, blonde locks. He picked her up and started carrying her upstairs to their bedroom, all the while whispering comforting words to her. She sighed and mumbled his name. Still ensconced in slumber Stacy wrapped her arms around Brian’s neck and snuggled in for the journey.

I still believe my feelings
But sometimes I feel too much
I make believe you're close to me
But it ain't close enough
Not nearly close enough

She was dreaming. She had to be. She felt his all too familiar touch. He was so close. And his voice. She could hear Brian’s voice whispering softly to her but she couldn’t make out the words. "Brian," she mumbled. She felt as if she were floating. A warm tingle swept throughout her body. It was Brian and he was finally here with her.

Reaching the bedroom Brian gently laid her on the bed and proceeded to crawl in next to her. Not once giving thought about his clothes. All he wanted to do was wrap her up in his arms, hold her close and stay that way forever. Stacy again sighed as he pulled her closer to him. They fit together perfectly. He gently placed butterfly kisses all over her face. A smile formed on her face and a contented sigh left her lips. "Brian. I miss you." His heart broke at hearing the sadness in her voice knowing he was the cause. Tightening his grip around her he whispered "I’m here Baby," as he continued to caress her cheeks with his lips. "I’m here. I love you so much."

I can't take the distance
I can't take the miles
I can't take the time
Until I next see you smile
And I'm not ashamed
That with every breath I take
I'm calling your name

The next morning Stacy awoke with a start. Confused she wondered what she was doing in the bedroom. Wasn’t she supposed to be on the living room floor? Then she remembered her dream. Brian’s voice. His touch. That floating feeling. It felt so real! She must have walked in her sleep. Oh how she wished he was here with her right now. Her heart started to again cloud over with sadness as she realized that he was still on tour. Not wanting to face another lonely day without him she pulled the covers up and started to roll over. Only to come face to face with a smiling Brian. She screamed.

I'd brave fire and I'd brave rain
To be by your side
I'd do anything
I can't take the distance

"Brian! But what…I thought…. What are you doing here?" Tears of joy streamed down her face as she wrapped her arms around him in a huge hug. "Whoa! Baby, calm down. It’s okay"; Brian laughed as he tried to catch his breath. Stacy pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes. Searching his face she questioned, "You’re here right? I’m not dreaming am I? You’re really here?" "Yes, I’m here. I wanted to surprise you. I’ve missed you so much Baby." As she quickly started placing tiny kisses all over his face she gushed, "Oh my God, I can’t believe it. I’ve missed you so much. I love you!" She again pulled back to gaze into the eyes of the man she loved. Wiping away her tears Brian slowly nodded. "I know Baby, I know. I’m here now. I love you too. So much." He gently ran his hands through her dark hair as they lay silently staring at each other. Each relishing the love that could be felt between them. After what seemed like an eternity Brian slowly brought his mouth down to hers. At first a tender but passionate kiss, it immediately turned into a heated duel of tongues with each fighting to show their love for each other. After a few minutes they pulled away breathless. "Finally," they sighed in unison.

I will go the distance
I will go the miles
That's how much you mean to me

Stacy and Brian spent two glorious days together. And they made the most of them. They did everything from eating dinner outside on the patio underneath a canopy of stars, to watching old home movies until they cried from laughing so hard, to laying curled up on the couch wrapped in each other’s arms and talking. And of course they spent most of their time making love. They reveled in just being together, never wasting a second. And when Thursday came and it was time for Brian to leave again to rejoin the tour they parted with a renewed strength in their love.

I can't take the distance
I can't take these miles
I can't take the time
Until I next see you smile
I can't take the distance
And I'm not ashamed
That with every breath I take
I'm calling your name
I can't take the distance

Song: "The Distance" by Evan and Jarron

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