Chapter 18

After church we walked slowly, arm in arm back to my childhood home. It was going to feel strange, all of us back together again, but it was a welcome feeling. My heart swelled at the thought of the happiness we would all share.

Because we had walked, everyone else was already at our place when we arrived. We walked into our living room after removing out boots and coats, and a rousing cheer went up. I bit my lip to stop from laughing aloud but it didn't work. Everyone was happy to finally see us back together and they weren't shy about letting us know. Brian took the good natured ribbing in his stride, admitting to everyone he had been wrong. The only one I noticed sitting quiet in the corner was my younger brother Joshua. I pointed this out to Brian and he nodded. "I'll talk to him."

Kevin was here this year too. With their group heading up to Canada in only a couple of days, they took the opportunity to spend some time here with family. And Jac was here. Since we had been to Orlando, there was a complete turn around in the relationship between them. Where Jac use to think of Kevin with disdain, she had done a complete about face and was now smitten, shot by cupids arrow in a big way. The three days we had been back from Orlando, all she had talked about was Kevin. Kevin this and Kevin that. What they had done. Where they had gone. Jac was a little more experienced than I was, and whether or not she and Kevin had taken that step that I couldn't I didn't know, but if they hadn't, it wouldn't be far off.

Kevin obviously felt the same way. Looking at the two of them that Christmas day, I realised they were the perfect couple. He doted on her every wish and she loved every minute of it. It was strange what love had done to her. Usually such an independent woman, she was totally under Kevin's spell. She would do anything for him, and he would do anything for her. I smiled to myself. Jac had come to Orlando to help me, and this had resulted from the trip too. It certainly was successful.

A third relationship also came from that vacation. I wished AJ and Kerry could have shared Christmas with us, but Kerry had to visit family in New York, and AJ was with his family in Orlando. Hopefully they would be able to further their friendship as well.

But for now, I was happy that Jac was with Kevin. She deserved to find her true love too. Kevin was looking to be that one. I took her aside at some point in the day. Brian had gone outside to play some ball with Joshua, and Kevin was off talking to his brother about something.

"Jac. You holding out on me?"

"How? I wouldn't do that." She laughed at me.

"You told me you and Kevin were together now, but wow, you sure are. You are almost joined at the hip." I looked at here weighing up all I had seen. "You love him don't you?"

She was slowly shaking her head. "Love? I don't know. Is it love? I know when I am with him I feel alive. He brings out something in me I never knew I had. I tingle when he touches me, and when he kisses me, man, all the usual cliché's of rockets and fireworks ring true. I can't bare to be apart from him, and when I am with him I am complete. Is that love Sue?"

I grinned at her, knowing what she was feeling, having felt it for so many years already. "Sounds like it to me Jac. Does he feel the same way? From the look of things he does."

"I hope so Sue. I really do. I am beginning to know how you were feeling all those years when Brian was gone. I am hurting already at the thought of Kevin leaving." I put my hand on her shoulder.

"It's not easy." I said to her. "But I think I can cope now. I believe Brian will remember me now and always come back."

"He's older now Sue. More mature. Leaving isn't such a grand adventure like it was all those years ago. You only have to look at Brian, see the love in his eyes when he looks at you to know he means it when he says he will be yours forever. I believe him now too." She grinned. "No need for me to punch him in the eye anymore.

I laughed at that comment, nearly spilling my drink. "And I don't think I need to punch Kevin either. He has that same look you know." I stopped, seeing Kevin walk up behind Jac. He had a grin on his face letting me know he had heard what I said.

"No, you don't need to punch him. Or I might punch you back. He is too special to hurt." Jac said looking quizzically at me grinning and shaking my head. "And by the look on your face he is right behind me right?" I smiled my answer.

"Here's my girl," he said wrapping his arms around Jac's waist from behind. "Who is going to hit me?"

"No one sweetie," Jac said to him lifting her head and kissing his cheek. "Sue and I were, um, reminiscing," she hedged.

He grinned, screwing up his nose as he did so. "Sue could I borrow Jac away from you for a little while. Mom wants to talk to her."

"Sure Kevin." I said and Kevin wrapped Jac in his arms and led her to where his mom was sitting chatting to Brian's mom.

I walked over to the window to check on Brian and Joshua. They weren't at the basketball net and I scanned the backyard not seeing them. I wondered where they could be, especially as it was getting cold out. I could see the snow flakes were beginning to fall softly. Then I saw them by the swings way down the yard. Brian sat on a swing and pushed it into motion a small way. Joshua was nodding his head every so often as Brian spoke. It looked like a real heart to heart, which I was glad about. Josh had been acting a little strange since I told him Brian was back.

Brian looked up and held his hand out to catch some snowflakes. Josh laughed and Brian got off the swing, wrapping Josh into a hug. He was already taller than me, so he was close to towering over Brian too. I laughed at the sight of them in their embrace. Brian hated being so small, but it was him and I loved him however tall or short he was. They turned and walked towards the house arms around each others shoulders laughing about something and I smiled at them. Whatever was bothering Josh before was fixed up between them.

Later that evening Brian enlightened me on his talk with Josh. Josh felt important that Brian wanted a man to man with him and spilled everything that was on his mind.

"He thought so many things Sue. He loves you, you know."

"Yeah, he's a good kid."

"First of all he resented me for hurting you over those years. He saw how sad you were and swore to himself he would get me back. I told him to put himself in my shoes. I was young, only 2 years older than he was now, and rushing into that exciting life. I didn't know how inconsiderate I was being towards you. He thought about that and nodded. Then he told me he could understand, but it hurt to see you hurting so much. So I apologised to him, for hurting you, at the same time hurting him."

I nodded at him. Josh had been there for me. A lot of the time he was angry at Brian, but there were also many times he had sat with me, showing maturity beyond his years, comforting me. He was a good kid. "So what else did he say."

"Well now he is scared. Scared I am going to do it again. I told him that was a fair enough reaction, because even you were scared. I told him what I have been telling you. I will be yours forever. I may not be here all the time, but I am yours. You are mine." I smiled at that. "He's also worried about me taking you away."

"And what did you say to that?"

"I told him I would never take you away from him. Even if you leave Kentucky, you will always be here," he tapped his heart, "for him."

"Ahh, Brian, that is so sweet. Was he happy with that?"

"He thought about everything I had said, and came to the conclusion that he was glad I was back in your life. He has seen you happy again, and that is what he wants. He is a smart kid, your little brother."

"Good thing it wasn't Steven, he might have decked you."

"Yeah, he might have. I know Harold has wanted to deck me many a time I was home. I'm glad they were all here for you." He pulled me into his arms. "I want to ask you something." I looked at him asking him with my eyes what it was. "We are going to be in Canada for New Year. I wondered if you would join me. See what life is like when we are touring."

"So I can see what you have been through?"

"Well," he screwed up his face, "sort of. But mainly because I want you with me. We are in the middle of a tour and I don't know when I can get back. Will you come with me? Please."

I thought about it. It interested me to see what Brian actually did. I also had some time off over the holiday season. "AJ and Kev told me they were asking Kerry and Jac too. You wouldn't be alone if they came." He continued, using that to encourage me.

"I'd like to Brian," I said, trying to play a little hard to get.

"But? Sue. I would really like you there. Despite what you think about our image, no girls allowed, I would proudly show you off to the world. Please join us for the Montreal and Toronto leg of the tour."

"Ooooh, it would be cold there. We could do a lot of cuddling to keep warm."

"Now that is even better," he grinned. "I never thought about that." He became serious again. "So how about it Sue. Will you come with me?"

"Well, I can't get away from here till the morning of New Years Eve. Is that okay."

"Sweetheart, any time you can make it is great with me. I'll let security know tomorrow."

"Security? I won't need a bodyguard will I?"

He laughed at my obvious distaste of the idea. "Not your own, no, but mine will be responsible for you. You'll like him. He's a nice guy."

"Okay. I'll come." I told him.

Chapter 19
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