| At the end of the next week Brian pulled Sue aside. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. "Do you know where we are going tomorrow?" Sue thought for a moment. She hadn't really paid a lot of attention to where the tour was going next along the way, but this seemed pretty important to Brian, so she guessed it was his hometown. "Ummmm, Lexington?" she asked seeing his eyes light up when she said the word. "Yeah, and you and I are going there early," he said kissing her ear softly. Sue pulled away. "Early? Are Will and David coming?" It was funny how they were such a part of her now, like the dynamic duo. "Of course they are, you know I wouldn't expect you to go anywhere without them. We're going home for a couple of days. Mom and Dad are really looking forward to meeting you. They are really excited," he told her, obviously very excited himself at introducing her to his parents. Sue felt a little nervous about that, but would not let him see that. "That's wonderful Brian, I am looking forward to meeting them too. You talk so highly of them." Even to her ears that sounded almost rehearsed. He smiled. He hadn't noticed her nerves. "Well, I've told them all about you. It's going to be great. Once the concert is over tonight we will head straight off to Lexington. I think it's a 5-hour trip. And Kevin is going too. The rest will catch up the day after. We'll have a whole day at home. I want to show you around. I want everyone to meet you Sue. They are going to love you as much as I do, I know it." Sue smiled at him, but still felt a little nervous at the prospect of meeting his family in less than a day. It was obvious to Sue over the time she had known Brian, that his family meant the world to him. He spoke of them so often in his normal every day conversation. She had the whole concert to think about the day ahead. Her mind wasn't on the concert and Brian had noticed, looking at her cryptically a few times, wondering what was wrong. She noticed him looking around her, as if looking for someone and she realised he thought someone in the crowd had spooked her. She smiled and waved at him, trying her utmost to stay focussed on him. Back on the bus that night he asked her if she was okay and she assured him she was. She was just tired and needed to get some sleep before meeting his family. The bus was taking them to the outskirts of Lexington before moving on to the arena, and they would have a van waiting for them to take them home. Home, it still scared Sue. The thought of meeting his family had her tied up in knots. When Brian pulled her into his arms from behind, shaping his body to hers, she relaxed. Everything was going to be okay so long as Brian was with her. He kissed the back of her neck and she relaxed, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. The changeover to the van went smoothly, no fans hanging around at all which was a change. They sat in the back of the van, Brian's arm around her and the nerves resurfaced. "You okay Sue?" Brian asked her looking worried. "You look a little ill." She smiled at him. "I'm just nervous." "Why are you nervous. Sue they are going to love you, I just know it." He put his fingers under her chin. "Come on, don't be nervous," he said to her kissing her softly on the lips. All thought of nervousness and where they were going faded away as she returned his kisses eagerly. They pulled into a long driveway and Brian moved away, grinning at her. "We're here." He helped her out of the car and saw two people standing on the front step. It had to be 4-00am yet they were both there waiting. Brian led Sue up to the house, again followed by her dynamic duo and began the introductions. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Sue. Sue this is my Mom and Dad, Jackie and Harold." Brian's arm was still firmly around Sue until he watched as first his Mom, and then his Dad, gave her a welcome hug and she saw Sue relax. He knew she had been nervous about meeting them and he had done everything he could think of to calm her, including the long and passionate kiss in the van. He smiled to himself realising that had been a bonus for both of them. As Sue was talking to his dad, his mom came up to him taking both hands in hers. "Brian it's nice to see you again so soon." "So soon?" he frowned at her. It had been 4 months since he had seen his parents. "Yes, yesterday, when you called in yesterday morning on your way back to the airport. You were here only a short while," she said to him, looking confused. "Shit." Brian said and saw the look on his mothers face. "Sorry mom, just… it's a long story. Please don't say anything to Sue. I will explain it all when she is settled down and sleeping. Will you stay up till I come to you? Oh and she has to sleep with me," he said noticing the disapproving look on his mom's face. "I'll explain that too. It's important." "This sounds serious Brian." "It is Mom, it is. Did dad see me?" Brian asked, hoping he wasn't saying anything to Sue as he led her into the house. "No, but I mentioned it to him. Brian, you're worrying me. Why are the bodyguards here too? They usually don't come here." "I'll explain that too. Will, David," he called out to them, "I'd like you to meet my mother, Jackie Littrell." They said their hellos and followed Brian and Jackie in the house, where Brian introduced them to his dad. He pulled his dad aside and asked him not to say anything to Sue, telling him he would explain it all after Sue was asleep. His parents as he had expected, accepted Sue as if she was their own. It was too late in the night to be having a drink but they talked and got to know each other as well as they could in the short time. His heart swelled with pride as he saw them laugh and talk, but in his mind was the fact that Spencer Newman had been in his home, talking to his mom. The fact that she had been alone with him scared the life out of him. Sue yawned and Brian announced it was time to get sleep. They all agreed, and after saying goodnight, with a questioning look at his parents who nodded, he led Sue to his old childhood bedroom. He watched Sue as she walked in, wondering what she would think. He had never brought a girlfriend into his room. Sue walked into the dimly lit room and waited for Brian to turn the overhead light on. She spun around looking at what was Brian's childhood room. A feeling of intimacy washed over as she took it all in. The room gave her an insight into Brian's life from before she met him. His early life filled with basketball and singing memorabilia. She admired the many trophies she saw along one wall but yawned again, covering her mouth. "Come on, you can check out my room in the morning," Brian laughed, guiding her towards the bed. "So, you feel better now? I knew they would love you. How could anyone not love you?" he asked kissing her softly on the forehead. "You parents are wonderful people Brian. I can feel the love. They made me feel so at ease straight away." He smiled at her, his features softening. He was glad Sue had got along with his family so well. Not that he had thought she wouldn't. He looked at her, seeing how tired she looked. "Lets get you to bed." "You're coming in too aren't you?" she asked, suddenly afraid he would be going somewhere else to sleep. He ran his fingers through her hair soothingly. "Of course I am. I won't leave you remember." He sighed knowing he was going to be doing exactly that. But he would have Will outside the door and David outside watching the house, until he was back. "I do have to use the bathroom though, will you be okay while I go?" She smiled, her eyes already closing. He watched her climb into his bed, slightly bigger than normal, but still small for two, but he would hold her close like he did every night. There would be ample room. He covered her up and kissed her forehead, telling her he would be back soon. She nodded and closed her eyes. He could see her body relaxing as she settled into his bed, a smile on her lips. He left to go to the bathroom and stood looking in the mirror. He could see the strain and worry in his eyes. He knew his mother had seen it and she was eager to know what was going on. Then he thought of Sue and he saw his features soften. He loved her so much and would do anything for her. He waited for a short while before returning to his room to check on Sue. She was sleeping peacefully and he couldn't resist but to walk over and kiss her lightly on the forehead. She mumbled softly in her sleep before becoming still again, her breathing easy. Will was positioned outside the door, on duty still till Brian returned. He searched out his parents, sitting patiently awaiting his return. How was he going to explain all that had been happening to them? He looked at their anxious faces and walked over to them, pulling them both in for a hug. "Thank you for not saying anything to Sue. She wouldn't have been able to cope." "Why Brian. Are you two having problems? You look so happy together," his mom said to her. "She's everything you said she was." "I wasn't here yesterday Mom." Brian said to her. No beating about the bush, especially at this time of night. "But I saw you. I spoke to you." His mom said looking more than a little confused. Brian was shaking his head sadly, a faraway look in his eyes. "It wasn't me." Brian sat and explained the entire story to his parents who sat listening on in horror, asking questions as they saw fit. He left nothing out, telling them both of the trauma they had been through and how it still plagued Sue. The smallest thing would trigger a memory. Her cast on her arm was a constant reminder. The whole situation was a nightmare they were living and they could see no end in sight. "And through all of this I can't help thinking this is my fault." Brian finished up. "How can this be your fault?" his mom asked him, sitting beside him holding his hand in hers. "Because at first he was after me. Wanting to take my identity, take some of my money I suppose. We really don't even know what his real intention was. Then he saw Sue and decided he wanted her instead. If she hadn't been with me, or he hadn't seen her with me, he would not be stalking her now. I feel responsible and I have to protect her. That's why I insisted on her sleeping in my room Mom. She won't sleep alone. She has to be incredibly tired to be sleeping as she is now." "Brian, this is not your fault. It's the other man's fault. You and Sue are the victims here. Innocent victims. Don't take the blame for this." "But Mom, he came to see you too. He is everywhere and it's driving me crazy. If Sue were to know he was here she would fall apart, I know it. Will and David have been doing a wonderful job of keeping her safe. But there is only so much they can do. Mom, Dad, please be careful. I worry about you too." "We will, and Brian, relax. Working yourself up over this is not going to help. I know you are stressed by it all, and with good reason, but it won't be good for you." His mom said to him, his dad nodding his head in agreement. "I better go back to her. If she wakes to find me not there, she might panic. She's depending on me and I will be there for her. I do love her so much. She's the one for me. The one I see forever with." "We can see that. You have a glow about you when she is with you, even through the stress. I could see it. Don't let her get away." "I don't intend to." Brian said as he heard a scream coming from the direction of his bedroom. "Oh Shit!" he yelled and was turning to run in an instant. The door to the room was already open and Will was trying to comfort Sue, but she was screaming and thrashing about, not letting him close. "Sue." Brian cried out. "I'm here Baby." Brian took her into his arms and held her tightly shushing her with whispers in her ear. When was she ever going to feel safe again? As much as he needed to be here for her, wanted to be here for her, it was draining at the same time. He worried constantly about her and his mom had been right, it was affecting him. He also knew there was no other place he would be right now, but at her side. He looked over at his parents standing in the doorway making sure everything was okay. He waved them away, nodding his head at them that they would be fine. He watched them turn and walk away, then spoke to Will, telling him all would be okay now and to get some sleep. And to tell David he could come inside now. They had a security system in place that one of them would have to activate for them. He wouldn't be able to leave Sue now to do it. Brian undressed quickly and climbed into bed next to Sue, pulling her into his arms. "It's okay Sue. Go to sleep." "You weren't here. Where were you?" Sue asked him, knowing she shouldn't but couldn't help herself. "Just talking to Mom and Dad. It's been so long since I had seen them. I should have told you." "I just woke and was confused. I saw shapes and thought something was moving. I should just get over it." "No enough of that. We're here for each other." He kissed her softly and a longing again dashed through him. He held back, not wanting to pressure Sue. He knew she was tired and they both needed to sleep. But so help him he still wanted to make love to her. Instead he curled his arm around her and tucked her body neatly up against his. "Go to sleep Sue. I'm not going anywhere." Before he knew it her breathing had returned to the steady rhythm of someone sleeping and he relaxed and let himself fall asleep, his mind still troubled with everything that was happening. The Police would have to be told about this latest incident that went without saying. He wanted Sue spared of this latest development. She had enough to deal with without knowing this. |