| Brian lay in bed watching Sue sleep. She was still sound asleep and it was already at least nine. Her exhaustion had finally gotten to her and he was happy to let her sleep, knowing while she slept he would not leave her side. He wanted to see his parents who he had heard moving about the house, but he also had to be here for Sue. As he watched her he felt the love for her deep down in his heart. He felt it with every inch of his body and he knew there was nothing he wouldn't do for her. She was his life, and as he had told his parents, she was his forever. He felt her move and knew she was waking up. He leaned down to kiss her softly. "Good morning Baby. Sleep well." Sue stretched in his arms making him groan to himself. He wanted her and this was torture to his body as she stretched beside him. "Good morning Brian. Yes I slept well. Goodness what time is it?" Brian looked at his watch. "A little after 9. You must have needed it. How are you feeling?" Sue smiled. "Good. I feel really rested. More than I have in a long time." She felt such security lying in Brian's arms in his childhood room. She looked around the room taking in the feel of the room. "You sure did like the Wildcats didn't you?" she asked looking at all the Wildcat memorabilia. "Yeah," she sighed with affection. "I always dreamed of one day playing for the Wildcats, but it never quite happened. My friends and I played basketball every spare minute we could get. But I was always too small to play." Sue knew it was a sore point with Brian. She had also seen him play and as far as she was concerned, size should never have counted. He could beat some of the tallest guys around many times. "You aren't too small for me." She was moving her fingers back and forth over his chest and she could feel how it was affecting him. "I know, we're perfect together and I want you so badly," he leaned down to kiss her, his lips playing over hers tenderly. "But I can't have you now. Not here." He looked down at Sue and laughed aloud when he saw her pout. He lowered his head down to her ear. "You want me too?" His eyes twinkled at her. By now Sue was feeling hot and bothered at the thought of Brian's words. "Yes I want you. Too bad we aren't in a hotel right now." "Hmm, I agree. But we better get up. Mom and Dad are probably wondering what we are up to in here." He sat up and swatted her on the arm. "Come on my beautiful morning person." Sue grumbled at him as she climbed out of his bed. Both of them dressed quickly before heading out to the kitchen where Brian knew he would find his mother. Harold was reading the morning paper when he saw the two of them walk in. He snapped the paper shut and looked up at them. "Good morning you two, sleep well?" Brian guided Sue to a chair and pulled it out for her as she said good morning to them both. She sat down in it and watched him walk over to his mother and give her a kiss on the cheek. It really warmed her heart to see him like this. "Good Morning Mom, Dad. Yes we slept well. I didn't think Sue would ever wake up. She really isn't a morning person," he chucked as he said it. Jackie swiped at him with her tea towel she reached for. "And you are? Who are you to scoff at a non morning person." "Why mother! I am always bright and cheery." Brian pretended to be offended. "Except when you don't get enough sleep." Sue sat laughing at the two of them and Harold leaned over to talk to her. "He isn't a morning person. Have you worked that out yet?" "Yes," Sue answered him firmly. "But," she mellowed, "I think I am worse." They laughed together and Brian brought a coffee over for them both, turning to bring two more cups with him. He turned back again bring over 4 plates and then help his mom bring over the food. Sue thought her eyes would pop out of her head when she saw the amount of food. Jackie laughed when she saw the look on Sue's face. "All Brian's favourites," she told him, "He loves home cooked food when he comes home." "But so much?" Sue asked. She couldn't believe all the food. There were eggs, bacon, toast, muffins, pancakes, even the cinnamon rolls Brian loved so much. It was all arranged in the middle of the large table to choose what you liked. "Sure Sue," Brian laughed at her. "Come on, help yourself. You will love mom's cooking. I always look forward to my hearty breakfast when I come home." His eyes twinkled as he spoke. He really loved being home and it amazed Sue how he could be away so often for such long stretches of time. She started to laugh. It did look great, and her mouth was watering at the thought of all the food in front of her. She started with some eggs and some bacon with an English muffin. She didn't know how much more she could manage though, and was happy with her coffee. Before long she added a small cinnamon roll. They talked over breakfast, Brian's parents getting to know Sue and vice versa. Brian sat back and watched them interact, a feeling of immense pride washing over him. He had known they would get on, and here they were, at his parents' kitchen table getting to know each other and love each other. It was so relaxed and easy going, they could easily have known each other for years. At some point Harold asked Brian to come and see something he had been doing out in the sheds. Brian was reluctant to leave but Sue nodded at him, letting him know she would be okay. "He's worried about you." Jackie said when they left. "I mean he doesn't like to leave you." Sue sighed. There was only a caring tone in Jackie's voice, she knew she wasn't being harsh on her. "I know. This has been hard on him, he is trying so hard to protect me and I am worried about him too. It's taking its toll on him." Jackie put her hand over Sue's softly. "You're both doing really well under the circumstances." She saw the look of confusion in Sue's eyes. "Brian told us about what was going on last night, while you slept." Sue cringed at the memory of waking alone and her reaction. "I'm sorry I reacted like I did last night. It just overwhelms me at times and waking up in the darkness in a strange house all alone just freaked me out." "Don't apologise. Considering everything you have been through, it's understandable. You'll get through this. I have faith in you both." Sue looked down, her fingers absently picking at a loose piece on her plaster. "What's wrong Sue?" She shrugged, her face showing the trouble on her mind. "I just worry about him. I feel like I am a burden to him." She frowned but Jackie stayed quiet, letting Sue gather her thoughts. "He is spending all his time, all his energies, looking out for me. He's not relaxing and I worry about him. I know he is having nightmares too, but he has never told me he is. I can feel it when I lay awake in his arms." She sobbed. "He would be better off if I wasn't around." Now her tears were falling. "The thought of not being with Brian breaks my heart, but with everything that is going on I sometimes wonder if it would be better." Jackie reached for a tissue and wiped at Sue's eyes, pulling her into a hug. She could feel and see how much Sue felt for Brian and it gladdened her heart that Brian had obviously found the love he had always dreamt he would one day have. She could see they both felt the same way after talking with both of them, even though this chat hadn't been very long. "Sue, from everything Brian has told me, it would break his heart if you weren't with him. Every time I speak to him on the phone he just beams when he talks of you." Sue looked up at Jackie and she gave her a weak smile. "Sue, I know Brian loves you. I can see it in his eyes. I can also tell how much you love him." Sue smiled again, this time the smile reaching her eyes, and she nodded. "I do. I never thought it was possible to feel this much love for a person. But almost from the first moment I met Brian, I knew there was something special happening." "He rang me to tell me he thought he had met his perfect match the morning after he met you." Sue laughed aloud. "Did he tell you about everything that happened that night?" At Jackie's confused look she giggled. "He didn't tell you?" Jackie shook her head, interest obvious in her eyes. Sue proceeded to tell Jackie about that first date, the one she hadn't even realised had been a date, but the one that began the love she felt for Brian. As Jackie laughed with her, Sue relived the time since she had met Brian and smiled. It had been almost 5 months and for the most part, it had been the best 5 months she had lived. She couldn't imagine life without Brian. Jackie sobered and took Sue's hand gently in hers. "He loves you Sue. I just feel the two of you will get through this." She winked at her, "And thank you for telling me about that first date. That's my boy." They both laughed as Brian walked back into the kitchen. "So, what's so funny?" Brian asked immediately at Sue's side again, wanting so badly to lean down and kiss her deeply, but holding back. He could see Sue smiling, but noticed signs of tears left on her cheeks. How he wished he could take her pain away. "I was just telling your mom about our first date," Sue told him, watching him groan and blush at the memory. "I don't want to remember that," he said then saw the pout on Sue's face as he did. He looked into her eyes and felt his heart melting. "But then again, that's when I met you, the best day of my life." He leaned down to kiss the side of her mouth, lingering, oblivious to the fact that his mother sat at the table with them. She merely sat smiling at them, delighted that her son had found the woman he wanted to spend his life with. He moved back his eyes looking into hers, searching for why she had been crying, but he found only the usual reason. He needed to change the mood and as his dad walked in he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Feel like a drive to the country? The four of us just having a day together." Sue smiled, liking the sound of a peaceful day in the country, getting to know Brian's parents and also spending quiet time with Brian. The day she and Brian had spent in the country after Spencer had tried to grab her had been a soothing balm for her, for both of them, and it sounded so good an idea, she could almost already feel the peace washing over her. As Brian organised the security they would need for this trip, Jackie and Sue prepared food and drinks for a picnic in the country, and his father collected blankets and other equipment they would need. Sue wanted Will and David to be included because they were like her own special family to both her and Brian now. She owed them so much and never wanted them to feel they weren't included. They were doing their job, but it was so much more than that for Sue. She asked them both what they would like to eat and then made it for them. David drove the car to a private farm of a relative of Brian's who was out of town for a few weeks. Both Will and David were prepared for anything, but Harold assured them this was a somewhat unknown relative and it would be highly unlikely Newman would know about this relative, hence trying to cause trouble there. Sue still knew nothing about his visit to Brian's parents the other day, but David and Will certainly did. Once out at the property they all walked to a beautiful spot by a man made lake surrounded by an assortment of enormous trees offering shade from the heat of the day. They chose a shaded spot, laying the blankets out, insisting all 6 of them sit together and relax. Even so, Will and David were still on their guard, Sue could see it in their posture. She tried to get them to relax, but it was instilled in them to be always on the job. Sue leaned against Brian comfortably after they had eaten, his arms securely around her, feeling a great contentment in being at his side. The talk continued around her, happy talk of family and friends. Sue closed her eyes, listening to the talk, savoring the feel of Brian's body close to hers. He didn't feel the need to hide how he felt about Sue from his parents and had spent the entire day showering her with loving words and touches and chaste kisses, while at the same time giving his attention to his parents, and including Will and David. He was relaxed Sue could feel it. It was almost as if the day was a subconscious massage to him. She smiled to herself, wishing she could give him that massage. Brian felt her smile and her slight movement closer to him. He closed his eyes momentarily, letting the feeling of desire pulse through him before leaning down to whisper in Sue's ear. "Would you like to take a stroll? Just you and me," he asked her. Sue looked up deeply into his eyes. "Could we?" He nodded at her then looked at Will. "Will, Sue and I are going for a walk. You think it will be okay to go alone for once?" Will looked at David and nodded slowly. "I think it's safe here. Go ahead you two, you deserve some time to yourself." Sue threw her arms around Will's neck "Thank you Will." He smiled at her, feeling the usual fatherly type love towards her. "Just stay within earshot, so you can yell if need be. But go on you two. You'll be just fine." "Do you mind Mom? Dad?" Brian asked them. "Of course not. Go on. Spend some time together," Harold said to them. Brian stood, pulling Sue to her feet once he was up. He pulled her immediately into his arms, leaning down to kiss her on top of the head. "We won't be too long." Brian told them and they began to move away. They walked quietly, thankful for the fact that they were together their bodies moving in unison. Sue's broken arm was around Brian's waist holding him close so she could link her fingers of her other hand in his. All the contact with him she could get now, she wanted. Brian tucked his arm firmly around her waist, the two of them walking as one. "This is so nice," he said to her. "No one following us, watching us. It's just the two of us." Sue couldn't answer him, her body humming with love for him. It wasn't lust and desire that she felt right now, but an all-consuming love. She stopped walking and turned in his arms just looking at him, her arms sliding around his waist affectionately. "What Baby?" Brian asked her, his eyes shining blue pools, reflecting her love. His arms automatically coming around her waist too, holding her close. She didn't know what to say to him, content to just look at him. She looked at him for what felt like forever, but was likely only a minute. "I love you so much. You know that don't you?" she finally said. The smile he gave her just melted her heart. He nodded his head as he smiled and pulled her tightly to him. He weighed up his words before he spoke. "Yes Sue. I know you do. I see it every time you look at me. I hear it every time you speak. I feel it every time you touch me, taste it every time we kiss. Most of all, I sense it always, whenever you are with me, or when we are apart. It's a love we share completely." He leaned down and softly pressed his lips to hers, moving away to look in her eyes before leaning down to kiss her again, softly, lovingly. His lips lingered on hers, the tenderness in the kiss making her mind spin. He meant the world to her he was her life. He pulled her into his arms again, her head resting on his shoulder, his arms around her firmly. She held on to him needing nothing more at that moment to feel his arms around her. She didn't know how long they stood like that, it could have been a minute, or maybe many more. She just knew she felt like everything was right with their world right at that moment. None of the bad stuff that had been happening to them existed right now. It was only Brian and her, standing together in their own little world of love. Brian lifted her chin with his fingers and again looked at her, his eyes drinking her in. His fingers framed her face, tucking a stray lock behind her ear, and running them through the silky length. All she wanted at that moment was to kiss him. No she needed it. She lifted her lips, eager to show him what she wanted. But Brian needed no explanation. He wanted to kiss Sue, he needed it more than anything now. He lowered his lips to hers, hearing her moan as he did, enflaming the need rushing through him. He kissed her and moaned as well. "I love you so much Baby," he whispered before plunging his lips to hers, his tongue thrusting in to meet hers hungrily. Still he was sweet and gentle, showing the love he felt. Back at the picnic site, Jackie sighed to herself. Neither Brian or Sue realised they were still within view of the others, but neither one of them cared. The smile on Jackie's face and the happiness in her heart were visible for anyone to see. "It's wonderful to see isn't it?" Harold leaned down to say to his wife. "Yes. They really are very much in love. I'm so happy for them both." Jackie said, smiling at Harold. "So long as they can get over the evil shadow in their life," Harold agreed. "We'll make sure of that," Will spoke up. "We want to see them at peace as much as anyone does. And we will make sure that peace is theirs so they can relax and enjoy the love they have." Jackie squeezed Will's big hand as he spoke, thankful for these two men protecting Sue and Brian. "We'll get that Evil and make him pay. We promise you that." David vowed. |