Chapter
25
"Okay,
everyone in your place!" cried Brian. Then he went over to the door, took
a deep breath and opened it. When he did, he drew in a breath. "Mariah,
you look absolutely gorgeous."
Mariah
blushed. "Thanks," she said. "You look pretty good
yourself." Brian thanked her and let her into his condo.
"Wow,
it looks great in here!" she commented. The place was dim, lit with candles.
There were beautiful red and white roses all around the room.
"Thanks,"
said Brian. "Glad you like it."
"Ahem!"
AJ cleared his throat. Mariah looked over at AJ. She saw him, Nick and Howie
standing together. They were all dressed in tuxes like Brian, only they had
towels draped over one arm.
"Monsieur
et Madame, this way s'il vous plait." He led them into a little balcony
where there were candles lit and a small round table for two was set.
"Nicky!" he called. "Music please!"
Nick
walked in with a stereo and pressed played. "Sorry, no violins today, but
we've got some on tape!" Mariah laughed at the scene.
"Just
sit and enjoy, Mariah." Brian said smiling, escorting her to her seat.
"Your
dinner will be ready soon," said AJ. "If Kevin isn't going to burn
it." he added softly. Mariah laughed.
"Thanks
AJ," she said.
AJ
nodded and left with Nick saying, "Don't call me Nicky!" AJ smiled
and closed the glass sliding doors behind him. The two went on bickering
afterwards.
Brian
shook his head, then looked at Mariah and asked, "Would you like to
dance?"
"I'd
love to." replied Mariah smiling.
Brian
took her hand and led her away from the table. They danced close together. He
joked and they talked while dancing. Mariah was having such a good time when
Howie interrupted.
"Your
dinner is served." AJ and Nick walked in, each carrying a plate of food,
one for Brian and one for Mariah.
Mariah
looked at down at her plate and said, "It smells great guys."
"Thank
you, thank you," said Kevin walking out to the balcony. "but if
you'll excuse us we'll be going. We're starving."
A.J.
and Howie nodded. Nick said, "I'm going home to check up on my mom. Plus
I've got to baby-sit. See ya' guys later. Enjoy!" The four turned around
and left. A couple minutes later, Mariah heard the front door close.
"Those
guys are great." she said.
"Yup,
they are." agreed Brian. "Well, bon appetit."
Mariah
smiled and they began to eat. Mariah took the first bite, and chewed slowly,
very slowly. "Well, it's uh, it's salty, and it's--"
"It's
disgusting," said Brian finishing her sentence. Mariah laughed. "Why
don't we order pizza?"
"Sounds
good," said Mariah laughing. Brian went inside to order the pizza. Mariah
stood outside on the balcony and looked out at the scenery. It was almost 9,
the sun was almost completely set. There was a cool breeze that night, and
Mariah shivered.
"Cold?"
asked Brian, coming back outside.
"A
little," replied Mariah. Brian took off his jacket and put it around her
shoulders. "Thanks."
The
two stood in silence looking at the scenery. Then Brian turned to face Mariah.
"Mariah," he began. "We need to talk."
Mariah
turned to face Brian. "I know," she said sighing. "I've just
tried to put it off. I'm sorry I said anything at all. Let's just go back to
the way it was before.
Brian
looked at her. "Did you mean it when you said it?"
Mariah's
eyes went up to meet his, then she looked back out to the city. She nodded her
head.
"Then
why do you regret anything?" She didn't answer him. Brian lifted his hand
and turned her head so her eyes met his. "I don't regret you said
anything," he started. "Truthfully, I'm glad that you said it because
now I realize how much I care about you. I know you may not believe me,
but--" he paused, then said, "I love you. It took me while a realize,
but I do, I love you, more than I've loved anyone else in my life. You brighten
my day when you smile. I've finally found someone who I can talk to and I'm not
shy around."
Mariah's
eyes began to water. "Brian--"
"Wait,
let me finish," said Brian, interrupting. "I hope I haven't blown it
with you with the way that I reacted that night. I was just surprised, that's
all. You caught me off guard." He paused and smiled. Then said, "I
admire everything about you. You're beautiful, loving, caring. You've got a big
heart and I hope you still have room in it for me." He smiled at Mariah
and gently wiped away her tears with his fingers.
"Brian,
I don't know what to say except...I love you too. I do have room in my heart
for you. I always have and I always will."
Brian
grinned. He lifted her up in his arms and spun her around.
Mariah
laughed and said, "Brian, put me down." He did. He gently set her on
the ground and looked deep into her eyes. Mariah looked right back with as much
love as he was showing in his eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening.
They both leaned in and they shared their first kiss under the moonlight.
***
