|
|
Chapter 19
Kris stepped into her room after a day or sightseeing with Nina and found a bag and two boxes placed carefully on her bed, along with an attached note.
"Dear Kris, here comes the first of many surprises. In the bag and boxes you will find all you need for tonight. When you're ready, come next door. Luv, Brian."
"What is going on?" Kris wondered, then turned to the bag and unzipped it. She pulled out an exquisite red silk dress, with a princess waist, spaghetti straps and red chiffon that flowed out from the waist.
"Oh
my Lord-" The dress fit perfectly, and in the first, larger box she found
black, platform sandals with red flowers embroidered flowers all over the straps
and sides.
The last box, to Kris' amazement, held a smaller, black box that contained a
delicate silver necklace with a small, red heart dangling from the end. She
gasped and lifted it out of the box with trembling fingers, but managed to get
it on herself. *
When she had done her hair and makeup, Kris smiled at her reflection, then, after nervously applying some perfume, knocked lightly on Brian's door. Almost immediately, the door opened and there stood Brian, clad in a formal suit and tie. (Yes, Brian in a suit! Eat your hearts out ladies!) His blue eyes sparkled as he handed her a single red rose, lightly kissing her hand.
"Oh Brian, you look so incredibly handsome.. wow! But, what is going-?" Brian silenced her with a look.
"Thanks, you look amazing.. breathtaking, Kris! You can thank Na later for that, but you'll find out what is going on in due time. You really are beautiful, Kris, it's incredible," Brian complimented, watching as Kris blushed a bright red.
"Oh,
wow, thank you Brian," she whispered, feeling her eyes fill with tears.
Brian held out his arm, saying, "Let's go, I can't wait for this night
to begin!" and led her out of the motel, to the waiting limo. *
They ate dinner in a little French cafe, just the two of them and the chef.
Kris was speechless, impressed by all the work Brian had put into it. She told
him, "This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me!"
with tears in her eyes.
"It's not over yet!" They sat at a little table for two with a candle in the middle, all very romantic as they talked and waited for their food. After eating an excellent meal, they strolled through Paris, oblivious to the world as they talked, fully enjoying themselves. Finally, Brian pulled out a white handkerchief and wrapped it over Kris' eyes carefully, so as to not mess up her hair.
"This is part of you surprise, too." She wondered what else he could do to make the evening any more perfect as he led her by the hand into an elevator and hit a button.
"Any idea where we are?" Brian asked as the elevator doors opened and Kris felt a wisp of warm breeze.
"Not the slightest clue!" she replied honestly as Brian untied her blindfold. They were as high up as you can go, on the Eiffel Tower, and the view of the city below was spectacular, lights twinkling as far as they could see. It was impossible to look to the horizon and be able to tell where the city stopped and the deep blue sky, filled with twinkling stars, began. She turned to him, once again ready to cry tears of joy.
"Brian, this is so wonderful! I can't believe..oh, wow!" Brian grinned, delighted his surprise was working so well. He pulled Kris down onto a bench she hadn't noticed before, and handed her a wrapped package. She looked at him, her eyes questioning.
"Open it!" Kris gave him a look, then carefully opened the paper, pulling out a blue, battered rectangle. Kris' eyes widened with happiness and she hugged him, then paged through it, crying, "My sketchbook! All the pics are here still, how-? You are the best Brian!"
"Wait, one more thing, then I'll explain." He handed her a small black box, looking nervously at her face as she opened it. Her face lit up when she saw a small, silver band embedded with a sapphire, her birthstone, inside it. The inside of the back was inscribed with "I promise.."
"Oh my God," Kris just stared as Brian took the ring and got on one knee in front of her. He took one hand and held her gaze for a long moment,.
"Kris, we've been through so much since I met you, it's incredible. The fact that you are here, with me, is a miracle itself. This ring is a Promise ring, and when I give it to you, there are so many promises, and a question, that come with it." Kris' eyes sparkled as he held her gaze steadfast and hypnotized her with his words.
"I promise to listen and not turn around when you need me the most. I promise to never make you cry, to keep you as happy as I possibly can, whether you are by my side or thousands of miles away." Kris just watched him, tears falling down her cheeks, captivated by his sincere blue eyes. He paused and smiled, tenderly brushing away the tears from Kris' cheeks, then continuing.
"I promise that I will never stop loving you, no matter what happens between us. I loved you from the first instant I met you, and even when you left, I couldn't forget you. Fate brought us together by chance that night Kris, and thank God, it brought us back together again so I could tell you this. Kris, even though this is coming two years late, will you be my girlfriend and make me the happiest man alive?" Brian asked, his love for her glowing in his eyes. Kris held his gaze for a moment, then her face broke out in a wide grin.
"Oh Brian, of course! I never wanted it any other way!" she cried, pulling him to his feet and kissing him happily. Brian's grin was just as wide as hers as he slipped the ring on her finger.
"Brian, I love you," she whispered in his ear, hugging him tight.
"I love you too, Kris," he replied, and his heart was rejoicing, to finally have her in his arms, after so long. He looked to the glittering stars above and silently said, "Thank you Lord!"
"Oh, Brian look! A shooting star, make a wish!" Kris pointed as it ran across the glowing sky as if in some imaginary race no one else could see, leaving only a trail of milky white behind. She murmured, "Shooting stars do answer your wishes, Brian, I know they do. They bring change, both bad and good."
"And how do you know so much?" Brian teased, holding her tightly, as if he'd never let go. Kris looked him straight in the eyes.
"The night I first met you, there was a shooting star, and you have changed my life in so many ways, it's impossible to count them. If I had never met you, I might still be with Josh, Na would never have met Nick, we might've never met the Boys. Then, the night I left, I saw another one, and I wished I would end up with you again, and here I am..."
"You're my shooting star, babe! Hey, we're not finished yet, either!" Brian said, then pulled out a stereo from behind the bench. "I'll Never Break Your Heart" drifted around them and he bowed and asked politely, "Would m'lady like to dance?"
"Of course! Brian, this has been so awesome, but why didn't you just ask me at the hotel? I was ready to ask you myself." Brian chuckled as they swayed to the music.
"Because I wanted a night, one that has been so long in coming, that neither of us will ever forget for as long as we live!" *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~