Chapter 21

Two weeks later, and things were slowing down. Brian and Faith had long since grown used to each other, and each felt an attraction they'd never felt before. They were inseparable, and everyone else knew that if they needed one, look for the other. Brian was smitten with Faith, as she was infatuated with him. Things changed when they were around each other. Faith was more carefree and happy, and Brian just loved to make her happy. They were a perfect fit.

On many occasions, everyone would gather for a group get together, and sometimes go swimming. The guys thought it was absolutely the funniest thing that had happened to throw the girls in the water from the dock and jump in after them. Sometimes, Brian couldn't stand to pick Faith up and just dump her in the water the same way AJ could with Grace or Nick with Promise, so he'd just plop down on the edge of the dock with Faith on his lap. Then he'd lean his head on her shoulder and they'd watch the rest of them horse around. The other guys found this to be an easy target of shameless teasing of Brian. "He's been converted!" "Once you go, you can never come back!" "Someone is a little protective!" But he never paid any attention to them, just traced the freckles on Faith's arm, whispering in her ear. It didn't bother him that he had fallen head over heels, flat on his face for Faith. In fact, he was proud of it. Faith was possibly the best thing to happen to him.

Grace and AJ were the most lenient couple of them all. It confused the rest of them, to see the two walk down the street hand in hand and point out to each other the good-looking guys or girls walking past. Grace would turn around halfway to Promise or Faith and point out a guy, and AJ would whistle at a girl and share his opinion with Nick. Then AJ would turn to Grace and blow a raspberry into her neck, and she would slide her hand into the back pockets of his shorts.

Howie and Destiny were the most inspiring. They would constantly kiss each other or smile at each other, or touch each other. It was adorable to the girls, sickening to the guys. But although Brian would gag and complain with Kevin, AJ and Nick, it was when he noticed Howie and Destiny share a quick lip lock that he'd stop in the middle of his walking and tug Faith to a stop too. Then he'd kiss her senseless, ignoring the groans of Kevin, AJ, and Nick.

Nick and Promise were the best of friends. They weren't afraid to share with each other if they had noticed a nice looking person of the opposite sex. As they walked, they held hands in a friendly manner, and constantly were laughing. It seemed that they brought out the best in each other. Promise calmed Nick down with a joke, and she could tease him endlessly without his temper flaring once. Nick just seemed to know what she was thinking and finished her sentences for her. If they weren't such good friends, Faith would have sworn they were soul mates. The funny thing was, they were so entirely different, appearance wise. He was a lofty, blonde haired, blue eyed little boy, and Promise was petite, almost a foot shorter than him at five feet. People passing by stared at their compatibility, yet at how different they were. They had a strong effect on both each other and the rest of the couples.

Kevin and Hope seemed hesitant. They would smile at each other secretively, and they would even hold hands every so often, but usually it seemed like one or both of one of their hands were full. They never disclosed any information regarding their relationship, but Faith and Brian had once caught them kissing passionately behind a set up stand while they sought out a bathroom. Brian had grinned knowingly at Faith and took her hand in his. He had led her away discreetly, both of them holding in their laughter.

Faith loved her relationship with Brian. She knew she would never forget this summer. Brian had something different to do with her every day, and she never knew what to expect. Once he rented a car and they drove out to the Top of Haleakala. There, Brian and Faith perched on a bench while Brian told Faith that Haleakala meant House of the Sun. He told her to watch for rare birds and animals that lived in the volcano area. They spent the morning there, ate a picnic lunch, and descended the volcano after they ate.

Another time, Brian showed up at the girls' condo and politely ordered Promise and Grace to leave. He produced a single red rose from behind his back and handed it to Faith, then proceeded to cook her dinner. She wasn't allowed to help; just sit and be patient. She was willing just as long as she could watch him. He threw in everything the recipe called for, and half of it, Faith never knew existed. The end result was delicious, though, and she delighted in Brian's to-the-neck flush when she told him so.

Faith was once again surprised when Brian somehow found a way in the condo at four in the morning and crept up to her room. She had been asleep, naturally, and he had crawled under the covers with her for a few minutes. Then, afraid his plan would fail, he woke her with a kiss and guided her to the small backyard, where they lay on the hammock, buried under a blanket just to watch the sunrise. There's nothing better than observing the sun's arrival while cuddling with a very comfortable, cuddly guy. The oranges and yellows and pinks were breathtaking, and Faith was in her element. After the sun was halfway to making its debut, both had fallen asleep, Faith's head snuggled in the crook of his neck, and his hand woven through the tendrils of her hair. That's where they were found by Grace an hour and a half later, who decided they were too cute to wake up and left them there for another hour.

All too soon the vacation began to end. There was only one month left, then they were all back to work. Faith wanted to make the most of every moment with Brian. They never mentioned Leighanne or what he was going to do when he got to Orlando. And Faith was afraid to bring it up.

*~*~*~*

Faith opened the door, stifling a yawn. Her eyes widened and she slammed the door shut. What on earth was Christian doing there? Things hadn't ended well for the two, and it wasn't the first time she had slammed the door in his face. She never wanted to see him again.

"Faith, open the door," he said, sounding annoyed. His tone was bemused. She opened it a crack and stared wickedly at him.

"What?" she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes. "If you came here to talk about yourself then you might as well leave."

"Just let me in," he said, exasperated. He pushed past her and into the condo. Faith's stomach plummeted, and she willed Grace to come downstairs. I need you Gracie, come on, she thought, panicked.

"What do you want?" she asked again. He sat down on the couch and motioned to her to sit next to him. She didn't move.

"Listen, I'm sick of this," he said. "I've wanted you since before I even met you. You're irresistible, Faith, and I will have you."

Her stomach sunk lower. "You're insane."

"Not insane. Crazy," he corrected. "Crazy about you."

"You don't even know me. All you do is talk about yourself. If you would have listened to me or something maybe I could understand if you say you're crazy about me, but you don't even know me, Christian."

"Shut up," he snarled. He stood up and stepped closer to her. She backed away.

"Get out," she said harshly. He shook his head and grabbed her in a tight grip. She squirmed, but he pressed her to him forcingly.

"Christian, STOP!" she screamed. "Let go of me!"

"Faith, don't talk," he ordered. "Like I said, I will have you."

"No!"

Then he pressed his mouth to hers painfully. She started to scream and pushed at him.

"Grace!" she yelled. "Come quick!"

Before she finished her sentence, he kissed her again, this time shoving his tongue in her mouth. She gagged and struggled violently. Then an idea came to her and she brought her teeth down hard on his tongue. He howled and shoved her away. Faith landed on the floor, and a split second later she jumped up and ran for her life for the stairs.

Grace was just coming out of her room, and Faith ran straight into her.

"Faith?" Grace said. "I was just coming down to check on you…"

Faith pulled her back into her room and slammed the door. "Don't open the door," she warned. "Lock it."

As Grace did so, Faith picked up the phone and dialed Brian's number.

"Hello?"

"Brian-"

"Hey, where are you, I've been waiting for you-"

"Something happened and I need you to come to get me instead, please?" Her sentence ended in something between a wail and a whine.

"What happened? Did you-"

"I need you, Brian." Then she hung up. His heart raced. Hearing her say those words made his blood freeze. Was she okay?

Brian jogged all the way to her condo and found the door open. He entered cautiously and looked around. Not finding anything in the living room, he stopped cold when he heard banging in then hallway upstairs.

"Faith!" a voice roared. "Let me in!"

Brian took the steps two at time and stopped short at what he saw.

"Go away, Christian!" Faith yelled from inside the room. Brian instantly could hear the tears in her voice. "Brian's on his way over!"

"Brian's not going to be around forever, Faith. He can't protect you forever!"

Brian's heart squeezed with pain when he heard her sobs. His fists clenched and he saw red.

"I'll always be around, Christian," he seethed. "I promised her that, and I'm a man of my word."

"Man?" Christian scoffed. He turned to Brian slowly. "Go back to your fiancée, Brian. You don't deserve Faith."

"And you do?" Brian retorted.

"Like I said, go so I can get my hands on Faith AGAIN."

A growl rumbled low in Brian's throat. "What are you talking about?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Oh, I had her, Littrell. She tastes nice…"

Brian lunged at him, and his fist connected with Christian's jaw. He knocked him over and slammed his fist in his stomach.

"Stay away from her," he yelled, his eyes blazing. Inside Grace's room, Faith sobbed into her twin's hair.

"Too…late…" Christian wheezed, gasping for air. Brian kicked him hard.

"Get out," he said sternly, his voice low. "Right now."

Christian stumbled to his feet and down the stairs. "Strawberries, Brian. Her lips taste like strawberries!" he shouted before he disappeared out the door. Brian let out a small groan.

"Faith?" he called. The door burst open and she flew out immediately. He wrapped his arms around her tightly.

"It was terrible, Brian…he just…wouldn't leave," she cried into his neck. His heart was pounding against hers, and his chest rising and falling rapidly.

"It's okay," he soothed. "He's gone."

"He kissed me…and I couldn't get away," she continued. He rubbed her back and kissed her hair.

"He won't ever again…only me," he murmured. His lips sought hers out and kissed them gently. It was such a reassuring kiss compared to the way Christian had kissed her, and Faith's heart raced.

"Uh…I hate to interrupt," Grace stepped in meekly. "But…I need to know if he…touched you anywhere…"

Brian pulled away and stared at her in horror. "I never thought of that. He said…he said you tasted nice…"

Faith flushed painfully, ducking her head. How mortifying. "No, he didn't."

Brian pulled her to him and hugged her fiercely. "I'm taking you somewhere else, tonight, Faith. We need to get out of here."

She nodded her head against his chest. An hour later, she found herself on the sand with Brian, gazing at the sparkling water. Then the sun set, and the moon created a glow where Brian and Faith could only see each other.

Brian climbed to his feet and held out his hand to Faith. "Dance with me?"

She laughed. "There's no music."

"We can pretend."

She shrugged and let him pull her to her feet. His arms circled her waist and he gathered her close.

Here I am
Broken wings
Quiet thoughts
Unspoken dreams
Here I am
Alone again
And I need her now
To hold my hand

Brian's hand found hers, and he squeezed it. Her body was soft against his, and he could feel the soft thump of her heart against his chest. Her head was turned from his, leaning on his shoulder, and he turned his head slightly and breathed in the fresh scent of her hair. Tingles shot down his arms and legs.

She's all, she's all I ever had
She's the air I breathe
She's all, she's all I ever had

Brian closed his eyes and tilted his head down on her shoulder. Her fingers rubbed his neck softly, and he was all of a sudden transported in time.

It's the way she makes me feel
It's the only thing that's real
It's the way she understands
She's my lover, she's my friend
When I look into her eyes
It's the way I feel inside
Like the man I want to be
She's all I'll ever need

He wasn't on the beach, and Faith was nowhere in sight. He felt stiff, and he looked down to see black creased pants and shiny black shoes. He looked back up sharply, and a crowd of people had gathered in the pews. Then he noticed Kevin and Hope making their way down the aisle. Kevin was adorned in a similar tuxedo, and Hope's dress was tight and pale yellow. AJ and Grace followed, in identical outfits. Then Nick and Promise, Howie and Destiny, and finally, Faith and Derek. Brian swallowed hard when he saw her. The white bodice of the dress hung low, and woven flowers were arranged neatly in her hair. He swayed, dazed at her beauty. Her cheeks rosy and radiant and her eyes sparkling, she positively glowed.

So much time
So much pain (but)
There's one thing
That still remains (It's the)
The way she cares
The love we share
And through it all
She's always been there

Brian snapped out of his trance. "I love you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. She didn't even look up.

"I love you too," she whispered, tears in her eyes.

She's all, she's all I ever had
In a world so cold, so empty
She's all, she's all I ever had

It's the way she makes me feel…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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