“Oh, Kelly. I don’t know what to wear.” Kelly couldn’t believe it. Her cool collected friend was freaking out. She was running around her attic room trying on tons of different outfits. All she had told Kelly was that she had a date with one of her model’s friends and that she had to pick him up at 8:00. Kelly stood up and followed Madison back into her closet. Kelly rummaged through Madison’s clothes. “Here. This is perfect.” Kelly had in her hand a soft gray merino long sleeved sweater. It had a big pocket in front. She went back in the closet and pulled out the same pair of jeans that Kelly had had on last night. It was a perfect outfit. Madison ran into the bathroom to change her clothes and do her make up and hair. Thirty minutes late she came out looking gorgeous. Her hair was up in a ponytail and the rest of it hung loosely by her shoulders. Her jeans clung to her tightly. While Madison was in the bathroom Kelly had laid out some black boots that would look great with the outfit. She was gone when Madison came out of the bathroom. Madison put on some perfume and her jewelry and walked down the stairs. Kelly was playing the piano. It was a beautiful song. Madison stood in the doorway for a few minutes before interrupting. “Hey girl.” Kelly stopped playing and turned around. “Wow, you look great. I guess I can pick out good outfits huh?” Madison walked over to her friend and gave her a big hug. Kelly flinched a little, but Madison smiled as her friend hugged her back. “You sure do know how to pick out outfits. I guess you haven’t completely been cut off from the world.” Kelly playfully punched Madison in the arm. “You better get going. The roads are bad tonight because of all the snow today. Please be careful.” Madison smiled at her friend’s concern. “I will. Will you be all right tonight? I swear I won’t leave you alone anymore after this.” Kelly pushed her friend to the door. “Go. Have fun. I’ll be fine.” Riley barked as if to say “get going”. Madison got the point. She picked up her jacket, and keys and started towards the door. She stopped as she opened it. “Ri. I didn’t even ask how your day went. Was everything fine? I was pretty pissed when I woke up and found you out of your bed and running. That could have been dangerous. You passed out last night. You hit that guy hard.” Kelly looked as if she had remembered something. “I was going to ask you about that. Did I hurt the guy bad?” Madison thought to herself, “Yeah you hurt him. Hurt him in the heart.” She said out loud to Kelly. “He’s fine. He helped me get you out to the car at the club and I got you upstairs. I kept cold washcloths on your head so that the bump would go down, but it doesn’t look like it has gone down much, does it?” Kelly’s hand went up to the large bump on her head. “Thanks for the thought. I’m sure it helped a little. Now go. You’ll be late.” She pushed Madison out the door, but Madison put a foot in the way before she could shut it. “ ”Don’t make any plans for Tuesday night. It’s another surprise I have for you. Don’t wait up for me tonight either. I’ll probably be late. And please eat some dinner. Promise?” Madison walked carefully down the snowy steps and started her car before Kelly could promise. Kelly shut and locked the door and waved as Madison left the driveway. Kelly went back into the living room and sat down at the piano. Riley came and laid on the wood floor next to the piano. He fell asleep as Kelly played at the piano. While Kelly played she thought about what had happened over the last day. She couldn’t get Kevin out of her head, and she couldn’t believe that her mother knew his family. Today at work Austin had grilled her about the bump on her head and when she couldn’t tell him much he got all huffy and left work early without saying goodbye. Kelly played piano for a little while longer and then walked back out into the living room. She made herself a cup of tea and wrapped herself in a blanket on the couch. Riley hopped up next to her and laid his head on her lap. Kelly clicked on Sportscenter and watched, just thinking about her lonely life. She didn’t eat dinner. Riley and her went into her bedroom and went to sleep. Kelly fell asleep thinking about how much her life sucked and how for one single moment yesterday a man had made her happy. Not scared or embarrassed, but happy. Kevin had made her feel like she was worth something, and it was a feeling that she wanted to feel again soon.
On Brian and Madison’s date…
Brian sat in the lobby of his hotel. He put on his hat because people were starting to notice him. “God, she told me to be on time and now she’s 15 minutes late.” He got up and walked of the fancy front entrance. The doorman held open the door for Brian as he walked out into the snowy night. “Good night sir.” Brian smiled and shook the doorman’s hand. “Thanks.” He brushed off the snow from one of the hotel’s benches outside. He sat down and just watched the snowflakes fall. Brian thought of the past years. He was enjoying his life so much. He loved every aspect of it, except the trials and arguments with Lou. He felt so renewed after his operations and he knew it was God telling him that life would be okay, but then Brian stopped for a second. He looked up to the sky. “God, thank you so much for the life you have given me and all the wonderful people I know. But don’t you think that it’s time for me to have someone to love? It’s so lonely on the road. I’m over Leighanne. I’m ready for love again God. I’m ready. Maybe if this girl came and got me I could start hoping that she’s the one?”
Madison was behind Brian the whole time. She had heard his prayer to God. She wiped a tear as he finished up. She didn’t want to bug him. When he was done she approached him. He jumped as she put a hand on his shoulder. “Jesus me. You scared me girl. Where’d you come from?” Madison sat next to Brian on the bench. “Oh. I came from the other side of the hotel. The lady at the front desk told me she saw you walk out here, and here you are.” She didn’t want to lie to him, but on the other hand she didn’t want him to know that she had heard him either. She decided it was right to tell this little lie. Brian smiled, “Well, you certainly know how to get a guy movin’. It’s really beautiful isn’t it?” Madison sat back in the bench and looked out. The hotel had all the lights lit down the entrance, and they gleaming as the snow fell. All the trees were lit up with Christmas lights. Across the city they could see Rockafeller center and the huge Christmas tree in the center. Madison didn’t speak for awhile. “Yes, it really is. It really means a lot when you take time out to actually enjoy it. It makes it better when you share it with someone.” Madison turned her head to look at Brian. He was already looking. Their eyes met and locked. “That was beautiful Madison.” Madison blushed and looked away. “Thanks. Well, I guess we should get going. It’s already 8:30. I’m sorry I’m late. Kelly got home and I felt that I should talk to her before I went out.” Brian smiled, “Oh that’s fine. I needed some time to chill anyways. I know you told me where we were going for dinner, but I forgot?” “Oh. It’s was Antonio’s, but would you mind if we ate down at the AllStar sport’s bar? I didn’t dress up as much as I should have.” Madison motioned to her outfit. Brian looked her over and said, “I approve of your outfit, because I am wearing the same exact sweater as you are, just a different color. We match almost,” Brian said motioning to his outfit. He continued, “Sorry. Off the subject. About the Allstar, what guy wouldn’t pass up that? Maybe we’ll see some celebrities or Michael Jordan or something. Wow, especially in New York, man. We’ll see tons of famous people.” Madison laughed at his excitement, “Okay, I ‘m glad you like my decision. I take it you like sports a lot, huh?” Brian smiled embarrassed, “Yeah, well, I guess you could say that.” The two got up from the bench. “I thought we could walk. It’s not that cold, and I like the snow. The Allstar café is only about a mile from here. Do you mind? We can always take my car.” Brian smiled at her, “No. I’d like that. Shall we go my Princess Madison?” Brian did a cheesy bow and offered his arm for her. She laughed and took it willingly. “Certainly Sir Littrell.” The two walked off arm in arm.
An hour later they had eaten burgers and were talking in the noisy bar. “I can’t believe that I saw Andre Agassi. He recognized me and her recognized you too.” Brian was smiling from ear to ear. “When I was in the bathroom, I saw Sheryl Swoopes. If you had come with me you could have gotten her autorgraph. And let me tell you, the autograph is not all you would have gotten.” Brian eyes looked up quickly. His eyes met Madison’s staring at him sexily. “Well, well well. Are you trying to tell me something, because if you are I got the point.” Under the table Madison had intertwined her longs legs in with Brian’s. It only seemed natural. Just before Madison could answer a little girl walked up to their table. “Hi, Mr. Witrwell. I sorry to bug you and your girlfwiend.” Brian turned and looked at the little blond girl. Her mother came up right behind her. “I’m sorry. My little girl thinks you’re one of the Backstreet Boys. Come on Aidan.” Brian stopped the lady and the little girl. “Ma’am, I really am Brian Littrell. If you don’t mind could I sign an autograph for your little girl?” The girl turned her head around and ran back to Brian. She jumped up in his arms. “Mommy take a picture. Take a picture of me and Bwian.” Her mom searched through her purse to find her camera. Brian still had the little in his arms. Madison watched the scene. She couldn’t believe how good Brian was with this little girl. He was so cute with her. The little girl’s mother finally got her camera ready. “Ready Aidan?” Aidan put her arms tighter around Brian’s neck. “Weady Mommy.” The lady snapped her picture. Brian set the little girl back on the ground. He pulled a pen out of his pants and signed a napkin for her. “There you go.” The mom and her daughter walked off. The little girl turned around as they rounded the corner. “Mr. Witrwell. I think your girlfriend is weally pwetty. I like your matching sweaters too. Bye bye.” She waved and bounced off after her mother. Brian sat back down. “I’m sorry to kill our moment Madison. She was so cute though. I just had to.” Madison touched Brian’s hand. “It’s fine. You’re very sweet to pay so much attention, but back to our moment. Do you want to head out of here? It’s getting a little stuffy.” “Sure, I’ve had enough too.” Brian paid the bill for both of them. They walked out hand in hand. Many heads turned around as the couple walked by. When they got out of the restaurant Brian turned and asked her, “Do you want to head home or do something else? It’s only 11:00.” Madison thought for a second and then answered carefully. “Well, I have Versace rehearsals tomorrow, so I should be heading home, but I really don’t want to walk. Want to go home in a horse carriage? It’s a perfect night.” “That would be tight. Let’s walk around to find a carriage. I hear that they are all over the town this time of year.” They walked to the end of the street. It was hard to see the streets because of all the people, but at last they found a carriage. Brian walked across the street and talked with the driver. He came back a minute later. “Ready?” He took Madison’s hand and together they walked over to the carriage. They got in and wrapped up in the blankets. Madison snuggled close to Brian, and Brian in turn, put his arm around Madison. The driver pulled the reins and the horse started to walk. The driver took them around downtown Broadway and then headed back to Brian’s hotel. The whole time Brian and Madison were wrapped up, just talking. Finally, they reached the hotel. Brian got out and helped Madison out. Brian paid the driver and the driver went jingling away with his horse. Brian and Madison made their way towards the entrance of the hotel. They stood close together in the falling snow. “Thank you for treating me as Brian. I know it sounds weird, so just accept it. Thank you for treating me for me,” Brian said. It was Madison’s turn, “Well, you can’t give me all the thanks. This is the first date I’ve been on where I wasn’t somebody’s trophy. Thank you for letting me be me around you.” They stood silently until Madison moved closer. She kissed Brian on his lips and let them linger on his. He whistled when she finally broke away. “You can thank me again, but not before I thank you.” This time he leaned in and carefully kissed her on the lips. Madison smiled and gave Brian a big hug. It got quiet so Madison spoke up, “Well, I’m pretty busy the rest of the week with rehearsals and I know you’ve got rehearsals for the concerts, so if you get a chance, call or something or I’ll call you. No matter what we’ll see each other on Tuesday and Wednesday though. Right? It’s still on?” Brian replied, “Yep. Tuesday at 6:30. The limo will come bye and take you to the show and afterwards we’ll go party or something. And then Wednesday it’s you and Kev’s show. Wow, I get to see you a lot still. I’m glad for that, but I hope Kelly and Kevin hit it off as well as we have. I really do. Kevin has been so up tight lately. He needs Kelly.” “It will work out. I know it will. I’ve got to go. Thank you again for a great night.” Madison kissed Brian again and he pulled her closer for a deeper kiss. They were breathing heavily when they were done. She squeezed his hand and walked around the corner to her car. Brian watched her go and then turned and headed into the hotel. The same doorman who had said hello to Brian when he walked out was still there. “Have a good night Mr. Littrell. I know I would after seeing that pretty little lady.” He tipped his hat as Brian walked in. “Oh, I will. Have yourself a good night and stay warm.” Brian waved to the man as he headed towards the elevators. “What a girl.” It was 12:00. He headed down the hallway to his room. As he walked by he checked on the other guys. Their rooms were both quiet. Brian quietly unlocked his door and got ready for bed. He fell asleep with Madison on his mind.