Brian was shocked that she was speaking to him, even though he was innocent of cheating on her, like the magazine said.
"Yeah, baby?" He had to continue on as usual, or Casey would be suspicious and it would be over for the two of them.
"How long will we be together?" Casey looked at him for the first time since he'd gotten home. P> "I think that we'll be together as long as you love me," Brian said honestly. "I can't imagine ever not loving you, so I'd say if you don't love me anymore, our relationship is over. Love is a two-way thing."
Casey nodded slowly and suddenly threw herself into Brian's surprised arms.
"Casey? Baby, are you ok?" Brian asked frantically, holding her tightly to him.
"I'm fine," Casey nodded. "I was just wanting to be...Nevermind."
"It's ok," Brian rested his chin on her head and let the memories flood over him.
The loneliness he'd felt before he'd met Casey hit him first. He remembered he'd gone out to Central Park, hoping fans would accost him and maybe hurt him extremely badly. He wanted out of the spotlight. He wanted out of everything. Then he'd seen a tired, frightened, beaten girl, about his own age, sitting on a bench, curled up tightly and crying. She looked up at Brian, whispered "No one cares," and put her head back down.
Brian had sat down next to her, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered two words to her. Those two words changed everything in both their lives. Those two words were the most true words Brian had ever uttered in his life. They were, "I care." And he did care. The realization startled him. How could he care about a perfect stranger?
He looked deep into her eyes and saw that he cared because they had something in common, deep inside. They both wanted out, and they both needed someone to live for.
Brian sighed as he looked at the tiny girl in his arms. They had been that for each other, but she had changed so much. So had he, he guessed. You never really realize when you yourself change.
Brian remembered all the magic he felt when he first held her in his arms, first held her hand, first hugged her, first put his arm around his waist and could claim her as his, and when he had first kissed her. Where, he wondered, was all that magic now? He was holding her, and he still felt it, but he could tell by looking at her she couldn't.
He looked down again and saw that she was asleep. He shifted into a more comfortable position and remembered his earlier words. "As long as you love me." That was true. But how long would she love him?