After staying in Orlando for a few weeks to record our third album, "Universe at Large," the five of us went on tour with Ricky Martin, which started April 25. It was a short tour, lasting only a little over two months because of the wedding. That's right! Brian and I have set our wedding date to August 22, coincidentally Howie's birthday. It was going to be held at the Great Oak marina, where we first met.
During the tour, he called every night, and a lot of those times, I was backstage with the fans, so he got to talk to them if he wanted to. Jessica called frequently and we talked about the clothes the had made for us and Joey (who had asked her out at the party. They're doing good, but the distance from Philadelphia to Orlando is causing a problem). Justin called more than frequently and never shut up when he did. I even talked to Brian's mom, who I had met a few days into the tour, a few times to discuss wedding plans. When we got back on August 8, I went straight home and found the house empty. I went up to our room and found a note on the door. It said:
I am so sorry I wasn't here when you got back. I miss you so much! The guys and I have a last minute meeting with Donna. I'll be home around eleven.
I love you,
Brian
I looked at my watch. It was 9:30. I shrugged and opened the door to our room. I stared at the site I saw. There were rose petals scattered around the floor. Lying on the bed was a white rose and a red rose. I went over and picked them up, discovering another note:
I smiled and put the roses on the dresser next to my bed. I changed into my pajamas and got into bed, looking at the roses until I fell asleep.
When I got up the next morning, I felt hot breath on my neck. I looked down and saw Brian's arms around my waist. I turned around slowly, trying not to wake him. I looked at his face and smiled. He looked so innocent. I kissed him softly on the lips. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled at me.
"Hey," he said, pulling closer and kissing me passionately.
"Feisty, aren't we?" I said, smiling mischievously. We laid there, cuddling for a few minutes, then the phone rang.
"Hello?" I said, answering it.
"You're back!" Justin squealed excitedly. I had to hold the phone away from my ear to keep from going deaf.
"No sh*t, I'm back," I said, rolling my eyes and leaning into Brian's arms.
"Justin?" he mouthed. I nodded and sighed.
"So, you wanna do something today?" Justin asked.
"As in . . ." I said.
"I dunno," he said. "Something we did when we were little.
"You mean drool and cry?" I asked.
"Yeah, drool and cry," he said, sarcastically. "No, something like bowling or roller skating. Yeah, roller skating!"
"Works for me," I agreed, smiling.
The rest of the month before the wedding went something like that. Everyone, but me and Brian, stayed in a hotel near Jessica's house because it was only two hours away from the marina. Brian and I stayed in Jessica's spare bedroom (which happened to be my old room). We got in as much time with our friends as we could because all three groups had taken off for the event. We did have a lot of times where we had to miss out on things because of wedding plans, but most of the time, Justin, Kevin, Jessica, and Maribeth came with us (Justin and Kevin were the Best Men and Maribeth and Jessica were the Made-Of-Honors).
I wasn't allowed to see Brian for two days before the wedding. I wasn't even allowed to talk to him on the phone. Traditionally, it's one day, but our friends decided to have a little fun. Brian moved in with Kevin in the hotel while the girls and N'Sync stayed at Jessica's house with me. While the rest of the Backstreet Boys kept Brian busy, within both days, the girls and N'Sync took me to all of my favorite places. We went to the Franklin Institute, the Roller Palace, Dave 'N Busters, and the Spaghetti Warehouse on night for dinner and Marco Polo the next. After dinner (the night before my wedding), all of the girls and N'Sync went back to Jessica's house while Justin took me to Penn's Landing.
"Here," I said, handing Justin a folded piece of paper. "Can you read this later?"
"Sure," he said, putting it in his pocket.
"I've missed all of this so much," I said quietly as we sat on the ledge overlooking the Delaware River.
"All of what?" he asked. "The freedom or Philadelphia?"
"Both," I said, "but what I missed most is knowing where I am."
"What do you mean?"
"In Philly, I know where everything is and I know how to find it. My friends are here and my family's close by. I feel like I belong. In Orlando, I feel like a stranger. I know I've been living there for three years now, but I still feel like a lost child." I sighed and looked down at my feet.
"Just think of it as an adventure," Justin said, putting an arm around my shoulders comfortingly. "I felt the same way when we moved down there. I was scared, too."
"What if it's an adventure that's too challenging?" I asked.
"Nothing is too challenging for you," he said, giving me a look that made me giggle a little. "And just remember. Brian will always be by your side to help you through. So will I." I smiled and leaned my head on his shoulders, my pre-wedding jitters starting to fade away.