Chapter 15

            Stephanie sat on the couch for six agonizing hours contemplating on how she would tell Drew Nick was going to kill him later that day.  She also thought about leaving before getting caught in the middle.  Instead, the only thing to do was to stay and accept the blame.

            Voices could be heard coming from Jen and Drew's room.  Stephanie stood up and walked to the door.  Politely, she knocked before entering.  "Drew, could I talk with you for a couple of seconds?" she asked.

            "Yeah, sure.  What's on your mind?" he answered.  Drew had his arms around Jen and didn't want to let go.

            "Um . . .  Privately, please?  It's really important," Stephanie begged.

            "Fine, I'm coming."  Drew got up and walked into the other room with her.  "What's up?"

            "What were you and Jen up to last night?  I'm trying to pry or anything.  I just think you should tell me before anything happens," Stephanie began.  "I saw the ring on her finger.  Please tell me what it's for."

            "I know you told me not to do this, but I asked Jen to marry me.  The weddings not for another two years, so don't worry about all the technical stuff.  She wants to graduate from high school first," Drew answered.

            "What about her parents?  What do you think this will cause between you and them?  Haven't you stopped to thing about that consequences?" she interrogated.

            "Yes, I have stopped to think about the consequences. That’s why I was on the phone for about two hours yesterday.  They agreed to let us get married as long as Jen finished school.  I accepted the offer, of course," he explained.  "Stephanie, you don't understand the love between us.  You can't tell me what to do either.  Just stay out of my business and keep your big mouth shut until I tell Jeff."

            "Too late," she murmured.

            "What?  Oh God!  Stephanie!  You told Jeff?  How could you?  Up until now, you didn't even know we were getting married," Drew shouted.

            "I didn't tell Jeff!  I didn't tell Jeff!  I didn't tell Jeff!"  Stephanie repeated.  "I only told Nick."

            "You did what?!"

            "I told Nick.  He's coming down right now to ring your neck," she said quietly.  "I'm sorry, Drew.  I didn't know what else to do."

            "You know something?  I'm more afraid of my own brother than I am of Jeff.  He's twice my size and I'm scared to death of him.  You just happened to tell him.  Do you really want me dead?" he retorted.

            "No, but . . . ," Stephanie was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.  "Oh, shit!  He's here!"

            Drew walked back into Jen's room and left Stephanie to answer it.  With a gulp to clear her throat, she turned the doorknob.  As was expected, Nick stood there in a jacket and jeans.

            "Where is he?" were the first words out of his mouth.

            Calmly, Stephanie pointed to Jen's room.  Nick walked in to discover Drew holding Jen in his arms, his chin on her head.  Naturally, Nick was repulsed by the sight.  He hated seeing his brother with a girl.

            "Before you kill me, I just want to tell you what I'm marrying Jen.  I love her with all my heart, and I know she loves me," Drew told him.  He pulled away from Jen's grasp.  She didn't want to let go, but knew there was nothing she could do to stop them from fighting.

            "Baby, I beg you, don't fight with him," Jen pleaded.

            "She's got a point, Drew.  I'm not going to fight with you.  I realized on the plane that you two were meant to be.  Congratulations, little brother.  You found yourself a wonderful girl," Nick commented.

            "You're okay with this?"  Drew asked in sheer amazement.

            "Yeah, I just wonder how Jeff's gonna take it.  Aren't you?" he asked with a devious smile.

            "Bro, you're scaring me.  What do you mean?"

            Nick left before answering Drew's question.  Jen sat in bed, utterly bewildered.  She didn't know what was up his sleeve, and didn't think this was something good.  Nick walked back in, Justin and Jeff following.

            "Oh, shit!"  Jen exclaimed.  She didn't know how else to react.

            "I'm happy for you, Jen.  I just can't believe that my favorite little cousin is all grown up," Jeff said.  It was completely the opposite of what Jen was expecting.

            "I don't know what to say.  Thank you so much for supporting us," she gave him a hug.

            "Somebody's gotta clue us in about what you two have been doing in Colorado.  I heard something about you getting lost and almost dying.  What the hell is going on?"  Nick changed the subject.

            "It's a long story," Jen replied.

            "We have all day," Jeff answered, sitting at the foot of her bed.

            It took Jen roughly twenty minutes to explain to the guys about her epilepsy, the fight, and defying death.  She over exaggerated about how Drew saved her, but not that much.  By the time she was done, everyone looked a little stunned.

Days Later at the Airport Back in California

            "Kiss me," Jen told Drew.  He did.  "Again."  Another one.  "Once more."  This time it was long and deep.  Drew wrapped his arms around her waist and put his chin on her shoulder.

            "Aww.  Look at the love birds.  Don't they look so cute?"  Jeff sarcastically remarked.

            Jen and Drew didn't pay any attention to them.  They were waiting at the baggage claim for their bags.  Finally back in warm, sunny California, Jen had to catch up on her class work.  A week and a half of being out made her stack larger than one of the mountains in Colorado.  With Drew by her side, though, she'd be able to finish it all.

            "Baby love, could you get my bag.  It's too heavy for me to lift," Jen complained to Drew.  He gladly picked it up for her.  "Oh, how I love those muscles."

            She turned around to look for her parents.  Drew took the opportunity to do something crazy.  He snuck up behind Jen and quickly picked her up in his arms.  She screamed and began to giggle.  "Drew!  Don't do that!  You scared me to death."

"I just wanted to show you how strong I was," he answered.

            "I know how strong you are, especially when we're alone," she whispered.

            "Break it up, you two," Nick tried to act mocho.  "We need to get to our hotel."

            "You're not going anywhere, mister," Jen told Drew as he set her down.

            "I know, you're parents are taking me in until our next tour.  Then, in the summer, we'll be together.  You'll get to see the world, just like I have.  I can't wait until there," Drew answered.

            "Neither can I. This is going to be so exciting.  After that, I start my junior year of high school, making our wedding much closer."

            "Baby, I'll be anticipating that day more than any other day of the year.  I just can't believe I found you.  I'm so happy we're together," he said.  "I love you more than words can describe."

            "I love you that much, too," Jen kissed Drew.  As they let go, she could see her parents waiting at the door.  They walked over to them and left the airport.