A beautiful angel sat upon a cloud in heaven, looking down at life on
Earth. She noticed a mother, who cried as she fell to her knees in prayer.
"Oh Lord, please, don't take my son away from me!" The mother's five year
old son was dying in the hospital bed beside her of a very rare heart
condition. As the little boy clinged on for dear life, his mother was sadly
accepting the truth. Her own son was dying before her eyes and there was
nothing she could do about it. Nothing but pray, that is.
God saw the angel, and he heard the helpless mother's plea for help.
God said, " I will not take him yet." He then called the angel to him. "Go
down to Earth and comfort his mother" He said. "You will be his guardian
angel. Watch over him. Listen to him when he prays at night. Help him to
become a child of God." Smiling, the angel nodded and flew down to the
hospital bed to him.
The years passed, and it wasn't long before he was a young man. He
was very happy and content with his life. His heart hadrecovered, his
singing career was finally starting to take off, and he was in a great
relationship with his long-time girlfriend, Samantha.
And God was pleased with the wonderful job that the angel had been doing.
The young man remained faithful to God, and he tried his best every day to
live his life as a good person.
Time went on, and just when he thought his life couldn't get any
better, it happened. It was about ten at night when his phone rang. It was
Samantha. "I don't want to go out with you anymore..."
There were no words to express the pain that he felt. The constant
pain. Night after night, he lay awake, crying "Oh Lord, my heart may be physi
cally healthy, but emotionally, I feel like I'm dying all over again." Night
after night, he told God how he felt it unfair that he could never find a
true love. Night after night, the angel sat at his bedside, and listened to
his cries. He was such a good soul, and he deserved to be happy. She wanted
to tell him so many things, but she couldn't. An angel could only talk to a
human in their dreams.
One night, he locked himself in his room, and listened to sad music
until he fell asleep. Once she was certain that he was in a deep dreaming
state of mind, the angel lay beside him and began to caress his forehead,
although he couldn't feel a thing. "Why are you so sad?" she asked him.
"Because I want to be in love" he said. "I want someone to be in love with
who loves me," he said. The angel gazed at his sleeping face adoringly.
"One day, you will find true love" she said. "I promise." He didn't reply,
but proceeded into his deep sleep. The angel lay there, watching him for a
while, and gave him a delicate kiss.
A few days later, she flew up to Heaven to speak with God. "Lord, I
need to speak with you about something," she said. "You have fallen in love
with him," God said. "Yes," she said. "He is a beautiful person, Lord.
And I know that it's not supposed to happen. I was only supposed to guide
him. Angels aren't supposed to fall in love with humans. But I can't even to
uch him, and it's tearing me apart. Not only do I want to help guide his
life, Lord, but I want to be with
him. Sharing his life with him and being by his side. I really do love him."
After a moment of silence, God said "I know you do. And that is why
I have decided I am going to make you human. You will have all the human
traits and qualities, but you will have to sacrifice all of the angelic
powers which you have had in the past. You can no longer hear his thoughts,
his prayers, or speak to him in his dreams. In being human you will have to
take control of all your own actions. You will not be able to fly into the
heavens as you please, for now you will have to pray as a human. The
decision is yours, and once you have made it there is no turning back. You
will be a human for the rest of your lifetime. However, if you decide to
stay in the heavens for eternity, that is your choice as well. And life on
Earth is not easy. There is a lot of violence, hatred, and misery on Earth.
It is far from the Heaven you know. It is a difficult decision fair angel,
but one only you can make."
She smiled. "Then it is my will," she said. "Make me a human, my Lord, for
I am hopelessly in love with this man." "As you wish," God said. "Good
luck, my child."
She landed outside of a movie set in Orlando, Florida. She stood up,
looking around, unsure of where she was. She looked down at her outfit. She
was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a white tank top. Over it was a white,
fitted cotton pullover, which helped to shut out the breeze. Her long,
pin-straight blond hair fell down her back, and it looked like satin as the
wind played with it. Her bright blue eyes sparkled behind a pair of
pink-lensed sunglasses. She looked around at the buildings and people that
surrounded her. The Florida sun shone brightly on the city, and the world
was a beautiful place.
"Leighanne! Leighanne!" a voice called from behind her. She
began to look through her pocketbook and took out her wallet. "Leighanne!"
the voice called louder. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She
spun her head around to see a beautiful young black woman. "What are you, dea
f?" she asked. "You are Leighanne Wallace, aren't you?" the woman asked.
She stared at her, then looked down at the driver's license in her wallet.
"Yeah-yeah that's me," she said. The woman smiled. "I'm Fatima, the
choreographer,"she said shaking her hand. "Look I didn't mean to snap at
you, it's just that things are so hectic with the video today. We want to
get this done, and it's been hard enough trying to get all the actresses
together. You'd better hurry up, the hair and make-up call was fifteen
minutes ago." With that, she left. Leighanne smiled. "I'm an actress?" she
said.
"And...action!", the director said. The group of beautiful women,
including Leighanne, walked in through the doors at the director's cue. The
Backstreet Boys were taking a break and Brian and Nick were playing
basketball on the set of their newest video, "As Long As You Love Me". "Wow,
I don't know who to choose," AJ told Howie and Kevin as they sat in two
chairs nearby. This comment caught Nick and Brian's attention. "The
brunette is kinda cute", Nick suggested. Brian dropped the basketball at the
sight of Leighanne. "Who is she?" he asked. " She's hot isn't she?" AJ
said. "I think she's a model or something.
Later on, AJ was trying to strike up a conversation with Leighanne.
"So, are you seeing anyone?" he asked. "No," she said. She kept looking
over his shoulder at Brian. She didn't mean to be rude, but she couldn't
take her eyes off him. "I'm not seeing anyone either," AJ continued. "Oh,"
she said, still gazing at Brian. AJ spun his head around to see what she was
staring at. When he saw Brian, he caught on instantly. He grinned, and
faced Leighanne again. "If there weren't so many hearts coming out of your
head, I'd proceed to hit on you," he said, "But Brian's one of my best
friends." Leighanne felt herself blushing. "What? There are not hearts
coming out of my head!" "Yeah, OK, and I don't like to wear sunglasses," he
said walking away.
Later on, things weren't any less hectic. "Cut!" the director
yelled. He pointed to Leighanne. "You, miss. Is this your first time
acting?" Leighanne looked back at the many pairs of eyes that stared at her.
"No sir," she said. He frowned. "Well, you could've fooled me. Take a five
minute break." He turned to the rest of the set. "I wanna see everyone back
here in five minutes. Not a second more!"
Leighanne sighed and walked out into the parking lot. She sat down.
Leaning against the wall of the building, she hugged her knees and put her
head down. "Oh Lord," she prayed. "You were right when you said that I
wasn't ready for the world. I understand that I can't go back, but I have
never felt such loneliness before. Please God, send me a sign of your love
and blessing, to help guide me."
Almost as quickly as she had made her request, she heard a noise. A
faint little bark in fact. She lifted her head up to see a tiny chiuwawa
dog, who looked lost and was trotting towards her. "Hey little guy," she
said lifting him up, "Where did you come from, huh?" She sat indian-style
and placed him in her lap. He barked again and licked her nose, making her
giggle. "Oh, I see," she said, "The Lord does work in mysterious ways
doesn't he?" The puppy began to play with the laces of her boots, and she
laughed.
"He's cute," she heard a voice say. She peered up, shielding her
eyes from the sun. And there he was. The person who she had watched and
guided for almost all his life. And there he stood right before her, as a
grown man, speaking to her. Person to person.
"I'm Brian," he said smiling as he kneeled down beside her.
"Leighanne." "Is he yours?" he asked. "Yeah," she said. "What's his
name?" Leighanne tensed up. "Uh, his name?" "Yeah," Brian said, "His name.
You know, the word you call really loud when you want him to come to you?"
Leighanne looked around, not catching on to Brian's sarcasm. She noticed a
big white truck on the other side of the parking lot, which was used for
transporting large pieces of equipment for the set. On its side, in bright
green letters read 'Tyke's Transportation Inc.' "Tyke,"she said, "His name's
Tyke." "Cute name," he said. "Yeah," she said. "I thought it up a while
ago." "I meant yours," Brian said. Leighanne blushed. "You're a beautiful
lady, Leighanne," he said. She smiled at him.
Suddenly they heard the director's call to the set. Brian extended
his elbow to her. "Shall we?" he asked. She laughed and linked her arm in
his, and still carrying her new puppy in her other, they headed onto the set.
When the director saw them, he frowned at Leighanne. "There are no
dogs allowed on the set" he said. "I don't remember hearing any restrictions
like that," Brian said, defending her. "We can't have animals running around
causing trouble when we're trying to work" the director insisted. "Then I'll
hold him," Brian said carefully picking up Tyke and holding him. The
director stormed away, furious, knowing that Brian had more power and control
than he did. Brian turned to Leighanne. "Listen, don't let him get to you,
ok? He always stresses out making these videos for us. If he tends to act
like a moron, just don't take offense to it. He kissed her forehead. I
think you're doing great." He then walked away, Tyke in arms, so that
Leighanne and the other girls could film their scene.
Later that night,
Brian took Leighanne out to dinner. When the night was coming to an end,
Brian walked her to her doorstep. "I had an excellent time tonight Brian,
thank you," she said. "Leighanne?", Brian said taking her hand innocently,
"I know this sounds crazy, but I feel like I've known you for a really long
time." She let out a little chuckle and looked down. "No. No, that doesn't
sound crazy at all," she said. "So, where did you say you were from
again?," he asked. "Oh, up north... really, really up north." "Oh," he
said, confused. "Goodnight," he said leaning in and kissing her tenderly.
"You have no idea how long I have been waiting for that," she said. He
smiled. "All day?" She laughed. Brian gazed into her sparkling bright blue
eyes. "You are a mysterious lady, Miss Leighanne," he said "But that's only
one of the reasons that I'm falling so hard for you. I hope I will hear from
you soon." She brushed her fingertips delicately along the sides of his
face. "There isn't a doubt in my mind," she assured him.
The months passed, and everyone noticed a change in Brian. Although
he was always a rather happy man, ever since Leighanne had entered his life,
it was obvious that he was much, much happier. Brian and Leighanne were
crazy about each other and everyone knew it. And together, nothing could
stop them. The Backstreet Boys had achieved amazing worldwide success, and
Leighanne was getting movie offers left and right. The two even got a house
together, just a small little cozy place away from all the chaos that they
could call home. It was perfect for the three of them. Brian, Leighanne,
and of course-Tyke.
It was rare to see Leighanne at all without Tyke. With the busy
schedules of Brian and herself, being apart from him wasn't so bad as long as
Tyke was there. Not only was Tyke good company when Brian wasn't there, but
he was a special gift to her from God, and her only reminder of her life as
an angel. Her life as an angel which no one could ever find out about. Not
even Brian, the man that she loved with all her heart. But little did she
know what was going on in Brian's mind, which was a disadvantage to her, now
a human. Because if Leighanne had any idea of what was going on in Brian's
mind, if she still had those angelic powers which she once possessed, she may
very well be in fear. Because Brian wasn't oblivious to what was going on.
He knew that there was something about Leighanne that she wasn't telling him.
About a year and a half later, they were still going strong. Brian was seldom seen without
Leighanne by his side, and it wasn't long before rumors of marriage were all
over the media. Not that it was something that hadn't crossed their minds,
but their lives were just too hectic to even think about planning a wedding.
And there was no rush. They knew they were in love, and that was all that
mattered.
One night, it was the first time in a long time that they the both of
them had the night off, and they decided to spend their evening together at
home, just enjoying each other's company.
"Leighanne, there's something that you need to know," Brian said.
"When Samantha broke up with me, I didn't think that I would ever move on. I
thought for sure that I would never love again...and then I met you. And now,
well, I'm scared. Because I have never loved anyone in my life as much as I
love you, and if ever we should break up, I'm not sure if I can handle being
hurt like that all over again." She smiled at him affectionally, and took
his hands in her own. "Brian, people do crazy things to be with the one they
love. And sometimes...they have to make sacrifices. And although I cannot
explain to you, all you need to know is that our love is real, and I wouldn't
dream of having it any other way. So rest assured my love, because there is
nothing in this world that could tear us apart."
He looked at her. "But that's just it, Leighanne. This constant
sheild you have over your past is what has created this gap between us.
Don't you understand that I love you with everything I have in me, and the
fact that you have left me in the dark to your past is tearing me apart? All
the beauty in your life that has created you into the wonderful person that
you are. I just can't comprehend how a woman who has so much to offer
insists on hiding her past. You tell me you love me Leighanne, yet after
nearly two years, sometimes I still feel like I don't even know you.
Whatever it is that you're ashamed of, I promise I'll forgive you, I just
wish that you would trust me."
"Brian, I do love you. But there are things about me that you just
can't know, and I'm sorry."
Brian sighed, and turning away he put his head in his hands.
Seeing him like this tore Leighanne apart, but she knew she must be loyal to
God before she was loyal to anyone else, and that was something that Brian
was just going to have to accept, even if he didn't fully understand it.
Leighanne tried to remember that the good Lord always found a solution to
very situation, no matter how difficult.
She walked over to him. "One day Brian, you will understand." She
leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "I promise." Brian pulled away as
if her touch had burned him. Many flashbacks began to race through his mind.
"What did you just say?" he asked her. She looked confused, and a little
nervous. "I-I said that one day you will understand," she said. "No no no",
he said quickly. "After that." She raised an eyebrow. " I promise?" she
guessed. "Yes!" he said. He stared at her smiling. "How stupid I was for
not realizing it sooner! I mean, sure there were bits and pieces here and
there that were hints, but-well for some reason it wasn't until now that I
realized..."
Leighanne felt fear overwhelm her. "Honey, what on Earth are you
talking about?" she said, forcing out a little laugh. He hugged her tightly.
"Oh Leighanne, don't you understand? There's no need to hide it anymore.
Because I've got it all figured out now." She put her hand on her forehead.
"Well now that you've got it all figured out, you mind explaining it to me?
Because quite frankly I don't have the slightest clue what you're rambling on
about!"
Brian looked at her, disappointed. "You don't?" he said softly. She
shook her head. He tried to elaborate. "My room as a kid? The tapes I used
to fall asleep listening to when I was a teenager? My dreams? None of that
rings a bell to you?" She stared at him blankly. "Guess not." he said.
"Sweetheart, I only met you about two years ago. Why in the world would I
remember things like that?" she said. "I know" Brian said, "It's just-Oh
never mind. I'd feel dumb explaining it now." She laughed. "Brian Thomas
Littrell, your friends tell me all the time that you're crazy, and I may just
be starting to believe it." He pulled her closer to him. "But that's why
you love me," he said innocently kissing her. "There's many reasons why I
love you," she said smiling up at him. "Too many to name."
Later that night, Brian and Leighanne were
snuggled close on the couch watching Romeo and Juliet. Leighanne felt
content curled up there with Brian. His gentle fingertips caressed her
forehead delicately, as she snuggled in closer to him, breathing in the scent
of his cologne. There was nowhere else in the world that could possibly make
her any happier than safe in Brian's arms.
The movie was up to the costume party scene, where Juliet was dressed
as an angel, and Romeo was a knight, and they saw each other for the very
first time. "That must have been my expression the first time that I saw
you," Brian said. "You're my Juliet." Feeling a little tired, Leighanne
allowed her eyelids to close. "And you're my Romeo," she said grinning. "So
tell me, my Juliet, is Heaven really missing an angel?" he asked. "Nah.
It's so busy up there it's ridiculous," she said. Brian stood up before her,
smiling and folding his arms. She gasped and jumped up. "I mean, I've heard
that heaven is probably like that," she said, trying to save herself. He
continued to grin. "Gotcha." he said. "Oh no," she said leaning back and
hiding her face with her hands. "You are her!" he exclaimed. "I knew it!
Why didn't you tell me?" Leighanne felt overwhelmed with fear, and a bit
light-headed.
"Brian, I..." she sighed and looked down. "I am afraid I have betrayed the
Lord. I... I can't see you anymore. I'm sorry." Her eyes began to fill
with tears. "I'm so sorry." With that she turned and began to walk away.
"Leighanne," Brian said, his voice almost a whisper. He tried to grab her
arm to make her stay. "Don't touch me" she said. Looking into his sad eyes,
she felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Goodbye Brian." she said softly. She
turned and walked out the front door of their house before he had a chance to
respond. She didn't look back, because she knew that he was watching her.
She couldn't bear to see that look of sadness in his eyes again.
Leighanne ran down the road, with no destination but to be as far
away from her home as possible. But no matter how far she walked, she
couldn't escape the pain and the guilt that followed her. Tears blurred her
vision as she scurried down the road. The only sounds that she heard were
her boots scraping against the pavement, and her own staggered breathing.
She ran and ran until she felt as if her legs were going to collapse
underneath her. She came to a park a few blocks away. It certainly looked
different after dark. The swings were still and lifeless. And if it weren't
for the reflection of the pale moonlight, the tall silver slide would've
been forgotten altogether. Leighanne headed for a bench, the thick white
sand slowing her pace. She sat down on the oak bench and began to cry even
harder than she had before. Hot tears streamed down her face, one after
another, and her body trembled. "Oh Lord, please forgive me!" she pleaded.
"I will never speak to him again, my Lord, just give me your mercy!" But it
was hopeless. She was only a human. She fell to her knees onto the sand
beneath her, and allowed her tears to roll off of her face and seep into the
thighs of her denim pants.
"What are you doing?" she heard a voice ask. She spun her head
around left and right, only to find herself still alone. "Over here, my
child," the voice said. She looked up at the sky, noticing among the stars
one in peticular which shone so very brightly amidst the rest. "Lord?" she
asked, squinting her eyes and slowly standing up. "Yes, my fair one." He
said, "What on Earth have you done?" Leighanne was confused. "Father, I
have betrayed you. The one simple favor which you have asked of me, to not
reveal my past to anyone. Brian has discovered the truth my Lord, and I am
afraid I have betrayed your trust. I understand that I must now be forever
punished." "My child, you are mistaken," the Lord said. "For I am not upset
with you at all."
"You're not?" she asked surprised. "No. For you and your love have both
remained faithful followers of Me, which, sadly, is very rare in humans
today. My child, you did not tell Brian, he discovered it on his own. Which
would not have happened if it weren't for him adoring your every move and
word. Do not destroy this beautiful thing in which you have worked so hard
to create. You must have faith in your love, as you have faith in Me." "So,
where do I go from here?" she asked. "Follow your heart." He said. She
nodded. Suddenly, she heard a faint little bark and a small figure trotted
towards her. "Tyke!" she exclaimed, picking him up. She kissed him sweetly,
and he licked her face happily. "C'mon," she said. "Let's go home." "Thank
you, my Lord," she said. "There is one more thing which you should know."
God said. "Yes?"she asked. "In your life, there are going to be people who
have a strong disliking towards you. They will say and do things which will
hurt your feelings terribly. Do not get defensive, no matter how painful
these remarks are. Instead of stating the truth in what they are saying, try
to understand why they are saying these things. One thing which humans can't
quite comprehend, is that when one has such little love in their life, they
tend to reflect their pain as hatred towards those who have found happiness
in their lives. They do this in hopes to make themselves feel satisfied, in
hurting others. This is so common on Earth, that it is hardly noticeable
anymore. So, my child, be stronger than they are. When one hurts you,
understand them and love them, rather than reflecting the pain. Help them to
understand that there are people who care for them, and try to spread the
word of love throughout the world, to those who are less fortunate than you."
"Yes Lord. I promise to do my best. And thank you for your blessing."
"Now go be with the one you love." He said. "And my child, no matter what
happens to you in your life on Earth, you will forever be known as an angel
in the Heavens."
Nearly a half hour later, Brian heard a knock on his door. It was
well past midnight, and he had been a frantic mess ever since Leighanne
walked out the door hours earlier.
He ran to the door and opened it, to see the beautiful blond who he
loved so much. "Hey stranger," she said, half smiling, "You lost your dog."
She handed Tyke to him. "Good job, Tyke," he said patting him on the head.
He put Tyke down, who ran into the next room. Brian and Leighanne made eye
contact. There was an awkward silence. "Could you ever forgive a fool in
love?" she asked innocently. Brian pulled her inside, and they began to kiss
passionately. "Oh Brian, I'm so sorry! I was just so scared!" Leighanne
confessed. "Shh!" Brian said giggling as he proceeded to kiss her. "Don't
ever leave me like that again, you hear?" he said. "That was the two most
terrifying hours of my life." "Oh I won't!" she said, "I'll never leave you
again. I promise!" Brian grabbed the sides of her face and stared deep into
her eyes, smiling. "Say it again." he said. "I promise!" she said. " I
promise! I promise! I promise!" Brian cupped her face and kissed her
passionately. "I love you" he said. "I love you too" she said. Suddenly,
he grabbed her hand, and they ran out onto the front lawn. "Hey!" Brian
yelled. "Hey! Everyone! Wake up!" "Brian, what are you doing?" Leighanne
exclaimed. "You're going to wake up the whole neighborhood!" "That's the
idea," Brian said. Suddenly, she felt a yanking on her boot laces. "Brian,
you left the door open and now the dog got out." she said. "Oh, Tyke's just
being playful. He'll go back inside as soon as we do... Hey! Is everyone up
yet?" One by one, they watched as house and porch lights turned on, and
windows and doors were opened. Neighbor after neighbor watched on to see
what the big commotion was about. When Brian was sure he had everyone's
attention, he began to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to start off
by saying good evening...uh, good morning!," he said glancing at his watch.
I have woken you all up this beautiful night to share with you a very special
declaration!" The neighbors looked on, anxiously. "Brian," Leighanne
whispered, "What are you doing?" Brian proceeded. "I have come to announce
that I, Brian Thomas Littrell, am madly and hopelessly in love with Miss
Leighanne Wallace!" Embarrassed, Leighanne covered her face. "Now if any of
you have been or are in love, then good for you. Because I'll tell you, when
you are in love, there is no greater feeling in the world, and nothing else
matters except for spending every possible second with the one you love so
much. But I can honestly say with all my heart and soul, that I have never
met someone more beautiful inside and out than this woman right here, and
there is nothing in the world that I wouldn't do for her. I love you,
Leighanne." He leaned in and kissed her sweetly. "You're crazy!" she said
laughing. "Crazy about you," he said. Suddenly, their attention was drawn
to the large amount of cheers and applause they received. They bowed
dramatically. "Now go back to bed!" Leighanne said laughing.
A few minutes later, all was silent once again in the neighborhood.
Brian turned to Leighanne. "Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" he asked
her. "No," she said "Because you caught me." "So tell me, my love, " he
said pulling her closer, "How on Earth did you manage to keep it from me for
such a long time?," he asked. She smiled, and kissed him sweetly. "I'm an
actress."
Email Holly and tell her what a wonderful story this is!!
Hosted Stories
Almost Heaven~Backstreet Boys Fan Fiction
