**Nick**
I had totally freaked out when I saw that the ring box was gone. I thought maybe Kayci had taken it or looked in it, but obviously she hadn't. Thank God! I have to be more careful. I needed to find Jess. I needed her opinion on this whole marriage thing. A.J. had wanted some munchies so Kayci had taken him and Brian out to the store. I patter my pocket...making sure that the ring was safe. I walked into the living room to find Jess watching television. Wow...some boring show about trees. "Hey Jess. I need to ask you something."
"Sure, Cutie. Have a seat."
I pulled out the ring box and opened it. "What do you think?"
She gasped. "Nick, you know that I'm with A.J.! I can't do this. You are cute and all-"
"No, no, no! Jess, not for you! Jeez. It's for Kayci. Do you think she'll like it?"
"Oh my God. Wow...um, it's beautiful. It's huge! Are you really going to ask her?"
"That's what I came to you about. You're her sister and all...do you think she's ready?"
"For you? Probably. Man, it's gorgeous-"
"Forget about the ring!" Couldn't she get off of the ring? I snapped it shut and put it back in my pocket. "I want to make sure she'll say yes."
"Have you guys ever talked about marriage before?"
I hadn't thought about that. I never wanted to bring it up before because I didn't want to know what she thought. I shook my head. "No, we haven't."
"I can't give you anything definite as to what she'll say."
I felt my shoulders drop. What did I expect? She couldn't possibly know what Kayci would actually think.
"But I can say," she continued, "that Kayci loves you more than anything on this earth and she is already very committed to you. I think that should be enough. But you just got back and you guys are just getting things back together."
"I know, I know. It's just that I love her so much that I can't bear the thought of living my life without her. Jess, she's the one. She's the only one I can picture for the rest of my life!"
"Aw, that's really sweet Nick. Just tell her that. Say what you just told me. You're not the only guy in this world that puts this all on the line."
"Maybe not, but I sure feel like the only guy that is this much in love." It was true. I didn't think anyone could love someone as much as I love Kayci. It just doesn't seem possible. Jess opened her mouth to say something but before she could, we heard the front door open and close and A.J.'s incredibly loud voice filled the entire house.
He walked up to Jess and kissed her. "What were you guys up to?"
"Not much," I replied. Kayci came over and sat down next to me. I got butterflies in my stomach and they hurt. She quickly kissed me.
"Is that so?" She smiled at me.
"Well, no. We were just talking about how much I love you."
"Oh you were?" I could tell that she was melting and she kissed me again. Right on schedule. She gave me a look. "What's that grin for?"
"Oh nothing." Hmm, it's just that everytime I be all cute and sweet you turn to jello and I get kissed. "Nothing at all."
"Uh huh. Do you really think that I believe that Nicky?"
"Not particularly."
She shook her head. All of a sudden, we heard a crash come from the kitchen. "I better go check on Brian before the kitchen burns down." I laughed as she ran into the kitchen.
"So when are you going to ask her?" Jess asked me. A.J. gave us both a weird look.
"I dunno, Jess. Maybe tonight. I just don't know how...or what to say!"
"Here, I'll help you. You can practice with me." We both stood up as A.J. gazed at us with wonder. "Get down on one knee in front of me." Okay, easy enough. I had seen this part before. "No, tell me how much you love me and can't live without me and how great I am."
What? "Sorry, Jess. But I don't love you." She smacked me.
"Wrong answer."
"Well, I-"
"Just take my hands." We must have looked incredibly funny to A.J.
"What are you guys doing?"
Jess and I turned around to see Kayci staring at us. Oh God, my cover is blown! I-
"I was just trying to teach A.J. how to be romantic," Jess interrupted. Oh, thank you, Jess! I got off the floor and looked at Kayci as she laughed. She was so beautiful.
"Did it work?" she asked.
"I don't think so," Jess replied. "He's still the same hormonal dud he used to be." They laughed and A.J. threw a pillow at her.
"Well, now I forgot what I came in here for. I'm going back to Brian. He needs help. Men and kitchens do not mix." I watched her walk back into the kitchen. I didn't feel any better about the task at hand. Tonight. I guess it's decided.
**Brian**
Kayci walked back into the kitchen laughing. "What's so funny?" I asked her.
"I just saw the funniest thing in the world! Jessie and Nick were trying to teach A.J. how to be romantic. Nick was on one knee and Jess was being a sass as usual. It was just too funny!"
Kayci you are so beautiful. Oh my God, why do you have to be with Nick? Nick of all people? I suddenly felt like I had lost control of my body. I grabbed Kayci's shoulders and gained entrance to her eyes. "I love you, Kayci." Oh shit, it just slipped out. But I couldn't let go of her shoulders nor could I let go of her eyes. They were so deep and it killed me that they only looked at Nick. They should be looking at me. Through me. "I have for so long."
Kayci studdered. "Brian I...I don't know...but-"
"Hey guys." We turned around to see Nick. "Need any help?" Nick walked up to Kayci and slowly took her from me and into his arms.
"Yeah, Sweetie," she replied. "Don't-"
"No! Everything's not okay!" That slipped out, too. But I suppose that Nick had a right to know. Sort of. "Nick I-"
"Brian-" Kayci interrupted.
"Kayci, he has to know."
"Oh no," Nick said. "You broke my plate, didn't you? Didn't you?"
"No Nick, it's not that." I should just tell him. He's gonna hit the roof but... "Nick, I'm in love with your girlfriend." Nick stared at me, I stared at Kayci and Kayci stared at Nick.
"Brian, I don't know what to tell you," Nick said. "There's not much you can do." He slung his arm over her shoulders and started pulling her out of the kitchen. "I mean that's fine and dandy but she's mine. She always will be. So I guess the only word of advice I can give you is to get over it." He turned and led Kayci back into the living room.
Well, that was not what I expected. He was way too nonchalant. Like he didn't even care. I wasn't trying to break up their relationship or anything...I mean if they did happen to break up by accident, yay! But I guess until then...who knows.