Loyalty

Chapter 38: Valentine.

Jessica's POV

"Brian, it's fine. Stop apologizing," I told him, for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"But it's Valentine's Day. I should be there with you," he said.

"It's not your fault the flight was canceled," I said.

It was a Monday night, the day before Valentine's Day. It was Brian and I's first as a couple. It also happened to be our six-month anniversary. I had planned a romantic evening that the both of us would enjoy. Brian offered to take me to a fancy dinner, but I preferred staying in with him. And I knew he liked it better that way too. Brian thought that cooking was too much trouble, but I didn't mind cooking a meal for my man. As a present, I made Brian some more pickles, since he had just finished the ones I made him for Christmas. It may have seemed like an odd Valentine's Day gift, but I knew that's what Brian liked. It would be a waste for me to buy him something cheesy like a box of chocolates when I knew he would prefer something more personal. As my final surprise, I also purchased a new set of red lingerie for myself, although that was more of a gift for Brian...

But now Brian's flight back from one of his shows had been canceled. He wouldn't get back until Wednesday night, the day after Valentine's Day. I was just disappointed that Brian and I would be spending more time apart. The fact that it was also Valentine's Day didn't mean much more to me. Brian was always pulling these sweet, romantic gestures all year long. I always appreciated that Brian put in the effort to be so thoughtful. He didn't need a specific day on the calendar to tell him to be romantic. In my mind, any time that I had to spend apart from him was equally as difficult.

When I started dating Brian, I knew that I would get lonely sometimes. I knew that he would often be away on tour or busy filming the show. From the beginning, I knew what I was getting myself into. And I knew Brian was living his dream by getting paid to hang out with his friends and perform in front of his fans. I never got angry when he was away because I understood that was part of the job. Especially in situations like this, when flights got delayed or canceled. It's not something that Brian could control. But I still missed him. Even if I got used to all the traveling, I would still miss him. That part would never change.

Things had been going so well between Brian and I. His jealousy was improving and we both started to feel more comfortable communicating with each other. I didn't feel like he was suffocating me anymore. Brian more loving and more trusting in me. He had become even more affectionate, especially in public. I loved that. We were both working on spending more time together, just the two of us. Time as best friends, like we used to. We wanted to spend time doing things like playing video games, going to the movies, or just relaxing while I cooked him a meal. I finally started to feel like I had my best friend back. That was something I felt had been lost in our relationship recently, after all the heavy issues we had dealt with.

"I miss you, baby," Brian told me. He sounded a bit tired.

"I miss you too."

"I just wish I was home with you," he said.

"I know, me too. It's a shame you won't get to see that new set of lingerie I bought," I teased him. Suddenly, it sounded like he perked up a little.

"Well...You could send me a picture...." Brian suggested.

"Oh sure. Hold on," I told him.

"Wait.... Really?" he asked, a little surprised.

I teased him a bit, sending him a picture of just the lingerie, without me in it. I had it laid out on the bed, ready to wear when he got home.