“Oh my God!” Daphne gasped.

Daphne couldn’t believe who she was seeing right before her eyes.

“Roxxi?” she asked.

“Hey Daph!” Roxxi smiled as she strode over to her and tightly hugged her.

Roxanne Allen used to be one of Daphne’s best friends. They met while Daphne was a freshman in high school and Roxxi was a junior. They were inseparable until Daphne left for New York. While Daphne was gone, Roxxi and Jimmy got together and were inseparable. Once they got engaged, they planned on getting married in January of 2010. After Jimmy’s death, Roxxi took off and Daphne hadn’t heard from her since.

“I can’t believe you’re here Rox,” Daphne muttered with tears coming to her eyes.

“Brian called me and asked me to come,” Roxxi smiled, pawing at her own eyes.

“I think I’ll leave you two alone,” Brian muttered as he walked out.

“Where have you been?” Daphne asked.

“I’ve been traveling the states. I just needed to be alone for a while. I’m sorry I haven’t called you,” Roxxi apologized.

“Don’t worry about that. How are you doing?” Daphne asked.

“I’m good, I’m real good. Its still hard everyday without Jimmy, but I’m getting by. How are you? Brian told me you took Misty and left Derek,” Roxxi frowned.

“Derek is just…different. I didn’t want him raising Misty anymore so I left,” Daphne shrugged.

“Does he know you’re here?” Roxxi asked.

“No, so how did Brian get a hold of you?” Daphne asked, changing the subject.

“About three months after I left, I called Brian. We talk about once a month. About a week ago, he called me and asked me to come back for your birthday. I couldn’t say no.”

“Are you staying for good?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“I tried being with this one guy for a little while. We lasted about three months and then I got bored with him. He was definitely not Jimmy,” Roxxi giggled.

“Honey you are never going to find another Jimmy,” Daphne laughed.

“Tell me about it,” Roxxi sighed.

“Well if you leave again, we have to hang out before you go,” Daphne told her.

“Absolutely, now where is your little girl? I can’t wait to see her again,” Roxxi grinned.

“Come on, lets go find her,” Daphne smiled as she linked her arm through Roxxi’s.

They walked into the living room and Daphne greeted people as she made her way through the giant mass. She finally found Misty dancing with Arin.

“She got so big! She’s so adorable!” Roxxi cooed.

Daphne smiled and led the way over to them.

“Hey Daph! Happy birthday!” Arin smiled as he tightly hugged her.

“Thanks Arin! Oh, this is my friend Roxxi,” Daphne introduced.

Arin looked towards Roxxi and his eyes widened as he took in her appearance. Daphne couldn’t help but notice that Roxxi was giving Arin the same look.

“Uh, hi. I’m Arin,” he greeted, clearing his throat.

“Hey,” Roxxi smiled sheepishly.

“Okay, well Misty this is mommy’s friend Roxxi,” Daphne smiled.

Roxxi broke her gaze from Arin’s to look down at Misty.

“Hey cutie!” she smiled as she hugged Misty.

“Hi,” Misty smiled shyly.

“So how long have you known Daphne?” Arin asked.

“Since I was a junior in high school, she was a freshmen at the time. How do you know Daph?” she asked.

“I drum for the band now,” he shrugged.

Roxxi’s eyes widened and her mouth fell slightly agape.

“Well you have guts to step into Jimmy’s place. I know a lot of the fans aren’t happy,” she muttered once she regained her composure.

“Well I’m just trying to keep Jimmy’s spirit alive so I hope they’ll accept me,” he muttered.

“Well I’m sure they’ll accept you soon enough. You’re doing great,” she smiled.

“Thanks,” he grinned.

“You’re welcome,” she smiled.

“Okay, Arin I need to steal her for a few minutes. Do you mind?” Daphne cut in.

“No, its fine. I’ll catch you later?” he asked Roxxi.

“Sure,” Roxxi smiled.

Daphne grabbed Roxxi’s arm and led them away until they were out of earshot.

“You like him!” she accused.

“I just met him! I can’t like him, how old is he anyway?” Roxxi asked.

“He’s twenty three. You should totally go out with him!”

“Are you crazy? I’m five years older than him! Plus, he’s my fiancé’s replacement! Plus, its only been about two years since Jimmy!”

“You know Jimmy wants you to move on and be happy. Who cares if you’re older than him? Age is just a number! Anyway, he’s not replacing Jimmy; he’s stepping in for him. You said it yourself that he had guts for doing that. Plus, Arin is pretty good in the sack.”

“You slept with him?”

“We were drunk, but that’s not the point! You should really give him a chance. I saw a spark between you two. There’s something there Rox, you really should go after it,” Daphne smiled.

Roxxi looked back at Arin and noticed him glancing at her. He offered a small smile and a slight wave. Roxxi smiled back and turned back to Daphne.

“You really think there’s something?” she asked.

“Of course I do, you should give him a chance,” Daphne urged.

“What’s going on with you and Brian?” Roxxi smirked, changing the subject.

“What do you mean?” Daphne asked.

“He hasn’t been able to take his eyes off of you since he walked out of the kitchen,” Roxxi smirked.

Daphne looked behind them and noticed Brian leaning against the wall across the room. He was watching her as Zacky and Johnny talked his ear off about something he was obviously not paying attention to. He smiled and nodded at her when he noticed her glancing back at him.

“What’s going on?” Roxxi asked.

“I really don’t know Rox,” Daphne shrugged.

“Well you better figure it out soon babe. Take it from me; you don’t want to procrastinate your relationship with him any longer. You never know what could happen,” Roxxie frowned.

***

It was close to midnight when the party finally winded down. When everyone was just about gone, Daphne walked Roxxie to the door.

“I think you should talk to Brian soon,” Roxxie suggested.

“I think so too. I definitely need him to know how much I appreciate him bringing you out here,” Daphne smiled.

Roxxie smiled and tightly embraced her friend.

“Have you decided if you’re staying?” Daphne asked when they finally pulled away.

“I’m ready to go whenever you are,” Arin announced as he walked up to the two.

“I’m just about ready, I’ll meet you at the car,” Roxxie smiled.

Arin smiled and hugged Daphne before walking out.

“I think I might stick around for a while,” Roxxie smirked.

“Have fun,” Daphne smirked as she watched Roxxie walk out and down to Arin’s car.

Daphne smiled to herself and shut the door and locked it. She walked upstairs to check on Misty and found her still sleeping soundly. She walked back downstairs and into the kitchen as Matt and Jade walked in from the backyard.

“Did you have fun today?” Jade smiled.

“Of course, thank you so much,” Daphne smiled as she tightly hugged Jade.

“You’re welcome babe. I’m tired as hell so I’m going to bed,” Jade yawned.

“Thanks a lot Matt, I really appreciate everything you do for me,” Daphne smiled as she tightly hugged her brother.

“You’re welcome baby. Were you surprised to see Roxxi?” he asked.

“Of course, did you know she was coming?” she asked.

“She came into town last night, I didn’t know until then,” he laughed.

“Well I had a great time tonight. Thank you,” she smiled as she kissed his cheek.

“You’re welcome. Jeez our friends are slobs,” he muttered.

“You’ve done enough, I’ll clean up. You go to bed, try not to make too much noise with Jade, Misty’s sleeping,” she smirked.

“I hate you,” he laughed.

“Love you too,” she smiled.

“Night baby girl,” he smiled as he kissed her forehead and walked out of the kitchen.

Daphne sighed and looked around at the huge mess in the kitchen. She pulled her short hair into a pony tail before grabbing a trash bag and started cleaning. She was startled when she heard the back door slide open. She turned around just as Brian shut the door and locked it.

“I thought you left,” she muttered.

“Not without saying goodnight,” he half-smiled.

Daphne smiled and set the trash bag down before walking over to him. She tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned to gently press her lips to his.

“Thank you,” she breathed out.

“You’re welcome baby,” he whispered.

“I can’t believe you cut your hair,” he commented as he took her hair out of its pony-tail.

“Do you hate it?” she asked.

“No, I like it. I’m glad its finally out of your face,” he smiled.

“I really appreciate you bringing Roxxi out here. I can’t thank you enough,” she smiled.

“You don’t have to thank me baby,” he muttered.

She smiled and leaned up to kiss him again.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too,” he smiled.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

Daphne hesitated, afraid to hear his answer.

“What is it Daphne?” he pressed.

“Would you leave Zoey to be with me?” she blurted out.

“In a heartbeat,” he answered immediately.

His answer stunned her.

“I finally made you speechless,” he smirked.

“I thought you still had feelings for Zoey,” she muttered, finding her voice.

“I thought I did too,” he muttered.

“What made you change your mind?”

“When I saw how happy you were today when you saw Roxxi. I had so much pride knowing that you were that happy because of me. I finally realized that I want to make you and Misty that happy everyday. I want to spend the rest of my life devoted to you two. Its always been you Daph, Zoey was just a temporary distraction. I hate that it took me this long to realize it.”

“You really mean that Bri?” she asked as a few tears fell from her eyes.

He placed his hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears.

“Every word of it baby. Just say the word and I’ll divorce Zoey,” he smiled.

Completely speechless, Daphne threw her arms around his neck and heatedly kissed him. They put all of their love and passion for one another into the kiss which in turn leaved them breathless.

“Can I ask you another question?” she breathed out.

“What is it baby?” he asked.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” she asked.

“I thought you’d never ask,” he smiled.

Daphne smiled and pecked his lips before grabbing his hand and leading him out of the kitchen. She led him upstairs and into her room. She slipped her shoes off while he shut and locked the door.

“Unzip me,” she smirked as she turned her back to him.

She felt Brian grasp her zipper with a shaky hand and pull it down. She let the material fall off her shoulders and land in a puddle around her ankles. She turned around and Brian immediately took her in his arms and roughly kissed her. Goosebumps formed on her skin as his hands explored her bare skin. Without breaking their kiss, Daphne unbuttoned the buttons on Brian’s shirt and pushed the material off of his shoulders. She took pride in the way his muscles tensed under her slightest touch. She walked backwards and fell back on her bed, pulling him with her. She scooted backwards up the bed and he followed her like a lost puppy. His hand traveled down her body and to her thigh where he grasped it and hooked her leg to his hip.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Brian asked as he broke their kiss.

Daphne smiled as she looked up into his eyes and placed her hand on his stubbly cheek.

“Make love to me Bri,” she whispered.

He didn’t need to be told twice. Once the remainder of their clothes was shed, he grasped his shaft and gently pushed into her. He immediately stopped all movement when she broke their eye contact and slightly winced.

“Daphne, what’s wrong?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

“God you’re huge,” she winced.

Brian smiled as he felt his ego rise even more. Putting her comfort before anything, he went slowly until Daphne was able to adjust to him. Soon enough, she was moving her hips in time with his and he knew she was ready to take him. He sat back on his calves and used her hips to leverage himself. As Brian found a new angle and speed, Daphne began begging him to thrust into her harder, deeper. He obeyed and plunged into her at the pace and intensity he’d been dreaming of doing to her for years now.

“Bri I’m so close,” Daphne panted as he continued to slam into her.

Her hips jolted off the bed when his hand traveled down her stomach and touched her. That was definitely the push she needed to fall over to edge and into ecstasy. She moaned his name and rocked her hips with his as the most powerful orgasm she’d ever had rocked her body. Brian’s eyes widened as he felt her contract and tighten around him. Her orgasm triggered his own powerful one and he continued plunging into her until they were both spent. He reluctantly pulled out of her and collapsed beside her.

“That was incredible,” Daphne breathed out as she turned on her side to face him.

Brian turned to face her and gently kissed her.

“I love you Daphne,” he smiled.

“I love you too Bri,” she grinned.

Within a few minutes, Daphne saw Brian’s eyes flutter close.

“Bri?” she whispered as she placed a hand on his cheek.

“Hmm?” he mumbled as he loosely placed his arm around his waist.

“I want you to divorce Zoey.”

“You got it babe.”