He looked into the bright green eyes of the one he loved and smiled. His tall. muscular body encircled her and she could feel the love radiating from him. Brandon bent down from his 6"2 height and gave her one of those knee shaking, body melting kisses made her fall in love in the first place.

Jessie and Brandon had been dating since junior year in high school, and it was obvious that they were going for the long haul. In the year after they graduated, anyone who even slightly knew the couple understood they were meant to be. Considering last week, Brandon had asked Mr. Stevens, Jessie's father, for her hand in marriage, it was basically official! The older man had done a victory dance around the kitchen as his wife attacked the younger one with a hug while screaming, "I'M GETTING A SON-IN-LAW!"

All I have to do now is find her the perfect ring, Brandon thought, then she will really be mine forever.

"So are you going to tell me what has been bugging you?" Jessie asked with a grin, sensing his nervous energy. "You haven't been anywhere near calm for at least a week! You owe me some sort of explanation!"

"Who says I own you an explanation! Hmmmm?" Brandon replied. Pulling away from her he added, "I don't have to tell you EVERYTHING you know!"

She laughed at his mock defiance and tweaked his pouting bottom lip, "You sure don't have to but that doesn't stop you letting me know everything that happens in your life! I swear you called me last week just to say that you cut your toenails!"

"I totally did not!" He pulled away from her, acting offended, "I was just using that to hear your super sexy voice, you know!"

She opened her mouth to give a retort but nothing came out before his lips crashed down on hers. A hard and passionate kiss that left her panting and hanging onto him so she her knees would give out. "That totally wasn't fair!"

"And how is it that you are complaining about a kiss, my love?' Brandon replied with a cocked eyebrow, "I really thought that you of all people would have enjoyed that!"

"You totally only kissed me to shut me up!"

"No I didn't."

"Yes you did!"

"Well… maybe." she fake gasped and attacked him, knocking him onto his bed and trying to get around his arms to punch his ticklish stomach. After a few minutes, the two of them fell back laughing, trying to catch their breath. Brandon rolled onto his elbow and gazed at her. "Jessie, can I ask you something weird?"

She propped herself back up, "Of course you can ya dork!"

"Can you promise to stay with me forever?"

She smiled softly at him and reached up to touch his cheek. After stroking the soft skin and watching his ice blue eyes close in satisfaction, she answered, "I'm always yours, Brandon. Just as you will always be mine. Even if we aren't together forever, you're my only love and you should know that." He opened his eyes and rolled over her to kiss her again.

"I'm home!" Jessie shouted through her apartment, trying to find her roommate Crystal. The two had moved in together without knowing each other for college, their families had known each other and had arranged the living arrangements. Once it was obvious they got along great, they decided that they would live together until one got married.

"I'm in the computer room!" came the distant reply from the other side of the spacious apartment. "I'm finishing a report, so shut up till I'm done!"

"Sure thing!" Jessie laughed and made her way to the kitchen. After making herself a grilled cheese, she bounced over to the couch and turned on some crime drama.

She started thinking about the question Brandon had asked her. If only she could guarantee this man forever. She was starting to zone out as she thought of her interesting circumstances.

"Why do I have to start this stinking fighting training thing again?" I asked, trying to untangle my smelly hand wraps. This things stunk so bad!

"Because," my mother said, "There is a chance that you could be called on. You can't not know how to fight in this family."

"But I'm 12! This is stupid! Why can't I do normal things!?"

Mrs. Stevens watched her young daughter tie up her light blond hair into a scrunchy and sighed, "This isn't a normal family, honey. You know that."

"No! I don't! you keep telling me we aren't normal but never give me a reason why!" My young self through up my arms, making my ponytail fly around, "could you at least tell me why you think I should know how to kill someone by the time I'm 14!?"

Mom sighed again, "I guess it is time. Jessie, a long time ago, our those in our family were assassins."

"You mean like we killed people for money?" I asked, green eyes wide with shock.

"Yes, baby girl. The British government found out about our family at the turn of the century, and forced us to work for them or face execution. Honey, if they call you, you must work for them and do whatever it is they tell you. Do you understand?"

"Not really… is this why I have been able to beat up boys way bigger and meaner than me?" I asked, more pondering to myself than an actual question. But it was answered anyways.

"Yes. We are natural born fighters, I worked for the British government myself before I was replaced by a cousin and married your father. Sweetie, if we don't serve them when called, they will kill the entire family, even the most distant relations."

"JESSICA ELIZABETH STEVENS!!! wake up! I'm bored now!" I jolted awake to see the grinning face of my soon to be dead roommate. Once she saw my face she booked it to the bathroom (with the only locking door) before I could reach up to strangle her.

"YOU COME BACK HERE, CHILD! I'M NOT FINISHED KILLING YOU YET!" hearing the laughter coming from the closed door, I giggled myself. This apartment was always entertaining.