(Let's get caught up on the latest happenings with the Salemites: This takes place 5 years after high school graduation, so they're all about 23, except for Brady who is 26. Shawn is an officer in the Salem PD, Belle has been living in London for the past 4 years and has recently graduated from Oxford. Everyone knows that JT is John's son now, although they don't know he was switched with Isaac, because I'm still trying to fit that in there somewhere. Oh yeah, and this is fairly unimportant, but I made Jack/Jenn back together and they now have a 4 year old daughter named after Alice, Ali for short, because Abby would be way too old to be a flower girl by this time. Yes, there will me lots of flashbacks to get you up to speed.)
Chapter One
Belle Black was 30,000 feet over the ocean, and nervous as hell. It wasn't the flying that scared her. She had taken this flight from London to Salem many times over the past few years. No, the air travel didn't scare her, it was what was going to happen after the plane had landed.
In the years since their breakup, Belle had ran into Shawn Brady a few times by accident. The first few years, they would speak to each other politely but briefly, but in her most recent visits, they would pass each other by at Salem Place without so much as a hello. But, on this visit they were going to be forced into spending a lot more than thirty painful seconds with each other.
Belle grabbed her purse off of the floor and frantically started digging. She found her prey, the last two aspirin in the bottle and quickly took them with a sip of water. Her nerves were frayed so much that she had actually considered drinking some alcohol on the long flight, until she remembered what a nasty effect hard liquor had on her stomach.
Belle sighed softly and stared at the tiny silver ring that she had worn for five years. No matter what, she had never wanted to take it off. Besides her memories, it was the only thing she had left of the happiest times in her life. The times that she had spent with Shawn.
*****FLASHBACK*****
(Morning after the Last Blast, 2002 - Senior Year)
Belle awoke with a yawn in the hotel room that Shawn had reserved for them. The sun was just rising, and she felt like she had been living in some sort of dream that night, a dream that she never wanted to wake up from. She rolled on to her side and came face to face with Shawn Brady. A mostly naked Shawn Brady. This was something she had certainly never woke up to before. She admired his muscular physique which was bare from the waist up and slowly, and very gently, ran her tiny hands up his bare chest. Shawn sighed in his sleep and Belle smiled contentedly. Shawn always acted tough, but in sleep he looked different... peaceful and innocent almost.
Belle kissed his lips gently for a moment, whispering as she broke away, "I love you, Shawn Douglas Brady..."
Shawn smiled peacefully, his eyes still shut. "Love you too, Isabella Black..."
"Thought you were asleep..."
Shawn opened his eyes and shook his head. "Only a little asleep... but glad to be woken up like that."
Belle smiled sweetly and kissed him again. "This has been the happiest night of my life... so far."
"It only gets better from here." Shawn winked at her and rolled over, searching for something he had left in his dress pants. He popped back up and handed Belle a small velvet box.
Belle looked at it curiously and then looked at Shawn. "What's this for?"
"I don't know, call it a 'Happy Last Blast Present', or maybe it's a 'just-because-I-love-you' present."
"But it could also be a 'Bon Voyage to Virginity' present..."
Shawn laughed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, something like that. Just open it..."
Belle opened the box and a saw the tiny silver ring with a Celtic design resting on a piece of velvet. She sighed softly and placed it gently on her finger. Belle moved over to snuggle with Shawn, lifting her hand up so they could admire it in the early morning light.
"Ohh Shawn... it's perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Shawn kissed the top of her head and smiled. "Only the best for my perfect girl."
"Thank you, Shawn... I love it."
"You're welcome. I'd like to stay like this forever, you know..."
Belle nodded in agreement, "Me too, except that I promised my parents I'd be home in less than 24 hours from when I left."
"You think they'll suspect something?"
Belle laughed at the thought of it. "Are you kidding me? Their baby girl stays out until the break of dawn with her boyfriend... yeah, they suspect something. But, they know we're responsible and mature. Heck, they thought we had already done it on the island over the summer."
"But aren't you glad we waited?"
"Yes, I am. I can't think of any possible way that this night could have been more perfect."
Shawn sat up and Belle sat up with him. He kissed her gently on the lips and brushed a few strands of hair off of her face. "I can think of one way, but since the night can't last forever... I'll just have to take you home."
*****END FLASHBACK*****
Belle adjusted the ring on her finger and sighed deeply. Although it still hurt to think about that night, Belle couldn't bear to ever let go of the things that reminded her of happier times. Though years had passed, and Belle had other serious relationships, none of them had ever lived up to Shawn Brady.
The older gentleman beside her laid down his book and looked at her sympathetically. He spoke to her with a slight British accent, "Dear, I don't usually strike up conversations with strangers on airplanes. But, I can't help but notice that you've sighed about 400 times since we've taken off. Are you alright?"
Belle smiled politely and nodded. "I'm fine... just anxious about going home."
"One would think you would be happy about that. I know how much I miss my home when I'm away."
"Well... I do miss it, but normally when I visit I can avoid certain people and certain situations. I can't do that this time. The person I want to avoid is the best man in my brother's wedding."
The man raised his eyebrows at her. "Bad breakup?"
Belle cringed and nodded. "I guess it's written all over my face. The worst part? The bride is my best friend, and I'm the maid of honor."
"Ahh... so you have to walk down the aisle with him, dance at the reception, take pictures together..."
Belle nodded painfully. "Unfortunately, yes. The funny thing is... I always thought it would be us, the first ones to get married... I think everyone else thought that too. And now, we've hardly said three words to each other in the past 5 years. My brother and my friends have stayed close to him, but when I visit he tends to stay away from me, and vice versa."
"At least it sounds somewhat civilized. Your friends didn't take sides."
"No, they didn't. There were no sides to take really... It just kind of happened. A VERY long story that I won't bore you with."
The gentleman patted her gently on the knee. "Then don't... tell me all about this beautiful wedding. It's been a quite a while since I've attended one, but it's always such a happy occasion."
Belle nodded and smiled happily. "Well, this is no exception. I've never seen two people so perfect for each other. Plus, it just so happens to be the two people I love the most in the world getting married. My brother and I have always been really close, and Chloe has been my best friend since high school. I'm so happy that they are together."
"So, is it a big wedding?'
"Not really. They wanted something in between 'Vegas Chapel' and 'Princess Diana & Prince Charles'. So, it's kinda mid-size, I guess. Just romantic and elegant, but not too frou-frou. Only two bridesmaids, me and my friend Mimi, and two on the groom's side. Little Ali is the flower girl, and my half-brother JT is the ring bearer. It's going to be so beautiful... I just know it is."
He nodded and smiled politely. "How old is this half-brother of yours?"
Belle pulled her wallet out of her purse and proudly showed him JT's most recent school picture. "He's going to be seven the week after the wedding."
"He's an adorable little boy..."
Belle sighed sadly. "Yes, and he's come a long way. He used to have a lot of health problems, but he's so much better now. I... I feel really bad because I've missed a lot of his childhood. I've been gone at school since he was a baby... but I try to spend as much time with him as I can when I'm back home."
"I'm sure he understands and there's no reason to feel guilty. He probably knows how much you love him."
Belle nodded slowly and looked out the window at the clouds around her. She quietly muttered, "I hope you're right..."
"I am right. I can tell just by the way you show off his picture how much you love him. I'm sure he can see it too."
Belle looked at him hopefully. "It sure is going to be an interesting week though..."
The gentleman smiled politely at her. "Well, don't look at it that way. It's going to be a great week, filled with happiness and joy. Focus on that."
Belle nodded and looked back out the window. He was right, and she knew it. It was not a time for her to wallow in old memories and regrets, but to enjoy all the happiness and romance surrounding the wedding of her two favorite people.
***
(Sorry Phloe-fans, but ANYBODY who knows my writing knows that Brady & Chloe always end up together. And although they are only minor players in this story, I just couldn't have it any other way. Muahahaha! ------ That's my evil laugh right there.)
Chapter One
Belle Black was 30,000 feet over the ocean, and nervous as hell. It wasn't the flying that scared her. She had taken this flight from London to Salem many times over the past few years. No, the air travel didn't scare her, it was what was going to happen after the plane had landed.
In the years since their breakup, Belle had ran into Shawn Brady a few times by accident. The first few years, they would speak to each other politely but briefly, but in her most recent visits, they would pass each other by at Salem Place without so much as a hello. But, on this visit they were going to be forced into spending a lot more than thirty painful seconds with each other.
Belle grabbed her purse off of the floor and frantically started digging. She found her prey, the last two aspirin in the bottle and quickly took them with a sip of water. Her nerves were frayed so much that she had actually considered drinking some alcohol on the long flight, until she remembered what a nasty effect hard liquor had on her stomach.
Belle sighed softly and stared at the tiny silver ring that she had worn for five years. No matter what, she had never wanted to take it off. Besides her memories, it was the only thing she had left of the happiest times in her life. The times that she had spent with Shawn.
*****FLASHBACK*****
(Morning after the Last Blast, 2002 - Senior Year)
Belle awoke with a yawn in the hotel room that Shawn had reserved for them. The sun was just rising, and she felt like she had been living in some sort of dream that night, a dream that she never wanted to wake up from. She rolled on to her side and came face to face with Shawn Brady. A mostly naked Shawn Brady. This was something she had certainly never woke up to before. She admired his muscular physique which was bare from the waist up and slowly, and very gently, ran her tiny hands up his bare chest. Shawn sighed in his sleep and Belle smiled contentedly. Shawn always acted tough, but in sleep he looked different... peaceful and innocent almost.
Belle kissed his lips gently for a moment, whispering as she broke away, "I love you, Shawn Douglas Brady..."
Shawn smiled peacefully, his eyes still shut. "Love you too, Isabella Black..."
"Thought you were asleep..."
Shawn opened his eyes and shook his head. "Only a little asleep... but glad to be woken up like that."
Belle smiled sweetly and kissed him again. "This has been the happiest night of my life... so far."
"It only gets better from here." Shawn winked at her and rolled over, searching for something he had left in his dress pants. He popped back up and handed Belle a small velvet box.
Belle looked at it curiously and then looked at Shawn. "What's this for?"
"I don't know, call it a 'Happy Last Blast Present', or maybe it's a 'just-because-I-love-you' present."
"But it could also be a 'Bon Voyage to Virginity' present..."
Shawn laughed and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, something like that. Just open it..."
Belle opened the box and a saw the tiny silver ring with a Celtic design resting on a piece of velvet. She sighed softly and placed it gently on her finger. Belle moved over to snuggle with Shawn, lifting her hand up so they could admire it in the early morning light.
"Ohh Shawn... it's perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Shawn kissed the top of her head and smiled. "Only the best for my perfect girl."
"Thank you, Shawn... I love it."
"You're welcome. I'd like to stay like this forever, you know..."
Belle nodded in agreement, "Me too, except that I promised my parents I'd be home in less than 24 hours from when I left."
"You think they'll suspect something?"
Belle laughed at the thought of it. "Are you kidding me? Their baby girl stays out until the break of dawn with her boyfriend... yeah, they suspect something. But, they know we're responsible and mature. Heck, they thought we had already done it on the island over the summer."
"But aren't you glad we waited?"
"Yes, I am. I can't think of any possible way that this night could have been more perfect."
Shawn sat up and Belle sat up with him. He kissed her gently on the lips and brushed a few strands of hair off of her face. "I can think of one way, but since the night can't last forever... I'll just have to take you home."
*****END FLASHBACK*****
Belle adjusted the ring on her finger and sighed deeply. Although it still hurt to think about that night, Belle couldn't bear to ever let go of the things that reminded her of happier times. Though years had passed, and Belle had other serious relationships, none of them had ever lived up to Shawn Brady.
The older gentleman beside her laid down his book and looked at her sympathetically. He spoke to her with a slight British accent, "Dear, I don't usually strike up conversations with strangers on airplanes. But, I can't help but notice that you've sighed about 400 times since we've taken off. Are you alright?"
Belle smiled politely and nodded. "I'm fine... just anxious about going home."
"One would think you would be happy about that. I know how much I miss my home when I'm away."
"Well... I do miss it, but normally when I visit I can avoid certain people and certain situations. I can't do that this time. The person I want to avoid is the best man in my brother's wedding."
The man raised his eyebrows at her. "Bad breakup?"
Belle cringed and nodded. "I guess it's written all over my face. The worst part? The bride is my best friend, and I'm the maid of honor."
"Ahh... so you have to walk down the aisle with him, dance at the reception, take pictures together..."
Belle nodded painfully. "Unfortunately, yes. The funny thing is... I always thought it would be us, the first ones to get married... I think everyone else thought that too. And now, we've hardly said three words to each other in the past 5 years. My brother and my friends have stayed close to him, but when I visit he tends to stay away from me, and vice versa."
"At least it sounds somewhat civilized. Your friends didn't take sides."
"No, they didn't. There were no sides to take really... It just kind of happened. A VERY long story that I won't bore you with."
The gentleman patted her gently on the knee. "Then don't... tell me all about this beautiful wedding. It's been a quite a while since I've attended one, but it's always such a happy occasion."
Belle nodded and smiled happily. "Well, this is no exception. I've never seen two people so perfect for each other. Plus, it just so happens to be the two people I love the most in the world getting married. My brother and I have always been really close, and Chloe has been my best friend since high school. I'm so happy that they are together."
"So, is it a big wedding?'
"Not really. They wanted something in between 'Vegas Chapel' and 'Princess Diana & Prince Charles'. So, it's kinda mid-size, I guess. Just romantic and elegant, but not too frou-frou. Only two bridesmaids, me and my friend Mimi, and two on the groom's side. Little Ali is the flower girl, and my half-brother JT is the ring bearer. It's going to be so beautiful... I just know it is."
He nodded and smiled politely. "How old is this half-brother of yours?"
Belle pulled her wallet out of her purse and proudly showed him JT's most recent school picture. "He's going to be seven the week after the wedding."
"He's an adorable little boy..."
Belle sighed sadly. "Yes, and he's come a long way. He used to have a lot of health problems, but he's so much better now. I... I feel really bad because I've missed a lot of his childhood. I've been gone at school since he was a baby... but I try to spend as much time with him as I can when I'm back home."
"I'm sure he understands and there's no reason to feel guilty. He probably knows how much you love him."
Belle nodded slowly and looked out the window at the clouds around her. She quietly muttered, "I hope you're right..."
"I am right. I can tell just by the way you show off his picture how much you love him. I'm sure he can see it too."
Belle looked at him hopefully. "It sure is going to be an interesting week though..."
The gentleman smiled politely at her. "Well, don't look at it that way. It's going to be a great week, filled with happiness and joy. Focus on that."
Belle nodded and looked back out the window. He was right, and she knew it. It was not a time for her to wallow in old memories and regrets, but to enjoy all the happiness and romance surrounding the wedding of her two favorite people.
***
(Sorry Phloe-fans, but ANYBODY who knows my writing knows that Brady & Chloe always end up together. And although they are only minor players in this story, I just couldn't have it any other way. Muahahaha! ------ That's my evil laugh right there.)