Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 37
"Are you sure you want to do this, Chloe?" Jack asked for the 5th time since they had left the house a few minutes before.
"Yes, I'm sure, Jack" Chloe replied. "I have to do this. I need to settle things, if I'm going to move forward."
"All right. Do you want me to hang around?"
Chloe shook her head. "No. I'll call you when I'm finished. And don't worry. I'll be fine."
"Okay. I trust you." Jack helped Chloe sit down at her table and left. Chloe turned towards the door, waiting for Morris to show up. Please, let him understand. I know I'm going to break his heart, but I don't want him to hate me for it. She saw Morris come in, and smile when he saw her. He walked over to Chloe and embraced her enthusiastically. "Hello, darling. It's so good to see you again."
"Hello, Morris. It's really good to see you again, too." Chloe gestured towards the chair across from the table. "Please, sit down."
Morris sat down and looked at Chloe warmly. "You look fabulous, Chloe. Such a change from when I last saw you."
"Well, I've been through a lot this last year. Did Jack tell you everything that happened to me?"
"All he told me was that you were determined to let yourself waste away, until Buchanan told you not to give up. He said you had been kidnapped again, that you had to spend months unable to move after your arm had been broken, but that you pushed yourself hard to get stronger, almost every day."
"That's true" she replied, then looked down. "Look, Morris, the reason why I wanted to see you today was, I need to know something. Why did you leave me when I needed you?"
"Because I was a bloody coward, that's why" Morris said bluntly. Chloe opened her mouth to argue, but Morris held his hand up to silence her. "It's true, Chloe. I wanted so much to help you. You needed help. But you were so angry at me, at everyone around you, that I had no idea what I could do. So I ran away, like a coward. I spent a few months traveling around, trying to find the answer. But nothing came to me. I was still at a loss on what to do. I was so depressed, Chloe. I even considered turning to the bottle at my lowest point. I was going to throw away 6 years of sobriety, because I believed that I had failed you."
"But just as I was about to drink, I saw you. I saw the anger and hurt on your face from before, when I was forced to arm those nukes. It was enough to stop me. And I came to accept the fact that I could no longer help you. I made peace with that. I wasn't happy about it, but I accepted it, and I tried to move on. But I couldn't forget about you, Chloe. I wanted so many times to contact you, to explain why I left, but I couldn't. When Jack contacted me about getting you a laptop, I agreed, because that way I could find out how you were doing, and possibly get the chance to talk to you myself." Morris looked away from Chloe. "Forgive me, darling, for being a coward, and for abandoning you."
Chloe reached over and took Morris' hand in her own. "I don't think you're a coward, Morris. I never once thought that about you. I think you're an honorable man who's made mistakes, like everyone else. You never once raised your hand to me, even during those times when you and I were ready to tear each other apart. You remained faithful to me when we were together. And I don't blame you for what you did. I was so angry and bitter about what had happened to me, that I'm surprised anyone stayed to help me. And I still owe you for helping to rescue me from that prison, and saving my life."
Morris looked back at her. "Thank you, sweetheart." He paused. "Look, I know I don't deserve another chance with you. I've had plenty of chances, and I've squandered them all. But... maybe this time might be different. I still love you, Chloe. That has never changed. I want to make things work between us."
Oh, no. This is what I was afraid of. I'm going to hurt him. But I have to do this. And I know it's the right thing to do for me. "Morris... there's something I need to tell you. I still care about you. Even when we weren't together, I cared about you. But... we can't be together. I know from experience that you and I wouldn't work out. And... even if I thought that we could make it work, I'm engaged." She showed him the ring on her finger. "Jack proposed to me last week." She saw the crestfallen expression that went across Morris' face and felt her heart break. "I'm really sorry, Morris. I never meant to hurt you."
Morris looked at her sadly. "Don't be sorry, love. You deserve happiness in your life. And if being with Jack makes you happy, then I can accept that." He stood up. "I know now that we're done, but... can we at least be friends? I still want to be a part of your life, Chloe. And... if you'll have me there, I want to come to your wedding."
"Of course" Chloe said quickly. "I'd love for you to stay in my life. And I would be honored if you would attend my wedding."
Morris smiled briefly. "Okay." He sat back down. "Well, I'm hungry, and since we're here, we might as well have some lunch."
"Sounds good to me" Chloe replied. "But this time, I'm buying."
2424242424
Chloe was working in the living room when the door buzzed. Oh, what now? She slowly got up from the couch and walked towards the door, opening it to reveal Tyler. "Tyler, what are you doing here?"
"I'm spending some quality time away from Chase" Tyler replied. "I love him, Chloe, but we agreed last week to give ourselves some personal time every day away from each other. Besides, I think I'd go crazy being around him 24/7 any longer." She looked around. "Can I come in, or are you just going to leave me standing here?"
"Sorry. Come in."
Tyler strode past her sister and looked around. "Nice. You guys have done a great job with the place."
"Thanks." Chloe put her laptop on standby and walked towards the kitchen. "You want something to drink, Ty?"
"Beer if you got it."
Chloe grabbed 2 beers out of the fridge and brought them back, handing one to Tyler, then sitting down in relief, rubbing her legs gingerly. "You all right, Chlo?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine" Chloe said. "They're just a little sore today. Yesterday I couldn't even walk at all. But I'm getting used to having days like that. I'm just lucky that I can walk most days, so I'm not going to complain about a little pain."
Tyler nodded, then grinned. "So, let me see it."
"You know what it looks like, Ty. You got it for him."
"Yeah, I know, but, I still want to see it." Tyler gave Chloe a pleading look, and Chloe scowled. "I hate when you look at me like that, Tyler." She thrust her hand at Tyler, who grabbed it gleefully, inspecting the band on her sister's finger.
"You satisfied, Tyler? Can I have my hand back now?" Chloe snapped a couple minutes later.
Tyler let go, then leaned back in the chair, still grinning. "You know, Chloe" she said, sobering up, "sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky after all these years of pain and heartbreak. I have you back in my life, I'm going to be married in a couple of days to a wonderful man, and I'm more than set for life financially. Chase and I were even considering trying to have children after we got married."
Chloe was surprised. "You hate kids, Ty. You told me you'd never wanted any."
"I never said I hated children" Tyler said quickly. "I just said I'd never wanted to have any. Let's face it, Chlo, my lifestyle wasn't suited for raising a family, with me being overseas all the time. I wasn't going to subject a child to what we went through, where our parents were never around, unless we were in trouble. That and the fact that all the men I knew were either total pigs, or they were comrades of mine. I don't mix work with my personal life. But... everything changed when I met Chase. All those long hours we spent together looking for you, then helping you recover, brought us together. I began to imagine the possibility of spending the rest of my life with him."
"But old habits die hard. You know that better than anyone. I was still hesitant about getting into a relationship. When he confronted me one day, I told him that I wanted to give it some more time. I came up with so many lame excuses why I shouldn't be with him. I'd still be screwing around if you hadn't have bugged me about it. Admitting to both Chase and to myself how I really felt about him was the hardest thing I've ever done, Chloe, but it was also one of the most rewarding things I've ever done, because now I look forward to the future, instead of merely living day-to-day."
Tyler shook her head. "4 years ago, I was at rock bottom. I had been sold out by someone I trusted, and trapped in prison, left to rot by a country that no longer cared about one of their own. That first month, when they worked me over the hardest, was the lowest point. I tried so many times to kill myself. I told myself that even if the government considered me expendable, I could still serve my country by not allowing them to break me. Every attempt I made was usually stopped by the guards, who were under strict orders not to let their prize out of sight. But one night, I had the perfect opportunity. The guards were drunk, and I decided to take that chance. I was getting ready to hang myself, and end my pain. But, just before I could finish the job, I saw you, Chloe. And for once, I didn't feel anger like I usually did when I thought of you. The only thing I felt was regret, over all the years we lost wrapped up in hatred."
"That vision of you, and the regret I felt over not making things right with you, was enough to bolster my will to live, and resist whatever tortures they had planned for me. From that point on, I was determined to escape, to gain my freedom... and find a way to reconcile with you. Anything I could do to piss off my captors, I did. After a few months, they gave up on breaking me, and decided that I was no longer worth their efforts. They were going to execute me. That's where they were taking me when my transport was attacked. It was the opportunity I had been waiting months for, and I wasn't about to let it slip away. So I escaped."
She stopped, then looked at Chloe. "All right, enough bad stuff. I'm supposed to be enjoying my last couple days of freedom, not waste them moaning about the past. Besides, I have a favor to ask. Since Chase is so determined to do this wedding stuff by the book, we can't see each other starting tomorrow night. So I was wondering if I could crash here. Jack can go stay with Chase, and you and I can have some quality time together."
"Well, I'll have to talk to Jack, but I don't think he'll mind as long as you're here with me" Chloe told her. "I just hope I'm not stuck in that chair that day." She suddenly yawned. "I'm tired. You mind if I go take my nap? You can watch TV or something until I wake up."
Tyler, however, was eyeing Chloe's laptop eagerly. Chloe scowled and scooped it up protectively. "No. No one is touching my laptop, not even you or Jack. There's a computer in the other room. Feel free to use that. But this one is off limits." Ignoring the glare Tyler gave her, Chloe went up the stairs and fell asleep, unaware of Tyler's watchful eyes.
2424242424
The park was quiet, save for the singing of birds, as five figures gathered for a singular purpose. Both Chase and Tyler had agreed on a private ceremony, in the park both Chloe and Tyler had loved to spend time in growing up. All of them were eager to begin.
"Feels strange to be back here" Chloe remarked. "I haven't been in this park since Jason died."
"Me neither" Tyler replied. "It was just too painful. But I couldn't think of a better place to do this."
"Are you ready, Tyler?" Chase asked.
"Yes. I've been ready. I want to make this official."
Chloe and Jack moved back a few paces to give them room. The preacher turned to the couple. "We gather here this fine afternoon to bear witness to the sacred union of two souls. Chase, Tyler, you are about to enter into a new phase in your lives. Should anyone present object to this union, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." He waited a few moments, but no one spoke. "Do you, Chase, take this woman, Tyler, to honor and to love, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
"I do" Chase said.
"And do you, Tyler, take this man, Chase, to honor and to love, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do you part?"
"I do" Tyler replied.
"The rings." Chloe handed her ring to Tyler, and Jack did the same for Chase. The rings were quickly exchanged. "Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Chase didn't wait for the rest and quickly planted a passionate kiss on Tyler. He pulled back a few minutes later, grinning. "You ready to go, sweetheart?"
"Yeah. Bye, guys. We'll see you in a few days." Chloe and Jack said their goodbyes to the newlyweds, then left to go home.
"Chloe?" Jack said a few hours later, as they were watching TV.
"What is it, Jack?"
"What would you think about having our wedding there? It would just be the four of us, and Bill and Karen if they're able to be there."
Chloe smiled. "All right. Truth be told, I was going to ask you that myself. I think it'd be perfect. I... also want Morris there."
"Morris? Are you sure?"
"Yeah. He told me he wanted to be there, but I wanted to make sure that was okay with you."
"Okay, then" Jack replied, then switched off the TV, scooping up his startled fiance and carrying her into their bedroom. "Enough talk" he said huskily, his desire for the woman he loved taking over.