Chapter 9
Belle and Marlena walked into the penthouse following their lunch, and Belle's first move was to throw herself on the couch with a groan.
"Wow, Mom. Thanks for the lunch, I am so full. Ugh. I can hardly move."
"Isabella Black, I don't know how you do it. You eat everything on your plate, and some of mine but you can still fit into the clothes we buy you. Lucky girl."
Belle sighed, "Yup. Lucky lucky lucky."
"Well, Belle. I have to go to a meeting at the hospital. And, I'm glad to hear that Chloe seems to be okay. Send her my best okay?"
"I will, Mom. Thanks again for lunch. I gotta call Shawn's and see if he caught up with Phillip or not."
Marlena leaned over the couch and gave her youngest daughter a quick embrace and a kiss on the forehead. "Have a good day, sweetie."
Marlena made her exit, and Belle just sighed and sunk even further into the soft couch while patting her full belly. She heard footsteps on the stairs behind her, and weakly turned her head to see her brother standing on the bottom step.
"Braaaaaaaaady....whatcha' doin'?"
"Actually, Belle. I'm looking for you."
"Well, you have found me."
Brady moved over to sit on the couch facing her. "Soooo...what happened at Chloe's?"
"Mmmm. She knows it wasn't you, she figured it out on her own once she put some thought into it. She's knows all about Jan & Mimi. She's probably not going to get back with Phillip, cause he thought she would do something like that. And, Nancy is planning on taking 'legal action' against Jan & Mimi. Yadda yadda yadda, I think that's all for the highlight reel."
"Yeah. But is she okay?"
Belle sat up straight and continued, "Yes and no. She's doing better than I thought. But, I don't know who hurt her more: Jan & Mimi or Phillip. Tough call there. Chloe's really strong, Brady - it's just important that the people who care about her don't abandon her anymore."
"Well. I should go talk to her, right?"
"Sure. I don't think she would mind. I mean, I don't understand you two, but you seem to understand each other. Besides, she needs to know that her friends are here for her."
"Alright, I'm gonna go over there then. Thanks, sis."
"Not a problem, Brady. Be gentle with her, okay?"
Brady got up on his crutches and grinned slyly, "Hey, 'Gentle' is my middle name."
Belle laughed at the thought, "Yeah, right. Remind me to tell that to my mom."
Brady chuckled, winked at his sister and made his way out the door. Belle picked up the phone on the table beside her and began dialing Shawn's house. Time to get a recap of the Phillip conversation. I hope you worked your magic on him, Shawn Brady.
***
Brady walked up to the door of Chloe's house, and rang the doorbell. He nervously shuffled his feet, and just moments later Craig Wesley opened the door.
"Brady Black? I guess I'm surprised to see you."
"I'm here to see Chloe...Is she home?"
"Yes, she hasn't left the house since last night. And, she's had visitors all morning, it seems. Belle was by earlier, then a couple of her classmates - Kevin and Susan were here awhile ago."
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you too. Go ahead upstairs, Brady. Her room is the second door on the left of the hallway."
"Thanks, Dr. Wesley."
Brady made up his way up the stairs and tapped firmly on Chloe's door.
"Chlooooeeeee. Chloeeee Laaaaaane. Are yooooou in theeeeeeere?" He spoke in a sing-songy way through the door.
The door opened suddenly and Brady was face to face with Chloe.
"Cute, Brady. Very cute. Come on in." She motioned for him to come inside and shut the door behind them. Brady stepped in and sat down on the edge of her bed. Chloe took the chair across from him, the one that belonged to her desk.
"Nice place ya got here, Lane. Very...homey."
"Thanks, I think. So what do you want, Brady?"
"Mmmm...world peace? Environmental awareness? To end world hunger?"
"I was thinking on a smaller scale, please..."
"I just wanted to check on you, Chloe. Make sure you're okay. Belle told me that I've been exonerated of all guilt, so here I am. I would've come sooner but I didn't want sharp objects thrown at me or anything. I know you have deadly aim."
Chloe grinned at him, "I never miss when I throw. That's for sure."
"Seriously, Chloe...I just want to talk. Y'know, without hurling insults at each other. I want to make sure that you and I are okay."
"We're fine, Brady. Really."
"So, you don't blame me for last night?"
"No, not at all. I know the whole truth now, and I kinda figured it anyway. I know that you care about Belle too much to hurt her, or one of her friends."
Brady paused and looked towards his feet, "Chloe...It's not just that. I mean, you're right; I would never hurt my sister. But, I wanted you to know that the reason Kevin thought it was me was because he saw me messing with the slideshow. I was trying to figure out what those two were up to, and stop it. But, I couldn't. I'm sorry, Chloe, I was hoping I could keep it from happening, but I failed you. And, I don't feel bad just because you're a friend of my sister. I feel bad because... because... I care about you."
Chloe nodded and smiled at him. "I know, Brady, I know that."
"You do? Then why did you say that stuff about me not wanting to hurt Belle?"
"Because I wanted to hear it out loud. Thank you for saying it."
Brady leaned forward slightly and placed his hand on top of hers, and smiled. "You're welcome, Chloe."
There was a slight awkward pause, and Chloe could feel a little twinge of something pass through her body when his hand touched hers. She shook it off, and Brady quickly moved his hand, sensing her nervousness.
He chuckled softly, "Well...that was different."
"Yes, Brady Black, it seems that we can have a civilized conversation after all."
"Well, the day is still young, Lane. And besides, I haven't even got to talking about Phillip."
Chloe groaned in despair, "Do we have to? I don't know what more there is to say, Brady. I feel betrayed. I've been abandoned so many times, and I thought I could trust Phillip, but I was wrong. I thought he loved me, and trusted me, but he only assumed the worst. Not only did he dump me, he said some really terrible things to me. Nobody who really loves you could do that."
Brady interjected, "...I would never do that."
Chloe paused, Wait. What did that mean? Brady doesn't love me, does he? Nahhh, don't be crazy, Chloe. Use your brain, girl. You're not supposed to be thinking of Brady like that.
"Braaady, what is that supposed to mean?"
Brady stammered, "Well....uhm....uhhh, Chloe, I just meant that....that I....I could never do something like that to a person that I love. Like, I love my sister unconditionally and she loves me the same way. I would never assume the worst about her, and it's very obvious from my past history that she never assumes the worst about me either. She knows me, and she trusts me. No matter what people accuse me of, Belle knows if it's true or not - without even having to ask me."
"You're lucky, Brady. I don't know what that's like, I never have. Nobody has ever loved me like that. I thought Phillip did, but obviously, I was extremely wrong about that one."
"Well, Phillip is an idiot. A complete idiot. He was a fool to treat you that way, and he doesn't deserve to love you."
Chloe was taken aback, "Wow. Strong words, Brady."
"Well, it's the truth. Chloe, you are a great person, and if somebody loved me the way that you loved Phillip, I would never hurt her like that. Love is too precious to throw away because you're so wrapped up in your self, that you only care about your stupid rich-boy image."
"Brady.....I....I don't even know what to say. I know you're right, but I think I don't believe in love anymore. Maybe it happens for some people, but not for me. I'm just gonna be an old single lady with my 37 cats, and sit around watching soap operas all day for the rest of my adult life. Maybe love is over-rated."
Brady shook his head, "Not true, Chloe. As cynical as I act, even I haven't given up on love. It can happen, you just have to be open to it when it comes around. I mean, I have to believe in love - look at my parents, they were so much in love, Chloe. And, my father loved every part of her, the good and the bad."
"Yes, and look how it ended. True love always ends tragically, Brady."
"I don't see it that way. Don't get me wrong, I wish every day that I could have my mother here with me. But, I know that God had other plans for her. And, the love that my parents shared has never ended. My father always told me, that no matter what his love for my mom would always live on in me. I am a constant reminder, 24-7, of a great love story. So, Chloe - never give up on it. Someday the right person will come along for you. Someone who will believe in you, always trust you and never give up on your without a fight."
Chloe smiled slightly, "Wow, Brady. When did you get so wise and all-knowing?"
Brady chuckled softly, "Somebody once told me that I got it from my mom."
"Well, then she was a pretty wonderful person."
Brady smiled back at her, and nodded. Impulsively, Chloe leaned forward and hugged him tightly.
"Brady...thank you. I mean it, thank you for everything."
"Anytime, Chloe Lane...anytime." Brady leaned into her embrace, and could feel a mixture of Chloe's face and hair pressed against the side of his face. The feeling of her body close to his was intoxicating. Geez, Brady. Get over it. Why do you let this girl get to you like that?
Brady held the embrace for a moment longer, until Chloe leaned out of it, her face only centimeters away from his.
"Brady....I...." she whispered softly.
He knew this was not a good idea, that it was the wrong moment. But, seeing her beautiful blue eyes, feeling her warm breath on his face and having her so close to him was too much for Brady to handle. He didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence before he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. He was afraid she would break away from him in disgust, but she just leaned further into it. Brady felt the electricity fly through his body, and he could sense that Chloe was feeling the same thing. The kiss between them began to intensify until Chloe suddenly broke it off and jumped back into her chair.
"Brady. Brady. This is wrong. Really really wrong."
Brady sat up and covered his face with one hand. "Oh God, Chloe. I am sorry. I am so so sorry. I didn't mean..."
"You didn't mean to kiss me?"
"Yes. I mean, no. I mean...Chloe, I don't know what came over me. I did want to kiss you. Actually, I've wanted to kiss you for a while now... Oh God, I can't believe I just said that out loud. Geez."
"Brady. It's okay. I'm not mad... but this isn't the right time for it. I can't just go around kissing people."
Brady nodded in agreement, "I know. It was wrong. I know that you have to deal with your feelings for Phillip first. I just, I guess I was kinda impulsive all of a sudden. Chloe, I know that you feel it too. Whatever unexplainable chemistry you and I have together. It's there for you too, isn't it?"
Chloe nodded and looked downward. "Yes, it is. I guess it has been there for a while too... I've felt some strange draw towards you for a long time now, but I love Phillip. Or used to. I don't know. I'm kinda confused about that now."
"So, you're not mad at me for kissing you, then?"
"No, Brady. Not at all. It was probably a long time coming, right? I just, I really need to sort out things with Phillip and me. Before I can even think of what that kiss just now meant, I need to have some sort of closure on the Kiriakis period of my life."
"I totally understand, Chloe. Take all the time you need. We're still friends, right? I want to make sure you know that I'm here for you when you need me. Always."
"Of course we're friends, Brady. I need all of the friends I can get. So, I'm not counting you out anytime soon."
"Good, at least I didn't screw that up. Okay, I'm gonna go now, and leave you alone with your...uhh...closure."
"Okay, and Brady - thanks again for being there."
Brady smiled and stood up to leave. He hesitated a moment, made a motion to give Chloe another hug, but thought twice and backed away.
"Right. I'm just gonna go, and NOT touch you on my way out then."
Chloe laughed at him, and Brady made a hasty exist. He flew down the stairs as fast as his crutches could carry him, hoping that Craig & Nancy Wesley wouldn't read his face on the way out. A face that had clearly been upstairs attempting to violate their daughter.
Brady reached the car without any Wesley interference, and breathed a sigh of relief. Good going, Brady. Nice job. Give Chloe even more to be confused about right now. Smooth move, kid.
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Belle and Marlena walked into the penthouse following their lunch, and Belle's first move was to throw herself on the couch with a groan.
"Wow, Mom. Thanks for the lunch, I am so full. Ugh. I can hardly move."
"Isabella Black, I don't know how you do it. You eat everything on your plate, and some of mine but you can still fit into the clothes we buy you. Lucky girl."
Belle sighed, "Yup. Lucky lucky lucky."
"Well, Belle. I have to go to a meeting at the hospital. And, I'm glad to hear that Chloe seems to be okay. Send her my best okay?"
"I will, Mom. Thanks again for lunch. I gotta call Shawn's and see if he caught up with Phillip or not."
Marlena leaned over the couch and gave her youngest daughter a quick embrace and a kiss on the forehead. "Have a good day, sweetie."
Marlena made her exit, and Belle just sighed and sunk even further into the soft couch while patting her full belly. She heard footsteps on the stairs behind her, and weakly turned her head to see her brother standing on the bottom step.
"Braaaaaaaaady....whatcha' doin'?"
"Actually, Belle. I'm looking for you."
"Well, you have found me."
Brady moved over to sit on the couch facing her. "Soooo...what happened at Chloe's?"
"Mmmm. She knows it wasn't you, she figured it out on her own once she put some thought into it. She's knows all about Jan & Mimi. She's probably not going to get back with Phillip, cause he thought she would do something like that. And, Nancy is planning on taking 'legal action' against Jan & Mimi. Yadda yadda yadda, I think that's all for the highlight reel."
"Yeah. But is she okay?"
Belle sat up straight and continued, "Yes and no. She's doing better than I thought. But, I don't know who hurt her more: Jan & Mimi or Phillip. Tough call there. Chloe's really strong, Brady - it's just important that the people who care about her don't abandon her anymore."
"Well. I should go talk to her, right?"
"Sure. I don't think she would mind. I mean, I don't understand you two, but you seem to understand each other. Besides, she needs to know that her friends are here for her."
"Alright, I'm gonna go over there then. Thanks, sis."
"Not a problem, Brady. Be gentle with her, okay?"
Brady got up on his crutches and grinned slyly, "Hey, 'Gentle' is my middle name."
Belle laughed at the thought, "Yeah, right. Remind me to tell that to my mom."
Brady chuckled, winked at his sister and made his way out the door. Belle picked up the phone on the table beside her and began dialing Shawn's house. Time to get a recap of the Phillip conversation. I hope you worked your magic on him, Shawn Brady.
***
Brady walked up to the door of Chloe's house, and rang the doorbell. He nervously shuffled his feet, and just moments later Craig Wesley opened the door.
"Brady Black? I guess I'm surprised to see you."
"I'm here to see Chloe...Is she home?"
"Yes, she hasn't left the house since last night. And, she's had visitors all morning, it seems. Belle was by earlier, then a couple of her classmates - Kevin and Susan were here awhile ago."
"That's good to hear."
"Yeah, I'm sure she'll be glad to see you too. Go ahead upstairs, Brady. Her room is the second door on the left of the hallway."
"Thanks, Dr. Wesley."
Brady made up his way up the stairs and tapped firmly on Chloe's door.
"Chlooooeeeee. Chloeeee Laaaaaane. Are yooooou in theeeeeeere?" He spoke in a sing-songy way through the door.
The door opened suddenly and Brady was face to face with Chloe.
"Cute, Brady. Very cute. Come on in." She motioned for him to come inside and shut the door behind them. Brady stepped in and sat down on the edge of her bed. Chloe took the chair across from him, the one that belonged to her desk.
"Nice place ya got here, Lane. Very...homey."
"Thanks, I think. So what do you want, Brady?"
"Mmmm...world peace? Environmental awareness? To end world hunger?"
"I was thinking on a smaller scale, please..."
"I just wanted to check on you, Chloe. Make sure you're okay. Belle told me that I've been exonerated of all guilt, so here I am. I would've come sooner but I didn't want sharp objects thrown at me or anything. I know you have deadly aim."
Chloe grinned at him, "I never miss when I throw. That's for sure."
"Seriously, Chloe...I just want to talk. Y'know, without hurling insults at each other. I want to make sure that you and I are okay."
"We're fine, Brady. Really."
"So, you don't blame me for last night?"
"No, not at all. I know the whole truth now, and I kinda figured it anyway. I know that you care about Belle too much to hurt her, or one of her friends."
Brady paused and looked towards his feet, "Chloe...It's not just that. I mean, you're right; I would never hurt my sister. But, I wanted you to know that the reason Kevin thought it was me was because he saw me messing with the slideshow. I was trying to figure out what those two were up to, and stop it. But, I couldn't. I'm sorry, Chloe, I was hoping I could keep it from happening, but I failed you. And, I don't feel bad just because you're a friend of my sister. I feel bad because... because... I care about you."
Chloe nodded and smiled at him. "I know, Brady, I know that."
"You do? Then why did you say that stuff about me not wanting to hurt Belle?"
"Because I wanted to hear it out loud. Thank you for saying it."
Brady leaned forward slightly and placed his hand on top of hers, and smiled. "You're welcome, Chloe."
There was a slight awkward pause, and Chloe could feel a little twinge of something pass through her body when his hand touched hers. She shook it off, and Brady quickly moved his hand, sensing her nervousness.
He chuckled softly, "Well...that was different."
"Yes, Brady Black, it seems that we can have a civilized conversation after all."
"Well, the day is still young, Lane. And besides, I haven't even got to talking about Phillip."
Chloe groaned in despair, "Do we have to? I don't know what more there is to say, Brady. I feel betrayed. I've been abandoned so many times, and I thought I could trust Phillip, but I was wrong. I thought he loved me, and trusted me, but he only assumed the worst. Not only did he dump me, he said some really terrible things to me. Nobody who really loves you could do that."
Brady interjected, "...I would never do that."
Chloe paused, Wait. What did that mean? Brady doesn't love me, does he? Nahhh, don't be crazy, Chloe. Use your brain, girl. You're not supposed to be thinking of Brady like that.
"Braaady, what is that supposed to mean?"
Brady stammered, "Well....uhm....uhhh, Chloe, I just meant that....that I....I could never do something like that to a person that I love. Like, I love my sister unconditionally and she loves me the same way. I would never assume the worst about her, and it's very obvious from my past history that she never assumes the worst about me either. She knows me, and she trusts me. No matter what people accuse me of, Belle knows if it's true or not - without even having to ask me."
"You're lucky, Brady. I don't know what that's like, I never have. Nobody has ever loved me like that. I thought Phillip did, but obviously, I was extremely wrong about that one."
"Well, Phillip is an idiot. A complete idiot. He was a fool to treat you that way, and he doesn't deserve to love you."
Chloe was taken aback, "Wow. Strong words, Brady."
"Well, it's the truth. Chloe, you are a great person, and if somebody loved me the way that you loved Phillip, I would never hurt her like that. Love is too precious to throw away because you're so wrapped up in your self, that you only care about your stupid rich-boy image."
"Brady.....I....I don't even know what to say. I know you're right, but I think I don't believe in love anymore. Maybe it happens for some people, but not for me. I'm just gonna be an old single lady with my 37 cats, and sit around watching soap operas all day for the rest of my adult life. Maybe love is over-rated."
Brady shook his head, "Not true, Chloe. As cynical as I act, even I haven't given up on love. It can happen, you just have to be open to it when it comes around. I mean, I have to believe in love - look at my parents, they were so much in love, Chloe. And, my father loved every part of her, the good and the bad."
"Yes, and look how it ended. True love always ends tragically, Brady."
"I don't see it that way. Don't get me wrong, I wish every day that I could have my mother here with me. But, I know that God had other plans for her. And, the love that my parents shared has never ended. My father always told me, that no matter what his love for my mom would always live on in me. I am a constant reminder, 24-7, of a great love story. So, Chloe - never give up on it. Someday the right person will come along for you. Someone who will believe in you, always trust you and never give up on your without a fight."
Chloe smiled slightly, "Wow, Brady. When did you get so wise and all-knowing?"
Brady chuckled softly, "Somebody once told me that I got it from my mom."
"Well, then she was a pretty wonderful person."
Brady smiled back at her, and nodded. Impulsively, Chloe leaned forward and hugged him tightly.
"Brady...thank you. I mean it, thank you for everything."
"Anytime, Chloe Lane...anytime." Brady leaned into her embrace, and could feel a mixture of Chloe's face and hair pressed against the side of his face. The feeling of her body close to his was intoxicating. Geez, Brady. Get over it. Why do you let this girl get to you like that?
Brady held the embrace for a moment longer, until Chloe leaned out of it, her face only centimeters away from his.
"Brady....I...." she whispered softly.
He knew this was not a good idea, that it was the wrong moment. But, seeing her beautiful blue eyes, feeling her warm breath on his face and having her so close to him was too much for Brady to handle. He didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence before he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. He was afraid she would break away from him in disgust, but she just leaned further into it. Brady felt the electricity fly through his body, and he could sense that Chloe was feeling the same thing. The kiss between them began to intensify until Chloe suddenly broke it off and jumped back into her chair.
"Brady. Brady. This is wrong. Really really wrong."
Brady sat up and covered his face with one hand. "Oh God, Chloe. I am sorry. I am so so sorry. I didn't mean..."
"You didn't mean to kiss me?"
"Yes. I mean, no. I mean...Chloe, I don't know what came over me. I did want to kiss you. Actually, I've wanted to kiss you for a while now... Oh God, I can't believe I just said that out loud. Geez."
"Brady. It's okay. I'm not mad... but this isn't the right time for it. I can't just go around kissing people."
Brady nodded in agreement, "I know. It was wrong. I know that you have to deal with your feelings for Phillip first. I just, I guess I was kinda impulsive all of a sudden. Chloe, I know that you feel it too. Whatever unexplainable chemistry you and I have together. It's there for you too, isn't it?"
Chloe nodded and looked downward. "Yes, it is. I guess it has been there for a while too... I've felt some strange draw towards you for a long time now, but I love Phillip. Or used to. I don't know. I'm kinda confused about that now."
"So, you're not mad at me for kissing you, then?"
"No, Brady. Not at all. It was probably a long time coming, right? I just, I really need to sort out things with Phillip and me. Before I can even think of what that kiss just now meant, I need to have some sort of closure on the Kiriakis period of my life."
"I totally understand, Chloe. Take all the time you need. We're still friends, right? I want to make sure you know that I'm here for you when you need me. Always."
"Of course we're friends, Brady. I need all of the friends I can get. So, I'm not counting you out anytime soon."
"Good, at least I didn't screw that up. Okay, I'm gonna go now, and leave you alone with your...uhh...closure."
"Okay, and Brady - thanks again for being there."
Brady smiled and stood up to leave. He hesitated a moment, made a motion to give Chloe another hug, but thought twice and backed away.
"Right. I'm just gonna go, and NOT touch you on my way out then."
Chloe laughed at him, and Brady made a hasty exist. He flew down the stairs as fast as his crutches could carry him, hoping that Craig & Nancy Wesley wouldn't read his face on the way out. A face that had clearly been upstairs attempting to violate their daughter.
Brady reached the car without any Wesley interference, and breathed a sigh of relief. Good going, Brady. Nice job. Give Chloe even more to be confused about right now. Smooth move, kid.
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