Brady laced his fingers with Chloe's. She sat in front of him leaning against his strong, solid frame. Brady, bent down and whispered seductively into Chloe's ear. Then he kissed her hair and resumed watching the television.

"Brady!" Chloe squealed. Lightly smacking his thigh.

"Just a suggestion" He said, laughing at her reaction.

"Well I don't think I'm that limber." She laughed then turned around to face him, turning the tables and whispering in his ear.

Brady heard the footsteps on the stairs and knew Belle was coming down. Brady raised his eyebrows. His lips curled into a smile.

"No Chloe, I won't let you tear off my clothes ravage my body right here. I'm not that kind of guy. Besides what if Belle were to come down?"

"Brady! I did not say that and you knew she was on the stairs. Belle, I didn't...."

"No need Chloe. I know Brady is full of it." Belle came behind him and tousled his hair.

"Hey, I can't help it if she finds me irresistible" Brady mocked.

"Well I do have to admit, you're pretty cute I'll have to keep you."

"Gee thanks" Brady said, pretending to be hurt.

"Oh" Chloe leaned over and kissed Brady sweetly on the lips.

"Okay, as much fun as this has been. I have to go meet Shawn. See you later guys" Belle said, walking towards the door.

"Oh Belle, don't forget I won't be able to drive you to school tomorrow. I have a doctor's appointment."

"I remember. Bye"

"Bye" They said simultaneously.

"Finally they're all gone. Now we can get back to this" Brady said, planting a kiss on Chloe's neck.

"What are you going to the doctors for? You didn't tell me you weren't feeling well." Chloe said, concerned.

"I'm fine. It's just a routine physical."

"Oh, okay"

"Now about tearing off my clothes and ravaging my body. I changed my mind. I am that kinda guy and i give you full permission. Ravage away!"

"Brady, you're such a cad."

"Ah, but you love me anyway"

"Yes I do. I love you more than anything. Now prepare to be ravaged."

Chloe got on top of Brady and began to unbutton his shirt all the while kissing his neck and collar bone.

"I love you too. Be gentle" He laughed.

Chloe laughed too between kisses.

************************************************

"Cancer?"

"I'm really sorry, son. The faster we start treatment the better the outcome." The doctor said, giving Brady a sympathetic look.

The pigment drained from Brady's cheeks. Cancer, it was practically a death sentence.

This was all too much for him. Brady had just gone in for a routine physical. Never had he expected to be walking out a cancer patient.

He had to get home. He had to call Chloe. Oh God, Chloe. He could not tell her this. She would only feel sorry for him. Brady did not want to be a burden to anyone.

"Brady?"

"Huh, what?"

"I said that I would call your family and tell them what was happening if you think that would be easier on you" The doctor looked very concerned.

Brady came out of his trance. How was he going to tell people this. "Yes, Thank you. But only tell my father, then he can tell my sister and stepmother. I don't want anyone else to know"

"Sure. All right, follow me and I will bring you down to the cancer ward"

"You mean I have to stay here today?"

"Unfortunately, this form of cancer spreads rapidly. We need to get it under control before..."

"Before it's too late"

The doctor nodded.

Brady found himself walking down the large sterile corridors of the hospital. He got a single room. John would spare no expense for his son. Brady sat on the bed and finally broke down. Here he was in the prime of his life and he had cancer. The same disease that had claimed his mother was now taking over his own body.

Brady wiped his eyes when he heard someone come through the doors.

"Son, my god." John said, while hugging his son tightly.

"Hey, Dad"

"Brady I just can't believe it. I talked to the doctor and he said they would be starting chemotherapy tomorrow morning. This must be overwhelming. So tell me how are you feeling?"

"Honestly dad. I think I'm still in shock."

"That's understandable, son. Now Belle is still at school so she doesn't know yet, but when she gets home I'll bring her over. Marlena is at home packing some of your things. She is very upset about all of this."

"Dad, when you tell Belle, make sure she is alone. I don't want Chloe to know"

"Son, you have to tell her."

"I wouldn't know what to say"

"The words will come"

"I guess, but I don't want her to know yet. Not tonight."

"All right, well Belle will be getting home soon, so I'm going to go back to the penthouse for a while. Are you going to be okay here alone?"

"Yeah it will give me time to process everything"

"Okay, I love you, son"

"I love you too, dad"

The nurse walked into the room. She was an older woman. Her hair was starting to go gray and her eyes showed years of laugh lines. She was small in stature but big in heart. It had been her personal duty to comfort patients while they were in her ward. No matter if they thought they needed it or not.

"Hi, my name is Karen. I'm here to explain to you what is going to happen to you tomorrow. I'm also going to be preparing you for treatment tonight. First, you will have to take off those clothes and get into this hospital gown."

"Well, I see you're in good hands so I'll see you later" John said, walking out of the room.

Brady walked into the bathroom and put on the short gown. He walked back to the bed trying to hold the back together.

The nurse began to laugh. "I'll phone your parents and make sure they bring you some pajama bottoms. It can get awful drafty around here." She laughed again.

"Thanks" Brady smiled. "Can I ask you a question and you'll be straight with me?"

"Sure honey. I never lie to my patients."

"Do people who check into this ward ever check out again?"

"Sure, but I'll be honest there are a lot of people who are beyond care and just here for comfort. Now if you're asking me how you'll do? I can say that I already can tell you're a fighter. That is half the battle a lot of people want to give up but not you. They caught it early. Your chances are okay kid."

"Thanks. Promise me that when I ask you that question again down the road you'll still be honest with me"

"You got it." Karen said, handing Brady pamphlets. Then she began to hook up the equipment to Brady.

"My mother died of cancer, only a few months after I was born" Brady said in a whisper, more to himself than anyone else.

"I'm sorry to hear that but a lot has changed since then" She put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and gave him a light squeeze.

****************************************

Brady looked out the window. There were people on the street, laughing and talking. Everything seemed normal. However, nothing was. Everything had changed for him, but the world kept going without him. How was he going to tell Chloe? Her life should not change just because he was sick. It was not fair.

"Brady?"

Brady tore his gaze away from the window. He smiled widely at his younger sister.

"Belle, come in"

Belle walked slowly. She had tears in her eyes.

"I just can't believe it. Yesterday, you were fine and today you have cancer."

"It's okay Belle, come here"

Belle approached the side of the bed and took his hand.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be okay."

Belle bent down and hugged her brother. Resting her head on his shoulder and soaking it with tears. Brady fought hard to hold back his own. Finally, Belle released him.

"Brady, don't be mad, but I told Chloe"

"Belle! I didn't want her to know"

"She came with me after school and when dad told me, I had to tell her"

"What did she say?"

"Actually she's in the hall, waiting to talk to you"

"Belle!"

"Brady, she loves you. You know you would want to be there for her if the situation were reversed."

"Tell her to go away. Tell her I don't want to see her"

"Why don't you tell me yourself" Chloe, said walking through the large door frame.

To be continued.........