Brady was sitting up waiting for Belle, when she walked in holding Shawn's hand.
"Hey Brady" Belle beamed. Still finding it hard to see her strong brother laying there.
"Hey" Shawn said, unsure of how Brady would react to his presence.
"Hey guys"
Shawn sat down on a nearby chair. Belle climbed onto his lap. Shawn gently rubbed her arm for support.
"So how did the treatment go?"
"Fine. I feel great"
"Brady, you don't have to lie to me. I'm a big girl now. I can handle the truth."
"Truthfully Belle. I'm really tired. And I don't mean to be rude but would you guys mind leaving and coming back tomorrow instead?"
"Sure Brady. I'm going to come every day after school. We'll leave so you can have some rest" Belle got off of Shawn and walked up to Brady. She gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Shawn shook Brady's hand. "Get better man"
"Sure thing. Now, scat you two. Go do teenage things."
Belle and Shawn walked silently out of the hospital. Once they got outside Belle Broke down.
"Shawn, I don't know how I'm going to do this every day. He looked okay today but what about when he starts losing his hair. How am I going to pretend everything is okay?"
"I'll be here for you. You don't have to go through this alone."
"Thanks Shawn." She gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Then they left.
On the way home in the car Belle concentrated on her hand entwined with Shawn's. Meekly she moved over and whispered into Shawn's ear.
"Shawn, let's go to your house. I want to be alone with you."
Shawn was taken aback and swerved the car slightly at her seductive words.
"Belle?" He turned to her for an explanation.
"I said, I want to be alone. I need to be alone with you right now."
Shawn kept his eyes on the road. The pressure was building in his head. If he looked away from the road again, he was not sure he would be able to focus. They pulled up to his older home. Belle got out of the car and went to the doorstep, expectantly.
Shawn sat in the drivers side trying to calm himself down. He was not sure what was happening, but he had a sense that things were going to change between him and Belle. He rested his head on the steering wheel and inadvertently hit the horn. He jumped up and hit his forehead on the rearview mirror. Belle turned around startled, seeing the scenario.
She would have laughed had Shawn not have injured himself with his antics. The small droplets of blood started to form and ran out of the small cut on his eyebrow. Down his nose and chin the red liquid stained his face. Belle came to the door and helped him out. He blinked rapidly trying not to get any blood in his eyes.
"Shawn, oh my god. Here, tilt your head back and give me the keys."
Shawn complied. They walked into the empty house and Belle escorted Shawn to the bathroom. She put the lid down on the white toilet and sat her patient down. She grabbed a face cloth and dabbed at his injury.
"It looks okay. I don't think you'll need stiches."
Shawn tried to smile, clearly mortified. Belle went through the cupboards to find a bandage. All she could find were brands with brightly decorated Disney characters.
"They're for J.T." Shawn said, in defence, after he noticed Belle looking at him questionably.
"Sure. Here, how about this Lion King one?"
"Aren't there any Winnie-the-Pooh left?"
"Belle laughed. "For J.T. huh?" She took out the bandaid and put it over his cut. "All better?"
"Yeah. Thanks" He said, looking into her eyes, taking her hand in his.
These were the times that he loved her most. When she was protective over him. He sensed something was wrong.
She looked back into his deep brown eyes pleading. She needed him to take control. To lead her, otherwise, she would chicken out.
He knew exactly why she wanted to come there to be alone with him. She needed him, he could see it in her eyes. Still he was reluctant to give into her. Feeling as though he would somehow be taking advantage of her. He hid not want to have that on his conscience.
"Belle, are you sure you want to do this?"
"I've never been more sure."
"I just don't want you to regret anything. I wanted it to be special."
"It will be special because it's with you."
Shawn stood up still holding her hand. He led her to his room and closed the door behind them.
She positioned herself close to him. Hugging him desperately. The need to be near him was overwhelming. She wanted to forget. Everything was spinning out of control and all she could think about was losing herself to him. He hugged her back with the same urgency, knowing she had made up her mind. He knew she had many different reasons for wanting to be together, especially this night. They had been together for so long, this was the next step that just seemed inevitable.
So many nights there had been close encounters, but now it was happening. Now they were going to share with each other the most intimate of experiences.
She looked up from where her face had been buried in his chest. She concentrated on his lips. Soft against hers, she pressed lightly. She closed her eyes tight. Shutting out the world and everything beyond the confines of the small room. He kissed her neck and let his hands roam her small body.
Effortlessly he picked her up by the waist and layed her on the bed. He positioned himself on top of her and stroked the side of her face.
"Belle, are you sure?"
Hesitantly and then self assured, she answered yes.
Their clothing was brushed aside. Now naked, they began the act of lovemaking. The first thrust caught her off guard. The tears spilled out of her eyes at the sudden rush of pain. Her body, so small, under his was being invaded for the first time. Looking down at her, he gently touched the tears away, kissing her forehead tenderly.
After it was over, they laid together in the single bed, holding each other. Her lower body still ached slightly, but she did not regret it. She loved Shawn and everything about him.
Shawn had been a perfect gentleman. They had both wanted to be together, for a long time. So even if it was not planned, it was still the right time.
After a little nap, they dressed, not wanting to get caught. Shawn dropped Belle off later that night. Walking her to the penthouse door and kissing her gently. "Call me if you need anything."
"I will."
"I love you Belle."
"I love you too"
He kissed the tip of her nose and pressed the down button for the elevator. Belle went into her house and straight to her room. She collapsed
on her bed and thought about this new experience. Although it did hurt and she was still a little sore, it had been a good pain. She smiled to
herself, thinking of the next time they could be alone together.
*******************************
Chloe rushed home after school. She was planning on going to the hospital but first she needed to pack some things. Brady was trying to
push her out of his life. Little did he know that the more he tried to get her out of his life, the more determined she became. Long before they
were lovers, they had been friends. Right now Brady needed a good friend.
***************************************
Brady closed his eyes. He had already had a long day and it wasn't even five o'clock yet.
Sleep overtook his body within a few minutes. His thoughts drifted back to her.
They had been through so much already and now this. He remembered the good times. The times no one could take away from him. They were permanently etched in his memory.
FLASHBACK
"Chloe, I love you so much" Brady told his her as he gently brushed her lips with his thumb.
"I love you too" She said, then gently kissed his thumb.
"I've never done this before" he was looking right into her eyes, awaiting her reaction.
He had never told anyone that before. He let people assume what they wanted. He wanted her to know the truth. The truth was he was waiting. Waiting for what, he did not know until he met Chloe. Everything about her inspired him. He wanted to share with her the most intimate thing he had ever shared with anyone.
"Really? I always thought that you were you, know.... experienced."
"I'm not saying that I've never come close but, this will officially be the first time"
"Are you nervous?"
"A bit. You?"
"A little. I want to do this Brady. I want you and only you" Chloe rested her trembling hand on his arm.
"I want this too, Chloe." He said, nearing his lips to hers.
END OF FLASHBACK
Chloe walked into the quiet room. Brady was sleeping soundly. There were machines beeping and tubes everywhere. Chloe went to him. She took his hand in hers. It was covered in a bandage that held the IV securely in place. He was still strong looking. His skin was slightly pale but not much about his physical appearance was changed. Chloe pulled the chair closer to his bed. She held his hand the entire night, just looking at him. Silently she prayed that he would be all right. She could not lose him. He was too big a part of her. She did not know when she fell asleep but that morning she woke up to the nurse humming.
Karen quietly hummed as she changed Brady's IV and checked his vitals. Everything was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary. She noticed the girl sleeping in the chair. The worried expression, marked the girl's face, even in her sleep. Gently she nudged her.
"Miss, miss?"
Chloe answered groggily. "Where am I?"
"At the hospital dear. You must have fallen asleep"
"Oh. Brady?"
"He's fine. He's still sleeping"
"What time is it?"
"Seven a.m."
"There must be something wrong. He had been sleeping since yesterday afternoon."
"Everything is fine. These treatments just take a lot out of people. He'll be okay. Yesterday he was sick right after, he hadn't sleep much the night before."
"Oh. I have to get ready for school."
"Okay, why don't you use the bathroom over there" The nurse directed Chloe to the bathroom in the corner of Brady's room.
"Thanks"
Chloe got changed. Her neck was hurting from falling asleep in the chair but she did not care. As long as she was there for Brady whether he knew it or not. She kissed his cheek and watched him breathing for a few minutes.
"Um, nurse? Do you mind if I leave my bag here? I plan on coming back tonight"
"No problem. Oh and call me Karen"
"Karen. My name is Chloe"
"Nice to meet you"
"Take care of him okay!" Chloe said, looking back, before exiting the room.
"I will"
To be continued..........
