Brady woke up. His eyes felt so heavy. He looked around the dull room. He took in a long, sharp breath.
"Good morning, handsome" Karen chirped, walking into the room.
"It's already morning?"
"Yes, you've slept for the past fifteen hours"
"Wow" Brady was sure that he had only been asleep for a few hours.
"That girl of yours must really love you."
"What are you talking about?" He looked at the nurse confused.
"Chloe, she spent the whole night in that chair by your side. Just holding your hand. You're really lucky"
"I know. But I don't want her to go through this. I actually broke up with her." He said. "She is so stubborn." He smirked.
"I don't think she's going to let go that easily. She said she's coming back tonight"
Brady sighed.
"What? You don't want to see her?" The nurse questioned.
"It's not that I don't want to. It's just that I know this is hard for her and I want to spare her the pain. She's already had enough of that in her life."
"Well if I were you I would hold on to her" she said, matter-of-fact.
"I can't be involved with her from my hospital bed. If I...I get through this then we can start again but I won't have her held back by me."
"Are you sure you're not the stubborn one?" Karen said, with a laugh.
Brady just gave her a look.
"Okay I'll come back in a little while with Breakfast."
"I don't think I'll be able to eat."
"I know but you have to try."
"Thanks"
Just then John came in.
"Hey, I thought I would come by to see you before I went off to work. Is there anything you need sport?"
"No. I'm good"
"I'm proud of you son and, that's a fact. I know this is going to be a long journey but I know you can handle it"
"Thanks dad" Brady said, unsure of what to say.
The two men talked a while before John left for work and the nurse came in with a tray of food. Even the smell of it made Brady's stomach turn.
After Brady's attempt to eat failed, he pushed the plate aside and buzzed the nurse. She came in and began to clear it away.
"Does it ever get easier?"
"Unfortunately Brady, it just gets harder. I'll come by later with lunch. Maybe just some soup huh?"
"Sure, whatever. Thanks for being honest."
Brady turned on his side and looked blankly out the window.
*****************************************
Chloe sat at her desk listening to the teacher. Only a few more hours to go before she could go back to the hospital and visit Brady. She knew that he may not want to see her but she still had to try.
*****************************************
Shawn and Belle stepped onto the elevator to go down to the main floor of the hospital. Once outside, Belle let the tears flow freely.
"Shawn, thanks for being there for me."
"Hey, that's what I'm here for Belle"
"How do you think he looked?"
"Same."
"I just don't know if I'm strong enough. How can I go in there, day after day and pretend that his life isn't falling apart, that I'm not falling apart?"
"Be brave for him, and then feel it, when you're with me."
"Shawn." She said, unconsciously. Burying her face in his chest as he held her tightly.
"I know" He covered the top of her head in small reassuring kisses.
*************
Brady went for his second round of treatments just after Belle and Shawn left. Shawn barely made eye contact with Brady. He felt guilty and nervous. Unable to explain, when Brady asked about the 'kiddie bandaid' over his eye, he turned to Belle. She had to tell him what happened. Of course, that was all she mentioned. She left the part about her and Shawn making love out, for obvious reasons. He was still in the recovery room when Chloe went to his room. She was surprised to find it empty and wondered if he had been moved. The familiar nurse came in to change the bedding.
"Where is Brady?" She asked.
"Oh, he'll be back in a little while. He was just receiving treatment. I have to warn you. As the treatments go on they get more and more harsh. He probably won't be up for visitors."
"Can I stay anyway? I have to be close to him."
The nurse thought it over and decided it would be better if he had someone than if he dealt with it alone.
Brady was wheeled in a little later. He looked completely drained.
Brady felt sick to his stomach again. He called for the nurse and she made Chloe wait outside.
Chloe came back into the room. Brady was propped up on pillows with a cold cloth on his head.
"Brady? Are you okay?" Chloe said trying to mask her tears.
Brady looked into her eyes. He saw the pain. "Chloe just go away. I don't have the energy"
"Brady I can't. I can't just leave you. I love you too much"
"Chloe, don't do that. Don't cry. You know I can't take that"
Chloe came over and hugged Brady. She never wanted to let him go.
"Chloe, please leave. For me."
"But Brady...."
"I just want to be alone."
"Fine."
Chloe picked up her bag and walked out the door.
She ran into the nurse in the hallway.
"He doesn't want to see me." She cried.
"Give him time. He just doesn't want to see you hurt because of him"
"Could you do me a favour?"
"Sure, sweetie."
"When he is asleep, could you come and get me. I'll be in the cafeteria."
"Sure" the nurse understood exactly what Chloe wanted.
Chloe re-entered the room at around eleven p.m. Brady was asleep, but looked restless.
He moaned, every once in a while. Chloe looked at the nurse through her tears.
"Is he in pain?"
"Some discomfort maybe, but there is medicine coming through the IV. He's just dreaming."
The nurse left Chloe and Brady alone. Chloe watched Brady's slight movements in his sleep. The striped hospital blankets were stretched over his long body up to his shoulders. His deep, blue eyes were closed. His dark lashes rested against his tan skin. His mouth was closed, and his pouting bottom lip was pursed against his smaller upper lip. He looked so tired.
Chloe went to her chair and took his hand in hers once again. She felt secure holding onto his large, warm hands. So connected that she felt lost when she let go, so she didn't. She held onto him tightly. Not wanting to ever let go. To let go meant that she would be giving up. That she was letting Brady push her away, she was stronger than that. Brady had shown her how strong she really could be and now she would prove to him how right he had been.
Brady always pushed her to pursue her love of music. Taught her was it meant to feel and to be able to project that into her singing. He made her believe that she was okay to live life for herself. When she confided in him about her most intimate thoughts, he had listened with an open ear. When she needed advice, he had given it freely. When she needed to be loved, he loved her. Now it was her turn to pay him back. She would wait until he was ready to let her in, but in the meantime she would be there for him while he slept.
Like a ghost that you cannot see but can feel their presence. Always lurking but never seen. He would sense something, maybe, but would not know she was there.
The nurse came in an hour later to check on her patient. Chloe was asleep and Karen put a blanket over her and propped her head on a pillow.
Karen was touched at the love between the two. There seemed to be an immeasurable bond.
To be continued.......
I do not own these character and that's a fact (sorry couldn't resist)
