It had been weeks since Brady was first diagnosed. Chloe kept her routine of sneaking in after Brady was asleep and sitting next to him just holding his hand. Sometimes she would replace the cold cloth on his head and sometimes she would sit and watch him all night.
The fear that someday she would walk into his room and he would be gone, lay dormant in the back of her mind. She could not think about that. Because if she did, if she allowed herself to imagine life without Brady, she would not be able to function. She needed to be strong for him. He was the only real reason to live for. She could not control the merciless beat that echoed through her rib cage. The incessant ticking, from the circular clock on the guilty white walls, drove her insane. As each release of her hollow breath it seemed to get louder, until it was the only sound she could not filter out.
She desperately needed a distraction. Anything to get her mind out of the torture she was drumming up. The scenarios and possibilities that rattled around in her conflicted mind. There was nothing though. Nothing could deter her from thinking, from feeling everything that was real, right in front of her. Lying in a hospitable bed, he was struggling before her eyes. A former shell of himself.
Unaware of her own appearance, and not even caring, she stood above him. The dark circles hung under her pale blue eyes. Her clothing mismatched but at
least clean. She watched her love, the only one she had truly ever known, become someone she barely recognized.
The nurse came in the room. "Chloe, you can't keep doing this. You're not getting proper sleep"
Chloe was started and turned to see the kind face of the nurse. A face she had seen more lately than her own family and friends. "I know. I try to but this thing is just not comfortable." She sighed, motioning to the chair.
"Look, tomorrow I will see what I can do. I could try to get you a cot?"
"Then he'll know."
"Honey, I think deep down he does know." The nurse said, sympathetically. Glancing between Brady and Chloe. All right I think I'll leave you two alone."
"Thanks"
Chloe submerged the cloth in the chilled water. She rang out the excess and dabbed it on Brady's forehead. His head was hot. He had a bit of a fever. The nurse said it was nothing to worry about. Chloe let the cloth rest where it was. Her hand went onto his cheek and she caressed his face. She missed him so much. Despite the fact that she saw him every day, she had not talked to him. He was always asleep. She was afraid that if she was there when he was awake he would just push her away again.
********************************
Brady thought about everything that he had shared with Chloe. He missed her more than he even thought possible. Even though he knew he told her to leave him alone, he desperately wanted to see her. Or even hear her voice. Her sweet angelic voice. They had experienced everything together.
Brady remembered one special night in particular.
FLASHBACK
His hand gracefully touched her cheek. He trailed a tantalizing line down to her lips. They were so warm and inviting. His hand went to leave her face but she took it in hers and kissed his palm and fingers. Looking into each other's eyes, they felt the world slip away. Until all that was left were them, in their own universe. Cupping his face. She felt his smooth skin. Brady kissed her softly on the lips. They had waited so long for this moment. Wanting everything to be right. Leaving no room for regrets. The fire blazed if front of them. The solid, wooden logs stacked in the pit of the fireplace were burning generously. Casting shadows on the walls. The dancing flickers, the only light in the room.
She returned the kiss with all the passion and love she felt in her heart. His tongue mingled with hers to both their delight. He removed the clip that was holding up her hair. It fell around her shoulders and down her back. The curls springing back into place. His hands slid through it as he nuzzled next to her. He breathed her in. Committing everything to memory. He never wanted to forget how she made him feel. Chloe closed her eyes when he began to lightly kiss her neck. He moved from her neck to her earlobes and jaw bone. She relished in the sensations he was causing. Returning to her mouth, he was met with need and yearning.
She could not get enough of him. She wanted to be closer. To taste him, to feel him against her bare skin. She moved her hands to his shirt. Slowly she began
to unbutton it. The shirt dropped to the floor. Where it was kicked away. He wanted her to be as free from her garments as he was. Together they undid her
blouse and tossed it to the ground. The hard planes of his chest were being examined by her hands. She moved them lower and helped him off with his pants.
With less to remove, she took her skirt off and threw it with the other clothes. They stood there in only their undergarments. New to this experience both
seemed to be appreciating the moment. His heart pounded. Never in his nineteen years, had he seen a beauty such as hers.
They began kissing each other again. This time was theirs and they were enjoying each other. She eased his boxers past his hips and down his thighs. Then he helped her take of her rose-coloured bra and panties. His hand was on her waste. She sensed he was unsure about his actions, so she took his hand and positioned it on her breast. He traced the shape of her with his thumb. She felt herself awaken at his touch. He moved his kisses down her body. He brushed his lips across her nipple. She could not help but let out a small moan. He eased her onto the bed. Laying on top of her supporting his own weight for fear of hurting her.
She rolled herself over so she was now above him. Her lips trailed down his body. She let her tongue dip into the ridges of his muscled stomach. When they had explored every inch of the other's body, and were protected, he rolled her back over. Looking deep into each others eyes he slowly entered her awaiting body. Her body tensed. She had not realized how much his body would stretch her. He stopped moving. It hurt her, a little, at first. She motioned for him to continue. At first he was afraid too. He did not want to hurt her. He moved inside her carefully. Soon she started to relax. She kissed his shoulder and neck as he continued to move. His actions were unhurried.
This was not just about making himself happy. He wanted her to get just as much enjoyment out of it as he did. Chloe's body melted into his. The heat built between them. A pleasured sensation came over her as she felt herself losing control. He was at his peak but was holding out for her. His movement became faster as she moaned in ecstasy. Then finally they reached their climax together. Her body shook with her first orgasm. Never had she known this kind of feeling. Brady collapsed on top of her. Kissing her neck, he gave a few final thrusts. She reached up and ran her hands through his hair. She brought his mouth to hers and kissed him with renewed love.
He moved off of her and pulled her to him. Chloe lay her head on his chest. They were both breathing hard. Brady kissed her hair and ran his hand through it. With the other hand he laced his fingers with Chloe's. It had been perfect. Everything had been the way they had planned. They were glad they had waited so long and even more grateful that they had experienced it together.
The fire had died down but, the room was still warm, and so were their hearts.
Brady arched his body so he could look at Chloe.
"I love you, Brady"
"I love you too, more than I could ever say with words."
"Hmm I think you might have just shown me"
Brady and Chloe laughed together. They were so safe and happy in each other's arms. They drifted off to sleep, still holding each other.
END OF FLASHBACK
"CHLOE!" Brady shouted sitting up in bed. The darkness that filled the room caused him to almost forget where he was. Longing for his love, who he needed so much. He looked through the blackness as a figure approached him. His eyes burning with tears.
Chloe went to his side. Immediately, without reservation, he swallowed her up in an embrace. Clutching to the fine material of her clothing, burying his head in her bosom.
"I'm right here. Everything is okay. Shhh" Chloe smoothed, her hand over his head. His hair had long since fell out and he had given up on the bandanas that were supposed to hide that fact.
"Chloe?" Brady could not believe it. There she was right in front of him.
"Shhh. You're okay"
"Chloe, what are you doing here?" He said, looking into her eyes but not letting go of her body.
"I didn't want to come by because I knew how you would react. So every night after you fall asleep I come here and just sit with you."
"Why?"
"Because I love you Brady and nothing is going to change that. I don't care that you're sick. I still love you and want to be with you always." Chloe was now beside him on the bed holding onto him, the way she had longed to for so long.
Brady broke down. At night he always felt so safe, so loved and now he understood why. It had been radiating off of Chloe. The whole time she had been by his side.
"Chloe, I'm just so scared" he said through his sobs.
Chloe began to cry too. "I know but I'm here now and I'm not going to go anywhere."
"I know Chloe, but you have to understand that we can be nothing more than friends at least for right now."
"I can handle that"
Chloe lay down beside him, gently stroking his head and placing small kisses around his cheeks.
Immediately Chloe felt a weight being lifted from her tired body. She had finally gotten through to the only person who mattered to her. Brady was going to let
her into his life and she was not going to take it lightly. They held each other weeping until they fell asleep from pure exhaustion.
**************
The nurse came in the morning to wake Chloe up.
"I see he finally let you in. See it pays to be patient."
"Thank you"
"So you're definitely going to be needing that cot?"
Chloe and the nurse laughed quietly.
.
To be continued.......
Author's note:
I pray for all those affected by the tragic events on Sept 11.
May those that are no longer with us find peace.
