Chloe squeezed into the cramped, hospital bed with Brady. They had to be together. After so much time apart it seemed only natural. Chloe had to feel him next
to her. To make sure he was safe. Brady rested his head against Chloe. Her arms wrapped loosely around him. She stroked the side of his face while he slept.
She watched his chest rise and fall. His lungs being filled with air and then being expelled. This had been the feeling she had missed. Being completely secure.
Knowing that whatever was dealt their way they could handle it. As long as they were together.
So often they had slept in each other's arms. Only now it was different. Chloe was not just holding Brady she was healing. His body touching hers simply
meant more. The love emanated out of her pores and filled his. She had been without his touch for so long, she felt like a piece of herself was damaged.
Brady slept peacefully. So many nights he had slept alone. He had almost forgotten how her body felt next to his. Everything about their life together had been changed. All except for the way they made each other feel.
There was no mistaking the urgency in their eyes when they touched.
Chloe was still watching Brady when he woke up. He turned his head slightly to see that she was still with him and still awake.
Chloe kissed his forehead. "Go back to sleep"
"I think I have slept enough theses past few days." He said, slightly laughing.
"Listen Brady I have to tell you something"
Fearing the worst. Brady took a moment to let her words sink in. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for. Chloe had enough and now she was going to try to let him down easy. She wanted out. No longer was she willing to put her life on hold. Brady breathed heavily and harshly exhaled.
"Okay. I'm ready. What is it?" Brady braced himself for her response.
"I'm afraid."
"Afraid? Afraid of what?"
"I'm afraid I'm falling in love with you more each day"
Wait. This was not what he was expecting to hear. Now confused Brady searched for an explanation from this complicated girl. "And why does that make you afraid?"
"...because Brady. Because if I ever lost you I wouldn't know what to do. People go their whole lives without finding this kind of happiness. But look at us. We found each other. Everything was just too perfect. Then you got sick. And now I'm afraid that I'll lose you forever and never know this kind of happiness again. Love like this is too rare to ever work out." Chloe said, her voice slightly cracking and her eyes getting misty.
"Chloe, I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. But it doesn't scare me. I mean just look at who we are. There are not many people in the world who have gone through, what we have in our childhoods, without being screwed up. And we survived, we beat the odds. It is what drives me forward, motivates me. I might have given up by now. So I have to believe that what we have will last. And I have to thank you. Sometimes I think about my life before we were together. I realized that I wasn't even living. You opened so much up for me and I am forever indebted to you."
"Brady..."
"Chloe, I won't leave you ever again."
"You can't promise me that. You don't know...."
Brady cut her off. "You'll just have to trust me."
"I do."
"Now get some rest, and stop worrying about me. Okay?"
"Okay."
Chloe leaned her head on top of Brady and they drifted off to sleep holding each other.
***************************************
Chloe and Brady were woken up in the morning by a very perky Belle. She shrieked when the nurse told her that Brady had regained consciousness the night before. She was even happier having entered the room, finding Chloe and Brady together.
"You guys are just the cutest thing!" Belle said, running into the room, dragging Shawn by the hand behind her.
Chloe got out of the small bed, helping Brady to a sitting position.
"I'm really sorry. I tried to get her to wait until a descent hour but she insisted on being here first thing in the morning. It's strange how someone so small can have so much energy, especially this early" Shawn apologized.
Belle elbowed him in the stomach. "Well excuse me for wanting to see my big brother."
"Come here, tink" Brady said, holding out his arms.
Belle immediately went over to him. She held onto him tightly. Whispering into his ear. "Don't you ever do that to me, again! You had me so worried." Brady kissed her forehead and ventured a small smile.
"So what did you bring me?"
"Brady, just because you're in the hospital does not mean that I'm going to bring you something every time I come to visit"
Chloe, Shawn and Brady all looked at Belle. "Fine you got me. Okay I baked you some cookies."
The trio had to suppress their laughter. Everyone knew Belle was the worst cook in the world.
"Thanks Belle, but I'm not allowed to have any sugar." Brady lied.
"Yes you a....." Brady shot Chloe a look. "Oh yeah, it's bad for your...your...."
"My..uh...blood"
"Yeah, that's it."
The group could not hold their laughter any longer.
"What's so funny?" Belle asked innocently.
No one could answer her. They were all too busy trying to stop laughing.
Shawn put his arm around Belle and gave her a hug. "I'll explain it to you later, honey."
Shawn and Belle stayed at the hospital, long into the evening. They reminisced. Telling stories from their childhood and having some good laughs.
Something Brady really needed to do.
Chloe stayed again that night.
To be continued..........
Constructive criticism is welcome :) Don't be afraid to tell me if the chapters seem rushed or confusing or whatever, it is what help the most.
