Brady and Chloe were greeted at the door of the penthouse by a very anxious John Black. John took the bags from Chloe and set them down on the couch. Then he walked over and hugged his weak son. The house had not felt the same without him. Now he was home. John was so grateful for this miracle and knew his wife Isabella had something to do with it. They had created this child out of love. Isabella would protect him from her place in heaven.

"It's good to have you back, son" John said, stepping out of the hug and wiping his tears.

"It's good to be home" he took Chloe's hand and squeezed it lightly.

"Brady!" Belle ran down the stairs and latched onto her brother, almost knocking him down in the process.

"Hey, Belle"

"Oh my Gosh, I'm so glad you're home. It just wasn't the same without you. Do you need anything? How about something to eat? I can go make you something"

Brady and Chloe looked at each other and tried to hide their grins.

"He just got in the door, Belle. Why don't you give him a few minutes to settle in?" John laughed.

"No really. I'm fine. I don't need anything."

Marlena appeared from the kitchen. She slowly approached her stepson. She did not want to ruin the family moment that was occurring in front of her. It was Brady who took the initiative and walked over to her. He gave her a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

"Thanks, for everything Marlena"

Dr. Evans was speechless but she returned the hug. Finally they had moved past all the hurt feelings and were starting to become a family again. John watched in awe at the kind actions of his son. Marlena and Brady broke away and she had to wipe away her own tears now. Brady was finally letting her in. It was a moment she would cherish forever.

"Well, we'll just leave the two of you alone." John said, referring to Brady and Chloe.

John put his arm over his wife and walked up to their bedroom. Belle watched as Chloe helped Brady onto the couch. Belle sat on the love seat in front of them. Brady rested his head on a pillow and yawned.

"Are you tired Brady?" Chloe said, concerned.

"It's just been a long, emotional day."

"I know what you mean." Chloe rested her head on his shoulder.

The door bell rang and Belle jumped up to get it. Standing on the other side was Shawn. He held a dozen roses in his hand. Brady saw this and laughed.

"Oh, Shawn you shouldn't have." Brady thanked him, knowing full well, the flowers were for Belle.

Shawn looked stunned and his face was slightly flushed. "Actually these are for Belle."

Chloe and Brady laughed.

"Brady was just pulling your chain. They are beautiful." Belle took the flowers and filled a vase with water.



"So Brady, how are you feeling anyway?" Shawn asked.

"Pretty good actually." He laced his fingers with Chloe's.

"So what are you guys doing tonight?" Chloe questioned.

"Um actually we were just going to hang out here, but if you two want to be alone then we could go to my house instead."

"No need, we're just going to go into my room" said Brady.

"Oh right, like all of a sudden you can have girls in your room at all hours of the night." Belle laughed.

"Why not? It's not like we're going to be doing anything. I'm not exactly back to normal strength." Then Brady got a thought. "Hey that better not be what you two are planning on doing. Because if it is then me and Chloe are going to stay right here and keep an eye on you two. Whatever happened while I was in the hospital is not going to go on any more, got it Shawn." Brady gave him a dirty look. Even the thought of someone touching his sister like that, made him side.

"Brady! Stop being overprotective" Belle whined.

"Seriously, I respect your sister Brady I would never do anything to hurt her."

"Fine. But remember I will get back into shape and then I could deal with you if you ever hurt her. So keep that in mind."

"Will do." Shawn was still intimidated by Brady even though he looked so weak. He remembered what he looked like before the cancer and knew he would look like that once again. He was never going to do anything to Belle that would cause Brady to come to her defenses. One, because he loved her. Two because he knew that Brady could beat the crap out of him, given the opportunity.

Chloe led Brady to his bedroom. It looked the same as before he had gotten sick. In fact, it almost looked lonely.

Shawn stood in the living room, looking through movies while Belle made popcorn. He found one they both would enjoy and slipped it into the VCR. Belle came in minutes later with the popcorn.

"I didn't even burn it." Belle said, proudly.

"Now that's a first" Shawn mocked.

"Shut up and kiss me"

Shawn obliged her requested and planted a soft kiss on her lips before e pulling away.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just what Brady said"

"Shawn, he was only kidding. Beside he and Chloe are not going to come down. He is probably already sleeping"

********

"What do you think they are doing down there?" Brady asked.

"What do you think?"

"They better not be"

"Brady they're in love. That is what people do."

"That doesn't mean they have to do it right under this roof."

"Brady I'm sure they're not 'doing it' right in the living room. Even if they were who are you to judge them? It's not like we haven't taken advantage of an empty house at night. If you know what I mean."

"That's different." He smiled.

"How is it different?"

"Because you're just too irresistible, I can't help myself."

Together they laughed.

"Oh really"

"Really"

"Chloe, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"I'm sorry that all this time that we haven't been able to make love. It's not that I haven't wanted to it's just that I'm so weak. I don't have the energy."

"Brady, that doesn't matter to me. As soon as you are feeling better we'll be able to. I just love you. We don't need to make love to show each other what we are feeling. Even laying next to you. I feel so close to you."

"Stay here with me tonight, please? I just want to hold you all night."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

She kissed his forehead and they snuggled into bed together.

To be continued.......