Chloe paused at the front door of her house for just a minute, took a deep breath and opened it. She never knew what to expect when Brady showed up on her doorstep. "It's about time" Brady said as he strode past her, "Do you know how cold it is out there?"

Chloe just grinned at him, "aww, poor baby want me to warm you?" she cooed. Brady looked at her, as if seriously considering her offer, then shrugged "That's okay, I can take it, I am a man after all."

Closing the door, Chloe rolled her eyes at him "So, what's in the box?" she asked. Reaching for it. Brady chuckled as she reached for it holding it high above his head "Uh-huh.. first we eat I am starving."

"What else is new?" she shot back. He glanced at her shorts and top "Is that what you're wearing tonight?" he asked "Because if you are, you'll be really cold."

"Who says I'm wearing anyting at all Brady, I never agreed to go anywhere with you." She pointed out. "You will" he responded confidently, "so, you may as well go change right now and hurry we have reservations for 6:30."

Chloe placed her hands on her hips "And if I say no?" she challenged.

"Then you'll never get to see what's in the box, AND you'll have a long night on New Years Eve, now that would be tragic." Brady answered. "Besides you have to eat, right?"

Chloe thought for a moment, she was curious about the box, and she was hungry, and to be completely honest, spending New Years Eve alone didn't sound like fun either.

"Okay," she agreed, "But before I can get dressed I need to know what to wear." Brady grinned victoriously, deeply pleased that he had convinced her to go "wear something comfortable, jeans are fine, we will be doing things."

"Be right back" Chloe nodded and shot up the stairs "15 minutes and I'm coming after you." Brady called to her retreating back. Chloe heard what he had said and decided that he probably would do as he promised. 10 minutes later she emerged from her room dressed in jeans and a semi-dressy shirt "Ready" she exclaimed.

"Lets go" Brady prompted holding her coat for her as she slipped her arms in. "Wait" Chloe stopped I need to leave a not for Craig and Nancy." She said. "

"I already did that" Brady responded "now can we please go I am starving." Chloe patted his arm, "you think of everything." She chuckled. Brady shook his head, half grinning "No,I just don't want to deal with Nancy or Craig later."

Brady opened the car door for her and helped her inside, then laid the box on her lap "Don't open it." He instructed her boldly. "Why?" Chloe questioned.

"Because if you do, you'll spoil the surprise" he answered.

Chloe didn't open the box, but she did lift it. "For a party-in-a-box, this box is pretty light." She mumbled. "uh-huh," Brady chided her as he climbed in the car "Don't shake either."

Chloe looked at him questioningly, "Why is it breakable?" she asked. Brady merely shrugged "Maybe" he spoke vaguely. Chloe sighed "I hate surprises, you know that right?" she looked at him. Brady nodded, "But you'll like this one so stop shaking and stop complaining. I'll explain at dinner.'

"Where are we eating? She asked beginging to feel hungry. "I made reservations at Tuscany." Brady answered. Immediately, Chloe looked down at her jeans, "but I'm not dressed for Tuscanys." She protested

Brady glanced over at her, "you look fine, besides you'll need jeans for later." He hinted again at what lay in stock for them. Brady halted the jeep at the door of Tuscany and handed the valet his keys "ready?" he asked reaching for Chloe's hand. Chloe nodded and took his outstretched hand.

"Look" Chloe pointed "There's Belle and Shawn." Brady spotted his sister and her borfriend, "wanna bet they didn't make a reservation." He chuckled. "Probably not" Chloe agreed "remember the movies?"

"Hey Tink, Shawn" Brady called as they neared the other couple. Belle turned to them "Oh hi Chloe, Hi Brady" she greeted "They don't have any space left, you'll have to go somewhere else." She told them.

"I made reservations" Brady responded "I bet you didn't." Belle flashed a guilty look, "well, a not really, no" she admitted. Brady released Chloe's hand for a minute "stay here, I'll be right back" he told them.

"You didn't tell me you and Brady were going out tonight' Belle turned to Chloe. Chloe shrugged her shoulders "I only found out about 30 minutes ago when Brady woke me up."

"Ahh Tink," Brady came up behind them, "you are so lucky to have an older and wiser brother." Chloe and Belle exchanged looks, then rolled their eyes. "And why is that 'older and wiser brother'" she asked.

"Thanks to me and Chloe" he glanced at her for approval "You and Shawn get to eat here tonight..with us." He finished retaking Chloe's hand, "you don't mind do you?" he asked quietly. Chloe chuckled, "No, I don't mind, but you better ask them for an extra seat."

"Why?" he asked eyebrows raised. "Because you're going to need an extra seat for the 'Ego that ate Salem'" she grinned. Brady chuckled as he gripped her hand tighter and pulled her closer.

TBC...