The Confession

The following fan fiction contains characters owned by the writers and producers of Days of Our Lives. This fan fiction is purely for entertainment purposes.

Brady and Chloe walked through the parlor, heading for the terrace. Brady opened the door and Chloe walked onto the terrace. Chloe breathed in the cold air as Brady sat on the railing of the terrace. He smiled at her and looked at the December sky.

Ch:(to herself) G.D. There is nothing quite like Brady in the moonlight. His blue eyes seems to sparkle and dance, more so than during the day. And his hair. It is impossible that it seems blonder in the dark. I bet that it is soft. Who am I kidding? I know it is soft. I just want to touch...

Br: Hey you. Where did you go this time?

Ch: Nowhere. I was thinking, that's all.

Br: About what?

Ch:(under her breath) The better question is about whom.

Br:(standing up) You were thinking about Phillip, heh? He may be my uncle, but he isn't good enough for you.

Ch: So much for the cease fire...

Br: You know, I've tried to stay out of this. But what I will say will officially make my promise to you a lost cause. You need to forget about Phillip. I mean, really forget about him. It is fine that you cherish the good times, but you totally gloss over the mistakes and hurt feelings.

Ch: Can we change the subject, please?!

Br: No Chloe, I will not change the subject. I just don't understand why you are willing to settle for a man, incapable of accepting the real you. What is it, do you love being a chameleon to someone who is color-blind? Do you love having every aspect of yourself, ugly and glorious, totally disregarded? You must, since Phillip still has a hold on you.

Ch: You have no right talking to me like this.

Br: Why not? Do you want to hear more ambiguous advice that will allow you to remain in limbo? Sorry, but you should go to Belle or Shawn for that.

Ch: I can't believe you are picking a fight with me. We were having such a good time and you ruined it.

Br: I didn't ruin anything. And we're not having a good time, at least, not compared to last summer. With Phillip in Puerto Rico, you were free. You were more relaxed and fun to be with. You were letting him go. But now, it is different. The 'you' I hung out with last summer makes periodic appearances, but only when we are alone. Why are you so afraid of being free?

Ch: I am not afraid of being free...

Br: Yes you are, Chloe. Just a few moments ago, you were obviously happy about something. And now, you are doing everything within your power to push that sensation down or make it disappear. I bet you're trying to substitute that feeling with one that you had with Phillip, nevermind that your experiences with Phillip dulls in comparison.

Ch:(exasperated) Will you stop it, Brady. I am so tired of you assuming that you know me. It is obvious that you don't or you wouldn't be so angry about me thinking about... nevermind that. Let me ask you something. Have you ever been in love? Have you ever been close enough to it, that you know how it feels, what it looks like, how it tastes?

Br: Don't push me, Chloe.

Ch: No I didn't think you did. Brady, you have moments when you are kind and generous, but the majority of the time, you are self-centered and arrogant. You don't need anyone, do you? You've got enough love for yourself to keep you warm.

Br: So you're a sudden authority on me!

Ch: That isn't much of a comeback, Brady. I think that I've struck a nerve. You will never love anyone. You're not capable of it.

Br:(quietly) You think so?

Ch: I know so! Come on, tell me who you have loved, besides yourself. Come on, Brady, I want all the details. I want to know when you have loved someone, who it was...

Br: Okay, so you want to know the when and the who, huh? Alright. The when is now and the who is you!

Ch:(shocked) What?

Br: You heard me!

Ch: No... you're lying to me. You're just saying this to shut me up...

Br: No, I'm saying this because it is true. I am in love with you, Chloe.

Ch: You are not.

Br: Yes, I am. I love you, Chloe, not in a brotherly or best friend kind of way. I love you, as a man loves a woman.

Chloe felt weak and needed something to support her. She leaned against the railing.

It's been quite a year for you, Chloe. You've had two men declaring their love for you. One has let you down many times and the other has been there for you. For some reason, you will not let go of the former, so it is time for the latter says his peace. Look at me, Chloe.

Chloe's head was bowed. Brady walked toward her, lifted her chin and she rose to her feet.

Br:(quietly) I do love you, Chloe. This isn't a ploy to distract you from loving Phillip. It is an indisputable fact. You are my best friend and it is ironic that you are the only person I can confide in about this. I think of all of the times you asked me about love, or rather, my thoughts about love. Do you realize how hard it was not tell you? My biggest fear was that my feelings would come out at the wrong time and it has. I'm not going to take it back. You may want to ask Belle or Shawn or even my dad whether this is true or not. It would be useless because they don't know about this. They suspect that I like you, but that doesn't compare to the feelings I have for you. I will not say things like 'I will love you until the sun stops burning'. To me, lyricism equals subterfuge. What I feel for you...I can't articulate. Maybe if I had more experience, I could, but as it is, you are the only woman I've said this to. To be completely honest, I believe that the perfect words would come too late. I've heard that the elderly and the dying gain a sort of clarity or understanding about life. Within the confusion and anxiety, the meaning of love is finally realized. Being old and dying are, hopefully, a long way away from me, so for now, 'I love you' will have to suffice.

Chloe looked into Brady's eyes. She walked away from him. His eyes followed Chloe as she walked along the terrace. Chloe had her back to Brady, attempting to gather her composure. He walked toward her, stood behind her.

Br:(whispering) I realize that you have an inner life that few people, if any, are privy to. I understand your need to hide, but to conduct yourself as if you're in a Witness Protection Program is wrong. I don't need to know your every thought, at every moment of every day, but you can confide in me. I want to, no, I need to know... how do you feel about me?

Chloe took a deep breath and turned around. Her head was bowed when Brady gently stroke her cheek.

Br:(quietly) I didn't realize that me loving you was upsetting news.

Ch:(quietly) It isn't upsetting, Brady. It's just a shock.

Br: A good kind or a bad kind?

Ch: It's good.

Br: So... how do you feel about me?

Ch: Oh Brady, there is so much I have to say. I don't know where to begin. I need to gather my thoughts. Please, could you give me some time...

Brady turned away from Chloe. He could feel his face getting warm. She walked to Brady and looked into his eyes.

Ch: Please Brady, Do not take this as a rejection. I just need some time.

Br: How long does it take to answer a question?

Ch: I'm not asking for a few months. I need a few minutes to think about this, Brady. You're always telling me that I need to put some thought into my music. So please, don't begrudge me the chance to think about what you've told me. I won't risk losing you because I said the wrong thing. You are too important to me, Brady.

Br: Good point. Okay, I'll leave you alone to think.

Ch: You don't have to go.

Br: Yes, I do. I'm not the most patient person in the world...

Ch: Could have fooled me. You kept your feelings a secret for a while...

Br:(defensively) What makes you think that I was in love with you 'for a while'?

Ch: Geez Brady, why do you have to make everything into an argument? Even your declaration of love was initiated by an argument.

Br: And now, you're avoiding my question by picking a fight with me.

Ch: God Brady, why does everything have to be about you?

Br: Funny, every conversation we ever had involved you, your life, your love for Phillip...

Ch: Dammit, Brady! Could you just give me the time to think about your question?

Br: It is a simple question, Chloe. Any fool can answer it.

Ch: So, I'm a fool now...

Br: No, you're not. Just answer my question.

Ch: Okay! Okay! Okay! You want to know my answer, Brady?! Here it is. Brady, I...

Belle: Okay, you two. Could you chill out? You were having such a good time. What happened?

Shawn: Yeah, I thought that there was an armistice.

Br: Would you two leave us alone?

Be: No, Brady. I don't want to be responsible for unnecessary bloodshed.

Ch: Please, Belle. Brady and I need to finish out conversation.

Sh: You mean, shouting match.

Br: Whatever it is, we want to finish it. So would you please leave us alone?

Be: No. It's obvious that you two need to cool off. So Chloe, come with me and Brady, you stay with Shawn.

Ch: But Belle...

Be: You two aren't going to cause a scene here. So you're going to do what I say.

Brady and Chloe looked at each other. The looks exchanged were a combination of anger, embarrassment, and desperation. They were trapped and ironically, peace was the last thing that they wanted.

Ch: Fine! Let's go, Belle.

Belle and Chloe walked into the parlor. Chloe was walking ahead of Belle. Belle tried to keep up with her, but wasn't successful.

Be: Chloe, will you please slow down.

Chloe stopped, turned around, and glared at Belle.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Ch: Because, I have never been so angry at anyone than I am with you. How dare you intrude on my conversation with Brady? We were discussing something very important and very private and the last thing we needed were you two butting in...

Be: You two were screaming at each other.

Ch: So what, Belle. We always yell at each other. It wasn't like anyone heard our conversation. If you did, you wouldn't have interrupted us.

Be: What were you two talking about?

Ch: It is neither your business, nor Shawn, nor anyone else. Listen, Belle. I'm sorry that I yelled, but I need to talk to Brady. The last thing that Brady and I need is to be separated. So please, leave us alone.

Be: So basically, you're saying that I was wrong for assuming that you needed to cool off?

Ch:(quietly) No, not really. But you need to trust that Brady and I know what we are doing.

Be: Okay. I'm sorry for butting in. It just seemed like your fight with Brady was more intense than usual.

Brady and Shawn entered the parlor. Brady's jaw was set and Shawn was walking ahead of him.

Sh: I swear, Brady must have been a monk in a previous life because I can't get anything out of him. Did you have any luck with Chloe?

Be: No. Apparently these two must have vowed to take their secret to the grave.

Brady and Chloe looked at each other.

Sh: Since you two aren't in a sharing mood, let's return to the party. Brady and Chloe, after you.

**********END OF FLASHBACK**********

Ch:...So Brady and I returned to the party with Belle and Shawn. And since they wouldn't let us out of their sight, we couldn't talk. Couple that with Phillip showing up.... Nancy, I don't know what to do.

Nancy bit her lip and stood up. She walked toward the desk and turned around.

N: Sweetie, I hate to say this, but you blew it.

-End of The Confession-