Truth Out Of Darkness
Chapter 56
Chloe slowly entered the Brady Pub with Craig and Nancy's support. It was Christmas Day and the Bradys were hosting a private Christmas/Welcome home Chloe party. The Pub was full of Bradys, Hortons, Blacks, and now the Wesleys.
Belle greeted her friend enthusiastically. Chloe exclaimed at the decorations in the Pub.
"I know! Not bad for last minute, huh?" Belle beamed, proud of her efforts. "We were going to just bring some food over to your house, but what with everyone taking off to save your butt yesterday and not getting back until early this morning; we kinda forgot to cook. So then Caroline suggested that we have a big dinner here – so here we are! It's just as well, you wouldn't have wanted to eat Mom's cooking anyway." Belle laughed.
She looked at her friend seriously. John and Marlena had warned her that Chloe had severe injuries, but Belle was still shocked at the sight of her. The swelling on her face had gone down, but her face was still covered in dark purple and black bruises. Makeup covered the worst of them, but they were still noticeable. She wore dark, loose fitting clothing, primarily to ease her broken ribs. She was taking medication to help dull the pain, but they were still very tender.
Craig and Nancy had very reluctantly agreed to let Chloe come to the party. She was supposed to be in bed, resting. But they also knew that she needed to get out for a little while and be around others who love and care about her. So, they finally let her come, but only for a few hours and then it's right back to bed.
Chloe glanced around the crowded Pub.
"Looking for Brady? I think he's right over there." Belle pointed.
"Thanks Belle, See you later. Oh, thanks for the gifts. They are really great, very thoughtful. Mr. Teddy came in handy last night." Chloe smiled gratefully at her friend.
"I'm glad. Just remember, he's a loan!"
Chloe found Brady and wrapped her arms around him in a deep hug. "Merry Christmas!" she greeted him warmly.
"Merry Christmas. Oooh look, mistletoe!" he grinned widely as he planted his soft lips on hers.
"mmm. Like you need a reason to kiss me." She teased.
He took her tender, bruised face in his hands and gazed at her. "How are you doing?"
Chloe's eyes grew dark with pain and sadness. "I'm okay. It depends on when you ask me. Sometimes I'm good, others… I haven't had much time to process everything. It's still new. I've been asleep pretty much since last night."
"Any bad dreams?"
"No. That's the thing about having broken ribs, a punctured lung, a concussion, a gunshot wound, and countless cuts and bruises is that I'm too tired to dream. I plan on spending the next week in bed, asleep. Then I can start dealing with… everything. I should be in bed now but Craig and Nancy, I mean Mom and Dad, agreed to let me out so I can at least celebrate Christmas."
"Mom and Dad, huh?"
"Yeah. I've learned a lot about family lately. Family isn't about blood. It's about love. There are people in this room who risked their lives last night to save me, and for no other reason than because they care about me. I've never had that before. All my life, I've searched for a family, and now I have one. It's here in this room, with the people who love me. It's funny, I've wanted to know who my father is for so long, and now it doesn't even matter. I know who my parents are." Chloe smiled wistfully at her parents. "Of course, this isn't to say that my relationship with Nancy is perfect now, or even great. But I'm willing to give it a chance."
"So, do they know of their new status?" Brady asked while he absentmindedly rubbed her back.
"I surprised them with it this morning. It was my Christmas gift to them. Nancy bawled like a baby and even Craig got a little misty-eyed."
"Wow, you did pretty good in the gift giving department, didn't you? First my gift, and then your parents'."
"I know. And the best part was it didn't cost me anything!" Chloe teased.
"Come here, you little cheap skate." Brady wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly again and again and again. His kisses were sweet and light, free from the desire that racked his body when he was near her. He understood that Chloe's recent experiences had made her like a skittish foal; she needed to feel safe and secure with him.
"Okay, ye two. Break it up." A thick Irish accent could be heard. They looked up to see the elder Shawn Brady standing beside them, a roguish grin on his face. "Dinner's about t'be served, so sit yeselves down now at the table." He grinned at the young lovers and left.
Brady and Chloe chose seats next to each other. Brady sat on her left, and her parents were on her right. The seat on the other side of Brady was vacant. Brady sat down gingerly, wincing at his sore butt.
"How's your bottom?" Chloe asked, stifling her chuckle.
"Ouch." He answered. He saw Sami coming up to his end of the table. "Speaking of a giant pain in the ass." He muttered under his breath.
Sami stopped when she saw Brady and exhaled loudly. Brady remembered what he had learned last night and swallowed his scathing remark. "Merry Christmas, Sami. Would you care to sit by me?" He asked as nicely as he could stomach.
Sami was puzzled by his greeting. {He must be playing a game with me.} She was about to coldly rip into him, when she noticed Chloe on the other side of him. The news of Chloe's ordeal had actually managed to seep into her self-absorbed-Sami is the center of the Universe-mindset, and she was surprised to find that she was actually concerned about Chloe. So, in light of all that Brady and Chloe had been through, and the fact that it was Christmas, she decided to be …nice, for once.
She sighed in resignation. "Merry Christmas, Brady. Chloe. Will, would you like to sit next to your big uncle Brady?" She smiled down at the beautiful little boy who standing beside her.
"Okay." Sami got Will settled into his seat.
Brady smiled at the young boy who was playing with a yellow dump truck. "Oh wow! What a cool truck! Did you get that for Christmas?" Brady asked him excitedly.
Will nodded solemnly. "Santa brought it to me last night."
Sami looked at Chloe thoughtfully. Chloe simply stared at her plate, feeling a little out of place in the large family gathering. Sami smiled at Will. "Why don't you take uncle Brady outside and show him the cool trick you learned this morning?"
"Okay." Will took Brady's hand and led him outside.
Sami scooted over beside Chloe. "It will get better, you know."
Chloe looked up in surprise at Sami. She then looked back at her plate. "How do YOU know?" Chloe was so tired of everyone telling her that it would be okay when they didn't, couldn't even understand what she was feeling, or going through.
"I know because I've been where you are. Granted, our stories are greatly different, but I do know what it's like to be violated by someone you've put your trust in. I know what it's like to not feel safe in your own body. I also know that you are tough. You are one of the toughest people I know beside myself. You will get through it, because I got through it." Sami said simply.
"How did you deal with it?" Chloe asked softly.
Sami chuckled wryly. "Well, I didn't handle it all that well." Chloe looked at her and Sami shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I went after him with a gun."
Chloe's eyes grew wide with astonishment. "Did you kill him?"
"Nah. Then again, I wasn't exactly aiming to kill."
Chloe looked at Sami for explanation.
Sami simply grinned wickedly. "Let's just say he's not the man he used to be."
Chloe covered her mouth to stop the laughter from spilling out. She chuckled softly. "Oh my. That's good. I wish I had done that."
Sami grew serious. "Listen, you should really talk to someone about this. Mom really is a great person to talk to." She hesitated. Good deeds weren't easy for her. "You can also talk to me, whenever you need to, okay?"
"Thanks, Sami." Chloe was absolutely flustered by Sami's kindness.
At that moment the boys came back to the table. Sami got up to go to her seat. She leaned over and whispered in Chloe's ear. "Think about what I said." She gave Chloe her phone number and went back to her seat.
Brady looked at Sami, clearly puzzled. He leaned down and brushed Chloe's cheeks with his lips. "What was that about?"
"Oh, we were just talking about, things." Chloe smiled warmly at Brady.
Conversation around the large banquet table hushed when the food was brought out from the kitchen. Everyone agreed that the ladies, being Caroline, Hope, Julie, Alice, and Maggie (Marlena was banned from the kitchen.) had really outdone themselves. I could describe all the wonderful food, but then you'd be all hungry, so what's the point.
Shawn Brady (the elder) stood to say the blessing. Everyone around the table joined hands and closed their eyes. Brady squeezed Chloe's hand gently.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank ye for the miracle of yer precious son, born on this day. We thank ye also for the miracles ye performed this day in bringing our own precious children back to us safely. We thank ye for the wonderful food and all thy blessings. Amen." And the table chorused, "Amen."
Chloe was moved to tears by the simple prayer. She had never been prayed for before, never had anyone care enough to bother. And now she looked down on the large table full of friends and family who genuinely loved and cared about her and found herself struck by an emotion she'd never felt before. She stood slowly and tried to express the potent feelings of gratitude and joy.
"Thank you all so much. For everything. I can not tell you what this means to me." Chloe stumbled past the sudden lump in her throat as tears spilled from her eyes. She wanted so much to tell them how she felt, how they made her feel. "I've never had this before. Had people care. You don't know how special this is, this family." Chloe cried unable to express herself clearly.
Caroline spoke up quickly. "Oh honey, don't start with that. Pretty soon we'll all be crying. Of course we care, and don't you worry about trying to thank us. You're family." Nancy and Colin both looked up quickly at this remark and glanced at each other, unnoticed by the others at the table. Caroline continued with a small smile. "Now wipe your eyes sweetie, before we all start bawling and we can't eat because we're too busy crying."
Everyone chuckled and Chloe smiled gratefully at the people at the table. Brady kissed her gently on the lips. Chloe was silent as they ate, basking in the laughter and joy flowing through the room. She smiled to herself. {This is my family.}
Brady smiled at her. "You okay?"
Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes. "Yeah. I'm okay."
After the dinner and everyone sat around the table, too stuffed to even think about moving; Chloe tried one more time to thank everyone for the dinner.
Shawn Sr. spoke up. "Well, if ye are so intent on thanking us, then perhaps ye'd grace us with a song? If ye feel up to it, of course."
Chloe agreed and racked her brain for a suitable song. Inspiration hit her when she glanced at her ring. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth. Despite the severe limitations imposed by her injuries, her voice rang through the air, with a lilting, Irish accent. Shawn closed his eyes in joyous rapture as he recognized the old Irish ballad.
I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls
with vassals and serfs at my side.
And of all who assembled within those walls
that I was the hope and the pride.
I had riches all too great to count
and a high ancestral name.
But I also dreamt which pleased me most
that you loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
I dreamt that suitors sought my hand
that knights upon bended knees.
And with vows no maiden's heart could withstand
they pledged their faith to me.
And I dreamt that one of that noble host
came forth my hand to claim.
But I also dreamt which charmed me most
that you loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
Throughout the song, Brady was rocked by a sensation, a feeling of another time and place, with half-remembered visions and emotions. He could almost see her face, this woman he had loved. And she sang to him and the sound had been like angels descending from high. Brady tried to decipher the vague images and emotions, but it was useless. It felt like a dream, that he had had long ago. Brady shook his head to clear his mind. The song had ended and the room was quiet. Peace and bliss were tangibly felt in the room, and all eyes were closed in contentment.
Chloe quietly took her seat. She couldn't describe what the song had made her feel; she only knew that it seemed very familiar to her, like she had lived the song, it had been written for her. She took hold of Brady's hand, loving the way her small hand fit inside his large, strong hand.
Will broke the silence. He turned to Chloe and exclaimed innocently, "You were glowing like the angel on my Christmas tree!" Everyone chuckled at his remark, except for Colin, who furrowed his brow in thought.
A short while later, Chloe was preparing to leave with her parents. She and Brady stood outside, saying their goodbyes. Brady held both her hands in his. He looked at her seriously, deeply wandering through her blue eyes.
"I almost lost you. I've been trying not to think about it, but it keeps coming back. I almost lost you. I don't know what I would have done, if…." He paused and kissed her hands. "Chloe, I don't remember my life before you and I can't imagine my life without you."
Chloe smiled at him warmly. "Here's hoping you never have to." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. She smiled in her soul.
They were One.
End of Truth Out Of Darkness
Teaser!
Meanwhile, on Christmas Day, in another part of the world…
"Are you sure, sir?" the heavily accented European voice asked over the phone.
"Yes. There is no mistaking that kind of sheer power. It woke me from a sound sleep. It was her. It has to be." He paused in thought, planning his next move.
"She will be eighteen soon, sir." Replied the other voice.
Stefano Dimera sat, digesting this new bit of information. "Rolf, prepare my things. I am leaving for Salem tonight."
As he hung up the phone, he glanced once more at the picture in his hand. He looked at the blue-eyed brunette staring back from the frame and smiled.
Coming Soon: Banshee Song
Chapter 56
Chloe slowly entered the Brady Pub with Craig and Nancy's support. It was Christmas Day and the Bradys were hosting a private Christmas/Welcome home Chloe party. The Pub was full of Bradys, Hortons, Blacks, and now the Wesleys.
Belle greeted her friend enthusiastically. Chloe exclaimed at the decorations in the Pub.
"I know! Not bad for last minute, huh?" Belle beamed, proud of her efforts. "We were going to just bring some food over to your house, but what with everyone taking off to save your butt yesterday and not getting back until early this morning; we kinda forgot to cook. So then Caroline suggested that we have a big dinner here – so here we are! It's just as well, you wouldn't have wanted to eat Mom's cooking anyway." Belle laughed.
She looked at her friend seriously. John and Marlena had warned her that Chloe had severe injuries, but Belle was still shocked at the sight of her. The swelling on her face had gone down, but her face was still covered in dark purple and black bruises. Makeup covered the worst of them, but they were still noticeable. She wore dark, loose fitting clothing, primarily to ease her broken ribs. She was taking medication to help dull the pain, but they were still very tender.
Craig and Nancy had very reluctantly agreed to let Chloe come to the party. She was supposed to be in bed, resting. But they also knew that she needed to get out for a little while and be around others who love and care about her. So, they finally let her come, but only for a few hours and then it's right back to bed.
Chloe glanced around the crowded Pub.
"Looking for Brady? I think he's right over there." Belle pointed.
"Thanks Belle, See you later. Oh, thanks for the gifts. They are really great, very thoughtful. Mr. Teddy came in handy last night." Chloe smiled gratefully at her friend.
"I'm glad. Just remember, he's a loan!"
Chloe found Brady and wrapped her arms around him in a deep hug. "Merry Christmas!" she greeted him warmly.
"Merry Christmas. Oooh look, mistletoe!" he grinned widely as he planted his soft lips on hers.
"mmm. Like you need a reason to kiss me." She teased.
He took her tender, bruised face in his hands and gazed at her. "How are you doing?"
Chloe's eyes grew dark with pain and sadness. "I'm okay. It depends on when you ask me. Sometimes I'm good, others… I haven't had much time to process everything. It's still new. I've been asleep pretty much since last night."
"Any bad dreams?"
"No. That's the thing about having broken ribs, a punctured lung, a concussion, a gunshot wound, and countless cuts and bruises is that I'm too tired to dream. I plan on spending the next week in bed, asleep. Then I can start dealing with… everything. I should be in bed now but Craig and Nancy, I mean Mom and Dad, agreed to let me out so I can at least celebrate Christmas."
"Mom and Dad, huh?"
"Yeah. I've learned a lot about family lately. Family isn't about blood. It's about love. There are people in this room who risked their lives last night to save me, and for no other reason than because they care about me. I've never had that before. All my life, I've searched for a family, and now I have one. It's here in this room, with the people who love me. It's funny, I've wanted to know who my father is for so long, and now it doesn't even matter. I know who my parents are." Chloe smiled wistfully at her parents. "Of course, this isn't to say that my relationship with Nancy is perfect now, or even great. But I'm willing to give it a chance."
"So, do they know of their new status?" Brady asked while he absentmindedly rubbed her back.
"I surprised them with it this morning. It was my Christmas gift to them. Nancy bawled like a baby and even Craig got a little misty-eyed."
"Wow, you did pretty good in the gift giving department, didn't you? First my gift, and then your parents'."
"I know. And the best part was it didn't cost me anything!" Chloe teased.
"Come here, you little cheap skate." Brady wrapped his arms around her and kissed her lightly again and again and again. His kisses were sweet and light, free from the desire that racked his body when he was near her. He understood that Chloe's recent experiences had made her like a skittish foal; she needed to feel safe and secure with him.
"Okay, ye two. Break it up." A thick Irish accent could be heard. They looked up to see the elder Shawn Brady standing beside them, a roguish grin on his face. "Dinner's about t'be served, so sit yeselves down now at the table." He grinned at the young lovers and left.
Brady and Chloe chose seats next to each other. Brady sat on her left, and her parents were on her right. The seat on the other side of Brady was vacant. Brady sat down gingerly, wincing at his sore butt.
"How's your bottom?" Chloe asked, stifling her chuckle.
"Ouch." He answered. He saw Sami coming up to his end of the table. "Speaking of a giant pain in the ass." He muttered under his breath.
Sami stopped when she saw Brady and exhaled loudly. Brady remembered what he had learned last night and swallowed his scathing remark. "Merry Christmas, Sami. Would you care to sit by me?" He asked as nicely as he could stomach.
Sami was puzzled by his greeting. {He must be playing a game with me.} She was about to coldly rip into him, when she noticed Chloe on the other side of him. The news of Chloe's ordeal had actually managed to seep into her self-absorbed-Sami is the center of the Universe-mindset, and she was surprised to find that she was actually concerned about Chloe. So, in light of all that Brady and Chloe had been through, and the fact that it was Christmas, she decided to be …nice, for once.
She sighed in resignation. "Merry Christmas, Brady. Chloe. Will, would you like to sit next to your big uncle Brady?" She smiled down at the beautiful little boy who standing beside her.
"Okay." Sami got Will settled into his seat.
Brady smiled at the young boy who was playing with a yellow dump truck. "Oh wow! What a cool truck! Did you get that for Christmas?" Brady asked him excitedly.
Will nodded solemnly. "Santa brought it to me last night."
Sami looked at Chloe thoughtfully. Chloe simply stared at her plate, feeling a little out of place in the large family gathering. Sami smiled at Will. "Why don't you take uncle Brady outside and show him the cool trick you learned this morning?"
"Okay." Will took Brady's hand and led him outside.
Sami scooted over beside Chloe. "It will get better, you know."
Chloe looked up in surprise at Sami. She then looked back at her plate. "How do YOU know?" Chloe was so tired of everyone telling her that it would be okay when they didn't, couldn't even understand what she was feeling, or going through.
"I know because I've been where you are. Granted, our stories are greatly different, but I do know what it's like to be violated by someone you've put your trust in. I know what it's like to not feel safe in your own body. I also know that you are tough. You are one of the toughest people I know beside myself. You will get through it, because I got through it." Sami said simply.
"How did you deal with it?" Chloe asked softly.
Sami chuckled wryly. "Well, I didn't handle it all that well." Chloe looked at her and Sami shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "I went after him with a gun."
Chloe's eyes grew wide with astonishment. "Did you kill him?"
"Nah. Then again, I wasn't exactly aiming to kill."
Chloe looked at Sami for explanation.
Sami simply grinned wickedly. "Let's just say he's not the man he used to be."
Chloe covered her mouth to stop the laughter from spilling out. She chuckled softly. "Oh my. That's good. I wish I had done that."
Sami grew serious. "Listen, you should really talk to someone about this. Mom really is a great person to talk to." She hesitated. Good deeds weren't easy for her. "You can also talk to me, whenever you need to, okay?"
"Thanks, Sami." Chloe was absolutely flustered by Sami's kindness.
At that moment the boys came back to the table. Sami got up to go to her seat. She leaned over and whispered in Chloe's ear. "Think about what I said." She gave Chloe her phone number and went back to her seat.
Brady looked at Sami, clearly puzzled. He leaned down and brushed Chloe's cheeks with his lips. "What was that about?"
"Oh, we were just talking about, things." Chloe smiled warmly at Brady.
Conversation around the large banquet table hushed when the food was brought out from the kitchen. Everyone agreed that the ladies, being Caroline, Hope, Julie, Alice, and Maggie (Marlena was banned from the kitchen.) had really outdone themselves. I could describe all the wonderful food, but then you'd be all hungry, so what's the point.
Shawn Brady (the elder) stood to say the blessing. Everyone around the table joined hands and closed their eyes. Brady squeezed Chloe's hand gently.
"Dear Heavenly Father, we thank ye for the miracle of yer precious son, born on this day. We thank ye also for the miracles ye performed this day in bringing our own precious children back to us safely. We thank ye for the wonderful food and all thy blessings. Amen." And the table chorused, "Amen."
Chloe was moved to tears by the simple prayer. She had never been prayed for before, never had anyone care enough to bother. And now she looked down on the large table full of friends and family who genuinely loved and cared about her and found herself struck by an emotion she'd never felt before. She stood slowly and tried to express the potent feelings of gratitude and joy.
"Thank you all so much. For everything. I can not tell you what this means to me." Chloe stumbled past the sudden lump in her throat as tears spilled from her eyes. She wanted so much to tell them how she felt, how they made her feel. "I've never had this before. Had people care. You don't know how special this is, this family." Chloe cried unable to express herself clearly.
Caroline spoke up quickly. "Oh honey, don't start with that. Pretty soon we'll all be crying. Of course we care, and don't you worry about trying to thank us. You're family." Nancy and Colin both looked up quickly at this remark and glanced at each other, unnoticed by the others at the table. Caroline continued with a small smile. "Now wipe your eyes sweetie, before we all start bawling and we can't eat because we're too busy crying."
Everyone chuckled and Chloe smiled gratefully at the people at the table. Brady kissed her gently on the lips. Chloe was silent as they ate, basking in the laughter and joy flowing through the room. She smiled to herself. {This is my family.}
Brady smiled at her. "You okay?"
Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes. "Yeah. I'm okay."
After the dinner and everyone sat around the table, too stuffed to even think about moving; Chloe tried one more time to thank everyone for the dinner.
Shawn Sr. spoke up. "Well, if ye are so intent on thanking us, then perhaps ye'd grace us with a song? If ye feel up to it, of course."
Chloe agreed and racked her brain for a suitable song. Inspiration hit her when she glanced at her ring. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth. Despite the severe limitations imposed by her injuries, her voice rang through the air, with a lilting, Irish accent. Shawn closed his eyes in joyous rapture as he recognized the old Irish ballad.
I dreamt I dwelt in marble halls
with vassals and serfs at my side.
And of all who assembled within those walls
that I was the hope and the pride.
I had riches all too great to count
and a high ancestral name.
But I also dreamt which pleased me most
that you loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
I dreamt that suitors sought my hand
that knights upon bended knees.
And with vows no maiden's heart could withstand
they pledged their faith to me.
And I dreamt that one of that noble host
came forth my hand to claim.
But I also dreamt which charmed me most
that you loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
That you loved me, loved me still the same.
Throughout the song, Brady was rocked by a sensation, a feeling of another time and place, with half-remembered visions and emotions. He could almost see her face, this woman he had loved. And she sang to him and the sound had been like angels descending from high. Brady tried to decipher the vague images and emotions, but it was useless. It felt like a dream, that he had had long ago. Brady shook his head to clear his mind. The song had ended and the room was quiet. Peace and bliss were tangibly felt in the room, and all eyes were closed in contentment.
Chloe quietly took her seat. She couldn't describe what the song had made her feel; she only knew that it seemed very familiar to her, like she had lived the song, it had been written for her. She took hold of Brady's hand, loving the way her small hand fit inside his large, strong hand.
Will broke the silence. He turned to Chloe and exclaimed innocently, "You were glowing like the angel on my Christmas tree!" Everyone chuckled at his remark, except for Colin, who furrowed his brow in thought.
A short while later, Chloe was preparing to leave with her parents. She and Brady stood outside, saying their goodbyes. Brady held both her hands in his. He looked at her seriously, deeply wandering through her blue eyes.
"I almost lost you. I've been trying not to think about it, but it keeps coming back. I almost lost you. I don't know what I would have done, if…." He paused and kissed her hands. "Chloe, I don't remember my life before you and I can't imagine my life without you."
Chloe smiled at him warmly. "Here's hoping you never have to." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him deeply. She smiled in her soul.
They were One.
End of Truth Out Of Darkness
Teaser!
Meanwhile, on Christmas Day, in another part of the world…
"Are you sure, sir?" the heavily accented European voice asked over the phone.
"Yes. There is no mistaking that kind of sheer power. It woke me from a sound sleep. It was her. It has to be." He paused in thought, planning his next move.
"She will be eighteen soon, sir." Replied the other voice.
Stefano Dimera sat, digesting this new bit of information. "Rolf, prepare my things. I am leaving for Salem tonight."
As he hung up the phone, he glanced once more at the picture in his hand. He looked at the blue-eyed brunette staring back from the frame and smiled.
Coming Soon: Banshee Song