Chapter Twenty-Seven
(Three weeks later.)
Chloe sat in front of the computer in her room, waiting for her mailbox to load. She yawned loudly, not understanding how she could sleep so much and still be tired. Chloe had spent the past four weeks trying to rid herself of her flu symptoms, but a few still lingered on, and last night was a very rough night. She had been up and down, throwing up all night, as she had done on many nights over the past month.
Her mailbox popped up, giving her the message box she hated seeing. "You have 0 new messages." Chloe sighed heavily and closed it. She usually had at least one e-mail from Brady by this time in the afternoon, but not today. Chloe shrugged it off, figuring he was busy on one of his morning jogs, trying to keep in shape now that he could take long walks without the use of his cane.
Chloe turned her computer off and headed downstairs, hoping that there were still dinner leftovers in the fridge. She hit the bottom step with a thud, just as the phone in the entryway rang loudly. Chloe was the only one home so she grabbed it without hesitation.
"Hello, Wesley Residence..."
A vaguely familiar woman's voice greeted her from the other side. "Chloe? Is this Chloe?"
Chloe wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Uhm, yes it is. Who is this?"
"This is Kate Roberts, Phillip's mother."
Chloe couldn't speak, stunned and confused as to why Phillip's mother would be calling her. She finally stammered out an uneasy reply. "I... I... What can I do for you, Ms. Roberts?"
"Please, call me Kate. You see, Chloe, I'm calling to ask you for a favor."
"Alright... Kate... What kind of favor would that would be?"
She could hear Kate's hesitation through the phone, and Chloe nervously twisted the phone cord between her fingers as she waited.
"It's... It's Phillip. He's doing so much better, and he's really trying to make amends for what he did. He wants to apologize for all the pain he's caused you, all of it. He's been asking to see you, Chloe."
Chloe gasped and her hands were trembling. She nearly dropped the phone from her hand, but somehow kept a grip on it. "I... I don't think that's a very good idea. I really don't."
"Chloe, I know this is not easy for you. And, if you can't do it, I understand. Believe me, I do. I don't approve of anything that my son has done to you, or Brady Black or anyone. But, he's a young man with an illness, and he's getting help for it. No matter what, he is my son and I love him, and it's my duty as his mother to try and help him."
"I understand what you're saying, Kate. I do. But, you need to understand me. I don't care about Phillip anymore. I don't care if I can help him, I really don't."
"But you used to, and he cared about you."
Chloe rolled her eyes and sighed. "But, it was a lie. It was all based on a lie. He never really cared about me, he only ever cared about himself. I just can't help you, I'm sorry."
Kate sighed softly over the phone. "I understand. But, if you change your mind, you know where to find him."
"Okay, good bye." Chloe hung up the phone and ran a hand through her hair. She was stunned, completely stunned. She had just spent two months in therapy getting over all of the damage that Phillip had done. The last thing she wanted was to see his face, and hear him beg for her forgiveness.
Chloe sighed softly and grabbed her purse off the table. She checked her watch and decided to leave the house earlier than she had planned. Kate's phone call spurred into her action, sending her to a place she could get help.
***
Chloe sat in the waiting area of Marlena's office impatiently tapping her foot on the floor. She was nearly an hour early for her appointment, but was hoping that Marlena could squeeze her in early. She got her wish when Marlena came in, back early from a lunchtime appointment. Marlena looked at Chloe in surprise, and Chloe stood to greet her.
"Hi.. I know I'm early, but I really need to talk to you. It's really important... if you have the time."
Marlena nodded in understanding and put an arm around her. "Of course I do. Come on in."
Chloe followed Marlena into her office and began pacing the floor. Marlena took her usual seat behind the desk and looked at her with concern. "What's going on, Chloe?"
She sighed loudly and turned to face Marlena, refusing to sit down. "I got a phone call before I left the house. From Phillip's mother. He wants to see me, he wants to apologize and make amends for what he did."
"And what did you say to her?"
"I... I told her no. Absolutely not. I can't face him. Not now. I've come so far in my therapy, and I'm just afraid that seeing him will set me back to the way it was two months ago."
Marlena confidently interjected with a statement. "Or it could help you."
Chloe raised both of her eyebrows in confusion. "What? How can visiting Phillip in jail possibly be a help to me?"
"Sometimes the best way to rid yourself of your demons is to confront them face to face. If you go, don't go for Phillip's benefit. Go for your own. You may not be willing to accept his apologies, but you need to let him know that he didn't win. Let him know that he did will not destroy you. Claim your victory over him. It might feel... empowering."
Chloe frowned slightly and shrugged. "I just... I see his face in my mind... And, it hurts so much still. I really am over the guilt and all of that, but that doesn't mean I want to look at him or listen to him talk. He sickens me. The thought of even being in the same room as him makes my skin crawl."
Marlena smiled at her reassuringly. "I understand that, and it's a perfectly acceptable way to feel. But, you are going to have to be in the same room with him soon. The trial is in almost a month, and you'll have to look at him when you take that stand to testify. Maybe seeing him before that will give you the strength you need for the trial."
Chloe looked towards her feet and sighed. She didn't know what to do, she wanted to trust Marlena's advice as she had never steered her wrong before. But, she was afraid. Afraid that even one minute with him would bring everything she had worked hard to erase flooding back to her.
She looked back at Marlena and shrugged, her knees starting to feel weak for some reason. "Marlena, I don't know..."
Chloe paused and realized that the room around her was beginning to spin. She blinked her eyes rapidly and tried to stabilize herself by placing a hand on the back of the chair. She tried to focus her eyes on Marlena, but everything went blurry on her.
She could hear Marlena speaking, but her voice sounded muffled. "Chloe... Are you okay?"
Chloe tried to respond but couldn't get the words out. Everything went black and she felt herself falling backwards. And then she felt nothing.
***
Chloe awoke in a setting that was unfamiliar to her. And, she was alone. She tried to sit up, but still felt dizzy from whatever had happened earlier. There was a Band-Aid on her arm, most likely from having blood drawn. She rolled over on to her side and peered through the space in the hospital curtain. She saw Craig chatting quietly with another doctor that she vaguely remembered as Colin Murphy.
She coughed slightly, trying to clear her throat to speak. "Craig... Craig..."
Craig turned at the sound of her voice and came through the curtain to greet her. "Chloe... you're awake."
"What... What happened?"
"You were in Marlena's office and you passed out."
Chloe nodded, the memory coming back to her. "I remember, I was upset about Phillip... What happened?"
Craig pulled up a chair and held on to her hand. "You have been sick for a while now, and because of that you're much weaker than normal. You've had what we thought was the stomach flu, so you're a little undernourished from all the nausea. So, that combined with how upset you were earlier, made you faint."
Chloe sat up this time, hearing something in Craig's words that made her curious. "Wait a second... You said, 'what we thought was the stomach flu'. If I don't have the flu, what do I have? What's wrong with me?"
Craig squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled at her. "Nothing's wrong with you. You're very healthy. You just need to start taking care of yourself better. Eating right, getting more rest. Especially now."
"Now what? Please, Craig... Tell me whatever it is you're trying to get at. Just be honest with me, I can handle it."
"Chloe... You're... You're pregnant."
She felt like a strong breeze had hit her, sending her backwards into the bed. Her eyes were wide with shock and she shook her head in denial. "But... That can't be. We used protection, I promise we did. It was only that one night... and we took precautions. How is that possible?"
Craig sighed softly and rubbed her arm. "Nothing is foolproof. Condoms are only about 99% effective."
"So, somehow we got the one percent ineffective batch of condoms. That figures. But, I... I had my period last month. How did I still have a period?"
"Sometimes that happens. It's a very normal circumstance of pregnancy. Some women bleed lightly around the time of their normal menstrual cycle. That's why you didn't think about this being a possibility weeks ago."
Chloe nodded and put her hand on her forehead, turning her face away from Craig. "Oh God, Craig... I am so sorry. You and Nancy must think the worst of me now. I'm sorry."
Craig pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair gently. "No, Chloe... We don't. Nancy and I love you. If you say you used protection, I believe you. You and Brady are responsible people, and I'm sure that you protected yourselves. But, these things just happen sometimes, whether you want them to or not."
Chloe felt hot tears spilling down her face and she held on to Craig tightly. "I just... I can't believe it."
"I know, sweetheart, but everything is going to be okay. After I calmed your mother down, we talked while we were waiting for you to wake up. We are going to be here for you every step of the way, and we support you no matter what you do. You're eighteen now, and your mother and I trust you to do what's right."
Chloe lifted her head and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. She smiled weakly at Craig and nodded. "Thank you. I... I have to go to California. I need to make Brady come home."
Craig nodded in understanding and smiled at her. "Alright. Why don't you get yourself ready to go, and we'll take you home. You can get some rest, and I'll call my travel agent. I'll get you to California as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Craig. Really... I just need some time to process all of this. I can't really believe it's real. I just know that I have to talk to Brady, and I have to bring him home. Are you sure Nancy's not mad?"
"I'm sure. I talked to her, and Marlena has been in the waiting room with her this whole time, keeping her pretty calm. Nancy wasn't much older than you when she got pregnant. And, she was even younger than that when her and I..."
Chloe shook her head and waved a hand to stop him, wrinkling her nose up in disgust. "Craig... I REALLY don't need the details. I get what you're saying. You two were still in high school when you... Yeah, I know."
"I know. No child likes to hear about their parents' sex life." Craig paused thoughtfully and then continued. "But, you're not a child anymore. You're a mature, responsible young woman. And, your mother and I know that you can handle anything that happens to you."
"I hope you're right."
Craig smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "I know I am. Now get yourself ready to go so we can take you home."
Chloe nodded and watched him walk through the white curtain. She sighed softly and laid her hand on her stomach, now aware that a life was growing inside. Her first instinct was to be scared of being a mother, but that feeling passed after only an instant. She was proud that their love was strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way and create something so amazing. They had one perfect moment together and it had created a living, breathing symbol of their love.
***
(Later - At Home)
Chloe followed her parents into their house and laid her purse on the table with a sigh. Nancy turned to her daughter and smiled uneasily.
"Chloe, baby... Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap? You look tired."
Chloe nodded slightly. "I am tired. It's been a weird day, to say the least."
Craig put an arm around her shoulder and smiled at her. "You need to get a lot of rest now, Chloe. And, when you wake up, I'll have a plane ticket reserved for you to go see Brady."
"Thank you, Craig. That means a lot to me." Chloe sighed and bit her bottom lip, turning towards her mother. "Nancy... Are you sure you're okay about this? Because, no matter what happens with Brady, I want this child. I want to raise it. I HAVE to."
Nancy nodded and came forward to hug her tightly. "Oh, Chloe. Of course I'm okay. I've been almost exactly where you are, and I know how hard this is. I would never ever ask you to give up your baby. And, I will do everything I can to help you and support you. I won't let you repeat my mistakes."
Chloe smiled through her tears and hugged her back. "Thank you, Nancy. I just... I never planned on this happening. And, it changes everything. My whole life is going to be different now."
"I know, sweetheart. But, it's going to be wonderful as soon as you hold that baby in your arms." Nancy let go of her and brushed a stray piece of hair away from Chloe's face. "And, this doesn't mean you have to give up the rest of your dreams. You can still have everything you ever wanted and more. Craig and I will make sure of that."
Chloe smiled happily and headed towards the stairs. "Thank you both... Knowing that you support me, it means everything to me. More than I can even tell you."
She didn't wait for them to respond, she just quickly jogged up the stairs to her room. Chloe glanced at the computer on her desk and decided to turn it on. She changed into something more comfortable as she waited for the computer to boot up. Chloe took her usual seat in front of the monitor and loaded her mailbox.
"You have 2 new messages."
Chloe grinned and opened the first one, a short note from Brady.
"Hey Diva, sorry this one came so late. I slept in today for some reason. It could have been the song of the bird sitting on my windowsill this morning. It was sweet and beautiful and reminded me of you. I meant to get out of bed, but it kept me soothed and relaxed. Just like you do.
I know we don't talk about it often, but I am proud of you. I know that you're doing well, and it makes me happy. Your happiness is what I live for, and I'm thrilled that things are finally starting to look clearer for both of us. I'll be back home for the trial, so it's only a month until I can see you again. I'm yearning for the day when I can hold you in my arms, and kiss your lips again.
All of my love,
Brady"
Chloe sighed softly. She wanted so badly to tell him that it was going to be sooner than a month when he saw her next, but couldn't do it. She typed a quick reply, echoing her usual loving words and sentiment, but without letting on to the big news she had learned today. Chloe wanted to tell him face to face, to see his expression when he learned of the baby they made together.
She opened the second e-mail, which was even shorter than the first, but came from the same location.
"Diva,
Have I mentioned how much I love you? Just in case I haven't -- I love you.
Always,
Brady"
Chloe closed her mailbox and went to lie down on her bed. She wrapped her arms around herself with a slight smile on her face. In a very short time, she would be able to hear those words from his lips again. It had been over seven long weeks since she had last heard his voice, and she missed it desperately.
***
(Three weeks later.)
Chloe sat in front of the computer in her room, waiting for her mailbox to load. She yawned loudly, not understanding how she could sleep so much and still be tired. Chloe had spent the past four weeks trying to rid herself of her flu symptoms, but a few still lingered on, and last night was a very rough night. She had been up and down, throwing up all night, as she had done on many nights over the past month.
Her mailbox popped up, giving her the message box she hated seeing. "You have 0 new messages." Chloe sighed heavily and closed it. She usually had at least one e-mail from Brady by this time in the afternoon, but not today. Chloe shrugged it off, figuring he was busy on one of his morning jogs, trying to keep in shape now that he could take long walks without the use of his cane.
Chloe turned her computer off and headed downstairs, hoping that there were still dinner leftovers in the fridge. She hit the bottom step with a thud, just as the phone in the entryway rang loudly. Chloe was the only one home so she grabbed it without hesitation.
"Hello, Wesley Residence..."
A vaguely familiar woman's voice greeted her from the other side. "Chloe? Is this Chloe?"
Chloe wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Uhm, yes it is. Who is this?"
"This is Kate Roberts, Phillip's mother."
Chloe couldn't speak, stunned and confused as to why Phillip's mother would be calling her. She finally stammered out an uneasy reply. "I... I... What can I do for you, Ms. Roberts?"
"Please, call me Kate. You see, Chloe, I'm calling to ask you for a favor."
"Alright... Kate... What kind of favor would that would be?"
She could hear Kate's hesitation through the phone, and Chloe nervously twisted the phone cord between her fingers as she waited.
"It's... It's Phillip. He's doing so much better, and he's really trying to make amends for what he did. He wants to apologize for all the pain he's caused you, all of it. He's been asking to see you, Chloe."
Chloe gasped and her hands were trembling. She nearly dropped the phone from her hand, but somehow kept a grip on it. "I... I don't think that's a very good idea. I really don't."
"Chloe, I know this is not easy for you. And, if you can't do it, I understand. Believe me, I do. I don't approve of anything that my son has done to you, or Brady Black or anyone. But, he's a young man with an illness, and he's getting help for it. No matter what, he is my son and I love him, and it's my duty as his mother to try and help him."
"I understand what you're saying, Kate. I do. But, you need to understand me. I don't care about Phillip anymore. I don't care if I can help him, I really don't."
"But you used to, and he cared about you."
Chloe rolled her eyes and sighed. "But, it was a lie. It was all based on a lie. He never really cared about me, he only ever cared about himself. I just can't help you, I'm sorry."
Kate sighed softly over the phone. "I understand. But, if you change your mind, you know where to find him."
"Okay, good bye." Chloe hung up the phone and ran a hand through her hair. She was stunned, completely stunned. She had just spent two months in therapy getting over all of the damage that Phillip had done. The last thing she wanted was to see his face, and hear him beg for her forgiveness.
Chloe sighed softly and grabbed her purse off the table. She checked her watch and decided to leave the house earlier than she had planned. Kate's phone call spurred into her action, sending her to a place she could get help.
***
Chloe sat in the waiting area of Marlena's office impatiently tapping her foot on the floor. She was nearly an hour early for her appointment, but was hoping that Marlena could squeeze her in early. She got her wish when Marlena came in, back early from a lunchtime appointment. Marlena looked at Chloe in surprise, and Chloe stood to greet her.
"Hi.. I know I'm early, but I really need to talk to you. It's really important... if you have the time."
Marlena nodded in understanding and put an arm around her. "Of course I do. Come on in."
Chloe followed Marlena into her office and began pacing the floor. Marlena took her usual seat behind the desk and looked at her with concern. "What's going on, Chloe?"
She sighed loudly and turned to face Marlena, refusing to sit down. "I got a phone call before I left the house. From Phillip's mother. He wants to see me, he wants to apologize and make amends for what he did."
"And what did you say to her?"
"I... I told her no. Absolutely not. I can't face him. Not now. I've come so far in my therapy, and I'm just afraid that seeing him will set me back to the way it was two months ago."
Marlena confidently interjected with a statement. "Or it could help you."
Chloe raised both of her eyebrows in confusion. "What? How can visiting Phillip in jail possibly be a help to me?"
"Sometimes the best way to rid yourself of your demons is to confront them face to face. If you go, don't go for Phillip's benefit. Go for your own. You may not be willing to accept his apologies, but you need to let him know that he didn't win. Let him know that he did will not destroy you. Claim your victory over him. It might feel... empowering."
Chloe frowned slightly and shrugged. "I just... I see his face in my mind... And, it hurts so much still. I really am over the guilt and all of that, but that doesn't mean I want to look at him or listen to him talk. He sickens me. The thought of even being in the same room as him makes my skin crawl."
Marlena smiled at her reassuringly. "I understand that, and it's a perfectly acceptable way to feel. But, you are going to have to be in the same room with him soon. The trial is in almost a month, and you'll have to look at him when you take that stand to testify. Maybe seeing him before that will give you the strength you need for the trial."
Chloe looked towards her feet and sighed. She didn't know what to do, she wanted to trust Marlena's advice as she had never steered her wrong before. But, she was afraid. Afraid that even one minute with him would bring everything she had worked hard to erase flooding back to her.
She looked back at Marlena and shrugged, her knees starting to feel weak for some reason. "Marlena, I don't know..."
Chloe paused and realized that the room around her was beginning to spin. She blinked her eyes rapidly and tried to stabilize herself by placing a hand on the back of the chair. She tried to focus her eyes on Marlena, but everything went blurry on her.
She could hear Marlena speaking, but her voice sounded muffled. "Chloe... Are you okay?"
Chloe tried to respond but couldn't get the words out. Everything went black and she felt herself falling backwards. And then she felt nothing.
***
Chloe awoke in a setting that was unfamiliar to her. And, she was alone. She tried to sit up, but still felt dizzy from whatever had happened earlier. There was a Band-Aid on her arm, most likely from having blood drawn. She rolled over on to her side and peered through the space in the hospital curtain. She saw Craig chatting quietly with another doctor that she vaguely remembered as Colin Murphy.
She coughed slightly, trying to clear her throat to speak. "Craig... Craig..."
Craig turned at the sound of her voice and came through the curtain to greet her. "Chloe... you're awake."
"What... What happened?"
"You were in Marlena's office and you passed out."
Chloe nodded, the memory coming back to her. "I remember, I was upset about Phillip... What happened?"
Craig pulled up a chair and held on to her hand. "You have been sick for a while now, and because of that you're much weaker than normal. You've had what we thought was the stomach flu, so you're a little undernourished from all the nausea. So, that combined with how upset you were earlier, made you faint."
Chloe sat up this time, hearing something in Craig's words that made her curious. "Wait a second... You said, 'what we thought was the stomach flu'. If I don't have the flu, what do I have? What's wrong with me?"
Craig squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled at her. "Nothing's wrong with you. You're very healthy. You just need to start taking care of yourself better. Eating right, getting more rest. Especially now."
"Now what? Please, Craig... Tell me whatever it is you're trying to get at. Just be honest with me, I can handle it."
"Chloe... You're... You're pregnant."
She felt like a strong breeze had hit her, sending her backwards into the bed. Her eyes were wide with shock and she shook her head in denial. "But... That can't be. We used protection, I promise we did. It was only that one night... and we took precautions. How is that possible?"
Craig sighed softly and rubbed her arm. "Nothing is foolproof. Condoms are only about 99% effective."
"So, somehow we got the one percent ineffective batch of condoms. That figures. But, I... I had my period last month. How did I still have a period?"
"Sometimes that happens. It's a very normal circumstance of pregnancy. Some women bleed lightly around the time of their normal menstrual cycle. That's why you didn't think about this being a possibility weeks ago."
Chloe nodded and put her hand on her forehead, turning her face away from Craig. "Oh God, Craig... I am so sorry. You and Nancy must think the worst of me now. I'm sorry."
Craig pulled her into his arms and stroked her hair gently. "No, Chloe... We don't. Nancy and I love you. If you say you used protection, I believe you. You and Brady are responsible people, and I'm sure that you protected yourselves. But, these things just happen sometimes, whether you want them to or not."
Chloe felt hot tears spilling down her face and she held on to Craig tightly. "I just... I can't believe it."
"I know, sweetheart, but everything is going to be okay. After I calmed your mother down, we talked while we were waiting for you to wake up. We are going to be here for you every step of the way, and we support you no matter what you do. You're eighteen now, and your mother and I trust you to do what's right."
Chloe lifted her head and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. She smiled weakly at Craig and nodded. "Thank you. I... I have to go to California. I need to make Brady come home."
Craig nodded in understanding and smiled at her. "Alright. Why don't you get yourself ready to go, and we'll take you home. You can get some rest, and I'll call my travel agent. I'll get you to California as soon as I can."
"Thank you, Craig. Really... I just need some time to process all of this. I can't really believe it's real. I just know that I have to talk to Brady, and I have to bring him home. Are you sure Nancy's not mad?"
"I'm sure. I talked to her, and Marlena has been in the waiting room with her this whole time, keeping her pretty calm. Nancy wasn't much older than you when she got pregnant. And, she was even younger than that when her and I..."
Chloe shook her head and waved a hand to stop him, wrinkling her nose up in disgust. "Craig... I REALLY don't need the details. I get what you're saying. You two were still in high school when you... Yeah, I know."
"I know. No child likes to hear about their parents' sex life." Craig paused thoughtfully and then continued. "But, you're not a child anymore. You're a mature, responsible young woman. And, your mother and I know that you can handle anything that happens to you."
"I hope you're right."
Craig smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "I know I am. Now get yourself ready to go so we can take you home."
Chloe nodded and watched him walk through the white curtain. She sighed softly and laid her hand on her stomach, now aware that a life was growing inside. Her first instinct was to be scared of being a mother, but that feeling passed after only an instant. She was proud that their love was strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way and create something so amazing. They had one perfect moment together and it had created a living, breathing symbol of their love.
***
(Later - At Home)
Chloe followed her parents into their house and laid her purse on the table with a sigh. Nancy turned to her daughter and smiled uneasily.
"Chloe, baby... Why don't you go upstairs and take a nap? You look tired."
Chloe nodded slightly. "I am tired. It's been a weird day, to say the least."
Craig put an arm around her shoulder and smiled at her. "You need to get a lot of rest now, Chloe. And, when you wake up, I'll have a plane ticket reserved for you to go see Brady."
"Thank you, Craig. That means a lot to me." Chloe sighed and bit her bottom lip, turning towards her mother. "Nancy... Are you sure you're okay about this? Because, no matter what happens with Brady, I want this child. I want to raise it. I HAVE to."
Nancy nodded and came forward to hug her tightly. "Oh, Chloe. Of course I'm okay. I've been almost exactly where you are, and I know how hard this is. I would never ever ask you to give up your baby. And, I will do everything I can to help you and support you. I won't let you repeat my mistakes."
Chloe smiled through her tears and hugged her back. "Thank you, Nancy. I just... I never planned on this happening. And, it changes everything. My whole life is going to be different now."
"I know, sweetheart. But, it's going to be wonderful as soon as you hold that baby in your arms." Nancy let go of her and brushed a stray piece of hair away from Chloe's face. "And, this doesn't mean you have to give up the rest of your dreams. You can still have everything you ever wanted and more. Craig and I will make sure of that."
Chloe smiled happily and headed towards the stairs. "Thank you both... Knowing that you support me, it means everything to me. More than I can even tell you."
She didn't wait for them to respond, she just quickly jogged up the stairs to her room. Chloe glanced at the computer on her desk and decided to turn it on. She changed into something more comfortable as she waited for the computer to boot up. Chloe took her usual seat in front of the monitor and loaded her mailbox.
"You have 2 new messages."
Chloe grinned and opened the first one, a short note from Brady.
"Hey Diva, sorry this one came so late. I slept in today for some reason. It could have been the song of the bird sitting on my windowsill this morning. It was sweet and beautiful and reminded me of you. I meant to get out of bed, but it kept me soothed and relaxed. Just like you do.
I know we don't talk about it often, but I am proud of you. I know that you're doing well, and it makes me happy. Your happiness is what I live for, and I'm thrilled that things are finally starting to look clearer for both of us. I'll be back home for the trial, so it's only a month until I can see you again. I'm yearning for the day when I can hold you in my arms, and kiss your lips again.
All of my love,
Brady"
Chloe sighed softly. She wanted so badly to tell him that it was going to be sooner than a month when he saw her next, but couldn't do it. She typed a quick reply, echoing her usual loving words and sentiment, but without letting on to the big news she had learned today. Chloe wanted to tell him face to face, to see his expression when he learned of the baby they made together.
She opened the second e-mail, which was even shorter than the first, but came from the same location.
"Diva,
Have I mentioned how much I love you? Just in case I haven't -- I love you.
Always,
Brady"
Chloe closed her mailbox and went to lie down on her bed. She wrapped her arms around herself with a slight smile on her face. In a very short time, she would be able to hear those words from his lips again. It had been over seven long weeks since she had last heard his voice, and she missed it desperately.
***
