Chapter Twenty-Nine

(Early Evening - The Coast of California)

Chloe quickly paid her cab driver and grabbed her suitcase out of the trunk. She watched the cab leave and then turned to look up at the small beach house that John Black had rented for his son. It was more of a cottage than a house, probably with only one bedroom she guessed. It was well kept, and she could tell already that the view of the ocean was magnificent. Better than that, it was secluded, on a large piece of land with a private beach and no nearby neighbors.

She dragged her suitcase up the walk and nervously rang the bell. Chloe set her suitcase down and waited patiently, but he didn't answer. She tried to peek through the front window but the house looked empty to her.

"I came all this way, and he's not even home... That figures."

Chloe left her suitcase on the front porch and walked down his driveway to where it ended in a garage building separate from the house. She looked at the house and saw the deck in the back, the one with Brady's oft mentioned view of the ocean.

She climbed the steps to the deck and that's when she saw him. He was stretched out on a light blue futon in the corner, sleeping peacefully. Lying on his side, wearing jeans and a white tank top, he looked much like the same Brady he had been before his hospitalization. No more bruises, and scrapes, no more casts or braces. He looked exactly the way she pictured him every moment of every day they were apart, and her heart beat faster just at the sight of him.

She crept across the deck and kneeled beside his sleeping form, trying not to wake him just yet. Chloe smiled and looked at him lovingly, wondering what he was dreaming about, not wanting to disturb his slumber. She brushed a stray piece of hair off his forehead and gently ran her hand through his soft blonde hair, almost laughing at the memory of Brady being worried about it growing back properly.

Chloe let her hand gently rest on his cheek and leaned forward, pressing her lips softly to his. She was nearly in tears, wondering how she had survived the past seven weeks without him.

Brady's bright blue eyes fluttered open and he looked up at her sleepily. She moved her lips away and smiled at him. Brady reached up and ran a hand through her hair, staring at her as if she wasn't real.

"Chloe? I'm dreaming... Right?"

Chloe grinned at him and playfully pinched his bare arm. "Does this feel like a dream?"

Brady shook his head and winced in pain. "Ouch... Definitely not. What... What are you doing here?"

"Well... I was in the neighborhood, running a few errands, and I happened to pass by here, completely out of coincidence. So, I was like, 'Whoa! Isn't that were Brady Black lives?', And I figured I couldn't just pass through town without saying hello."

"Very funny. Now, why are you REALLY here?"

Chloe frowned at him. "Geez. Could you at least PRETEND to be happy to see me before you give me the third degree?"

Brady sat up and sighed, and Chloe sat on the futon beside him. "I'm sorry. I am happy to see you. I'm just shocked, stunned, flabbergasted."

"Yes, yes, and my presence here will be explained in due time. But until then..." Chloe's words trailed off and she wrapped her arms around Brady, kissing him full on the lips. Seven weeks was a lot of time to make up for, and Chloe propelled all seven weeks of missed opportunities into this one passionate kiss. They had been apart for too long, and Chloe clung to him tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would be gone again.

She broke away for air but kept herself close to him. "Oh God, Brady... I've missed you so much."

Brady smiled and gently brushed her cheek. "I've missed you too, Diva. More than I can even tell you. I just can't believe you're here."

"Believe it. And, I'm not leaving here without you. That's why I'm here. I'm here to bring you home."

"Chloe... I... Do you think it's time?"

Chloe nodded confidently. "I KNOW it's time. I have so much I need to tell you, and I know that when I explain everything, you'll be ready to come home."

Brady sighed softly and clasped her hands in his. "Alright, let me fix some us something to eat and you can tell me everything over dinner. Okay?"

"You know, Brady Black, you're a pretty good cook for a guy."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's one of my many skills."

Brady stood and pulled Chloe up with him. He kissed her quickly and then motioned towards his view of the ocean. "Why don't you stay out here, enjoy the view for awhile, and I should have a little something whipped up in a few minutes..."

Chloe nodded and smiled at him. "Sounds like a plan."

She watched him walk away into the house, and then walked to the end of the deck. Chloe stared out into the ocean, understanding why so many people liked to buy beachfront property. Just the rhythm of the waves gently crashing against the shore was soothing to the soul, like a piece of music created by nature. If you had asked her, she would have said she had only been out there for a minute when Brady called her in for dinner, but it was most certainly longer than that.

Chloe went inside and joined him for a simple, but delicious, home-cooked meal. In between bites, she began to unravel the tale of her journey of healing to him. Brady listened intently, as she explained everything from her first day in Marlena's office up to this morning's visit to Phillip. She told him about everything, everything but the baby. Her mind was screaming at her to tell him the news, but something else stopped her. She wanted Brady to be persuaded to come home, but not just because of the baby. Chloe wanted him to come home because he wanted to be there, because he wanted to be with her. Brady always had a strong sense of responsibility, and she knew if she told him about her pregnancy, he would come home immediately. But, she held off on the news, praying that her love alone was enough to bring him home.

Brady laid his fork down and reached his and across, gently laying it on top of hers. "Chloe... You amaze me. You really did exactly what you set out to do. And, in a lot less time than I expected."

Chloe grinned at him proudly and leaned forward. "You know what? I don't usually brag, but I'm kind of amazed with myself. I almost didn't think I could do it, but I did."

"Well, I knew you could. I always knew."

"So... What do you think? Don't you think it's time to come home? I'm ready for it, I'm ready to start our life together. And, I know that your recovery has gone smoothly, and you're doing so well. And, I'm feeling better than ever. I think it's time."

Brady didn't reply, he just stood from the table and began picking their dishes up. As he walked into the kitchen, Chloe threw her hands up in frustration. "Or you could just completely avoid me..."

Brady paused and laid the dishes on the counter. "Chloe, I'm sorry. I don't mean to avoid this conversation. And, we will have it, I promise. But, you're here, and I haven't seen you in a long time. I want to enjoy this night without having to make any big decisions. I want us to be able to enjoy ourselves tonight, and worry about everything else tomorrow."

Chloe stood and pushed her chair in. "Okay, okay, I understand. But, promise me that we will talk tomorrow. I have to leave here the day after that and I really want you to come with me."

"We will talk, tomorrow. I promise." Brady smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "You look tired, Diva."

"I'm... I'm just a little jetlagged, that's all. DO you mind if I use your bathtub? I just feel like I need to wind down, I'm all achy."

"Of course not. Make yourself at home, take a nice hot bath and I will do the dishes."

Chloe smiled happily at him and gave him a quick kiss. "You cook and you do dishes. You'll be a great wife someday."

Brady laughed and rolled his eyes. "Well, a guy's gotta have some goals in life."

Chloe watched him gathering up dishes for a moment before heading towards the bedroom. She grabbed her robe out of her suitcase and quickly pulled her hair into a bun to keep it from being soaked. Chloe ran the hot water in the large tub and settled in for a quick soak.

***

(A short while later)

Chloe padded out on to the deck in her bare feet, and found Brady sitting where she had found him earlier. He was on the futon staring out into the vast black ocean in front of him, with only the moonlight and the stars reflecting on to it. Chloe sat next to him and rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

"You were right. It's beautiful here."

Brady nodded and kissed her forehead. "It's even more beautiful now that you're here. How was your bath?"

Chloe snuggled into him and Brady wrapped his arm around her pulling her closer. "Very very good. I feel much better now."

"Can I get you anything? Coffee? Tea? Soda? Milk? Water?"

"Nope, nope, nope, nope and nope. I've got everything I need right here. Brady... I don't know how I lived so many years not knowing what it was like to be in your arms."

"I don't know how you did it either." Chloe laughed and nudged him in the ribs playfully. "Ouch, ouch. I'm sorry. So... What's all the latest Salem gossip?"

Chloe looked up at him in surprise. "As if you care... Come on, Brady, when have you ever cared about something as silly as gossip."

"Never. But, it's strange... I didn't want to hear about it when I was there, but now that I'm thousands of miles away, I'm kind of curious."

"Well, I'm sure your sister has filled you in on everything, and in greater detail than I ever could."

Brady chuckled softly and nodded in agreement. "You're probably right."

Chloe lifted her head from his shoulder and sighed softly. "You know, I still can't believe I'm here with you right now. There were so many times when I was afraid I would never see you again."

"Why would you be afraid of that? You knew I would come back eventually..."

"It's just... My track record is that when people walk away from me, they have a tendency to stay gone and never come back. I love you, but that won't stop you from walking away."

Brady looked in her eyes and gently stroked her cheek. "Chloe, I would never walk away from you. Not forever. I love you too much to ever walk away."

Chloe nodded in understanding. "I know. I know that now. This was just a temporary lapse of faith that I had after you left. Just feelings that were acceptable considering my situation, but not necessarily justified."

"And how do you feel now?"

Chloe paused and thought about the tiny life that was growing inside her proudly. She smiled happily at Brady and continued. "I feel like anything is possible, if you believe in it enough."

"You're right. Anything *is* possible. Every night since I've been here I dreamt you were here with me, and now you are. You know, Chloe, it's strange... you look different to me somehow."

"Different? How is that?"

Brady smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. "It's almost like you're glowing."

Chloe winked at him slyly. "You mean I didn't use to glow?"

"No, it's not that. You've always been beautiful, and possessed a special kind of aura around you. But, this glow is different..."

"It's because I'm happy. Disgustingly, ridiculously happy. The kind of happy that used to make me gag when I saw it on other people. And it's because I love you so much, Brady."

Brady smiled in response. "I love you too."

Chloe lifted her face and met his lips with hers. Brady returned her passion equally, as they explored each other's mouths hungrily. He had his arms wrapped tightly around her pulling her even closer. She realized as they kissed that the top of her robe was falling open, starting to expose her bare breasts as they kissed. She broke off the kiss and out of habit moved to pull her robe shut, but Brady grabbed her hand and grinned at her, stopping her.

"There's no need to be modest around me, Diva."

Chloe laughed in embarrassment and nodded. "I know... It's just, a force of habit."

Brady nodded and returned to kissing her again. He let one hand start on the back of her neck, gently finding it's way down to the satin robe covering her shoulder. His hand moved slowly, but with great purpose, over the light material covering her right breast. He let it linger there just long enough for Chloe's skin to tingle at his warm touch, before moving downward to her stomach. His hand found it's way underneath the robe and moved upwards towards her breast, gently caressing the right one and then the left.

Chloe moaned with pleasure when he ended their kiss. He moved lower, making a line of sweet kisses from her neck down to the middle of her chest. Brady kissed her breasts lovingly, circling her nipples with his tongue as he moved between them. Chloe felt like her insides were on fire and she rested one hand in his soft blonde hair, as he continued to work on her breasts like an artist on his canvas.

Brady paused and pulled on the belt of her robe, snapping Chloe back to reality for a moment. "Brady... Are you sure this is REALLY a private beach?"

"What's the matter, diva? You don't want to put on a show for innocent passersby?"

"Not really on the top of my 'to do' list."

Brady grinned at her and nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. Nobody will be passing by any time soon. I promise."

He didn't let her answer, going back to whatever it was he planned on doing to her. The belt on her robe slipped loose easily, exposing her naked form to him, the growing wetness in between her legs glistening in front of him. Chloe saw him grin at her, and she knew the reason why. She had purposely not put anything on underneath her robe, hoping for this exact outcome.

Chloe let her robe slip off her shoulders and she quickly tossed it aside. Something about being with Brady didn't make her feel self-conscious about her nudity, he only made her feel beautiful and perfect. She tugged playfully at his tank top and grinned at him.

"Come on, Brady. It's no fair. You're still all covered up."

Brady waved a finger at her scoldingly and shook his head. "Oh, no you don't. I'll take it off when I'm good and ready to. But, right now I want to savor every inch of you. I've dreamt about you every night since I left, and I want to enjoy this."

Chloe smiled sweetly and nodded. "Well, then... don't let me stop you from doing what you HAVE to do."

Brady slid off the futon, on to his knees in front of her. He leaned up and planted a deep kiss on her lips, his hands roaming freely over her body, sending shivers through out her body. He moved his lips to her neck, and one hand slowly moved from her stomach down lower. His hand found what it was looking for, and she was already wet and ready for him.

He shifted his position, gently covering her right nipple with his warm lips while he slowly entered her with one finger. Chloe cried out loudly, sinking deep into the throes of pleasure as he moved in and out of her. He added another finger to his ministrations, driving deeper and deeper into her.

Chloe found his shoulder with her hand, gripping on to it tightly, her cries of pleasure echoing around them loudly. He discontinued his attention to her breasts and quickly kissed his way lower, easily finding the tiny nub above where his fingers were still working furiously. He teasingly circled around it with his tongue, and Chloe instinctively thrust her hips towards him, riding his fingers and matching his rhythm perfectly.

Brady still teased her, kissing the inner part of her thigh, and sometimes quickly flicking his tongue out to touch part of her, driving her insane and building her need to be released.

She finally had to beg him for more, entwining her fingers in his hair, and practically screaming at him with excitement. "Brady, oh please... more... Don't tease me. Please, give me more."

Brady decided that she had enough of games for now and dove in lovingly. He placed the tip of his tongue on her clitoris, making her entire body shake with electricity. Brady began hungrily lapping her up, as if he was a dying man in the desert thirsting for water. Chloe drove herself into him, screaming loudly as he continued thrusting with fingers and tongue.

She no longer cared who heard her cries of pleasure. At this point, she wouldn't have been bothered if the whole town showed up and stood there to watch. All she cared about was the way this man that she loved was giving her more pleasure than she could have ever imagined possible.

Brady continued on, harder and faster, and she could feel herself start to reach the edge. Her breathing became heavier and faster, and she gripped the seat beside her, waiting for the crest of her pleasure to arrive.

He suddenly stopped and moved away from her, and she was left there in a daze. Her climax riding close to the edge would now have to wait. Chloe frowned at him in confusion and started to speak, but he stopped her.

"Shhh... Trust me. It's more fun this way."

"For you... maybe. Not for me."

Brady leaned into her and quickly kissed her mouth. "Trust me, Diva."

Chloe nodded slightly and kissed him back, gently running her fingernails down his back, feeling the warm skin underneath his tank top. Chloe wasted no time in removing his tank top and throwing it aside, not caring whether he wanted it gone or not. She scooted forward and quickly undid the button and zipper on his jeans. Chloe felt his erection underneath his boxer shorts and slipped her hand inside to rub it slowly.

Brady closed his eyes and moaned softly. "Chloe..."

Chloe continued stroking him until he shuddered with pleasure and opened his eyes. She grinned at him slightly and invited him back on to the futon with her.

Brady stood and took a moment to fold the back of the futon down so that it was the size of a double bed. While he was still standing, she pulled his jeans and boxers down to the ground, forcing him to step out of them and kick them aside. She circled her hand around his erection, stroking it one more time confidently.

Brady sighed loudly and moved on to the futon next to her. "Chloe..."

"You can dish it out, but you can't take it, can you?"

"But you're not playing fair. I'm supposed to be the tease, not you."

Chloe grinned and moved closer to him, pressing her bare chest against his and quickly kissing his lips. "I'm not teasing... I'm through playing your game, now I want to play mine."

She placed her hands on the back of his neck and went to lie down, pulling him down with her. Brady's face was poised over hers and he smiled lovingly at her. "I love you so much, Chloe."

Chloe smiled back at him and ran her hands over his chest. "I love you too."

She gripped his waist with her hands and pulled him on top of her, kissing him deeply as she did. They were skin to skin, melting into each other, and Chloe felt that familiar aching between her legs again. Brady kissed her neck and she pressed herself upwards into him, her soft breasts gently caressing his perfectly muscled chest.

She felt his hardness on her inner thigh and she drove herself closer to him. Moving until it was pressing on her wet fiery center. He did not go inside her, but he kept rubbing her, sending her into fits of pleasure once again.

"Oh God, Brady... I need you inside me. Please, make love to me."

She spread her legs to him as a warm and welcoming invitation. Brady moved until he was poised at her entrance, and Chloe waited anxiously for him to move inside her. But, he paused, causing her to look up into his eyes.

"Chloe... I don't have any protection."

"It's okay, Brady. It's taken care of. It's okay."

Brady looked at her in confusion. "Are you sure?"

Chloe nodded and pressed her finger to his lips. "Shhhhh... Yes, I am. Trust me."

Brady smiled and quickly kissed her on the lips. He slowly pushed himself inside her, just a little bit at first, and then a little bit more the next time. Chloe arched her back to meet him as he thrust his full length in to her. She moaned loudly and matched each of his thrusts with one of her own. It was even better than she remembered it, and she had never felt more complete than she did with him filling her up inside.

He held on to her tightly, moving inside her at a steady pace. She moved as close as she could to him, moving her hips upward so his pelvis would gently brush her clit every time he thrust towards her. She closed her eyes, blocking out everything but the feel of his skin on hers, and the motion of his body interlocking with her own. She heard no other noise but Brady's moans of pleasure interspersed with her own cries of joy, each one louder than the next as she climbed the hill towards her climax.

She dug her fingernails into his back hard, something he must have enjoyed as he cried her name with pleasure. Every inch of her was on fire, and she imagined he felt the same way. She was teetering on the brink of her orgasm, waiting for the one push that would send her into the stratosphere.

"Brady..." She tried to speak between her moans, but each thrust was like a punctuation mark, followed by a cry of pleasure. "Brady. Please. Harder. Oh my God. Harder. Oh. Brady."

He pulled almost all the way out, paused for just a moment, and then drove into her deep and hard, rocketing her backwards quickly. Chloe felt herself falling over the edge, and her cry of bliss was loud enough to disturb people in the next state over. Jolts of pleasure hit every inch of her body, and her muscles tensed around Brady's pulsing erection, forcing him to groan and shake with pleasure.

She began to ride out the waves of pleasure, as they started to subside, but it was only short lived. Brady kept thrusting into her furiously, striving for his own release. Chloe tried to catch her breath, but couldn't, as she felt herself building towards climax once again.

Brady kissed her lips quickly and kissed her neck as he gradually quickened his movements. Chloe scratched her nails along his back, and thrust into him as hard as she could, bringing herself to the edge again. Brady quickened his pace again and Chloe looked up into his face as she watched him. His eyes were shut tightly, and he didn't look wild or lustful, only peaceful and content as he reached his peak.

He pushed himself into her as far as he could reach and came, filling her with his seed. Chloe felt his hot juices inside her and it drove her over the edge as well, her back arching, pressing her chest into him as her body was filled with pleasure and her heart was filled with love.

She lay back with a loud moan, feeling pleasantly lightheaded from two powerful orgasms in a row. Brady collapsed on top of her and kept moving inside her, riding out the joy of his own orgasm, until it subsided and they could both breathe again. He rested his head on her shoulder from a moment, and Chloe wrapped her arms around him and gently caressed his skin. A cool ocean breeze blew in their direction, cooling the sweat that beaded up on both of them.

They lay there together until Brady could find the energy to prop himself up on his elbows, his face above hers. "Chloe Lane... After two months of physical therapy, and all kinds of pills to ease the pain. I can tell you, that you are the only thing in the world that truly heals me."

Chloe smiled sweetly at him and kissed him briefly. "The feeling is mutual, you know."

Brady nodded and rolled on to his side, bringing Chloe into his arms to rest her head on his bare chest. Chloe didn't say anything else, not the things that she needed to say, those things would have to wait for another moment. For now, she only wanted to enjoy the feel of him close to her, praying for many more nights like this one in their future.

***

(I apologize once again for my totally crappy attempt at NC-17. Please forgive me. I hope you like it anyway.

I rushed and rushed to finish it, because I'm going to be busy with friends tonight and I didn't want to leave you all chapterless and sad without your Broe fix.)

-Hope Grace-