[Quick Note: I made Shawn/Belle in New York at college together, except for holidays and some weekends. But, it's not important cause this story isn't about them. Just thought I'd mention it.]

Chapter Forty-Two

(Two Weeks Later - Baby Countdown: Less than Two Months!)

Chloe slid the door to the loft shut behind her, and threw her purse and car keys on to the kitchen counter. She glanced around, but saw no sign of Brady even though she had seen his black jeep in front of the building. Chloe walked towards the stairs and stood at the bottom step.

"Braaaaaady! Brady! Are you here?"

She heard some sort of clatter up above her followed by Brady's shouted reply. "Yeah, I'm upstairs! Come on up!"

Chloe trudged up the stairs, her pregnant belly swollen in front of her as she waddled into their bedroom. A loud laugh immediately erupted from her throat when she saw what was in front of her. Brady was in the middle of the floor, surrounded by pieces of the baby bed she had picked out last week. He was desperately trying to put it together, and she could tell by the permanent crease set in his forehead that he had been trying for quite a while.

He looked up at her laid down the railing he was holding, frowning with frustration. "Chloe... This isn't a laughing matter."

Chloe tried to stifle her laughter with a hand over her mouth, but it was impossible. She giggled girlishly and moved closer to him. A piece of blonde hair was stuck to his forehead, and she ran her fingers over it, putting it back into place.

"I'm sorry, Brady. It's just... you look so cute when you're frustrated."

"I'm glad you think so. I certainly don't feel cute."

Chloe grinned at him and leaned over to kiss him on the forehead. "Well, you are. Please don't tell me you've been working on this since I left to meet Jenn. Have you?"

Brady shrugged slightly. "Well, not the WHOLE time. I did stop to use the bathroom, get a soda..."

"Oh geez... You know, I'd help you..." Chloe patted her stomach to emphasize her point. "But, if I sit down on the floor, I'll never get up again."

Chloe perched herself on the edge of the bed to observe, and Brady tossed her the book of instructions.

"Here, maybe you can make sense of what doesn't make any sense."

Chloe began glancing at the instructions, which indeed made very little sense. Oh yes, the words were in English, but it still seemed like gibberish to her. She looked towards Brady and shrugged in confusion.

Brady nodded in agreement and grinned at her. "Exactly. So... how was lunch with Jennifer?"

"Very very nice. You know, I really feel comfortable around her. It's not taking long at all for me to really feel like a member of the family."

"I've noticed. You sure have spent a lot of time at your grandmother's house too."

Chloe nodded and smiled sweetly. "Well, I have so much spare time while you're at work that I have to have something to do besides sit around here alone."

Brady smiled back at her and leaned forward to gently pat her knee. "So, what exactly do you two do over there all day?"

"I don't spend ALL day over there. I just go over and we talk. She tells me stories about my family, especially my grandfather Tom. And, I talk about my life. Yesterday, we went through old pictures. It's really nice... it's like a history class. Only, it's my family's history."

"That's good. You know... I'm really happy for you. I can see how happy getting to know your family is making you."

"It is... It *really* is." Chloe sighed with contentment. "You were so right before. Everything in my life is coming together, and falling into place."

Brady winked at her slightly and held up two pieces of the bed in his hands. "Yeah, everything but this stupid baby bed."

Chloe laughed softly and patted the space on the bed beside her. "Take a break from it. It's not like we're going to need it for at least another six to eight weeks."

Brady threw the pieces aside and quickly jumped up, glad to be relieved of the troubles he was having with the piece of furniture. Chloe slid up the bed until her head was on the pillow, and lay on her side. Brady joined her on the bed, lying on his side so he could face her.

Chloe scooted close to him, draping one of her legs over his and smiling. "So, guess what my brand new sister and my cousin Hope want to do?"

Brady threw his arm over her and shrugged slightly. "I have no idea. What do they want to do?"

"They are going to throw me a baby shower at the Brady pub."

"A baby shower? Wasn't Belle going to do that?"

Chloe nodded slightly. "She was going to, but I told her not to put herself through the trouble. She's away at school, and she has a lot of other things to worry about besides me."

Brady smiled and nodded in understanding. "So, when and where will this social event be taking place?"

"In a few weeks, at the Brady pub. I said I didn't really want a traditional baby shower where it's only women and you play stupid baby shower games. I want everybody to be there. And, it's going to be on a Saturday so Belle and Shawn can fly in to be there if they want to."

"That's good... Wait a second. There are games at baby showers?"

Chloe laughed softly and replied. "Yes, and they're all pretty silly, and you usually end up winning prizes like dish towels or a jewelry box. Stuff you don't need."

Brady wrinkled his nose up in disgust and cringed. "Weird. Women are... weird."

"Yeah, tell me about it. You know what's funny? When you're pregnant, men don't usually say anything to you about it... But women, who are complete strangers, can't shut up about it. There are two questions that I could life my whole life without hearing again."

"Like... When's the baby due?"

Chloe paused and bit her lower lip. "Hmmmm... Make that three questions. The other two are, 'Is it a boy or a girl?' and 'Have you picked out a name yet?' Blechhhhh... I'm so tired of hearing that."

Brady nodded in understanding. "Welllll... Have we picked out a name yet?"

"Oh Brady... Haven't we tried every single name we could think of already? I don't know what else to do... Why is this so difficult?"

"Because whatever name we stick this kid with is the one they have to deal with for the rest of their life. Or, get it legally changed when they are old enough. It's a lot of responsibility to have. Not only do we have to provide them with an early sense of identity, but we have to pick something that won't get them beat up on the playground every day."

Chloe looked at him curiously, her eyebrows pursed together. "Brady... Have you been reading those parenting books my mother gave me? You sound vaguely textbook-like."

Brady chuckled and shrugged innocently. "No, I haven't been reading a book. It just happens to be the truth. And, please don't worry about a name. We will find the perfect name as soon as we hold that little boy or girl in our arms for the first time. We can't very well name someone we've never met before."

Chloe smiled happily and leaned forward to give her husband a quick kiss. "Brady... Have I told you enough how much I love you? How completely perfect you are to me, in every way..."

"Hmmmm... It never hurts to say it again."

"Well, I do love you, and you are perfect. I was serious when I said everything in my life has finally come together. But, really... none of the other stuff matters if I don't have you. You make everything complete and whole and perfect."

Brady smiled at her and kissed the tip of her nose. "The feeling goes both ways, Diva. If I am perfect, it's because you make me that way."

Chloe sighed softly and pulled herself into his chest. She laid her ear next to his heart, listening to the calming beat of it as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. Chloe could feel herself grow tired, as they laid there quietly wrapped up in each other. Ever since she had reached her third trimester, half of her days she would be full of energy and the other half she just wanted to curl up in Brady's arms and sleep. Something about his strong arms wrapped around her, and the familiar sound of his steady breathing always lulled her into a place where she was safe and peaceful.

***