Reality Sets In Ch.15
I disclaim
*** You guys are great; the support is exactly what I need. Once again, I'm a diehard Broe fan, but writing this has made me a 'worst case scenario' Shloe fan, which mean should the horrible happen and Brady die, then I will definitely push a Shloe union. Also I am thinking of another Shloe story closer to my usual action-adventure roots, but that may not be for a while. ****
Once again thank you for all your reviews.
Cole
~~~
Its funny how things change, when she use to stay overnight at Brady's it was discovered that she was not in fact a cuddlier, and because he wasn't either things worked out fine. They would fall asleep on their own sides, and be perfectly happy some morning. But here she was for what had to be the ninth time in a week in a half waking up in Shawn arms, completely content with the sensation of his arms holding her. This she could definitely get use to, her just laying here in the circle of his arms listening to his rhythmic heartbeat.
She was glad he was still sleep; Shawn Brady awake was a dangerous thing. He was sweet, sexy, fun, and she always had the best time when she was with him. Shawn sleeping was the only time she could use to think about what Brady had said to her the last time they spoke.
'I love you.' ' I'm in love with you, I still love you, and I'll always love you.' He had nerve telling her that after the way he hurt her.
FLASHBACK
Brady's Loft
Ten months ago
Chloe felt great, the semester was over. She and Shawn had survived miraculously despite the fact that every now and then some idiot would mention Belle and Philip and cause Shawn to go running for a bar, but that was over. He was finally over it, he was even thinking about dating again.
Unfortunately all the tramps could practically smell an unattached man, and had been swarming Shawn for months now. She had to think fast if she didn't want to end up going on double dates with Cynthia and Jan. Of course they were some attractive untied women in this town, but Shawn was related to most of them in some strange way, except for Taylor Walker. Chloe brightened at the thought Brady's new personal assistant was just about there age, and didn't seem at skanny as her sister. She nodded thinking about a little matchmaking endeavor, and looked around the room.
Brady must be downstairs making breakfast, he was always hungry, and after last night she had to admit that she was famished too. Brady had made love to her with an urgency and passion that she hadn't ever experienced before, but then it was just another reason why she loved him so much. Throwing on a pair of sweatpants and one Brady t-shirts she heads down the spiral staircase, and smiles when she see him sitting at the kitchen table. " Good morning Sexy."
Brady turned and looked at her a small smile starting on his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came." Good morning."
The tone worried Chloe, it was Brady's usual cynical but happy tone, the fact that he wasn't looking at her caused her great concern." Brady is there something wrong?"
"Chloe maybe you should sit down."
Brady rarely called her by her real name it was always Diva, ever since he first told her he loved her he always said Diva. Chloe took the seat across from him and reached for his hand but flinched when Brady moved away quickly so that they didn't touch. " Brady what's wrong?"
He was running his hand through his hair and pacing as if he was a caged lion. " I don't know how to say this...uh..."
"Just tell me, you can tell me anything." " Is it Belle or your Dad?"
" No they're fine, this is about us."
The feeling that had started to sit as the base of her stomach when he called her Chloe began to spread; it was a feeling of dread and impending doom. " What about us?"
" I don't think we should see each other anymore." He still refused to meet her eyes, but he stopped pacing to stand in front of her.
" What are you talking about?" This couldn't be happening, Brady was just playing one of his jokes, he just didn't get that this wasn't funny.
" Chloe, I..." " It's over."
Chloe jumped up form the table confused. " Yeah, I hear you saying it, but I don't understand how it can happening." " Brady I love you, you love me, remember destined to together, soul mates, does any of this seem to familiar to you." She ran a hand through her head and began pacing trying to make sense of what was happening.
" Chloe I think I made a mistake."
The words stopped her, he made a mistake. Brady Black that man that knows her better then she knows herself, who taught how to sing with feeling, and who loved unconditionally made a mistake. " Do you mean that you think we're a mistake, is that what I'm hearing?"
He didn't say anything and that was what upset her, she tried to block out the anger by remembering last night, but now that made sense to her. " Last night was goodbye?" Again he didn't speak and her anger hit the boiling point. She balled her fist up and hit him with all her might.
The punch caught him by surprise and he stumbled back knocking down the snow globe that she brought him years ago, he looked form the broken glass to the women fighting back tears. " Chloe…"
"Save it." She brushed past him and ran up stairs, and began throwing her things into her over night bag. She checked the room several times, never wanting to come back here again. She grabbed her coat and head for the door, not bothering to stop on her way out.
She drove for an hour before she went to the only place she could go, she timidly knocked on the door, sand waited patiently, while dying inside. Shawn opened the door looking tossed and sleepy, but he eyes widens when he took in her appearance, before he opened his arms. " Come on Lanie."
Chloe walked into his arms and let the tears fall, she was only crying because she was angry, she wasn't hurt, she told herself. She didn't need Brady Black, she had Shawn, and he was all she ever needed.
Flashback Over
" Good morning Beautiful." Chloe was woken up from her daydream, by the sound of Shawn's voice, and looked up into his smiling eyes. " How's my lovely wife this morning." He made sure to remind her everyday that they were married, Chloe was taking tiny steps, and although she was putting everything she had into their relationship, she wasn't mentioning their marriage.
" Worried."
" Lanie, it will be fine." He took her hand kissed it and began playing with her fingers." The Brady/Horton Fourth of July picnic is no big deal."
" Yeah, except for the fact that we're going to it..." She knew the word, and had tried to say it but for some reason it keep getting stuck in her throat. " We've never been to one..."
" Married, husband, and wife, til death us do part." Shawn kissed her surprised lips before getting up of the bed, and turning back to her as he put on shorts and his running shoes. " Now get dressed, because we have to be there in fours hours, and we still have to move your stuff into our apartment." He gave her a final wink before jogging out of the room, and leaving for his morning run.
Chloe watched him leave with horror on her face." Our apartment." She walked point shower stall and laid her head against the wall as the water started to come down on her. If drinking hadn't gotten her into her current situation she would suggested a stiff drink.
~~
Several Hours later
Mimi was riding with Chloe, they had finished transferring stuff from her house to Shawn's apartment, they had decided now was a good time because Nancy and Craig were both at the hospital. Jason and Shawn were driving behind them to the barbecue, because Mimi had said she wanted to talk to Chloe alone, but the woman had yet to say anything. " Meems just say it."
" I just wanted to say that I'm not taking sides. I mean you're all my friends and it wouldn't be fair to take sides, especially when you consider how Belle and Brady acted at the wedding reception or before with the break ups, I think whatever you and Sawn are doing is fine with me. I mean sure it's a little strange, and the rumors are that you're pregnant, and people are talking about you know dated every Kiriakis man but Bo and Victor, but you have my support, and Jason's of courses. He was a little weirded out at first, and didn't believe the first four times I told him but he came around, and everyone else will too, and I'm sure there won't be any problems at the barbecue. I mean your dad is almost over all his violent tendencies toward Shawn, and he could even say his name with out cussing. I don't think the Blacks are coming I, mean maybe Mr. and Mrs. but probably not Belle and Brady, which is a good thing considering the last time you guys got together."
Chloe parked the car and watched her friend in amazement; the girl had gotten that out wit out even taking a break to breath. " Thanks Meems, I know this is strange, with me and Shawn....."
" Married." Mimi shook her head, Shawn was right Chloe was either in some real denial or completely unsure of her next step." Come on the guys are waiting. "
Chloe took her the keys, stepped out of the car, and began walking into the Brady's backyard, when Shawn stopped her and took her hand, before leading her in with a huge grin on his face, and Mimi and Jason following behind." Hey are we having a party."
If they were, their entrance stopped it in its tracks. The smiles were pleasant enough, but the eyes were questioning.
"AUNT CHLOE." Abby ended the tension she felt in the yard by throwing herself at her aunt." I missed you."
" Hey sweetie, I missed you too." Chloe dropped to the ground and hugged her niece, and whispered in her ear. " Thank you."
"Your welcome." Abby kissed her aunt's cheeks before running back to her parents, who waved Chloe over to them.
She way halfway their when someone and touched her arm, she looked up at the person, and froze as she meet his blue eyes.
" Hey Chlo, can I talk to you for a minute?"
" Hello Philip."
I disclaim
*** You guys are great; the support is exactly what I need. Once again, I'm a diehard Broe fan, but writing this has made me a 'worst case scenario' Shloe fan, which mean should the horrible happen and Brady die, then I will definitely push a Shloe union. Also I am thinking of another Shloe story closer to my usual action-adventure roots, but that may not be for a while. ****
Once again thank you for all your reviews.
Cole
~~~
Its funny how things change, when she use to stay overnight at Brady's it was discovered that she was not in fact a cuddlier, and because he wasn't either things worked out fine. They would fall asleep on their own sides, and be perfectly happy some morning. But here she was for what had to be the ninth time in a week in a half waking up in Shawn arms, completely content with the sensation of his arms holding her. This she could definitely get use to, her just laying here in the circle of his arms listening to his rhythmic heartbeat.
She was glad he was still sleep; Shawn Brady awake was a dangerous thing. He was sweet, sexy, fun, and she always had the best time when she was with him. Shawn sleeping was the only time she could use to think about what Brady had said to her the last time they spoke.
'I love you.' ' I'm in love with you, I still love you, and I'll always love you.' He had nerve telling her that after the way he hurt her.
FLASHBACK
Brady's Loft
Ten months ago
Chloe felt great, the semester was over. She and Shawn had survived miraculously despite the fact that every now and then some idiot would mention Belle and Philip and cause Shawn to go running for a bar, but that was over. He was finally over it, he was even thinking about dating again.
Unfortunately all the tramps could practically smell an unattached man, and had been swarming Shawn for months now. She had to think fast if she didn't want to end up going on double dates with Cynthia and Jan. Of course they were some attractive untied women in this town, but Shawn was related to most of them in some strange way, except for Taylor Walker. Chloe brightened at the thought Brady's new personal assistant was just about there age, and didn't seem at skanny as her sister. She nodded thinking about a little matchmaking endeavor, and looked around the room.
Brady must be downstairs making breakfast, he was always hungry, and after last night she had to admit that she was famished too. Brady had made love to her with an urgency and passion that she hadn't ever experienced before, but then it was just another reason why she loved him so much. Throwing on a pair of sweatpants and one Brady t-shirts she heads down the spiral staircase, and smiles when she see him sitting at the kitchen table. " Good morning Sexy."
Brady turned and looked at her a small smile starting on his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it came." Good morning."
The tone worried Chloe, it was Brady's usual cynical but happy tone, the fact that he wasn't looking at her caused her great concern." Brady is there something wrong?"
"Chloe maybe you should sit down."
Brady rarely called her by her real name it was always Diva, ever since he first told her he loved her he always said Diva. Chloe took the seat across from him and reached for his hand but flinched when Brady moved away quickly so that they didn't touch. " Brady what's wrong?"
He was running his hand through his hair and pacing as if he was a caged lion. " I don't know how to say this...uh..."
"Just tell me, you can tell me anything." " Is it Belle or your Dad?"
" No they're fine, this is about us."
The feeling that had started to sit as the base of her stomach when he called her Chloe began to spread; it was a feeling of dread and impending doom. " What about us?"
" I don't think we should see each other anymore." He still refused to meet her eyes, but he stopped pacing to stand in front of her.
" What are you talking about?" This couldn't be happening, Brady was just playing one of his jokes, he just didn't get that this wasn't funny.
" Chloe, I..." " It's over."
Chloe jumped up form the table confused. " Yeah, I hear you saying it, but I don't understand how it can happening." " Brady I love you, you love me, remember destined to together, soul mates, does any of this seem to familiar to you." She ran a hand through her head and began pacing trying to make sense of what was happening.
" Chloe I think I made a mistake."
The words stopped her, he made a mistake. Brady Black that man that knows her better then she knows herself, who taught how to sing with feeling, and who loved unconditionally made a mistake. " Do you mean that you think we're a mistake, is that what I'm hearing?"
He didn't say anything and that was what upset her, she tried to block out the anger by remembering last night, but now that made sense to her. " Last night was goodbye?" Again he didn't speak and her anger hit the boiling point. She balled her fist up and hit him with all her might.
The punch caught him by surprise and he stumbled back knocking down the snow globe that she brought him years ago, he looked form the broken glass to the women fighting back tears. " Chloe…"
"Save it." She brushed past him and ran up stairs, and began throwing her things into her over night bag. She checked the room several times, never wanting to come back here again. She grabbed her coat and head for the door, not bothering to stop on her way out.
She drove for an hour before she went to the only place she could go, she timidly knocked on the door, sand waited patiently, while dying inside. Shawn opened the door looking tossed and sleepy, but he eyes widens when he took in her appearance, before he opened his arms. " Come on Lanie."
Chloe walked into his arms and let the tears fall, she was only crying because she was angry, she wasn't hurt, she told herself. She didn't need Brady Black, she had Shawn, and he was all she ever needed.
Flashback Over
" Good morning Beautiful." Chloe was woken up from her daydream, by the sound of Shawn's voice, and looked up into his smiling eyes. " How's my lovely wife this morning." He made sure to remind her everyday that they were married, Chloe was taking tiny steps, and although she was putting everything she had into their relationship, she wasn't mentioning their marriage.
" Worried."
" Lanie, it will be fine." He took her hand kissed it and began playing with her fingers." The Brady/Horton Fourth of July picnic is no big deal."
" Yeah, except for the fact that we're going to it..." She knew the word, and had tried to say it but for some reason it keep getting stuck in her throat. " We've never been to one..."
" Married, husband, and wife, til death us do part." Shawn kissed her surprised lips before getting up of the bed, and turning back to her as he put on shorts and his running shoes. " Now get dressed, because we have to be there in fours hours, and we still have to move your stuff into our apartment." He gave her a final wink before jogging out of the room, and leaving for his morning run.
Chloe watched him leave with horror on her face." Our apartment." She walked point shower stall and laid her head against the wall as the water started to come down on her. If drinking hadn't gotten her into her current situation she would suggested a stiff drink.
~~
Several Hours later
Mimi was riding with Chloe, they had finished transferring stuff from her house to Shawn's apartment, they had decided now was a good time because Nancy and Craig were both at the hospital. Jason and Shawn were driving behind them to the barbecue, because Mimi had said she wanted to talk to Chloe alone, but the woman had yet to say anything. " Meems just say it."
" I just wanted to say that I'm not taking sides. I mean you're all my friends and it wouldn't be fair to take sides, especially when you consider how Belle and Brady acted at the wedding reception or before with the break ups, I think whatever you and Sawn are doing is fine with me. I mean sure it's a little strange, and the rumors are that you're pregnant, and people are talking about you know dated every Kiriakis man but Bo and Victor, but you have my support, and Jason's of courses. He was a little weirded out at first, and didn't believe the first four times I told him but he came around, and everyone else will too, and I'm sure there won't be any problems at the barbecue. I mean your dad is almost over all his violent tendencies toward Shawn, and he could even say his name with out cussing. I don't think the Blacks are coming I, mean maybe Mr. and Mrs. but probably not Belle and Brady, which is a good thing considering the last time you guys got together."
Chloe parked the car and watched her friend in amazement; the girl had gotten that out wit out even taking a break to breath. " Thanks Meems, I know this is strange, with me and Shawn....."
" Married." Mimi shook her head, Shawn was right Chloe was either in some real denial or completely unsure of her next step." Come on the guys are waiting. "
Chloe took her the keys, stepped out of the car, and began walking into the Brady's backyard, when Shawn stopped her and took her hand, before leading her in with a huge grin on his face, and Mimi and Jason following behind." Hey are we having a party."
If they were, their entrance stopped it in its tracks. The smiles were pleasant enough, but the eyes were questioning.
"AUNT CHLOE." Abby ended the tension she felt in the yard by throwing herself at her aunt." I missed you."
" Hey sweetie, I missed you too." Chloe dropped to the ground and hugged her niece, and whispered in her ear. " Thank you."
"Your welcome." Abby kissed her aunt's cheeks before running back to her parents, who waved Chloe over to them.
She way halfway their when someone and touched her arm, she looked up at the person, and froze as she meet his blue eyes.
" Hey Chlo, can I talk to you for a minute?"
" Hello Philip."