Chapter 7: Donuts with a Side of Turkey
Bo and Hope stood in the entryway of the foyer. Lucas and Sami were arguing in a corner; Brady and Chloe were having a shouting match by the punchbowl and Marlena was trying to calm a very angry John down by the couch that seated Belle and Shawn who seemed to be in a very heated argument as well.
"What the hell's going on here?" Bo's voice was booming enough to cease all sounds in the room except for the rain that wrapped upon the windows.
Brady ran a hand through his hair and answered for everyone. "Forget about it, Bo. I just think it's being cooped up in this house for so long that's got us acting like loons. Was the bridge closed?"
Chloe nodded and spoke. "Yeah and were the roads washed out?"
Hope smiled at the group eager with anticipation. "There's good news and bad news."
"Bad news first," Brady replied.
"Well, unfortunately, it looks like the bridge is closed and most of the roads were washed out too."
"How is it possible you have any good news then?" Brady sighed.
Bo smiled and pulled a white pastry box from behind his back. "We stopped by a 24-hr Krispy Kreme on the way. It was still open and we got some donuts. Unfortunately their phones weren't working either but come on, it's Krispy Kreme." He smiled widely and was met by glares from the other guests. His smile faded and he took a seat and ate a glazed donut.
Belle began to moan through a contraction. "Ahhh.oww.this is.worse than the rest," she breathed out. "Oooh." Shawn lifted a hand to help his wife. "Don't touch me Shawn!" She batted his hand away. "Go away before I kick your face in. Oww.oh.it hurts."
Bo stood and attempted to make his way over to his daughter-in-law. "Shawn, what did you do this time? I---"
Belle breathed a long deep breath. "Don't you even think of coming over here Bo. I'm starving and all I can eat are ice chips and you're there. stuffing your face with Krispy Kreme Donuts.oww.oh.ugh.Brady.Brady, Chloe." The pair crossed the room and sat on either side of the pregnant woman.
Brady rubbed her shoulders. "What is it Belle? What do you need?"
"I just need you two to sit with me. You were the last ones to go through this, with Noah, so I really need your support.ahhh.ow."
"Of course, Belle," Chloe answered as she wiped her sister-in-laws forehead. "Anything you need."
John filled Bo and Hope in about his suspicions that someone was in the house due to the disappearance of Rolf's body. All three and Marlena decided to comb through the house and check for either the person, or for any clues that may lead them to finding this mystery murderer. Lucas and Sami decided to talk in the corner of the room and Shawn watched Brady, Belle and Chloe from his seat across from them.
Belle breathed in and out slowly as a contraction ceased. "Chloe, Brady could you please tell me how Noah was born again? I just need this right now. I feel so alone and I need to be cheered up. And the thought of my baby being born here is making me crazy. I just need a good laugh."
Brady and Chloe locked gazes over Belle's head and smiled as they remembered the birth of their baby boy. It was the happiest day of their lives. And they hadn't thought anything could top the first time they made love or the day they got married or the day they found out Chloe was pregnant. But it did. Brady looked at his sister and smiled. "Well, Belle, glad we could entertain.here goes."
FLASHBACK Thanksgiving morning
The sunlight streamed through the windows of the large house, and reflected off of the silver refrigerator and appliances and warmed the rustic brick tile on the floor. Chloe was busy chopping carrots in the Mexican-style kitchen of their comfy home as she hummed 'My Favorite Things.' Last night she and Brady had watched 'The Sound of Music' for the 500th time. She was so psyched. Today would be the first day she and Brady would host a Thanksgiving dinner with all of their families. She sighed as she thought of how happy she was. She never dreamt that one day she would be a successful opera singer, married, nine months pregnant and hosting the family's Thanksgiving dinner. Life didn't get much better than this. The only thing that bothered her was the pain her lower back had been feeling more and more over the past few months. She was due two weeks ago, but apparently the little guy in her tummy wasn't ready to come out just yet. She was dying to see her son for the first time and was annoyed when her due date had come and gone. Now she just hoped if he was going to wait this long to make his way into the world that he would at least wait another day, seeing as how this day would need to go perfectly. No chaos, no confusion. Just good food, full bellies and happy families.
Brady wrapped his arms around his wife from behind as she sliced the carrots for the stuffing. He nuzzled her neck and smiled as she arched her neck for him to continue his pleasurable ministrations. "Diva, what are you doin'?"
"I'm making the stuffing baby."
"Oh no you don't." He took the knife from his wife's hand. "You, my dear, are suppose to be off your feet and laying in front of the TV getting a foot rub by me, NOT making stuffing for the dinner tonight. I'm cooking today Chloe besides I'm better at it." He chuckled.
"Brady," she turned around in her husband's arms to look him in the face. "I can't let you do all of the cooking."
"Yes, you can and yes you will. Come with me Mrs. Black." He tried to pull her into the living room.
Chloe pouted and dug her heels in, in the kitchen. "Nope. I refuse to not take part in our first Thanksgiving dinner with all of our families in our new home. I refuse."
"Chloe, don't look at me that way."
"What?" She pouted.
"Like that. You and those lips, that messy ponytail, that pajama t-shirt." He gave her a seductive look.
"You can't be serious Brady. There's no way I could possibly be turning you on right now. Look at me and look at you. You look all sexy in those cute blue jeans and that hot white undershirt. And you've got the whole messy, ruffled hair thing going on Brady."
"Cute jeans?" He gave her a lopsided grin and continued as he pulled her into an embrace. "You look beautiful Chloe." He kissed her forehead.
"I look like a house Brady."
"Yeah but a big, beautiful house.I'd definitely like to park my car into your garage."
"Brady!" She slapped his chest. "The baby could hear you say things like that. Besides, no more of that until after the baby is born and then I think another six weeks until we can have sex."
"I know but we could do other things."
"Brady!" She screamed as she felt him pull her close to him and slide his tongue across her lips.
He twirled her away from him and then pulled her close again. "Dance Chloe. I'm talking about dancing."
"Oh," she said, a little disappointed as he dipped her.
Brady caught the disappointment in her voice and held her back so that he could look at her and trace lazy circles down her neck and chest. "Of course, we could be doing something else. I mean our families don't get here for another 5 hours. We-"
"Race you upstairs." Giggling, Chloe ran from the room. Brady was hot on her trail. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Brady, you're amazing," Chloe said as she slid her light blue, sleeveless collar maternity shirt on over her black Capri pants. She walked over to him in front of the mirror and slid her arms around his waist from behind as he was finishing tucking in his gray collar shirt into his black dress pants. "Mmmmm.and you look amazing and smell amazing too."
He turned around in his wife's arms and gave her a slow, lingering kiss on her lips. "Not half as amazing as you. You are truly glowing, Chloe."
"Aww.oh Black," she threw her arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too Chloe," his voice was husky with desire. "But if we don't get downstairs right now and finish making the dinner, our families will just have to come back next year because there is no way I'll be able to let you out of this room."
"Mmmm." she moaned and held onto his strong arms as she held him. "You're right. As much as I long to take you up on that offer, we have to go finish making that food. Let's see. You finished the salad and coleslaw this morning. We just have to finish making the stuffing, the mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese and ham."
"I feel like we're forgetting something," Brady rested his chin on top of Chloe's head and stroked her back.
"Yeah, me too." Chloe trailed off.
Then it hit them. "Did you take out the turkey!?" The both asked simultaneously. "Me!?" They said again at the same time.
"Brady! You were in charge of the turkey!"
"Ugh, Chloe I know. I'm sorry. I meant to take it out of the freezer yesterday morning but it slipped my mind."
"Oh my G-d! We have no turkey. It's Thanksgiving and we have no turkey." She paced their bedroom.
Brady ran a hand through his hair as he thought about it. "Maybe we could go buy one that's already cooked."
"Where Brady!? Every place is closed! This day was supposed to be perfect and wonderful and happy and now it's horrible and I just wanna die. I'll be so embarrassed. Our first Thanksgiving here.Oh." she was sobbing now as her hormones got the best of her.
"Not Ramona's House of Meat diva. They're open today." He cooed as he reached out to touch her but she flinched from him. "Chloe, I think they have some cooked turkeys there too."
She stopped pacing and sniffled. "That place? Is it safe to be eating meat from there?"
"I eat the deli sandwich's there all the time and I'm still standing." He smiled nervously, not knowing how to make this right.
She wrinkled her brow. "Yeah but Brady, you've got a cast iron stomach."
"That may be true but we still have no turkey."
Chloe sighed. "How long are they open for?"
"I specifically remember seeing a sign that said 'Will be Open Until 3 o'clock Thanksgiving Day."
"What time is it?"
Brady looked at his watch. "Two fifteen."
"We've gotta go Brade! Now!"
"No, diva. You stay. I'll take care of it."
"Brady I'd probably let you to take care of it if I trusted you enough to."
"Good point."
The pair sprinted-well Chloe sort of waddled-down the stairs. "Good thing Nancy's bringing the desserts," Brady breathed as he opened the door to leave. "Belle! Shawn! What--what are you doing here?"
Belle smiled. "Good to see you too Brady. Chloe!" Belle and Shawn entered with a pumpkin pie in their hands and greeted the parents to be. "You look absolutely beautiful Chloe. Just beautiful."
Shawn agreed. "Belle's right. You look mahvelous." He did his best Billy Crystal impersonation.
"Thanks Belle. Thanks Shawn. Umm.what are you two doing here?"
Belle frowned. "What is it with you two?"
"So early." Brady laughed. "What are you doing here so early is what Chloe means."
Shawn smiled suspiciously at his friends. "Well, I figured me and Brady could watch the Lions game."
"And Chloe, I thought that I could paint your toenails, even though you never get to see them anymore with that tummy you're sporting."
Chloe held her leg out so that Belle could get a good look at her feet in sandals. "Brady painted them yesterday morning. Got down on his hands and knees, the whole bit."
"Awwwww.." Belle squealed and pulled Chloe into a hug.
"I know," Chloe gushed.
Shawn grinned. "Aren't you going to invite us in?"
(At the same time) Brady: "No!" Chloe: "Yes!" They looked at each other and then back at Belle and Shawn.
(Again at the same time) Brady: "Yes!" Chloe: "No!"
Belle raised an eyebrow in irritation. "Which is it guys?"
Brady sighed, defeated. "Look, short story is: Chloe kind of forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer yesterday to defrost and we sort of just thought of it right now."
"Me!?" Chloe was livid. "It was you!"
"And well, we need to get a turkey, a cooked one. And the only place open for that is Ramona's House of Meat. And it closes at three. And it's two." he looked at his watch. "Two twenty five! Out of our way.we have to haul ass."
Shawn laughed hysterically as Brady glared at his brother-in-law. "Okay, okay.how 'bout me and Brady go to Ramona's for the turkey and Belle stays here with Chloe?"
Chloe looked at both men, one still laughing madly, the other scowling. "Can I trust you two? I mean, I think two male brains has to be better than one but I don't know."
Brady turned his glare to his wife. "We can handle it Chloe." He turned to Shawn. "Come on." Both men left to lasso the thanksgiving turkey.
20 mins later...
"What do you mean you're out of turkeys?"
The frail, old, Italian woman behind the counter glowered at the tall, blonde man. "We hava de chicken."
"But I don't want the chicken. I need turkey."
"I don have any turkey. I only got de chicken now. You comma atta five minutes before we close. What's you expect?"
"Turkey. You don't understand.my wife must have turkey."
"But I don have any turkey! I only hava de chicken!"
"You-"
Shawn pulled Brady away from the counter. "Brady, man look. We're too late. Just grab a big chicken. Do you think Chloe will notice anyway? Turkey, chicken.practically interchangeable."
Brady glared at his brother-in-law. "Of course she'll notice Shawn. She-" The ringing of his cell phone cut him off. "Yes."
"Brady!"
"Yes Belle. What is it?"
"Chloe," she sounded like she was out of breath. "Chloe.water."
"What about Chloe and water, Belle. You're not making any sense."
"Chloe's water."
"Chloe wants water? We just bought a few gallons at Food Palace yesterday."
"No Brady. Chloe doesn't want water."
"I want a turkey," Chloe's voice could be heard yelling in the background.
"Tell Chloe I'm getting her a turkey," Brady replied smiling at his wife's demands.
"We don have any turkey!" the old woman behind the counter yelled.
Belle sighed. "No, Chloe's water broke, Brady. Her water broke."
Brady clutched the phone. "You mean the baby?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Belle what are you standing around for? Get her to the hospital."
"She won't go Brady."
"What?"
"She won't go." Belle said again. "She said she wants to at least start dinner. She says she's got plenty of time after dinner to make it to the hospital. I say she's in denial."
"Tell Chloe she's insane."
"You tell her, I've tried." Belle handed Chloe the phone.
"Brady.Brady get the turkey and come home. We still have loads of time before I'll need to go to the hospital."
"Chloe, go to the hospital. Your water broke. I think you should go. I think our little guy is ready to come out."
"No Brady.this day was supposed to be perfect. Our first Thanksgiving in our new home. It was supposed to be calm and peaceful and wonderful."
"Oh, Chloe it may not be calm or peaceful but it'll sure as hell be wonderful if you get your lovely rear-end to the hospital and give birth to our son."
"Our son." Chloe trailed off as if realizing the weight and wonder of it all for the first time. "Finally.ahh.ow."
"Chloe! Chloe, what is it?"
"Contractions," she groaned. "Maybe your right. I think I ought to get to the hospital."
"Good. Now that you've seen reason, tell Belle to grab your over night bag in the closet upstairs. I'll call Dr. Manning and your parents and my parents. I'll meet you there. I love you and be careful."
"Brady!"
"Yes, Chloe what is it baby?"
"Did you get the turkey?"
"Chloe."
"Oww.oh.Brady, I just wanted this day to be so perfect."
"Yeah Chloe. I got the turkey."
"Good. Bye honey. I love you."
"I love you." Brady shut off his phone. "Shawn, Chloe's in labor. We have to get to the hospital but I need to find a turkey first."
"Are you serious?"
"Completely. I'm not going to let her down. I just don't know where the hell I'm going to find one."
Just then, the door to the store opened and a short, brown haired, blue- eyed boy entered carrying a turkey. "Ms. Ramona?"
"Yes son."
"My grandma brought a turkey to our house too so my mom is returning ours. It's not even opened. See?" The little boy held up the turkey for the old woman behind the counter to see.
"I cannot give refunds for da turkeys." The old woman turned.
Brady pounced. "Kid, here's 50 bucks. I'll take the turkey."
"Really mister?"
"Yeah." He handed the boy the money in exchange for the turkey.
"Wow, why so much money?"
"Because you have just made me the happiest man on earth. Thanks uh."
"Noah." The boy was weirded out by the joy the man seemed to be experiencing at buying a turkey.
"Thanks Noah." He winked at the little boy.
"Anytime." The kid watched the blonde haired man and his companion rush out of the shop and to their car. "Cool! Fifty bucks! I am rich! Ha ha!"
At the hospital.
Brady and Shawn rushed down the hall to Chloe's room. When they entered, Brady immediately flew to the chair by Chloe's side. "Oh Chloe." he buried his head into her chest.
"Oh Brady." She ran a hand through his hair. Belle and Shawn left the two lovers alone.
Brady looked up at his wife, tears blurring his vision. "We're having a baby."
"I know," she sobbed as tears streaked down her face. "A baby.our son."
The duo began to giggle at the thought as tears streamed down their faces.
"Oh Brady...the turkey?"
He walked over to the table by the door and lifted the turkey up. "Boc boc here it is."
"Boc Boc? Turkey's don't boc Brady, they gobble."
"Well, gobble gobble then." He handed the turkey to his wife.
"You know, you'll have to learn animal sounds and things like that when our baby boy is born. He's going to be curious." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chloe held her newborn baby in her arms. Her hair, soaked with sweat from the labor, still clung to her forehead and neck. She kissed her baby boy on the nose and snuggled into Brady's arms as he lay with her on the hospital bed. John, Marlena, Nancy, Craig, Shawn and Belle were crowded around the bed to get a good look at the newest edition to the family.
"What's his name?" Craig asked in anticipation.
Brady and Chloe looked at each other and both shrugged. "Brady and I haven't really thought of one. I mean we've had a few ideas but we never really decided."
Brady thought for a moment, his gaze resting on the turkey on the nightstand. "How's Noah?"
Chloe thought for a moment and turned to her husband. "It's perfect." She kissed him full on the lips and snuggled closer to her husband.
"Noah Black." John cooed. Everyone smiled as they let the baby's name sink in. It was a beautiful name for a beautiful little boy. And he was beautiful. He had his father's blonde hair, and had striking eyes he could have only gotten from his mother, although his eyes had yet to stay open for very long at all. He had his father's thick eyebrows and his mother's olive skin. He was gorgeous. And he was theirs.
END OF FLASHBACK
Belle sighed. "Oh, I love you guys. I knew that story would make me feel better. Shawn, Shawn." Belle called to her husband to come to her side.
Brady stood up and let Shawn hold his wife. Shawn smiled at his brother and sister in law. "Thanks you two."
"Anytime." Brady said as he looked at his wife, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. He held out a hand to Chloe. "Let's talk?"
Chloe nodded and took her husband's hand as he led her out of the room.
Bo and Hope stood in the entryway of the foyer. Lucas and Sami were arguing in a corner; Brady and Chloe were having a shouting match by the punchbowl and Marlena was trying to calm a very angry John down by the couch that seated Belle and Shawn who seemed to be in a very heated argument as well.
"What the hell's going on here?" Bo's voice was booming enough to cease all sounds in the room except for the rain that wrapped upon the windows.
Brady ran a hand through his hair and answered for everyone. "Forget about it, Bo. I just think it's being cooped up in this house for so long that's got us acting like loons. Was the bridge closed?"
Chloe nodded and spoke. "Yeah and were the roads washed out?"
Hope smiled at the group eager with anticipation. "There's good news and bad news."
"Bad news first," Brady replied.
"Well, unfortunately, it looks like the bridge is closed and most of the roads were washed out too."
"How is it possible you have any good news then?" Brady sighed.
Bo smiled and pulled a white pastry box from behind his back. "We stopped by a 24-hr Krispy Kreme on the way. It was still open and we got some donuts. Unfortunately their phones weren't working either but come on, it's Krispy Kreme." He smiled widely and was met by glares from the other guests. His smile faded and he took a seat and ate a glazed donut.
Belle began to moan through a contraction. "Ahhh.oww.this is.worse than the rest," she breathed out. "Oooh." Shawn lifted a hand to help his wife. "Don't touch me Shawn!" She batted his hand away. "Go away before I kick your face in. Oww.oh.it hurts."
Bo stood and attempted to make his way over to his daughter-in-law. "Shawn, what did you do this time? I---"
Belle breathed a long deep breath. "Don't you even think of coming over here Bo. I'm starving and all I can eat are ice chips and you're there. stuffing your face with Krispy Kreme Donuts.oww.oh.ugh.Brady.Brady, Chloe." The pair crossed the room and sat on either side of the pregnant woman.
Brady rubbed her shoulders. "What is it Belle? What do you need?"
"I just need you two to sit with me. You were the last ones to go through this, with Noah, so I really need your support.ahhh.ow."
"Of course, Belle," Chloe answered as she wiped her sister-in-laws forehead. "Anything you need."
John filled Bo and Hope in about his suspicions that someone was in the house due to the disappearance of Rolf's body. All three and Marlena decided to comb through the house and check for either the person, or for any clues that may lead them to finding this mystery murderer. Lucas and Sami decided to talk in the corner of the room and Shawn watched Brady, Belle and Chloe from his seat across from them.
Belle breathed in and out slowly as a contraction ceased. "Chloe, Brady could you please tell me how Noah was born again? I just need this right now. I feel so alone and I need to be cheered up. And the thought of my baby being born here is making me crazy. I just need a good laugh."
Brady and Chloe locked gazes over Belle's head and smiled as they remembered the birth of their baby boy. It was the happiest day of their lives. And they hadn't thought anything could top the first time they made love or the day they got married or the day they found out Chloe was pregnant. But it did. Brady looked at his sister and smiled. "Well, Belle, glad we could entertain.here goes."
FLASHBACK Thanksgiving morning
The sunlight streamed through the windows of the large house, and reflected off of the silver refrigerator and appliances and warmed the rustic brick tile on the floor. Chloe was busy chopping carrots in the Mexican-style kitchen of their comfy home as she hummed 'My Favorite Things.' Last night she and Brady had watched 'The Sound of Music' for the 500th time. She was so psyched. Today would be the first day she and Brady would host a Thanksgiving dinner with all of their families. She sighed as she thought of how happy she was. She never dreamt that one day she would be a successful opera singer, married, nine months pregnant and hosting the family's Thanksgiving dinner. Life didn't get much better than this. The only thing that bothered her was the pain her lower back had been feeling more and more over the past few months. She was due two weeks ago, but apparently the little guy in her tummy wasn't ready to come out just yet. She was dying to see her son for the first time and was annoyed when her due date had come and gone. Now she just hoped if he was going to wait this long to make his way into the world that he would at least wait another day, seeing as how this day would need to go perfectly. No chaos, no confusion. Just good food, full bellies and happy families.
Brady wrapped his arms around his wife from behind as she sliced the carrots for the stuffing. He nuzzled her neck and smiled as she arched her neck for him to continue his pleasurable ministrations. "Diva, what are you doin'?"
"I'm making the stuffing baby."
"Oh no you don't." He took the knife from his wife's hand. "You, my dear, are suppose to be off your feet and laying in front of the TV getting a foot rub by me, NOT making stuffing for the dinner tonight. I'm cooking today Chloe besides I'm better at it." He chuckled.
"Brady," she turned around in her husband's arms to look him in the face. "I can't let you do all of the cooking."
"Yes, you can and yes you will. Come with me Mrs. Black." He tried to pull her into the living room.
Chloe pouted and dug her heels in, in the kitchen. "Nope. I refuse to not take part in our first Thanksgiving dinner with all of our families in our new home. I refuse."
"Chloe, don't look at me that way."
"What?" She pouted.
"Like that. You and those lips, that messy ponytail, that pajama t-shirt." He gave her a seductive look.
"You can't be serious Brady. There's no way I could possibly be turning you on right now. Look at me and look at you. You look all sexy in those cute blue jeans and that hot white undershirt. And you've got the whole messy, ruffled hair thing going on Brady."
"Cute jeans?" He gave her a lopsided grin and continued as he pulled her into an embrace. "You look beautiful Chloe." He kissed her forehead.
"I look like a house Brady."
"Yeah but a big, beautiful house.I'd definitely like to park my car into your garage."
"Brady!" She slapped his chest. "The baby could hear you say things like that. Besides, no more of that until after the baby is born and then I think another six weeks until we can have sex."
"I know but we could do other things."
"Brady!" She screamed as she felt him pull her close to him and slide his tongue across her lips.
He twirled her away from him and then pulled her close again. "Dance Chloe. I'm talking about dancing."
"Oh," she said, a little disappointed as he dipped her.
Brady caught the disappointment in her voice and held her back so that he could look at her and trace lazy circles down her neck and chest. "Of course, we could be doing something else. I mean our families don't get here for another 5 hours. We-"
"Race you upstairs." Giggling, Chloe ran from the room. Brady was hot on her trail. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Brady, you're amazing," Chloe said as she slid her light blue, sleeveless collar maternity shirt on over her black Capri pants. She walked over to him in front of the mirror and slid her arms around his waist from behind as he was finishing tucking in his gray collar shirt into his black dress pants. "Mmmmm.and you look amazing and smell amazing too."
He turned around in his wife's arms and gave her a slow, lingering kiss on her lips. "Not half as amazing as you. You are truly glowing, Chloe."
"Aww.oh Black," she threw her arms around him and pulled him in for a kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too Chloe," his voice was husky with desire. "But if we don't get downstairs right now and finish making the dinner, our families will just have to come back next year because there is no way I'll be able to let you out of this room."
"Mmmm." she moaned and held onto his strong arms as she held him. "You're right. As much as I long to take you up on that offer, we have to go finish making that food. Let's see. You finished the salad and coleslaw this morning. We just have to finish making the stuffing, the mashed potatoes and gravy, macaroni and cheese and ham."
"I feel like we're forgetting something," Brady rested his chin on top of Chloe's head and stroked her back.
"Yeah, me too." Chloe trailed off.
Then it hit them. "Did you take out the turkey!?" The both asked simultaneously. "Me!?" They said again at the same time.
"Brady! You were in charge of the turkey!"
"Ugh, Chloe I know. I'm sorry. I meant to take it out of the freezer yesterday morning but it slipped my mind."
"Oh my G-d! We have no turkey. It's Thanksgiving and we have no turkey." She paced their bedroom.
Brady ran a hand through his hair as he thought about it. "Maybe we could go buy one that's already cooked."
"Where Brady!? Every place is closed! This day was supposed to be perfect and wonderful and happy and now it's horrible and I just wanna die. I'll be so embarrassed. Our first Thanksgiving here.Oh." she was sobbing now as her hormones got the best of her.
"Not Ramona's House of Meat diva. They're open today." He cooed as he reached out to touch her but she flinched from him. "Chloe, I think they have some cooked turkeys there too."
She stopped pacing and sniffled. "That place? Is it safe to be eating meat from there?"
"I eat the deli sandwich's there all the time and I'm still standing." He smiled nervously, not knowing how to make this right.
She wrinkled her brow. "Yeah but Brady, you've got a cast iron stomach."
"That may be true but we still have no turkey."
Chloe sighed. "How long are they open for?"
"I specifically remember seeing a sign that said 'Will be Open Until 3 o'clock Thanksgiving Day."
"What time is it?"
Brady looked at his watch. "Two fifteen."
"We've gotta go Brade! Now!"
"No, diva. You stay. I'll take care of it."
"Brady I'd probably let you to take care of it if I trusted you enough to."
"Good point."
The pair sprinted-well Chloe sort of waddled-down the stairs. "Good thing Nancy's bringing the desserts," Brady breathed as he opened the door to leave. "Belle! Shawn! What--what are you doing here?"
Belle smiled. "Good to see you too Brady. Chloe!" Belle and Shawn entered with a pumpkin pie in their hands and greeted the parents to be. "You look absolutely beautiful Chloe. Just beautiful."
Shawn agreed. "Belle's right. You look mahvelous." He did his best Billy Crystal impersonation.
"Thanks Belle. Thanks Shawn. Umm.what are you two doing here?"
Belle frowned. "What is it with you two?"
"So early." Brady laughed. "What are you doing here so early is what Chloe means."
Shawn smiled suspiciously at his friends. "Well, I figured me and Brady could watch the Lions game."
"And Chloe, I thought that I could paint your toenails, even though you never get to see them anymore with that tummy you're sporting."
Chloe held her leg out so that Belle could get a good look at her feet in sandals. "Brady painted them yesterday morning. Got down on his hands and knees, the whole bit."
"Awwwww.." Belle squealed and pulled Chloe into a hug.
"I know," Chloe gushed.
Shawn grinned. "Aren't you going to invite us in?"
(At the same time) Brady: "No!" Chloe: "Yes!" They looked at each other and then back at Belle and Shawn.
(Again at the same time) Brady: "Yes!" Chloe: "No!"
Belle raised an eyebrow in irritation. "Which is it guys?"
Brady sighed, defeated. "Look, short story is: Chloe kind of forgot to take the turkey out of the freezer yesterday to defrost and we sort of just thought of it right now."
"Me!?" Chloe was livid. "It was you!"
"And well, we need to get a turkey, a cooked one. And the only place open for that is Ramona's House of Meat. And it closes at three. And it's two." he looked at his watch. "Two twenty five! Out of our way.we have to haul ass."
Shawn laughed hysterically as Brady glared at his brother-in-law. "Okay, okay.how 'bout me and Brady go to Ramona's for the turkey and Belle stays here with Chloe?"
Chloe looked at both men, one still laughing madly, the other scowling. "Can I trust you two? I mean, I think two male brains has to be better than one but I don't know."
Brady turned his glare to his wife. "We can handle it Chloe." He turned to Shawn. "Come on." Both men left to lasso the thanksgiving turkey.
20 mins later...
"What do you mean you're out of turkeys?"
The frail, old, Italian woman behind the counter glowered at the tall, blonde man. "We hava de chicken."
"But I don't want the chicken. I need turkey."
"I don have any turkey. I only got de chicken now. You comma atta five minutes before we close. What's you expect?"
"Turkey. You don't understand.my wife must have turkey."
"But I don have any turkey! I only hava de chicken!"
"You-"
Shawn pulled Brady away from the counter. "Brady, man look. We're too late. Just grab a big chicken. Do you think Chloe will notice anyway? Turkey, chicken.practically interchangeable."
Brady glared at his brother-in-law. "Of course she'll notice Shawn. She-" The ringing of his cell phone cut him off. "Yes."
"Brady!"
"Yes Belle. What is it?"
"Chloe," she sounded like she was out of breath. "Chloe.water."
"What about Chloe and water, Belle. You're not making any sense."
"Chloe's water."
"Chloe wants water? We just bought a few gallons at Food Palace yesterday."
"No Brady. Chloe doesn't want water."
"I want a turkey," Chloe's voice could be heard yelling in the background.
"Tell Chloe I'm getting her a turkey," Brady replied smiling at his wife's demands.
"We don have any turkey!" the old woman behind the counter yelled.
Belle sighed. "No, Chloe's water broke, Brady. Her water broke."
Brady clutched the phone. "You mean the baby?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Belle what are you standing around for? Get her to the hospital."
"She won't go Brady."
"What?"
"She won't go." Belle said again. "She said she wants to at least start dinner. She says she's got plenty of time after dinner to make it to the hospital. I say she's in denial."
"Tell Chloe she's insane."
"You tell her, I've tried." Belle handed Chloe the phone.
"Brady.Brady get the turkey and come home. We still have loads of time before I'll need to go to the hospital."
"Chloe, go to the hospital. Your water broke. I think you should go. I think our little guy is ready to come out."
"No Brady.this day was supposed to be perfect. Our first Thanksgiving in our new home. It was supposed to be calm and peaceful and wonderful."
"Oh, Chloe it may not be calm or peaceful but it'll sure as hell be wonderful if you get your lovely rear-end to the hospital and give birth to our son."
"Our son." Chloe trailed off as if realizing the weight and wonder of it all for the first time. "Finally.ahh.ow."
"Chloe! Chloe, what is it?"
"Contractions," she groaned. "Maybe your right. I think I ought to get to the hospital."
"Good. Now that you've seen reason, tell Belle to grab your over night bag in the closet upstairs. I'll call Dr. Manning and your parents and my parents. I'll meet you there. I love you and be careful."
"Brady!"
"Yes, Chloe what is it baby?"
"Did you get the turkey?"
"Chloe."
"Oww.oh.Brady, I just wanted this day to be so perfect."
"Yeah Chloe. I got the turkey."
"Good. Bye honey. I love you."
"I love you." Brady shut off his phone. "Shawn, Chloe's in labor. We have to get to the hospital but I need to find a turkey first."
"Are you serious?"
"Completely. I'm not going to let her down. I just don't know where the hell I'm going to find one."
Just then, the door to the store opened and a short, brown haired, blue- eyed boy entered carrying a turkey. "Ms. Ramona?"
"Yes son."
"My grandma brought a turkey to our house too so my mom is returning ours. It's not even opened. See?" The little boy held up the turkey for the old woman behind the counter to see.
"I cannot give refunds for da turkeys." The old woman turned.
Brady pounced. "Kid, here's 50 bucks. I'll take the turkey."
"Really mister?"
"Yeah." He handed the boy the money in exchange for the turkey.
"Wow, why so much money?"
"Because you have just made me the happiest man on earth. Thanks uh."
"Noah." The boy was weirded out by the joy the man seemed to be experiencing at buying a turkey.
"Thanks Noah." He winked at the little boy.
"Anytime." The kid watched the blonde haired man and his companion rush out of the shop and to their car. "Cool! Fifty bucks! I am rich! Ha ha!"
At the hospital.
Brady and Shawn rushed down the hall to Chloe's room. When they entered, Brady immediately flew to the chair by Chloe's side. "Oh Chloe." he buried his head into her chest.
"Oh Brady." She ran a hand through his hair. Belle and Shawn left the two lovers alone.
Brady looked up at his wife, tears blurring his vision. "We're having a baby."
"I know," she sobbed as tears streaked down her face. "A baby.our son."
The duo began to giggle at the thought as tears streamed down their faces.
"Oh Brady...the turkey?"
He walked over to the table by the door and lifted the turkey up. "Boc boc here it is."
"Boc Boc? Turkey's don't boc Brady, they gobble."
"Well, gobble gobble then." He handed the turkey to his wife.
"You know, you'll have to learn animal sounds and things like that when our baby boy is born. He's going to be curious." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chloe held her newborn baby in her arms. Her hair, soaked with sweat from the labor, still clung to her forehead and neck. She kissed her baby boy on the nose and snuggled into Brady's arms as he lay with her on the hospital bed. John, Marlena, Nancy, Craig, Shawn and Belle were crowded around the bed to get a good look at the newest edition to the family.
"What's his name?" Craig asked in anticipation.
Brady and Chloe looked at each other and both shrugged. "Brady and I haven't really thought of one. I mean we've had a few ideas but we never really decided."
Brady thought for a moment, his gaze resting on the turkey on the nightstand. "How's Noah?"
Chloe thought for a moment and turned to her husband. "It's perfect." She kissed him full on the lips and snuggled closer to her husband.
"Noah Black." John cooed. Everyone smiled as they let the baby's name sink in. It was a beautiful name for a beautiful little boy. And he was beautiful. He had his father's blonde hair, and had striking eyes he could have only gotten from his mother, although his eyes had yet to stay open for very long at all. He had his father's thick eyebrows and his mother's olive skin. He was gorgeous. And he was theirs.
END OF FLASHBACK
Belle sighed. "Oh, I love you guys. I knew that story would make me feel better. Shawn, Shawn." Belle called to her husband to come to her side.
Brady stood up and let Shawn hold his wife. Shawn smiled at his brother and sister in law. "Thanks you two."
"Anytime." Brady said as he looked at his wife, who had tears streaming down her cheeks. He held out a hand to Chloe. "Let's talk?"
Chloe nodded and took her husband's hand as he led her out of the room.