Chapter 8:
Chloe stood in her kitchen, chugging down two aspirins and a glass of water. Her day, half over because it was already four o'clock, had not been good so far. She'd had a terrible hangover and found out she was married to her best friend's brother after waking up with him naked. She almost had to laugh; the situation was so ridiculous. Almost. How in the hell were they going to be able to convince their families and friends that they had suddenly fallen in love? "This is not good," Chloe muttered under her breath as she pulled some milk from the fridge.
"What are you doing?" Brady, in his clothes from last night but freshly showered, entered the kitchen looking at her intently.
"What do you mean? I'm making us coffee." She held up the full coffee pot.
He leaned against the door jam and frowned. "You don't even know how I like my coffee."
"Well, I could care less how you like your coffee. [i]I'm[/i] making the coffee."
"You should care."
"Why?"
"Because we're married. We're supposed to know these things about each other."
She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it quickly. Ugh, as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Things like how the other liked their coffee or their eggs were supposed to be second nature to people in love. "I hadn't thought of that. Come to think of it: I don't even really know you. You could be a serial killer for all I know."
"Oh, Chloe, trust me. If I was capable of murder, you'd have been dead long ago."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" She tightly gripped the pot of steaming java.
"Relax. I'm just saying you're not the easiest person to get along with Chloe. That's all."
"How do you like your coffee?" She gritted her teeth.
"Strong. Black. No sugar." He gave her a small smile and a wink.
"I don't know how you could drink it like that." She handed him the cup of steaming liquid.
"Thanks. I like it." He blew on it a bit and took a small sip. It was silent for a few moments as he quietly drank his coffee and absently watched her prepare her own. "What the hell is that?" He pointed to something over Chloe's head on the wall opposite to him.
She turned to look at what he was babbling about. "It's my Hello Kitty clock." She turned back to him and pouted.
"You're going to have to get that thing out of here." He put his cup down and made a closer inspection of the clock.
"Why?"
"It's hideous."
"Go to hell, Brady."
"I'm serious, Chloe. I can't be in a kitchen with that thing ticking away all day. I just can't. I won't."
"I'm not changing my life around just for you." She took a seat at her kitchen table.
"I'm your husband. You have to."
"Get out!"
"Now, now Chloe. Simmer down." He joked and took a seat across from her. "I just think this place needs a man's touch that's all."
"Get out." She said again, a deadly gleam in her eye as she took a generous sip of coffee.
"Chloe, I'm kidding. Relax. You're just going to have to get used to me. How do you like your coffee anyway?"
"Tons of cream and eight sugars."
"Eight sugars!?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Does it even taste like coffee at all after watering it down like that?"
"Ugh, yes." She rolled her eyes.
"So, you've got a sweet tooth then?" She nodded in confirmation. "How many cavities do you have?"
"None." She took a sip her coffee.
"Chloe." A knowing look on his face, he stared her down.
"All right fine. Three. How about you?"
"None. Scout's honor."
"[i]Were[/i] you a boy scout?" She grinned from ear to ear.
"Hell no. Far from it and we'll just leave it at that, okay?" He gave her a roguish grin.
"Whatever." She shook her head and smiled. "So, how do you like your eggs?"
"I'll take 'em any way you can think of: poached, scrambled, fried, boiled. You?"
"Scrambled."
"Easy enough to remember," he smiled. "What about your steak? Personally, I like mine medium well."
"I don't eat red meat."
"Whoa. That's it," he gripped the table. "I want a divorce right now."
"Oh, shut up." *********************
"Okay, let me look at you," Chloe sighed, taking a good look at Brady, as they stood on the front porch of the Wesley home. It was six thirty in the evening. They'd driven by Brady's place so he could quickly change and they could get over here and give Chloe's parents the good n-well the news. After they could sneak out of here, they were planning on going to John and Marlena next and then Belle and Shawn. Everyone else who wanted to know would have to hear it through the grapevine because this was going to be hard to pull off three times. Chloe adjusted Brady's dark blue tie that complimented his gray suit. She ran a hand over his hair lightly and smiled. "You have passed inspection. You actually look good."
"You're not so bad yourself," he smiled down at her in her blue sleeveless top and matching skirt.
"Thank you," she said curtly and rang the doorbell. "Oh G-d, Brady."
"What? What is it?"
"I think I'm panicking. Maybe we shouldn't have come here first. I mean, my parents can see through almost anything."
"And Mercenary John can't?"
Chloe laughed, grateful for the humor Brady tried to inject in the very serious situation they'd gotten themselves into. Over coffee, they had talked about their families, Brady giving her the skinny on Merc John. She truly couldn't believe the same John who she saw practically everyday had been a hired assassin in the past. Boy, she'd certainly married into a freaky family. Brady even told her about Marlena being possessed by the devil. Plus, her ex-fiancé was now her uncle-in-law. And to top it all off, she had discovered that she and Brady had more in common that she ever would have guessed. Will wonders never cease?
"I'm coming," Nancy Wesley could be heard yelling through the house.
"Smile, Brady," Chloe whispered as the door flew opened revealing a very shocked Nancy.
"Chloe! Oh Chloe," she pulled her daughter inside and hugged her tightly. "How are you holding up, honey?"
"I'm fine Nancy. I'm fine. Actually," she pulled Brady by the hand and smiled. "I've never been better."
"Hi, I'm Brady Black, Chloe's.friend," he cupped Nancy's hands in his own. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wesley."
"You too," Nancy raised an eyebrow and smiled, clearly smitten with him. She gave Chloe a knowing look and turned her attention back to Brady. "And call me Nancy, Brady. Come and take a seat. So, what brings you two by?"
"Has Craig left for work yet?" Chloe took a seat, completely dodging Nancy's question. Brady took the spot on the couch next to her.
"No, he hasn't, dear. Why? Did you want to speak to him?"
"I wanted to speak to both of you actually."
"Why so serious, honey? Did something happen? Is Philip still carrying on, asking for forgiveness? If he's messing with you, so help me G-d, I'll.."
"Mom, it's fine."
"You're calling me mom now? This must be serious." Nancy laughed.
"Can you just get Craig please?" She calmed immensely as Brady reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. "We have something we'd like to tell you."
Nancy's face blanched. Oh, G-d, Chloe was pregnant. And she was probably here to tell them that this man was the father. "Um, okay sweetie. I'll go and get your father."
When Nancy went up the stairs to get Craig, Chloe rose from the couch, nervously pacing. Brady stood after watching her a few moments. "Chloe, honey, you're going to have to try and calm down."
"I can't, Brady," she kept pacing back and forth, back and forth. "I just hate that we have to lie to my parents."
"But we're not really lying. I mean we are married. It's legal. We're husband and wife."
"Oh, stop saying that." She shooed him off and wrung her hands together nervously. "I think you're liking this much too much."
"Don't flatter yourself, Diva. I don't believe in marriage or love any more than I believe in Santa Claus. The only thing I do believe in is the good old American dollar. This is purely business."
She whirled and faced him, angry. "You are such a-" Craig coming down the stairs with Nancy caught her eye. "Such a wonderful man." She plastered on a smile.
Brady grinned, knowing her parents were watching the exchange. "As are you, my love." He gripped her hand and brought it to his lips. "Wonderful, I mean." He kissed her hand softly.
Chloe sighed with happiness and turned to face Craig and Nancy. "Craig, there you are!" She pulled Brady along with her, before enveloping her father in a hug at the foot of the stairs. "This is Brady Black, my.friend."
Craig narrowed his eyes at Brady. "Brady Black of Basic Black? John Black's son?"
"Yes, that'd be me. It's great to meet you Dr. Wesley. I know you're the chief of staff of Salem University Hospital. I've heard so much about you."
"Funny, but I haven't heard a thing about you." He looked at his daughter expectantly.
"Uhhh," Chloe stuttered. "Let's all go take a seat on the couch, okay? Sitting is good. Sitting down is great." They all took their places on the couch. Chloe sitting in a chair by the couch and Brady supporting her by sitting on the arm of the chair and taking her hand. "Brady and I." she trailed off. "We.I'm his.he's my.we're."
Brady squeezed her hand. "Chloe and I are husband and wife. We were married last night." Aside from the quick gasp from Nancy's throat, the room was silent for a long while. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Brady cleared his throat. Craig Wesley was looking at him like he wanted to tear him apart.
"I'd like to have a talk with Brady. Do you two ladies mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?" Craig waited for Chloe and Nancy to leave in the direction of the kitchen before he turned around to speak to this man, who claimed to be his daughter's husband. Two weeks ago, Chloe was engaged to Philip and now she was married to another man!? "Brady."
"Craig.Dr. Wesley.sir," he trailed off and nervously cleared his throat, waiting for Craig to speak.
"What were you two thinking?" ************************
"What were you two thinking?" Nancy, leaning against the counter, crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her daughter sitting with her head in her hands at the kitchen table. "You barely know this man! How could you have possibly fallen in love with a man so quickly? And if you did, my G- d, what was the rush!?"
"Brady and I are good together okay? We didn't want to wait."
"You barely know him Chloe!"
"That's not true. I've known his family for years."
"Well, what about [i]him[/i]? When did you meet [i]him[/i]!?"
"At Belle and Shawn's wedding five years ago but we were with other people at the time so." Chloe was glad she hadn't had to lie too much just yet.
"You were 'with other people' week before last, Chloe! What changed?"
"Philip cheated on me! That's what changed!" She blew out a frustrated breath.
"Chloe.I know. I didn't mean it like that, I.I just want you to be happy. I just don't want you to regret this decision."
"Oh, mom, trust me: I don't regret this one bit," Chloe spoke truthfully. She didn't regret marrying Brady at all. I mean, at first she had but after realizing what good could come out of this twisted union, she changed her mind.
"You're a big girl Chloe and I trust your judgment. He is gorgeous; I'll give you that. Very sweet and very handsome." Nancy gave her daughter a small smile.
"He is very handsome." Chloe wasn't sure about how "sweet" Brady was though so she left that out.
"Well, let's go rescue your new hubby from your father." She laughed and pulled her arm around Chloe's shoulder.
"Okay," Chloe giggled, sure that Craig had sufficiently torn Brady limb from limb by now. He had never liked Philip and he'd known Philip for years, plenty of time to warm up to him. Brady was toast. But both Chloe and Nancy got the shock of their life as they walked in on Craig and Brady hysterically laughing and patting each other on the back, chatting on about something. Chloe watched as Nancy inquired and joined in on the fun. Something about that old Dustin Hoffman movie "Tootsie." It was Craig's favorite movie and Chloe had just found out earlier that day, that Brady adored that movie as well. She hadn't even made the connection when Brady had told her.
Nancy and Brady laughed as Craig did an impression from the movie. "Oh, that's great," Nancy tried to catch her breath as she walked over to Chloe and left the men to continue goofing around. "Looks like a good catch so far, honey." She nodded in Brady's direction as he and Craig began discussing football. "And you know what they say about girls and how they choose someone just like their father."
Chloe's eyes widened as shook her head in disbelief. She certainly hoped that wasn't true. After all, she had not "chosen" Brady. They sort of just found each other. 'Whoa, hold on there, Chloe,' she scolded herself. This wasn't about love and forever and all that sappy stuff. She didn't even like Brady really. This was business. No matter how cute or funny he was; this was business, a kind of project. She sighed, suddenly very exhausted. Business. Right.
Chloe stood in her kitchen, chugging down two aspirins and a glass of water. Her day, half over because it was already four o'clock, had not been good so far. She'd had a terrible hangover and found out she was married to her best friend's brother after waking up with him naked. She almost had to laugh; the situation was so ridiculous. Almost. How in the hell were they going to be able to convince their families and friends that they had suddenly fallen in love? "This is not good," Chloe muttered under her breath as she pulled some milk from the fridge.
"What are you doing?" Brady, in his clothes from last night but freshly showered, entered the kitchen looking at her intently.
"What do you mean? I'm making us coffee." She held up the full coffee pot.
He leaned against the door jam and frowned. "You don't even know how I like my coffee."
"Well, I could care less how you like your coffee. [i]I'm[/i] making the coffee."
"You should care."
"Why?"
"Because we're married. We're supposed to know these things about each other."
She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it quickly. Ugh, as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. Things like how the other liked their coffee or their eggs were supposed to be second nature to people in love. "I hadn't thought of that. Come to think of it: I don't even really know you. You could be a serial killer for all I know."
"Oh, Chloe, trust me. If I was capable of murder, you'd have been dead long ago."
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" She tightly gripped the pot of steaming java.
"Relax. I'm just saying you're not the easiest person to get along with Chloe. That's all."
"How do you like your coffee?" She gritted her teeth.
"Strong. Black. No sugar." He gave her a small smile and a wink.
"I don't know how you could drink it like that." She handed him the cup of steaming liquid.
"Thanks. I like it." He blew on it a bit and took a small sip. It was silent for a few moments as he quietly drank his coffee and absently watched her prepare her own. "What the hell is that?" He pointed to something over Chloe's head on the wall opposite to him.
She turned to look at what he was babbling about. "It's my Hello Kitty clock." She turned back to him and pouted.
"You're going to have to get that thing out of here." He put his cup down and made a closer inspection of the clock.
"Why?"
"It's hideous."
"Go to hell, Brady."
"I'm serious, Chloe. I can't be in a kitchen with that thing ticking away all day. I just can't. I won't."
"I'm not changing my life around just for you." She took a seat at her kitchen table.
"I'm your husband. You have to."
"Get out!"
"Now, now Chloe. Simmer down." He joked and took a seat across from her. "I just think this place needs a man's touch that's all."
"Get out." She said again, a deadly gleam in her eye as she took a generous sip of coffee.
"Chloe, I'm kidding. Relax. You're just going to have to get used to me. How do you like your coffee anyway?"
"Tons of cream and eight sugars."
"Eight sugars!?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Does it even taste like coffee at all after watering it down like that?"
"Ugh, yes." She rolled her eyes.
"So, you've got a sweet tooth then?" She nodded in confirmation. "How many cavities do you have?"
"None." She took a sip her coffee.
"Chloe." A knowing look on his face, he stared her down.
"All right fine. Three. How about you?"
"None. Scout's honor."
"[i]Were[/i] you a boy scout?" She grinned from ear to ear.
"Hell no. Far from it and we'll just leave it at that, okay?" He gave her a roguish grin.
"Whatever." She shook her head and smiled. "So, how do you like your eggs?"
"I'll take 'em any way you can think of: poached, scrambled, fried, boiled. You?"
"Scrambled."
"Easy enough to remember," he smiled. "What about your steak? Personally, I like mine medium well."
"I don't eat red meat."
"Whoa. That's it," he gripped the table. "I want a divorce right now."
"Oh, shut up." *********************
"Okay, let me look at you," Chloe sighed, taking a good look at Brady, as they stood on the front porch of the Wesley home. It was six thirty in the evening. They'd driven by Brady's place so he could quickly change and they could get over here and give Chloe's parents the good n-well the news. After they could sneak out of here, they were planning on going to John and Marlena next and then Belle and Shawn. Everyone else who wanted to know would have to hear it through the grapevine because this was going to be hard to pull off three times. Chloe adjusted Brady's dark blue tie that complimented his gray suit. She ran a hand over his hair lightly and smiled. "You have passed inspection. You actually look good."
"You're not so bad yourself," he smiled down at her in her blue sleeveless top and matching skirt.
"Thank you," she said curtly and rang the doorbell. "Oh G-d, Brady."
"What? What is it?"
"I think I'm panicking. Maybe we shouldn't have come here first. I mean, my parents can see through almost anything."
"And Mercenary John can't?"
Chloe laughed, grateful for the humor Brady tried to inject in the very serious situation they'd gotten themselves into. Over coffee, they had talked about their families, Brady giving her the skinny on Merc John. She truly couldn't believe the same John who she saw practically everyday had been a hired assassin in the past. Boy, she'd certainly married into a freaky family. Brady even told her about Marlena being possessed by the devil. Plus, her ex-fiancé was now her uncle-in-law. And to top it all off, she had discovered that she and Brady had more in common that she ever would have guessed. Will wonders never cease?
"I'm coming," Nancy Wesley could be heard yelling through the house.
"Smile, Brady," Chloe whispered as the door flew opened revealing a very shocked Nancy.
"Chloe! Oh Chloe," she pulled her daughter inside and hugged her tightly. "How are you holding up, honey?"
"I'm fine Nancy. I'm fine. Actually," she pulled Brady by the hand and smiled. "I've never been better."
"Hi, I'm Brady Black, Chloe's.friend," he cupped Nancy's hands in his own. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wesley."
"You too," Nancy raised an eyebrow and smiled, clearly smitten with him. She gave Chloe a knowing look and turned her attention back to Brady. "And call me Nancy, Brady. Come and take a seat. So, what brings you two by?"
"Has Craig left for work yet?" Chloe took a seat, completely dodging Nancy's question. Brady took the spot on the couch next to her.
"No, he hasn't, dear. Why? Did you want to speak to him?"
"I wanted to speak to both of you actually."
"Why so serious, honey? Did something happen? Is Philip still carrying on, asking for forgiveness? If he's messing with you, so help me G-d, I'll.."
"Mom, it's fine."
"You're calling me mom now? This must be serious." Nancy laughed.
"Can you just get Craig please?" She calmed immensely as Brady reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly. "We have something we'd like to tell you."
Nancy's face blanched. Oh, G-d, Chloe was pregnant. And she was probably here to tell them that this man was the father. "Um, okay sweetie. I'll go and get your father."
When Nancy went up the stairs to get Craig, Chloe rose from the couch, nervously pacing. Brady stood after watching her a few moments. "Chloe, honey, you're going to have to try and calm down."
"I can't, Brady," she kept pacing back and forth, back and forth. "I just hate that we have to lie to my parents."
"But we're not really lying. I mean we are married. It's legal. We're husband and wife."
"Oh, stop saying that." She shooed him off and wrung her hands together nervously. "I think you're liking this much too much."
"Don't flatter yourself, Diva. I don't believe in marriage or love any more than I believe in Santa Claus. The only thing I do believe in is the good old American dollar. This is purely business."
She whirled and faced him, angry. "You are such a-" Craig coming down the stairs with Nancy caught her eye. "Such a wonderful man." She plastered on a smile.
Brady grinned, knowing her parents were watching the exchange. "As are you, my love." He gripped her hand and brought it to his lips. "Wonderful, I mean." He kissed her hand softly.
Chloe sighed with happiness and turned to face Craig and Nancy. "Craig, there you are!" She pulled Brady along with her, before enveloping her father in a hug at the foot of the stairs. "This is Brady Black, my.friend."
Craig narrowed his eyes at Brady. "Brady Black of Basic Black? John Black's son?"
"Yes, that'd be me. It's great to meet you Dr. Wesley. I know you're the chief of staff of Salem University Hospital. I've heard so much about you."
"Funny, but I haven't heard a thing about you." He looked at his daughter expectantly.
"Uhhh," Chloe stuttered. "Let's all go take a seat on the couch, okay? Sitting is good. Sitting down is great." They all took their places on the couch. Chloe sitting in a chair by the couch and Brady supporting her by sitting on the arm of the chair and taking her hand. "Brady and I." she trailed off. "We.I'm his.he's my.we're."
Brady squeezed her hand. "Chloe and I are husband and wife. We were married last night." Aside from the quick gasp from Nancy's throat, the room was silent for a long while. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Brady cleared his throat. Craig Wesley was looking at him like he wanted to tear him apart.
"I'd like to have a talk with Brady. Do you two ladies mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?" Craig waited for Chloe and Nancy to leave in the direction of the kitchen before he turned around to speak to this man, who claimed to be his daughter's husband. Two weeks ago, Chloe was engaged to Philip and now she was married to another man!? "Brady."
"Craig.Dr. Wesley.sir," he trailed off and nervously cleared his throat, waiting for Craig to speak.
"What were you two thinking?" ************************
"What were you two thinking?" Nancy, leaning against the counter, crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her daughter sitting with her head in her hands at the kitchen table. "You barely know this man! How could you have possibly fallen in love with a man so quickly? And if you did, my G- d, what was the rush!?"
"Brady and I are good together okay? We didn't want to wait."
"You barely know him Chloe!"
"That's not true. I've known his family for years."
"Well, what about [i]him[/i]? When did you meet [i]him[/i]!?"
"At Belle and Shawn's wedding five years ago but we were with other people at the time so." Chloe was glad she hadn't had to lie too much just yet.
"You were 'with other people' week before last, Chloe! What changed?"
"Philip cheated on me! That's what changed!" She blew out a frustrated breath.
"Chloe.I know. I didn't mean it like that, I.I just want you to be happy. I just don't want you to regret this decision."
"Oh, mom, trust me: I don't regret this one bit," Chloe spoke truthfully. She didn't regret marrying Brady at all. I mean, at first she had but after realizing what good could come out of this twisted union, she changed her mind.
"You're a big girl Chloe and I trust your judgment. He is gorgeous; I'll give you that. Very sweet and very handsome." Nancy gave her daughter a small smile.
"He is very handsome." Chloe wasn't sure about how "sweet" Brady was though so she left that out.
"Well, let's go rescue your new hubby from your father." She laughed and pulled her arm around Chloe's shoulder.
"Okay," Chloe giggled, sure that Craig had sufficiently torn Brady limb from limb by now. He had never liked Philip and he'd known Philip for years, plenty of time to warm up to him. Brady was toast. But both Chloe and Nancy got the shock of their life as they walked in on Craig and Brady hysterically laughing and patting each other on the back, chatting on about something. Chloe watched as Nancy inquired and joined in on the fun. Something about that old Dustin Hoffman movie "Tootsie." It was Craig's favorite movie and Chloe had just found out earlier that day, that Brady adored that movie as well. She hadn't even made the connection when Brady had told her.
Nancy and Brady laughed as Craig did an impression from the movie. "Oh, that's great," Nancy tried to catch her breath as she walked over to Chloe and left the men to continue goofing around. "Looks like a good catch so far, honey." She nodded in Brady's direction as he and Craig began discussing football. "And you know what they say about girls and how they choose someone just like their father."
Chloe's eyes widened as shook her head in disbelief. She certainly hoped that wasn't true. After all, she had not "chosen" Brady. They sort of just found each other. 'Whoa, hold on there, Chloe,' she scolded herself. This wasn't about love and forever and all that sappy stuff. She didn't even like Brady really. This was business. No matter how cute or funny he was; this was business, a kind of project. She sighed, suddenly very exhausted. Business. Right.