The following fan fiction contains characters owned by the writers and producers of Days of Our Lives. This fan fiction is purely for entertainment purposes.
An After Dinner Conversation
Brady was startled from his thoughts.
Ch: Brady, I was talking to you.
He turned around and saw her standing in the foyer, wearing pale yellow sweats.
Br: (smiling) You've changed your clothes.
Ch: (posing) Ta da! (walking toward him) Although you ruined my entrance. What were you thinking about?
Br: (sighing) I was thinking about the night you became ill.
Ch: (quietly) Oh. But I'm feeling better.
Br: Yeah, I know. Have a seat.
Chloe smiled as she sat next to him and leaned on his shoulder.
Ch: Have I thanked you for being there for me, yet again?
Br: Yeah, earlier tonight. You don't have to thank me again, although I do have something for you that will warrant one.
Ch: (sitting up, eyes sparkling) You got me something?
Br: (standing up) Yeah.
Brady went to the closet and removed a bag from his pocket. He sat next to Chloe and handed the bag to her.
Ch: (smiling) A CD?
Br: Go ahead, open the bag.
She smiled as she pulled the CD from the bag.
Ch: Sarah Vaughan?
Br: Yeah. I was riding in the elevator and I heard 'Misty'. I immediately thought about Sarah Vaughan and you. It was the first time that muzak inspired me, beyond going on a rampage.
Ch: (standing up) But Brady, I don't listen to jazz.
Br: (walking to her) I think that you should listen to her. I think that she will appeal to your operatic sensibilities.
Ch: (turning around) I appreciate this, but…
Br: No buts, Chloe. I just want you to listen to this. And please, don't construe this as a subversive way of me guiding you away from opera. I happen to believe that a true genius shouldn't have a singular vision of her craft. Sure, mathematicians, scientists and the like can get away with having 'tunnel vision', but an artist should never restrict herself in any way. You have to be willing to drink in every experience and reinterpret it. Sarah Vaughan does that and more.
Ch: (looking at him) Okay. I'll give her a try.
Br: (smiling) That's all I'm asking of you.
Ch: It's very little, compared to what you've given to me.
Br: Hey, that's what friendship's all about, give and take.
Ch: (sighing) Yeah, but you're doing all of the giving and I'm just taking.
Br: That's not true.
Ch: Yes, it is. For example, tonight, like many nights before, we've been talking about my love life, my dreams, and now, my illness…
Br: Recovery.
Ch: Okay, recovery. But we haven't talked about your needs. I can't help thinking that something is bothering you, aside from your lack of rest. What is going on with you?
Br: (avoiding eye contact) Nothing. I mean, everything is fine.
Ch: You're lying to me. Please Brady, tell me what's going on with you.
Br: Diva, I…
Ch: Brady, come sit with me.
Chloe led Brady to the couch, holding his hands and looking into his eyes.
Ch: Brady, please tell me what's wrong.
Br: (sighing) I had an argument with my father.
Ch: Oh. About what?
Br: (taking a deep breath) Apparently, my work at BB isn't as stellar as it used to be. I told him that I would work on it, but…
Ch: (quietly) It's because of me, isn't it?
Br: No, Diva…
Ch: Yes, it is. You've been spreading yourself too thin, because of me.
Br: Listen, Diva. It isn't your fault. It was my choice to spend time with you, to stay here late and to continue working full-time. It's all me.
Ch: But Brady…
Br: (looking into her eyes) No buts, Diva. The bottom line is… there is no place I'd rather be than here and no person I would rather spend time with than you. No business acquisitions or marketing projects would hold my interests or fuel my hopes for the future as much as you getting through this. Do you understand that?
Chloe nodded her head.
Br: Hey Diva, why are you so sad?
Ch: (quietly) Because, yet again, you're giving and I'm taking.
Br: (exasperated) Don't start that again.
Ch: You're sacrificing your job and your relationship with your father to protect…
Br: Me and my father will be fine.
Ch: Of course you will. Because you're going to tell your father about what's going on.
Br: No way.
Ch: Yes you are and you're going to tell him tonight.
Br: Look, I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it.
Ch: Well, it is time to make a new promise. Promise me that you will tell him about me. If you don't, I will. Now you wouldn't want to tarnish your perfect record for promise keeping, would you? And besides, it's about time that I took care of your needs.
Brady stared at her, recognizing the determination in her eyes. He knew it was a losing battle.
Br: (reluctantly) Okay, I'll tell him. But don't think that you're getting rid of me.
Ch: Believe you me, that isn't my goal. Although… I do want you to take some nights off, starting this weekend.
Br: Sorry, can't do that.
Ch: Sorry, can do, Brady. I will get my energy back and I'm going to need someone to play with me. Since you're my favorite playmate, I want you rested and ready to go, when I am.
Br: Okay, we'll compromise. I'll rest this weekend, but we'll still have our Friday movie night. Okay?
Ch: (smiling) Okay, it's a deal.
Br: (smiling) Let's shake on it.
Ch: We're beyond handshakes, B.
She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him. She noticed how thin he was getting.
Ch: (letting him go) B, you really need to eat. You're getting thin.
Br: (smiling) How can you tell?
Chloe turned around and reclined on Brady's chest.
Ch: (laughing) Seriously, Brady. You need to put on some weight.
Br: Hey, I'm not the only one.
Ch: Yeah, but I'm sick. One of these nights, we're going to sit down and scarf. From BLTs to mocha chip ice cream, we're going to gorge ourselves to exhaustion. And we'll sit on this couch, with our belts unbuckled, watching our guts swell.
Br: (squeezing her) Yeah, that'll be an attractive sight.
Ch: (smiling) Yeah, and I'm telling you now, I'll eat you under the table.
Br: (chuckling) Whatever, Chloe.
Sugar hopped into Chloe's lap and laid down.
Ch: (stroking Sugar) Brady?
Br: Yeah?
Ch: You will tell your dad about me, won't you?
Br: Yeah, Chloe. I've promised, remember?
Ch: I know you did. It's just that…
Br: Just what?
Ch: Well, it seems like you're always putting yourself out for me. Why do you do that?
Br: (quietly) Because I…
Brady and Chloe heard the door being unlocked. Sugar jumped off of Chloe's lap and ran toward the door. They turned around as Nancy and Craig entered the house, laughing at a private joke. They noticed Chloe in Brady's arms.
Craig: (walking toward the living room) Well, this is quite a reversal. The kids are lounging on the couch as the wayward parents return home from their date. I assume everything went smoothly.
Ch: (looking at Craig) Actually, I was going to ask the same thing. How was dessert?
N: (smiling at Craig) Wonderful. But Chloe, sweetie, look what we have for you.
Cr: Mocha chip ice cream.
Ch: (sitting up) Oh my god. Gimme!
Br: (rubbing his hands together) Well, it looks like our gorge fest begins tonight.
Ch: (taking the ice cream and spoon) What do you mean 'our' gorge fest?!
Br: (glaring at Chloe) You greedy little…
Cr: Okay, children. Behave.
Ch: (looking at Brady) Actually Brady, I meant that you have to go home and take care of something.
Br: Yeah, I do. But I have time for a couple of bites.
Chloe scraped the top of her ice cream and offered the small amount to him.
Ch: (smiling) Here you go. Make it last.
Brady gave Chloe a dirt look as he ate the minute amount of ice cream. She smiled as she pulled the spoon out of his mouth. She dug the spoon into the ice cream and scooped out a heaping spoonful and offered it to him.
Ch: (giggling) Here you go.
Brady smiled as he savored the ice cream.
Br: (winking) See you tomorrow, Diva.
Ch: (smiling) Bye, B.
Br: 'Night, Dr. Wesley. Mrs. Wesley.
N: Goodnight, Brady.
Nancy went to the closet and retrieved his jacket. She followed him to the door.
N: (low tone) Brady, thank you for tonight.
Br: (turning around) No problem. I'll see you tomorrow.
N: Okay. Drive safely.
Nancy watched as Brady walked to his car. She waved as he drove away. She closed the door and turned her attention to her daughter, swatting away Craig's spoon, as he attempted to steal some ice cream.
Ch: (laughing) You can't have anymore, Craig.
Cr: C'mon, Chloe.
Ch: No, this is mine.
N: (walking into the living room) Quoting a wise man: 'Okay, children. Behave.'
Ch: He started it. You had your dessert. This is mine.
Cr: C'mon, Chloe. A spoonful won't hurt.
N: (firmly) Drop the spoon, Craig.
Cr: But Nanc…
N: (firmly) Drop it now.
Craig's face crumpled. He bowed his head and walked toward Nancy. He gave her a quick peck on her cheek and nuzzled her neck, making her giggle.
Ch: (embarrassed) Well, it's obvious that you two had a good night.
Cr: (kissing Nancy's forehead) Yeah, we did.
Ch: I'm glad. It was long overdue.
Chloe closed her carton of ice cream and walked into the kitchen, with Sugar following her. She returned to the living room and sat on the couch.
Cr: (sitting next to Chloe) It seems to me that you and Brady were having a good night too.
Ch: Yeah, although I'm worried about him. But he promised me that he will take better care of himself.
N: I'm glad to hear it. He's pushing himself too hard.
Sugar barked from the kitchen.
N: It sounds like her 'My water dish is empty' bark.
Ch: Sorry, Nancy. I didn't notice.
N: No problem, I'll take care of it.
Nancy walked into the kitchen.
Cr: (turning his attention to Chloe) So, how will Brady 'take better care of himself'?
Ch: Well, he's not coming over this weekend.
Sadness clouded Chloe's eyes.
Cr: Sweetie, you seem disappointed.
Ch: (looking up) No, Craig. It was my idea and it's a good one. He can't continue to run himself ragged, neither can you or Nancy. Which brings me to my doctor's appointment tomorrow. I want another cell count. How long will it take for it to come back?
Cr: Well, I can put a rush on it. Maybe we can get them on… Saturday?
Ch: Great. I want to know where I stand, for my sake and for you all. But please, don't tell Nancy or Brady about this.
Cr: (kissing her forehead) I won't.
Ch: Well, I better go up. Goodnight, Craig.
Cr: 'Night, sweetie.
Nancy walked out of the kitchen.
N: You're going up?
Ch: Yeah. Goodnight, Nancy.
Chloe kissed her cheek.
N: (smiling at Chloe) Goodnight, sweetheart.
Chloe grabbed the bag from the table.
Ch: (shaking the bag) I'll need this.
She ran up the stairs.
N: (sitting next to Craig) Well, tonight has turned out fantastically.
Ch: (kissing Nancy) Yeah. I hope that tonight is just the beginning.
As Chloe dressed for bed, she heard scratching at the door. As she pulled on her pajama bottoms, she hopped to the door and cracked it open. Sugar ran into the room and jumped onto her bed.
Ch: So, you want to sleep in here, tonight? Okay.
Chloe removed the CD from the bag and tried to remove the cellophane. After some doing, she freed the CD from its cellophane shell. She sat on her bed as she placed the CD in her boom box. She plugged in her headphones and leaned over to turn off her lamp.
Ch: (putting on headphones, to herself) Okay, Brady. I'm going to listen to the CD. I hope it isn't a waste of time.
She picked up the remote and pulled the blankets to her chest. Sugar laid next to Chloe as she eased into the bed. She pressed the play button and relaxed. As she listened to her CD, her answering machine was receiving a message. And since she turned the answering machine's volume down, months ago, it was as if she didn't have a phone, much less a machine.
Answering Machine: Hey, it's Chloe. Please leave a message. BEEP!
Phillip: Chloe, it's me. Please pick up… (sighing) Chloe, I… Chloe, I need to talk to you. I haven't heard from you for months. Is there something wrong? (annoyed) Or maybe you're too busy to… Wait. I'm sorry. Please give me a call when you get this message. I miss you. BEEP!