Happy Birthday, Brady
Nancy stood in the hallway, watching Chloe watching Brady. Nervously, she walked toward Chloe, just as Craig returned to the restaurant.
Cr: (rushing to Nancy) Sweetie, what's all this?
N: (incredulous) It's Brady's birthday.
Be: (excited) I can't believe it, Chloe. All day, I debated whether I should invite you here and poof… here you are.
Chloe's eyes were locked on Brady's.
N: (approaching her) Chloe, sweetie… (taking her arm) Chloe…
Ch: (roused) Yes, Mom?
N: (calmly) Let's wish Brady a happy birthday.
The Wesleys and Chloe approached him.
Br: Dr. and Mrs. Wesley… (looking at Chloe) What are you doing here?
Cr: We… actually, Nancy thought it was a good idea to take Chloe out tonight.
N: Brady… I thought you said this was your mother's anniversary.
Br: It is…
N: And it's your birthday?
Br: Yeah… I'm slightly younger than my mother's anniversary.
N: By how much?
Br: (smiling) A couple of minutes.
J: (chiming in) It's a long story.
N: (nervous) So you're… 21?
Br: Yeah.
N: Well… (hugging him) Happy Birthday.
Br: Thank you.
N: (letting him go) I suppose Craig wants to wish you a happy birthday too. (looking at Chloe, nervously) Don't you, Craig?
Cr: Of course. (shaking his hand) Happy Birthday, Brady.
Br: Thank you, Dr. Wesley. (stepping to Chloe) Well… (looking in her eyes) Aren't you going to wish me a happy birthday?
Her eyes flashed as his trademark crooked smile widened. She slowly backed away from him, returning to her table.
Be: (concerned) Chloe…
Br: (grabbing her arm) Leave her alone, Tink.
Be: But, Brady…
Br: She's obviously mad at me… (trying to hide his smile) She'll get over it.
N: I'm sorry about that, Brady.
Br: (smiling) Don't worry about it… (going to his seat) I'm used to it.
The Wesleys returned to their table as Belle seated herself next to Brady.
N: Chloe, what has gotten into you?
Ch: What are you talking about?
N: What am I talking about? You were totally rude to him.
Ch: No, I wasn't.
Be: Brady?
Br: (watching Chloe's back) Yes, Tink?
Be: Why is Chloe mad at you?
Br: (feigning indifference) Who knows!
N: (shaking her head) I just don't understand you. All evening, you were moping, because of him…
Ch: I was not.
N: (skeptical) Chloe… please…
Be: Did you say something to her?
Br: (relaxing in his chair) No… (in an exaggerated tone) but I may have done something to her.
Chloe shifted in her chair as Brady smiled to himself.
Cr: Nanc, keep out of this.
N: But, Craig…
Cr: Nancy, let's dance.
Craig led a distracted Nancy to the dance floor.
Be: (touching his hand) Brady?
Br: (looking at Belle) Yes, Tink?
Be: Go over there and make up with her.
Br: (feigning defiance) No way, Tink! I shouldn't have to work on my birthday.
Be: (eyes pleading) Please, Brady? I don't want this… tension… to ruin tonight.
Br: (eyeing Chloe's shoulders) I'm sorry, Belle, but this tension can't be broken. (looking at Belle) Not even by you.
He noticed Chloe slowly melting into her chair.
Be: Please, Brady, do it for me.
Br: (feigning resignation) Okay… (standing up) I'll do this… (looking at Chloe) for you.
Chloe could feel herself blushing as Brady left the Black's table. To her, it took an eternity for Brady to walk several feet from his table to hers. Although he was several inches away from her, she could feel the warmth of his thighs, singeing her left side. The scent of his cologne nearly lifted her out of her chair, but her hands, clenched to her chair, anchored her. She slowly raised her eyes and saw a large, beautifully cream hand, extended, offering to… Chloe looked at him, and realized that what his hand was offering, was harmless and chaste, at least for the time being.
Br: (smiling) Chloe, would you like to dance?
Ch: (breathless) Sure.
As she carefully placed her hand in his, she felt a similar searing sensation that she felt in Brady's bedroom. With her eyes locked on his, she rose from his chair, as she guided her to the dance floor. The percussions from the music infused Chloe, prompting her hips to sway seductively. Brady watched her, in adoration, but sensed that Belle was watching. While he didn't want to stop looking, he pulled Chloe closer to him, accepting the rustle of her skirt would be a sufficient substitute, although feeling her warm body and her lashes against his cheek was reward enough. The twosome glided on the dance floor, looking into each other's eyes.
If I tell you
If I tell you now
Will you keep on
Will you keep on loving me
If I tell you
If I tell you how I feel
Will you keep bringing out the best in me
You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo…
A laughing Maggie, Marlena, and John came into the dining room, while Belle watched Brady and Chloe.
Mag: (looking at Brady and Chloe) What's this?
Be: (looking up) Oh… that's just Brady and Chloe… making up.
J: What? They had another falling out?
Be: (rolling her eyes) Yeah… but with a little prompting from me, well… you can see the results.
Maggie watched the spellbound duo.
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt this hot before
Giving me something that's taboo
(Sometimes I think you're just too good for me)
Mag: (under her breath) Sorry, Belle, but the 'results' don't have anything to do with you.
You give me the sweetest taboo
That's why I'm in love with you (with you)
While she was dancing with Craig, Nancy noticed Brady and Chloe.
N: (panicked) Oh God, Craig!
Cr: (concerned) What, Nanc?
N: Just look at them.
Chloe smiled as she slowly ran her hand along Brady's arm, wrapping her arms around his neck, as Brady's hand was perched, precariously, near her backside.
I'd do anything for you, I'd stand out in the rain
Anything you want me to do, don't let it slip away
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt like this before
There's a quiet storm
I think it's you…
Cr: (looking at Nancy) Sweetheart… there is nothing to worry about.
There's a quiet storm…
N: But Craig, you don't know the whole story…
Brady's hand inched lower.
And I never felt this hot before
Giving me something that's taboo
Nancy continued to watch them.
Cr: (lifting her chin) Nanc… this night isn't about them. We're celebrating the fact that our daughter has survived leukemia. So, in the grand scheme, her 'dance' with Brady is low on the worry scale. (touching her cheek) Okay?
N: (slightly smiling) You're right, Craig. It's just that…
The lights began to flicker, as the music slowly stopped.
Mag: (walking into the darkened dining room) I'm sorry, everyone. I was hoping that tonight would be blackout-free. I guess it was too much to expect. The generator should kick in, so please… be patient.
Nancy and Craig slowly made their way to their table.
Mag: (apologetically) Everyone, please have a drink, on the house.
The patrons applauded.
N: (sitting) So, Chloe… what would you like?
There was silence.
N: Chloe?
Brady and Chloe stumbled onto the terrace, frenziedly kissing each other. Despite the darkness and being entangled in each other's arms, they managed to avoid the scaffolding and the scattered building supplies. The darkness didn't seem to bother them, for their other senses were heightened. The scent of the other's perfume/cologne seemed to fuel their binge of kisses. All he could hear was the sound of her high heels and the rustle of her skirt as she slowly backed toward the wall. All she could hear was the sound of his shirt, being untucked, by her, and her hands, rubbing his bare back. But few things compared to the touch of each others' hands, the warmth of each others' bodies, or the mutual sense of urgency, feeling that a particular squeeze or caress would never be enough to satisfy either of them. Few things, that is, except for the taste of it. The taste of him. The taste of her. Neither a single word or a collection of encyclopedias could describe it. But then again, neither would spend time thinking about it, They were too busy enjoying it. As they slowly backed toward the wall, they slowly began to see each other. He saw her cheek plumping, as he kissed her and she could detect the blond hair, that seemed to fluorescent in the dark. But most importantly, they began to see each other's eyes, at least, the sparkle and shine that's comes, whenever they were close to each other.
Blond Hair: (breathlessly smiling) Hi.
Apple of her cheek: Hello.
B.H.: (kissing her cheek) How are you?
A.O.H.C.: (breathless) I'm pretty good.
B.H.: I'm glad to hear it.
A.O.H.C.: I'm glad that I can say it.
Chloe backed toward the wall, leading Brady. Before she could lean against it, he stopped her.
Br: (anxious) Wait a minute, Diva. (touching the wall) Good, the paint's dry.
Ch: Good. (pulling him closer) I don't want my hair to get stuck… (kissing him) on the wall.
Br: (kissing her) Or… you don't want the paint to ruin your gown.
Ch: (breathlessly kissing him) No, I don't want that. (moaning) Brady…
Br: (nibbling her lips) I'm waiting, Diva.
Ch: For what?
Br: For you to say it.
Ch: (looking at him) Say what?
Br: (pulling away) You know…
Ch: (grabbing at him) No, I don't. (pulling him to her) Come here…
Br: (obstinate) We're not doing anything else, until you say three little words…
Puzzled, Chloe stared at him. Slowly, a smile crept across her face.
Ch: (hugging him) Happy Birthday, Brady.
Br: (smiling) Thank you… (looking down at her) Now see, that wasn't so…
Chloe pulled him into a kiss. As she rubbed her cheek against his, she softly purred, making him smile.
Br: What was the purr for?
Ch: (gently kissing him) I never kissed you when you have the stubble.
Br: From your purring, I assume you approve of it.
Ch: (lingering on his lips) No. I haven't made a decision either way. (looking at him) We will have to do this several thousand more times, before I can make a decision. (looking innocent) Is that okay?
Br: (thinking) Uh… (pulling her closer) Sure.
Brady assailed her neck with kisses as Chloe giggled from the tickle of his whiskers. Suddenly, Brady stopped.
Ch: (concerned) Brady, what's wrong?
Br: (sighing) The power's back on.
Ch: (nibbling his ear) So?
Br: Well, greedy girl, we're probably being missed. We have to go back in.
Ch: (whining) No, Brady.
Br: (sighing) We have no choice. Would you want your mother to come looking for you?
Ch: (sighing) No. (pulling away) The last thing I would want is for something to happen to you.
Br: (tucking in his shirt) I'm glad to hear it.
Chloe stared at him.
Br: What?
Ch: (kittenish) Do you need help with that?
Br: (kissing her forehead) No.
Brady walked toward the door.
Br: (turning around) Well, aren't you coming?
Ch: (sighing) Yeah. (walking toward him) Who knew that turning 21 would make you such a drag.
He pinned her against the door.
Br: (looking in her eyes) Am I really a drag, Chloe?
Ch: (breathless) No, you're not.
In anticipation, Chloe closed her eyes and lifted her chin, but Brady backed away from her.
Br: (smiling) Come on, Chloe, let's go.
Ch: (opening her eyes and glaring) Fine.
Br: (opening the door) Ladies first.
Glaring, she re-entered Tuscany, with Brady following her. He took out his handkerchief, attempting to wipe off her lipstick.
Ch: (turning around) What are you doing?
Br: Getting rid of the evidence. (looking at her) Chloe… a little help…
Ch: (folding her arms) No, I don't think so.
Br: (exasperated) Fine, be a brat.
Brady went into the restroom, while Chloe reapplied her lip gloss.
Be: (rushing toward her) Hey, Chloe…
Ch: (putting away her gloss) Yes, Belle?
Be: Where did you two go?
As Brady placed his handkerchief in his pocket, he stepped out of the restroom.
Br: (startled) Belle, what are you doing here?
Be: Looking for the both of you. (looking at them) Well, it's nice to know that you're both in one piece.
Br: (looking at Chloe) Well, but not for Chloe's lack of trying.
Ch: (mockingly) Ha-ha.
Be: (grabbing both of their hands) Come on, you two, everybody's waiting.
The preceding chapter contained lyrics from the song, The Sweetest Taboo, performed by Sade.