I disclaim! This chapter is a little long and I tend to ramble on as usual
LOL Thanks for reading ;)
Chapter 3: Angel of Music
Chloe frowned. Apart from the various beeping machines and ventilator that sounded with each beat of his heart and breath he took, the room was silent. Chloe couldn't explain the heavy feeling of absolute grief that took hold. She was a nurse, had seen sick people for years and it never bothered her this much. 'Maybe it's because this is my best friend's brother,' she reasoned to herself as she stood at the side of his bed and got her first real look at him.
His short, blonde hair was matted to his forehead and his face was strong and still, a light stubble along his jaw. He was a very handsome man Chloe absently noted and took one of his large hands in hers. She couldn't ignore the tingly feeling she got when her skin touched his as she sat with him for awhile 'for Belle's sake,' she told herself.
Through her experiences as a nurse, she'd learned that, coma patients often remembered hearing their relatives talking to them, reading to them, singing to them as they slept. So she hummed quietly, knowing he could hear her wherever he was right now. Her brow knitted as she realized what tune she had arbitrarily chosen. It was a classical nocturne by Chopin she hadn't heard in years. The song brought back memories of her childhood, in some ways so joyous and in others cruel and callous. Her adoptive parents had given her a tape of his classical songs that she had adored. And even after their deaths, as she was pushed around from one foster home to another, she'd coveted it very much. Listening to Chopin's intoxicating yet morose melodies, stirred up these conflicting and contemplative feelings within her that she hated and loved, both at the same time. She hadn't seen or heard that tape in years. What had made her choose one of those songs? Twenty minutes later, she exited the room, deep in thought. Brady Black wasn't even conscious yet but already he'd made her uneasy. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe frowned and ran right into a man's chest.
"Sorry, Miss. I didn't even watch where I was going."
"It's okay."
"That's Brady Black's room right?" The worried man held his IV stand with one hand and kept the back of his hospital gown closed with the other.
"Who wants to know," Chloe couldn't help but feel a little protective of Belle's brother.
"Masters. Detective Jason Masters," the man sighed. "Brady saved my life."
************************
Two Days later. . . Chloe's Loft. . .
"Yeah Mimi, of course," Chloe assured her friend over the phone as she towel dried her hair and took a seat on her puffy, black couch. "Brady's doing okay. I mean, yes he's in a coma but the doctor's expect him to come out of it soon. And apart from a shoulder wound and two broken legs, I think he'll come out of it okay. I get a really good feeling with him."
"A good feeling? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I mean, you know how I've been feeling funny all week, couldn't sleep, couldn't seem to get going."
"Yeah?"
"Well, so I walk into the guy's room and I don't know. . . This sudden feeling of contemplativeness just washes over me. All I could think about was my childhood and I hadn't really thought about that in years. It was bizarre. I was feeling all of these things so strongly. Honestly, it was incredibly unnerving but I've never felt so complete or at peace." She chose her words carefully now, suddenly feeling foolish. "I mean, I know it sounds strange and granted at first, I felt awful for him. But there's just something about him," Chloe sighed. She'd spent most of her free time in Brady's room the past few days just sitting with him, reflecting on her past, considering her future. It was maddening, yet oddly therapeutic.
"So I run into his partner Jason," she continued. "And he starts telling me about Brady too, like Belle does you know? And we visit with Brady for a while. Then I walk Jason back to his room and something, God knows what, draws me back to Brady's room. And I just go in there, plop down in a seat by his bed again, take his hand and I guess I fell asleep. And Mimi," she paused. "I've never slept so well."
"Weird," Mimi murmured. "I mean I've known Brady for awhile now and he's really hot. . ."
Chloe scoffed, knowing Mimi wouldn't understand it was more than physical.
Mimi continued. "So you being attracted to him is understandable but this is all really strange."
"What is?"
"You saying he makes you feel so much. You admitting to me that anyone can make you feel anything. You're not exactly the most openly emotional person-"
"Gee, thanks, Meems."
"Chloe, that's the truth and you know it. You don't even know the guy. And trust me: Brady's never been known to instill peace in anyone. I hate to say this but do you think it means he's close to death or something?"
"The thought crossed my mind, but Jesus, don't tell Belle."
"Of course not." Mimi frowned. "Just the same though, I think maybe you ought to consult those tarot cards I gave you."
"Ugh, I hate to admit this. I mean really. . . really hate to admit this, but I kind of already have."
"Have what?"
"Consulted the tarot cards."
"And?"
"And what?" Chloe groaned. "They're just cards, Meems. They mean nothing. Besides, I think something's wrong with the deck anyway, kind of freaks me out."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the angel card keeps popping up. The one where the cherub looking guy is smiling freakishly," Chloe laughed.
Mimi gasped. "You're kidding?"
"No." Chloe frowned, hating the curiosity that swept over her. "What's that card mean anyway?"
"Oh Chlo. Love. Chloe, that card means love. You and Brady," Mimi gushed.
"Love?" This was a little too otherworldly for Chloe's taste. "Be serious, Mimi. The guy is in a coma, fighting for his life. He doesn't even know I exist and even if he did, I hardly think love would be the first thing on his mind."
"Yes, but you said yourself that he'll be just fine soon enough."
"I know but. . ." Chloe fidgeted in her sweats. "I don't even know why I'm discussing this with you. This is silly."
"Because I am one of your very best friends and because you, Chloe Lane, have just found your soulmate."
*********************
Soulmate. Chloe hated that word and didn't believe in it for a second. Mimi was insane. Brady wasn't her soulmate. He was just some guy. Some guy who was lying unconscious in a hospital bed and fighting for his life. Some guy. Some guy who strangely made her feel safe and whom she had a very strange, overwhelming sense to protect. Ewww. . . Chloe didn't even want to think about it. This was too weird. But here she was, arriving earlier than normal for her shift to visit with Brady again. Her heart dropped out of her chest when she opened the door to room 627 and found the bed empty. "Where's Brady?" She unconsciously said aloud.
"Oh, if you mean Mr. Hot Blonde Detective. He's come out of his coma. He's on your floor now, I think, Chloe. Looks like you get Mr. Don Johnson- Miami Vice now."
"Thanks Gloria," Chloe watched the heavy set, white haired nurse waddled down the hallway. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe bit her lip nervously as she made her way to her floor. She looked down at her Snoopy patterned scrubs and suddenly felt very self-conscious. So Brady had come out of his coma. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe murmured again as she neared her floor. She should be grateful. She pulled at her low ponytail. Brady had come out of his coma. She wondered if Belle was aware of the great news. This was great, right? Chloe could finally meet him. "Hmmm. . ." She was so caught up in her thoughts that she ran smack dab into John Black's chest. "John! Marlena," she grinned at Belle's beaming parents.
"Chloe, hey," John hugged her fiercely and smiled as Marlena did the same. "Did you hear the news? Brady's out of his coma."
"Yes, actually, I just heard. Congratulations," she smiled.
"Looks like you'll be taking care of him now, Chloe." John winked at her.
"Looks like it." Chloe inwardly groaned, suddenly very uneasy. She was certain Belle was aware, courtesy of Mimi, that Chloe had visited with Brady several times the past few days. And it was now apparent John and Marlena were aware of this as well, only this time she was sure Craig was the culprit. Her fascination with Brady had become front-page news it seemed. "Is he awake?"
"Occasionally," John grinned. "Looks like they have the kid doped up enough."
"That's good because with that shoulder wound and two broken legs. . ." Chloe trailed off, shaking her head.
"Very true," Marlena nodded sadly, knowing Brady was not going to take the news of his injuries very well.
"So, I've got to get to work but it was great seeing you two and tell Belle I said 'Congratulations.'"
"Will do. Thanks, Chloe," John and Marlena walked to the elevators leaving her alone in the hallway. After checking in and relieving the night nurse, Chloe made her way over to Brady's room. Time to change his IV. She briskly walked into his room and nearly stopped in her tracks. He really was looking sooooo much better. The soft, light coming in through the blinds cast an ethereal glow in the room. And Chloe sighed softly and smiled at the sleeping man, lying peacefully in the too small bed for his long body. She began to hum some random contented tune as she changed out his IV. She was glad to see him looking so well. Well, apart from his legs that were elevated in the air and the blue sling that bound his left arm, he looked really good anyway. She continued her humming and didn't even realize her patient struggling to open his drowsy eyes at the sound of her delighted voice.
Brady heard that voice again. Only this time she was humming something soothing, something happy. He had to see her. This woman who'd haunted his dreams for days now. Dammit, he would open his eyes. With great effort, he managed to open his very heavy eyelids and stare at the humming angel above him. Was he dead?
Chloe heard the Brady's heart monitor begin to race and so she looked down and locked eyes with the most piercing blues she'd ever seen.
Brady's breath caught in his throat when this heavenly creature set her striking blue eyes to his. He was dead. He had to be. He was in Heaven. "Are you an angel?" his voice was raspy and weak, having had the ventilator tube removed from his throat only hours prior.
Chloe was speechless. Brady, her Brady, okay so not her Brady. yet. thought she was an angel. 'How sweet,' she gushed to herself.
Brady felt his eyes begin to close again and a blissful sleep overtake him. "My angel. angel of music." he murmured.
Chloe gazed at him, smiling at his drug-induced state as he nodded off again. She pondered his kind words and for the first time in a long time, pondered her love life.
Chapter 3: Angel of Music
Chloe frowned. Apart from the various beeping machines and ventilator that sounded with each beat of his heart and breath he took, the room was silent. Chloe couldn't explain the heavy feeling of absolute grief that took hold. She was a nurse, had seen sick people for years and it never bothered her this much. 'Maybe it's because this is my best friend's brother,' she reasoned to herself as she stood at the side of his bed and got her first real look at him.
His short, blonde hair was matted to his forehead and his face was strong and still, a light stubble along his jaw. He was a very handsome man Chloe absently noted and took one of his large hands in hers. She couldn't ignore the tingly feeling she got when her skin touched his as she sat with him for awhile 'for Belle's sake,' she told herself.
Through her experiences as a nurse, she'd learned that, coma patients often remembered hearing their relatives talking to them, reading to them, singing to them as they slept. So she hummed quietly, knowing he could hear her wherever he was right now. Her brow knitted as she realized what tune she had arbitrarily chosen. It was a classical nocturne by Chopin she hadn't heard in years. The song brought back memories of her childhood, in some ways so joyous and in others cruel and callous. Her adoptive parents had given her a tape of his classical songs that she had adored. And even after their deaths, as she was pushed around from one foster home to another, she'd coveted it very much. Listening to Chopin's intoxicating yet morose melodies, stirred up these conflicting and contemplative feelings within her that she hated and loved, both at the same time. She hadn't seen or heard that tape in years. What had made her choose one of those songs? Twenty minutes later, she exited the room, deep in thought. Brady Black wasn't even conscious yet but already he'd made her uneasy. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe frowned and ran right into a man's chest.
"Sorry, Miss. I didn't even watch where I was going."
"It's okay."
"That's Brady Black's room right?" The worried man held his IV stand with one hand and kept the back of his hospital gown closed with the other.
"Who wants to know," Chloe couldn't help but feel a little protective of Belle's brother.
"Masters. Detective Jason Masters," the man sighed. "Brady saved my life."
************************
Two Days later. . . Chloe's Loft. . .
"Yeah Mimi, of course," Chloe assured her friend over the phone as she towel dried her hair and took a seat on her puffy, black couch. "Brady's doing okay. I mean, yes he's in a coma but the doctor's expect him to come out of it soon. And apart from a shoulder wound and two broken legs, I think he'll come out of it okay. I get a really good feeling with him."
"A good feeling? What's that supposed to mean?"
"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I mean, you know how I've been feeling funny all week, couldn't sleep, couldn't seem to get going."
"Yeah?"
"Well, so I walk into the guy's room and I don't know. . . This sudden feeling of contemplativeness just washes over me. All I could think about was my childhood and I hadn't really thought about that in years. It was bizarre. I was feeling all of these things so strongly. Honestly, it was incredibly unnerving but I've never felt so complete or at peace." She chose her words carefully now, suddenly feeling foolish. "I mean, I know it sounds strange and granted at first, I felt awful for him. But there's just something about him," Chloe sighed. She'd spent most of her free time in Brady's room the past few days just sitting with him, reflecting on her past, considering her future. It was maddening, yet oddly therapeutic.
"So I run into his partner Jason," she continued. "And he starts telling me about Brady too, like Belle does you know? And we visit with Brady for a while. Then I walk Jason back to his room and something, God knows what, draws me back to Brady's room. And I just go in there, plop down in a seat by his bed again, take his hand and I guess I fell asleep. And Mimi," she paused. "I've never slept so well."
"Weird," Mimi murmured. "I mean I've known Brady for awhile now and he's really hot. . ."
Chloe scoffed, knowing Mimi wouldn't understand it was more than physical.
Mimi continued. "So you being attracted to him is understandable but this is all really strange."
"What is?"
"You saying he makes you feel so much. You admitting to me that anyone can make you feel anything. You're not exactly the most openly emotional person-"
"Gee, thanks, Meems."
"Chloe, that's the truth and you know it. You don't even know the guy. And trust me: Brady's never been known to instill peace in anyone. I hate to say this but do you think it means he's close to death or something?"
"The thought crossed my mind, but Jesus, don't tell Belle."
"Of course not." Mimi frowned. "Just the same though, I think maybe you ought to consult those tarot cards I gave you."
"Ugh, I hate to admit this. I mean really. . . really hate to admit this, but I kind of already have."
"Have what?"
"Consulted the tarot cards."
"And?"
"And what?" Chloe groaned. "They're just cards, Meems. They mean nothing. Besides, I think something's wrong with the deck anyway, kind of freaks me out."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the angel card keeps popping up. The one where the cherub looking guy is smiling freakishly," Chloe laughed.
Mimi gasped. "You're kidding?"
"No." Chloe frowned, hating the curiosity that swept over her. "What's that card mean anyway?"
"Oh Chlo. Love. Chloe, that card means love. You and Brady," Mimi gushed.
"Love?" This was a little too otherworldly for Chloe's taste. "Be serious, Mimi. The guy is in a coma, fighting for his life. He doesn't even know I exist and even if he did, I hardly think love would be the first thing on his mind."
"Yes, but you said yourself that he'll be just fine soon enough."
"I know but. . ." Chloe fidgeted in her sweats. "I don't even know why I'm discussing this with you. This is silly."
"Because I am one of your very best friends and because you, Chloe Lane, have just found your soulmate."
*********************
Soulmate. Chloe hated that word and didn't believe in it for a second. Mimi was insane. Brady wasn't her soulmate. He was just some guy. Some guy who was lying unconscious in a hospital bed and fighting for his life. Some guy. Some guy who strangely made her feel safe and whom she had a very strange, overwhelming sense to protect. Ewww. . . Chloe didn't even want to think about it. This was too weird. But here she was, arriving earlier than normal for her shift to visit with Brady again. Her heart dropped out of her chest when she opened the door to room 627 and found the bed empty. "Where's Brady?" She unconsciously said aloud.
"Oh, if you mean Mr. Hot Blonde Detective. He's come out of his coma. He's on your floor now, I think, Chloe. Looks like you get Mr. Don Johnson- Miami Vice now."
"Thanks Gloria," Chloe watched the heavy set, white haired nurse waddled down the hallway. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe bit her lip nervously as she made her way to her floor. She looked down at her Snoopy patterned scrubs and suddenly felt very self-conscious. So Brady had come out of his coma. "Hmmm. . ." Chloe murmured again as she neared her floor. She should be grateful. She pulled at her low ponytail. Brady had come out of his coma. She wondered if Belle was aware of the great news. This was great, right? Chloe could finally meet him. "Hmmm. . ." She was so caught up in her thoughts that she ran smack dab into John Black's chest. "John! Marlena," she grinned at Belle's beaming parents.
"Chloe, hey," John hugged her fiercely and smiled as Marlena did the same. "Did you hear the news? Brady's out of his coma."
"Yes, actually, I just heard. Congratulations," she smiled.
"Looks like you'll be taking care of him now, Chloe." John winked at her.
"Looks like it." Chloe inwardly groaned, suddenly very uneasy. She was certain Belle was aware, courtesy of Mimi, that Chloe had visited with Brady several times the past few days. And it was now apparent John and Marlena were aware of this as well, only this time she was sure Craig was the culprit. Her fascination with Brady had become front-page news it seemed. "Is he awake?"
"Occasionally," John grinned. "Looks like they have the kid doped up enough."
"That's good because with that shoulder wound and two broken legs. . ." Chloe trailed off, shaking her head.
"Very true," Marlena nodded sadly, knowing Brady was not going to take the news of his injuries very well.
"So, I've got to get to work but it was great seeing you two and tell Belle I said 'Congratulations.'"
"Will do. Thanks, Chloe," John and Marlena walked to the elevators leaving her alone in the hallway. After checking in and relieving the night nurse, Chloe made her way over to Brady's room. Time to change his IV. She briskly walked into his room and nearly stopped in her tracks. He really was looking sooooo much better. The soft, light coming in through the blinds cast an ethereal glow in the room. And Chloe sighed softly and smiled at the sleeping man, lying peacefully in the too small bed for his long body. She began to hum some random contented tune as she changed out his IV. She was glad to see him looking so well. Well, apart from his legs that were elevated in the air and the blue sling that bound his left arm, he looked really good anyway. She continued her humming and didn't even realize her patient struggling to open his drowsy eyes at the sound of her delighted voice.
Brady heard that voice again. Only this time she was humming something soothing, something happy. He had to see her. This woman who'd haunted his dreams for days now. Dammit, he would open his eyes. With great effort, he managed to open his very heavy eyelids and stare at the humming angel above him. Was he dead?
Chloe heard the Brady's heart monitor begin to race and so she looked down and locked eyes with the most piercing blues she'd ever seen.
Brady's breath caught in his throat when this heavenly creature set her striking blue eyes to his. He was dead. He had to be. He was in Heaven. "Are you an angel?" his voice was raspy and weak, having had the ventilator tube removed from his throat only hours prior.
Chloe was speechless. Brady, her Brady, okay so not her Brady. yet. thought she was an angel. 'How sweet,' she gushed to herself.
Brady felt his eyes begin to close again and a blissful sleep overtake him. "My angel. angel of music." he murmured.
Chloe gazed at him, smiling at his drug-induced state as he nodded off again. She pondered his kind words and for the first time in a long time, pondered her love life.