Standing on her front porch with Brady, Chloe tried to convince herself that it really wasn't all that hard to breathe. Yet, every time she thought about opening her front door and telling Nancy and Craig that she was marrying the "bad boy" sibling of her best friend, Chloe couldn't even remember how to think, much less breathe normally.

As though he were reading Chloe's mind, Brady leaned close to her and said, "There's no point in putting it off any longer. With Shawn, Belle, Zach, and Philip all gone on that environmental trip this week, this is the perfect time for us to tell our parents the news."

"I know that. But, I still feel really nervous - and guilty."

"Guilty? Chloe, what do you have to feel guilty about?"

Staring at Brady as though he were a young child incapable of understanding anything of importance, Chloe slowly said, "We're going to be lying to not only our families but our friends."

Smirking, Brady responded, "Well, once you finally give in to my infinite charm and wisdom, we won't be living a lie. And, because we'll already be legally married, we won't be living in sin either."

Chloe's mouth opened, but she was unable to force any words to exit. Brady was one of the few people she knew that could honestly render her speechless.

Taking Chloe's hand in his, Brady ran his thumb over the engagement ring and asked, "So, my favorite diva, are you ready to give the performance of a lifetime?"

Looking down as Brady caressed the ring that she had been wearing on a chain around her neck to keep it a secret from Nancy, Chloe answered, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."

With great hesitance, Chloe led Brady to the door and used her free hand to turn the knob. Chloe pushed the door open with deliberate slowness.

She couldn't remember ever feeling quite so torn. On one hand, she was going to finally get away from the mother who had originally wanted nothing to do with her then wanted to be her best friend. Plus, Chloe understood that after marrying Brady, she wouldn't have to worry about so many things - among them paying for music school and letting Philip down easy whenever he got that old familiar look of devotion in his eyes.

But, Chloe also realized that she when she announced her engagement to Brady, she would be starting a life that would be nothing short of a masquerade. She thought it ironically fitting that her and Brady's first scheduled social event as a supposed couple would be at the costume party. Yet another masquerade.

Continuing to grasp Brady's hand, Chloe guided him into the living room where Craig was sitting with the newspaper. A light smile graced Chloe's face as she watched her step-father read the paper with it directly in front of his face. It was one of those little characteristics that she had so often noticed Craig and Zach shared.

And, while the almost sad smile remained on her face, Chloe's mind inadvertently drifted to the topic of her own family. As she so often did, Chloe wondered who her father was. Did she have his smile? Was he a fan of opera? Did he have her same dark hair? Would he want to meet her if she ever learned who he was?

Chloe took a deep breath and forced away the thoughts of her parentage. After all, she knew that she needed her full concentration and strength for the event about to take place.

With one hand firmly clasping Chloe's and the other stuffed nervously into the pocket of his faded blue jeans, Brady cleared his throat and said, "Good evening, Doctor Wesley."

Ever so slowly, Craig lowered the newspaper away from his face. With a scrutinizing gaze, he torpidly appraised the two people before him - his eyes instantly taking notice of the way his step-daughter's hand was securely held by Brady Black.

Releasing a deep breath, Craig lowly mumbled to himself, "Oh, boy." Of course, Craig did not have the slightest clue just how surprising his otherwise ordinary Thursday night was going to be. Seeing the curious glance that he received from his companions, Craig said more loudly, "Good evening to you, too, Brady. I must say that I'm . . . surprised to see you here."

Brady was not quite sure how to respond and took a quick peek at Chloe to see if she was going to say anything. He was surprised to see that she was wearing the most amused smile. It was then that Brady realized that there was some part of Chloe that was going to absolutely love spinning the lie of their relationship to Nancy and Craig.

Saving Brady and Chloe from having to respond to anything Craig might say was a problem of the red-headed nature. Entering the room, Nancy loudly said, "Now, Craig, I know that you don't like to discuss Zachary, but I just have to say how enjoyable and peaceful this week has been with that misfit brother of yours gone on that school trip. You know that I just don't approve of that boy and . . ." Nancy stopped mid-sentence when she finally realized that she and Craig were not alone in the house.

Smirking almost wickedly, Chloe said, "Hello, Nancy. You remember Brady, right?"

"Unfortunately," muttered Nancy to herself as she displayed a smile that was meant to be nothing short of fake.

Nancy's one-word comment only succeeded in bringing an even bigger smile to Chloe's face. And, both Brady and Chloe knew that the fun had yet to really begin.

"What my wife meant to say was that it's good to see you again, Brady."

Flashing that false smile once more, Nancy said, "Of course, that's exactly what I meant." After a few seconds of pretending to straighten the magazines on a nearby stand, Nancy casually asked, "So, Brady, have you been kicked out of Tuscany anytime recently? You do remember the time we first met there, don't you? As I recall, you were rude and had consumed a little too much alcohol."

"Then, I'm sure the two of you had quite a lot in common that night, didn't you, Nancy?" Chloe questioned almost cheerfully.

"Chloe," reprimanded Nancy. "How dare you speak to me that way?"

Practically ignoring Nancy and her scolding, Craig asked Chloe, "So, is there any special reason that Brady has come home with you tonight? Or, that he's holding your hand?"

"Actually, there is a reason for Brady to be here tonight. There's something that you and Nancy need to know."

Both Craig and Nancy were slightly taken back by the seriousness that overshadowed Chloe's words. Each had the distinct feeling that whatever the reason for Brady's appearance, it was going to be anything but mundane.

Continuing to stand in the middle of the living room with her hand clasped by Brady's, Chloe began, "Well, I'm sure you both have noticed that I've been receiving quite a few flowers lately. In fact, I've been given a bouquet every day since right after I broke up with Philip at the beginning of the school year."

"And?" Nancy questioned almost nervously.

"And, they were all from Brady."

"I see," commented Craig as he rose to his feet and neared the other three. Directing his attention to Brady, he continued, "May I ask just how long you have been interested in Chloe?"

Keeping his head held high, Brady confidently answered, "Well, I suppose I've been interested in Chloe since I first met her. She was able to instantly captivate me - that's not something that happens very often. But, we really grew close over the summer."

"How close?" Nancy demanded.

Craig, having the sense to know not to push the issue, gently laid a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Nance, hon, I'm sure that Brady and Chloe will tell us what they feel we need to know."

"Craig's right, Nancy. If you would stop interrupting and just let me speak for once, you might actually find out what's going on in my life - if you even really care."

Though nearly every muscle in her body had stiffened as she prepared to argue with her mother, Chloe instinctively relaxed drastically as Brady released her hand in order to wrap his left arm around her and pull her close to him. And, though she had no idea what exactly her real relationship with Brady was, Chloe knew deep inside that he was perhaps the only person who would ever have the ability to calm her down when her mother angered her.

Significantly calmed by merely being close to Brady, Chloe coolly said, "When Brady said that we grew close over this past summer, he meant very close. And, once I had broken up with Philip, I suppose you could say that we made our relationship even more serious."

Upon hearing Chloe's last comment, Nancy and Craig each began to finally realize that the situation at hand just might be more profound than they had originally believed.

Nancy tried her hardest to remain calm as she asked, "Chloe, sweetheart, what do you mean by that?"

With an exuberant smile, Chloe held up her left hand and displayed the engagement ring that Brady had given her. "Brady asked me to marry him."

"Over my dead body!" Nancy squealed as she approached her daughter and Brady. Pointing to the tall, athletic male, Nancy continued loudly, "I will not allow my daughter to marry a hooligan like you! I mean, have you ever even taken my daughter on a date?"

"News flash, Nancy. You have no idea what I do in my free time - or who I do it with."

The innuendos present in Chloe's statement were not lost on her mother and step-father. It was painfully apparent to Nancy and Craig that Chloe was making her desire for independence clear. However, Nancy refused to play the understanding and caring party when she could so easily slip into the familiar role of overbearing mother.

"I won't allow you to marry him, Chloe. You are seventeen years old. You are far too young to be making such a commitment; I refuse to let you marry him. Is that clear? There is no way on this earth that my baby girl will be getting married any time soon."

Bringing his lips close to Chloe's ear, Brady whispered the words Chloe had been fearing she would hear, "Time for Plan B."

From the time she and Brady had started ironing out the details of their marriage, Plan B had been lurking in the background. Neither wanted to resort to such drastic measures, but both were willing to say whatever it took to get to the alter - whatever it took.

Summoning all the strength and courage that she possessed, Chloe announced the lie that she had Brady had prepared as their backup plan. "Nancy, I'm pregnant."

In a loud shrill came Nancy's response, "You're what?"

"Pregnant . . . as in having a baby."

Brady had the sudden urge to take a very large step back away from Nancy. He had expected an outburst of some kind, but from the look in Nancy's eyes, he was going to get far more than some little outburst. Glancing hesitantly at his future mother-in-law, Brady tried to determine if she looked more like a volcano exploding or a mother lioness protecting her young. Brady quickly realized that either could prove deadly.

Her arms flailing through the air, Nancy screamed, "How did this happen . . . wait I don't think I can bear to hear my baby girl answer that. I thought that you were a responsible young lady, Chloe! How could you do something so irresponsible and stupid? Oh, God, please tell me that you didn't get pregnant on purpose because you thought I would allow you to marry him. I can assure you that you will never marry Brady Black, and if you think you will, then you are terribly naive."

"Yeah, and you're a hypocrite," declared Brady without even thinking about the words. All he really considered was that Nancy was needlessly attacking Chloe when she herself had done so very much more. "We all know that you, Mrs. Wesley, were the irresponsible one that got pregnant and then gave her own baby away. Chloe is a wonderful person, and you have no right to speak to her that way."

"I am her mother!"

"Then, maybe, you should start acting like it," retorted Brady lowly, his voice carrying an almost dangerous edge that told both Craig and Nancy that he was not going to allow anyone to push Chloe.

Upon hearing Brady's comment, Nancy's nostrils began to flare even more - if possible. Her eyes squinted into cruel slits, Nancy responded, "I won't allow you to marry her. I simply won't allow it."

Craig, doomed to be the logical member of the Wesley family, soothingly whispered to his wife, "Nancy, hon, remember your blood pressure. I don't want you getting all worked up over this when there is no need to."

Spinning around to face her spouse, Nancy directed all her newfound fury at him rather than Brady and Chloe. "No need to? My daughter is foolish enough to believe that I'm going to let her marry this punk after he got her pregnant? Are you even listening to this conversation, Craig? Chloe is pregnant, and it's all that boy's fault! He's ruined my daughter's life!"

Pushing herself away from Brady, Chloe angrily questioned, "Is that what it was like for you, Nancy? Was your life ruined because you got pregnant with me so young?"

Nancy attempted to interrupt, but Chloe would have none of it. After months of feeling almost unappreciated by her own mother, Chloe was going to finally release the resentment that had been lurking just under the surface for so very long.

"Well, you won't have to worry about me ruining your life anymore, because I'm moving out! And, you can't stop me from marrying Brady! You have no say in my life!"

Nancy tried to reach out and grab her daughter's arm, but she was prevented from doing so by Brady. Throwing the young man her dirtiest glare, Nancy stated, "You are not going to just get my daughter pregnant and then think that I'll let you marry her."

"You can't stop us. This great state, like so many others in the country, allows females above the age of sixteen and pregnant to marry without parental consent. In other words, Mrs. Wesley, there's not a damn thing you can do to stop us from getting married. But, Chloe was hoping that you would at least be courteous enough to not force us to make the baby public knowledge until we get married. And, you could do that by going ahead and signing the consent forms so we won't have to address the pregnancy just yet."

While Nancy simply turned from the couple and buried her head in her husband's chest, Chloe offered Craig a very weak smile and said, "Brady and I are going to be going now. Um, I'll try to not stay out too late since tomorrow is Friday, and I have to go to school."

Allowing Chloe to lead him out of the living room and out the front door, Brady couldn't help but feel just a smidgen of hope surfacing. Whether Chloe Lane knew it, she had somehow stolen the heart of her husband-to-be. And, he could hardly wait for the day when Chloe would finally wake up to her own feelings and see just how wonderful their marriage was really going to be. Brady had a feeling that even the arguments they were sure to have were going to be full of love.