Despite the four aspirin he had taken, Craig's head continued to pound as though a marching band were performing. He squinted his eyes just slightly as he pleaded, "Will you please try and get along? I hate seeing the two of you like this."

Chloe's eyes expressed almost no emotion as she replied, "I can't get along with her, Craig. And, I know that you understand my reasons. I refuse to just sit here and play nice when Nancy won't tell me who my father is."

"Chloe, dear, we've had this discussion many times before. There is no need for us to have this argument again."

Pushing back her chair, Chloe stood and loudly replied, "The hell there isn't! You and I will never stop fighting until you tell me who my father is. Whether you like it or not, I have a right to know. And, you're just mad because Craig is on my side."

The sound of Craig's pager loudly beeping saved the doctor from having to comment. After all, Nancy would most likely be less than thrilled to hear that her husband really was on her daughter's side.

"That's the hospital," explained Craig. "They probably need me to come in, but I'll call and find out just what's going on."

The moment Craig disappeared through the doorway, Nancy said through gritted teeth, "I won't allow you to continue to behave this way. Do you understand me, young lady? I am your mother and . . ."

"You are not my mother, Nancy. A real mother wouldn't just give her baby away. And, if she did, I doubt that she would allow that child to move into her home only if she promised to not tell anyone she was really her daughter."

"I can admit that I've made mistakes, Chloe. But, none of those are anywhere close to being as horrible as the mistake you're going to make by marrying that lowlife Brady Black."

"That's it! I'm leaving!" Chloe screamed as she turned away from her mother and left the dining room. Passing by her step-father, Chloe said, "I've got to get away from here before things get any . . ."

Interrupting her daughter, Nancy appeared in the room and yelled, "I won't let you just walk out of this house without telling me where you're going!"

Laughing mirthlessly, Chloe responded, "Watch me."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About an hour after he had picked Susan up at her house, Jason and his date entered Dotcom. And, less than thirty minutes after that, Mimi had fled the popular hangout. For months, she had been trying to force aside her immense crush on Jason Masters. And, as long as he had not been dating anyone, Mimi had done a fairly good job of not acting on her feelings.

However, the minute she saw Jason and Susan laughing together at Dotcom, Mimi knew that she needed to find someone to help her come to terms with her feelings. Jason was not supposed to enjoy Susan's company - he was supposed to be miserable.

Mimi realized that she really did need someone to help her and give her romantic advice. She needed someone she trusted, but someone that wasn't too close to the situation.

And, that person was Marlena Evans.

Walking down the hospital corridor, Mimi wondered how exactly she was going to explain her confused feelings for Jason Masters. In Mimi's mind, Jason would always be the handsome athlete who was easily out of her league. Popular and charismatic, Jason was almost the opposite of what Mimi believed herself to be.

Then, all other issues aside, there was one other problem with having feelings for Jason - Jeremy Horton. Sweet and good-looking, Jeremy was the only guy to ever really show a true interest in Mimi. No matter what, the caring young man always seemed to see the best in Mimi - almost to the point of ignoring the not-so-good aspects of Mimi's personality. And, Mimi wasn't quite so sure that was a good thing.

Mimi stopped in her tracks as she prepared to pass Craig Wesley's partially opened door. Mimi had always been inquisitive - or as her mother put it, nosy. And, hearing Nancy Wesley's angry shouts was definitely something that attracted Mimi's curious nature.

Pressing her body against the wall outside Craig's office, Mimi carefully watched to make sure no one was coming down the hallway as she eavesdropped on a conversation that truly did not concern her in the least.

Her words erupting in a shrill scream, Nancy stated, "I've tried to stay calm, Craig. I know that she is in no condition to be getting upset, but I just can't smile and pretend that this is okay - because it is not!"

"Nancy, please just stay calm . . ."

"No, Craig! I will not stay calm! You saw the way she stormed out of the house! And, you heard the way she spoke to me - the way she's been speaking to me for the last few months. I could understand her attitude when she first came to live with us, but Chloe isn't adjusting, she's just becoming increasingly hostile!"

Almost smirking, Mimi whispered to herself, "Uh-oh. Sounds like little Miss Chloe is getting in trouble at home."

Continuing her rant, Nancy angrily said, "I just can't believe how out of control things have become! Chloe's life is not supposed to be like this!"

"That's just it, Nancy. It's Chloe's life - not yours. Whether you like it or not, Chloe has reached a point where she needs to make her own decisions concerning her life. She realizes that she has probably made some mistakes, but at least she's mature enough to take responsibility for them."

Her curiosity only growing as she listened to the conversation, Mimi began to wonder just what Chloe Lane had done. Whatever it was, it had to be bad for Craig and Nancy to be that upset.

Throwing her hands in the air, Nancy glared at her husband and yelled, "You're doing it again! You're taking Chloe's side! I suppose you're going to start throwing the past in my face, too!"

"Dammit, Nancy!" Craig exploded, his anger reaching its breaking point. He loved his wife more than anyone else on earth, but he was have an increasingly hard time handling the secret she insisted on keeping.

Pointing her index finger at Craig accusingly, Nancy screamed, "Don't you dare curse at me! Do you realize that Chloe is probably with that heathen right now? Do you, Craig? And, God only knows what they're doing! That bastard got my baby girl pregnant, and you seem to think that there's not a thing in the world wrong with it!"

Her jaw dropping in an almost comical manner, Mimi felt her eyes practically pop right out of her head. Placing her index finger just inside her ear, Mimi shook it around just to make sure that she was really hearing the conversation and not imagining it. Chloe Lane was pregnant?

Though he spoke quietly, Craig's tone easily conveyed his anger as he said, "I never said that Chloe's pregnancy was in anyone's best interest. However, I do believe that she's earned our respect by deciding to keep her baby and make a home for it."

Her nostrils flaring, Nancy replied, "Unlike me? That's what you're thinking, isn't it? Well, let me tell you, Chloe is making a huge mistake."

"I don't think so," confidently responded Craig. "In fact, I think she's making the best possible decision."

"How can you possibly think that Chloe's making the best possible decision? She's gotten herself pregnant and is getting married at seventeen! Damn Brady Black for ever touching Chloe!"

Gasping, Mimi hurriedly covered her open mouth with her hand. Her eyes having grown nearly as wide as saucers, Mimi slowly backed away from the door of Craig's office. Completely forgetting about wishing to speak with Marlena, Mimi quickly left the hospital. Her mind racing, Mimi wondered if Belle even knew about what was going on between her friend and her beloved older brother. Smirking, Mimi said to herself, "Well, she if she doesn't already, she will after I tell her tomorrow at school."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After spending an unknown amount of time merely wondering along the docks, Chloe stood outside the door of the penthouse and tried to work up the courage to actually press the doorbell. Just as Jason had taken a leap by pressing the doorbell of Susan's home earlier that night, Chloe was preparing herself for what could be a life-altering event.

Taking a deep breath, Chloe tossed away her hesitance and simply pressed the button. Seconds later, the door opened to reveal the one person Chloe felt she could truly trust - Brady Black.

"Chloe, what are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

Though she hated to show anyone her weaknesses, Chloe felt as though she could no longer handle all her troubles by herself. She was finally ready to lean on someone. Standing in the doorway, Chloe whispered, "Nancy and I had another fight . . . I don't want to go back there, Brady."

Pulling Chloe's tired body to him, Brady replied, "Then don't. You can stay here tonight."

As soon as the words left Brady's mouth, Chloe pulled away and looked up at him apprehensively. "You want me to stay here tonight?"

Leading Chloe inside, Brady quietly shut the front door and answered, "That's what I said."

"But, what about Belle? She'll be getting back from the environmental trip later tonight so I can't sleep in her room."

"I wasn't planning for you to sleep in my sister's bedroom. I was planning for you to sleep in mine."

Seeing the shocked look upon Chloe's face, Brady chucked softly and explained, "You and I agreed that I would tell Belle about the engagement when she got home from school tomorrow. After all, she won't be getting back until late tonight, so we might as well just let her get her rest. Anyway, you can just stay in my room and we'll sneak you out in the morning so you can go home to change clothes. And, don't worry, I'll sleep above the covers."

"What about your parents? I mean, I could maybe sneak by one member of your family, but I doubt that I could stay here all night without someone seeing me."

Taking Chloe's hand, Brady led her to the couch and replied, "Well, Marlena's still at the hospital, so my dad is the only other person here. And, he's a pretty cool guy, so I think he'll understand you sleeping over."

"I don't know, Brady."

"Chloe, what are you so worried about? You just said that you don't want to go home. So, why not stay here?"

"Do you really want me to list the reasons?"

Brady's witty comeback died on his lips as he heard his father come down the stairs. Unaware of Chloe's presence as he reviewed Basic Black files, John said, "Son, I was wondering . . ."

Halfway down the stairs, John glanced up and noticed Chloe for the first time. Leaving his sentence unfinished, John said, "Hello, Chloe. I didn't realize that you were here."

Chloe felt as if there were a million butterflies fluttering within her stomach. She had not actually spoken to Brady's father since he had been told of the engagement. And, to say the least, she was a little worried about how he would treat her.

Attempting to smile, Chloe politely responded, "Hello, Mr. Black. How are you this evening?"

"I'm fine, thank you for asking. But, there is something we need to discuss."

Her stomach muscles tightening, Chloe had to almost will herself to breath as she asked, "Yes, sir?"

"Since you'll be marrying my son, I really don't see the need for you to call me Mr. Black. John will do just fine."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief and was saved from having to make small talk by Brady addressing his father.

"Dad, I was wondering if it would be a problem if Chloe stayed here tonight." As his father's eye brow rose inquisitively, Brady continued, "She doesn't feel comfortable going back home, and I really don't want her to just wander around the city all night."

"Can you assure me that nothing will happen if she's allowed to stay over?"

A smile appearing on his face, Brady answered, "Don't worry, Dad. We'll keep our clothes on and our hands to ourselves until the wedding night."

As her face flushed pink, Chloe used the back of her hand to harshly slap Brady's firm chest. In a whisper, she hissed,"Brady!"

Rising to his feet, Brady reached down and took hold of Chloe's wrist. Pulling his fiancee to her feet, Brady began to drag her toward the stairs. Waving his free hand toward his father, Brady gratefully said, "Thanks, Dad."

"Not a problem, son," replied John before continuing on his way to the kitchen to retrieve a cup of coffee.

Leading Chloe up the stairs, Brady began to laugh. With a smile upon his face, he turned to Chloe and remarked, "Just think, I'll finally be able to tell Uncle Phil that I got you in my bed. I can just see the steam coming out of his ears. The poor boy's likely to pop an artery."

Jerking free of Brady, Chloe slapped his solid chest once more. Then, she merely pushed past him and made her way up the stairs. Hiding her own smile, Chloe simply said, "I don't know why I put up with you."

And, as Chloe walked toward the bedroom, Brady smiled and whispered to himself, "Because you love me."