Thanks for the reviews! Here is Chapter 5!

Chapter 5

Nicole and Brady were so tired that night that they didn't make love. The whole mess with Mark was exhausting. However, the next day was very surprising.

Kate and John were downstairs talking with Constance and the children. "Philip and Chloe are so happy together." John was saying as he leaned back in his chair. "And we are happy for them. Their little boy will be six months soon." He was smiling widely at the thought.

"Do you remember me at that age?" Mark asked his grandfather.

"Oh yes!" John replied looking at the child. "You would cry and cry. But when you were happy, it lasted for a very long time." Mark was happy with that answer and smiled widely. He then went outside to play with Michelle.

Nicole and Brady quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. "Hey! There you two are!" John exclaimed. "We were worried you were going to sleep all day." Brady and John hugged and Nicole and Kate did too. It was strange for Nicole, being in - laws with Victor's ex - wife.

"So, how is Basic Black doing?" Brady asked. Constance brought him his eggs and toast and he thanked her.

"So far so good. But your mother and I have a proposition for you." John began.

"I'm listening." Brady replied.

"Okay. We would like you to go into business with us." John told him. "You sell us your store and we will have two working locations. You can continue working there and running things your way, but the store has the name Basic Black now and we, the five of us in business, you, me, Kate, Nicole, and Lance will make all the decisions for the company. What do you say?" John asked.

"I think it's a great idea." Brady told him. "Are there any catches involved?" He asked.

"Nope." John replied. "You and I will make the same salary each week and we will all be equal partners in the business."

"Well, let's go for it then." Brady smiled and held out his hand for his father to shake. "Do I have to any papers to sign?" He asked.

"Later." John replied.

Brady smiled and continued to eat. Nicole was glad he hadn't consulted her about the decision, she wouldn't have known what to do. She probably would have told him to say yes, but she wasn't sure. She was sure of nothing in the 1800's.

"Is Victor still alive?" Nicole asked.

"He passed away a few years back. Why?" Kate answered. "I thought you knew."

"Things have been slipping my mind lately." Nicole replied. "Lot's of things."

Kate nodded. "That can happen." She agreed. "And Chloe and Philip are doing well?"

"Yes. They will be in town later today for a visit." Kate replied.

Nicole suddenly felt queezy and Brady was extra happy. He was going to see Chloe again, and maybe find out more answers about this new world.

They all went into town later to see Chloe and Philip and the new baby James. Brady finally got Chloe to himself for a few minutes and racked her brain.

"So, were we ever a couple?" He asked.

Chloe laughed hard at that question. "No." She shook her head.

"We weren't?" Brady looked at her questioningly.

"No." She said again. "I remember the day that you and Philip faught over Nicole. Both of you loved her and both of you wanted to be with her. She only had eyes for you Brady Black. Philip was jealous. I was here with the other orphans on the orphan train and Craig adopted me so that I could help him out with his little girl. Nancy, his wife, had died in child birth. Philip looked up and saw me and he got off of you, straightened his outfit, and we walked away together. Ever since, both you and your brother have been happy with the women in your lives."

"Thanks, for clearing that up." Brady smiled at her and understood everything.

"Anytime. Never stop loving Nicole." Chloe advised him. "I know sometimes other women come along that might make you feel more loved, but she is worth it Brady. There were times when I was sure I couldn't raise any of the children and Nicole was the only person that saw me through all those times." Chloe told him. "She's a good woman, perfect for you."

Brady looked at his wife as she held baby James and talked to his parents. The baby fussed and she changed her hold on him and tried to soothe him. "She is isn't she?" He asked Chloe.

"She is." Chloe agreed.

Brady and Nicole made eye contact and Nicole smiled at him and he smiled back. She was happy to see he and Chloe weren't kissing or being physical, she wasn't sure she could handle that. "Thanks for the talk." Brady smiled at Chloe once again. "I think we should go join them again." She nodded and they walked back.

Brady stood behind Nicole and smiled at baby James. "Hey." The baby smiled and reached his hand out to touch Brady's. Brady held his arms open to hold the baby. Nicole gently handed Brady the child. "Hi." Brady continued to play with the child. "Want anymore kids?" He asked Nicole.

"I would love more." She replied.

"Really?" Brady asked, making sure she was serious.

She nodded. "Really." She smiled at him and the baby and how cute it was. I want to have Brady's kids and actually get the whole experience of it. She thought.

"We'll take as many grandkids as you can give us!" John joked.

Both couples smiled at that and everyone headed over to Mickey and Alice's for a cookout. Another opprotunity for Brady and Nicole to try to figure things out.

Marlena and Roman and John and Kate all talked. There was strangely no arguing at all. Chloe and Philip talked with Belle about her upcoming wedding.

Patrick sat with Billie and they tried to ignore the alcohol that was there.

Bo and Hope sat with Frankie and Jen and talked about when they were young. Jack Jr., Abby, and Zack all played close to them and it looked like Jen was pregnant yet again!

Mimi and Austin talked over steaks at a table and Lexie, Abe and Teck all sat at the table across from that. Sami, Lucas and Will came and the party was complete.

Everyone was nice and respectful, no fighting or anything. Brady was in awe of it. He whispered to Nicole; "It's kind of boring here. The only fighting is among the children."

She chuckled and agreed. All the elders of Salem proposed a toast. "To happiness!"

"To happiness!" Everyone agreed and toasted. The Hayes's were there, the Reed's, everyone! It was wonderful.

"I just don't get it." Nicole told Brady.

"Get what?" He asked.

"Well, everyone is so happy here. Is there any contraversy?" She asked.

"Look over there." Brady pointed to a very new relationship. Abby and Max sat down by a tree, no one around them really, and they just watched the sun go down. "It's like that here." He told her. "Everyone is happy and in love and everything is going smoothly."

"Maybe your right." She replied. "But it's just too fake." She frowned. "Something doesn't feel right about this."

"What?" He asked.

"I'm not sure. I just wonder how everything can be like this, so perfect."

"Well, maybe after all the time spent arguing, everyone is finally happy."

"Maybe." They walked back to the main party.

"Are you sure you love Shawn?" Mimi asked Belle.

"Of course I am sure." Belle replied. "Are you trying to talk me out of it?" She asked.

"No, of course not. It's just that you seem nervous."

"Well, I am. It's marriage. I am so worried. What if I am making a big mistake?" Belle questioned.

"If you love him, then marry him." Mimi told her. "Go with what your head and your heart tell you."

She nodded. "How are you and Austin?" Belle asked.

"We are working on things." She replied.

"Good." They just sat in silence. "It has been so long since anything interesting happened around here." Belle commented.

"It has." Mimi agreed. "Since the DiMera's disappeared everything has been quiet."

"Maybe a bit too quiet." Belle replied.

Mimi nodded and sighed. "Something is probably going to happen very soon."

Right after she said that, Tony DiMera came out of nowhere. "Hello everyone!" He shouted. He made his entrance known and smiled devilishly.

XXXXX

TBC...