Epilogue

As the jet was landing, Aida was one big ball of nerves. Upon John's insistence, an ambulance would be waiting for her at the airport to take her to Salem University Hospital. Chloe refused to go along, claiming the only medical attention she needed was Brady's lips on hers. But before they took her to be admitted into Salem University Hospital, Aida would come face to face with the mother she had never known. Her current physical appearance left her wondering if she should wait to meet Nancy. What if she didn't like her? She had, whether she wanted to or not, given her up at birth to her monstrous father. What if she really didn't want her? Could she want a beaten up, former mercenary for a daughter? Aida's troubled thoughts were interrupted by Jordan, who stood in front of her. He'd had to snap his fingers in front of her face to get her attention.

"Hey Aida, come on baby, everyone's getting off the plane. Here, do you need help walking?" Jordan asked, gently grasping her arm. Instead of letting him help her up, Aida collapsed into tears in his arms.

"Oh Jordan, I can't do this! What if she hates me for what I've become? What if she thinks I'm no better then my father? I can't Jordan, I can't..." Aida sobbed. Brady was the only other one still in ear shot. Everyone else was making their way off the plane and into the lobby. Jordan mouthed 'Go on,' so Brady left them alone, hurrying forward to catch up to the others. The first thing he heard when he got into the lobby was Nancy's squeal of joy as she spotted sight of Chloe. Chloe, recognizing Nancy as her mother – some memories were still a bit fuzzy, but Nancy was too... unforgettable -- dropped the bag in her hands to enter Nancy's waiting arms.

"Oh, Chloe baby, I was so worried! I missed you so much! Are you ok? Stefano and Philip didn't hurt you did they? I swear if either one of them touched so much as a hair on your head..." Nancy, with her ever changing emotions, had quickly gone from open tears of joy to intense anger. Chloe merely smiled, hugging her mother tightly.

"I missed you too, Mom," Chloe replied. Ok, so she hadn't remembered anything or anyone from her past, save for the few memories she had of Brady, but that was beside the point. Nancy pulled back to hold her daughter at arm's length.

"Don't you ever disappear on me like that again, do you hear? If you ever find yourself another insane, psycho killer boyfriend..."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Wesley, she has a normal, mentally stable boyfriend this time around," Brady stated, coming up behind Chloe to wrap his arms around her waist. Nothing could have made Nancy happier then the sight of her daughter, finally with Brady Black. She hadn't been very fond of him, at first. Although she'd always preferred him over Philip. But seeing his reaction to Chloe's disappearance... seeing the determination he had to find her. That had opened Nancy's eyes. Brady Black was indeed a wonderful man, who loved her daughter very much. And would stop at nothing to insure her happiness and safety. Of that she was sure.

"Calling yourself my boyfriend already, now are we?" Chloe commented with a sly half smile.

"Damn straight I am," Brady replied. Nancy's smile broadened. How the two had never realized their love for one another sooner she would never know. Brady reluctantly disengaged his arms from Chloe for Nancy to envelope him in a rib-crushing bear hug.

"Thank you Brady. Thank you so much for bringing my baby home to me," Nancy sobbed. By now, Craig had returned from fetching coffee. He immediately had Chloe into the same bear-hug hold Nancy had on Brady. Back in the jet, Aida was still sobbing on Jordan's shoulder, Jordan's arms wrapped around her to smooth her hair in comfort.

"Shhh... it's alright, Aida. Everything is going to be alright now," Jordan comforted.

"But Jordan, what if..." Jordan pulled back to hold her at arms length, bringing a finger to her lips to shush her fears.

"No Aida, no what ifs. Now you listen to me. You made it through the hard part. You were faced with the ultimate trial, the final challenge, and you won. Anyone else would have given up, but you kept fighting. That's something only a true hero can accomplish."

"But Jordan... what if she can't see past all the hurt I've caused?" Aida whispered, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Jordan wiped them delicately away, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Aida, you are the kindest, gentlest, most amazing spirit I have ever seen. Your mother will be able to see that more then anyone. She won't blame you for the actions Stefano made you commit. You couldn't help the way you were raised. You were just an innocent child, raised by a monster to believe that theft and murder were perfectly alright as long as they were profitable. Your mother knows that. She's going to fall instantly in love with you, Aida. I know I sure did," Jordan stated with a soft smile, causing Aida to smile through her tears as well. "Now, you are going to go out there to meet your mother, then you are going to the hospital to get proper medical care, whether you like it or not."

"I love it when you're so demanding," Aida murmured.

"And I love it when you're so damn sarcastic," Jordan returned, causing them both to laugh. "Ok, are you ready? You've waited 17 years for this Aida, no reason to wait any longer." Aida nodded.

"Yes, I'm ready. As ready as I'll ever be," Aida replied. Jordan stood, reaching his hand out to help her up to her feet. Aida slowly rose, feeling a little light headed, and let Jordan help her out into the lobby. They got to the lobby just in time to hear the grateful Craig and Nancy thanking Brady for "bringing their baby home."

"You're welcome, for both of them," Brady replied. It was then that Nancy looked over Brady's shoulder to spot Aida, who stood motionless next to Jordan just a few feet behind them. Nancy nearly gasped at the sight, for two reasons. The first being the obvious. After all, though she was for the most part properly bandaged, Aida looked terribly frightening, so swollen in so many different areas and spots on her body shades of black blue and purple Nancy had never seen before. The second was, even in her current state, she looked exactly like Chloe, a mirror image one might say. Despite the physical blemishes, Aida looked beautiful to Nancy. 17 years was too long to be apart from a daughter you always longed for. Brady looked back as well, before silently ushering Chloe and Craig away, leading them both over to Marlena, Belle, and John to leave reunited mother and estranged daughter alone to talk. Aida froze when she saw her mother. She was just like Aida had always envisioned her, before she saw the picture in Chloe's duffel bag, and in her eyes, instantly perfect in every way. She wanted to turn and run from her insecurities, but Jordan wouldn't allow it. He basically pushed her forward, towards her mother, before backing off as Brady had done to give mother and daughter some space. Aida stood awkwardly still in front of Nancy, each afraid to make a move for a few painfully slow moments, before Nancy made the first move, holding her arms out to Aida, who immediately collapsed into her mother's waiting arms.

"Oh Aida. I'm so, so sorry baby. I never wanted to let you go. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry baby. Please forgive me," Nancy sobbed.

"I forgive you," Aida said honestly, breathing in the scent of her estranged mother. It was true, all was forgiven the moment Nancy held Aida in her arms. All the hurt and pain Aida had lived through, could never and would never be blamed on Nancy. All Aida needed to take away that pain was to feel her mother's love. The emptiness from the lack of a mother's love had left Aida feeling so lonely as a child, but all she needed to right all those years was one simple hug now. "I love you mother, so much. I always prayed you'd come for me. I was so afraid you would never want me, after all I've done. I can't believe I'm really here now, away from the hell my father put me through."

"Oh Aida, I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I've felt so much guilt... I should have never allowed that monster to take you with him to Europe... God, seeing you now... what has he done to you? How could I have let you go through all this?" Nancy wailed, clutching Aida close to her.

"It's alright mother. I know it wasn't your fault. I forgive you, just please... please, never let me go again," Aida pleaded.

"Never, I promise. I'll never let you go again," Nancy vowed. John reluctantly approached, two paramedics with a wheelchair to take Aida to the waiting ambulance.

"I hate to interrupt Mrs. Wesley, but Aida needs to be taken to the hospital now. I'm amazed she can even stand after all she's been through," John said. Nancy nodded, pulling back from Aida to for the first time survey the full extent of Aida's wounds. From afar, she'd looked terrible. So up close, Nancy was also amazed Aida could stand on her own.

"Oh my... yes, baby, you need to get to the hospital right away. Just look at you, my poor baby, Aida. Oh, I didn't hurt you when I hugged you did I?" Nancy asked worriedly. Aida smiled fondly as her mother and the paramedics helped her into the wheelchair.

"No mother, you didn't." Aida answered. "It looks a lot worse then it feels. I can honestly say, I've never felt better in my whole life."

"Now I know you're Chloe's sister. Always so stubbornly set on being 'just fine' when I know better..." Nancy continued to rant the whole way to the ambulance, and Aida loved every moment of it...

2 DAYS LATER

Brady, Belle, Shawn and Jordan all sat in waiting for Chloe. Things felt so different now, after all they had been through. Belle never quite got over the loss of her life-long best friend Mimi, or any of the others that had died at Philip's hand for that matter, but she was just happy to have Chloe and her brother back. And she was even beginning to get close to Shawn again. After Jan's murder, Belle finally learned the real truth about Jan's baby, so she and Shawn could work out their relationship. They of course weren't able to pick up right where they left off. No... for now, they were just friends. Both doubted things could ever really be the same between them. But at least now they would have the chance to try to rebuild what had been lost.

The past few days had been hectic, with Aida in the hospital, and the return of Philip, which brought much turmoil to the town which was still learning to cope with the pain Philip had caused. Brady and the others were now waiting on news of Aida's progress, and hopefully hear if Philip's trial date was set. Chloe would be there any moment with updates on both. Just as Brady asked the others what the hell was taking Chloe so long, Chloe walked in the door.

"About time," Brady called out to her. Chloe rolled her eyes, but she smiled none the less as she came up to her friend's booth. "Looks like you'll have to sit on someone's lap. No free seat," Brady stated suggestively.

"Hrm... you're right. Shawn, do you mind if I borrow your lap?" Chloe asked, very much loving teasing Brady. She had all her memories back now, so she knew just how to push the right buttons. Chloe made a move towards Shawn, but Brady grabbed her by the waist, pulling her down to his lap.

"Nice try, Diva. My lap and my lap alone has clearance to be your seat," Brady stated.

"Eww... please bro, no public shows of affection alright? Your little sis would like to keep her lunch down," Belle protested. Brady chuckled.

"Now you know how I felt every time I saw you lip-lockin' with Shawnie Boy over there," Brady stated.

"Hey!"

"I don't mean to interrupt, but... Chloe, spill. How'd everything go? Is Aida feeling better?" Jordan asked.

"Man, Jor, that girl got you so whipped," Brady commented.

"You should talk, Brady," Jordan murmured. Brady laughed, pulling his arms tighter around Chloe.

"This is so very true. But hey, what can I say? I like being dominated, as long as it's Chloe holdin' the whip."

"Alright, alright. All grossness factor aside," Belle started, wrinkling her nose at the mental image Brady's statement gave, "Jordan's right, spill."

"Ok... first, yes Jordan, Aida's feeling much better. She's basking happily in the excessive motherly attention Nancy's giving her with all her pampering and fussing. Oh, and Aida said to tell you to come by around three. Nancy has some appointment to get to, and wonderful, understanding Craig is going to give you some uninterrupted "alone time" Nancy wouldn't approve of, so don't be late." Chloe stated.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Jordan grinned.

"Ok, now, about court..." Chloe had spent most of the morning in Chicago, where Philip was being held. "Unfortunately, Philip's over-paid snake of a lawyer has managed to keep everything out of court. There won't be a trial."

"What?! Philip's a murderer for God's sake!" Brady boomed. Philip should rot in hell for all eternity for all the things he'd done, so Brady believed.

"Philip's lawyer had some more then likely phony quack doctor declare Philip emotionally, mentally, and morally unstable. Which is true, but what that means is, instead of jail time, or even the death penalty, Philip will be held in the Eden Brook Mental Institution for the rest of his life without any chance of being released," Chloe explained.

"Well, at least he is being properly punished," Belle said. Chloe nodded.

"Yes. Actually, if you ask me, this is a much better suited punishment for Philip. Eden Brook has all the security and cruelty of prison, with the added bonus of other crazy people who aren't in right mind enough to realize they're beating the living shit out of you, and experimental levels of electro-shock therapy to last Philip the rest of his life," Chloe stated.

"Hrm... seems you're beginning to show more hatred for him than I do. That's just not right," Brady said jokingly.

"Hey, it's my right as the object of Philip's obsession to hate his guts for all he put my family, friends, and I through," Chloe stated. Brady sighed, pulling Chloe closer.

"That... was beyond obsession. I'm just glad it's finally over," Brady said.

"So are we all, Brady," Jordan stated.

"Yeah, finally, we all have a chance at reaching happily ever after, despite all we've been through," Belle pointed out.

"Happily every after..." Chloe repeated. She felt... something in the air, something unnerving, yet she felt it should seem familiar. Chloe shook off the disturbing "being watched" deja vu, writing it off as nothing. Her life was getting back to normal. She had her twin sister, her mother and Craig, her friends, and best of all, the most amazing boyfriend she could ever wish for. Unlike with Philip, Chloe would never have to worry about being the object of anyone's obsession ever again. Chloe would finally have her happily ever after...

The End... or is it? To one-day-in-the-not-so-near-future be continued in "Beyond Obsession"