3 Years Later
Chloe once again stands in the softly falling snow in the cemetery. This time she feels no sorrow, only relief. She is finally free! Chloe looks down at the new grave and smiles sadly. She may not have loved Philip; in fact she usually only felt hate when he was near her, but she wishes it hadn’t ended like this. She had finally gathered her courage and told Philip she was leaving him, that she didn’t love him and never had. Chloe sighs. Philip had gone over the edge. While she was packing her bags, he had gone to his office in the mansion Victor had bought them, found his gun, and shot himself in the head.
Chloe shudders, remembering the sight of Philip bleeding, slumped over in his wheelchair, dead. “Mommy?” Chloe smiles at her son as he tugs on her hand. She takes in his deep blue eyes and curly mop of dark brown hair and thinks how fortunate it is that her looks like her. “Yes, Jamie?” “Can we go to our new home now?” Chloe picks Jamie up and hugs him, laughing while he squirms to get away. “Okay sweetie. Go get your stuff from Grandma and Grandpa. Meet me at out car in a few minutes.” Love overflows in her heart for her son as he kisses her cheek and wriggles to the ground. She chuckles as he stumbles in the snow but keeps on running until he reaches his grandparents. They wave at her, and she waves back as she happily walks away from Philip Kiriakis forever.
Chloe gets into the driver’s seat of her car and turns the heater on. Through the windshield, she watches Jamie wrestle with his grandfather in the snow. A smile plays across her lips, then Chloe removes her gloves and twists off her wedding ring. It doesn’t feel heavy anymore, and Chloe stares at the little gold circle. Making a quick decision, she rolls down her window and throws the ring as far as she can into the powdery snow. Chloe puts her window back up and looks towards her son. Philip never knew about him. He’d never known she was pregnant. “I made the right decision,” she tells herself. Jamie is much better off never knowing Philip. Chloe feels relief that she doesn’t have to hide her beloved son anymore. She is finally free to have him live with her, instead of with his grandparents. Chloe can’t wait to spend time with Jamie, especially since she’s finally graduated from Julliard. Chloe sighs. She’d finally gotten into Julliard three years ago, and she’d moved to New York during the school year, eager to get away from Philip. When she discovered she was pregnant, she’d been ecstatic. He was born just before her first year was over, and that was how she’d managed to keep him a secret. Philip never visited her, and she never visited him, so he never saw her pregnant. If he’d ever found out, Chloe knew Philip would have taken Jamie from her.
Chloe watches her son play in the snow, and she wishes she could have told his father about him. A tear rolls down Chloe’s cheek at the thought of Jamie’s father. God help her, she still loves him. Another tear falls and Chloe closes her eyes, picturing him. “Oh, Brady! I love you so much. I wish you were here.”
*Flashback*
(3 years ago)
Chloe stares in disbelief at the figure standing in the snow before her. “Brady?” He walks up to her, his boots crunching over the snow. His eyes flick to his sister’s grave, then back to Chloe. “Hello Diva.” They stand facing each other, a foot apart, staring into each other’s eyes. Chloe’s emotions are going haywire. Here he is, the man she loves, looking like the past year and a half hasn’t happened. When Brady smiles at her, Chloe’s eyes narrow. Her hand flies up and slaps his face, hard. The crack of her palm against his cheek echoes over the snowy landscape. Brady touches his sore cheek, still smiling, then gently touches Chloe’s cheek.Chloe’s lips tremble, then she launches herself into Brady’s arms, burying her face in his neck. As his arms wrap around her, pulling her tightly against his warm body, Chloe’s tears flow. She leans back and dries her face, then looks up into Brady’s soft blue eyes. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you?!” The words burst out of Chloe before she realizes it, and she blushes slightly. She rests her head on Brady’s shoulder, quietly asking, “Where have you been?”
Brady sighs deeply and lays his cheek against Chloe’s hair. “I’ve missed you too, Chloe. More than you will ever know. But after Belle died, I was lost. I couldn’t stay here, there were too many memories.” Brady closes his eyes, Belle’s death fresh within his heart. He clears his throat, then tells Chloe, “I’ve been everywhere and nowhere. I never stayed in one place too long. I was always on the move, trying to escape the pain.” Chloe stays silent, then says, “Why did you come back?”
Chloe feels his breath ruffle her hair as he exhales, and her skin tingles. It feels so good to be back in Brady’s arms, she thinks. Chloe closes her eyes as Brady’s deep voice fills her ear. “I came back for you, Chloe. After I left, I thought about you every day, and I almost called you so many times.” Brady pauses. “I came back because I had to see you again. I love you, Chloe. I’ve always loved you.” Chloe opens her eyes and smiles, her heart full. “I love you too, Brady. It’s always been you.” Brady pulls back and lifts Chloe’s chin, smiling. His head descends and Chloe stands on tiptoe, meeting his lips halfway. Love and desire explode within her, and Chloe tangles her fingers in Brady’s hair, crushing their lips together.
Brady loses himself in the pleasure of kissing his soulmate. Their first kiss, on the day of the accident, was always in his thoughts. He even dreamed about it. Brady splays his hands across Chloe’s back as they kiss. The very thought of her, of this, is what had kept him alive the first few months after Belle’s death. Brady deepens the kiss as Chloe’s mouth opens, and slips his tongue inside. As their tongues touch, dancing together, Brady groans; and Chloe breaks away.
Chloe’s eyes are wide and she presses her gloved fingers against her swollen lips. “Chloe?” Brady looks worried, so Chloe smiles. “We can’t do this here, Brady.” Chloe takes a deep breath, trying to slow her racing heart. Brady smiles at her. “You’re right.” He grins wickedly and says, “So, do you want to come over and help me decorate my Christmas tree tonight?” Chloe giggles as Brady raises and lowers his eyebrows a few times. “I’d love to. When and where?” Brady tells her the time and place and she smiles. “I’ll see you then.” She presses a sweet, tender kiss on his lips then starts to walk towards the limo. She stops, turns back, and says, “I love you, Brady!” He grins. “I love you too, Chloe.”
Brady watches her glide over the snow and get into the black limo waiting by the curb, and feels a tremor of unease as it drives away. Why would Chloe be riding in a limo? Brady shrugs and after paying his respects to Belle and Shawn, walked back to his hotel room. He had a lot to do before Chloe arrived.
*End Flashback*
The car door opens, jerking Chloe out of her thoughts, and she smiles as Jamie climbs into the back seat and buckles himself in. It amazes her that he’s almost two and a half years old. “Let’s go Mommy!” Chloe starts the car and she waves as she drives past John and Marlena. After Jamie was born, they had been the first ones she called, hoping that Brady would be with them. He hadn’t been, but John and Marlena had been very understanding and were quick to offer her their love and support. Chloe hears Jamie roll down his window and shout, “Bye Gramma, bye Grampa!” She hears John shout back, “Bye Jamie! We’ll see you tonight at your mom’s concert.” Jamie rolls his window back up and Chloe glances at him in the rear view mirror. He smiles at her and she can see Brady in his smile. “Love you Jamie.” “Love you Mommy.” She listens, smiling, as Jamie rambles on about his day, thankful that Jamie is hers.
Jamie is asleep when she parks in the driveway of their new two-story house. She’d bought it a week ago, right after she’d sold the mansion she’d unwillingly shared with Philip. Chloe carries Jamie up to his new room and tucks him into bed. After kissing his forehead, Chloe goes to her room, undresses, and goes into her bathroom. She runs the water, then pours vanilla scented bubble bath oil into the water. She closes her eyes, smiling as she remembers the night Jamie was conceived.
*Flashback*
“Come in, Diva.” Chloe smiles at Brady, only a little nervous about what she knows is going to happen. She enters his hotel room and laughs. There is a small plastic Christmas tree sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by decorations. Chloe drops her purse by the door and it falls over as Brady takes off her coat. He gathers her in his arms and kisses her senseless, then picks her up, cradling her to his chest. He walks over to the bed and lays her down. Chloe stares up at him as he removes his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. Desire burns within her, and Chloe licks her lips, saying, “Brady, make love to me. Please!” Brady grins and says, “I plan to, Darlin’.” He leans over her and kisses her again, making her melt, then covers his body with hers.
*End Flashback*
Chloe smiles and blushes in the tub as she relives their night of passion. It had been the most magical experience of her life, and she knows she will always keep that memory close to her heart. Chloe’s smile fades as she remembers the conversation she and Brady shared the morning after.
*Flashback*
“What the hell is this?” Chloe opens her eyes to see Brady, naked, standing beside the bed and holding something out to her. Her heart stops as he drops it onto he sheet next to her. Her wedding ring. She’d put it in her purse on the way over, and somehow, Brady had found it. “Brady, I can explain!” Brady lets out an angry laugh. “Explain? You’d damn well better! How can you be married? You were a virgin, Chloe!” Tears flow from Chloe’s eyes as she says, “I married Philip a year ago. He’s paralyzed and not able to….you know, so that’s why I was a virgin.” Brady gets a look of fury on his face. “You married that icky boy pansy ass brat?! Why?"
Chloe kneels on the bed, crying. “I’m sorry, Brady. When you left Salem, he was the only person I could talk to. He needed me, and I was devastated by Shawn and Belle’s deaths. My heart was further battered when you left me too! So when Philip asked me to marry him, I said yes.” Brady turns away from Chloe. “God, Chloe! You didn’t have to marry him. You could have just been his friend! And you KNEW I’d come back!” Chloe stares at his back and screams, “No, I didn’t! You left me, Brady! You promised me once that you would never leave me, but you did! I don’t love my husband, but I know he wouldn’t abandon me like that! Belle’s death hurt me too, Brady. You weren’t the only one that loved her.”
Brady turns around with tears in his eyes. “Chloe, I…” Chloe shakes her head wildly. “Don’t say it, Brady! I don’t want to hear it.” She gets up and dresses, saying through her tears, “I have to go. This was obviously a mistake.” Brady watches her silently as she puts her wedding ring on. Chloe wipes her tears away and looks at Brady. “I do love you, Brady Black. Maybe someday you’ll love me as much as I love you.” Chloe walks to the door and picks up her purse, lingering briefly before opening the door and running out.
Brady stares at the empty doorway and says with tears streaming down his face, “I do love you, Chloe Lane. You’re my soulmate.” He smiles bitterly as he remembers why he’d come back. “Congratulations on getting into Julliard, Diva.” Brady closes the door and pulls on his pants, not bothering to fasten them. He sits on the bed, feeling the warmth from Chloe’s body, and opens the nightstand drawer. Brady stares at the rose and silver ring with emeralds lying inside, then slams the drawer shut. It was no use dwelling on them now. Chloe was already married. Brady lays down on the bed, his heart broken and his dreams shattered. He didn’t blame Chloe, she had only tried to live her life. Brady sits up, unable to stay in the room. “I’m getting out of here.” He finishes dressing, grabs his bag, and leaves. In his jeep, he takes out a picture of him and Chloe hugging at their gazebo. “I’m sorry, Chloe.” He kisses her image, puts the picture away, and starts the jeep.
Chloe looks up from the steering wheel of her car in time to see Brady drive off. Sobs rack her body as she thinks, I’ll never see him again. Chloe watches him disappear and says, “I’ll love you forever, Brady. No matter where you are, I’ll always love you.” Chloe composes herself, then drives home, her heart frozen.
*End Flashback*
Chloe walks out of the bathroom and stands in front of the full-length mirror, smiling. In less than 3 hours, she will be giving her first performance as a professional opera singer. “Wow Mommy! You look pretty.” Chloe faces Jamie, smoothing down her dress. “Thanks, Jamie. You look quite handsome yourself!” Jamie preens, showing off his tiny tuxedo. Chloe takes his hand and they leave, driving to the Salem Opera House. (Ok, so I made it up.) After she greets John and Marlena and kisses Jamie good-bye, Chloe goes into her dressing room. She smiles at a picture of her and Brady and whispers, “I wish you were here.”
*****Brady enters the opera house and looks around. He’d gotten a message from his father to be here tonight, but no reason telling him why. Not seeing John or Marlena, Brady shrugs and takes a seat in the back. He wishes he could have seen Chloe before he arrived, but there hadn’t been time, and he was a little unsure of what her reaction would be to seeing him. It has been three years, he tells himself. “Well, I guess I’ll find out later tonight.” Brady smiles as the lights dim and the curtains go up. A figure steps onto the stage and Brady gasps. “Chloe!”