Chapter 25 * (NC-17)

It had been five days. The hardest days of Brady's life. All this time waiting for a phone call, a letter, anything. He had to know, he wanted to know now if he was the father of Kayla. They had already lost so much time, and now five days later, he was still waiting. Chloe had become his biggest support. They had grown closer, and Brady was falling harder for her than he had realized. She had become his everything.

Tick. Tick. Tick. The noise was so constant and alone it was deafening. He watched as the malleable arms twisted around the clock's flat surface with every impending second. The sounds came unnaturally loudly to his ears as he paced the room again, his steps heavy and boisterous over the light singing of the birds outside. The air seemed stifling, choking at his throat and lungs. His body tight and tense, he allowed himself to drop to the couch, trying unsuccessfully to relax.

The short, shrill cry of the phone broke the eerie calm. Wearily, he walked over and picked up the receiver closing his eyes. "Hello?" he said shortly, pausing to listen. ""Yes, this is he." He listened to the woman on the other end. "I understand."

With trembling hands, he put the phone back down. This was the news he had been waiting for, and now he knew. Walking back over to the couch, he picked up a bag from the counter, bringing it with him. Unwrapping the package, he took the tiny pink teddy bear he won at the fair out and held it against him. It didn't take much for the tears to come to his eyes and gently slide down his cheeks.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chloe was also on edge. Five days had been a blessing and a battle. Bringing Brady closer to her, but also begrudging him knowledge he rightly deserved.

"Chloe!?"

"Huh?" Chloe's cheeks flushed. "Sorry, Jared. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just having a hard time concentrating."

"I know. Brady told me. Go home."

"No, I'm fine."

"Chloe, I think it would be better if you were there for Brady instead of here and not being able to pay attention anyway," Jared told her sympathetically.

"I couldn't just leave. I still have work to do."

"Don't worry about it." He smiled kindly and walked away.

She couldn't stand it any longer. Brady hadn't come in again, and her shift was almost over, so she decided to leave. It wasn't like she could concentrate on anything all day anyway. Jared was right. There was no use being there when she was just wasting time anyway.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Taking the spare key Brady had given her, she opened the door to his loft. The room stood in darkness, and at first she didn't even see Brady. Then as she moved towards the living room, she could make out his outline on the couch. Brady sat, clutching the bear in his hands, and Chloe knew he had gotten news today. She rushed to his side, kneeling in front of him.

At first he found it hard to look at her, to admit how badly he was hurt. Chloe took one of his hands and held it tight. "What did they say?" she whispered kindly.

Brady couldn't even form the sentences. He didn't want to.

"Brady?" she prodded, knowing he had to let it out.

He shook his head over and over, the tears springing to his eyes again. His face formed a harsh, pinched expression as he tried hard to control his emotions. His lips quivered against the wetness of his chin. "She's..not...not mine..." Brady cried as the tears enveloped his body, and he shook with drained emotion.

Chloe immediately wrapped her arms around him, rocking him against her. "I'm sorry," she whispered against his ear, gently kissing the side of his head where his hair was soft like a child. Her own tears blended with his as she cried for him. "I'm sorry," she whispered again, almost inaudibly. Touching his face tenderly, she kissed his cheek. "You really wanted this, didn't you?" Chloe asked, aware of how her own heart had gotten attached to the small girl and how Brady must be feeling. She held his face in her hands and met his eyes.

He didn't need to answer. She already knew. But he nodded silently as a tear ran down his face. Resting his head on her shoulder, he pulled her close. Needing to feel her warmth, live for her sensations. "I never thought I would feel this way," he said, wiping fiercely at his eyes. "I just didn't know it would feel like this."

"I know," she told him, rubbing his back affectionately.

"I guess it's for the best," he smiled dubiously. "What do I know about being a father?" He laughed, a self-mocking, torturous laugh from deep in his belly.

"You would have made a great father, Brady, and you still will one day."

"I wanted it though. I wanted it so badly," he told her in such a small voice it didn't seem like his own. "I never knew that until now." Taking a deep, calming breath, he looked back at Chloe.

He looked at her with such intensity, such pain and loneliness, she did the only thing that seemed right. Pulling him to her, she gently kissed him square on the lips. Separating his lips under hers, she deepened the kiss, then pulled back. With new tears and a quiver in her voice, she let out the one sentiment she had been holding back her whole life. "I love you," she whispered.

She had said it to the only person that she ever truly wanted to and the one person that needed to hear it the most. God, what was she doing? It was too soon. She didn't want to scare Brady away, but she couldn't help how she felt. The last time she was ever close to love, she missed her opportunity. She was complicating things, she knew that. But seeing him in such pain pierced her heart, throwing the fragments about, and the only thing that seemed right was to reassure him.

Looking at Brady though, she knew that what she had with Tony wasn't love. The potential was there, but it would have never worked out. He was married and a father and much older than she was. But Brady, he was another story. Just as afraid of love as she was, yet he seemed so vulnerable in her arms that she had to tell him. Chloe wanted him to know because he needed to hear it. He needed her love to wrap around him, protect him from all the hurt and pain he was going through.

Chloe didn't know if she had done the right thing, but as soon as she said it, a tremendous weight lifted from her shoulders. After all, it was Brady. If anyone could understand her admission, it would be him. He'd know what it had taken for her to utter those words. The fact was she wasn't just trying to comfort him, sooth his tears, but she was feeling such immense pain herself that she had to let it out.

Brady has been the only man in her life not to take advantage of her. He didn't want to use her and abuse her. He wasn't looking to cheat on his wife or to have a trophy on his arm. He was looking for the exact same thing she was. A soul mate. Someone who filled the aching void left in her heart, left from years of mistreatment and neglect. Brady knew her fears because they were his own.

As he stared into her darkened azure eyes, it became clear to him she meant it. Brady looked at her, the tears glazing his eyes, confusion swirling in his mind. This wasn't Lisa. She wasn't going to hurt him, or lie, or cheat, because she knew what it felt like to be betrayed. He knew all this time he had been keeping her at arm''s length because he was so very afraid of getting close and losing her. But he could see now she wasn't going anywhere. Chloe had stuck by him this entire time. Even now, as they sat on the couch, huddled together, she made no attempt to leave him. Somewhere along the way, between their playful banter and heated dances, he began to care. As much as he tried to deny himself, he couldn't any longer.

"Brady?" Chloe said quietly, when he hadn't made a move for a few minutes. Then tension was thick, coating the air and filling the room with tiny insecure pieces of doubt. Had she made a mistake?

He answered her with a soulful kiss, gently parting her lips to slowly enter her mouth with his tongue. The kiss was slow, showering her lips with tiny drops of his tongue and teeth, even salty tears, until he pulled away slowly, taking her face in his hands. He studied her, making sure he had heard right, that it wasn't a dream and she was really confessing her love. He knew what it meant, not only to her but to him also. They were both so wrapped up in their own fear of commitment, and now she was freely offering her love.

"I love you, too," he whispered quietly, making sure to look her in the eye. He did love her. Everything in him told him he did and he had for a long time, but it was difficult to put into words. How do you tell someone they are the center of your universe? Once the sentiment was out there, it was frightening, because he was telling Chloe he couldn't live without her, he didn't want to.

Brady took her in his arms and held her close to him, never wanting to let go. "I was scared, so scared, that I would always be alone. I wanted to tell you that so long ago, but I didn't want to scare you away. Hell, I freaked myself out. I've honestly never felt like this. I never knew how dependent I could be on someone."

"I've never told anyone I loved them before," Chloe confessed quietly, holding her breath. "It always seemed so hard to do. But I've never known this kind of love. I've never wanted to be so a part of someone's life before. Thank you for letting me love you," she whispered into his chest, knowing it was not easy for him to let people get close.

"No, Chloe. Thank you for teaching me what love is. I don't even think I deserve it," he said slowly, kissing the top of her head.

She looked up at him, no longer afraid of her feelings. "Brady, please don't say that. I know you've been hurt. We both have. You have to stop blaming yourself. There is nothing wrong with you. You deserve love." Chloe sat up a little and cupped Brady's face in her hands, lightly wiping the tears that still lingered on his skin. "Even if your father can't see what a good man you are, your mother can. Even from heaven, she knows how wonderful you are."

Brady tried to look away, but Chloe held onto him, forcing him to hear her words. "I know you're in a lot of pain right now, but you don't have to go through it alone. I'm here for you, and I always will be," she told him, then lightly kissed his cheek.

Brady was unable to speak, touched by the sincerity of Chloe's words. She really did get him and knew how much he sought out his mother's approval, by telling him his mother was proud of him. He was at a loss for words. No one could possibly know what that would mean to him but her. "My mother...she would have loved you," he told her, smiling through the pain, gently taking her hand in his.

"I've pictured it in my mind thousands of times. We'd go over to her house for Sunday brunch, and I would introduce you. You'd put out your hand to introduce yourself, and she would take you in her arms. She'd tell me you were gorgeous over your shoulder so you couldn't see." He laughed softly. "She'd show you her garden, and you two would walk hand in hand while I lagged behind. I can see her face, like she was still alive. Later, she'd pull me aside and tell me I better treat you right. We would laugh together, and she would gently take me in her arms. I've dreamed of it so many times, but none of it will happen. I hate it. I hate that I can't see her or talk to her. I hate that she'll never meet you, because you mean so much to me. I hate how much I still miss her, even though I barely knew her. That's why this is so hard. I could have had someone that was a part of me. My child. She could have been my child." He breathed deeply. "Chloe, you can never leave me. For the first time, I have someone in my life who means as much to me as my mother does, and everyday I worry that somehow you'll be taken away too. I couldn't bear that, Chloe. I wouldn't survive." He choked on his last words.

"In my own way, I know her, Brady. Through you. I wish all those dreams could happen. I want that for you. I know so many things have been taken away from you, but as long as I can help it, I won't leave. As long as you make me the same promise." She smiled softly.

"I'll always be by your side," he whispered.

Chloe hugged him to her, feeling closer to Brady than she'd ever felt to another human being in her life. She gently kissed his neck, calming his fears as she moved to his cheek and jaw.

Outside the confines of the loft, the sky erupted in dizzying bolts of lightning. The rain poured on the waiting city, feeding the wilting plants with fat, round drops. Brady returned her sweet pecks. Finding her mouth appealing, he lightly pressed his lips to hers. Her full lips welcomed him without reserve, tasting the first inkling of passion that was beginning to rise within him. For the first time, he was taking the lead, letting himself explore the glorious curves of her body. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, taking in her beauty and feminine scent. His heart began to pound strongly against his chest, picking up speed as his tongue swept against her neck.

Chloe held him close, letting her hands trail down his back while he presented her with wonderful flows of pleasure. She playfully twirled the short tufts of hair behind his ears in her fingers. He laid them down on the couch, moving on top of her smaller frame, holding himself up with his powerful arms. He looked her in the eye, unable to keep himself from staring into her darkened azure eyes as he touched her waiting body. She felt soft under him, and he worried he might be hurting her with his weight, but Chloe tried to pull him down closer, loving the way he felt on top of her. He lightly ran his fingers through her hair, just peering deeply into her soul. She tugged at his shirt collar, trying to bring him closer to her. All she wanted was to feel every new sensation, every touch and taste, fully.

The lights flickered in the loft before the room went completely black, and they barely noticed. A storm, which had erupted outside and had been going on for a while, was unnoticed up to this point, because they had been so wrapped up in each other and getting their feelings across. But now it was difficult not to pay attention. Brady let his gaze drift from her for a slight moment when he noticed the sudden darkness. He listened to the blowing wind and scattered rain against the window pane and nearly laughed. It was loud, and he wondered how they had been so oblivious.

His eyes returned to her, and he bent down to kiss her forehead. Then he realized their first time should not happen the way it already was. Chloe deserved more than a couch in the middle of his living room, and he was going to give it to her. Brady sat up on the side of the couch, with Chloe looking at him with concern.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he assured her, scooping her up into his arms. He walked slowly, clumsily down the darkened hall to his room, carrying Chloe with him. When they reached the pitch black bedroom, he stumbled slightly, looking for the bed. Finally, he set Chloe down among the ruffled sheets and fluffy pillows. "Wait here," he told her sweetly.

Chloe watched the flickers of lightning through the large glass windows from her place on the bed. A loud smack of thunder rippled through the air, making her jump slightly. She was curious as to where Brady had gone and got her answer as she watched his figure approach, haloed in light.

Brady came into the room and set the candle down on his night stand, lighting a few more he carried in his arms. He rifled through the drawer and pulled out the framed picture of Lisa that had once caused so much controversy. Taking it out of the frame, he held it above the flame of the candle and waited for it to catch. Slowly, the pictured melted until it was unrecognizable. Brady threw it into the metal trash can and doused it with a glass of water. "There! I've wanted to do that for a long time. Now there is nothing to keep us apart. I'm leaving my past where it belongs, in the garbage," he chuckled softly.

Chloe smiled up at him. Kneeling on the bed, she put her arms around him and kissed his awaiting lips so tenderly and deliberately, signalling she was ready to do the same. Chloe pulled back slightly, engulfing him once again in a hug. She could never get enough of his arms around her, making her feel safe and protected. She moved her fingers over his face, tracing his jawline and lips, letting her finger rest against his bottom, pouting lip. He lightly kissed her finger and took her hand in his, dropping tiny kisses on the rest of her fingers and palm.

Chloe ran her fingers along his back, pulling his shirt out of his slacks. Leaving the wrinkled tail of the shirt, she moved to the front, undoing the buttons. She moved the shirt from his shoulder and let it slip to the ground. Then she pulled the white wife-beater over his head and let that too fall to the floor in a heap. She caressed his shoulders, following with her mouth, leaving tiny pecks against his tan skin. Lightly nipping, she moved down the front of his chest, silkily washing her fingers across his skin, surprised to find the goose bumps that rose from her touch.

It excited her that she had that kind of power. That her touch on his skin could bring about such changes in his body. His skin was hot. The fine hairs, not visible in the dark and rarely in the light, but seen only against the sun as it started to fall from the sky, stood as her hand travelled against him. Very slowly, she worked her fingers down his abdomen, touching all his muscled curves. Looking him in the eye, she knew what she was doing was affecting him. His features were less harsh than they had ever been. His once scowling face had been replaced by one that could only be described as loving.

Brady planned on making this a sensual experience for Chloe. This wasn't sex, and he wasn't sure if he was doing the right things. He knew to take things slow because there was only one first time for them, and he wanted to remember every second of it. She was in essence the only woman he had ever loved. Loving her was the easy part, controlling himself would be hard. Being everything any male would ever want, Chloe tested his self-restraint with every breath he took, with every touch and with every kiss.

He bent down slightly, kissing her lips like it was the first and last time he would do so. Their touch was so slow, almost subtle, but they warmed up to it, letting the delicate caresses become heated and unrestrained. He could have taken her right there, wildly, hot and passionate; but instead, he savoured it, loving her fully and completely and showing it all with soft strokes down her back and thighs.

His heart was beating fast beneath her hand, and she swore she could almost hear it amongst the quickened pace of their breathing. Brady's hand trembled when he touched her, slowly unzipping her sweater, only to find a short t-shirt underneath. He felt the cashmere slip through his fingers as it fell to the floor, then returned his hand to her mid drift. Chloe was not easily broken, and her spirit echoed through her eyes and delicate features. It amazed Brady, who by fact was a strong, grown-up man, that he could be turned so weak by her. He wanted to give her everything, make her feel what she did to him, show her what they were capable of together.

Easily, he coaxed Chloe down on the bed, positioning himself beside her. Another kiss claimed them, as his mouth descended on hers. Her tongue was sweet and tasted of honey, making him smile into the kiss. Letting his hand linger on her stomach, he propped himself on his side so he was looking down at her. Uncertain and maybe a little afraid, he let his hand move under the white of her t-shirt, taking it out of view. Exploring gently, he touched her sensitive skin through the thin material. Kissing her deeper, he heard her moan under him, and it encouraged him.

Soft, fleeting strokes under the thin, simple shirt, unseen by either of them, were felt by her. He knew exactly how to touch her, and she trembled against him. His hand, a tool taking her far from this earth into a heaven she had never known. A place where tiny angels danced on your skin and whispered glorious songs into your ears. The shirt came over her head, giving his hand back to the light, leaving her skin feeling cold without his touch. He peeled the layers of her clothing slowly, symbolically stripping the many indignities she had suffered in her life, replacing them with love and compassion as he kissed her skin, sealing their bond as friends and now lovers. It was healing, a slow drive toward completion that neither had felt but were starting to understand.

The last layer, a silk bra, black in colour, was shed, and his fingers descended down onto her skin, feeling her sweet luscious curves, the tips of his fingers barely making contact. But the feel would be unforgettable, burned into her brain from now until eternity. It was tender, unhurried, when he gently met the curves of her full breasts. The light shimmered against her skin, raining it with soft silver hues, emanating from the pale crest of the moon. She looked like a goddess bleached in fine diamonds. He kissed her skin with touches so light and feather like it was as if the wind was drifting over her. Meeting her breasts, he traced his fingers ever so lightly against the blushing ripeness of her skin, his lips and tongue feasted, suckling tenderly. More than ever she was his, claimed by him.

Moving his hand shakily up and down her body, he realized just how right it felt. Reaching the button of her pants, he didn't hesitate taking the zipper down and moving over to pull the confining material off of her hips and past her feet, along with her socks and silk panties. He touched her then, as if he'd never seen another woman in all of his life, watching her as if she was a mystery that he was desperate to solve. Her eyes lit up as if she had never known such an experience.

The smell of the lavender candles kissed Chloe's nose, treating her senses. She watched Brady touch her, felt his skin on hers, and was overcome with emotion. This was clearly the first time either of them had taken so much time to just feel and touch another person, and it felt perfect. She watched his eyes twinkle against the slight glow of the candle and knew he would always be there for her.

Chloe ran her fingers through his hair as he assaulted her legs and then thighs with tiny kisses. She pulled him closer to her, flipping herself over so she was on top of him. Letting her hands roam his body, she found the buckle of his belt and undid it, along with the button and zipper of his pants. Chloe helped Brady wiggle out of his pants and boxers, as she continued to kiss his swollen lips. The thunder cracked through the sky, giving the room temporary light so she could see her partner, virile and real.

"I love you," he whispered against her ear, unable to hide anymore.

She could feel him hard under her and sighed into another kiss, lightly rocking against him. He flipped her over, now on top, still devouring her mouth. He was pressed against her, and he could feel her egging him on, wanting to feel him inside her. They had come so close so many times, and now it felt right. There was no backing away as he had in the past, and Chloe finally understood why. They had never had such an experience in all of their lives. Taking things so slowly, so tenderly was foreign to both of them, but it felt natural, needed almost. Before they could be together, they wanted to know every part of themselves and each other.

Looking into her eyes, he felt her legs part below him, bringing him to her entrance. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and moved inside her in a solid stoke, holding himself in place. The feeling of completeness that wrapped around him was overwhelming, and he could feel the tears brim in his eyes. She shifted under him, adjusting to his invasion, touched by his trembling features.

She moved first, sure he would follow suit, and he did, slowly pulling out almost completely and then driving back inside her waiting depths. Chloe whimpered softly at the feeling overwhelming her. Finally, after all this time, they were together, making love; and suddenly, she realized that's what Brady had intended the entire time, maybe had even planned.

He caressed the side of her face as he moved within her, keeping the pace unhurried and intentionally making her crave more. He took long strokes, almost leaving her completely sometimes, and she moaned underneath him, begging for him to stay. The slightest retreat made her heart feel heavy, as she wanted to feel him closer to her. Running her fingers down his back, she desperately tried to pull him closer, aware of the heat beginning to radiate within her. The fine hum of their bodies was driving her insane with pleasure. She wrapped her legs around him, bringing him into her harder.

He lost his rhythm and moved faster, which she approved, but soon he slowed again to that same rhythm that had her rattled with protest. He kissed her neck and breasts, driving her to let go, forcing her to confront the rival feelings that lay hidden inside her. He stirred her body into an overflow of heat, scorching her soul until she had no other option than to scream out as the first orgasm ripped through her body, arching her hips up against him in extreme delight and some confusion.

He smiled down at her, kissing her lips and the corners of her mouth, letting her recover slightly before he began to move again, sticking with the same slow rhythm that had driven her over the edge. Her skin was already salty from the sticky sweat between them. Her breathing was erratic, and her features were starting to glow. More, he told himself. He wanted to give her more. Letting his hand travel along her body, he let it rest on her backside, and then flipped them over.

Chloe, now on top, had all the power and was willing to inflict the same sort of sultry torture. She moved over him, slowly at first and then faster when she couldn't maintain the same sense of control he had exerted. Pulling him up towards her, she kissed his warm lips, glorified in the feeling of having him under her. Practically sitting now, she hugged him tight to her, letting her breasts sandwich between them.

He moaned into her, moving his hips against hers. The blood rushed to his head, until he thought he would go blind. The heat was intense, and he felt he could barely breathe. She was everything and still more that he had ever wanted, and that thought consumed him. The waves of pleasure began to claim her body, and her head lulled back, unable to hold herself upright. He caught her, holding her shoulders and kissing the slippery skin between her breasts. "Let go!" he whispered against her ear.

The heat flashed before her eyes. On a sudden bolt of electricity that tinted the sky, she released all the tension from her body, letting her senses be overridden by an ocean of pleasure. The waves crashed against her hard, bringing him with her past the reefs and into the deep heart of the sea where they were unprotected from the swallowing depths that tossed them about.

She collapsed against him, bringing them both back against the mattress. Their breathing was erratic at best. The twirling blades of the ceiling fan made the candles flicker, casting shadows across the wall. They lay silenced by the momentum that was slowly receding, bringing them back to this world. Her ear was firmly planted on his chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of his heart. They sank into the serene afterglow of making love, lightly sighing sleepily.

His hand washed over her slick arm in a gentle caress. "You okay?" he asked, the question hanging loosely in the air.

Chloe grunted softly, unable to find the words for the emotions consuming her. She was humbled by his excessive need to give to her and enlightened as to why people glorified love making. Never in her life had she felt so comforted, so a part of another human that she forgot where she ended and he began, as cliched as it sounded. Even now, resting comfortably against her lover, she touched his body and somehow was gratified herself.

She kissed his smooth skin and looked up to meet his eyes, those deep blue pools that had guided her on a journey she wasn't sure she was ready to come down from or recover from anytime soon. She felt whole. Instead of having that constant burning ache in the pit of her stomach, it seemed to disappear. Did normal people feel like this all the time? Was her life so messed up that she never had fully lived until now? Smiling at Brady, she couldn't fathom going back to a life where he wasn't around. It would be simply impossible.

Her body lay atop of his, allowing him to fully enjoy her weight, the feel of her soft hair draped across her bear body, and the way she breathed. Her chest rose and fell at the same time as his, and it was as if they were one being, taking in the same air and expelling it, just the same. He was still under her, still connected, her body mounting his perfectly. And yet he couldn't help touching her further, letting his hand travel up and down her arm, just to prove it was real.

Brady moved them slowly so they lay facing each other. She let go of him and eased away gently, groaning at the loss. "I have no words," Brady told her slowly, moving the hair from her face.

"We don't need words, Brady. We never did," Chloe told him, wrapping her arms around him once again and rolling them back over. "I like having you under me. That way I know it's not a dream, and when I wake up, you'll still be here."

Brady smiled, just as comfortable to have her lay with him like that. She pressed her forehead against his and just looked into his eyes. Chloe moved her head back to his chest and closed her eyes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Time passed. How much time, they couldn't say. It seemed that every time they were together, the world slowed, and time became irrelevant. A low, rumbling sound came into the room, filling their ears.

Chloe laughed gently against Brady, lightly bouncing on top of him. "Is that your stomach?"

"I thought that was yours," he responded, teasing.

"Maybe we should get something to eat?"

"We will," he told her, laying his head back down on his pillow and wrapping his arms around her.

A few minutes went by, and they remained in the same position. "You're not moving," Chloe finally said, when another hunger pang ripped through him.

"You're on top of me," he told her, still not making an attempt to leave, and keeping his eyes closed, although a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"I was waiting for you."

"Well, see? There you go. Because I was waiting for you."

"So should we get up?"

"Yep."" Brady reached his hand out and skimmed his fingers along Chloe's hair, stroking it gently and then finally letting it rest at the base of her neck.

"Whenever you're ready," Chloe said lightly between yawns.

It was useless. Neither moved, content to stay where they were, falling victim to their own fatigue.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hours later, Brady awoke. Chloe was no longer draped on top of him. Instead she lay beside him, spooned against his chest. He smiled crookedly at her exposed slender leg, peeking out from under the blankets. Perfect, he thought to himself. Everything about this moment was perfect. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, dropping a light kiss.

The storm broke outside, lighting the room in sunny rays. Outside, the birds chirped a happy song of renewal and rebirth. The rain had washed away a lot of the winter haze and replaced it with fresh spring flowers. The grass was a brilliant green outside, flecked with wet droplets of water. It was beautiful. Even the air seemed fresher.

So too, the rain had done wonders for Brady and Chloe. Through the night, they had slowly given up their past, bathing their bodies with soft exploratory kisses and deep passionate ones, all for the sake of love.

"Chloe!?" Brady gently nudged her.

"Hmm……"

"I love you," he whispered.

Chloe turned to face him then, smiling. "I'm up," she laughed.

"I thought that might work," he laughed.

"You thought right." She kissed him softly on the tip of his nose. "How 'bout some breakfast?"

"Oh, so now that you're hungry it's okay to get out of bed?" he teased.

"Who said anything about me getting out of bed?" she laughed, wrapping the comforter around her.

"I guess that's my cue." Brady disentangled himself from Chloe and wrapped the sheet around his waist.

Chloe pouted when he left the bed and tried to pull him back, but all she got was the sheet. Tugging hard as he walked away, Chloe pulled the sheet right off him. She laughed hard when he did nothing to stop her and kept walking, naked as the day he was born. Chloe pulled the sheet back to the bed and waited for him to return.

Brady made his way to the kitchen, still nude, and reached into the fridge, grabbing for some fruit. Piling his findings on a plate, he made his way back to Chloe, who pretended to cover her eyes at his approach. Setting the dish down, he bounced on the bed, taking her in his arms and rolling so he was now on top of her. He reached over and picked up a slice of melon, offering it to Chloe. She ate hungrily, sucking the remaining juices from his fingers. Even that was too much temptation for him, and he planted his mouth on hers, driven into a deep kiss. He pulled away breathlessly and rolled back over, letting her rest next to him.

She sat up and took the plate of fruit from the night table and put it in her lap. "Wait a minute! I just thought of something. Since when do you have fruit?"

Brady's face fell, and his body tensed visibly. "I wanted to be prepared for the next time Kayla came to visit, if she turned out to be mine."

"Oh Brady," Chloe said quietly, stroking his arm.

"I was ready to become responsible," he said shyly.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up."

"No, it's okay. I just need to get over it," he sighed.

"One day this will all be behind us, and you'll have your own children, and then you will be responsible. Okay?"

He nodded and took a strawberry from the plate. "Thanks for being here."

They continued to eat fruit until all that was left was an apple and a slice of melon. "I'm full," Chloe announced, leaning back against Brady after she put the plate down.

"I've never experienced anything quite like that," he sighed, gently rubbing his hands up and down her arms. "Last night was amazing, and I'll never forget it."

"Me either. I've never felt like that. You make me feel...I dunno...alive."

"I was thinking the same thing," Brady told her, dropping a kiss on her cheek and pulling her close.