Epilogue

Brady walked down the aisle, as the usher showed him the way to their seats. The elderly man walked in front of Brady as he carried the little blonde bundle, a girl fast asleep and resting softly against the lapel of her father''s suit jacket, with a second child, a boy with dark locks and bright blue eyes, toting close behind, to the first row of the Metropolitan Opera House.

"I always know she woul' be a sta'," the old man said, turning to Brady, the glimmer in his eyes apparent as he talked about his former foster-child.

"I'm glad you were there for her. Thank you for coming."

"No. Thank you. I neva woul' ave known wisout you."

Brady shook the man's hand, letting a large smile fill his face. The truth was he was so proud of what Chloe had become, and he wanted to share it with everyone. After weeks of searching with the help of a private investigator, they were finally able to locate the man that had taught Chloe about opera first. It had been many years, and his wife had passed, but he never forgot the bright little girl that had come into his life so long ago. Partially deaf, the music still was played in his house every afternoon, even if he couldn't hear as well.

Looking around the auditorium, Brady spotted Shawn and Belle, Mimi and Jared and his parents, John and Marlena, taking up a row for themselves. He waved to them and smiled widely when they waved back. Everything was starting to fall into place. Though his relationship with his father was not perfect, it was getting better and daily he was healing.

Brady tried to settle down the kids, when a man in a tux came onto the stage. He knew it was Chloe's introduction. He knew she was nervous, but also knew how wonderful she would be.

"Ladies and gentleman, it is my distinguished pleasure to present to you a wonderful artist, a gifted woman, and an amazing singer, Mrs. Chloe Black."

The crowd's applause was loud and thick in the air as Chloe stepped onto the stage. Chloe opened her mouth and music flowed from deep inside her, filling the stadium walls. She scanned the crowd. Catching the eyes of her husband, she sang for him. Then beside Brady, she spotted the man that had been her inspiration, and the tears filled her eyes and her song, becoming a glorious rendition of a tragic opera.

Chloe brought the song to life, filling it with everything she had in her. The emotions poured into the tunes. The notes became alive, and the audience could feel it. Then, tension was thick as people held their breath, unable to breathe as Chloe showed them what an opera was all about. Then with one last painful note, it ended. Silence. Chloe looked around, stunned. No one seemed to be moving, and then all at once, as if on cue, people rose from their seats, clapping wildly. A standing ovation.

Brady stood, tears in his eyes, holding up their children, mouthing ""I love you"" to her.

Chloe reacted on instinct, coming from the stage into the crowd and taking Brady into her arms, sandwiching the children between them. "I love you too," she told him.

THE END