Chapter 50 - Here's to the night...

"Everything's gonna be fine. You'll see," Belle sniffed tearily, "Oh, I love you so much."

"Guys," Mimi managed, her lip quivering, "I don't think I can handle this."

Chloe took a breath, bolstering herself, "Come on. It's time." She gave her own darling a hug. "I'll see you in a little while, ok?"

In guileless reply, Merlin licked her face, furry behind vibrating. And then with some trepidation, Chloe handed her beloved puppy over to the vet. Her friends eventually followed suit with Nestlé and Floppy.

When the heavy metal door closed ominously behind those innocent yipping grins, Belle nearly started bawling. The girls quickly shuffled to the observation window to watch as the first puppy was placed on the surgical table.

They were doing the right thing, their parents assured. It was better for the dogs' temperaments and society at-large, Craig had lectured. Too many puppies, too few homes and families to love them. So many displaced animals lived on the streets or were caged at shelters, waiting for some kind soul to adopt them. Or else… They wouldn't want that to happen to their puppies' puppies or any other puppy, would they? Belle's mom had explained and guilted. Furthermore, the pain would be fleeting. The pups would most likely forget all about it in a couple of days, promised Mimi's dad.

Automatically shielding their crotches, Philip, Shawn, and Jason had wished their girls and the puppies the best.

"Bummer, man," Philip had commented the night before, "If Merl only knew what he'd be missing." He shook his head in pity then whispered to his soon-to-be violated pal, "I still love you, dude."

Chloe rightfully had bopped her boyfriend on the head with a pillow.

A frightful yelp.

"Oh, God," sobbed Mimi, as she saw her Floppy squirm to escape those cruel latexed hands and the shiny sharp objects in them.

The friends held each other, as the reproductive fate of their puppies was irrevocably decided.

In her trusted basket, Nestlé trembled a bit, before her eyelids fluttered closed and she fell into an exhausted slumber. It'd been a long and traumatic day. Especially for her owner.

Belle cautiously reached out to stroke her baby's fur. But for the temporary bandage, her puppy didn't look any different than normal. But, oh, the trials of motherhood.

"Out like a light, huh?" observed Shawn quietly, as he hunched beside her and the snoring puppy. He'd driven the girls and their quivering bundles home from the vet.

His great grandmother had been sympathetic, when guilt-ridden Belle with an eerily quiet Nestlé in her arms arrived at the Horton doorstep. "She'll be as good as new before you know it, dear."

Belle had sniffed and nuzzled that baby soft fur, promising her puppy anything her little canine heart desired at the pet store.

Looking from the sleeping puppy to that concerned pixie face, Shawn slipped a consoling arm around his girlfriend's droopy shoulders. "Come on, Belle. I'll drive you home." It was a little after six, but Belle certainly didn't look inclined for any dinner. Not with her puppy in such a fragile state. That was the magical thing about Isabella Black. Her heart was as wide as the ocean. And when someone suffered, particularly someone she loved, she suffered ten times more. And vowed to do all she could to alleviate that suffering. Gently, Shawn took her by the elbows and helped her to standing.

She took a dainty swipe of her eye but kept her gaze downcast. "I'm being silly, right? I mean, Dr. Frasier is like the best veterinarian in Salem. And spaying is a totally routine procedure."

He smoothed back those fine blond locks. "She's gonna be just fine, Mother Hen. She's gonna be right back to stealing my donuts in no time."

Belle gave a much-needed laugh. "Your gram didn't even swallow that story, you donut-monger."

"Hey," Shawn objected with a sly Irish grin, "Did you or did you not see the powdered sugar all over her whiskers?"

She crossed her arms incredulously over her chest. "Trying to squeeze Nestlé's head through a donut hole is nothing to brag about."

"I was framed, I tell ya," his eyes twinkled, "She was taking a chunk out of my cake donut and pinned the wrap on me. She's a sneaky one. And got all you chicks hoodwinked with that sweet wittle puppy act."

Belle shook her head at her ridiculous boyfriend. But she was smiling. He could always make her laugh. Especially at herself. She took his hand in hers. "Come on, Tough Boy. Nestlé needs her beauty rest."

He smiled. Beauty rest? Tongue in cheek, Shawn decided to keep the smart-alecky comment to himself, while she led him back into the living room to say good night to his gram. It wouldn't be too sensitive right now to remind her that Nestlé was permanently off the dating roster. Man, poor dog would never know what she's missing. He mentally shrugged. Hey, what she didn't know won't necessarily hurt her.

"Good night, Mrs. Horton," said Belle, hugging the feisty matriarch. "Thanks for everything."

"You're very welcome," she replied and squeezed the girl's hand. "Don't worry. Nestlé is in good hands."

"Bye, Gram," Shawn said, as he kissed his great grandmother on the cheek.

"Bye, dear," she smiled and waved farewell, "Drive carefully."

The couple left the quaint Horton house and climbed back into Shawn's jeep. Both passengers buckled-in, the car rumbled forward toward the Black penthouse. With the top down and his hair flopping this way and that in the wind, Shawn sang along with his oldies rock. Belle simply giggled and bopped her head with the music. She was more a Britney and N'Sync kinda girl, but she could appreciate any smattering of music. Thanks to her brother and his endless CD library.

"So," she began, while using her hands to pull back her flying hair, "You're going to pick Jason up, before you guys come to my house, right? For the Last Blast?"

He nodded. "Think Phil is gonna meet us in the lobby. He thinks we should all show up at the same time." Shawn shrugged. "Better effect, he said."

Belle smiled. "Can you believe it, Shawn? After next week, we're going to be high school graduates!"

"Yeah," he grinned wryly, "I don't know how the field is gonna hold all those Hortons and Bradys. Just my family alone could take up half the field."

"Oh, it's going to be so great with everyone there. My dad bought this super digital video camera. And Brady says he's gonna plug a beacon to my cap, so we can find each other in the crowd." She giggled. Despite his tough exterior, her big brother was a warm goofball at heart.

"Hey," said Shawn, as he signaled a left turn, "Did you hear about Phil's summer island scheme?"

"Mimi told me about it," answered Belle, "I don't know, if my parents are going to like that idea. They've chaperoned every dance and school trip, since I can remember. A whole summer abroad with no chaperones?" She shook her head. "Besides, I think my dad was talking about traveling, too. You know, like a big family thing, before college."

"Yeah," muttered Shawn absently, "College…" He kept his eyes on the road ahead, before taking a shallow breath. "So, about that… I mean, I know you said that you had to talk it over with your family first… but where… I mean, which school did you like the most?"

"I dunno…" she said elusively, "I guess I could see myself at any of those places." She waited a beat. "Where do you think I should go, Shawn?"

Staring straight ahead, he hoped his voice resonated ease and neutrality, even as his chest tightened. "Where ever you'd be happy." He took an unperceivable breath, before he finally risked a glance in her direction. "I mean, that's what's important, right?"

Those baby blue eyes searched his chocolate brown, before he attended back to the road.

The jeep pulled to a stop in front of the complex.

Shawn took another fortifying breath, before he turned to her and said, "So, I guess I'll see ya to-" And found his lips captured. He felt her petite hand move to the nape of his neck, tugging at his hair. And his eyes flickered closed. Even in her kiss, she was so sweet.

Pulling back, she smiled. "Thanks."

Her Tough Boy looked somewhat confused. "Sure… uh, for what?"

Her smile widened. "For being you, Shawn Douglas Brady."

It was one of those rare times, when Shawn D. didn't have a glib, teasing comeback. Because her eyes were still laughing at him. Because her cheeks were flush, her lips the shade of glistening berries, and her hair windblown. Before he could think, he reached out with both hands to pull her to him. And he poured everything he didn't dare voice into the kiss, the embrace, and the touch.

The sudden pounding to his hood had the couple springing back.

"Brady!" screeched Belle.

"Hey," glowered her big brother, who somehow managed to look minatory even as he leaned slightly on the jeep's trim, "That's my sister you're inhaling."

"Brady!" shrieked an outraged and now completely humiliated Belle.

Meanwhile, Shawn paled and babbled. "Uh…"

In his signature white ribbed tank and black commando pants, Brady Black stood a good three inches taller than Shawn. And Belle's brother was known to be a relentless body builder with an explosive temper. And Brady Black loved his sister dearly.

"Ahem." Brady cocked a brow and shot a glare.

Shawn followed it and found his hand was still plastered to Belle's breast. He cursed. And frantically snatched back his damning hand. "Look, Brady, dude…"

"Oh, I can't believe this," huffed Belle. She wretched the car door open and fumed out, slamming the door behind her. "I don't believe this!" She sunk her claws into Brady's arm and hauled him toward the front entrance.

"Hold on, Tink." Brady winced, as the perfectly manicured fingernails dug into his forearm. "I think Mr. Shawn and I need to have a little talk-"

"Good night, Shawn!" shouted Belle angrily and yanked her meddling brother into the lobby.

"Later, Shawn," promised Brady, before the doorman closed the grand glass door behind them.

Running nervous hands through his hair, Shawn leaned back in his seat and took a shaky breath. Oh, boy.

"So, how's my buddy Merl, huh?"

Readjusting the telephone to her ear, Chloe looked down at the furry bundle, curled up on the pillow next to her. "Stoned, basically." She ran a gently finger along her puppy's back. "He's gonna sleep with me for a couple days-"

"Lucky mutt," muttered Philip over the phone.

"Until he gets better," completed Chloe with a chuckle. "I don't think he and the vet are friends anymore. Merlin's never bitten anyone before."

"Hey, I'd be pretty upset, too, if someone was cutting off my-"

"Philip!"

"Reason for living."

Chloe burst into laughter. "Boys and their egos. Nestlé had surgery, too, you know. And you don't see us all freaked out about it." She could almost hear his involuntary shiver over the phone.

"Well, at least Merl can still piss on one leg." She heard him lean back in his bed. "So, the kid's asleep, huh? So, um… what're you wearing?"

She giggled, "Philip, this conversation is not turning into phone sex."

"Hey, don't knock it, 'til you try it."

"Hmm," she grinned, "Is that the voice of experience I hear? Is there something I should know, Kiriakis?"

She heard his dimples deepen. "Ok, how about a lullaby?"

"Are we evading the question here?"

"Hmm?" he questioned facetiously. "Ok, Chloe. I'll be straight with you. I'm a phone sex virgin, I swear."

She laughed. "You're hopeless." And adorable.

"So, how about it?"

"Philip…" she chided with a smile, as she settled under her covers with her puppy sleeping by her ear.

"A lullaby… It'll be just like you were here."

Her heart melted. She closed her eyes, imagining his arms around her. And began to sing them both softly to sleep.

"Damn… That's not just ugly."

"That's fugly."

The boys hooted in laughter the following day and flipped to the next page of morphed celebrity photos in the Salem High Herald. What if Jennifer Aniston merged with David Letterman? The result? One scary genetic mishap. Jason grinned at the hilarious graphic creations. By Miriam Lockhart.

"Hey, man." A classmate swung a chummy arm around Jason's shoulders. "My dad just got his new rifle. Wanna go out shooting later?"

"Uh…" Jason eased out from under that arm. "That's ok, dude. Got plans." If he didn't, he'd make them up. He headed over toward his friends. Because he'd definitely had enough of guns to last a lifetime. "Hey, guys!" He greeted his friends, gathered in a private corner of the hall. "What's up?"

Chloe and Philip shared a look. Mimi managed a smile in greeting. While Shawn looked back to Belle.

"Well," began Belle, "I talked it over with my family… you know, about the schools and the cities and stuff… We talked about it for like hours…" She looked from face to face to face to face to face. "And…" She locked eyes with Shawn finally. "I'm going to UCLA!"

A slight pause.

"Oh, Belle," squeaked Mimi then and quickly crossed to her friend. "That's so great."

"Congratulations, Belle," smiled Chloe and went in for her hug, "A great school and you'll get the most gorgeous year-round tan."

"California," echoed Philip and Jason, "Awesome," and hugged their friend as well.

Then, everyone stepped back.

Belle reached out to hold Shawn's hands. "Everything about it, Shawn… I knew, almost as soon as I got there. Oh, Shawn, I know I'll be happy there." She tried to look into those warm brown eyes, but he kept them downcast. "I mean, the phone bills are gonna be crazy… But Brady's gonna set up a web-cam… A-And it'll be so great, when you come visit."

"Yeah," replied Shawn quietly, still looking at their joined hands. "Wow. I mean, congratulations, Belle." He looked up at her and tried to drudge up a smile. But his eyes told the real story.

And her heart broke. "Oh, Shawn-"

"Uh, I'd better get to class," he interjected and released her hands. "Later, guys," he muttered. Then, he turned and quickly strode off.

"Oh, Shawn…" Belle covered her face, before Chloe and Mimi moved in to comfort her.

Philip exchanged a look with Jason. Oh, shit. They wordlessly bade farewell to their respective girls. Then hurried after Shawn.

"Shawn! Wait up, dude!"

From behind, Philip and Jason took flanking positions by their friend.

"What's up, guys?" asked Shawn neutrally, as he kept his eyes forward. Don't think, his mind repeated. Don't think. Just walk.

"Look, man," began Philip and then fumbled, realizing he had no idea what to say. "That was some news… I mean, about Belle," he managed. He gave an apologetic look to Jason, whose face scrunched in disappointment at the K-Man's eloquent profundity. Or lack thereof.

Shawn shrugged. "Yeah, well, as long as she's happy, right? Look, guys, I'm cool, alright? You don't have to hold my hand or anything."

The first bell rang.

"Better get to class, guys," said Shawn, lengthening his strides.

"I'm in the same freaking class. Remember, dude?" Jason pointed out, as he gestured with his bulky American Lit. book.

"And it's review day in Calc.," added Philip, "Look, man, it's gonna be alright."

Shawn nearly scoffed and quickened the pace. "Yeah, thanks. Whatever, man."

"Dude," said Jason, stretching out his steps to keep up with him, "Just say it. This fucking blows."

Shawn shook his head and kept right on walking.

His buddies exchanged a look. At this rate, they were sure to run smack into a wall or something.

"Come on, Shawn," coaxed Philip, "Would you slow down a little? Just hold on, ok? It won't kill us to miss a couple minutes of class."

"Well, some of us actually care about school, ok, Phil?" retorted Shawn.

Philip skidded to an abrupt halt, while his eyes popped wide open. "What the hell's that supposed-"

"Whoa, whoa," intervened Jason, holding out his hands and stepping between his two friends, who now faced each other, braced and fisted. "Dudes, we don't need to start this shit."

"Yeah," shouted Shawn, his emotions screaming so loud that his head felt like it might explode, "You're telling me, it's gonna be alright. You. Mr. High and Mighty Kiriakis, who's got his road paved so smooth and didn't have to do jack to get there."

"You son of a-"

"Holy shit," grunted Jason and he held back each of his friends from lunging at one other. "Quit it, dudes! This is freaking crazy!"

Fortunately, the secondary hallways were clear, as the sounding of the final bell approached. The last thing they needed was to get suspended a week before graduation, thought Jason, as he pushed back his suddenly illogical buddies from killing each other. Then, one careless swing grazed his rib.

"That is fucking it!" Jason snarled, grabbed both their collars, and shoved them back hard enough to make them stumble. "I said, quit it! Have you guys completely lost your freaking minds?"

Philip glared at Shawn. "You're just freaking sore, because Belle's ditching you to go to California," he barked, that notorious temper enflamed. He was a Kiriakis, damn it. He was no freeloader. And nobody called him lazy. Nobody.

Chest heaving, Shawn fought to bury the hurt and growled, "Well, not all of us can follow our girl around like some kind of slave."

"Is that what you expected Belle to do for you?" Philip fired back.

"Shut the fuck up!" Jason's voice echoed down the hall. No doubt adults were on their way toward the commotion. "Both of you. I'm tired of this crap, alright? So, shut up." Satisfied that his friends were shocked into compliance, Jason let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Damn, Shawn, we just wanted to make sure you were ok with the Belle thing."

Philip snorted, still seething. "Obviously, he's not."

"Screw you, ok, Phil?" Shawn raged, "You're all cozy now that you're gonna be at your hotshot school right next door to your girlfriend. As usual, Philip Kiriakis gets everything he wants, when he wants it. Well, not all of us are that lucky, ok? Some of us-"

"Want exactly the same thing," completed Philip soberly, "You want to be with Belle."

Shawn froze, as if he'd been slapped. Then, his fist loosened, his shoulders drooped, and his expression wilted. Weak, he leaned back against the lockers and closed his eyes.

"Just say it, man," said Jason quietly, "This really blows."

"Yeah," Shawn said finally and let out a deflated breath. "Yeah."

The final bell rang. But no one made a move to leave. Instead, Shawn slid down to sit on the linoleum and a moment later his friends joined him. They didn't know how long they sat there, until someone finally spoke.

"She's really going."

"Yeah, buddy," replied Philip now with sympathy.

Shawn hung his head and stared down at the floor between his knees.

"But you heard her, right?" Jason sat in the middle of the corridor with one weary arm resting on a raised knee. "She's gonna call you all the time and gonna fly out to see you and you'll fly out to see her. You guys are gonna hookup that web-cam thing like Star Trek, and it's gonna be all good, you'll see."

"But you won't be able to touch her," murmured Philip.

Shawn raised his dejected eyes to meet Phil's.

"And there're gonna be other guys circling around her."

"Uh, Phil," ventured Jason, "We're trying to make him feel better, remember?"

But Shawn closed his eyes. And nodded.

"I know, buddy," sighed Philip, "I've been there. Thought I was done for, when I didn't hear from Princeton. Thought for sure I'd have to go to Rhode Island, since Brown was the only school that wanted me… Thought for sure Chloe'd find some other guy. A better guy."

Shawn and Jason both turned to their friend. Philip had never told them this before. All they'd heard was that he'd gotten into Princeton, just like he wanted. Just like his parents expected. And really, just like Chloe had hoped. To their surprise, the legendary K-Man had not only been rejected from some school but had also been scared of losing his girl.

Philip took a breath and warily released it. "I know I did get in and I'm gonna be close to where Chloe is. But I know we would've made it either way." Philip looked down at the floor. Sharing such intimate thoughts with his buddies was never an easy thing. "She's it, you know? No way was I giving up on her. And she promised that she wasn't going to give up on me. And you know, when Chloe makes a promise…" Shaking his head, Philip gave a tenuous chuckle. Then, he took another breath and exhaled. "So, I guess what I'm saying is… it's up to you guys. You know?" He raised his head to look his friend in the eye. "No matter what happens, if Belle and you say that you're gonna work at it, then you've got a chance. You know what I'm saying?"

Shawn looked into that serious Kiriakis stare. Then, he turned to look at Jason, who stared back down at the floor but also nodded in agreement. Shawn glanced back up at Philip and finally nodded. "Yeah."

A warm touch to his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Staring into his open locker, Shawn sighed. "Yeah." And shoved his bookbag into the locker, before he slammed it shut. "Hanging in there."

Chloe fell in step quietly next to her friend, as they merged with the lunchtime rush to the cafeteria.

"Hey, guys!" Mimi came up beside them in line. "Oh, take a chill pill!" she retorted, when the gallery grumbled about cutting, "You'd think freeze-dried meant gourmet. Anyhow," she said, returning to her friends, "We're out in the courtyard. Belle, Philip, and Jason are already out there. Hey, are you ok?"

Shawn sighed, "Yeah," and turned to accept his serving of disheartened fries.

"O…k…" Mimi mouthed to Chloe. "Well, see you guys by the tree, ok?" With that, she was off.

Chloe waited, until they'd paid for their lunches and carried their trays out of the cafeteria. "So," she began, when they entered the quieted hallway, "Up for a thumbwar challenge during tardy hall? Philip's given up trying to beat me."

"Tardy hall?" His dark brows furrowed. "What's Chloe Lane doing in tardy hall?"

"I was late for first period this morning." She blinked in confusion. "Wait. How'd you…"

"Oh," replied Shawn, "Phil talked to the hall monitor. Got us excused passes to our classes."

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Figures." Philip Robert Kiriakis. That boy could hustle the spots off a leopard, she thought with charmed exasperation, when Shawn spoke.

"What would you have done, if Phil hadn't made it into Princeton?"

Her eyes flicked to his in surprise. "If he hadn't…"

"I mean," he said, staring back down at his tray, "You're a realist, right? This long distance thing, I mean, how long could we really keep it up? And we're still kids. I mean, who needs to be this serious about somebody at seventeen? My parents would be the first ones to tell me not to get too involved too young. Plus, I mean, college, it's like all about new beginnings and learning to make it on our own. And we're all gonna change. I mean, we might not even be able to recognize each other in four years. So, maybe it'd be better, if we-"

"I would've called Providence," Chloe interjected finally, shifting her food tray, but looked her crestfallen friend in the eye. "If Philip weren't going to Princeton, I would've called Providence instead of Princeton. Every night."

Shawn looked up to meet her gaze.

With sympathy but resolution, she continued, "I would've caught a flight instead of train. And I would've seen him maybe every other weekend instead of every weekend. But I'd call and go to see him. I'd try, because…" She came to halt with Shawn before the red double doors. "Because I love him." She paused, as she always did, when she voiced her feelings. Especially on matters so close to her heart. Especially when it came to Philip. But Shawn and Belle were her friends. "And how would I ever know if we were really meant to be together, if I didn't at least try?"

Shawn looked away. And through the thick glass, he saw those pretty blond wisps dancing in the summer breeze under the shade of the big maple canopy. She smiled, as Mimi flung a limp fry at Jason's head. His Perfect Girl laughed, as Jason caught Mimi and spun her mercilessly until she cried surrender, giggling all the while. As Belle laughed and laughed. Because a friend's joy was her joy.

"Is she worth it, Shawn?"

He stared through the glass.

"Is she worth it to try?"

He closed his eyes.

"Hey, guys," greeted Philip from behind. He'd returned from the restroom, after his ceremonial handwashing before eating. Henderson was commander and chief of the hygiene police. "What's up?" Automatically, he took Chloe's tray for her.

Chloe leaned into him, when he threw an easy arm across her shoulders.

"Come on," Philip encouraged, as he pushed open the heavy doors, "I'm starving."

"Uh, I'll be there in a sec," mumbled Shawn.

Philip and Chloe watched their friend hang back behind the threshold.

"Ok, buddy," said Philip, as he gave his friend's shoulder a supportive pat, and walked out with Chloe to join the rest of the gang. "He's still shell-shocked, huh?" he asked her quietly.

She sighed in sympathy.

"Hey, guys," said Mimi and then looked behind them, "Hey, where's Shawn?"

"Um," answered Chloe, noticing Belle's now subdued expression, "He'll be here in a minute."

The gang didn't know what to say, while Belle glumly prodded her lunch with her spork. A moment passed in an uncomfortable hush, before the school door swung open. Carrying his tray and a veiled expression, Shawn made his way to the bench.

"Hey, guys."

"Hey, dude," replied Jason, who sat next to Mimi on the grass.

Carefully, Shawn placed his tray on an empty spot on the bench. "Uh, Belle, could I talk to you for a minute?"

Belle looked up into those brown eyes but couldn't read their intent. She inwardly quivered in foreboding. "Ok." She very deliberately wiped her hands on the napkin, took a breath, and finally rose to follow Shawn to a more private corner of the courtyard.

What was he thinking? her mind cried in worry. Oh, what will I do, if… her heart lamented. In a charged silence, they finally sat down on a weatherworn bench. Belle unconsciously wrung her hands.

Shawn took a breath. "Look, Belle-"

"Oh, Shawn," she whimpered, tears falling, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear. I j-just wanted… I-I just thought that-"

His hand came to caress her cheek.

Through the blurry haze of tears, she gazed into those sad Irish eyes. "Oh, Shawn."

He reached out to take her hands. He looked down at them. His big, tanned, sailor-honed hands enveloped hers, which were so dainty, pale, and soft. Then, he looked up to meet those clear, baby blue eyes.

"Shawn…" she whispered tearily. Maybe she could… Maybe she could go to Salem U., she sniffed. It wouldn't be so bad, she told herself. If it meant keeping Shawn. But her heart grieved with the idea of giving up UCLA, as well. She'd always put others before herself. Now, this was her first major move that she wanted entirely self-serving. Because even though Salem would always be her home, her heart knew that it was not enough to hold her and her dreams. Not before she saw and lived the rest of the world. And UCLA was to be the beginning of that journey. And she'd known. The moment she stepped on the bright campus and airy atmosphere. She'd known.

Could she bring herself to give that up? For essentially that's what it would be. Giving up her dreams to be with Shawn - sweet, caring Shawn, who would be perfectly happy to spend the rest of his days building sailboats and maybe follow his father into the Salem Police Force. And then what? What was to become of her? Maybe she'd work for her dad in one of his companies. Maybe she'd organize charities at the hospital. Or maybe become a housewife, like Shawn's mom. Could she live with those options? Because long ago, she'd realized that Salem could only offer her so much, before its limitations drove her insane. Or maybe thinking so far ahead and assuming that she and Shawn would actually get married and make a family together were girlish and naive fantasies.

But she loved him. She'd loved Shawn Douglas Brady, since he'd set her hair on fire and then promised any hat his piggy bank could afford. Since he'd prepared to jump into the river to save her beloved Buddy Bear. Since he played airplane with his dear baby brother and made all manner of goofy faces and grotesque noises to make J.T. laugh. Since he'd been willing to dress as spandexed Superman. Just for her. Only for her. She'd loved Shawn Douglas Brady, ever since she could remember.

Oh, how could she stand losing Shawn?

But how could she decide, when staying here and keeping him meant losing herself?

"Oh, Shawn," she cried again, her voice so weak and bereft.

"Belle, about California…" He closed his eyes a moment and took a breath. Then, his eyes opened and looked into hers. "I'm willing to try, if you are."

"Well, that's it," announced Mimi, "We are officially ready for the Last Blast."

Belle smiled and sniffed her fragrant long-stemmed blossom. The girls had just left the florist, where Belle had finally picked out the boutonnière for Shawn. The boys were dutifully checking out the latest video games, so the girls were able to meander about Salem Place without testosterone interruption. Thus, after this emotional roller-coaster of a day, Belle treated herself to a single yellow rose. For joy. And hope.

"I don't know about you guys," sighed Mimi, "But I think this moment calls for a celebration. A la mode."

Chloe laughed. "I can get behind that. The Salem Ice Cream Café has the best pineapple sorbet."

"Sorbet?" squawked Mimi, "Girl, live it up. Rocky Road. Extra fudge. With nuts. All the way."

Belle giggled. "We still have to fit into those dresses, Meems."

"Oh, we'll stress it all off for finals. Come on, girlfriends!" With that Mimi locked an arm with each of her friends and with surprising strength tugged them along toward lactose paradise.

"Yum," sighed Belle later, as she savored her double-scoop strawberry sugar cone.

"Amen," agreed Mimi, closing her lips over another heaping spoonful of her brownie a la rocky road. "Heaven."

Meanwhile, Chloe walked alongside them and poked experimentally at her triple-scoop waffle cone. Topped with pineapple, strawberries, hot fudge, caramel, walnuts, peanuts, M&Ms, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Her friends couldn't come to a consensus on the exact recipe to clog all of Chloe's blood vessels. So, they went with every topping in their line of sight. "You don't honestly expect me to eat this, do you?"

Her friends and their ice cream mustaches smiled ever so sweetly. And nodded.

Chloe looked at the quickly slushy mass. With friends like these, who needed enemies, she thought wryly. She sighed. Oh, what the heck. Just this once. Chloe Lane would bow to peer pressure. "Death by ice cream it is, then." Slowing in her stride, she dipped her spoon into the goo, so that she got a relatively equal distribution of toppings and ice cream. She held the spoon precariously before her. "If I collapse from a sugar overdose, tell Philip I love him, ok?"

"Oh, quit your stalling," grinned Mimi and shoved the spoon into Chloe's mouth.

"Mimi!" laughed Belle.

Chloe sputtered from the sudden assault. "Ok. Now, you die."

Mimi laughed, as Chloe came after her, cone and all. And caught her by the shirt. Still laughing, Mimi gave scream, as Chloe pressed the culprit's nose into the whipped cream.

Then, the girls broke down into laughter.

"You bitch."

Chloe laughed. "I love you, too." Then, her eyes widened, when Mimi readjusted her shirt. "Hey, what's that on your neck?" Perhaps she got fudge on her neck…

"What?" Mimi fumbled with her shirt, while her face flushed beneath the whipped cream.

"Oh my gosh," squealed Belle in awe, "Meems, is that a hickey?"

"What?" Mimi couldn't quite right her collar for the life of her, but her cheeks were now beet red. "No, of course not."

Chloe leaned in for a closer look. She'd never seen a real hickey before. "Did Jason-"

"Hello, ladies."

Belle looked up and smiled brightly. "Brady!" She hugged her big brother. "What're you up to?"

Taking a napkin from her, he grinned, while he dabbed at the ice cream across her lips. Tink and her ice cream. "Just checking out this new stereo system for the van."

"Again?" His sister rolled her eyes. "Boys."

He accepted a bit of Belle's cone, before he turned to Mimi and Chloe. "So, what are you ladies doing, besides stuffing your faces?"

"We just went with Belle to get the boutonnière for Shawn," replied Mimi, after she'd wiped her nose clean, and happily returned to her dessert.

Chloe tilted her head a bit at Brady's demeanor. In his usual white tank and black trousers, he was actually quite calm and in control. Not like the last time she'd spoken to him.

"Shawn, huh?" Brady scratched his chin and looked at his baby sister. "Where is Mr. Shawn, anyways? I thought you two were like joined at the hip."

Belle gave him a good smack in the shoulder. "Don't start. He and Jason and Philip are playing video games over at Digital Carnage."

Brady's eyebrows merely rose in response. "What you got there, Mimi?"

"Rocky Road and a walnut marshmallow brownie with hot fudge."

"Wow. Now, you're speaking my language."

"Hey!" objected Mimi, when Brady dipped a finger in her ice cream and stole a taste. "Who knows where that finger's been?"

Brady grinned devilishly. Then, turned his attentions to Chloe. "So, Chloe-"

"Don't even think about it," said Chloe dryly and held her waffle cone out of his reach. "Go pay for your own."

His grin widened. "But what if I want yours?"

"Damn, those graphics were awesome."

Jiggling his small Digital Carnage bag, Philip grinned. "Can you say 'study break'?"

"Oh, most def," replied his buddies. This was one of great perks of having a loaded friend. Video game nirvana.

The boys walked toward the center hub of Salem Place.

"One more week, dudes," reminded Jason, "One more week and then freedom!"

"Hey, Phil," said Shawn, "You talk to your dad yet about that island brain fart?"

"As a matter of fact," answered Philip, cocking a confident brow, "I did. He says he's gonna think about it."

"He turned you down, didn't he?"

Philip jabbed a friendly elbow at Shawn. "No. Just said that I'd obviously lost my senses."

His buddies chortled.

"But I got my foot in the door. Told him this'll teach me responsibility-"

"Bullshit," coughed a grinning Shawn.

Philip gave him a jovial shove and continued, "And independence-"

"From Chloe's clothing," muttered Jason slyly under his breath.

"Hey!" Philip took a playful swing at him, which Jason easily ducked.

Shawn laughed and threw an arm on each of their shoulders. "Face it, Phil. You just ain't subtle."

"Whatever, man," smirked Philip, "Tell me you guys wouldn't do anything to spend a summer on a Mediterranean island with your girl."

Shawn just shook his head and smiled.

Jason simply shrugged. And jostled his shirt.

"Hey," said Shawn, focusing in, "What's that on your neck, Jase?"

"Oh, damn," whistled Philip, "That's a freaking hickey." A big one.

Jason shrugged off his friend's arm and walked a little faster.

Philip gave a congratulatory howl. "Oh, man, is that from Mimi?"

Jason said nothing. But couldn't quite hide the grin.

"Whoa," commented Shawn, "Just… whoa." He'd known Mimi for most of his life. She was like a sister to him. This was kinda freaky.

"Seems like things are going just fine between the two of you, huh, buddy?" joked Philip and jogged up alongside Jason and threw an arm over his shoulders. "Oh, this has got to be serious. Jason Welles is freaking blushing."

"I'm not, punk!" Jason roughly shrugged off his arm.

"Well, speaking of Miss Lockhart…" smiled Shawn and indicated to the topic of conversation standing with some kids by the mosaic mall fountain.

"Oh, this is gonna be good." Philip had been taking jibes from his pals forever about Chloe. Now, it was time to return the favor. Grinning in sadistic possibilities, Philip followed Shawn's gaze and zoomed in on Mimi. And Belle. And Chloe.

And Brady.

Philip's expression froze.

"It's alright, man," said Shawn quietly. And placed a supportive hand on Philip's shoulder. "Just chill."

Jason looked at K-Man's stiffened stance and then Shawn's anxious expression. "Uh, what's going on?"

"She loves you, Phil," assured Shawn, "She told me just today."

Philip's eyes flickered to his in surprise. Not only did Shawn know something about the Brady situation, but Chloe had told someone else her feelings. For him. Philip Kiriakis.

Shawn squeezed his buddy's shoulder. "She told me she would've called Providence. Every night."

Philip looked back over and focused on his angel. And the tightening in his chest loosened. She loved him, he reminded himself. Philip might not trust Brady. But Philip trusted Chloe with everything he was. She loved him and that was all that mattered. He released a breath, calmed. "Thanks, man," he said to Shawn.

Jason watched this exchange intently. Whoa, he thought. He didn't know, if he really wanted to know about whatever it was that was going on.

"Come on, guys," said Philip finally, "Our ladies are waiting."

Shawn and Jason followed their friend through the increasing evening crowd. Outwardly, they were three teenage guys swaggering through Salem Place. Inwardly, they each were ready for anything.

"But what if I want yours?" they heard Brady say.

Philip took another calming breath. She loves me. She loves me. She loves me.

"Then," replied Chloe with her characteristic flat tone, "You'll just have to get used to disappointment, now won't you?"

Philip released that breath. She loves me. He found he could smile. "Hey, guys."

Brady and the girls looked up.

But Philip's expression was easy, relatively at least, when his eyes met Chloe's. "Hey, beautiful."

Her lips brightened into a smile. "Hey, you." And walked over to hug him. She pulled back, still smiling. "Want some ice cream?"