Brady stares at the stage, unable to look away as Chloe starts to sing. His heart soars as her voice touches his soul. He sits, mesmerized, as she finishes her song. As the audience politely applauds, Brady claps louder than anyone, proud of his diva. As the next song begins, and Chloe leaves the stage, Brady tunes the music out. Seeing her, and hearing her, makes him realize what a fool he’d been to leave her the night they’d made love three years ago. But jealousy and anger had clouded his mind and he’d left her, again. Brady wishes he could turn back time and redo that last conversation with Chloe. I should never have let her leave, he thinks sadly. I should have gone after her and made her realize that I do love her.
Brady shakes his head. The past is over. He’d read a few days ago about Philip’s death, and he’d only felt pity for Philip. He knew Chloe hadn’t loved Philip, and he was pretty sure Philip had known that too. Brady pushes Philip out of his thoughts and thinks of how Chloe had sang a few minutes ago. She had sounded so amazing and pure. Brady smiles. Chloe was definitely his soulmate, and he’d do whatever it took to make her take him back. “I’m back, Chloe, and I’ll never leave you again!”
Chloe sits in her dressing room, staring at her reflection. Her nerves have finally settled down. Singing like that in front of so many people had terrified her at first, but as she let the music take over, she’d relaxed and sang with her soul, as Brady had taught her. There was another reason she’d been nervous though. Chloe had felt like someone was watching her, really watching her. Maybe it’s Brady, a small voice whispered. Chloe sighs. She’s just being paranoid. No one is out there, she thinks, and Brady will probably never come back. Not this time. A knock on her door startles her, and she whirls around to see her assistant enter. “Five minutes, Chloe.”
Chloe thanks her and stands up. She looks at Brady’s picture and sighs. It was no use having regrets. She stares at the picture and says, “I miss you, Brady. So very much. Love you.” She walks back onto the stage and joins her partner to sing their duet. As her partner begins to sing, Chloe silently says, “This is for you, Brady.” The music cues her and she starts to sing.
Say you love me every waking moment Turn my head with talk of summertime…
Say you need me with you, Now and always… Promise me that all you say is true- That’s all I ask of you…
Brady’s heart lurches as he recognizes the song. That’s our song, Chloe. As Chloe’s voice rises, surrounding him, a tear drops onto his hand. Not surprised, he just lets the tears fall as Chloe sings again.
Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime… Say the word and I will follow you…
Brady smiles, loving her with all his heart.
Say you love me…
Brady mouths the next line,
You know I do…
Brady continues to mouth the words as Chloe and the man playing Raoul complete the song.
Love me- That’s all I ask of you…
Anywhere you go let me go too… Love me- That’s all I ask of you…
(A/N: I have no idea when this song is in The Phantom of the Opera, but in this fic, it’s at the end.)
As the cast takes their bows to a wildly applauding audience, Brady sneaks out of his seat and goes into the lobby. He looks around, then smiles when he sees the door he wants. Luckily, the lobby is deserted and he is able to slip through the Backstage door undetected.
Chloe walks back to her dressing room, happiness emanating from her. She smiles and waves at a castmate, then stops dead in her tracks as she sees the back of a blonde man wandering the hallway. Oh my God, she thinks, he reminds me so much like Brady! Chloe sighs and starts walking again. I have to stop doing this to myself! I’m starting to see Brady everywhere! Chloe enters her dressing room and closes the door. Her heart is racing and she can almost hear it beating. She closes her eyes and tries to calm down.
Brady catches a glimpse of Chloe closing a door and rushes after her. He stares at the wooden door and curses himself. What am I doing? She won’t want to see me. Brady turns away, then freezes. NO! I won’t leave her again. I have to see her. He faces the door, takes a deep breath, and quickly turns the knob, throwing the door open. Chloe looks up and they stare at each other in shock.
Chloe can’t believe it. Brady is here. Tears well up in her eyes and she pushes past him, running down the hall. Brady isn’t about to let her get away, so he takes off after her. When he catches her, he grabs her hand and pulls her back to her dressing room. She shuts the door and faces Chloe.
“I’m sorry, Chloe. For everything. For leaving you after Belle died, and then leaving you again after I found out you’d married Philip. I was an idiot, and I’m so sorry. I’ll never leave you again.” Brady falls silent and gazes into Chloe’s eyes, letting his love show.
Chloe has trouble breathing as Brady she listens to Brady. This is what she’s dreamed of for almost five years. She’d never actually allowed herself to believe he would ever come back, but had. And he still loved her. Chloe realizes she’s hasn’t replied, and sees Brady just staring at her. She is amazed at how much love she sees in his eyes. “Brady, I…” Brady interrupts quickly. “Chloe, wait. Before you say anything, can we agree to put the past behind us and move on with a fresh start?” Chloe smiles, relieved. “I’d like that, Brady.” He smiles and opens his arms.
Chloe closes her eyes briefly, thanking God for giving her another chance at love and happiness with her soulmate. She opens her eyes, smiles, and throws herself into Brady’s waiting arms. When they wrap around her, she knows that this is where she belongs. “I love you, Brady.” She tilts her face up and they kiss, years of pent-up passion released in one breathtaking moment. The pain and anger of the past melts away, leaving only their pure, perfect love for each other. Chloe felt like she was floating on air. She’s finally free to be with the other half of her soul, and she knows she’ll never let Brady go. Chloe suddenly pulls away, gasping, and smiles hesitantly at Brady. “Brady, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Before Chloe can tell Brady about Jamie, the door opens and Jamie comes running in, yelling, “Mommy!” Chloe automatically bends down and picks him up, smiles at John and Marlena as they leave, then looks back at a shocked Brady. Before she loses her nerve, Chloe says, “Brady, this is Jamie. He’s your son.” Immediately, she tells Jamie, “Jamie, this is your daddy.” Jamie breaks into a smile and shouts, “Daddy!” He lunges out of Chloe’s arms and Brady has to catch him before he falls. As Jamie’s little arms wrap around his neck, Brady looks at Chloe with tears in his eyes. In a hoarse whisper, he says, “He’s really mine?” Chloe nods, smiling. Brady hugs Jamie tightly and says, “Thank you, Chloe.”
Brady breathes in deeply, catching the scent of kiddie shampoo and Ivory soap. He has a son! Brady smiles at Jamie. “Hi Jamie.” Jamie grins. “Hi Daddy.” He plants a big sloppy kiss on Brady’s cheek then asks Chloe, “Can we go home now?” Brady and Chloe start laughing, and Chloe looks at Brady as she says, “Yes, Jamie. We can go home now.” Chloe holds Jamie’s hand and extends her other towards Brady. “Let’s go home.” Brady smiles and takes her hand, and the family of three leaves, on their to a new home and a new life.
One Year Later-December 25
Chloe smiles at Brady, thinking how handsome he looks in his tuxedo. She glances around, awed by the natural beauty of a white Christmas morning at their gazebo. Snow covers the ground and trees, and makes the gazebo look even more beautiful with icicles hanging off the rim. The sun is shining, making the snow sparkle. “My dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of the souls of Brady Black and Chloe Lane…” Chloe’s heart flutters and her love shines in her eyes. She and Brady have made it. Tears fill her eyes as Brady recites his vows, and after she’s recited hers, she adds, “I love you, Brady, and I will be forever grateful that you returned to me.”
Brady smiles, his heart bursting with love and joy. Chloe looks radiant in her royal blue velvet gown. (Think her party dress, just longer and with sleeves.) The minister asks, “Do you, Brady, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” “Say yes, Daddy!” Laughter erupts among the guests as Jamie looks up at Brady eagerly. Brady ruffles his son’s hair and looks at Chloe as he says, “I do.” He smiles as Chloe also says, “I do,” and after exchanging rings, the minister smiles and says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Brady and Chloe step closer to each other and their lips meet in a sweet, tender, loving kiss. Cheers and catcalls from the guests break them apart, and they smile happily. Brady picks Jamie up and they pose for wedding photos. After they take some with Jamie, they send him over to John and Marlena, and pose for their special picture. As Brady wraps his arms around Chloe’s waist and puts his head on her shoulder, Chloe smiles whispers in his ear, “Merry Christmas, Brady.” She smiles wickedly and adds, “I’ll be giving you your present in another seven months. Congratulations, Daddy.” Brady’s mouth drops open and he grins stupidly. “Love you, Chloe.” Chloe kisses his lips as the photographer takes the picture. “Love you too, Brady.”
The End!