I have been away for a little while because I have become disillusioned by some of those on the Internet and their behavior. I have no problem with bashing a character, but the actor is a different story. I think that petty comments about appearance, boyfriends, husbands, wives, dates, and all have no place in our realm of discussion. I removed all of my stories because I had become so disappointed in some people that I did not want to share my work with anyone.

I have decided to try again because I do love writing. We'll see how it goes. If you were reading one of my previous stories, I have completed them all now. I'm not sure that I have the patience to post them here. I can e-mail you a copy though. Just let me know.

Becky

P.S. I am asking that you review my work. It's the only way it will get better.

This is set 6 years - in the future. Everything that has happened on the show has happened in my story world. You will catch on to what is happening in the first chapter or so.

Chapter 1

"Grandpa!" Annabelle exclaimed as she ran toward the older man, throwing her arms up into the air. Her honey blonde curls bounced on her head and her shiny black shoes echoed on the parquet floors.

"Annabelle!" John said back just as loudly. Struggling a bit to hold his balance, he knelt down on one knee and scooped the precocious child up into his arms. He held her tightly against him, soaking in the first hug he had had from his granddaughter in over a year. With an arched eyebrow, he examined his son's face over her shoulder, taking in the younger man's haggard appearance.

Brady smiled weakly back at his father, shaking his head to fend off any discussion that might upset his daughter. Tossing his worn leather jacket onto the cream colored sofa, he turned to thank the doorman who had carried up the bags that both he and his daughter had packed before they had left. "Doesn't look much different than the last one," Brady commented wryly as he looked around his father's new home.

"It's a place to hang my hat," John explained as he let the child out of his arms. "Let me just get this out of the way. You and Annabelle are welcome to stay here as long as you need. You know that." He patted his granddaughter on her head, sending her scampering over to the table where he had left out a few toys to pique her interest.

"Mommy too?" the little girl asked. "When she gets done with tour she'll need a place to stay."

Brady closed his eyes for a brief moment, searching for the strength to answer his daughter's question. Kids always seemed to know that something was wrong, but Annabelle kept her Pollyanna attitude going strong. She was totally unlike both her cynical parents. "Your mother isn't coming here to stay," he explained for what seemed like the tenth time that day. "You are going to stay with her at her place in Italy when she isn't on tour, but the rest of the time you and I will be here in Salem."

The child nodded with a bit more understanding before she was distracted by the giant staircase that led upstairs. "What's up there?" she pondered loudly.

"Go check it out," John answered swiftly. "There may be a room up there fit for a princess." He could not help but smile as he watched the child bound up the stairs, full of energy and excitement. It seemed like only yesterday that his own daughter, Belle, had been that same way. Turning back to his son, he grimaced at the young man's appearance. Brady's face was pale and dark circles had made what appeared to be a permanent home under his eyes. "Long flight?"

Brady shook his head in return. "Typical flight. Annie slept through most of it though. At least I didn't have to keep her entertained. Brady sank down onto the soft cushions of the couch. The problem was that with no one to distract him, he had been alone with his thoughts. There had been no way to banish them from playing over and over again, reminding him of the mistakes in his life.

"Did she even ask to see Annabelle before you left?" John asked suddenly, worried about the effect that his son's divorce would have on the young child. Annabelle was a personable child who adored both of her parents equally. His son's ex-wife was a fool to let that little girl out of her life for a second.

Brady laughed sarcastically, his face contorting with the pain of that event. "She called to say that she was busy with tour, but we all know what that really means. She and that new manager of hers are on some island off the coast of Italy last I heard, celebrating taking me for everything I've got."

"I'm sorry son. I know this is hard on you." John knew that his son had once loved Chloe Lane more than life itself, devoting himself to her happiness and well being. However, that Chloe was long gone, replaced by a selfish and greedy monster who expected Brady to roll over and ignore her lavish spending and infidelity. "I hate to ask this, but did you check…I mean with what was going on and Annabelle…I guess it is up for…"

"She's mine," Brady answered bitterly. "The only damn thing I got out that marriage was my daughter. Chloe may have lied about a great many things, but Annie is not one of them. That's why I was so damned determined to get her out of there. I want my daughter to have a normal life. Chloe can't provide that now." He turned his bleary vision toward the stairs, picturing the small child running up them. "At least Chloe can't turn her into some little doll that's only brought out for publicity. Annie deserves to be in a home with people who love her and care for her."

John patted his son's shoulder, smiling sadly at the man his son had been turned into. "She's lucky to have you for a dad, but let's face the facts. Being a single father is tough, especially when you're trying to get your career up and running again after following Chloe around for all these years. You're welcome to start back up at Basic Black, but I'll be honest with you. I'm barely involved with the business myself any more. Kate's taken over the daily operations for me, including the hiring and budgeting. I'd have to talk to her about it. I don't see a problem, but you never know with her."

"I was thinking about going back to Titan," Brady announced. "I know with Granddad gone that Nicole's been running things. It could be awkward, but I would like to get back to what I was doing there. I had some success." He felt his father stiffen at the mention of the rival business, knowing that John still thought of it as betrayal. Brady did not see it that way. He had been offered both jobs out of nepotism originally, but it was at Titan that he had proven himself. Nicole had to remember that, despite the bad feelings that she was sure to harbor.

"If it doesn't work out that way let me know," John said. "Or have you already talked to her?"

"Not yet," Brady answered. "I actually haven't spoken to her since the wedding." He jumped up from his spot on the couch, unwilling to discuss the subject any further. It was a sore subject in neutral times, but now it was especially raw. He considered it to be the biggest mistake that he had made.

The elevator ride up in Titan's building seemed to take hours as Brady fidgeted and played with his deep red tie. He had worn his best suit and practiced what he would say to her for hours in the mirror the night before. All he could hop is that it would come out right, not too needy or cocky. He had been surprised that she had agreed to meet with him so easily, expecting much more of a fight.

As the doors opened, he couldn't help but notice the new design of the main office with its clean lines and modern artwork on the walls. It was impressive and light at the same time, inviting him into what appeared to be a progressive and sharp company. His tight lips gave way to a quick smile at Marie, noting how she was still there after all that time. She smiled back at him. "I'm here for an appointment with Nicole," Brady said as he extended his hand. "I believe she said to check in with you."

Marie nodded and pressed her finger to the intercom. "Ms. Walker, your ten o'clock is here."

"Tell him that I'll be right out," Nicole's voice rang out through the tiny machine.

Brady's breath caught in his throat, hearing her that clearly after six years away. There last meeting had not been pleasant, but it appeared that she wanted to remain professional now. He appreciated that about her, hoping she would remain so after his request. Sitting on the small couch outside her office, he flipped through the latest issue Bella, noting the striking difference in the pages.

"Come on in," Nicole said, startling him. She stood there in her doorway, her hair swept up into a very professional style with tiny wisps of blonde hair escaping the tight knot. The pale green suit she wore hugged the curves of her body, accentuating her slender figure. Time had been a friend to her, softening the features of her face to a quiet and serene appearance.

"Thank you for meeting with me," he said as he passed her. His eyes closed momentarily at the whiff of her perfume that lingered on her clothes. The sultry scent was the same as she used to wear when they both lived in the Kiriakis mansion, strong and feminine at the same time. He had not forgotten that scent or the way that it seemed to float by him as she entered the room.

"You said you needed my assistance," Nicole said firmly as she sat back down behind her desk. With a confident hand motion, she signaled for him to take the seat in front of her. "I'm merely curious about what I could do to help you. It must be something big or you wouldn't be coming to me."

Brady took a deep breath, calming his already harried nerves. "I came to you about a job," he said, looking at her behind the desk that his grandfather had once occupied. She seemed at home there, a master technician and strategist rolled into one. There was an aura about her that was intimidating to him and he was sure that clients saw it too. "I have decided that I want to return to Salem."

"Tired of following the diva around?" Nicole said sarcastically. With a quick shake of her head, she resumed her cool demeanor. "I read in the paper that Chloe filed for a divorce, so I can't say that your return is a surprise. However, I would have assumed that you would have enough money that you did not need my assistance in finding a job."

Clearing his throat, he realized that Nicole did harbor the bitterness of their last conversation, as was only natural. Yet, she kept it close to her vest, not allowing him to see how deep or shallow the wound actually was. "My relationship with Chloe is over," Brady confirmed. "I have returned to Salem to start my life over again. I would appreciate the opportunity to resume my previous job here, but I understand if that is not possible. I was hoping that you and I could come to a mutual and professional understanding about the past."

Briefly her demeanor changed to a softer tone, but it was replaced quickly by an unreadable one. "You were always an asset to Titan," Nicole agreed. "The clients and staff all loved you and the way you handled yourself in the boardroom. I'm sure that you would be that way again." She placed her hand under her chin thoughtfully as she sat back in the leather chair.

"But?"

She laughed at his interruption. "I think you know that you and I are hardly friends anymore. We haven't spoken since your wedding and even that wasn't amicable. Chloe made it quite clear that you were to have nothing to do with me and you followed that obediently. I seem to recall that you didn't even attend your grandfather's funeral because you were too worried about running into me. Now you're on my doorstep begging for a job."

He knew that what she was saying was true, but that did not stop it from hurting. "I know that we left things unfavorably when Chloe and I got married. It was wrong of me to cut you out of my life like that. The only excuse that I can even give you is that I was trying to keep my marriage together. I can apologize now, but I doubt you'd accept that." He hoped that by being honest with her, she would find it within her heart to give him a chance.

"I don't have an opening in the music division," she said thoughtfully. "You'd have to work for Bella's advertising department."

"I'd prefer to be as far away from music as I can be," Brady admitted.

"The pay is not going to be what you were used to," she added. "Since your grandfather's death, I have tightened things up around here. No expensed lunches, no company cars, no excessive travel. It's important that I keep this ship afloat." Picking up the pen from her desk, she tapped its end on the table a few times. "If you can accept the terms of a standard contract, I can hire you back."

"I'll accept them," he said eagerly. "Thank you for doing this. I know you won't be sorry."

Nicole opened the file drawer to her left and dug through the folders there, pulling out a thin green one. "I'm not convinced of that," she said bitterly. "I'm doing this more for Victor than you. If he was still alive, you wouldn't have had to come begging for a job. I try to keep his vision in mind when I make decisions because for the bastard that he was, he was a genius in the corporate world. Besides he built this empire as a foundation for his descendents. Unfortunately, Bo, Shawn, and Phillip have no interest in it other than their quarterly profits. You are all that there is left."

"Thank you," Brady repeated, beginning to finally relax. He took a quick glance around the office as Nicole wrote a few things inside of the folder, calling her assistant in to type it up. "You haven't changed things in here much."

"I guess not," she said solemnly. "It was one of the few offices that I could actually appreciate in this building. Marie or one of the others will have the contract ready in a minute. Is there anything else I can get for you as you wait? I'm sure you remember your way around so a tour isn't necessary."

"I'm fine," Brady answered, his eyes glancing toward the framed photographs on the wall. Each picture showed Nicole at a different function, her smile and confidence exceeding the frames. "You certainly seem to have made this place a success."

Nicole sized up his comments with her eyes, trying to determine the reason for them. "I did what I had to do," she answered. "Your grandfather left me this place on top. I wasn't going to take the blame for letting it falter. You do what you have to do when relationships and lives end. I'm sure you're aware of that what with raising your daughter."

"You know about that?" he asked.

Hesitating for a moment, she pulled open her lap drawer and pulled out the slick glossy magazine. "Your divorce made the tabloids," she said with a wry smile. "Chloe is quoted in here as saying that she realized that she wanted to concentrate on her career rather than motherhood or marriage. Granted she's pictured snuggling up to her business manager, but who am I to judge a good mother or not." Nicole slapped the magazine down on the desk, letting him see the full color photo of his now ex-wife. "Your life with her made for some interesting news stories."

"And you of course read them?" Brady asked as he stared down at the mother of his daughter. "Glad to see my life going up in smoke."

Biting her lip, she looked away and toward the wall of pictures. "I was never Chloe's biggest fan, even before she came back to Salem. You and I both know that. She was never good enough for you, but you had it in your head that she was a damn saint. When she came to you crying that she was pregnant, you married her. You forgot everything and everyone that was important to you and left us all behind for her. It didn't matter to you that she was playing you from day one, including the day before your wedding. Nobody could have made you understood what kind of woman she really was because you saw her as perfect."

"I know better now," Brady answered her. "It wasn't like you…God, I can't do this now. I can't fight with you about what should have been or what could have happened. The facts are that Chloe did get pregnant. I married her and moved away. That part of my life is over now. I'm here with my daughter trying to make a fresh start of things. I never meant to hurt you back then, but I guess I did. I'm sorry for that. I'm sorry for so many things that happened back then, but most of all I'm sorry that I ever assumed we were mature enough to handle it now." He stood up and stalked over to the door.

"Brady, wait," Nicole said from her seat. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have come down on you like that. I know that divorces suck. It's no fun for either side, no matter what front she's putting up. You were trying to do the honorable thing by marrying her. I admire that about you. You always do the honorable thing. I hope that we can put all of this behind us. Can we start again?"

Brady took a deep breath, his shoulders tense from arguing with her. "I'd like that," he said softly. "I could use you as a friend again."

Annabelle was sleeping under the pink sheets and comforter of her new bed, exhausted from a day of playing with her grandfather at the park and seeing every Disney movie he could rent. Brady placed a soft kiss on her forehead as she slumbered, silently wishing her pleasant dreams. He was amazed by everything about her from her small hands and features to her intelligence and insight. This little person was a part of him, looking so much like him that it was scary. He pulled the covers up tight around her and glanced around the small room that John had had decorated for her. John took his role as grandfather seriously, having spoiled his only grandchild with everything she could desire. The room was decorated in a princess style, complete with a castle mural on one wall.

"Son?" John asked from the doorway, letting the light seep in. "Do you have a minute?"

Brady sighed and rose back to his feet, glancing one more time at his daughter. He passed into the hallway, barely grazing his father with his shoulder as he did. "If you're going to ask about a job, I spoke with Nicole," Brady said as he squared off his broad shoulders. "I'm starting on Monday at Titan in their advertising division."

John nodded absently, his eyes narrowing on his son. "You think that's a good idea. Working with Nicole? It's just that…" he trailed off, his voice weak.

"It's just that what?" Brady challenged.

"We all have our weaknesses, our vices if you will. Nicole seemed to be yours. She can control you with one bat of an eyelash. I remember how it was before. You were falling all over yourself to remain faithful to Chloe while she was gone. Then that whole scene…hell I don't have to remind you about that. The moment Chloe was out of your life you jumped into bed with Nicole. I may have given you grief over it, but it was in your best interest. You were mourning Chloe by giving in to temptation with a woman most men would be unable to resist. Had it been just a physical thing, I don't think I would have been half as worried. It wasn't though. You admitted as much at the time."

Brady hated to hear his father speak about this now. He would have rather kept it all inside, private and undisturbed. "You're asking if I loved her?"

"No," John denied quickly. "I know that you did. What I'm asking is if you still do?"

"Dad, I haven't seen her in six years. I walk back in there today and it's like nothing had changed. She is more beautiful than ever, if that's possible. It all came flooding back in one big lump, the time we spent together, her voice, the perfume she wears, the way she looks out of her clothes, the feel of her skin. Everything that I had tried to forget was right back in my mind after talking to her for two seconds."

"Then is this a good idea," John queried. "Can you stand to be working with a woman who has that much of an effect on you? Can you deal with seeing her every day?"

Brady took a deep breath, staring toward the closed door to his daughter's room. "I belong there at Titan," he insisted. "I screwed up my life the last time I was working there. I've got a chance to fix it now. I'm going to do just that."

"I should tell you then that Nicole's not the same woman as she was before," John said, leading his son downstairs. "She was strong and crafty before without many redeeming qualities that the average person could see. After you left, she changed. She's still strong, but she's got a confidence now that is remarkable. Basic Black won't bid on the same accounts as Titan anymore because of it. You can't beat her in the boardroom. While Victor was ill, she took over for him and brought that company to the top of the industry. She didn't take a bit of credit for it either, claiming that Victor had taught her. It wasn't his victory, son. Your grandfather had lost most of his faculties after that stroke. He couldn't remember his own name. She didn't let that stop her. She took control and hasn't looked back since."

"She's a remarkable woman," Brady commented.

"Yes," John admitted. "She is. I'll admit that I was one who had reservations about her, but I can't deny the talent and skill she possesses. Titan is in good hands over there. The only criticism I ever hear anymore is that she is a workaholic. While the others in her league are out wining and dining, spending their millions on luxury, she's working late nights to check everyone's work. Did you know that she went back to college and got her degree? She didn't tell a soul, just went and did it. Rumor is that she's working on an MBA now. I wouldn't put it past her."

The words sank in as he walked past his father to the bar in the corner and poured two glasses of the dark liquid. Passing one over to his father, he downed the other one quickly. It had become a nightly ritual for him to drink when Chloe was away, keeping himself from wondering where she was. "I appreciate the gossip dad, but why are you telling me all this?"

John cleared his throat. "You're not the only one who has made mistakes," he said carefully. "I'm the one who pushed you toward Chloe when she came back, never considering the consequences. We all knew that Chloe had lied to you about being dead, but she seemed so sincere and earnest about setting things right again. I should have realized how torn you were between the two of them. I shouldn't have pushed."

Pouring himself another, Brady nodded his head slowly. "It's not your fault. I'm the one who let myself believe her. I guess I just wanted it to be true."

"You were in the situation," John said. "It's hard to remain unbiased like that. You had Nicole over here telling you one thing and Chloe telling you another. How were you supposed to know? To add to it, all of us were telling you how horrible Nicole was for you. I'm sure that didn't help. Plus, I wasn't totally aware of what was going on with you. I was so determined to find Marlena and then losing her like that. The past few years have been like a yo-yo. At least I know she's gone now. Your step-mother's heart just gave out after all that she went through."

"I was an adult and I made my own decisions," Brady said as he gulped down the liquid. It burned his throat and made him scrunch his face in disgust. "I had the opportunity to make things right back then, but I didn't. Chloe got pregnant and we got married. I don't regret that. Annabelle deserved two parents who tried to make a go of it. We did that."

"She's a lucky little girl," John agreed. "I'm asking you to do me a favor. Be careful about whatever you do. You know I'm going to support your decisions, but you have Annabelle to think about. She doesn't need you getting hurt again."

Nicole paced back and forth along the floor of her bedroom, her stomach in knots from earlier. She had known that he was coming back to his father's home for shelter after Chloe took everything in the settlement. That much was easy to predict, but coming to her for a job was a surprise. She had assumed that he would have avoided her or been unwilling to work with her again.

Looking over at the empty bed, she sighed. She needed her rest, but sleep was an elusive creature that night. Every time she closed her eyes she could see him, hear him, and feel him. Just a few seconds alone with him had made her every nerve stand on end. Nobody had ever had that effect on her the way he did. Maybe that was why she didn't date anymore. None of the potential suitors matched up to what he could do to her with one look or caress.

"You're losing it," she muttered to herself as she went back to the bed. She had gotten used to sleeping alone after he had left, but tonight it felt especially painful. There was something incredibly soothing about his arms around her as she drifted off to sleep, protecting her from everything that might hurt her. She missed that. She missed the way he would whisper to her in her ear as she sank into the void of slumber. Her heart still ached for the tender way he made love to her late into the night, making her surrender every bit of herself over to a total and complete ecstasy she had never known. Love like that only came once in a lifetime. Her chance was over.