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Chapter Nineteen

(Day Six... Morning...)

Chloe was finishing her pancakes as Brady went over some maps in the hotel restaurant.  They had yet to make a decision as to what to do next, but had packed up and checked out of their room anyway.  Chloe didn't know where they were going, but she knew that she was done in Newport no matter what.

Brady put the map down and looked across the table at Chloe.  "Chloe... where are we going to go?"

Chloe shrugged and mumbled through a mouthful of pancakes.  "Don't know... any ideas?"

Brady gave her his wickedest grin before continuing.  "Hmmmm... you know what spontaneity is, right?"

Chloe raised both eyebrows.  "Do *I* know what spontaneity is?  I did kinda drop everything to drive 1100 miles in a van with you, didn't I?  That was pretty damn spontaneous."

"Yeah, but I'm talking... more spontaneous than that.  Have you ever been to New York?"

Chloe almost choked on her orange juice.  "WHAT?  Of course not... I mean, I've never been anywhere really.  Nowhere interesting."

"Well, New York City is about 200 miles from here.  We can be there in about 3 hours if the traffic is good."

Chloe looked at him with a mixture of surprise and excitement.  "I guess... I mean... I don't see why not.  It's not like it's really out of the way, right?"

Brady nodded in agreement.  "Nope... It's not on our exact route home... but it's still the same mileage pretty much."

Chloe paused for a moment before breaking into a wide smile.  "Alright then... let's go for broke."

Brady smiled back at her.  "Boy... I am just FULL of good ideas."

Chloe rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath. "Full of SOMETHING... maybe."

They both laughed and Brady went back to studying his map as Chloe quickly finished her breakfast.

***

(Approximately three and a half hours later...)

Brady had found a parking garage right off of Times Square and parked the van in the nearest available space.  He jumped out quickly and Chloe followed suit.

"Uhm... Brady, did you see how expensive it is to park here?"

Brady grinned at her.  "You only live once, Chloe."

Chloe rolled her eyes at him and they began walking towards the exit to the street.  She quietly muttered under her breath, "At these prices you can't afford to live more than once.  Geez..."

"Don't worry about the money.  Please.  Just have fun while you still can."

Chloe clasped his hand and stared at the sunlight as they hit the sidewalk outside.  She turned to Brady and smiled.  "Okay, Sugar Daddy... whatever you say."

Brady squinted as he looked all around them.  "It's worth the money, isn't it?"

Chloe looked around in amazement and nodded slightly.  "Yeah... I mean, you see Times Square on TV all the time, but I never thought it would be like this."

"Looks exactly how you imagine it... only bigger."

"And brighter."

Brady turned and winked at her.  "Well, we shouldn't stand here all day talking about it... Let's do some walking."

***

(Later... inside a gift shop...)

Chloe stood in line behind two other tourists at the register.  She had picked out a few choice items to bring back for Shawn and Belle, and two disposable cameras so she could remember her day in the Big Apple.  Brady came over to her from the other side of the store and held up something in front of her.

"Look.  New York City snowglobe.  Oooohhhhh."

Chloe laughed out loud and said, "Nice.  Cheesy, but nice."

"I also got Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty pencil sharpeners."

Chloe looked at him skeptically.  "And how often do you need to sharpen pencils, Brady?  I sincerely doubt that the amount of pencil sharpening you do would faciliate the use of one of those things, much less TWO."

Brady pouted slightly.  "But... they're pewter."

"Oh well, that changes everything.  I just wanted to make sure you know what you're getting into, and now that you've said the magic word... 'pewter.'  Well, I totally understand."

Brady teasingly stuck his tongue out at her. "Ha ha... you must think you're so funny."

Chloe nodded proudly.  "Uh huh."

Brady quietly pouted while she paid for her items, and he paid for his.  They walked outside the store and Chloe pulled the disposable camera out of her bag and took a quick picture of Brady outside the store.

Brady groaned as she wound the film.  "Oh, we really didn't need a picture of that, did we?"

"Sure, sure we did.  I've never been to New York and I want pictures of everything."

"Including one of me with my head down, staring at my receipt and wondering what the market price for pewter is?"

Chloe nodded and smiled. "Absolutely..."

Brady rolled his eyes and shoved the receipt back in the beg.  "Well, it's your film. Waste it all you want."

Chloe paused and looked downward for a moment.  "Brady... Does it feel weird here?"

Brady glanced at her in confusion.  "You mean... because of the humidity?"

Chloe suppressed her laughter and continued, "No...  Because on a day like today, or the day we spent touring Boston, it's like we're on a vacation, but we're really not.  We didn't go on this trip to have fun, but we're turning it into some sort of summer vacation."

Brady nodded knowingly.  "So, you're feeling guilty again?"

Chloe sighed and said, "Yeah, maybe.  It's just... I have to go home and face the music with Craig and Nancy soon, and it doesn't seem fair to lie to them and then go out and have an actual vacation.  This is an odd trip.  Lots of lows, and lots of highs.  I hate to have to confront them with all these painful memories, while I've got souvenirs from my ever so fun time in New York in my suitcase.  It's oddly balanced is what I mean."

"I understand... but don't let it get you down.  How often do you get the chance to do stuff like this?  Just enjoy it while we still can, and worry about the consequences later.  Don't let all this stuff ruin your first trip to the Big Apple."

Chloe smiled and nodded.  "Okay, okay... you're right.  I just think my mind has a chemical response to fun and joy."

"Oh, I see.  You have moments of fun and happiness and then the ol' brain starts to make the dark and ugly thoughts creep in."

"Not my best quality."

Brady grinned at her.  "Not your worst one either..."

Chloe's mouth opened in shock and she playfully hit Brady on the arm. "That was so cruel.  You're the last person who should talk about having faults."

Brady's expression faded and he clasped her hand and turned to walk down the street. "Alright, anyway, I was thinking... if we head this way, we can take the subway..."

Chloe laughed out loud and followed him down the street.  "Nice rapid change of subject there.  Very inconspicuous too."

Brady glanced at her quickly and winked.  "I'm not changing the subject.  I'm just saying that we have places to go... so come on."

Chloe didn't buy it, but followed him anyway.

***

(Much much later... right around dusk.)

Chloe plopped down on the bench next to Brady and took a sip of her water.  Brady was just finishing up the last bite of the pretzel he had bought from one of the vendors in Central Park.

"Oh Brady... I didn't know you could get so much sightseeing done in one day.  Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and now Central Park.  Amazing."

Brady wiped a few crumbs from his mouth and shrugged.  "Yeah, well, you've just got to learn to budget your time wisely."

"And wear comfortable shoes."  Chloe groaned as she remembered her own tired feet.

"Awww... do your feet hurt?"

"Just a little... I knew it was big, but I had no idea that Central Park was THIS big."

Brady nodded.  "Feels like it's bigger than Rhode Island, doesn't it?  But, don't worry... where we're going next will only mean minimal walking.  I promise."

Chloe looked at him with surprise and said, "You have a plan then?"

"Just something I thought up a little while ago.  Something that I KNOW you will enjoy."

"And it's not a foot massage?"

Brady laughed.  "No, it's not a foot massage.  Sorry to disappoint you."

"Well then, where is it?"

Brady threw the paper from his pretzel in the trash can next to him and turned to face Chloe.  He clasped both of her hands in his and smiled sweetly at her.  "Some place you've always wanted to go, and that's all I'm saying until we get there."

Chloe frowned at him.  "Jerk."

Brady kissed her forehead and gently stroked her hair.  "Ahhh, the tender words that I so love to hear."

He stood from the bench and pulled her up with him.  "Now, now... no more pouting.  We have to hail a taxi and you don't want the driver to think you're a sullen girl."

Chloe couldn't help but break a smile as Brady led her to the street.  They waited around for a few minutes until an empty cab passed by and Brady stuck his hand out to motion it to the curb.  Chloe got in first, as Brady whispered their intended destination to the driver.  Chloe attempted to stretch her legs out for the rest of the ride, and rested her head on Brady's shoulder.

Awhile later, the cab came to a halt and Brady quickly paid the driver.  He helped Chloe out of the car, and she looked all around her to try and get a feel for her surroundings.

Brady grinned at her and pointed at the buildings in front of them.  "Here we are, Chloe.  Welcome to Lincoln Center."

"Lincoln Center..."

Brady finished her thought for her, "Also home of the world famous New York Metropolitan Opera House.  Not to mention, the future home for the greatest soprano in history, Chloe Lane."

Chloe looked him and laughed.  "Yeah right, I wish."

"Wishes can come true... come on." 

Brady smiled at her and led her to the front of the opera house.  It was now almost completely dark outside, and the opera house was lit up on the inside.   Chloe stared at it in awe and sighed.

"It's beautiful... but empty."

Brady nodded.  "The new opera season doesn't start until September, but they still turn the lights on at night."

"Well, it's amazing."

They walked up the front doors and peered inside.  Chloe walked up and down the front of the building and looked at the schedule for the coming season in the box office window. 

"Oh, Brady... Listen to this."

Brady walked over to her and she continued, "Their opening night gala is a tribute to Puccini.  I just love Tosca."

"Then sing some."

Chloe's eyes widened and she replied, "What?  Sing some right here?"

"No, we're going to break in to the building and perform it on stage."

"We are?"

Brady gave her a more serious glance.  "Don't be so gullible, Chloe.  As much as I like to pioneer my rebellious spirit, I really don't like the idea of getting arrested by the NYPD."

Chloe chuckled softly.  "Well, I wouldn't put ANYTHING past you.  So, why do you want me to sing?"

"Well, you always say that you want to sing at the Met, so now is your chance.  I know it's not exactly what you meant, but it's better than nothing."

Chloe paused and looked at him nervously.  "Well, what do you want me to sing?"

Brady shrugged his shoulders.  "Whatever you want.  First thing off the top of your head."

Chloe sighed and thought it over.  "Okay, uhm... Tosca... right."

Brady nodded and motioned for her to continue.  Chloe closed her eyes for a moment, making sure she could remember the words.  She took a deep breath and began to sing.

"Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!"

Brady shook his head and looked at her.  "Chloe... stop."

Chloe looked at him with frustration and threw her hands up in the hair.  "You're the one that told me to start, and now you want me to stop."

"You are not ready to sing yet."

Chloe crossed her arms and glared at him.  "Oh, and I'm sure you'll tell me exactly when I AM ready to sing, right?"

Brady sighed and walked towards, placing his hands on her elbows. "Chloe... don't be mad.  Just hear me out."

"Okay, I'm listening."

Brady paused and stared into her deep blue eyes.  "Tell me what this aria is about."

Chloe rolled her eyes but continued, "Tosca is this famous singer, and in this aria she sings about love and music and..."

"And...?  What do 'love' and 'music' mean to Tosca?"

"They're everything. They are the two main things in her life, the things that drive her basically."

Brady nodded in understanding.  "And how does that work out for her?"

Chloe chuckled softly.  "Not well, to say the least."

"So, are you going to try to tell me that you DON'T identify with Tosca?"

Chloe bit her lip nervously.  "I... I guess I do."

"You should.  You say that music is the most important thing in your life, and Tosca would agree with you.  You have loved and lost, and so has she.  I'd say you have more in common than you'd think.  Now, I want you to sing it again... but don't just sing the words and the notes.  Those mean nothing to me.  Sing the emotions.  You know how she feels in this scene, because you feel it too.  Close your eyes and don't think, Chloe.  If you think too hard when you sing, you don't have time to get the emotions through.  Use the pain you have felt in your own life in your song.  Use the love, and the joy you find in music to become Tosca.  Stop concentrating so much on the technical part, and use your heart."

Chloe wrinkled her forehead and replied, "But..."

Brady pointed a finger at her and shook his head.  "Don't say it.  I know, you want to tell me how you have a hard time expressing those kinds of feelings.  Well, I believe you can do it, so you should believe it too.  Do whatever you can, use whatever memories you have to, just make me believe that you are Tosca."

Chloe sighed and nodded her head.  "Okay... I'll try."

Brady backed away and crossed his arms.  "No, you won't.  You'll do it."

Chloe closed her eyes tightly and tried to step into the shoes of Floria Tosca.  She realized that Brady was correct, she did have a lot in common with the character.  Her brain suddenly became flooded with memories of the good times she had shared with her adopted parents before she lost them.  Those soon gave way to thoughts of the love she shared with Phillip, and all the wonderful memories of their time together.  She reveled in those for a moment, until her thoughts turned to Brady and how her feelings for him were growing stronger day by day.  Her passion to find love in her life, and her passion to be a singer was what drove her, just like it drove Tosca.  She took a deep breath and spontaneously began to sing.

"Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Con man furtiva
quante miserie conobbi aiutai."

Chloe felt suddenly changed when she sang.  She knew that this was coming from her heart and her soul this time.  Instead of focusing on making sure every note was perfect, she focused on what the words meant, and let them flow freely from her.

"Sempre con fè sincera
la mia preghiera
ai santi tabernacoli salì.
Sempre con fè sincera
diedi fiori agl’altar.
Nell’ora del dolore
perchè, perchè, Signore,                 
perchè me ne rimuneri così?          
Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto,   
e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel,  
che ne ridean più belli.                 
Nell’ora del dolor                      
perchè, perchè, Signor,                   
ah, perchè me ne rimuneri così?"

There was a silent pause and Chloe opened her eyes.  One tear fell out of each eye and she took a deep breath in as she looked at Brady.  Brady had a look on his face that she had never seen before.  He uncrossed his arms and walked towards her pulling her into a warm embrace.

"Oh Brady, was it awful or something?"

"Do you really have to ask?  You felt it, didn't you?  Chloe... that was amazing."

Chloe breathed a sigh of relief and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I did feel it.  It was like releasing something, almost."

Brady nodded in agreement.  "Exactly.  You can release a lot of things through music, if you just open yourself up to it.  It's like free therapy, no appointments and you don't have to lay on the couch."

Chloe lifted her head and smiled.  "Was it really okay?"

Brady smiled back at her.  "Better than okay.  In fact, I think you may have a bright future ahead of you.  You just have to stick with me, kid."

Chloe chuckled and kissed him gently.  "I plan on it."

"Good... because you never know when you're going to need me, so I think it's for the best if I'm just always around."

Chloe nodded.  "Oh goody, I've always wanted a Siamese twin."

Brady laughed and clasped her hand.  "Well, that's what I'm here for.  To make childhood dreams and wishes come true."

"That sounds like a pretty ambitious goal.  How about you just make one wish come true tonight?"

"And what's that?"

"Dinner... I'm starving."

Brady thought about it for a moment and began to lead her away.  "That's almost too easy... I think I saw a place across the street.  Let's go."

Chloe stopped him from walking long enough to plant a quick kiss on his lips.  She smiled at him briefly before he turned and began walking away.  She wanted to be able to thank him for everything he had done for her tonight, but she couldn't find the words just yet.

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