You Belong To Me

Chapter Eighteen

(A little while later...)

Belle plopped down in the chair next to Shawn and handed him a cup of coffee. "Here ya go... Another cup of coffee."

Shawn grinned at her. "Thanks... By the time this is all over, I'll probably own stock in Columbian coffee beans."

"We are in a hospital. I could ask the staff about setting up caffeine IV's for all of us."

Shawn laughed as he took a sip of his coffee. "Not a bad idea, really."

The two looked away from each other as they saw Mimi come bounding in from the outside. "Hey guys... So, me and Phillip were outside getting some fresh air... And, guess who we found?"

Belle shrugged in confusion. "Uhm... I don't know... Who?"

Mimi motioned behind her as Phillip entered walking beside his father, Victor. Belle and Shawn stood simultaneously and Victor hugged his grandson tightly and greeted Belle with a brief hug.

"I got here as soon as I could, how is everything?"

Belle smiled at him and replied, "Better. Brady's awake and very alert, my parents are up there with him now. The infection isn't getting any worse. The doctor saw him a little bit ago, and he said that's a good sign so far."

"That's great news... And, I've got great news too."

Phillip raised his eyebrows curiously. "You do?"

"Yes, after Brady and Chloe gave all of you and John the info about the men who did this, John contacted me. The local authorities and my own investigator have been working on this case non-stop, all through the night. Brady was right, the police found them on the other side of the island. They were in an abandoned building, filled with stolen goods, a lot of them were Brady and Chloe's."

Belle put a hand to her mouth in surprise. "Oh my God... so they arrested them?"

Victor nodded and continued, "Yes, they're in custody right now. In fact, the police on the mainland have been looking for these men for quite some time. Apparently, they were wanted on several burglaries, assaults and rape charges from the past year. They were hiding out on that island to avoid arrest, and came upon Brady and Chloe as they were coming back from a trip to buy supplies."

Mimi interjected a question of her own, "What about the other guy? The one that Brady stabbed..."

"They haven't found him, so we don't know if he's dead or alive. His 'friends' could have dumped him in the ocean for all we know."

Shawn looked stunned as well. "That's amazing... You've got to tell Brady and John right away."

"I was planning on telling them right now. Which room is it?"

Belle motioned towards the elevators and replied. "Take the elevator to the second floor, it's room 237 on the left."

Victor nodded and left the group to head upstairs. The four friends sat back down in stunned silence, quiet until Mimi broke the silence.

"We've all been so focused on making sure that Brady and Chloe were okay, we weren't even thinking about the men that caused all of this in the first place."

Shawn nodded and interjected, "But, John and Victor were... And, now justice will get served."

Belle looked down thoughtfully. "But... I wonder what happened to one that Brady stabbed. There was so much blood on that boat. I get chills when I think about it."

Phillip answered her with his own thoughts, "He's probably dead, Belle. There's no way they could have gotten him medical help in time, if he was hurt that badly."

"I can't believe that my brother killed a man... I just, it's so odd..."

Shawn interjected instantly, "That's what you do for someone you love. I would do it for you..." There was a strange hesitation in his voice and he continued, "I would do it for all of you. I don't think of myself as the kind of person who could kill, but if it was to keep one of you from getting hurt, I would do it."

Belle sighed and slouched back in her seat. "I know... I think all of us would if we had to. But, you say things like that without ever thinking that you're going to be faced with that kind of situation. And, then, there they were, facing the unimaginable and Brady came through as always. And, then I went and made all of you put your own lives in danger, didn't I? Those men were on that island the entire time, and I hate to even think about what would have happened if they had run into us."

Mimi shook her head defiantly. "Belle, you didn't make us do anything that we didn't want to. I may have groaned and complained about it, but... Listen, I know we're not all related by blood, but we are a family. Brady and Chloe, and all of you, you're just as important to me as the family that does share my DNA. And, that's what a family does... we stick together."

Phillip nodded in agreement and continued, "She's right... Thick or thin, one for all, all for one... and so on and so on."

Belle nodded and gave them half of a smile. "I know, I know... And, now that I'm going to be back in Salem... I promise, that I'll be making up for a lot of lost time. You know, I loved living in England and all... but there's always been something missing. It just couldn't ever compare to the comforts of home."

Mimi smiled at her in return. "Good... Because it just hasn't been the same without you."

Shawn instinctively clasped Belle's hand and nodded. "It sure hasn't..."

Phillip grinned at his friends and sat back in his chair. "So, I guess the six of us are doomed to an eternity together as friends. We're destined to be wiping the drool off of each other's chins when we're 95 years old in the Salem Seniors Home, watching Nick at Nite so we can relive the glory days of our youth, telling our great-great grandchildren about our frightening adventures on dangerous islands..."

Belle laughed and rolled her eyes. "Doesn't sound so bad, does it?"

Mimi nodded in agreement. "If I have to be doomed to spending an eternity with a group of people, there's no other group I'd rather have around. Just promise me... no more islands... EVER."

Shawn laughed and crossed his heart with his fingers. "That's a promise... We just have the worst luck with islands, don't we?"

Phillip shrugged slightly. "Maybe it's not all islands... Just all of the islands we've visited."

Belle shook her head. "Or maybe we just shouldn't take chances at all. Only landlocked vacations from now on."

Mimi nodded confidently and replied, "Sounds like a plan. You know, I've never wanted to own a gun before, but with all of our luck, maybe I should... Just in case."

"Well, I know karate..."

Shawn looked at her in shock, "You do? Since when?"

Belle smiled shyly and continued. "Since my dad was so worried about me living in an entirely foreign place without him or my big brother around to protect me all the time. He wanted me to be able to protect myself, so I've been taking martial arts classes for the past 4 1/2 years."

"Wow... nobody told me that. So, I guess if we had come upon those pirates, you could have kicked their asses."

"I don't know about that... But, I do know how to protect myself. The guys at my school used to call me Buffy."

Phillip looked at her in confusion. "Buffy?"

Belle nodded and made a motion with her hand imitating like she was staking a vampire. "You know... Buffy, the TV vampire slayer who was popular when we were in high school. That Buffy. I guess because I'm small, blonde and surprisingly tough."

Shawn nodded, still somewhat surprised. "I guess we have a lot more to catch up on than I thought, huh?"

Belle nodded and grinned widely. "And plenty of time to do it. Plus, now that you know I can take you down in the blink of an eye, maybe you'll pick on me less."

Shawn waved a hand to dismiss her and snickered loudly. "I will never stop picking on you, even if you can kill me with your bare hands."

Mimi laughed at them both and rolled her eyes. "Geez, how sweet..."

The group was still laughing when Marlena came over and interrupted me. "Hey, I'm glad to see all of you in a good mood."

Belle smiled and stood to hug her mother. "We've got a lot of reasons to be in a good mood now."

Marlena let go of her and nodded in agreement. "Then maybe you can all take a break finally..."

"Huh?"

"Since we've all had our chance to visit Brady this morning, the doctors want to kick us out for awhile. Brady really needs some more rest, and so do you. Why don't you kids go back to the hotel, take a nap, get some food and come back a little later?"

Belle looked at the three others who all nodded in agreement, and then turned back to her mom. "I guess it's unanimous then. What about the rest of you?"

"Your father, Victor and myself are going to go over to the police station and speak to the detective and then we'll probably do the same. Nancy and Craig are going to stick around for awhile, in case Chloe needs anything."

"And what about Chloe?"

"It took a bit of convincing, but they're getting her a bed in Brady's room so she can be with him every second of the day."

Belle nodded and hugged her mother again. "Thanks Mom, I think we're all gonna do as directed. I know I'm still pretty worn out..."

Marlena smiled and watched as the four friends gathered themselves and headed out the front doors to catch a taxi.

***

Shawn, Belle, Mimi and Phillip sat around the small dining table in Belle's suite, their stomachs filled to the very top. The remains of their room service were spread out in front of them.

Mimi groaned as she slouched in her chair and patted her belly. "Oh wow... I ate way too much."

Belle cringed and pushed her plate away from her. "I think we all did... I didn't even know my stomach was that big."

Phillip nodded in agreement and threw his napkin on the table in defeat. He stood and pushed his chair in with a sigh. "Well, I'm gonna go catch a few Z's, I will see you all in a couple of hours."

Mimi stood and headed towards the door with him. "Yeah, me too... All that chewing wore me out."

Phillip and Mimi exited together, leaving Shawn and Belle alone in silence. Belle slid out of her chair and took a space on the edge of her bed, kicking her shoes off as she did. Shawn stood and smiled awkwardly.

"So, I should go too... Let you get your rest."

Belle shook her head. "No, actually... I wanted to talk to you."

Shawn sighed and sat on the bed so he could face her. "You want to talk now? About... well, you know..."

"Yes, now."

"You don't want to wait until we get back to Salem?"

"No, no, I don't. I wanted to wait, but it seems like every 5 seconds something happens or someone tells me something that makes me want to do it as soon as possible."

Shawn nodded and bowed his head. "I understand... Best to let me down as quick as possible. That way it's less painful for both of us."

Belle looked at him in confusion. "You think that's what I want to tell you? You think I'm going to tell you that what was said between us on the island is just a bunch of crap, but we should stay friends."

"Well... yes... I know things have been awkward since I told you how I feel, and..."

Belle interrupted him and shook her head defiantly. "I guess you don't know me very well anymore, do you?"

"Okay, then what ARE you trying to say?"

Belle gently tapped his leg with her bare foot. "Shawn Brady... lift your head and look at me, please."

Shawn did as instructed and looked into her eyes hesitantly. "Okay, now please end my confusion as soon as possible."

Belle smiled slightly and continued. "Alright, listen... You were almost right, I have had some doubts and I've been thinking about things a lot. Too much. That's the problem. I've overthought every sentence I've said to you in the past week, and I shouldn't have done that. I've had all these fears, these stupid pointless insecurities that were eating away at me. All of that craziness, it made me want to say the things to you that you thought I was going to say. But, I'm not going to say them... "

Shawn furrowed his brow, completely lost at this point. "So, what are you going to say? Because you've said a lot in the past two minutes, but I only understand parts of it."

"Sorry, I must have that disease where your mouth just runs off without allowing your brain to form coherent thoughts first."

"You must have caught that from Mimi..."

Belle laughed and nodded in agreement. "Probably... Anyway, what I'm trying to ACTUALLY say is the following. At first, I was kind of unsure because I thought that maybe we only said those things because of the situation we were in, or that you might love the Belle you used to know, and not the Belle that I am now and so on and so on. Then, Mimi... of all people... talked some sense in to me. It doesn't matter why you said you love me, or where you said it or when. It only matters that you do. And that I feel the same for you. I've loved you my entire life, Shawn, and as much as I've tried to deny it sometimes, I will never stop loving you."

Shawn sighed softly and nodded in understanding. "I love you too, Belle. It doesn't matter how you've changed in the years we've been apart. It's the things about you that have never changed that make me love you."

Belle smiled and clasped his hand gently. "I know... I know that now. I was being an idiot before, but not anymore. You see, I've been thinking about other couples that I know. I've been watching Brady and Chloe, and my parents... And, that's what I want. Someone who is going to be there with me to share everything, the ups and downs, the good times, the hardships, the whole thing, no matter how bad it gets. And, I want that person to be you. I can't promise that it's always going to be perfect, but we owe it to each other to give it a try. I need you in my life, Shawn... through the good times and the bad times."

"And the past?"

"It's the past, and that's where it should stay. I think we've dwelled on it long enough. We both made our mistakes, but they're behind us now. I know that I should have been there for you, and I've tortured myself over it for 5 years now. And, I know that you've been doing the same thing too. But, I'm tired of it. It's time for us to start being there for each other now. We need to leave all of that behind and focus on the future, for once. Do you remember the song we danced the night before I left on my trip?"

Shawn nodded, the memory still clear in his head. "You Belong to Me. I've never forgotten."

Belle laid a hand on Shawn's and nodded. "Me either... At the time, I didn't think it was true. But, it really is. Through all the years, and all the places I've been... I've only really belonged one place, and that's with you. That's what that song is about, and it couldn't be more true."

Shawn smiled widely at her. "Well, I'm glad that we're having this conversation, instead of the 'other' one that I was afraid of."

Belle smiled happily and continued. "Well, it was almost the 'other conversation', until someone shined a light into my brain. I guess, between Mimi, who's a lot wiser than I ever thought... and Brady and Chloe too, it made me realize how stupid I would be to let you go."

"Brady and Chloe helped? How is that?"

"Well, it was more indirectly their doing... Just watching the two of them together. It's... amazing. And, Chloe... when she thought she could lose him, it destroyed her. And, I knew that I had to tell you all of this as soon as possible. I couldn't let another day pass by without you knowing that I want to be with you. And, I couldn't take the chance of losing you and then living my whole life knowing what I lost every time I saw another happy couple. Chloe almost lost Brady because of something entirely out of her control, but if I lost you right now, I'd have only myself to blame. I couldn't let that happen."

Shawn leaned forward and gently touched her lips with his own. The kiss was brief, but meaningful and loving. "Well, now you don't have to worry about that. I'm not going anywhere. I love you more than I ever thought possible, and in 5 years, I've only grown to love you more. All that time, really made me realize how much I need you in my life."

Belle smiled at him sweetly and then laid her head on his shoulder. Shawn put his arms around her and held on to her gently. "Mimi was right... We're all grown up now, but some things never change. Deep down, you're still the same person I fell in love with all those years ago."

"So are you, Belle. Only now, maybe we're mature enough to handle what this kind of love means."

Belle nodded in agreement and lifted her head so she could look in his dark brown eyes. "It's like a fresh start. That's what I've wanted for a long time. We made our amends over the past, and now we can start over again as two mature adults."

Shawn smiled and grazed his hand over her cheek, letting it rest gently in her hair. "And, I plan on enjoying every single second of it."

"So do I... I've waited so long to have you back, and it's even better than I had imagined."

"So, where do we go from here?"

Belle fell on to her back with a sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. "I think, after all of this emotional outpouring... A nap is a very good idea."

Shawn scooted across the bed and laid down next to her. "I meant... a little more long term than that."

Belle grinned and slid over to rest her head on his chest, as his arm snaked over to hold her closely. "Yeah, well... I don't know... But, that's part of the fun, right? All I know is that I want to be with you. But, we shouldn't move too fast... Let's take our time and enjoy it."

Shawn lightly trailed his fingers down her arm and clasped her hand in his. "Sounds like a plan..."

Belle sighed and let her eyes close sleepily. She knew she could now rest because her heart was finally at peace. Her heart knew that no matter how bad things got, Shawn would be in her life, and that's all she needed to be happy.

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