You Belong To Me

Chapter Twenty-One

(Back in Salem)

The tired group of travelers stood outside of the Brady house waiting for someone to answer the door. Belle yawned loudly, then looked at her dad in confusion. "Dad... why did we come here first?"

"Because, Isabella... Shawn's parents have missed him and wanted to see him right away. They said that we should all come over too, for coffee or whatever..."

"Oooookay..."

The door cracked open far enough for J.T.'s tiny face to peek out and smile at his older brother. "Shawn... you're home!"

Shawn grinned and pulled J.T. into a hug, the door behind him still halfway closed. "Yup, and I am so glad to see you."

J.T. gazed around the front porch at everyone else. "And you brought everyone with you..."

Belle smiled and gave J.T. a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, little man... I think you've grown at least an inch since we left..."

J.T. looked surprised but proud. "Really? Because, I told my mom and dad the other day that I felt taller."

"Then you were right... So, where is your mom and dad?"

J.T. grinned at her and then pushed the door open, revealing a room full of people shouting 'surprise' at them. There were balloons in every corner and a large banner proclaiming, 'Welcome Home!' against the back wall. The group entered the house in complete shock, greeted by family and friends. Brady tried to turn and exit, but Chloe grabbed his wrist and dragged him back inside. Shawn was immediately embraced by his parents, as Belle was being hugged by her sister Sami and nephew Will.

Mimi and Phillip came over, hand in hand, to greet Shawn, Belle, Brady and Chloe. Shawn playfully punched Phillip in the arm and scolded him. "Hey man... you said that there wasn't going to be a party."

Phillip looked at him in mock pain. "First off, ouch. Secondly, Mimi and I had nothing to do with this. If you want to blame someone, blame your mom. She planned the whole thing."

Brady rolled his eyes in frustration. "You could have at least warned us, man."

"And feel the wrath of Hope Brady? No way... We were sworn to complete secrecy."

Hope slid in and gave quick hugs to Brady and Chloe. "Sorry about the surprise... But, after all you kids went through... Everybody in town was calling me to see if we were going to have a party. I couldn't say no."

Chloe smiled happily and hugged her back. "Well, thank you very much... I, for one, love a good surprise party."

Brady gave in begrudgingly and smiled at Hope. "Yes, thank you... This is more than we deserve."

"You're welcome... Good to have you back in one piece." Hope smiled sweetly at him and then turned her attention towards Belle. She hugged Belle tightly and then smiled at her. "It's good to have you back too, Belle."

"Thank you, I can't even tell you how much I've missed Salem..."

"I know the feeling... And thank you for bringing my son back in one piece, by the way."

Belle smiled widely and held on to Shawn's hand. "Well, he sort of means a lot to me too. I wasn't planning on letting anything happen to him."

"I know you wouldn't. I'm just glad that you're back in his life... I always knew you two were meant to be together."

Belle looked up at Shawn, who was blushing slightly, and nodded in agreement. "I think you're right..."

Hope grinned and motioned behind her. "Now don't you kids just stand here. We've got more food than we need, and I don't want to have leftovers for a month. So, eat up..."

The group began to disperse through the crowd, and when Shawn went to greet his grandparents, Belle was left alone with Hope. The two women watched Shawn walk away, and Hope turned back to Belle and spoke.

"I meant what I said, Belle. I've been praying for five years that you and Shawn could be reunited, and finally, my prayers came true."

"You have?"

Hope nodded and put an arm around Belle's shoulder. "Absolutely... Belle, you have always been, and will always be, considered a member of this family. And, I have known, probably long before you and my son ever did, that you two were meant to be together."

Belle stared at her in surprise. "You did? How did you know?"

"Because, you two have always reminded me of Bo and myself."

"Really? Why is that?"

Hope smiled slightly as the memories of her relationship with Bo Brady came flooding back to her. "Bo and I have known each other since we were kids, just like you two. We spent a long time as friends before we ever realized that we were in love. I've always thought of us as opposites who are really more alike than most people know."

"What do you mean?"

"I think you know. It's the same way with you and Shawn. You're the one that everybody expects to be sweet and feminine and sensitive, but deep down you're strong and tough. And, Shawn has this big tough guy facade, but in his heart, he's just a puppy dog."

Belle laughed and nodded in agreement. "I see what you mean... Shawn used to call me Perfect Girl, and I always called him Tough Boy."

"You two complement each other perfectly. Just like Bo and I..." Hope motioned towards Belle's parents who were on the other side of the room chatting with Mickey and Maggie Horton. "Just like your mother and father."

Belle smiled and then looked at Hope with seriousness in her eyes. "But, it hasn't always been easy, has it?"

Hope shook her head and sighed. "The course of true love never ran so smooth, right? Bo and I have been through so much together, terrible, painful things... But, even if we had to do it all over again... It's worth it in the end."

"That's what my mom says. Her and my dad... they've been pulled apart so many times, and have had so many things come between them, but they always find their way back to each other."

Hope nodded and continued. "And if you ask your mother, she'll tell you the same thing. All of the horrible things that have happened to us... It doesn't matter, because when I look at my life, I have been so lucky. I have a wonderful man to spend my entire life with, and two sons who I love more than anything. That's the stuff that matters."

"Well, it may have taken five years... But, I guess Shawn and I have found our way back to each other. I just hope it lasts this time."

Hope stared at her in surprise. "It will last. If you truly love each other, and I think you do, then nothing will keep you from being together. Besides, all I want is for my children to be happy, and nothing makes Shawn happier than being with you."

Belle smiled and impulsively hugged Hope tightly. "Thank you..."

"For what?"

"For the encouraging words. It means more than you know..."

Hope stood back and smiled knowingly. "Oh, I know... Now go, get out of here, have fun, eat something."

Belle nodded and smiled back at her. "Thank you, I think I will. I've been craving some good ol' Salem cuisine."

Belle turned and headed into the fray of the party and towards the buffet table, where she ran into Shawn.

"Hey..."

"Hey yourself... I was just about to bring you a plate of food."

Belle smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "You were?"

"Yeah, I was worried that my mom might monopolize you for the rest of the night and you'd never make it over here."

"No, the conversation was short but very meaningful..."

Shawn raised his eyebrows curiously, "Oh yeah? And what was this meaningful conversation about?"

Belle grinned wickedly and shook her head. "I can't tell you that... It's private."

"Alright, fair enough. So how much longer do you think we're legally required to mingle before we can sneak out?"

"I'd say... At least an hour, maybe more."

Shawn frowned slightly. "Oh well... It could be worse. Now, why don't you go make yourself comfortable, and I will bring you some food."

Belle smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "You're too good to me..."

Shawn smiled and winked at her. "I know... But you're worth it."

"Okay, I'm gonna go and sit with Sami and Will for a little bit. I hardly got to spend time with them before we left, so I want to catch up."

Belle gave him another kiss and then left to join her half-sister and nephew on the couch.

***

(Two Hours Later...)

Belle and Shawn made a stealthy exit after filling up on homemade finger foods and chatting with family and friends. Shawn's car was still parked at Belle's parents house, so he got the keys to his mother's car from his father and took her for a drive.

"Where are you taking me, Shawn?"

Shawn kept his eyes on the road and remained mysterious. "You'll see in a few minutes, just keep your eyes closed. And, if you open them, I will catch you."

Belle nodded and tried her best to keep her promise. She tried to lift her lids only slightly, but all she saw was darkness and streetlights. Belle sighed and shut her eyes again, determined to enjoy whatever surprise he might have in store for her.

Minutes later, she heard the car pull off the main road and she could tell it was driving over twigs and grass. She felt the car pull to a stop, and Shawn shut the engine off.

"Don't move, Belle. Don't open your eyes."

Belle groaned in frustration. "Alright..."

She could hear Shawn get out of his seat and shut the door behind him. She heard a soft rustling outside, and then a draft of warm air as her passenger door opened beside her. Shawn placed his hand gently on her arm and kissed her cheek.

"Come on, follow me... eyes closed..."

Belle undid her seatbelt and carefully stepped out of the car, trying not to fall over in her state of current blindness. Shawn held on to her arm and led her just a few steps away. He stopped and then moved behind her to wrap his arms around her.

Leaning forward, Shawn softly whispered into her ear. "Open your eyes..."

Belle slowly opened her eyes and looked out at the city in front of her. She could see all of Salem from here, and the night was perfect and clear.

"Lookout Point... Aren't we a little old to be coming up here, Shawn?"

"Absolutely not... Not when we're here for a very specific reason. Don't you remember?"

Belle nodded and smiled slightly. "You built that snowman here... the night of Lexie's party, and you gave me your class ring."

Shawn nodded and continued the story. "And, I told you I loved you for the very first time."

"I'll never forget that, Shawn. So, that's why you brought me up here?"

"Uh-huh... I thought it was like, coming full circle for us. This is the place where we first admitted that we were in love, and now that we're together again, I wanted to come back and relive the moment."

Belle sighed and looked out towards the town below them. "Everything looks so small from here."

"It's your home, Belle. You're finally back where you belong. You're home."

Belle leaned into Shawn and laid her hands on his arms. "This is my home, Shawn. Right here, in your arms. Wherever you are is where my home is."

Belle turned and looked up at him, the reflection of Salem's lights were shining in his dark brown eyes. Shawn smiled at her and gently moved his hands through her hair, leaving them to rest at the nape of her neck. "Belle... I love you, and I plan on telling you that every single day for the rest of your life..."

Belle grinned slyly. "Good, because I like hearing it every day."

Shawn leaned forward and kissed her passionately, until they both seemed to be out of air. They leaned out of their kiss and Belle spoke to him breathlessly. "I love you too, Shawn Brady..."

Shawn smiled and clasped her hand, motioning towards the car with a tilt of his head. He led Belle with him, and they sat on the hood of Hope's car together. Shawn leaned back against the window to get a view of the stars, and Belle laid next to him to take in the same view.

"Hey... Your mom's not going to be mad because we're laying on top of her car."

Shawn shrugged slightly. "What she doesn't know, won't hurt her. So... Are you ever going to tell me what you two were talking about earlier?"

Belle giggled and rolled her eyes. "Shawn... You are so impatient."

"I never said I was perfect... So, spill it."

Belle sighed and gave in to his demands far too easily. "She told me how much you and I have always reminded her of your dad and herself. And, how no matter what bad things happen, true love can always bring people back together. And... She told me how she's prayed for five years that we would come to our senses and get back together."

Shawn nodded in understanding. "Well... That's no surprise."

"It's not?"

Shawn leaned up on his elbow so he could look at her. "Are you kidding? She's been saying the same things to me for five years. I'm just glad the nagging will now stop."

"The nagging?"

"Oh geez... Every girl I ever went out with since you've left has been compared to you. I can't tell you how many times I heard things like, 'She's not as pretty as Belle.', 'She's not as polite as Belle', 'She's not as funny as Belle', 'She's nice, but she's no Belle Black.' It got pretty frustrating."

Belle giggled and knew she was blushing just a little bit. "Oh, that's so sweet... But, it must have been annoying as Mimi telling me the same exact things about the guys I dated."

Shawn nodded in agreement and grinned at her. "But, you want to know what the most annoying thing about it was?"

"What?"

"She was right. None of them were ever as beautiful, or kind or funny or strong, or as amazing as you are."

Belle smiled at him sweetly, and then broke into a grin. "Shawn Brady... You are turning into such a sap."

Shawn's mouth turned into a pout as he furrowed his eyebrows. "But, it's all true... Just don't tell the other guys, I don't want to ruin my macho facade."

Belle laughed and shook her head. "Oh yeah, because look at the two of them... We used to think that Brady was the most cynical of them all, but as soon as he got together with Chloe, he's like a walking romance novel. And, Phillip... He's about as mushy as it gets when it comes to girls. I don't think you have anything to worry about."

Shawn laid back and sighed loudly in relief. "Oh good... Because, I do love you... But, I like to think of all those mushy feelings as something we keep private."

"Definitely..." Belle paused and changed the subject. "So, when do you have to be back to work?"

"My dad told me to take the rest of the week off, actually. So, I'll go back when you leave for London."

"How very convenient... That means I get to spend every waking minute I have with you."

"Right... Unless, of course, you have other plans."

Belle sighed softly and scooted over so she could lay her head on Shawn's chest. "Oh no, this sounds like the best plan to me. But, after a few days you may start to get sick of me."

"I doubt that... We do have a lot of time to make up for."

Belle nodded in agreement. "But, we have plenty of time to do it."

Shawn nodded and held her tightly. "Forever, I hope..."

"Me too..." Belle paused and then sighed deeply. "I still can't believe it. That I've finally got you back... I keep thinking that I'm going to wake up and be back in my apartment in London, and it will just be some long, weird dream."

Shawn wrapped his hand around hers and held on tightly. "I know what you mean... But, this is real. Of course, there's part of my brain that is always worried about the next catastrophe, when it's going to happen and what it's going to do to all of us. It just seems like things are always going wrong for the people I care about."

"I know, but..." Belle paused, normally she would agree, but suddenly she was no longer as worried as she used to be. "But, it doesn't matter, Shawn. Your mom made a good point to me earlier. No matter how many bad things happen, it's always been worth it because she has you and J.T. and your dad. There have been times when she's been away from her family, but nothing can keep her away forever, right? Nothing, no matter what it is, will keep us apart. We'll always come back to each other. We did it this time, and we'll find each other again if we have to."

Shawn smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I guess I've been pretty lucky to have such wise women in my life. Between my grandmothers, and my mom and you..."

"I'm not that wise. Any insight I may have, I completely stole it from your mom or my mom... Heck, even Mimi and Chloe have straightened me out a few times."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Belle..."

Belle sat up and laid her hand over Shawn's heart. "And you don't give yourself enough credit, either. Everything I'm saying, you already knew. It's in your heart."

Shawn nodded silently and Belle continued. "Now, we're not going to let all these unnecessary worries cloud our minds anymore. We spend more time worrying about things than we do actually enjoying life. No more of that... Just sit with me here, and enjoy this beautiful view for awhile. Okay?"

Shawn nodded again and smiled. "Okay... No more worrying."

Belle smiled and laid back down, snuggling closer to him. She had spent far too long mired in her painful past, and she had decided not to let it get her down anymore. Belle didn't want to think too hard about the future either, she wanted to take each moment step by step and enjoy them. Her and Shawn laid there on the hood of his mother's car for a few hours chatting quietly about less-complicated thoughts underneath the twinkling starlight. And she loved every second of it.

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