The Rest of Our Lives (Read 100,706 times)

[Kpatch]

I'm so pleased that you all found the sermon to be meaningful, both personally and for story purposes.

This is an actual sermon (albeit shortened for the chapter) that aired a couple years ago, and as I was listening, I immediately thought about Chloe. That's why Chloe ended up working at Lakewood Church and getting to know the Osteens--for this very moment.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 512a

Chloe walked out of Lakewood Church a little dazed. Pastor Osteen’s sermon seemed like it was written just for her, like he was talking just to her, and it got to her.

~~~

Aiden held Hope’s gloved hand as they walked up Michigan Avenue in Chicago. They were enjoying the cold winter air while they did some window shopping before heading to brunch at Crystal Gardens.

“It’s so nice having a day off,” Hope mused.

“Especially spending it with someone very special,” Aiden stated as he gave her hand a squeeze.

“I wholeheartedly agree.” Feeling a little coy, Hope looked away and her eyes fell on a woman walking slowly up the block. She looked familiar to Hope. “Oh my gosh.”

“What?”

“I know her. That’s Chloe,” Hope called out as she walked quickly toward Chloe. “Chloe.”

Chloe looked up and it took her a minute to recognize the woman calling her name. “Hope.”

Hope gave Chloe a hug. “What are you doing in Chicago,” Hope asked.

“Um. I live here now.”

“I didn’t know that. Some detective I am, huh? I guess that’s why we didn’t see you and Philip at Maggie’s New Year’s Eve party.” Before Chloe could respond, Hope turned to Aiden and said, “Aiden, this is my sisterinlaw, Chloe Kiriakis. Remember I told you I went to a wedding last year at Crystal Gardens? It was Chloe’s wedding. Chloe and Philip’s.”

Aiden extended his hand out and shook Chloe’s hand. “Aiden Jennings. Nice to meet you.”

“When did you guys move back to Chicago?” Hope asked.

“Um. I’m here by myself.”

Hope raised a brow. “By yourself? But why?”

“I’m sure you know what happened,” Chloe answered without making eye contact. “The car accident and all.”

“Of course. I was one of the investigators.”

Chloe tried to speak but no words came out. She cleared her throat and tried again. “It’s been hard, you know? Because of what happened to Victoria.”

“Oh. Of course.” Hope thought for a moment, then turned to Aiden. “Would you mind very much if Chloe and I went somewhere to talk privately?”

“Of course not," Aiden replied without hesitation. "Why don’t I meet you at the restaurant in an hour. Is that enough time?”

Hope grasped Aiden’s forearm. “Thank you.” As Aiden walked away, Hope turned back to Chloe. “Come, I’m going to buy you a cup of coffee.”

[doolfan4life]

This is a nice interaction
I am looking forward to this conversation
Hope has lost a child before and it did threaten her marriage at the time
This is a good opportunity to use history and add a parallel to the two characters
Another way the writers on the show missed a chance, I’m excited to see this

[André DiMera]

Nice that Hope’s happy to see Chloe, and is going to buy her coffee.

[Trey]

The trap has been set and hopefully Hope can bring it home… Chloe needs to take action (fate can only intervene so far).

[gapeach]

As soon I read that Hope & Aiden would be having their date in Chicago, I had a feeling that she would run into Chloe. Glad they get some time together privately. This is going to be a good conversation.

[heroicmuse]

That sermon was perfect.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 512b

In a coffee shop on Michigan Avenue, a waitress poured coffee into the mugs in front of Chloe and Hope. “Ready to order?”

“Just coffee for now, thanks,” Hope told the woman. Turning back to Chloe, she said, “Do you remember my son Zach?”

“Shawn’s little brother. Of course I remember him,” Chloe replied. “I remember how broken up Shawn was when he died. We were in high school and we all tried so hard to comfort him, but he was inconsolable.”

“He was very close with his baby brother,” Hope recalled. “He adored Zach and Zach adored him. It was such a blow to all of us.” Hope collected her emotions. “He was hit by a car. Not just any car. Our car.”

Chloe inadvertently gasped. “I forgot the circumstances. You don’t have to—” Chloe started to say.

“It’s okay,” Hope assured her. “It used to tear me up, but I can talk about it now.” She forced herself to smile. “Bo took responsibility for Zach’s death. He lied and said he was driving. He covered up the truth, and when it came out, well, it tore us apart.” Chloe nodded and Hope added, “Bo’s daughter Chelsea was the one driving Bo’s car when she ran Zach down.” Hope paused and looked into her coffee.

Chloe reached for Hope’s hand across the table. “It still hurts to think about it, doesn’t it?”

“It took time, but eventually, we worked through it. Because we belong together. Belonged,” she corrected herself. “Just like you and Philip. Chloe, I would strongly urge you to go back home to Philip and Parker. It won’t be easy, but it can’t get better unless you take the first step.”

“I don’t know how Chelsea lives with herself,” Chloe said quietly, knowing what a hard time she herself has had dealing with Victoria’s death.

With a shrug, Hope said, “I can’t speak for what goes on in Chelsea’s heart and mind, but I can tell you that Chelsea and I talked. A lot. In the beginning I couldn’t even look at her. But I know it was an accident. A horribly tragic set of circumstances, just like what happened with you.”

Chloe looked down and grew quiet for several minutes before whispering, “When will it start to feel better?”

“There’s no timetable, sweetie. It’s different for everyone. It’s almost 20 years and I still think about Zach every day. So it’s not as if you forget,” Hope stated with conviction. “It’s just that you move on. You have to. Otherwise it’ll eat you alive for the rest of your life. But it also doesn’t need to last for 20 years. If I continued to freeze Bo out, then I’d have missed some of the best years of our lives before I lost him forever. Chloe, you have so much life ahead of you. So many good times for you and Philip. So many milestones for Parker you don’t want to miss. Don’t wait any longer. Go back to them.”

[doolfan4life]

This was a great conversation to happen
This was a rare opportunity for Chloe not to be able to get upset and say “you don’t understand” cuz in this case hope understands all too well
If this doesn’t work I’m afraid nothing will

[krw627]

This conversation needed to happen. Someone who understands what losing a child feels like. Although, I'm sure Chloe will try to make excuses as to how this is different. And, it is; but it's not.

[André DiMera]

Hope gave Chloe great advice. She’s been there.

[Trey]

Yay Hope!

[mae00]

If anyone could possibly get through to Chloe, it was probably Hope - especially after that sermon.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 512c

Hope met Aiden in the lobby of Crystal Gardens. As the waiter showed them to their table, she said, “Thank you for being so understanding while I talked to Chloe.”

He held Hope’s chair and she sat down. “Is everything alright?”

Hope shook her head no as Aiden took a seat adjacent to hers. “She’s been through a horrible tragedy,” Hope explained, “and it’s eating her alive.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said sincerely.

“She lost a child in an accident and I know exactly how she feels.”

He nodded. “You told me that you lost a child, but you didn’t say much about it.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“And that’s fine. You don’t have to talk about it. But if you want to, I’m here to listen.”

Hope reached for Aiden’s hand. “I do want to tell you about it, but some other time.” She indicated the buffet in the center of the restaurant. “We’re here for this amazing brunch you promised me, and I’d just like to enjoy the food and the company.”

He kissed her hand and said, “Whenever you’re ready. Shall we try some of that amazing food?”

~~

After brunch, Hope and Aiden held each other’s gloved hands and took a slow walk back to where Aiden’s car was parked. Hope noticed the Old Chicago Inn across the street. She stopped and faced Aiden. “I don’t want to go home yet.”

“Okay, there’s plenty to see in town. What would you like to do?” he asked. He followed Hope’s gaze to the Inn and his lips parted. “Are you saying…?”

“Yes.” She stepped closer and placed her hands on the lapels of his coat. She stared at his lips and whispered, “Let’s do it.” In a moment her lips were on his. His arms folded around her as the kiss continued.

He slowly leaned away. “Hope, wait.”

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

“Of course. More than anything.” He glanced at the Inn. “But I’m not sure this is the right time and place. I feel like things are going really well and the last thing I want to do is ruin what we’ve started by rushing things.”

“We’ve been dating for two months, Jennings. Why would it ruin things?”

“I don’t know, but experience tells me that moving too fast can be the quickest way to ruin a budding relationship. And Hope, I care about you too much—.” He stopped mid-sentence and looked upward for a moment. “That doesn’t even scratch the surface about how I feel about you and how happy I am that we’re still together after two months and how much I want this to continue. I really want to be with you, Hope Brady, but I think we shouldn’t make a rash decision like this.”

“You want to take things slower,” Hope translated.

He nodded. “When we make love, I just want it to be the right time and the right place and the right reasons. Not just because there’s a convenient motel across the street. Does that make sense?”

Hope’s lips curved into a smile. She leaned closer and kissed his lips again. “It does.”

[André DiMera]

Glad Hope was understanding. Seems like she and Aiden had a nice date.