This was the last person Chloe expected to see when she got home. She would have loved to talk to Matthew first, but hopefully he would understand. She briefly nodded her head in acknowledgement, and then slowly went up the stairs, Sylvia following closely behind.
When Matthew heard the key in the door, he knew it'd be Chloe, but was worried as to how she was doing. He wanted to call her many times, but knew Becky was right. Chloe had to have time to think without other people's influence. When he saw Sylvia walk in behind her, he was afraid to get his hopes up.
"Have a seat, Sylvia. Matthew, I need to talk with her, and I need you with me."
Matthew waited for Chloe to sit down, and then he joined her on the couch and held her hand.
"What do you expect from me?" Chloe looked Sylvia in the eyes.
"What I expect is for you to hate my guts, which I deserve, and what I'd like is for you to give me a chance. What do you expect of me?"
"I don't know. I think the best I can ever do is try and become friends with you and Earl."
"Thank you, Chloe. Is it okay if I call you, or stop over to visit?"
"I can't promise I'll want to talk or sit and visit. I have a lot to sort out, and you have to be willing to take baby steps with me. One thing's for sure, if you can't accept and be kind to Matthew, then we don't need to ever speak again."
"He's a very good man, Chloe. He'll be welcomed inside this family."
"I have to ask you this. Do you have intentions of leaving?"
"No, we're done traveling. Your father has found someone else to take over his projects in Africa, and he hasn't stepped back in the office since your accident."
Her mind immediately went back to her hospitalization. Even with what Lois told her, she still couldn't understand why a mother would stay away when her child is close to death. "I think I'm going to go to bed, Sylvia, I'm pretty tired. Matthew will walk you to your car. Goodnight."
Chloe stood up and watched as she left.
When Matthew came back inside, he just stood and stared at her. "I'm sorry for—"
"Come here."
Matthew walked over to her and felt her arms wrap around him.
Chloe looked him in the eyes. "I love you more than you'll ever know. You knew you needed to help, regardless of the consequences you'd get from me. You're one heck of an amazing guy. But I'm not marrying you in a week. I can't do something that big, with my world turned upside down. Can you understand and wait for me?"
"You know it, babe. You know I'd wait for you until the end of time."
Chloe lay in bed that night and listened to Matthew take deep breaths as he slept. Seeing her mother standing out in the cold, waiting for her to come home, wasn't something she thought Sylvia would ever do. Quietly she got out of bed, went into the living room, and called Lois.
"Chloe, is something wrong?"
"I know it's late, and I'm sorry I woke you up."
"Did you have a bad dream?"
Chloe chuckled at the thought of Lois still caring, after all these years, whether or not she had a bad dream. "I wanted to talk to you for a minute if that's okay?"
"What's on your mind, sweetie?"
"I came home tonight and found my mother standing out in the cold, in a crappy neighborhood I might add, waiting for me. I can't get that out of my head."
"I think she's serious. I've known that woman for a long time, and she's never done anything that desperate for anyone. That was her way of letting you know she wasn't going to run."
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Chloe, search your heart. You're a very good person, and I've never known you to let someone stay out in the cold for no reason. Think about what I said, and try to get some sleep. You'll figure out what it all means."
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Chloe got up early and cancelled the reservations for the church. After downing her third cup of coffee, she picked up the phone and called her mother.
"Sylvia, I'm going out to look at dresses if you'd like to come along."
"Let me throw my shoes on and I'll be right there!"
"No, I'll come by and get you so this doesn't end up in the papers."
"Sweetie, even if we get followed by the bloodthirsty reporters, at least the pictures would be the truth. Can I come and pick you up?"
"No, I'll be there at eleven."
Chloe wrote a note for Matthew in case he decided to come home for lunch. She didn't want to worry him. Then she got on her shoes and went out the door. When she reached the estate, her father was walking around the yard. He looked up at her and began to walk over. She hadn't thought about this happening. She stayed in her car and tapped on the horn. Sylvia came outside, kissed Earl on the cheek, and then climbed in the Jeep.
"Hi, sweetie, would you like to go to that boutique?"
"Sure." Her brow furrowed the moment her mom arrived.
Chloe turned on the radio and drove to the bridal salon so there wouldn't be a bunch of dead silence. She knew Sylvia would try to chit-chat and that was the last thing she was interested in doing.
When they reached the boutique, her mother was the one who talked to the saleslady.
"Mrs. Burlington! It's so good to see you again! What can I do for you? We have a great line of new spring arrivals…"
"I'm not here for me, I'd like you to bring my daughter some bridal gowns to try on."
"Ooh, I didn't know you had a daughter."
The silence cut deep.
"I'll go get some dresses, Ms. Burlington, just have a seat right over there and I'll be right back."
Sylvia's cheeks were still burning and her eyes were watery when she turned to her daughter. "Chloe, I'm so sorry. We can go if you'd like."
"Baby steps, remember?"
Chloe tried on so many gowns, and just when she was ready to give up, the lady brought her one more. This one came in this morning. I just didn't get to the deliveries yet. Look!"
Chloe's mouth dropped. "Oh, that one's beautiful. May I?"
"Come on in here and I'll help you try it on."
Chloe stared at the most beautiful gown she's ever seen. The flowing Chiffon was layered and fell softly to the floor. The Diamente beading went over the thin straps on her shoulders and gently lined the gathering at the waist. The low back had lace cascading down to the ground into an elegant train. The veil matched the lace on the dress and the beading from the sleeves. It was perfect.
"Chloe, you look breathtaking!" Sylvia was trying to keep her emotions under control, but she failed. The urge to throw her arms around her daughter was overwhelming, but she remembered…baby steps.