What Parker Wants (Read 5,364 times)

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad that you are working on a continuation of this terrific story unavitasegreta.

[unavitasegreta]

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Are you going to give me the silent treatment for the rest of the night?” Maggie asked, plunking her purse down on the table in the entryway. As it dropped onto the marble table, she cringed at the memory that Victor had spent so much money on a hotel room for one night.

Victor didn’t answer, instead closing the door to their lavishly appointed suite and walking past her to the living room area.

“I guess that’s my answer,” Maggie sighed. She turned towards the hallway that led to the master bedroom, but instead spun around to watch as Victor crossed over to the bar and poured himself a drink. She jerked her arms out of her jacket and tossed it on the couch, her hands on her hips as she stared down her husband. “If you aren’t going to talk, then I am.”

Swirling the amber liquid around in his drink, Victor downed it and sat down on a plush leather armchair. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and leaned forward to put his empty glass on the coffee table, the loud thud reverberating in the quiet room.

Maggie crossed in front of him and leaned against the armoire that hid the large flat screen TV. “It was almost a year ago that you were asking for my forgiveness. In fact, I believe your exact words were something like you didn’t deserve a second chance, let alone a seventieth.”

“Could you get to the point? My drink is empty,” he pointed out.

Cocking an eyebrow, Maggie dropped her arms and took the two steps toward him, exaggeratedly bending down to swipe his glass off the table. “Your problem is that you can’t forgive Chloe.”

“This is your genius observation?” he scoffed, crossing his arms.

Narrowing her eyes, Maggie plunked the glass down on the bar and opened a bottle of liquor. She didn’t bother to look at the label and didn’t particularly care as it splashed into the glass. He was trying to pick a fight to avoid talking about what was really bothering him. Phillip was married and had a child on the way and he had known nothing about it. That would hurt any parent, but especially Victor who prided himself on his family.

Ignoring the nauseating scent of the liquor, Maggie handed it to Victor and sat down on the coffee table in front of him. She pushed aside her annoyance with her husband’s mood and looked into his eyes, hoping he’d listen to her. “There are a lot of things you can overlook. You’ve committed your fair share of crimes, so God knows you don’t hold that against anyone. And I’m sure the number of people you’ve double-crossed and betrayed over the years is immeasurable.”

“What is the point, Maggie?” he sighed, leaning back in the chair.

“Chloe hasn’t raped, murdered, or robbed anyone. But if she had, you’d be more likely to overlook those discretions. You are a very loyal man, Victor. When you love someone like you love your children, it’s unconditional.” Maggie leaned forward, her hands on his knees. “Phillip. Brady. Daniel. Chloe hasn’t done anything to you personally, but she’s hurt all of your boys in one way or another. The unforgivable sin is that she’s betrayed the people you love the most.”

Victor looked down at his drink before taking a swig, “Lucas too.”

“What?” Maggie frowned.

“Chloe cheated on Lucas,” he reminded her.

“Believe me, I remember,” Maggie sighed, refusing to allow herself to be distracted by her own memories of that time period. “You have to find a way to let go of your anger and resentment, Victor.”

He huffed, “that’s easier said that done.”

Looking up at him with a sweet smile, Maggie caressed his cheek. “This hatred is only going to hurt you, Victor. Chloe did not drive Brady to drugs any more than Mickey caused me to start drinking. And both Daniel and Phillip have chosen to forgive Chloe for what happened in their relationships.”

“But he married her,” Victor sighed, staring off into the distance.

“Yes, he did,” Maggie emphasized. “And he never told you. I can only imagine how much that hurts you, Victor.” He nodded, but still didn’t look at her. “So think about how much it will hurt to not be part of your grandchild’s life. I know you love, Parker, but he’s Daniel’s son. This child Chloe is having is the first grand child that’s going to carry on your name. I know that means something to you, Victor.”

Victor was silent, which Maggie took as a sign that he didn’t want to discuss this any further. She moved to pull away from him, but Victor took her hand in his. He put his half-empty drink on the table and tugged her across his lap.

“How did I get so lucky to marry you?”

“You say that a lot,” Maggie noted, linking her hands behind his neck. She knew that he was trying to change the subject, but she was not willing to let him off the hook just yet.

“I’m a grateful man,” Victor insisted as she settled against him, laying her head on his shoulder.

“You don’t have to be Chloe’s best friend or even like her. But you have to trust Phillip. If he believes that she’s changed and he wants a relationship with her, that’s his choice.”

“Perhaps,” Victor grumbled.

Maggie ran her hand down his chest, toying with his tie. “Why don’t you call Phillip?”

“Why?”

“Don’t you think it’d mean a lot to your son if you called and told him he has your support?”

With a sigh, Victor fished his cell phone out of his pocket.

A knock came from the door. “Who is that?” Maggie asked.

“I asked housekeeping to bring you different towels. The last time we stayed here, the cotton towels made your hair frizz.”

“You’re a wonderful man, Mr. K,” she smiled, kissing him before sliding off his lap.

Victor rose from the chair and walked toward the large picture window as Maggie answered the door.

“Phillip!” she exclaimed, not expecting to see her stepson at the door.

[Kpatch]

So good! I picture the hotel room and Maggie on Victor's lap. She made a lot of valid points, but I can see Victor's side too.

So excited that Philip is at the door. This is gonna be good!

[fluffysmom]

I really liked Victor and Maggie's conversation. I'm glad to see Philip at the door. I wonder how Victor will react.

[gapeach]

Love this story and YAY it will be continued.

[kathyj]

Great chapter! I like that Maggie is not put off by Victor's gruffness and speaks her mind.

[unavitasegreta]

CHAPTER EIGHT

Victor turned around, surprised to see his son in the doorway, “I was just calling you…”

Maggie stepped aside to allow Phillip to enter the suite.

“Could we have a minute? I’d like to say some things to my father,” he asked her.

“You could at least greet her before telling her to leave,” Victor pointed out, annoyed by his son’s behavior.

“It’s fine,” Maggie stated quietly. “I’ll give you both some time alone.” She headed for the bedroom.

“Anything you want to say to me, you can say in front of Maggie,” Victor interrupted, stopping her before she made it down the hallway.

“That’s a change from how you usually treat your wives,” Phillip noted.

“I am capable of change,” Victor insisted.

“Whatever, Dad,” Phillip sighed.

“Why don’t you both sit down?” Maggie suggested.

Victor looked from his son to his wife as Maggie guided Phillip to the couch and then sat down on the arm of the couch. He then looked back at Phillip, taking a seat across from him.

“Dad,” Phillip started.

“Let me say something first,” Victor implored. “Chloe has done nothing but bring you heartache since you were a teenager. But if being with her makes you happy, then I will learn to accept that poor decision.”

“Victor!” Maggie snapped.

Phillip felt his blood pressure rising. He’d come to give his father and piece of mind and yet here he was taking more abuse from him about the woman he loved. Rising from the couch, he realized that it had been a mistake to come see his father.

“There were a couple really nice moments today,” Victor admitted, causing Phillip to sit back down. “Chloe is a good mother to Parker. And you seem happy.”

“I’m happier than I’ve ever been, Dad,” Phillip stated.

“But you married her after everything she did to you and to Daniel and Jennifer…” Victor didn’t understand his son’s thinking.

“There’s a lot that you don’t know, Dad. We have a pre-nup, if things don’t work out. She’s not entitled to alimony or any of my assets, yet she still wants to be married to me. And if you don’t count all the interest and dividend income I get each month, she actually makes more money than I do. In fact, I could probably ask for alimony from her,” he joked, trying to ease the tension a bit.

Phillip was encouraged when his father didn’t respond with yet another barb against his judgment or Chloe.

“I’ve been in love with her since I was sixteen. We both made a lot of mistakes over the years, but we always seem to find our way back to one another. I have to give this relationship one last chance. If I don’t take the risk, I might just miss out on something wonderful.” Phillip looked over at Maggie. “I think you understand.”

Maggie nodded, “I do.” She rose from the couch and moved next to Victor, wrapping an arm around him and looking into his eyes. “The possibility of something wonderful is worth the risk of being hurt, especially if your heart leads you in the right direction.”

Victor hugged his wife against him, “I get the message loud and clear.” He looked from Maggie to Phillip. “I’m probably going to regret this, but,” he sighed, “why don’t you call Chloe and have her and Parker meet us for dinner?”

“We promised to take Parker for pizza. I’d invite you to join us, but I know that’s not your thing, Dad.”

“We’d love to,” Maggie answered for both of them.

Victor looked at her incredulously. “You realize that you’re the one who got us into this mess when you encouraged Parker to invite us to his birthday,” he reminded her.

“I did no such thing,” Maggie insisted.

Victor patted her arm, “whatever you say, dear.”

“Whatever I did or didn’t do, it ended up being very good for everyone involved. You all got to say things that needed to be said.”

“Yeah, we did,” Phillip agreed, thinking about the conversation he and Chloe had after their argument. “Oh!” Phillip suddenly remembered, taking his wallet out of his back pocket. “You won by fifteen minutes.”

“What are you two going on about?” Victor frowned as Phillip handed money to Maggie.

“Nothing, my love” Maggie smiled.

“You bet against me?” he asked, incredulous.

“I did no such thing!” Maggie argued. “He bet against you,” she pointed at Phillip, who only shrugged and headed towards the door.

“That’s my girl,” Victor smiled.

“I’ll go get the car and meet you both downstairs,” Phillip suggested.

Victor looked down at his wife. “Before we walk out that door, you’re going to have to give me a damn good reason to behave all evening.”

“I did not hear that,” Phillip mumbled to himself, exiting the suite as fast as he could.

The End ... for now.

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad Philip and Victor have reached an understanding. I hope Victor can be a little less hateful toward Chloe. I liked Philip's last line of the chapter.

Thanks for sharing this fantastic story unavitasegreta. I'm looking forward to reading more of the story.

[kathyj]

Maggie won the bet - probably not the only thing she won that night. So glad Victor admitted that Chloe is a good mother - real progress.

Great story!

[jc20886]

That ended well for all of them so anxious for the naxt part.It was great

[Kpatch]

This was such a fun story. I love that it took place in the course of one day. And what a day! Thanks for following up on the bet. I wondered about that. I also loved how Philip compared himself and Chloe to Maggie and Victor. This is going to be a rough road for Victor, but at least he's willing to try.

Great story unavitasegreta. Looking forward to the next part.

[gapeach]

Loved this portion of the story. Can't wait to see what is in store next!!

[Minako98]

Loved it unavitasegreta!

[heroicmuse]

Absolutely loved this! You captured Victor and Maggie so well. And how nice o see Parker actually talking and having a personality, unlike on the show. LOL

[unavitasegreta]

Thank you heroicmuse for saying that about Parker. I was afraid I giving him a personality was out of character, but they do act like he talks off-screen, even though on screen he's either mute or rambling on about something that's clearly not part of the intended scene.