Being (Read 26,268 times)

[krw627]

Feel better!

[felineflash]

Sorry, y'all, I've been ill. I should have something up tomorrow night, Sunday by the latest. It's going to be a romantic chapter, so I can't just throw it together.

[fluffysmom]

I hope you're feeling better.

[felineflash]

OK, I know...I keep promising.

Here's the thing. Not only am I feeling ill, but as some of you know, I lost my mom Dec. 31, so I've got a lot of house/financial stuff that's taking up my time. So, be patient with me. Keep checking back. I plan to have something tomorrow evening, although now I've got to find new homeowners' insurance, no small feat in Louisiana. Wish me luck.

[Kpatch]

Good luck Fifi and feel better. Thanks for checking in and letting us know.

[fluffysmom]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your mom FF. I hope you feel better soon and get things straightened out.

[MrsM]

So sorry Fifi. I hope you get it all straightened out.

[gapeach]

No rush girl! Take care of yourself and family matters. We will be here when you get back!!

[krw627]

So sorry for the loss of your Mom! We can wait for an update...real life takes preference.

[felineflash]

Thanks y'all...as always, life got in the way today. Hopefully tomorrow, fingers crossed.

[felineflash]

OK, let's get on with this, shall we?

---

Chapter 123 – Complete

That was nice,” Philip commented as he opened the door of the mansion, nearly colliding with Victor and Maggie. “Hi, Maggie.”

“Philip, Chloe,” Maggie smiled. “I just brought by a casserole for Kate. It’s so nice to hear she’ll be able to spend the holidays with family.”

“Dwindling family, I’m afraid. Chelsea’s off to London with Stephanie Johnson and Max, and Justin and Adrienne need to stay in Dubai for business. On a brighter note, Sami Brady won’t be joining us,” Victor grinned.

“So who all is going to be here for Christmas, Dad?”

Victor’s jaw clenched momentarily, “Brady’s insisting on bringing Nicole Christmas Eve. And then there’s Will and Lucas and Kate…” he broke off, contemplating something, then said, “you know Maggie, it would be a pleasure to have you here Christmas Eve. I know you have plans with the Hortons, but perhaps after?”

“Oh,” Maggie replied, clearly surprised, “that’s a lovely invitation, Victor. But I couldn’t…”

“There will be copious amounts of food,” Victor added, while Philip stared wide eyed at Chloe. I think my father’s flirting. Dear God help us all. “I truly appreciate the offer, I do…with Mickey gone it feels so…quiet this Christmas. But with Nick leaving to see his mother, Melanie’s going to be completely alone. I just don’t feel right leaving her alone on Christmas Eve.”

“She’s not going with you to the Horton’s?” Chloe asked.

“She wasn’t technically invited, I want to just bring her along regardless, but she doesn’t want to rock the boat and make things uncomfortable for me. There’s a lot of heart in that girl, you just have to break down the Great Wall of China to get to it. So in answer to your invite, Victor, I would love to, but I promised Melanie I’d pick her up from work after the Horton tree trimming and we’d drive around and look at Christmas lights.”

“Nonsense,” Victor declared. “You’ll both come here. I rather like Melanie for all her flaws…just make sure to have Henderson or someone at the door to check her for anything flammable,” he chuckled as he led Maggie out and opened her car door for her.

Philip stared, dumbfounded. “Is Victor flirting?” Chloe asked, amused.

“I think he is. Did you see the sparkle in his eye?”

“There was a sparkle in Maggie’s eye, too.”

“They say opposites attract…”

“Polar opposites,” Chloe giggled.

“I need some wine to convince me my father’s not been replaced by an alien,” Philip decided. “Pinot Noir?” he asked as he headed off to the wine cellar.

“Make that two bottles,” Chloe giggled after him.

They drank and talked for over two hours, telling funny stories, imagining Victor in Maggie’s kitchen, wondering if Christmas Eve would end with multiple dead bodies under the tree. Philip picked up the second wine bottle to top off their glasses and frowned. “Dead soldier,” he grumbled. “No more wine.”

“That’s OK, I think I’ve had enough,” Chloe smiled. “God, this fire is roaring, isn’t it?”

“It’s hotter than the surface of the sun,” Philip agreed. “Why don’t we go outside? Get some air before bed?” Chloe agree, and they put on their coats and stepped out into the snow.

This. This is the best I’ve ever felt. With Philip, I always feel like I’m at home. It’s right. It’s good. It’s the way it should be. “Philip…I need to tell you something.”

“Go for it.”

“You’ve got to hear me out, OK? I’m a little drunk. But I’ve got to say it all,” she said hesitantly.

“Um, OK…are you OK?”

“Of course. It’s just…I want to explain things to you. I want to explain that all my life, I felt like there was this big hole I kept trying to fill. Something I needed but couldn’t find. And when you and I got together in high school, suddenly, that hole was gone,” he watched her intently as she went on, “and then I met Brady, and it was like…every part of my soul was electrified…”

“Lovely,” Philip growled. “So you’re telling me how Brady rocked your world. Nice. Nice way to break up with me.”

“What? No! Just listen…”

“To how Brady’s your rock star? Thanks, but no,” he replied curtly as he turned to go in.

“Just listen, and shut up,” Chloe caught his arm, “I was trying to tell you that Brady…”

“Rocks your world…”

“Shut up! Jeez. Brady was my first experience with purely…physical…it was lust. It wasn’t love. He never filled the hole I kept trying to fill in my life. You did. You do. I was just too dumb to see it.”

“So…” he softened, “I…complete you? Jerry Maguire style?” he chuckled.

“I pour my heart out to you, and you mock me?” she scowled.

“Hey, I just had to hear about Brady being your rock star. I think I’m allowed a moment of levity. So, I complete you?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “You complete me. I love you, Philip.”

“What about my crazy family?”

“Gotta take the bad with the good,” she shrugged.

“Because I complete you,” he teased.

“Shut up.”

“Did you know that the human head weighs…”

“Seriously, Philip,” she cut him off giggling, pulling him inside.

[MrsM]

Loved it Fifi!!! Glad that Philip was able to shut up and listen!!

[Kpatch]

Thank you for the new chapter, Fifi!

I loved hearing Philip and Chloe’s take on seeing Victor flirting with Maggie. That was adorable.

Some day, and maybe that day is today, Philip will get over his jealousy of Brady. I think Philip was a little drunk. Chloe poured her heart out, and that’s not easy for her to do, and he talks about the weight of the human head. He’s a jerk. But it was quite amusing.

I loved this chapter, Fifi. Great dialogue. You’ve still got it girl!

[fluffysmom]

Thanks for a great chapter FF. I really liked Victor flirting with Maggie as Chloe and Philip watched. I'm glad that Chloe told Philip that she was too dumb to realize he was the one years ago. I like him teasing her. Christmas at Kmansion should be very interesting.

[felineflash]

May 1, 2012 20:22:03 GMT -5 Kpatch said:

Some day, and maybe that day is today, Philip will get over his jealousy of Brady. I think Philip was a little drunk. Chloe poured her heart out, and that’s not easy for her to do, and he talks about the weight of the human head. He’s a jerk. But it was quite amusing.

I loved this chapter, Fifi. Great dialogue. You’ve still got it girl!

He was actually "doing" parts of the movie Jerry Maguire. If you've never seen it, Tom Cruise's character is either making out with or close to it with Renee Zelwegger's character when her little boy walks in and tells them the weight of the human brain.