Happily Ever After (Read 53,726 times)

[heroicmuse]

*whew* glad the plane is okay. I mean, I doubted the story would end with them dying in a plane crash, but still.

Now let's get on with the business of fixing their relationship. Glad we have another day to go this week.

[fluffysmom]

I'm relieved that it looks like the plane will arrive safely. The near death experience certainly didn't make things any better. Instead of speaking from the heart it led to more arguing. I'm eager to see what happens next.

[unavitasegreta]

I love Chloe and all, but I think she's a little unrealistic if she thinks they can just get back home to Chicago and go back to the way things used to be! I have a feeling that Philip is about to say something she won't like hearing.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 62


“Philip, maybe when we get back to Chicago, things can be the way they used to be,” Chloe suggested. “In fact, there’s nothing I want more. Philip ….”

Philip looked at her sideways. “I’m the one who usually wears rose-colored glasses,” he said.

“What does that mean?”

Philip slid his hand out of her grasp. “I mean, you put me through the wringer, Chloe. Both me and Parker. You have to know that.”

“I do,” she said, looking downward. She felt sick to her stomach and she was trembling, because of both the turbulence and the emotions. By now her voice was hoarse from talking so loud to be heard above the airplane’s roar. “I’m well aware and I’m so sorry, Philip.” Her voice caught in her throat. “Neither of you deserved that.”

“Damn right we didn’t deserve it.”

Looking at him tearfully, Chloe said, “Do you think you can ever forgive me?” She swallowed hard. “Because I’d give anything for things to be the way they used to be.”

Philip looked at Chloe for a long minute and slowly shook his head from side to side. “I can see that, but … We said things to each other, Chloe, cruel hurtful things that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”

“Maybe not now, but someday?” she asked hopefully. “Look, I was wrong. Wrong as wrong could be. But, we could have died in a plane crash just now. It just proves that life is too short to be miserable.”

“Do you mean miserable with me, or miserable without me?” Philip wondered. “Because I obviously didn’t make you happy, Chloe.”

“That’s not true. You did make me happy. It was me, all me, not you,” she said tearfully. “I made myself unhappy.”

“Oh man, Chloe, that’s the truth,” he sighed, loosening the knot in his tie. “I honestly don’t think you know how to be happy. And that wouldn’t change if we got back together,” Philip reasoned.

Chloe was quiet for a minute. She didn’t have a good response for him. “It can. It will. I’ll try harder. Please Philip,” she begged, running her hand up and down his arm. “Say yes. If not for us, then for Parker.”

Shaking his head slowly, Philip remembered, “I wanted my parents to stay together for my sake. That would have been a disaster. No one wins.”

Chloe appeared to be at a loss for words and nearly out of arguments at this point, so Philip continued. “Funny, I don’t think I’ve ever said no to you for as long as I’ve known you….” He looked toward the window for a minute before looking at her again. “…Until now. I’m sorry, I just can’t do it, Chloe. I can’t do it anymore. It’s too painful and I … I’m just emotionally spent. I can’t constantly be fighting for my marriage or justifying my existence when I did nothing wrong.”

“I know that, but you obviously still love me. That kiss, before the engine blew out. I felt it, Philip, I….” she started to say, but Philip cut her off.

“Okay, yes. I still love you. I’m not denying that.” He sighed, almost sadly. “Hell, I’ll always love you. Always have, always will.”

“Then we can make it work,” she insisted.

“Chloe….”

Chloe covered her ears with her hands. “If there’s a but coming, I don’t want to hear it.”

[gapeach]

Ok I will say it NOOOOOOO. We need previews?

[heroicmuse]

Though I am sure at some point Philip will change his mind. I can understand how he feels, though. He can't keep going through these emotional ups and downs with Chloe.

[fluffysmom]

Even though it's hard to hear it, I'm glad Philip is being honest about how he feels. Chloe so desperately wants to make things right for her family.

[phloefansince2000]

Nooooo Philip has got to come around I want my Phloe back together. I completely understand where he's coming from but c'mon if you love Chloe then give her another chance. Chloe gave him another chance after everything he did! I can't wait til Monday!

[unavitasegreta]

Thankfully I read the update this morning and don't have to wait until the post is restored!!

I am curious if Chloe has it in her to be the one to woo Philip back. It's always been him proving himself to her and fighting for them to be together. I think I might enjoy Chloe having to do it this time! Can't wait to see what happens next!!

[kathyj]

Maybe this will be the wake up call Chloe needs to face her demons. She is in her 30's right? Time to seek out some real professional help. The best Philip can do is support her in that effort. The real work is up to Chloe.

[Kpatch]

Thanks for reading and commenting this week. I’m so glad you are continuing to enjoy the story.

Coming up this week:

Chloe continues to plead her case.

She shows Philip something that surprises him.

Back in Chicago, we’ll check in on Nancy, Craig and Parker.

The plane finally arrives in Reno.

[heroicmuse]

Yay!!! I'm eager to see Nancy and Craig. Looking forward to what happens between Philip and Chloe too.

[fluffysmom]

Thanks for the previews Kpatch. It looks like a great week.

[unavitasegreta]

I love weekends, but you and heroicmuse make me want them to go by faster!

[rahma2701]

Wonderful progress time for Chloe to beg endlessly for a change.