Happily Ever After (Read 52,979 times)

[melly]

Uh oh....I smell Kate. Am I right?

[phloefansince2000]

Wow I have to know what Philip has to tell her. Can we please get a hint?

[fluffysmom]

I like hearing how much Philip is missing Chloe. I'm very intrigued by what Philip is going to say.

[unavitasegreta]

You are so dang evil when it comes to cliffhangers! It's like when I was a kid and we didn't get spoilers but had REAL cliffhangers on Fridays. Drives me crazy, but I LOVE the suspense and build up!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 9b


“I have something I need to tell you and I’m not sure how to say it.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh god Philip. You’re scaring me. What is it?”

“No, sweetheart,” he quickly grasped her hand on his thigh. “It’s nothing to be scared of.” He looked down at their entwined fingers. “At least, I hope not.”

“Tell me!” Chloe pleaded, her panic growing.

Philip drew a deep breath. “Justin is drawing up a prenup.” He searched Chloe’s eyes for a reaction.

“For us?”

Chuckling, Philip said, “Yeah, for us. Sweetheart, listen, it wasn’t my idea, but I couldn’t argue with Justin when he reminded me that we have a family business to protect.”

“From me?”

Chloe looked so wide-eyed and innocent at that moment that it was almost laughable that anyone or anything would ever need protection from her. His father, of course, would disagree. Philip avoided answering her directly. “And he also reminded me that I’ve been divorced twice, and you’ve been divorced….”

“Three times,” she said, holding up three fingers.

“Right.” Cutting to the chase, Philip added, “It’ll be very fair. I mean … I can’t imagine a scenario where we’d ever break up, but I guess we need to be practical.” The mere idea of losing Chloe under any circumstances was crushing to Philip. It seemed so bizarre to even be talking about prenuptial agreements and divorces at a time when they were about to be married and embarking on their long-awaited happily ever after. Such an odd dichotomy, Philip thought.

“Of course,” Chloe said without expression. He couldn’t stand not knowing what she was thinking. Chloe always did such a good job of covering up her innermost feelings. Sometimes he challenged himself to try to draw it out of her.

“So if we were to um divorce, all your housing and ordinary living expenses would be covered until Parker reaches the age of majority,” he said, trying to sound very detached.

“Legal talk,” Chloe noted, pulling her hand out of his grasp.

“Until he’s 18,” Philip translated.

“I knew what you meant.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and he could see from her stiffened posture that she was a little insulted that Philip would assume she didn’t understand.

“Sorry. … So … um.” Philip lost his train of thought for a minute as he watched her push her hair back with her fingers, flipping the long strands over her shoulders. “Oh. And of course, I’ll support Parker financially either way, married or divorced. I’ll pay for his education.”

“Okay,” she shrugged. “I guess I assumed as much anyway.”

“Chloe, I really hate having to even talk to you about this.”

“Philip, stop,” she cut him off, shifting closer so that their knees touched. She took both his hands in hers and turned to face him. “It’s fine. I understand. A man in your position should absolutely protect his assets.” Then she smiled, letting go of one of his hands to stroke his face. “You're not going to need it, but it's good to have it, like insurance.”

“Exactly! That’s exactly what it is.” Exhaling, he said, “I’m glad you understand. Listen, if there’s anything you can think of that you feel you’d want….”

“There is something,” she said, the smile fading from her face and she reclaimed his other hand again.

Uh oh. Here it comes. “Okay, what?”

She looked directly into his eyes. “There’s only one thing I want from you.”

He knit his brow wondering where she was going with all this. “What’s that?”

“Your love,” she smiled sweetly, squeezing his hands for emphasis.

Philip smiled back. “Well, you’ve already got that.”

“That’s good. Then where do I sign?”

Philip shifted closer and tilted his head back against the top of the sofa. He tapped his lips with his index finger, and softly said, “Right here.” Cupping the back of her head, he pulled her toward him for a kiss. This wasn’t nearly as bad as he expected.

~~End of flashback~~

Philip remembered how Chloe didn’t care about the money or the terms of the prenuptial agreement. She wasn’t looking for anything from Philip except his love. Inexplicably, she seemed to convince herself that she lost it somewhere along the way.

Philip looked at the time display on his computer. It was getting late. He powered down his laptop, but was in no big hurry to go home. There wasn’t much of anything to go home to.

[gapeach]

Of course Chloe wouldn't have a problem with a prenup. All she has EVER wanted was Phillip's love!!!

[melly]

If she thinks she lost your love along the way, Philip, it's your job to convince her otherwise! Bust a move, dude...Kpatch hasn't got all day to wait on you.

[kathyj]

Chloe, don't sign without reading the prenup. Better yet get your own lawyer to help you. It is logical for Philip to ask for a prenup to protect the businesses but Chloe needs to be aware of all the terms.

I hope they talk about their problems. I can't believe that Philip would cheat. I agree it is a setup and I wouldn't be surprised if Kate is behind this.

[fluffysmom]

I'm not surprised Chloe was agreeable to the prenup. She wasn't with Philip for his money. Knowing Parker will be provided for would be her primary concern.

[heroicmuse]

I agree kathyj. The more this story unfolds, the stronger sense I get that Kate is up to something. Did anything ever come of tracking her to South America?

[phloefansince2000]

Wow this chapter was deep I can't believe Philip had Chloe to sign a prenup but I'm glad Chloe went and signed it proving she wants HIM not the money. Great chapter!

[unavitasegreta]

Such an emotional chapter! Chloe clearly didn't want Philip's money but was understanding about why he had to ask. You just want to hug him and ease his heartbreak. Speaking of ... Chloe better be careful. He's a catch. If she lets him go, tons of women will be right there to mend that broken heart! I can't wait to see when they finally interact with one another.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 10


January 2015

The wintry lake-effect wind hit him as soon as he left the building. Walking to his temporary living quarters near the office, Philip turned up the collar of his overcoat and continued to recall the past year.

They finally did make it to the alter a month later, but it was a strange day, almost surreal, nothing like he’d always pictured his wedding day to Chloe would be like. Chloe was oddly relaxed, almost indifferent, while he was a nervous wreck.


~~Flashback to February, 2014~~

Philip was pacing in the living room. Every so often, Parker looked up from coloring and laughed at his father. “What’s so funny?” Philip asked Parker.

“You,” Parker giggled. “Relax Daddy.”

Ordinarily, Philip would have laughed at Parker’s wisdom. Sometimes he came up with words that were so wise and mature that it was hard to believe they came out of the mouth of a three year old. But today was different. Philip abandoned his pacing and headed down the hall. He barged into Chloe’s dressing room between the master bath and the walk-in closet. “Ready?” Philip asked impatiently.

“Almost,” Chloe said as she stood before the mirror and drew the flat iron through a few strands of hair to straighten her waves. “Ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes?? That’s what you said an hour ago!” Philip was on the verge of panic. They were so close to making it down the proverbial aisle, yet sometimes it seemed like they would never get there.

“Did I?” She asked the question in such a blasé manner. “Sorry.”

“How can you stand there so calmly when I’m a nervous wreck?”

Looking sideways at Philip, Chloe claimed, “This was your idea, soldier. If you don’t want to get married today….”

“Me??” Was she kidding? Today was the culmination of all Philip’s youthful plans and dreams, idealistic as they may be. “Of course I want to get married today. I’m not so sure about you though.”

Chloe put the hair iron down and turned her attention to her fiancé. She adjusted Philip’s tie.

Raising his chin as she smoothed the knot, Philip glanced downward and commented, “You’ll ruin your manicure.”

“I’m fine.”

Philip rested his hands on Chloe’s hips and leveled his eyes at her. “Seriously, how is it you’re so calm?”

“Well, let’s see,” Chloe put her finger on her chin and answered somewhat sarcastically. “This is the fourth time I’ve done this….”

“First time with me…,” he interjected.

Chloe smiled at Philip and placed her index finger on his chin. “Yes, first time with you. And that’s why I’m calm,” she said soothingly. “The other three times I was pretty nervous. This time, I feel at peace. You know why?” When Philip shook his head no, Chloe explained, “Because this is right, Philip.”

Exhaling, Philip took Parker’s advice and allowed himself to relax a little. “I know. It’s the day I’ve been waiting for half my life, to marry the girl I’ve loved since I was 16.”

“So don’t be so nervous, Philip,” she said, nuzzling their noses and resting her hands on his shoulders. “It’s just you, me, Parker, and the Justice down at City Hall.”

“And George,” he pulled her closer as he spoke, wrapping his arms around her. “Don't forget George, our friendly neighborhood grocery store manager.”

“Well, we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him, would we?” she joked.

Philip smiled and kissed her softly. In a deep-voiced whisper, he said, “Oh yes. We would.”

Chuckling, Chloe draped her forearms over his shoulders and agreed. “You’re right, we definitely would.”

“So, you’re okay that we’re not having a big church wedding?” Philip asked, rubbing her back. “Just a simple civil ceremony. No fanfare.”

Chloe seemed to get pensive as she rested her chin on Philip’s shoulder. “We don’t need fanfare.”

“I just realized something,” Philip said, leaning away.

“What??”

Philip squinted at Chloe and took a step back, still holding her waist. “Isn’t it bad luck for me to see the bride before the wedding?”

“No. That’s a big fat myth.”

Philip laughed. “It is?”

“Trust me, I did it the traditional way the other three times, and it didn’t bring me much luck, now did it?” Closing the space between them, she put her arms around him again. “Honey, don’t worry so much. We’ll make our own luck. We don’t need silly superstitions. We’ve got each other.”

“Mmm. I like the way you think, Miss Lane.” He leaned in and kissed her. “So, are you ready?”

“I’ve been ready for sixteen years,” she answered, smiling broadly.

“Well, you shoulda told me sooner,” he laughed. “We’d be celebrating our sixteenth anniversary. … But, I meant um are you ready to leave?”

“Oh. … That. No,” she said turning back to the dressing table and picking up the hair iron again. “I still need ten more minutes.”

~~End of flashback~~

Philip stopped to lean against a building and rest. It was a short walk to the apartment, but lately, his old familiar phantom leg pain returned and he felt cramping he hadn’t experienced in years. Everything hurt these days. His head, his neck, his stomach, his legs. At only 32, he felt like an old man.

After a few minutes, he turned around and found himself looking through the pane glass window of a neighborhood Italian restaurant. The tables were filled with couple after happy couple. He couldn’t help but wonder how long their happiness would last.

[melly]

I love that George was with them when they got married...

[André DiMera]

Love that Chloe is so relaxed before her wedding to Philip because she's done it so many times before! That was great! Awesome story, Kpatch!