The Second Time Around (Read 7,675 times)

[heroicmuse]

This was a great conversation! I love how Victor was able to get through to Philip after all.

Awards ceremony, here we come! Can't wait to see what happens.

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Forty-Five

Taking one step at a time, Stephanie walked carefully though Ivy and Julian’s garden. She knew that they were at their downtown residence, but she didn’t want to alert anyone to her presence on the estate.

It was getting dark, but she could make her way through the tree-lined path even if it were pitch-black outside. Thankfully, the light from the moon was bright and clear and she could easily see her way.

As she climbed over a few rocks, she could hear the sound of running water. It was a sound that always calmed her down and brought her peace. The closer she got to the creek and the man-made waterfall, the better she started to feel.

She slid across a large rock and dropped down the last two feet to reach the sand. Taking off her shoes, Stephanie walked out to the water’s edge and tentatively stepped into it. The water was freezing cold, but she didn’t mind the chill that ran through her.

Tossing her shoes onto the sand, she waded in the water, rolling up her jeans enough so that they wouldn’t get wet. If she walked out far enough, she could see the mausoleum where Ashby’s remains were housed. It was a beautiful sight, especially with the moonlight shining down on the stone and marble structure.

Ashby had always been proud of his family heritage, joking that one day he too would spend eternity in the family vault with his ancestors. He hadn’t imagined that eternity would come so soon.

As she stood in the ankle-deep water and looked out, Stephanie thought back to Melanie’s words. Had she found where she was meant to be in life? It didn’t feel like it anymore. She’d left Salem in shame, unable to stay and be around people who knew her history too intimately. But in Chicago no one knew or cared. Her husband hadn’t even blinked an eye when she’d admitted to him why she left her hometown. And for some unknown reason she’d gotten a glowing review from Titan when she’d applied for the job at Chanel.

It hadn’t taken long at all to work her way up the corporate ladder, especially with her husband’s brilliant business mind and connections guiding her along the way. Their wedding and the birth of Ava were the highlights of her life. And she’d never once during those years looked back on her life in Salem or her prior relationships with anything more than a sense of gratitude that it’d all brought her to the man of her dreams. But those dreams were all that remained. Ashby was gone. And she was alone. Again.

Then she’d fallen in love with Philip. Again.

Stephanie looked down at her left hand. She still loved Ashby. She just wasn’t in love with him anymore. That realization wasn’t as sad as she’d expected it to feel. She felt different now when she thought about Ashby. Philip had changed things. She didn’t feel sad about her future. And she didn’t fear that she’d spend the rest of her life alone. Or at least she hadn’t before she’d broken up with Philip.

As the tears came, Stephanie closed her eyes. She had found happiness, something she thought wasn’t possible for a widow with a young child. But yet again she’d let her insecurities ruin any chance they had at a future together.

Philip had tried to explain about Melanie. He’d wanted to explain, but she wouldn’t let him. No wonder he’d lied to her about going to meet Melanie. He probably knew she’d flip out and get jealous just like she had all those years ago.

“Oh, Ash,” Stephanie sighed, easing the platinum band off her left hand. “What do I do now?”

[heroicmuse]

What a beautiful, bittersweet chapter. I really felt for Stephanie. She is so torn, and realizing your feelings about your late spouse have changed must be so hard.

I can't wait to see what answer Stephanie will come up with to her question. Will there be previews unavitasegreta?

[Kpatch]

The ball is in Stephanie's court. She needs to apologize to Philip and he'll take her back in a heartbeat. He is lost without her.

I felt like Stephanie was going through a cleansing and rebirth in this chapter, wading through the waters and thinking about her past and the path to her future. Beautiful and haunting.

[unavitasegreta]

Next week ...

Bob and Joe force Stephanie to give the acceptance speech this year. Hopefully Philip makes it back from Greece in time to hear what she has to say!

[fluffysmom]

Terrific chapter unavitasegreta. Stephanie is coming to a lot of realizations. I'm sad for her losing Ashby so suddenly. At the same time I'm hopeful about her possible future with Philip.

Thanks for the previews.

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Forty-Six

Stephanie looked down at the night’s schedule of events with a sigh. This was the last place she wanted to be, but she had no choice.

She’d tried to call Philip last night, but he hadn’t answered her call. Not that she could blame him. She’d gotten angry with him for something that she’d misunderstood and broken up with him. It was probably a good thing Philip didn’t answer her call. He needed someone in his life that came with less baggage than her. She just wished she didn’t feel so miserable.

“Why don’t you give the speech this year?” Bob suggested, breaking her away from her thoughts.

“What?” Stephanie asked, turning to face him.

Bob motioned around the large ballroom full of their colleagues and competitors. “They’re tired of hearing Joe and I talk every year. You should accept the Golden Lipstick this year.”

Stephanie laughed, “that’s the dumbest name for an award. We’ve won it enough times that we should have the right to change the name.”

“Stop deflecting,” Joe told her, “you’re talking this year.”

“You two are going to pay for this,” Stephanie promised.

“Someone’s moody,” Bob noted.

Joe slowly shifted his chair closer to Bob. “It scares me when you use that tone of voice…”

Stephanie smirked at the two of them. She hadn’t felt like putting on a ball gown and plastering on a fake smile, but maybe the evening wouldn’t be too bad after all.

*

Stephanie immediately spotted Philip in the crowed. Of course he’d be here. Their eyes locked and she found she couldn’t look away. But she was standing on stage with a couple hundred people staring at her. She had to say something.

“I’m not used to making these kind of speeches, so I’m going to keep this short. I was trying to think what to say and I realized that this award is about so much more than me or my team. It’s about our relationship with our biggest competitor. There’s ups and downs for every company, but we never give up because we know that they’re always there waiting to for us to lose what we’ve worked so hard to earn. They want what we have. Who wouldn’t? But, you see, it’s never been a competition. It took me a long time to realize this. It makes us grateful for what they inspire us to accomplish. But that’s all it is. We’re just grateful for what we have earned through our own hard work. Thank you.”

Finally breaking eye contact with Philip when the emcee put his arm around her to take a picture, Stephanie looked back into the crowd and noticed that Philip was no longer in his seat. Her heart sank. Maybe he hadn’t understood what she was trying to say. 

There was no competition with Melanie. If he wanted to be with Melanie, then he would be with her. But he wasn’t with Melanie. He’d been with her for the past few months, not Melanie, and that was by his choice and hers.

Stephanie returned to her seat and plastered on a smile as Bob and Joe told her how great she’d done. The emcee thanked everyone for coming and announced that they were opening the floor up to dancing.

Stephanie checked her phone to see if her mother-in-law had called. She then put it back in her purse and pushed her chair back.

“Can I have this dance?”

Turning around she found Philip standing behind her. “I … I don’t know if I’d be that good out there tonight.”

“I only know how to dance to corny bar music,” he told her, holding out his hand, “but we can look ridiculous together.”

Stephanie took his hand and let him lead her out to the dance floor. His arms wrapped around her waist and she clasped her hands behind his neck.

“I’m-”

“Philip, I-”

They both started to speak at the same time, and then stopped.

“You first,” Philip offered.

[gapeach]

Sounds like Phillip got the message!

[heroicmuse]

Yay! That was perfect! Now let's bring on the romance.

[Kpatch]

I'm so happy that Philip caught the intent of Stephanie's speech and he didn't hesitate to do something about it. Loved the line about the cheesy bar music. That's something very personal to the two of them. I can't wait for more!

[unavitasegreta]

Chapter Forty-Seven  (This is a short chapter, but that's because we are nearing the end of our journey.)

“I missed you,” Stephanie told him, feeling Philip's arm around her waist.

Philip smiled warmly, “I missed you too.  I was hoping you’d be here.”

Stephanie rested her hands on Philip's shoulders as they danced to a slow song.  “I tried to call you last night.”

“I know. I was afraid to answer," Philip admitted. "I thought I’d have better luck with you in person.”

Stephanie looked away from him, then forced herself to look him in the eyes.  “You don’t need luck. What you need is an apology. Actually, I owe you so much more than an apology. I was calling you to tell you that I was ... I still am, actually, an idiot and that I’m sorry for not trusting you.”

“I lied to you. You had every reason not to trust me.”

“Yeah, but I understand why you lied. I’m more than a little sensitive about the Melanie factor, if you hadn’t noticed.”

“There is no Melanie factor,” Philip told her. “Maybe there was years ago and that’s why we broke up. But not this time. Not anymore.”

“I get that,” Stephanie nodded.

“Do you?” he asked. “Because I don’t want Melanie.”

“I realized something, Philip. I don’t have to be your first choice. Or your second. Or even the third. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you want to be with me. Or wanted to be with me. I understand if you don’t anymore,” she added, realizing she was rambling, but she continued anyway. “If you could still be with Melanie, you probably would be. And if you could still be with Chloe or Belle, you probably would be with them too. I'm not complaining. I mean, I get it. It’s the same for me. I’d give anything for my husband to still be alive, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with you. Our pasts are never going to change. But if you’re still interested, I really like having you in my life.” She took a deep breath, then decided to stop talking.

They looked at one another in silence, neither noticing that they'd stopped dancing.  

Instead of replying, Philip leaned in and kissed her. They finally broke apart when Maryanne yelled, “you go girl!”

Laughing, Stephanie looked over at her with a smile, the learned against Philip. “Remind me on Monday to give you a raise.”

Philip smiled broadly at the woman, "think bigger.  I believe a promotion is in order."  Before Stephanie could object, Philip took her hand and led her off the dance floor and out of the ballroom.

[heroicmuse]

Awww that was so sweet. This isn't the end, is it? I want more darn it!

[gapeach]

I agree Maryanne needs a promotion

[fluffysmom]

I really enjoyed both chapters at the awards ceremony. I'm glad that Philip realized Stephanie's speech was directed at him. I'm excited that they are back together. I really liked Stephanie saying it doesn't matter about first choice or second choice. It matters that they want to be together.

[Kpatch]

I am so happy that Philip took the opportunity to get Stephanie alone and he didn't hesitate to kiss her as soon as she gave him the encouragement, even though they were at a work event. She finally realizes that the past can't hurt her — unless she lets it. I love Maryanne. I'll chip in on that raise. LOL.

Great chapter. I don't want this story to end!