|
|
Post by fluffysmom on Aug 4, 2015 22:03:34 GMT -5
I ate at that restaurant when I was a kid. I wouldn't sit by the window.  The Signature Room? It's such a cool place! My first time there was at a table by the window, but someone else sat directly beside the window. The next time, though, I was totally fine with being by the window. I find it especially amusing that the best view is in the ladies bathroom, lol! I played around with the exact floor (since the real restaurant is on 95/96th floors) to give the story its own twist, thus I'm glad you caught the reference! Not sure if that was the name of the restaurant in the late 70's but that was the location. |
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Aug 5, 2015 5:14:10 GMT -5
Love the banter! It's so sexy. I could picture the restaurant but I've never been there. It sounds like Windows on the World, which was a restaurant in the original World Trade Center. I have been to that one. That restaurant revolved.
Philip may go broke buying out all these establishments. I wonder when Stephanie will catch on that he did that.
|
|
|
|
Post by unavitasegreta on Aug 5, 2015 19:40:53 GMT -5
Chapter Eighteen
“We can’t be friends?” Stephanie frowned, suddenly feeling incredibly sad.
“Hell no,” Philip stated. “It’s taking all of my willpower right now to behave like a gentleman.”
Stephanie felt confused. “What?”
“Do you really not realize how damn hot you look in that dress?” he asked. “There is no way we can be just friends.”
Stephanie felt her worries lifting. “Oh. I thought you meant something else.”
“No!” he quickly stated. Philip gently guided her face so that she was looking up at him. “I was only Parker’s father for the first year of his life, but during that time he was my priority. I get that feeling, that need to make sure your child is happy and safe.”
“The terrible twos were great. Then she turned three and ever since then it’s been a struggle. I can send her to her room or not let her have desert, but nothing seems to make these tantrums stop.”
“I grew up with a father, you know that, but most of my childhood I felt pretty alone. I wanted my father or even my mother to notice me. To be there for my school events and my sports games, like all the other kids parents. She may not remember her father, but I distinctly remember at that age wanting my dad to spend time with me. She probably just misses him and doesn’t know how to show it yet.”
Stephanie squeezed his hand. “For you to remember that feeling from so long ago, it must have been very difficult.”
“You’ve met my parents. I don't need to explain them. But, what I’m trying to say is that I know Ava will struggle with accepting me, if things do go further between us.”
Stephanie smiled, running her hands up Philip’s chest. “Let’s talk about something more fun than my child’s temper tantrums.”
“We could go back to discussing your legs….” Philip suggested.
Stephanie looked down at herself. “Seriously? I almost didn’t wear this. I can’t really bend over. I have to squat down or try to sit sideways. I didn’t even try sitting on the train!”
“I’m sorry … you lost me the moment you mentioned bending over…”
She playfully smacked his hand. “How could I ever have forgotten how charming and seductive you are?”
“This isn’t charm,” Philip replied. “I’m just glad we are alone right now.”
“Oh?” Stephanie quirked her head to the side. She stepped closer to Philip and slid her hand up his thigh.
Philip coughed as her fingers brushed over the straining fabric of his pants. Finding the zipper on his trousers, she tapped her fingernail lightly against the metal fastener as she looked into Philip’s eyes. “Could you go get me a drink now?” Stephanie asked.
“You are an evil woman,” Philip groaned.
“I know,” she smirked, then started laughing as Philip pulled her in for a kiss.
*
Sitting next to Ava’s bed, Stephanie stroked her hand down her daughter’s long hair.
“You mad?” she asked.
Surprised that the little girl was awake, Stephanie quickly answered. “No, I’m not mad.”
“Kinda mad?” Ava asked.
“No, not even kinda mad,” she confirmed.
“Gramma said I can’t scream anymore ‘cause its loud. And she said I can’t be Princess Anna if I’m a bad girl.”
Stephanie laughed, “is that why you took the dress off?”
Ava shook her head. “It broke ‘cause I stepped on it.”
“I’m sure Gramma will get you a new one, if you’re a good girl.”
“Sowwy,” she mumbled into her pillow.
She stroked her hand down her back. “It’s okay. I know this is scary for you.”
Ava rolled over. “Like monsters scary?” she asked, confused.
“No. Well, kinda. Monsters are scary, but they aren’t real. But it is okay to be scared that Mommy or Gramma or Grandpa might go away like Daddy did.”
“Did he have to go?” she asked.
Stephanie nodded. “I know it’s hard to understand.”
“If I get a new daddy, would he go away too?”
“I hope not.”
“But maybe?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. We don’t get to know those kinds of things.”
“Why not?”
“That’s a tough question. I don’t know why not. That’s just how life is sometimes. But if you are worried that someone might be really great just like daddy and then go away like him, I can promise you that what happened to daddy is very rare.”
“Okay,” she replied sleepily.
“Why don’t you go to sleep and we can talk more about this tomorrow?” Stephanie suggested. She felt like she wasn’t doing a very good job explaining about Ashby’s death and wanted more time to figure out what to say.
“’kay,” Ava agreed, closing her eyes.
She quickly slipped out of the room and rushed down the hallway to her bedroom. "Where the hell did I put my cell phone?" she mumbled, grabbing her purse and rummaging through it. Feeling a panic rising in her chest, she pushed a button and prayed that her mother answered.
|
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Aug 5, 2015 19:55:26 GMT -5
Wow. This was great and so realistic. Even if Avas father hadn't died, three is way more difficult than two. That derail got me Also it is sooo hard for a very young child to deal.with a parent's death. I had a childhood friend whose dad died when she was 3 and she did a lot of acting out. Great job! Can't wait for more unavitasegreta |
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Aug 5, 2015 20:57:47 GMT -5
Stephanie is seducing Philip without (hardly) trying. I love how open they both are about their interest in each other. And to top it off, Philip completely understands Ava. I hope Stephanie is taking notes here. Don't drag your feet Stephanie. You have him where you want him. Now bag him!
Wonder why Stephanie needs to talk to Kayla all of a sudden.
|
|
|
|
Post by unavitasegreta on Aug 6, 2015 18:30:17 GMT -5
Chapter Nineteen
Stepping into her office, Kayla fished her phone out of her pocket and looked down at the screen. She smiled at the image of her eldest child and swiped her finger across the screen to accept the call.
“I think I’m having a panic attack,” Stephanie stated before she could even say hello.
Kayla dropped her notepad and patient charts onto her desk. “What? Why? What happened? Is Ava okay? Where are you?” she asked
“I just talked to Ava about dating,” Stephanie whispered.
Kayla struggled to hear her. “What? She wants to date?”
“Not her, me!” Stephanie raised her voice.
“You talked to her about you dating?” Kayla asked. “And why are you whispering?”
“I don’t know why I’m whispering,” she said louder.
“Ok, then, why are you having a panic attack? Ava is too young to date. It’s probably just something she picked up at daycare. You thought you had a boyfriend all through elementary school.”
“Not her dating, Mom! Me dating!” she sighed. “And Danny Kagel was my boyfriend. We ate lunch together every day from third through fifth grade! That’s what dating is when you’re like seven years old!” she argued.
“You’re dating?” Kayla asked, pulling her chair out and dropping down into it. She had yet to figure out what Stephanie was going on about.
“Will you stop asking me questions?” Stephanie snapped.
“I’m trying to understand why you are freaking out, Stephanie!”
“What if I marry Philip and he dies too?” she asked.
“Who is…”
Stephanie cut her off, “seriously, Mom. He could die too!”
“Why would …”
“Why would he die? I don’t know. Maybe a plane falls out of the sky and lands on top of him. Or he’s hit by a bus. Or he freaking falls down and hits his head. It’s not like that couldn’t happen!”
Kayla pressed her fingers into her temple and closed her eyes. “You aren’t making sense. And who is Philip?”
“Ava is afraid that a new daddy might die too.”
Kayla sighed heavily. “Stephanie, honey, I’m sorry, but who is dying? And, again, who is Philip?”
“Ava freaks out when she sees me talking to any man. She flipped out tonight when she heard Ivy and I talking about my date with Philip.”
“You had a date tonight?” Kayla interrupted.
“Yes, with Philip,” she answered.
“Who is Philip?” Kayla repeated for what felt like the tenth time. “Do you work with him?”
“Philip Kiriakis!” Stephanie snapped.
“You are going to marry Philip Kiriakis!?” she gasped.
“What? No! I didn’t say I’m going to marry him.”
“You said Ava is afraid that he will die if you marry him.”
“Just the idea in general of me getting married one day, Mom.”
Kayla opened her eyes and looked across her desk at the photograph of her two children. She was thoroughly confused now. “So you’re not engaged?”
“No!”
“But you are dating Philip Kiriakis,” she surmised.
“No! Well, yes. We’ve gone on a few dates.” Stephanie was silent for a moment before she continued to ramble on. “I don’t know. Is that dating? Maybe we’re dating. He said we’re dating, so, okay, yes, I’m dating Philip. Again.”
“You … I … sweetheart, can you start over from the beginning this time?” Kayla asked.
“Okay,” Stephanie sighed.
Kayla smirked, imagining her daughter running her hand through her hair like she always did when she was agitated. She was clearly getting frustrated with her. “And just to be clear, you aren’t engaged?” she asked.
“No, Mom, I am not engaged!”
“But this is the same Philip Kiriakis that is-”
“Yes, that Philip,” she replied. “I only know one Philip Kiriakis.”
“Okay, I’m with you now. You’re dating Philip, but not engaged to him.”
“We’ve been on a few dates the past few weeks,” she answered.
“The last person I dated was your father, but isn’t going out a few times considered dating?” Kayla pointed out.
“I sound crazy, don’t I? Philip makes me crazy. What if I start acting like I did back when I lived in Salem? I have Ava. I’m a mom now. I can’t go crazy and do all that ridiculous stuff I did. Do you know I actually got into more than one catfight with Melanie Jonas? Seriously, hitting, pulling hair…crazy, Mom, crazy!”
“Stop!” Kayla interrupted, sitting up and shifting her chair closer to the desk. “You aren’t crazy. Well, maybe you are in this moment. But you aren’t crazy overall. You made some very bad choices that had severe consequences…”
“And I paid for them dearly,” Stephanie pointed out.
“Yes, you did,” Kayla agreed. “So never forget that. Now, let’s go back to Philip. Do you want to date him again?”
Stephanie immediately answered, “yeah, I think I do.”
“You think you do?” she asked, toying with a pen on the desk.
“I know I do,” Stephanie stated more confidently this time.
“Does he want to date you again?”
“It seems like he does. He’s the one who said we’re dating.”
Kayla looked at the clock on her computer screen. “Then see where things go from there.”
“That’s a good idea,” Stephanie realized.
“Do you feel better now?” Kayla asked, pushing her chair back and standing up.
“Yeah, thanks, Mom. You’re the best. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Kayla picked up the files on her desk again. “I’m glad you called, but I’ve got a few more patients to see before my shift ends.”
“Okay, thanks again for listening, Mom.”
“Wait … you said you were talking to Ivy about Philip.”
“Yeah, why?”
“You told her about dating him before me?” Kayla frowned.
“Uhm…don’t you need to go check on those patients, Mom?”
“I can’t believe you told her before me! I’m your mother!”
“I, uh, well,” Stephanie stammered, “I mean, she came over to babysit and I was all dressed up. I, uhm, I, well, I had to tell her something.”
“When did you tell her?” Kayla asked.
“It wasn’t that long ago, Mom, I swear. And I called you tonight instead of Ivy, didn’t I?” she pointed out.
“You did,” Kayla agreed, reluctantly.
“Okay, now go check on your patients, Mom.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
Dropping the phone back into her lab coat pocket, Kayla bent over her desk and reached for her mouse. She logged into her calendar and checked her weekend schedule. If she could get someone to take her Saturday shift, a day trip to Chicago might be possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Aug 6, 2015 18:58:58 GMT -5
OMG. Kayla's conversation with Stephanie was like an Abbot and Costello routine. Well, until Kayla got jealous of Ivy. I was doubled over laughing at her misunderstanding.
Great chapter. I wonder how Kayla feels about Stephanie dating Philip. She brought up every concern except that. LOL. I wonder what she's planning to do when she gets to Chicago to see her daughter.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Aug 6, 2015 19:08:00 GMT -5
Ha. That was hilarious. Stephanie is so conflicted and emotional for a variety of reasons and poor Kayla is trying to read between the lines and figure out who the heck Philip is. I love how she didn't immediately assume it was the same Philip. At least she didn't tell Stephanie not to date him, but she is clearly concerned if she's planning a trip to Chicago. I'm so glad you brought Kayla into this story and didn't forget the family ties like the show often does. This is fun!
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffysmom on Aug 6, 2015 22:24:46 GMT -5
I liked Kayla trying to calm Stephanie down and figure out what was going. She was definitely jealous that Stephanie had already talked to Ivy about Philip. I hope Kayla is able to visit Stephanie and Ava.
|
|
|
|
Post by unavitasegreta on Aug 7, 2015 16:08:11 GMT -5
Chapter Twenty
“I can’t believe I’m having lunch in a Russian tea room,” Victor grumbled, unbuttoning his blazer as a hostess handed him and Maggie their menus.
“Thank you,” Maggie smiled at the young man who turned and walked off as Victor was muttering something in Greek. “Can you at least try to behave today?” she asked.
Victor sat his menu down and frowned at his wife. “I am behaving!” he defended himself.
Maggie looked at him blankly. “Really?”
“I could have said what I did in Russian rather than Greek so that the idiot understood my insult,” he pointed out, picking the menu back up and looking it over. “Why anyone would want to eat the drivel that these people call food is beyond me.”
“If you didn’t want to come here, why did you agree to Philip’s suggestion?” Maggie asked.
“They’re communists, no surprise that everything tastes the same,” Victor mused. He then realized that his wife had asked him a question. “What? Oh. When does Philip ever invite me to lunch?” Victor countered. "And he said that Stephanie likes this place.”
“Then try to behave,” Maggie reminded him, covering his hand with hers, “and maybe he’ll ask you again.”
“He only asked because he knew you were coming with me,” he pointed out. “And I am behaving,” Victor added again, eliciting a smile from his voice.
“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m here, isn’t it?” Maggie smiled, leaning over to kiss him.
Victor squeezed her hand, “it’s always a good to have you around.”
“You two want me to ask if there’s a private room in the back so you can continue making out like teenagers?”
Pulling apart, Victor and Maggie found Philip and Stephanie standing beside the table.
“Hi!” Maggie smiled, getting up to hug Philip and also Stephanie.
Clearly uncomfortable with the gesture, Stephanie politely hugged her back and then sat down at the table beside Philip, across from Victor and Maggie.
“Sorry we’re late,” Philip stated as he scooted his chair closer to the table, “there was a train derailment this morning that shut down one of the main lines.”
“I’m glad you could join us for lunch,” Maggie smiled at Stephanie.
“Me too,” Stephanie agreed before picking up a menu.
“You didn’t have to work today?” Victor asked, clearly trying to come up with something to say.
“My calendar was clear, so I thought I’d tag along with Philip to the board meeting.”
“Nice try,” Philip laughed, “but that’s not happening.”
“Why not?” Victor asked, curious about Philip’s quick refusal. “She might find it interesting.”
“Oh, yes, she definitely would,” Philip agreed. “That’s why she’s not coming.”
“But Maggie gets to go,” Stephanie pointed out.
“She doesn’t work for our biggest competitor,” Philip countered.
“Board meetings are open to all investors,” Stephanie challenged.
“Are you a Titan stockholder?” he asked.
“Board meetings are open to the public…” Stephanie tried again.
“Not this one,” Philip replied.
She tapped her fingers against the table. “Maybe we need to check and see if there are any SEC rulings that would prevent you from discriminating against me…”
“Discriminating?” Philip scoffed. “I don’t think working for Chanel puts you into a protected class.”
“Maybe I want to buy Titan stock, and I’m curious if it’s a good investment for my portfolio.”
“You live in a penthouse suite on Michigan Avenue. Titan stock isn’t going to make a dent in your portfolio,” he pointed out.
Stephanie smiled. “If I buy enough of it, it just might.”
“You are persistent,” Philip chuckled.
“Does that mean I can come?” she asked.
Philip smiled at her and then reached out, covering her hand with his, “the answer is still no.”
Maggie and Victor glanced at one another, amused by Philip and Stephanie’s interaction.
*
Smoothing down Victor’s tie as they stood outside the restaurant, Maggie glanced over at Philip and Stephanie. “Sweetheart, why don’t you and Philip go to your meeting and I’ll stay around here with Stephanie for a while?” she suggested.
“Wait … why … I thought you were going with them,” Stephanie stammered.
Maggie waved her hand dismissively. “I have no interest in that meeting. Besides, there’s a toy store around the corner on Michigan Avenue that I’d like to go in. I’m sure you can find something for your little girl in there.” She turned to Victor, not giving Stephanie a chance to refuse. “I’ll meet you at the hotel before dinner?” Maggie suggested.
“Of course,” he agreed, placing his hand on her hip as he bent his head down to kiss her.
Stephanie watched as Philip shrugged. He then kissed her good-bye before heading towards his father’s waiting car, not giving her a chance to get out of shopping with his step-mother.
Hearing the car door shut, Stephanie turned to Maggie. “I should probably get back to the office,” she suggested.
Maggie eyed her. “I thought you didn’t have any plans this afternoon…”
“There’s always work to be done,” Stephanie sighed. “It never ends.”
“Why do I get the sense that you are trying to get rid of me?” Maggie asked.
“What? No! It’s not that at all,” Stephanie insisted.
“It isn’t?” Maggie countered. “You used to like me.”
“I still like you, but, come on, Maggie. I know you’re just being polite to me for Philip’s sake. I’m sure the last thing you want to do is spend an afternoon with me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Maggie asked.
Stephanie sighed. Was she really going to make her say it? “There are a lot of reasons I can think of … Parker, Daniel, Melanie, Nathan, just to name a few…”
“That’s ancient history,” Maggie insisted.
“I doubt it's that easy to forget…”
Maggie touched Stephanie’s arm. “When you are married to Victor Kiriakis, you’re not really in a position to judge other people’s choices.”
Stephanie smirked. “I can’t argue with that.”
Maggie started walking towards the street corner. “Come on, you’ll love this store.”
“Is it Brennan’s?” Stephanie asked, walking quicker to catch up with her. Apparently she was going shopping with Maggie. Her mother was definitely going to give her a guilt trip over this.
(Please note that the opinions about Russian food are not reflective of the author's viewpoint. She happens to really like the Russian tea room in Chicago and suggests you try it next time you're in town!)
|
|
|
|
Post by fluffysmom on Aug 7, 2015 16:47:00 GMT -5
I enjoyed the conversation between Philip and Stephanie and Maggie's conversations with Victor and Stephanie. I really liked Maggie acknowledging that after marrying Victor she isn't in a position to judge other people's choices. Will there be previews unavitasegreta? |
|
|
|
Post by unavitasegreta on Aug 7, 2015 16:55:35 GMT -5
I enjoyed the conversation between Philip and Stephanie and Maggie's conversations with Victor and Stephanie. I really liked Maggie acknowledging that after marrying Victor she isn't in a position to judge other people's choices. Will there be previews unavitasegreta? If only we could get the "real" Maggie to realize that ... though she's been toned down this past year and is less judgmental since Daniel and Jennifer ended things for good. Yes, there will be previews... Stephanie and Philip talk about their past. We get some insight into Victor's thoughts about his relationship with Philip. When Kayla comes for a visit, Stephanie isn't home ... but someone else is there! |
|
|
|
Post by fluffysmom on Aug 7, 2015 18:06:16 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Aug 7, 2015 19:00:08 GMT -5
Victor doesn't like the Russians. Too funny. Cute author's note at the end. I've been to the Russian Tea Room in New York. Chicken Kiev. Mmmmm.
Ha! I love Philip saying that Stephanie isn't in a protected class. Great banter about the board meeting. Stephanie was not giving up and Philip was not giving in.
Stephanie's rationale for Maggie holding a grudge makes sense. Great use of history. I'm glad Maggie shrugged it off.
|
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Aug 8, 2015 9:01:27 GMT -5
This sounds great unavitasegreta! And add my name to the list of people who love how you write Maggie. This is the Maggie Horton Kiriakis I grew up with (though she wasn't a Kiriakis then obviously). |
|
