Chasing the Moon (Read 22,525 times)

[fluffysmom]

I'm sure Philip wasn't expecting to have to explain about Parker and his living arrangements with Chloe so soon. That's definitely awkward conversation for a first date.

Rachel is pretty obvious about her intentions. I can't blame her for that.

[Kpatch]

A WEEK LATER, PHILIP’S BEDROOM

Philip: What’s all this?
Chloe: These are the outfits I picked out for you to wear on dates.
Philip: They’re all black. Black sweater with black jeans. Black tee shirt with black twills. Black pullover with black slacks. Are we in mourning?
Chloe laughed.
Chloe: No, not at all.
Philip: Then why?
Chloe: Because they’re not blue. And you look sexy as hell in all black. Why don’t you try them on and I’ll tell you which one to wear.
Philip: You want me to model these outfits for you?
They heard Parker fussing in the other room.
Chloe: I’ll go get Parker and be right back. Meanwhile, try on the first outfit.
Philip scratched his head, sighed and shrugged. He took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. He put on the first outfit as Chloe knocked on his door.
Philip: Come on in.
Chloe entered holding Parker.
Chloe: I like it. What do you think, Parker?
Parker: Who’s that? Is that you Dad? I almost didn’t recognize you.
Chloe: Hmm, I don’t think he’s wild about it. Try on the next one.
Philip: Um, do you mind?
Philip made a twirling gesture with his finger indicating his desire for a little privacy while he changes clothes. Chloe rolled her eyes and sat on the bed with her back toward Philip. Philip was standing near the full length mirror that hung on the closet door. Chloe put Parker on her lap and smiled when she realized she was facing the mirror on the chest of drawers. So even though she was facing away from Philip, she could see everything he was doing in the mirror's reflection. Parker stood up on Chloe’s lap and watched Philip change into a new outfit. Philip winked at his son as he changed clothes and he swore Parker was giving him a thumb’s up. Philip laughed.
Chloe: What’s so funny?
Philip: Parker. He has a cute expression.
Chloe looked at Parker.
Chloe: Like father, like son.
Philip: Okay, you can turn around. What do you think?
Chloe: Wow. You look ... hot. Maybe too hot.
Philip: Really?
Chloe licked her lips and stared at Philip for a long moment.
Chloe: Try on the last outfit.
Philip: Nah, I think I’ll wear this one.
Chloe: You can’t wear the same outfit on every date. Try on the other outfit.
Philip: Bossy much? I don’t feel like changing again.
Chloe: Be a big boy Philip. You want to set a good example for your son, don’t you?
Philip: Jeez, that one gets me every time. Fine. Um ... could you ...?
Chloe: Oh sorry. She turned back around. It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before.
Chloe saw Philip smiling as she looked at him in the mirror. Parker squealed and Chloe looked at him. She then turned around and looked at Philip.
Chloe: I agree with Parker. That’s the one.
Parker: The one for what?
Philip: Think so?
Parker: The one for what?
Chloe put Parker on the bed and walked over to Philip.
Chloe: Most definitely.
Philip: Okay, why this one?
Chloe: Because you look sexy yet dignified. Chloe walked around Philip and gently smoothed out Philip’s pullover with her hands as she spoke. It’s casual, but not too casual. It’s young, but not teenager-y. It’s ... perfect.
As she said “it’s perfect,” her hands settled on Philip’s shoulders and she was just a few inches from his face. They looked into each other’s eyes and Philip forced himself to step back.
Philip: Well, thank you for your help. I guess I’m ready for my date.
Parker: Date??? What date? A date with that woman? This is totally unacceptable.
Chloe: Have a good ... time.
Philip took his wallet off the dresser and left. Parker looked at Chloe who looked like she was about to cry.
Parker: Aw, Ma.
Chloe: Don’t look at me like that.
Parker: Why did you do it, Ma?
Chloe: What was I supposed to do? I just ... I really want him to be happy. Even if it’s with someone else.


To be continued ...

[gapeach]

The sign of TRUE LOVE... wanting someone else's happiness over your own. YOU STUPID TWIT (Chloe - not you kpatch). Phillip will never be truly happy unless he is with you and his son.

[MrsM]

Oh Chloe. Why do you do this to yourself???

[djm]

Just gat a cbance to sit and read the chapters. Oh Chloe why are you helping Philip out with his date. Love little Parker. He is just so sweet. Tbanks for the chapters Kpatch.

[fluffysmom]

I really enjoyed this chapter a lot. It's really sweet of Chloe to help Philip look good for his date even though she doesn't want him to go. I loved it when she said "And you look sexy as hell in all black." I definitely agree. So Philip had to force himself to step back from Chloe. He obviously didn't want to.

[Kpatch]

LAKESHORE DRIVE

Philip and Rachel walked along Lakeshore Drive holding hands.
Rachel: Sorry it took us so long to get together for our second date.
Philip: Hey, it’s okay. You had to go out of town on business. The important thing is that we’re together now.
Rachel: You are smooth.
Philip: I guess that did sound like a line. I didn’t mean it that way.
Rachel: Good.
Philip: I just meant it was worth waiting for. Sorry, that sounded like a line too. I guess I’m a bit out of practice with this dating business.
Rachel: It’s okay Philip. You’re right, it was worth waiting for. You look good enough to ... ha ... you look great.
Philip: Thank you. My son helped me choose this outfit. So, it sounds like you travel a lot.
Rachel: Yeah. To be honest, it’s more than I would like. But I’m always planning events and clients need hand-holding.
Philip held up their hands.
Philip: You’re good at hand-holding. Makes me curious about what else you’re good at.
Rachel smiled.
Rachel: Well, why don’t we find out.
She put her arms around Philip and they kissed. The kiss turned serious and Rachel took a step back.
Rachel: Wow, you do have hidden talents.
Philip: Not so hidden anymore.
Rachel: Um, would you think I was too forward if I suggested going back to my place?
Philip smiled.
Philip: I told you I like a woman who’s direct. Too many people don’t tell you how they really feel. So, lead the way.


THE CONDO

Chloe was lying in bed reading a book. She looked over at the clock on her nightstand. 3:25 a.m. Philip was apparently not coming home tonight. She worked to choke back her tears.

Over the next few weeks, Chloe grew accustomed to not seeing Philip in the evenings. She and Parker curled up in bed with a good book and she read stories to him until he fell asleep. Despite the baby rulebooks, she often let him sleep in her bed. She loved the way his warm little body felt next to hers. She loved the way he smelled and the sound of his breathing, and the fact that he was his father’s son. As much as she loved Philip, she knew she wasn’t ready for a relationship. So, if she couldn’t have Philip next to her, at least she had his son, who was looking more and more like his dad every day.

Some nights, when she couldn’t sleep, she went about cleaning the apartment. Philip’s study tended to be a mess and needed to be tidied up almost daily. As she was tossing some papers in his desk drawer, she noticed a folded piece of notepaper. She sat down in Philip’s chair, unfolded the handwritten note and started to cry. Philip, who had just returned home, stood in the doorway of his study.
Philip: What’s going on?
Chloe: Oh my god, Philip, you scared me.
Philip: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?
Chloe: Um ... that time of the month. I get like this sometimes. I’m fine.
Chloe got up and put the note in her pocket. She hurriedly walked past Philip as she left the study.
Chloe: Good night.
Philip: Good night.


To be continued...

[sportsgirl]

What did the note say?? You're going to leave us hanging like this???

[MrsM]

Ooh Chloe, it never pays to snoop.

[mae00]

ARGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!! JKJPATCH!!!! How are you gonna leave us hanging like that?!?!?!? I wanna know what the note said!!!

[djm]

So glad it is a 7 day a week story. Or I would have to scream. Dying to know what the note said. Oh Chloe is making a big mistake by letting Parker sleep with her. It is one of the hardest things to get the child to sleep in their own bed after. It is not so cute when they are older. Thanks for the Chapter Kpatch.

[DancingDays]

AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! What did the note say?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[phloefansince2000]

I WANT my Phloe back together that Rachel chick has to go! I love your story I could so see this happening on Days but with you writing it it's so much better! Can't wait to read MORE!

[fluffysmom]

Philip was obviously talking about Chloe when he told Rachel "too many people don't tell you how they really feel." I think Philip is trying to make Chloe jealous by dating Rachel even if he doesn't realize it. I don't think he's purposely using Rachel but since she's actively pursuing him it's very easy to go for it. It must be so hard for Chloe knowing that Philip isn't coming home some nights.

[Kpatch]

THE KITCHEN, THE NEXT MORNING

Philip was in the kitchen drinking coffee and thinking about how weird it was to come home last night and find Chloe crying in his study. What was she reading that made her cry? And if she cried at the drop of a hat, he worried about how she was going to react to the news he was about to tell her. Hell, she probably wouldn’t even care. After all, she’s the one who encouraged him to start dating.

Still, he couldn’t help but remember the night of the symphony. It sure seemed to him like a new beginning for them. He felt the chemistry and he was sure she felt it too. Nah, it was probably his imagination, because, instead of getting a good-night kiss from Chloe at the end of the date, he got handed to Rachel on a silver platter. Maybe it was wrong, but he was hoping Chloe would be a little jealous when he told her his news.


Philip: Damn.
Chloe came into the kitchen holding Parker.
Chloe: What’s wrong?
Phililp: Um, there’s something I need to talk to you about.
Chloe: Okay.
She put Parker in his carrier seat.
Chloe: Tell me. Uh oh. You look serious.
Philip: It’s about Rachel.
Chloe gasped.
Chloe: You’re marrying her!
Parker: You’re marrying her???
Philip chuckled.
Philip: No. It’s a little too soon for that.
Parker: It certainly is.
Philip: I’m ... going away with her.
Parker: What???
Philip: There’s an event in Florida -- Key West -- and she’s booking all the entertainment for it. She invited me to go and ... well, it’s really a business conference and it makes sense for someone from Titan to be there, but ... it’s also personal and ...
Parker: Good grief! He’s going to have a sleepover with her.
Chloe: Stop.
Philip: Excuse me?
Chloe: You’re rambling. And it’s fine. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. You can do whatever you want.
Parker: Ma, are you crazy?
Philip: I ... I know. It’s just that ... you’ll be taking care of Parker by yourself for the first time since...
Chloe: I can handle it.
Parker: She really can. But that’s not the point.
Philip: I know. I have absolutely no doubt that you can handle it. If I thought otherwise, I wouldn’t go.
Parker: Don’t go Daddy.
Chloe: Good. Then it’s settled. When is your trip?
Philip: This weekend. Thursday to Sunday.
Parker started to cry and Chloe picked him up. Parker held his arms out toward Philip.
Parker: Don’t go Daddy.
Chloe: Great. I hope you have a good time. If there’s no other earth-shattering news, I’m going to feed Parker now. Let me know if you need help picking out clothes to take with you.


To be continued Monday ...