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Post by slyn11 on Sept 18, 2012 18:14:16 GMT -5
About Parker's Room - From Undertow1
Chapter 3 pt 3
Two doors down the hall on the right, across from the bathroom, was the room where Parker lived. It used to be Mia’s room while she lived with them, but now it had been taken over by the baby. Melanie pushed open the slightly ajar door fully, and tiptoed inside. She tried to keep her steps light, fearful of rousing Parker, from his highly elusive nap. Her heels clicking on the hardwood floors as she stepped, she made her way to the crib. She looked down to see Parker staring up at her, a smile graced his face as he focused on her above him.
“Hey there little boy. What are you doing up?” she asked rubbing his tummy. Parker squirmed under her hand, displaying his gums. “Did you play a trick on your cousin Sonny? Did you pretend to be napping so he would turn that silly dvd off?”
She lifted him from the crib and cradled him in her arms, snuggling him close to her chest. Melanie walked across the room to the mahogany changing table and laid Parker down.
“Did you have a fun morning?” she asked him in a soothing voice. With one hand on his belly to hold him steady, she pulled a diaper, wipes, and a clean romper from the drawers below.
The room was painted pale blue. Mahogany furniture modern and antique intermingled giving the space a definite masculine touch. There was a changing table, the old wooden rocker that Maggie had given Chloe, wide shelves filled with books, toys and pictures covered one wall. And bears. Stuffed bears piled in the corner, like a cuddly modern sculpture.
Parker had more bears than any little boy could ever need. Even after donating close to fifty to the children’s’ wing at the hospital, Parker still had amassed a huge collection. It was the town’s way of embracing the baby left in the woods. Once the story broke that Parker Kiriakis had been left alone in the cold, the bears started pouring in. It seemed like hundreds were sent, arriving daily with cards and balloons. So many people reached out to him. Melanie began to tear up thinking about it. Parker was one well loved little boy. Everyone seemed to care. He was surrounded by loving hearts. Except for the hearts he needed the most. A million bears couldn’t change the fact that Parker didn’t have his parents with him.
Melanie opened the little refrigerator under the window and took out a bottle of formula. Parker was already leaning forward toward the bottle in her hand, anxious for his next meal. Melanie placed the bottle in the warmer before taking a seat in the rocking chair.
She gently stroked his head as she spoke. “I know I told you that your mommy might be coming to see you today. But it turns out she can’t.” Melanie paused kissing his chubby little fingers as he reached for her mouth. “Something happened and she needs a little more time to rest. But just because she’s not here doesn’t mean she loves you any less. I know she is thinking about you and missing you right now. You’re her sweet little prince.”
She reached behind her and pulled a picture from the shelf. It was a photo of Philip and Chloe dressed in formalwear. He was in a classic black suit, she was wearing a royal blue gown, it was perhaps a few years old. Daniel had given Melanie the photo, suggesting Parker might like it in his room. Melanie didn’t question why Daniel had picture of Philip and Chloe together, she was just touched that her dad actually was thinking of Parker. He tried so hard to block out his existence. Melanie had hoped that if Parker had to stay with her for an extended period of time, Daniel would warm up to him. She needed her father in her life, and she wanted to share with him all the joys she was getting to experience with Parker. She hoped the photo was a step in the right direction. There was a time when Daniel loved Parker too; feelings like that just don’t fade.
“Look Parker,” the little boy turned up his bright blue eyes at the sound of her voice. She put the picture in front of him where he could see it better. Parker reached out and touched the glass. “It’s mommy and daddy. They’re always here watching over you Parker.” He reached out and touched the picture again. “Yes, mommy and daddy,” she said again before setting the picture back on the shelf and rising from her seat.
“Okay sweet prince, are you ready to eat?” Melanie shifted Parker to her opposite shoulder as she tested the warmth of his bottle. Parker kicked his feet excitedly, eager to get his food. It amused her how happy Parker was whenever food was nearby. If Chloe had chosen to breastfeed, she never would have kept a shirt on. Parker would have been all over her looking for his next meal. Not that Chloe was around to do it anyway, thought Melanie, suddenly saddened by yet another thing that Parker didn’t have.
She settled herself back in the rocker, and adjusted Parker so he could drink his bottle. She kicked off her shoes, and let her eyes slide closed, relishing the quiet, only the sound of Parker’s hungry sips filling the room. She was exhausted. Not that she would ever admit that to anyone. A mask of youthful energy was her defense, to keep the questions at bay. If she let her guard slip for one moment, and reveal her insecurities, fears and constant fatigue, they would think she couldn’t handle it. This life she had created, without Philip. She knew they thought she was too young and too inexperienced to take care of Parker and work and go to school. At the hospital she heard the hushed whispers as she passed. She knew they were talking about her, questioning her choices, her sanity. Melanie didn’t owe anyone any explanations. She chose to marry Philip for better or worse. That’s what it was all about in her mind. The past year definitely was one long worse, but it’s not like she got to choose. Stuff happens you deal with it. And she was dealing with it quite well, in her estimation. Others though, seemed quick to disagree. It was like they all were holding their collective breaths waiting for her to lose it. Melanie didn’t like being under such close scrutiny, as if people were willing her to fail. Perhaps they even had the room next to Chloe all ready for her to move in. Philip Kiriakis’ wife and his mistress side by side in the nut house. The media would have a field day with that one.
Melanie opened her eyes when she felt Parker’s little hand curl around her finger. He held onto it as he lazily drank from his bottle, his eyes starting to droop. “Looks like you're getting sleepy. Are you going to take a nap so Melanie can get a little rest?” His eyes snapped open as if he understood her suggestion. His blue eyes once again wide and alert as he continued to drink. “I think its time for a story.” She let her eyes close once again as she began.
“There once was a little Greek prince named Parker Kiriakis that lived in a castle amongst the stars. He had the most beautiful mother in all that land, Princess Chloe. She had a voice lovelier than any bird, clearer than any bell. His father, Prince Philip was brave and handsome, a mighty warrior with a smile that rivaled the brightness of the sun. They all lived together in the castle with King Victor. Until one day, disaster struck the kingdom, and little Parker had to leave his parents and his castle in the stars to stay safe. They nestled him in his magic carriage, wrapped in a blanket spun from gold, and sent him to the far edge of the kingdom to a little cottage covered in vines. The two red headed fairies that lived in the cottage took care of Parker and they danced, sang, and played all the day long. Mostly, Prince Parker was happy living at the cottage, but sometimes he was sad. He missed his mommy and daddy, the prince and princess. One day a package arrived at the cottage. A giant blue box covered in stars, with a big gold bow on top. Prince Parker was so excited by the box, it sparkled in the light, and seemed like it was made of magic. Inside there was a glass orb with a tiny castle inside. Parker held the glass ball in his hands, amazed at its beauty. Then he shook it and the ball glowed brightly. Little gold stars fell all around the castle in the glass ball, and there was music, more beautiful than any bird he had ever heard sing. It was his mommy's voice. This made Prince Parker very happy. Every time he felt sad, and missed his mommy and daddy, he could shake the glass ball and see his home and hear his mother's song.”
Melanie looked down to see Parker fighting sleep, his bottle partially out of his mouth, as he struggled to keep his eyes open. She took his bottle and put it on the small table beside her and then grabbed the large snow globe that was permanently displayed there. Parker was almost asleep, but Melanie still shook up the globe and watched the little gold sparkles fall all around the tiny blue castle inside. She turned it over and hit the power button on the bottom before placing it back on the table. The snow globe lit up and started to play a song. "O mio babbino caro” It was one that Chloe used to sing. One of her favorites, Brady had told her when he first heard it.
It must have been fate that guided her toward it that night. She was in the store looking for a Christmas gift for her dad when she spotted it. The tiny blue castle surrounded by stars seemed perfect for Parker. His big blue eyes widened in wonder each time Melanie shook the ball, surrounding the castle in gold, when she showed him the snow globe that night. It was then that she told him his story for the first time. It had become their daily ritual ever since.
She gently placed Parker on his back in his mahogany crib that stood proudly in the center of the room. Parker was the fourth generation of Kiriakis men to sleep in this bed, according to Victor. It had been passed down from son to son. It was simple in design, thick slats of wood with curved etching along each leg. The true beauty was in the posts. Tall broad posts, whittled from tree trunks, reaching almost to the ceiling graced all four corners of the bed, and at the top of each post was a gold star. Victor insisted the stars were made from real gold. Nothing but the best for a Kiriakis.
Parker curled his hand up to his mouth, as if he might suck his thumb. It seemed to be a habit of his, since he now was doing it each time he slept. She took one last look at him, watching his chest rise and fall as he slept, before tiptoeing away. She let the music continue to play, as she gathered up his empty bottle and prepared to leave the room.
Melanie wished she had a recording of Chloe’s voice to play for Parker. Maybe hearing his mother sing him to sleep every night would become a source of comfort for him, especially as he got older. As much as Melanie hated the idea of Parker living with Chloe again, she also wanted it for him at the same time. She didn’t want Parker to grow up without Chloe. She didn’t want him to be the only kid in kindergarten without a mommy. Melanie had been that kid. She wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
If it had to happen, and Chloe was locked away for years, Melanie hoped that she could still be the one to raise Parker. A stepmom was better than no mom at all. Not that the courts would award her custody of Parker. Chloe’s parents would surely contest it. And maybe Parker would be better off with blood relatives, instead of his makeshift family here with her and Maggie. He needed to be with people that looked like him and could tell him stories about his mom, keep her real for him. Melanie had been trying to do that in the almost two months Parker had been with her. No matter how much she disliked Chloe, she wanted Parker to know his mom. The problem was Melanie didn’t even really know her. Brady would sometimes come over, fill in the gaps, but it wasn’t the same. Parker needed to know more, things that only family could share.
The Kiriakis side was a different matter. Parker was surrounded by them. His constant visitors, they fought over babysitting rights, tried to outdo each other with gifts. They never ceased to find new ways to spoil him. Parker definitely was the little Greek prince in his bedtime story.
Melanie took every chance she could to tell Parker about his father. Numerous pictures of Philip were scattered around the nursery. She turned taking them all in, the clusters of photographs hanging on the wall by the changing table, the framed portraits positioned on the shelves behind the rocking chair, her favorite one, black and white, with a hint of a smile, eyes squinted from the sun, on the small table next to Parker’s snow globe. She was surrounded by him. Philip at all of stages of his life, framed and on display, a prominent reminder to Parker of his parentage. She wanted Parker to know his father’s face. She wanted him to feel like Philip had been with him all along. So when Philip walked back through that door, Parker would instantly love him.
Kate loved to tell stories about Philip. She would do voices and be extra animated as she talked and Parker’s face would light up. She brought over old pictures to show him. She gave him some of Philip’s old toys. Kate may be a manipulative bitch most of the time, but Melanie couldn’t deny she was an excellent grandmother. Even if Kate’s almost constant presence sometimes wore on Melanie’s nerves, she understood Kate’s need to be around. She missed Philip. They all did. Parker was the spitting image of his father as a baby, except for the eyes. Those were all Chloe. Kate and probably Victor too, saw their own son, whenever they looked into Parker’s sweet face.
Melanie definitely could understand.
She saw Philip too.
Ch. 4 pt 2
She had done it. She thought she would have had to climb the tree near the side of the house to get up to the second floor window, but then she remembered the key. Philip wasn't used to having house keys, since he had grown up with servants who were paid just to open his doors, he'd always lose them, so he hid them in various places just in case. After their night of indiscretion was revealed, Philip had to come to the house while Melanie was not home to get some of his things. From the car, Chloe had watched Philip dig around the dirt of a potted shrub outside the door and pull out a key.
Lucky for Chloe, the key was still there. Through the kitchen door window, Chloe could see Maggie in the kitchen, on the telephone. Chloe knew that Melanie would not be home. During the many times Maggie had come to see her at the hospital, chattering on about Parker’s schedule, Chloe felt like she knew the household’s routine by memory. Tuesdays and Thursdays Melanie had class. Those were the times that Maggie usually had Parker with her. Chloe let herself in through the front door, tiptoed through the living room and up the stairs.
Once on the second floor, relieved to be in from the cold, Chloe rubbed her hands together, soaking in the warm heat of the house. It had been a long walk from the hospital, trudging along the side of the road. It might have been wiser if Chloe had somehow incorporated a coat into her plan to flee the hospital. She guessed she had lost sight of things since at first she was consumed with going to see Philip. She somehow thought that this time would be different and he would wake up for her. That he would somehow sense she needed him now more than she ever had. It hurt her to think of him stuck in the bed. She wanted him to have a chance to be free. She didn’t want to leave him behind, trapped in that awful place.
She remembered it smelling like rain, the last time she spoke to Philip.
They were out on the balconies of their side by side rooms at the Towers hotel. Chloe in a plush white hotel bathrobe, and Philip in a black shirt, his tie discarded, top buttons undone, sleeves rolled up, one foot on the bottom railing, the hint of stubble shadowing his chin. Looking out at the Salem skyline, thinking no one down there even noticed they were not among them. It had been their little respite, their hideout from the accusations, the pointed glares, the whispers, but not the guilt, that they kept with them.
Philip insisted on renting her a room next to his own, not adjoining of course, because that wouldn't be right after what they had done. Besides alone together, feeling sad and more than a little drunk, never led to anything positive for her and Philip. So they played it safe, and kept a balcony railing between them as they drank. The mini bar was well stocked, and Philip had the means to keep it filled for the foreseeable future.
"You think anyone will notice if we just stayed here forever?" asked Chloe leaning forward over the balcony railing letting the warm evening breeze tousle her hair.
"I think my dad might have something to say about me missing work. That is if he ever starts speaking to me again,” said Philip before taking another drink.
"Sorry," she said sadly. "Have you been able to talk to Melanie?"
"I wouldn't call what Melanie and I do talking. She likes to call me over, verbally beat me down, and then send me on my way,” he laughed humorlessly.
"At least she is acknowledging that you exist. Daniel is ignoring me."
"Probably just hurts him too much to see you right now. He'll come around."
"All of this made me aware of one really sad fact,” said Chloe.
"What's that?" Philip asked turning to face her.
"I'm totally alone in this town."
"That's not true. You have friends."
"If I count Nicole, that's one. Exes don't really count as friends, and those are what I have in vast abundance." She sighed softly as she took another drink from her glass.
"I'm your ex. And your friend."
"More like partner in crime. If Daniel and Melanie knew we were staying at the same hotel -"
"I don't care if they know,” he interrupted. “We aren't doing anything wrong. We were just friends when we slept together, and we're still friends now. I'm not going to apologize for caring about you. Ok?"
"Ok.”
"Besides you’ll never have to worry about being alone. We'll always have each other."
"No matter what,” smiled Chloe.
“No matter what.” He held his glass up to her in agreement before swallowing the rest of the brown liquid.
"You better get used to having me around because I don't think Daniel will ever forgive me," said Chloe taking a sip from her mini bottle of Grey Goose. She had abandoned the glass and switched to drinking straight from the bottle.
"He'd be a fool not to," responded Philip placing his empty glass on the chair behind him. "No man wants to lose a woman as amazing as you."
"Yeah I'm amazing. I broke his heart spectacularly."
"If he has a brain in his head he won't let you go. If he does he will regret it for a long time." He reached over and grabbed her hand, a shiver ran through her momentarily at his touch. “I know I did.”
“Philip, that’s so…” she stammered trying to find the words. “Thank you.”
"Chloe Lane, you're a hard woman to get over."
He stared at her across the balcony, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb slowly as he held it. She seemed to lose herself in those blue depths for a moment, their past colliding through her mind like a film playing at high speed. Moonlit walks in the park, stealing kisses on her front porch, ice skating at the pond, and the smell of rain as he slid his fingers down her wet skin.
She drifted closer to his side of the balcony, as if pulled by his gaze. Had he always looked like this? He turned back toward the skyline. She studied his profile dropping her eyes to his collar noting the way his hair curled where it grazed his shoulder. He had let his hair grow. It made him look more rugged and just a bit dangerous. This wasn't the same boy she had loved so many years ago. Philip seemed like the only thing that was real in her life, solid. He held her up, kept her steady despite the fact he was drowning himself.
"Do you need a refill?" he asked breaking the spell. She released his hand, her head swimming.
"No," she answered hazily still caught up in him. "I think I want to go and lie down."
"You know where I am."
"Yep just right next door."
"I'm always here if you need me. Your trusty partner in crime," he chuckled.
"I know. Goodnight Philip."
"Night Chloe,” he said as he disappeared through the sliding door.
That was the last time she had seen him as he used to be, moving and full of life. She wanted her partner in crime back.
Even though the room was dark, it glowed with a soft light. The ceiling twinkled with hundreds of lights like the stars in the night sky. Parker was asleep in his crib, on his back, his thumb curled up near his mouth. His little toes wiggled as he slept. Chloe just watched him for a moment mesmerized by the rise and fall of his little chest. It was her sweet baby boy. Tentatively at first, Chloe reached out to touch him, hesitating just above his belly. Then he made a sound, a little whimper in his sleep and that was all it took. Chloe softly put her one hand under his head and the other under his bottom and lifted him from the crib.
“Mama’s here sweet baby. I’ve missed you so much.” Parker snuggled his head on Chloe’s shoulder never waking.
She walked slowly about the room with him in her arms, swaying gently. This was the first time she had seen Parker’s room since she had lived with Maggie. It had been transformed. The room that once housed a bedroom set for her and a bassinet for Parker, was now a full fledged nursery. She noted her rocking chair still in the room, the only familiar sight. Being far too risky to turn on the lights to take a better look, Chloe strained to take it all in just by the glow of the starlit ceiling.
Moving about the room in a slow circle she noted the stately crib, which she was sure was from Victor. She quickly looked past the mound of teddy bears her gut tightening with the sickening knowledge of their meaning. She noticed the wall of shelves filled with photos. Philip was everywhere. Chloe couldn’t help but smile that Parker’s room was filled of pictures of his father. At least Melanie made sure he would know one of his parents.
The picture of her with Philip in formalwear caught her eye. It was from a charity benefit hosted by one of Titan’s business associates a few years back. During a time when she thought maybe she and Philip could have been something more. She rarely let herself think of those days, before Lucas and Morgan somehow swerved them off track. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“So why exactly did you need me with you tonight?” she asked as Philip spun her out onto the dance floor her long blue gown swirling about her legs.
“Every CEO needs to walk in with a beautiful chick on his arm. Impresses the board members.” He flashed his dimples as they swayed to the music.
“So you’re just using me for my looks?”
“Absolutely. Look around Chloe, all the men in the room are staring at you. They’ve never seen anything so beautiful.” She frowned in building disgust, turning away from him. He stopped her, dipping her low, before pulling her back up flush against his body. “Neither have I,” he whispered against her ear.
She pulled back, staring intently into his eyes. “Nice save Kiriakis,” she said lightening the intense mood that had fallen between them. “I almost left your ass alone on the dance floor.”
“I thought it was pretty good. Much better than I needed you here tonight because you speak fluent Italian,” he smirked twirling her away from him once again.
How did Melanie get her hands on that photo?
She continued to look around the room. It was a beautifully decorated space. Her son was certainly being well cared for and Chloe was thankful for that. But he needed to be with her and it seemed like the only way that could happen now was if she took him and left town. The walls felt like they were closing in on Chloe and she was sure the judge would lock her away for good. She didn’t have any other choices. It was now or never.
She quickly surveyed the room for a bag to pack some supplies for Parker. Not seeing anything out in the open, she decided to check the closet. With one hand she opened the closet door, moving gently so not to disturb Parker still sleeping on her shoulder. The closet however proved too dark for her to search. She was going to have to turn on the light. Perhaps if she were quick enough, Maggie wouldn’t catch her. She leaned over and switched on the small lamp near Parker’s changing table and that’s when she saw it.
The entire wall covered by a beautiful mural. Chloe just stared, tears falling as she took it all in. In one corner there was a large blue castle surround by golden stars nestled above the clouds. Treetops lined the lower portion of the mural, with all the details of an enchanted forest, animals, plants and numerous colored birds all painted in among the trees. And in the very bottom corner of the mural there was a small cottage covered in vines with fairies and musical notes floating around it.
“Oh my sweet baby I’m so sorry,” Chloe cried rubbing Parker’s back softly. “Mommy’s so sorry. I didn’t mean it. I swear I didn’t mean it.”
She backed away from the wall, forgetting her search of the closet. Taking a seat in the rocking chair she continued to stare at the castle painted on the wall. She trembled with emotion causing Parker to stir with her increased movements.
“Mommy is so sorry,” she repeated over and over, showering his little head with kisses, dampening his hair with tears. Parker squirmed as he began to wake, whimpering in Chloe’s arms.
She cradled him closer, rocking slowly in the chair, still unable to tear her eyes from the mural.
“Chloe?” She looked up to see Maggie in the doorway holding a baby monitor.
“I didn’t mean it Maggie,” she cried. Distraught, Chloe looked down at Parker, clutching him tightly to her breast, ignoring his squeals. “I promise I didn’t,” she said tears streaming down her face as she returned her gaze to the mural painted on the wall.
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