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Post by mae00 on Jun 3, 2021 12:00:47 GMT -5
Philip hit the nail on the head. It's so hard not to see Victor as some kind of immortal. He's overcome and beat so much health wise and Dimera (or others) wise.
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Post by fluffysmom on Jun 3, 2021 22:13:20 GMT -5
I liked Philip opening up about his feelings.
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Post by Kpatch on Jun 4, 2021 7:03:04 GMT -5
Chapter 4
Philip got off the elevator on the fourth floor of Salem University Hospital’s main building. He was about to stop at the nurse’s station to ask which room Victor was in when he spotted Shawn near the coffee station.
“Shawn,” he called out.
Shawn turned around. He approached Philip and gave him a hug. “Hey, I didn’t expect to see you so soon after the wedding.”
“Yeah. Unplanned detour. Have you seen my father?”
Shawn’s expression turned grim as he nodded. “It’s good that you’re here,” Shawn stated. “It’s hard to see the great Victor Kiriakis flat on his back, so prepare yourself. He doesn’t look good.”
Philip nodded. “Thanks for the update. What room is he in?”
Shawn opened his mouth to answer, but a woman’s voice came out instead. “Philip.”
Philip turned to see Maggie heading his way. He hugged the older woman. She had tears in her eyes. “It’s good that you’re here,” she said with a tremble in her voice.
“Of course,” Philip replied, taking a step back. “How did this happen?”
Maggie shrugged. “We were taking a walk around the grounds yesterday, just like we’ve been doing every morning since … since I can't remember how long. Victor got a funny look, and his face—” She paused to collect herself. “Dear god. His face turned a deep shade of red and he … collapsed.” Philip squeezed his eyes shut, imagining the awful scene Maggie described. “We have a decision to make,” she told Philip. “Victor’s care team wants to talk to us this afternoon about his condition.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “I want to see Dad.”
“I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you,” she said.
“Is he aware?”
“He opens his eyes sometimes but,” she drew a halting breath, “I’m not sure if he can see me or if it’s involuntary. The doctors say no, but I’ve always heard that patients can hear you even when they’re unconscious. I like to think he knows I’m here.”
“Can we go in?”
Maggie glanced at Shawn. She took Philip’s hand between both of hers and said, “Come.” She led him to a room just off the nurse’s station and hesitated before opening the door. “He doesn’t look good, Philip.”
“I can handle it,” Philip replied, even though he wasn’t sure he could.
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Post by André DiMera on Jun 4, 2021 7:16:12 GMT -5
Can’t wait for Philip to see Victor, and talk to his care team. Everyone’s saying he doesn’t look good, so it must be bad.
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Post by doolfan4life on Jun 4, 2021 10:15:38 GMT -5
Decision? This doesn’t sound good Kpatch you’re killing me here 😭 |
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Post by meemz on Jun 4, 2021 11:45:31 GMT -5
Im worried!!! Dont kill victor  Oh boy, this story will be a tough one it seems Love how i cant really guess whats going to happen! Great start kpatch |
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Post by fluffysmom on Jun 4, 2021 22:03:06 GMT -5
Poor Philip. He's trying to be strong but I suspect it will be even harder when he sees Victor.
Maggie is right. The sense of hearing is still there even when the other senses aren't working.
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Post by Kpatch on Jun 5, 2021 7:41:03 GMT -5
Thank you all for your fabulous reception to the start of this story. Grateful for you guys!
For whatever reason, this story has gotten under my skin and compelled me to write write write. It is on my mind day and night. I hope you will grow to love it as much as I do. One of my main goals in creating this story was to involve more Salem characters, so you will be seeing a lot of them!
We will continue posting daily for the next week. After that, we will go to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday cadence, at least until I'm comfortable that I can keep up the writing pace. 
Who wants previews? Coming this week...
-Philip has an emotional visit with Victor.
-Justin needs to see Philip now!
-Chloe decides not to go home.
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Post by André DiMera on Jun 5, 2021 7:47:05 GMT -5
Guessing Justin wanting to see Philip has to do with what’s going on with Victor. Wonder why Chloe doesn’t want to go home. Thanks for the previews!
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Post by doolfan4life on Jun 5, 2021 9:37:50 GMT -5
Why do I get a feeling this is either a DNR situation or maybe Philip will be left in charge of something for the Titan?
Ugh the possibilities
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Post by heroicmuse on Jun 5, 2021 11:27:23 GMT -5
This is so emotional! I hope Victor doesn't die and that Philip is as able to handle Victor's condition as he thinks. Thanks for the previews Kpatch. I hope Chloe finds a way to be there for Philip. |
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Post by fluffysmom on Jun 6, 2021 17:03:16 GMT -5
I'm guessing Chloe decides that she and Parker should be there for Philip in Salem.
I hope Victor is awake when Philip visits him.
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Post by Kpatch on Jun 7, 2021 6:45:46 GMT -5
Chapter 5
Maggie pushed the door open and Philip followed her into Victor’s room. She kept hold of Philip’s hand and inhaled sharply. “My poor Victor.”
Philip blinked back tears as he gazed at his father. Victor was hooked up to various machines for an oxygen pump, a heart monitor, a brain activity monitor, an intravenous drip, a catheter. The room smelled like a mixture of body fluids and antibacterial soap and there was a constant beep-beep-beeping as the machines collected data. As for Victor, he looked small, thin, frail. His face was covered with blue, grey and red blotches.
Maggie stepped back and squeezed Philip’s arms from behind. “Talk to him, Philip,” she said quietly. “I’ll let you have some time alone.”
Philip nodded and took a seat as Maggie left the room. He stared at the man in the bed, having a hard time believing that this was the same man he called Dad, the same man who served as the Best Man at his wedding less than a week ago. He was almost unrecognizable. Shawn was right. It was hard to see this great man reduced to a machine farm. Slowly, he took Victor’s hand in his, careful not to disturb the oxygen meter on his index finger.
He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer in Greek that he had learned as a child. He had no idea what it meant or how he even remembered it, but it came back to him so clearly at this moment.
“Hey Dad. I came as fast as I could after Maggie called to tell me you were sick. … This is really hard. Harder than I thought. I wasn’t even sure what to expect, but it wasn’t this. So listen. I need you to get well, Dad. I know I’m grown up and I’m supposed to be independent but I’m not too proud to admit I can’t do it all by myself. I need back-up. And that’s you. Remember how you were there for me when a false DNA test said Parker wasn’t my kid? You’re my safety net. So please don’t leave us. Don’t leave me.” He squeezed his father’s hand and closed his eyes. A moment later he felt Victor squeeze his hand back. Philip looked at Victor. His eyes were still closed but Philip was almost certain Victor squeezed his hand. “Maggie was right. You can hear us, can’t you?” He tugged on Victor’s hand. “We’re not giving up on you Dad, so don’t you give up either.”
Maggie opened the door and crooked her finger. Philip nodded and turned back to his father. “Listen Dad, I’ve gotta go, but I’ll be in town for as long as you need me.” He squeezed Victor’s hand one last time.
As soon as Philip got outside the room, Maggie told him, “The meeting with the doctors is postponed until tomorrow.”
“Why,” he asked impatiently.
“They said one of the doctors was called into emergency surgery.”
“I didn’t think there were any patients more important than my father.” Philip immediately realized what a selfish statement that was, but in the moment, he thought it was true. His phone buzzed and he looked at the display. “I need to take this.” He held the phone to his ear and headed down the corridor. “Kiriakis.”
“Philip, it’s Justin. Listen, let me know when you get to Salem. I need to see you immediately.”
“I’m here now. I’m at the hospital.”
“You’re in Salem? Now?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s good that you’re here.”
“That’s what everyone tells me.”
“Can you head over to the Titan office? I need to talk to you. It’s important. Very importantly. Actually, it can’t wait.”
He looked at the time display on his phone. “I can be there in 20 minutes.”
After hanging up, Philip returned to the waiting room where Maggie and Shawn were standing outside Victor’s room. He approached them. “I have an appointment I need to get to.”
Maggie touched Philip’s arm. “Philip, I’ve told Henderson to get your old room ready for you and Chloe and prepare the room across the hall for Parker.”
Philip scratched his temple. “Chloe and Parker aren’t with me. I’m here on my own.” Maggie looked confused. “I thought it would be better if they stayed in Chicago until I could assess the situation. But I’ll see you at home tonight,” he told Maggie. He gave her a hug while looking at Shawn. “Shawn, see you soon.”
“You bet,” Shawn said.
He headed for the elevator.
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Post by André DiMera on Jun 7, 2021 7:11:07 GMT -5
That was a touching scene with Philip at Victor’s bedside. Wonder what Justin wants that’s so important it can’t wait.
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Post by heroicmuse on Jun 7, 2021 9:39:12 GMT -5
I am very curious as to what Justin wants.
Emotional scene. I especially loved Philip reciting the Greek prayer that he didn't realize he still remembered. So realistic and sad.
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