The Rest of Our Lives (Read 83,892 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 437a

Philip was behind the wheel of the RV heading Southeast from Indiana. Driving this midsize Airstream felt like learning to drive all over again. Nothing like his Lincoln SUV or Audi Sport or even his father’s 1967 Corvette. It felt more like driving a commuter bus. But right now, it was his home away from home and great way to see the countryside without having to check into and out of motels all the time.

But the best thing about this road trip was the opportunity it was giving him to reconnect with his son. During the few days since they set out on this journey, Philip and Parker had talked about everything under the sun and started regaining that easy rapport they always used to have.

Parker was sitting in the passenger seat, seatbelt firmly in place, staring out the window at the sights off of State Road 74. “How much farther to the Cincinnati Reds stadium?”

“It’s called The Great American Ball Park and I can tell you exactly how far it is. I’ve got it programmed into GPS, the Global Positioning System. In fact, why don’t you press the button?”

“Which one?”

“This one.” Philip pointed to the button to show Parker and the boy pressed it. The display illuminated the route. “Can you read that, Parker?”

“Uh huh. It says 74 point 3 miles and an hour and 20 minutes.”

“Pretty good, huh? We didn’t have GPS in personal vehicles when I was a kid. It’s pretty amazing.”

“Wow,” Parker reacted. “Daddy? Was I born in a hospital in Salem or in Chicago?”

Philip’s brow knit. “Why do you ask?”

“Tristan at school. His mommy had a baby and he was talking about it. At least he got to see his baby sister.”

“I know it still hurts, kiddo. I wish every day that things could have been different, for all of us.”

“So where was I born,” Parker asked, going back to his original question. “Isn’t it okay that I’m asking?”

“Of course it is. You can ask me anything.” Philip glanced at Parker before turning his attention back to the road up ahead. “I just wondered what made you think about it. To answer your question, you were born on Smith Island.”

“I was born in an island??”

“It’s not an island like Hawaii or Bermuda. It’s a little strip of land on the other side of the Salem River and you have to take a ferry to get there.”

“What was I doing there?”

Philip laughed a little. “You were getting born. Your mom was there, and so you were there too. And it wasn’t in a hospital. It was in a cabin.”

“Wow. Was it just you and Mommy or was there a doctor there too?”

[André DiMera]

Glad Philip and Parker are becoming closer again.

[Trey]

It's great to see them bonding again. Probably not so great for Philip to remember all the times with Chloe. He needs to heal and get over his wounds, too.

[doolfan4life]

I like the mental image of Philip and Parker on the road and bonding like this
It’s really good for both of them

[Kpatch]

Chapter 437b

“What was I doing there?” Parker asked.

Philip laughed a little. “You were getting born. Your mom was there, and so you were there too. And it wasn’t in a hospital. It was in a cabin.”

“Wow. Was it just you and Mommy or was there a doctor there too?”
Philip thought about the day Parker was born in the Horton cabin on Smith Island. He and Daniel arrived at the cabin after Chloe was already in labor and Melanie was serving as her nurse-midwife. They’d spent Chloe’s entire pregnancy fretting over their one-night stand and the possibility that Philip could be the father of Chloe’s baby. A test showed that Philip wasn’t the father. Even so, as soon as he held Parker in his arms in that cabin, he knew. He knew that he and not Daniel was Parker’s father. He could feel it, and the feeling was overwhelming. Looking into Parker’s newborn face, he felt a connection, so powerful, so magnetic that it was unmistakeable. He knew that being Parker’s father would complicate all their lives. And it did. It blew up his marriage to Melanie and Chloe’s marriage to Daniel. It was the worst of times but it was also the best of times. Years later, he and Chloe admitted that their one-night stand had to have been fate, that it happened because they were meant to be together.

And now they weren’t together.

“Daaaddy! Tell me about it.” Parker’s whine interrupted Philip’s thoughts. “Don’t you remember?”

“Sorry kiddo, my mind was wandering. Of course I remember the day you were born. Dr. Dan was there and so was Melanie. They helped you get born. I was thinking about the first time I held you in my arms and how it was the best moment of my life.” Philip reached over and squeezed Parker’s shoulder. When he noticed Parker appearing to be pensive, he asked, “What are you thinking?”

“Is Mommy going to be home when we get back?” the boy asked sheepishly.

That innocent question took Philip by surprise. But it shouldn’t have. Apparently they hadn’t talked about everything under the sun. They never really talked about Chloe leaving. They talked around the subject but never addressed it head-on. But he always did his best to be honest with Parker, so he told him, “Um no. I don’t think so, buddy. I’m sorry. Very sorry.” He glanced at his son in the passenger’s seat and the sorrow on his face was heartbreaking. Philip looked in his rear view mirror to see if it was safe to change lanes. Philip pulled into a gas station off the highway and drove into a spot near the convenience store. He put the RV in Park.

[heroicmuse]

Im glad Philip and Parker are bonding like this. They both need it.

I hope Parker's questions don't upset Philip too much and that Philip tells him the truth and doesn't try to give him false hope.

[André DiMera]

As sad as it is, I’m glad Philip was honest with Parker that Chloe probably won’t be home.

[mae00]

Awwww. I just love that Philip and Parker are bonding and sharing stuff like this. This trip was a great idea. I'm glad Philip was honest with him about Chloe probably not being at home when they returned.

Aiden really needs to slow things down. He's just to pushy for me.

[doolfan4life]

This is a hard subject but I suppose it has to be addressed
I hope Parker doesn’t blame Philip for Chloe’s leaving

[Kpatch]

Today's episode is preempted. Tune in next week for the continuation of The Rest of Our Lives.

[fluffysmom]

I'm enjoying the father and son road trip. It's good that the two of them have the opportunity to spend this much needed time together.

[Kpatch]

Thank you all so much for reading and commenting. Be sure to tune in next week for some very interesting and informative conversations.

Here's some previews.


-Justin and JJ have an impromptu heart-to-heart.

-Philip and Parker swap notes about Chloe’s last conversation with each of them.

-Rafe admits his feelings to Nicole.

[heroicmuse]

Ooh all these conversations sound great! I can't wait for JJ and Justin to talk.

[André DiMera]

All of these conversations sound great!

Thanks for the previews!

[doolfan4life]

Interesting previews
I can’t help but wonder and hope if Parker and Philips notes will lead them to find Chloe and work things out
Thanks for the preview