Keeping the Faith (Read 12,220 times)

[fluffysmom]

Thanks for the previews. Sounds like an interesting week.

[Kpatch]

THE LAKE HOUSE, TWO WEEKS LATER

Chloe walked into the kitchen with Wesley in her arms. Philip was preparing dinner for them.
Chloe: Philip, I’m so sorry I’m late. I know I said I’d be home by 6:00 but rehearsal went long.
Philip took Wesley from Chloe’s arms.
Philip: Hey big guy. Did you have fun watching Mommy rehearse?
Chloe: You’re mad at me.
Philip: No, I’m not mad. Just a little worried. I hope this isn’t too much for you.
Chloe: It’s not. It’s ... oh Philip, I’m in heaven. I’m living my dream and I couldn’t be happier.
Philip: I can see that by looking at you.
Chloe: Then don’t worry.
Philip: I do worry. You have a lot going on ... not the least of which is being pregnant.
Chloe: I’m fine. I feel great. Dr. Bader wouldn’t have given me the okay to perform if she had any concerns about my health or the baby’s health.
Philip: I know, but...
Chloe: Honey, no. No “buts.” I’m fine. I get to fulfill my lifelong dream. I get to sing opera on stage. I get to have Wesley with me all day, with the help of a nanny at the theater. And ...
Philip: And what?
Chloe: And I get to come home to you every night. You’re what makes my dream complete.
Philip: Sweetie. [He sighed.] You always know how to win me over, don’t you?
Chloe: I didn’t say that just to win an argument, Philip. It’s the truth.
She kissed him.
Philip: Chloe, all I want is for you to be happy and healthy. You and Wes. And little Phloe.
Chloe laughed.
Chloe: We’re fine. All three of us.
Philip: You mean all four of us.
Chloe: That’s right. The four of us. ... I love you, Philip.
Philip: I love you too, baby.
Chloe: Did we get any interesting mail?
Philip: I didn’t check yet. I just changed out of my suit when I got home from work, and I started cooking.
Chloe sorted through the mail on the counter.
Chloe: Bills, magazines, coupons, and ... this letter for you. Hmmm.
Philip: What is it?
Chloe: This letter. It looks official. Has the United States seal and all.
Philip put Wesley on the floor, and he opened the letter.
Philip: Let me see it. Whoa. USMC.
Chloe: United States Marine Corps?
Philip: Yeah. It’s from a Colonel Hudgens.
Philip scanned the letter.
Philip: Hmmm.
Chloe: What does he want?
Philip: Nothing. It’s no big deal.
Chloe: Philip! What happened to not having any secrets?
Philip: They ... um ... they want me overseas to help with a project.
Chloe: You’re being drafted???
Philip: Ha. No sweetie. Even if there was still such a thing as a draft, I’m too old to be drafted.
Chloe: What is it they want you to do?
Philip: It has to do ... with the biofuel project that Titan was developing five years ago.
Chloe: How do the Marines know about that?
Philip: The project was partially funded by a federal grant.
Chloe: But that doesn’t explain why they need you. You’re not a scientist.
Philip: No, but I knew all about the project and ... I’m a Marine.
Chloe: You were a Marine.
Philip: Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper fi.
Chloe: Where do they want to send you? ... Philip?
Philip: Um ... Israel.
Chloe: Israel? Why Israel?
Philip: It says I’ll get further instructions when I get there.
Chloe: Forget that. You’re going to tell them you can’t go.
Philip: Right, don’t look so worried. I’ll tell them I can’t go. My wife is six months pregnant.
Chloe took the letter out of Philip’s hands.
Chloe: Philip, did you see this? This letter isn’t only signed by Colonel Hudgens. It’s signed ... by the President of the United States. Philip, this isn’t a request. It’s a command.
Philip: Yeah, I know. Look, I’ll call Colonel Hudgens in the morning. I'll even go to the local Corps office if I have to, and I'll speak to someone about this in person. Don’t worry, sweetie, we’ll get this straightened out.


To be continued ...

[djm]

Ohhh finally my question is answered. Boy these two can never get a break. To think up til now I liked your President. Thanks for the chapter Kpatch looking forward to the next chapter.

[gapeach]

Poor Phillip and Chloe - hope Victor and / or Kate didn't have anything to do with this request.

[djm]

Never even thought about it being Victor and Kate. Hmmmm I knew that Philip and EJ were both after the fuel at one time with Mel playing the two of them. I was thinking of it being Nick.

[sportsgirl]

Talk about bad timing.. this really sucks! Israel also is a dangerous place to be.

[MrsM]

Hmmmmm.....

[fluffysmom]

Philip and Chloe are finally happy and enjoying their life together. So the government felt the need to complicate things for them. The letter is far more stressful than performing. Can't wait to see what happens next.

[DancingDays]

Hear that? That would be the other shoe dropping.

[Kpatch]

THE NEXT EVENING, LAKE HOUSE LIVING ROOM


Philip has just returned home.

Chloe: Philip! I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Why didn’t you return my phone calls?
Philip: Sorry, I got caught up in bureaucracy. I spent all day at the office of the Marine Corps.
Chloe: Oh god, I can tell by the look on your face that it’s bad news.
Philip: No no, not bad news. Not exactly. 
Chloe: You’re going, aren’t you? You’re going to Israel. ... Philip, answer me.
Philip: Yes, I have to go. 
Chloe: No!
Chloe angrily left the living room and headed out the back door onto the veranda. She stood at the railing fuming and staring out at the lake. Philip came up behind her and kneaded her shoulders. He leaned toward her ear and spoke quietly.
Philip: Baby, please don’t be upset. Really. It’s only for two weeks. Three weeks tops. 
Chloe: Is that supposed to make me feel better?
He put his arms around her from behind.
Philip: Uh huh. It could have been longer. I told them I have to be home when you give birth. I promised them our third child in exchange for a shorter stint.
Chloe: Very funny. And I’ll bet they were sooo sympathetic to your plight, weren’t they?
Philip: All things considered, yes. Come on, think of it as a business trip.
Chloe whirled around and faced Philip.
Chloe: But it’s not. You’re going to the Middle East and it’s dangerous there.
Philip: No more dangerous than the South Side of Chicago ... you know, the baddest part of town? Sweetie ...
Philip took Chloe into his arms.
Philip: I’ll be home before you even know I’m gone.
Chloe: When do you leave?
Philip: Friday.
Chloe: Friday? That’s so soon.
Philip: The sooner I leave, the sooner I’ll be back.
She held him tightly.
Chloe: I miss you already.
Philip: Me too, baby. I love you.
Chloe: I love you more.
Philip leaned his chin on Chloe’s shoulder.
Philip: I seriously  ...[he swallowed hard.] ... seriously doubt that.


To be continued ...

[djm]

Poor Philip and Chloe. I am so worried about Philip being in the middle east. I feel bad for Chloe. She is not having a great pregnancy with all that is happening. Thanks Kpotch. I know it was harder for you to do this morning.

[gapeach]

Wonderful update. Can't wait for Phillip to come back home where he belongs!! Hope all goes well for Chloe while he is gone, but knowing this particular writer, I see twists and turns in store for her!!

[MrsM]

I have a feeling there is something he isn't telling her.

[sportsgirl]

Those are going to be the longest weeks of their lives...But I'm with MrsM, I think there is more to this trip.

[DancingDays]