Keeping the Faith (Read 12,559 times)

[fluffysmom]

I can't blame Chloe for being worried and upset. She's had so much stress during this pregnancy.

[Kpatch]

TITAN OFFICES

Philip sat at his desk and addressed the four people seated on the sofa and chairs in his office: Brady, Lucas, Daniel, and Nicole.

Daniel: Wait a minute. You’re telling me ... you’re leaving your wife who’s ... six months pregnant ... all alone?
Philip: Not exactly.
Brady: How in hell can you leave her at a time like this?
Philip: I don’t have a choice.
Nicole: What kind of bullsh!t is that?
Lucas: You know what? Could you all shut up a minute so Philip can explain?
Philip: Thank you Lucas.
Lucas: No sweat man.
Philip: As I was saying, this is a quasi-military assignment and I tried to say no, but I can’t. I got my marching orders.
Daniel: What the fung does quasi mean? How can you even think ...
Lucas gestures to Daniel.
Lucas: Why the hell did you invite him along?
Philip: Because he’s a doctor, and I was hoping, I’m asking you -- I chose all her exes -- to look in on Chloe. Make sure she’s alright.
Nicole: That’s big of you.
Brady: Come on, let’s give him a break.
Philip: Thank you, Brady. Look, this isn’t easy for me either. I know that there’s bad blood between us, Daniel and ... well, you hate me, but I know you once loved Chloe ... I know you all did. 
Nicole: I still do.
Philip: Hell, you guys went with me to Thailand to help find her. And ... and I would simply feel better about leaving if there were people who cared about her looking out for her. 
Brady: How long are you gonna be gone?
Philip: Two or three weeks. No more than that.
Nicole: Pfft. Only two weeks? With all this drama, you’d think you were going to be gone forever. Sort of like the last time Daniel took a vacation.
Philip: I was able to negotiate a shorter stint than the Marines wanted.
Lucas: Negotiate?
Philip: After this is over, I’m giving them one weekend every six months. Locally, of course. ... So, can I count on you men? 
Nicole: Ahem.
Philip: Um sorry Nicole ... men and woman?
Lucas: Count me in.
Brady: Sure.
Nicole: Sounds like fun.
Philip: Daniel?
Daniel: Yeah, whatever.
Philip took a deep breath.
Philip: Thank you. Thank you. This means the world to me.

After Nicole, Brady, Lucas and Daniel left, Philip was gripped by a feeling that he had done the wrong thing by enlisting help from these four. Sure they all cared about Chloe on some level, but ... something was missing and he just figured out what that was. He grabbed his jacket and headed for his car.


THE BRADY PUB

Philip: Bo! Hope told me I’d find you here.
Bo: Hey man, what’s up?
Philip: Can we sit? I’ll buy you a beer.
Bo: Sure. Have a seat.
Bo went behind the bar and poured them a couple of draughts. He brought them over to where Philip was seated, and sat down across the table from him.
Bo: So, I heard you’re going to Israel on a mission for the Marines.
Philip: You heard? 
Bo: Yeah, Chloe and Hope have gotten pretty tight lately. 
Philip: I know. I just didn’t think about her telling Hope and ... hey, wait. Were you ever gonna call me to say goodbye?
Bo: You’re only gonna be gone two weeks, right?
Philip: Yes, but ...
Bo: Hey, I’m just razzing you. Of course I was planning to see you before you go. Do you know what you’re going to be doing over there?
Philip: Generally, yes. Specifically, no. And just between us, my mission is classified. So I can’t tell you. ... Listen, I just had a meeting with Nicole and ... all Chloe’s exes. 
Bo: All her exes?
Philip: Yeah. Lucas, Brady and Daniel.
Bo: Must have been interesting. What was the meeting about?
Philip: Actually, I’m the one who called the meeting. I asked them all to keep an eye on Chloe while I’m gone. 
Bo: Seriously? What the hell were you thinking?
Philip: I was thinking they care about her and would have her best interests at heart.
Bo: Sure they would.
Philip: I know. It wasn’t until after I heard their reactions that I realized it might have been a mistake on my part. That’s why I called you.
Bo: What do you need? Name it.
Philip: I need ... I need my big brother. 
Bo was clearly moved and didn’t know what to say.
Philip: Chloe’s exes may care about her, but ... what I’m trying to say is, other than Chloe, there’s no one I trust more than you, Bo. You took care of us in the Safe House and ... and I’m asking you to look in on Chloe ... to look after my family ... you know, in case something happens to me.
Bo: Hey man, nothing is going to happen to you.
Philip: I know. But I’d feel a lot better about going if I knew you were ...
Bo: Say no more. Hope and I will be there for Chloe and Wes. ... Philip, I ... I appreciate your trust in me. It means a lot. I mean, we’ve never been particularly close, but you are my little brother and I love you.
Philip: Thanks Bo. I ... I love you too.
Bo and Philip rose from their seats and gave each other a manly embrace. They shook hands, butted fists, and Philip left the pub.


To be continued ...

[djm]

Love the scene with Bo and Philip. I cried when they said I love you. Glad Chloe will have the gang to keep an eye on her. Thanks for the chapter

[sportsgirl]

They may be all exes, but I get the feeling they all will really look out for her, but Bo makes him feel the safest...Understandable.

[MrsM]

This could get interesting. Lol.

Love the honesty and openness between Bo and Philip.

[mae00]

I just love it when Bo & Phillip are together!

[gapeach]

Can't wait to see what mischief Nicole and the 'exes' get into with Chloe... I am hoping for a comedy of errors!!

[Trey]

I wish that Days would develop the bond between these two on the show. I mean, first they'd have to bring Phil back...

[DancingDays]

Awwww. Sweet stuff between the brothers.

[fluffysmom]

Great scene with Philip and Bo. It's shocking that there were no fights with Philip, Daniel, Lucas and Brady in a room together. I'm glad Chloe has so many people to help her and Wes while Philip is away.

[Kpatch]

ICE SKATING RINK AT HORTON TOWN SQUARE

Chloe and Philip took the rest of the week off from work to enjoy some quality family time. Today, they went to the ice skating rink. 

Philip, Chloe, and Wesley sat on a bench facing the ice. Philip put his skates on, while Chloe secured Wesley’s skates on his little feet.

Chloe: Philip ... are you scared?
Philip: Of what? Skating?
Chloe: No, dummy. Of going to the Middle East.
Philip: No.
Chloe: Then why am I so scared?
Philip: Because ... I think it’s because it’s harder to be the one waiting back home. But there’s nothing to be afraid of, Chloe. Honestly, this is like a business trip. But instead of private business, it’s government business. Same difference really.
Chloe: Except it’s not safe over there.
Philip: Look sweetie, people fly in and out of Israel all the time. Hundreds of times a day. They make pilgrimages there. It’s the holy land. Nothing bad can happen to me there.
Chloe: Oh, so you’re suddenly turning religious?
Philip: Okay, no. I’m just trying to make you feel more comfortable about my assignment. 
Chloe was quiet for a minute.
Chloe: So you’re really not afraid?
Philip: I’m really not afraid. 
Chloe: Would you tell me if you were?
Philip: I tell you everything. 
Chloe: Good. I don’t want you to be scared, but ...
Philip: Yes?
Chloe: Even if you’re not finding religion, I’ll probably say a few prayers while you’re over there.
Philip: I can live with that.
Chloe: Okay then. If you’re not scared, then I won’t be scared either.
Philip: Good. I’m glad we settled that. Ready to skate?
Chloe: Not me. My center of gravity has shifted too much. You boys go on ahead. 
Philip: You sure? I promise I won’t let you fall.
Philip stood up and held out his hand. Chloe took Philip’s hand and moved her thumb across his fingers as she looked up at him.
Chloe: I’m sure. I’ll sit here and watch.
Philip bent down and kissed her cheek as he picked Wesley up and skated into the rink.

Philip placed Wesley’s feet on the ice. He crouched down and held his son’s little hands, skating backwards so that Wesley was skating forward. Sitting on the sidelines, Chloe took out her camera phone and snapped a few pictures. She laughed as she watched her two men laughing. 

Her laughter turned to tears and a lump formed in her throat as she remembered when Philip taught her how to ice skate. They were young and basking in that heady rush of first love, and she had no idea how many twists and turns their lives would take before they arrived at this point in time. Since then, she had been in love with other men besides Philip, but there was no one else quite like Philip. He was the common thread that sewed her life together and made everything else make sense. He was the true love of her life. He was her home base. And this was where she belonged. 

Suddenly she was overwhelmed by the urge to be out there on the ice with the two of them. She put on her ice skates and skated over. Philip lifted Wesley from the ice and he held out his free hand as Chloe approached.
Philip: Be careful.
Chloe: I will if you will.
Philip put an arm around Chloe and he held her close as he kissed her hair.
Philip: I will be. I promise. I have too much to look forward to and I don’t want to miss a minute more than I have to.
Chloe: I’ll leave a light on for you.
Chloe took hold of Philip’s arm and the three of them skated around the circumference of the rink.


To be continued ...

[Trey]

Aw I'm getting choked up

[djm]

I loved the way Chloe and Philip are spending time together.maybe Philip and Chloe are not afraid, but I sure am. Thanks for the chapter.

[MrsM]

So sweet!!

[gapeach]

Wish I could see a picture of Phillip skating with Wesley! Too cute for words. jkjpatch, you better make sure that Phillip comes home safe and sound and that Chloe stays okay while he is gone!!