Sunsets (Read 10,242 times)

[Kpatch]

FIESTA KEY BEACH

Chloe: By the time she came home from Switzerland, she wasn’t a lesbian anymore.
Philip: I guess her colossal crush on that boy who Austin was tutoring changed her mind about being a lesbian.
Chloe: A girl’s first crush on a boy can be pretty life-altering. I know mine was.

Chloe had a flashback to a conversation she had with Faith soon after Faith returned from Switzerland.

Chloe: What’s the matter, cupcake? You look down.
Faith: I am. I miss Franz.
Chloe: Oh, the boy you met in Switzerland. Have you spoken to him since you’re home?
Faith: No. ... What’s wrong with me, Mom?
Chloe: Nothing is wrong with you, baby. Why would you ask a question like that?
Faith: Because, I practically threw myself at him and he didn’t even kiss me.
Chloe: Oh. Um. I see. Maybe he was shy. Or maybe he wanted to be the one to make the first move. Didn’t you tell me he was a little older than you? Sixteen going on seventeen?
Faith: Uh huh.
Chloe: It could be that he thought he was too old for you. Faith, you’re only thirteen going on fourteen.
Faith: But Daddy said age doesn’t matter.
Chloe: He did?
Faith: Mom, how do know when you’re in love?
Chloe: Do you think you’re in love with this boy?
Faith: I don’t know. I would have known for sure if I kissed him. Just like with Chastity. How did you feel the first time you were in love? Was it his kiss?
Chloe: When you love someone, it isn’t only about physical things, like kissing. [Chloe sighed wistfully.] I knew how I felt about him before we ever even kissed. Every time I saw him, I felt my heart beat a little faster. And when he looked at me, I melted into a little puddle. And when he smiled at me, oh my, I think my heart stopped. And when he touched me ...
Faith: He touched you?
Chloe: I mean ... like holding hands. When we held hands, I would get this really nervous and excited feeling and it was all mixed together. But it was when we weren’t together that I knew I loved him. I thought about him all the time and I couldn’t wait until the next time we would see each other. [Chloe chuckled.] He used to toss pebbles at my bedroom window.
Faith: Why?
Chloe: So he could talk to me without having to see my parents. Sometimes he’d climb up the tree and come in through my window.
Faith: Ooh, really?
Chloe: Oh, um, forget I told you that. Your boyfriends should always come through the front door.
Faith: What happened the first time you kissed him?
Chloe: Well, it was sort of all those feelings rolled together. Nervousness, excitement, heart-stopping. It seemed like the world stood still in that moment, like we were the only two people on the planet.
Faith: Oh wow.
Chloe: Mostly, it was just sweet. Really really sweet.
Faith: You remember it so clearly. How old were you?
Chloe: A girl always remembers her first kiss. I was 16.
Faith: Did you ever tell Daddy about it? Was he jealous? How did you feel the first time you kissed Daddy? Was it just as sweet?
Chloe smiled wistfully.
Chloe: I didn’t have to tell your Dad about it. He was there.
Faith: What do you mean?
Chloe: I mean ... my first kiss was with your father. And my second kiss. And my third kiss ....
Faith: That’s so cool, Mom. So that means Dad was the only boy you ever loved.
Chloe: Um, not exactly.
Faith: There were other boys?
Chloe: Well, yes.
Faith: But you're together now. I don’t understand.
Chloe: Your dad and I didn’t stay together.
Faith: Why not?
Chloe: Well, we were young.
Faith: But Daddy said age doesn’t matter.
Chloe: I think it did, for me anyway. We both had a lot of growing up to do. I guess I didn’t think that I could have the kind of life I wanted if I stayed with him back then.
Faith: That’s sad.
Chloe: Yes and no. We went our separate ways and had different life experiences. Those experiences helped make us the people we grew up to be. So when we eventually got back together, we were ready to have a grown-up relationship.
Faith: I guess maybe I have some growing up to do before I settle down with one boy. Or girl.
Chloe wrapped her arms around Faith and held her close.
Chloe: My sweet Faith. You are wise beyond your years.


To be continued ...

[djm]

Love the Mom and daughter talk. Faith sounds like she can be a hand full. Thanks Kpatch.

[MrsM]

Haha, love how she has to tell Faith to forget things. I will be doing that with my kids. Lol.

[fluffysmom]

I really enjoyed the mother daughter talk. I loved Chloe remembering her first kiss and how she felt back then. Loved Faith asking if Chloe ever told Philip about her first kiss. LOL at Chloe regretting telling Faith about Philip climbing in her window. Great chapter Kpatch.

[krw627]

Chloe always did talk more than she should have and then regret it later...nice to know that didn't change just because she became a Mom!!! :-)

[gapeach]

Loved the conversation between Chloe and Faith. Sounds like they have a very special relationship.

[Kpatch]

FIESTA KEY BEACH

Philip and Chloe continued their morning walk along the beach.

Philip: Speaking of regrets ...
Chloe: I thought we were done with that topic.
Philip: Almost done. Did you feel bad that ... I always felt bad that you didn’t realize your dream to become a world famous opera singer.
Chloe: I was famous in Florida. I sang with the Florida Opera Company for 10 straight seasons.
Philip: Florida isn’t exactly the opera capital of the world.
Chloe: So what? I enjoyed every minute of it. And the important thing was I never had to spend a night away from my family.
Philip: So you didn’t miss traveling?
Chloe: I traveled. With the three of you.
Philip: You know what I mean.
Chloe: I do. But after Faith was born and I had two children to care for, I discovered that being a mother was the most fulfilling role I could play. Ten seasons in the theater was plenty.
Philip: You mean that?
Chloe: Of course. Being your wife, and Wesley and Faith’s mom -- that was the role I was born to play.
Philip: And I can’t imagine anyone else in that role. You really made it your own.
Chloe: I agree. Hmmm, I just thought of a regret too.
Philip: Uh oh.
Chloe: Don’t worry. It has nothing to do with you. It has to do with my parents. Well, mostly my mother. I regret we were never close.
Philip: Compared to me and my parents, your family was like the Waltons.
Chloe: Not exactly. I would have really liked to be close with Nancy, especially after I had a daughter of my own, but Nancy was just so hard to talk to, always giving me unwanted advice and criticizing the way I was raising my children.
Philip: That’s just how she was. I don’t think she meant any harm.
Chloe: I know she didn’t. But that didn’t make it any easier to take.
Philip: She knew you loved her.
Chloe: I hope so. I’m glad Craig moved to Tampa after Nancy died. I think living here has been really good for him.
Philip: The man doesn’t age.
Chloe: He’s still so active, even in his late 80s.
Philip: Did I tell you what happened last week on the golf course. When me, Wes and JJ played golf with Craig?
Chloe: I don’t think you did.
Philip: Oh man. He beat the pants off us. He aced two shots! Blew me out of the water.
Chloe: Way to go Dad!
Philip: Hey, you’re supposed to root for me.
Chloe: I’m glad that you and Craig ended up being good friends.
Philip: Me too. You know, I think I really started to understand that father-in-law/son-in-law dynamic after Faith married JJ. I admit I couldn’t stand that kid at first.
Chloe: Oh please, Philip. You never thought any boy was good enough for your little princess.
Philip: True, but JJ always acted so clownish.
Chloe: It was just a facade, Philip. Just a defense mechanism, like my tough-girl act was in high school.
Philip: You’re probably right.
Chloe: JJ is really very sweet. He’s kind of like his father was. A joker on the outside and a heart of gold on the inside.
Philip: At least JJ didn’t have Jack Deveraux’s wanderlust.
Chloe: You were really hoping that JJ was just another one of those phases that Faith went through, weren’t you?
Philip: I just couldn’t see what she saw in him.
Faith: She was in love.
Philip: I get that. And once I got it, I knew there was no standing in their way, because if they felt even half of what you and I felt for each other, well, that’s everything.
Chloe: You’re right. It is everything.
Philip: I certainly didn’t want to do to her what my parents did to me. I wanted her to feel supported.
Chloe: It’s funny, I wasn’t real big on family when I was a teenager, but I just love the fact that everyone lives so close-by now. I’m so happy that Wesley and Emma and Faith and JJ all live in the state. I love having my children, my grandchildren and my dad nearby ...
Philip: Hey! How about me?
Chloe: That goes without saying.
Philip: No it doesn’t.
Chloe: Still insecure as ever, huh?
Philip: Well ...
Chloe: Oh Philip, you know darn well that this wouldn’t be a family at all if it weren’t for you. You’re the center of my world. You always have been.


To be continued ...

[djm]

Ohhh Man Nancy died. I am going throught the phases of lost starting with anger. Not fair!!!! Love that Philip and Graig became good friends. So sweet that Faith married JJ.

[MrsM]

Awww. Love it.

[fluffysmom]

So Wesley did end up marrying his high school sweetheart. I really like Faith ending up marrying JJ Deveraux. I liked the update about Craig and Nancy. Great chapter...loved all of the updates. Hmmm.....Craig is in his late 80's now. Love this line: Oh Philip, you know darn well that this wouldn’t be a family at all if it weren’t for you. You’re the center of my world. You always have been.

[Kpatch]

FIESTA KEY BEACH

Philip: We had some really good times as a family. I still think about those vacations we took. Hey, remember when we met up with Lucas and Sami in Myrtle Beach? Wes was 7 and Faith was 5. We rented a house on the beach for the 10 of us.
Chloe: Don’t remind me.
Philip: Why not? We had a great time.
Chloe: Maybe you did.
Philip: It was good to spend time with Lucas for a change. And I liked flying there. I hadn’t piloted a plane since we brought Wes back from Belize.
Chloe: Another thing I’d like to forget.
Philip: Tell me about it. I still cringe whenever I think about what my parents did to us. I can’t even think about my childhood without feeling sick to my stomach.
Chloe: I know honey. I’m sorry.
Philip: At least our children had a pretty normal upbringing. I mean, they knew they were loved.
Chloe: They definitely did. You made Faith believe she was a real princess.
Philip: Ha! I love that. Until I broke I her little heart.
Chloe: The summer of 2015?
Philip: You remember!
Chloe: Of course. That’s the year you taught Faith and Wesley to swim ... in the bay! I thought I’d have a heart attack.
Philip: Well it helped those kids to become pretty fearless.
Chloe: Unlike me. I was afraid of everything growing up.
Philip: I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over the first time I made Faith cry.
Chloe: The sand castle.
Philip: Yeah. We built it right about ... here. About a quarter mile down the beach from the house.
Philip kneeled down on the beach and began gathering sand into a pile.
Chloe: She was three years old and she didn’t understand why she couldn’t keep it. She wanted you to help her bring the sand castle inside the house.
Philip looked up at Chloe.
Philip: I never expected the reaction I got when I told her I couldn’t do that.
Chloe: Her little pouty face, the mountain of tears. I think she washed away the sand castle with her tears alone.
Philip: It absolutely broke my heart to disappoint her like that. I just wasn’t expecting her to get so upset.
Chloe: It hurts to see your children unhappy.
Chloe joined Philip in the sand and helped him shape the sand into a castle.
Chloe: Remember a couple years later, when Will built a sand castle with Faith at Myrtle Beach?
Philip: I remember. He probably could have figured out a way to bring that thing indoors. Faith thought he walked on water.
Chloe: You were jealous of Faith’s relationship with Will.
Philip: Well, up until then, I was the most important man in her life.
Chloe: Faith took an instant liking to her cousin.
Philip: She followed him everywhere and hung on his every word. Will told me he enjoyed the adulation. It reminded him of the way he once idolized EJ.
Chloe: It was sweet.
Philip: Good times.
Chloe: Until Sami decided to pick a fight with me.
Philip: Good old Sami.
Chloe: I couldn’t believe she got so angry that she made Lucas pack up and leave Myrtle Beach on the spot.
Philip: Sami’s always been jealous of you.
Chloe: Whatever. I was just glad when they left.
Philip: Can’t live with her, can’t shoot her.
Chloe: That’s too bad.
Philip: I don’t know how the hell Lucas put up with Sami all these years. I couldn’t have done it.
Chloe: Luckily you didn’t have to. You married someone who’s perfect.
Philip: You mean Belle?
Chloe: I’m going to have to hurt you now.
Philip pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her.
Philip: You’re right. I married the perfect girl. You.


To be continued ...

[MrsM]

So cute. I love them happy.

[fluffysmom]

I really enjoy sharing all of their memories...the good and the bad. I can see Sami getting mad and making Lucas pack up and leave their vacation. I love Faith wanting to bring her sand castle home. So sweet.

[Kpatch]

Double chapter Wednesday is coming!

[fluffysmom]

Thanks Kpatch. Sounds great!