Reunion (Read 16,991 times)

[Kpatch]

Thank you for your continued interest in this story and your wonderful comments. I just love reading them. Here are some previews as we head into the final week of the story.


Monday: Philip and Chloe talk about the future.

Tuesday: Morning finally breaks.

Wednesday: Belle, Brady and Shawn arrive at the cabin!

Thursday: Finale.

[djm]

The week ahead sounds super. Anxious to see what happens when they all meet at the cabin.

[MrsM]

Thanks!! Can't wait!!

[fluffysmom]

Thanks for the previews Kpatch. Sounds like a great week ahead.

[Kpatch]

6:30 a.m.

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Chloe splashed water on her face in the bathroom sink. It was still dark outside and inside, but dawn threatened to break soon. What now, Chloe wondered? Where would they go from here? She knew what Philip’s answer would be. He always saw things so simply. So black and white. Oh how she wished things really were that simple. In some ways it was so freeing to admit to Philip how she felt, but in other ways, it only made matters more complicated. Chloe knew that Belle was pregnant and, despite the fact that Belle was having an affair with Shawn, it was quite possible that Philip was going to be a father. And Chloe would not be the one to break up their family.

Chloe came out of the bathroom wearing Philip’s shirt like a robe.

Chloe: What time is it?
Standing near the kitchen sink with a glass of water, Philip glanced at his wrist watch.
Philip: 6:30.
Chloe: What a night, huh?
Philip took Chloe’s hand and he pulled her into his arms.
Philip: Best night ever. I don’t want it to end.
Chloe: Neither do I.
He placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Philip: Am I smothering you?
Chloe wrapped her arms around Philip, closed her eyes, and nestled her cheek against his bare chest.
Chloe: Mmm, no, you’re fine.
Philip: I meant that figuratively, not literally.
She looked up at him with a big smile on her face.
Chloe: I’m not 18 anymore. I think I would enjoy being smothered by you. Both figuratively and literally.
Philip’s heart nearly leaped out of his chest upon hearing those words. He kissed her again, then looked at her to make sure he wasn’t just dreaming.
Chloe: But Philip, we really do need to talk.
Philip: Okay. Let’s talk.
He held her hand and led her to the sofa where they sat facing each other. Chloe looked out the window into the pre-dawn darkness.
Chloe: Some time soon, the sun is going to come up. And somehow, we’re going to get out of here and find our way back to Salem.
Philip: That won’t change a thing, Chloe. I’m not going to feel any differently in the light of day than I do now. Are you?
Chloe: I’m gonna feel a lot guiltier.
Philip: I’m not. My wife and best friend betrayed me. I have nothing to feel guilty about.
Chloe: That’s easy for you to say. My situation is different. Brady isn’t cheating on me.
Philip: Suppose he was?
Chloe: That’s a weird question. And irrelevant, since he’s not.
Philip: You know what? Feeling guilty isn’t even the issue. The issue is you and me. And finally, after all these years, we’re together. The way we were meant to be.
Chloe: I don’t know.
Philip: Excuse me?
Chloe: I’m not like you, Philip. I can’t block out the world.
Philip: To hell with the rest of the world.
Chloe: It’s not that simple, Philip.
Philip: Sure it is. I love you. You love me. What else is there?
Chloe shook her head.
Chloe: You don’t understand.
Philip: You’re right. I don’t. ... I thought ... didn’t last night mean something to you?
Chloe: Yes. You know it did. It meant everything to me. I’ve fantasized about it so many times.
Philip: You fantasized about me?
Chloe blushed and took Philip’s hands.
Chloe: Yes. And I can tell you that real-life Philip is even better than fantasy Philip.
Philip: Then tell me what’s wrong, sweetie? Why isn’t it enough?
Chloe: It’s not that it’s not enough, Philip. It’s that it’s too much. I told you I can’t leave Brady. I won’t leave him.


SALEM INN HOTEL ROOM

Shawn: We don’t know that they’re dead, honey. Let’s not think the worst. Maybe they abandoned the car.
Belle: In the middle of the storm? I doubt that.
Belle’s phone rang.
Belle: Brady? What’s happening?
Brady [on the phone]: Roman had a Hummer pick me up and I'm on my way to where the GPS said the car is located. Roman and Bo are going to meet me there. I estimate I’m about an hour away.
Belle: Okay, I’ll meet you there too.
Brady: You shouldn’t drive by yourself, Tink. You’re too emotional.
Belle: Um, you’re right. I’ll ask Shawn to come with me. Maybe we can get a ride with Shawn’s dad.
Brady: Okay, good. See you there in an hour.


To be continued ...

[MrsM]

This is gonna be ugly when Philip sees Shawn and Belle.

[wendylou]

Ooh, I forgot that Chloe didn't know about Brady cheating.

[jc20886]

Love this story anxious to see what Thursday brings

[djm]

Thursday. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Boy I thought now would have been a great time for Philip to tell Chloe the truth about Brady. It is going to be amazing when all four get together and see each other. I am hoping the baby is Shawn's and all are free.

[fluffysmom]

I can hardly wait to see what happens when they are all in the same room. Wonder if Chloe will still be wearing Philip's shirt... I am loving this story.

[DancingDays]

Ooooh. Can't wait to see how this all goes down. Hehehe!!!

[Kpatch]

6:45 a.m.

HOUSE IN THE WOODS

Philip: Then tell me what’s wrong, sweetie. Why isn’t it enough?
Chloe: It’s not that it’s not enough, Philip. It’s that it’s too much. I told you I can’t leave Brady. I won’t leave him.
Philip looked down and spoke softly.
Philip: So you’re choosing Brady again.
Chloe: Philip. Look at me.
Chloe caressed Philip’s cheek.
Chloe: It’s not a choice, Philip. I made a vow. Even if I broke that vow tonight, I can’t abandon him. He needs me. I think he’d go off the deep end if I left him.
Philip: You’d sacrifice your happiness for him?
Chloe: I was happy with him once. Please don’t look at me like that.
Philip: No one loves you as much as I do. No one ever could.
Chloe: You’re making this really hard.
Philip: I hope so.
They were both silent for a few minutes.
Philip: So that’s it?
Chloe nodded sadly.
Philip: We go our separate ways, and I’ll never see you again?
Chloe: Well, maybe at next year’s reunion.
Philip: Once a year? And what do we do then? Do we get a hotel room?
Chloe: Maybe. It would be like that movie, “Same Time Next Year” where these two people were married to other people, but they fell in love and got together once a year. The rest of the year, they were with their husband and wife.
Philip: Well I can tell you that I’m not staying with Belle. It’s over.
Chloe: I don’t know. Maybe not. I think you should talk to her. Tell her you know about her and Shawn, and ...
Philip grabbed Chloe by her arms and he practically shook her.
Philip: Stop! Stop this. I don’t want Belle. I want you. And not just one day a year, but every day all year.
He kissed her fully with a powerful force that nearly knocked her out. Catching her breath, she pushed him back gently, her tears threatening to spill.
Chloe: Please don’t make this any harder.
Philip: I don’t know how it could possibly be any harder. I spent so much time thinking about you before, when I didn’t even think there was a chance for us. How am I going to survive without you, now that I know you feel the same way about me?
Chloe: It won’t be easy.
Philip: Chloe ...
Chloe: Shhh. Philip ... The sun will be up soon.
Philip: I wish it would never come up.
Chloe: We could pretend. We could hold back the dawn for just a little while longer.
Chloe pulled Philip toward her and kissed his lips. She ran her hands through his hair as she leaned back on the sofa until Philip was lying on top of her. He undid the only button that was fastened on her shirt, the only thing standing between him and her bare skin. Very slowly, he slid his hands northward over her body, stopping to roll her nipples under his palms. They kissed until their lips were almost raw, and took their time making love, memorizing every inch so they could return to this moment in their memories in the weeks and months to come. They made love as if it were their last time.

+++++++

7:30 a.m.

Sunrise came, almost unnoticed. Chloe and Philip remained on the sofa. Philip was lying on his side, head propped upon his elbow, softly gliding his fingertips over Chloe’s arms and legs. There were no words between them except the unspoken ones, what their eyes were saying to each other, what gentle kisses and touches could convey. Finally, Chloe broke the silence.

Chloe: Tell me what you’re thinking.
Philip shook his head.
Chloe: Please?
Philip was choked up and could only manage a whisper.
Philip: I’ve never stopped loving you, Chloe, from our first kiss to our last. I know now that I never will.
Chloe: I feel the same way. I’m grateful that fate gave us this time together.
Philip: Fate can be cruel.
Chloe: I wouldn’t trade the last 12 hours for anything.
Philip: I would. I’d trade them all if I could spend the rest of my life with you.
Chloe: Let’s not have any regrets, Philip. Please. Let’s not spend our last few minutes thinking about what could have been. Let’s just be happy for what we had. Okay?
Philip: If that’s what you want, that’s what I’ll do.
Chloe: It stopped snowing. We should get dressed.


To be continued ...

[wendylou]

Swooooon.

[MrsM]

Ahhhh!!! Chloe listen to the man!!

[djm]

Chloe listen to Philip he is right. Thanks for the chapter Kpatch.