Stolen Moments (Read 15,831 times)

[Kpatch]

Chapter 47


Philip kept nodding off sitting in that chair at Parker’s bedside. All he wanted to do was spend every moment with Parker until his son was well enough to bring home.

“Philip,” he heard a distant voice call his name as he drifted in and out of sleep. Maybe someone was trying to wake him up and he’d find out the last few months were only a dream.

“Philip. Time to go home.” Philip slowly opened his eyes to find Maxine standing over him. “Visiting hours are long over, you know.”

Philip looked over at Parker. Seeing his son bandaged and bruised told him that it wasn’t just a dream. “No change?”

“No change,” Maxine answered. “But you need to go on home, get some sleep. You’re not gonna do your little boy any good walking around like a zombie.”

“What about you?” Philip asked. “You’ve been here since this morning.”

“Comes with the territory. Listen, Philip,” she said sympathetically, “I know you’re worried, but if it makes you feel any better, a lot of us on this staff have a soft spot for Parker. We’ll take good care of him, and that’s a promise.”

Philip nodded and stood up, rolling his shoulders to stretch out the kinks. He leaned over Parker and gently kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back soon, big guy.” Then he looked at Maxine and grasped her hand. “Thank you.”

“I’m a parent too,” she said. “I know what you’re going through.”

Philip left Parker’s room knowing that Maxine was right. A few hours sleep, a shave and a shower would help him face tomorrow. He was surprised and heartened to know that he had the support of at least a few people -- Craig, Maxine, his father. He half-expected Craig to be angry with him, but he wasn’t. Philip was the only one truly looking out for Chloe’s well-being, so he figured he must have won points with her father because of that. As a father himself, Philip got that. Everyone who was now helping with Parker’s care definitely earned greater esteem in Philip’s eyes too.

Right now, Philip was mindlessly looking up at the LED-lit numbers as he waited for the elevator. He wasn’t sure what time it was, just that it was the middle of the night and he was dog-tired.

“Well well well,” a female voice said.

Philip turned his head to find a very pretty young woman waiting for the elevator by his side. “Are you burning the midnight oil too,” she asked.

“Um. No, I don’t work here,” he said, way too tired and emotionally drained for small talk. He turned to face the elevator again.

“Of course you don’t. Not in those expensive clothes,” she said eying him up and down with great interest. “Well I was. My bitch of a boss will pitch a fit if she doesn’t have that report on her desk when she walks in tomorrow morning. I can hear her now, threatening to fire me yet again. ... My name is Teresa by the way.”

Philip nodded and pushed the elevator button again.

“Oh they’re probably using the elevator to bring a patient up or something. Who knows what goes on around here in the middle of the night. It may take an extra minute or 10. ... So, what’s your name?”

“Philip,” he told her without looking at her.

“Mmmm. Philip. I don’t remember seeing you around before. I’d be sure to remember if I had. You have one of those faces a girl like me never wants to forget.”

Philip continued watching those elevator buttons. Damn, what a time for the elevator to be out. Even as tired as Philip was, he said, “I think I’ll take the stairs.” Philip walked around Teresa and headed for the staircase, hoping the girl wouldn’t follow him, but no such luck.

“Wait, I’ll go with you,” she said.

Just then the elevator bell sounded and the doors opened. They both turned around and stepped into the elevator.

“So, um,” Teresa stepped a bit closer to Philip. “You visiting a friend?”

Philip glanced at her and nodded, hoping his lack of verbal conversation would give her a clue. He thought she looked a little drunk, or maybe high.

“Your wife?” she persisted. When Philip didn’t answer, Teresa took his hand. “No wedding band. So ... not married, huh?”

Philip pulled his hand away and stuffed it in his pocket.

“Mmmm, I like the strong silent type,” she said. “I don’t really need any conversation either.” She took another step closer to Philip and stood in front of him. “You know, we could go somewhere, have some drinks, have a little fun.”

“No thanks,” Philip said, stepping back as far as the confined space would allow, and thinking he couldn’t have been any clearer about his lack of interest.

“Or,” she continued, “we can have a little fun right here.” She invaded his space again. “Philip, I can see you’re really tense. And I’ve got just the cure.” Teresa hooked her fingers inside the waistband of Philip’s pants and started to unzip.

He pushed her away roughly and took a step backwards. “Are you crazy?” He squinted at her as he zipped up. “Take a hint. I’m not interested.”

“Not married? Alone in an elevator with a beautiful and willing girl like me? And you’re not interested??? You’re gay, aren’t you? My gaydar must be on the fritz.”

Philip shook his head in disbelief. “Maybe my brother would be interested, but not me. I don’t do elevators. ... And no, I’m not gay.”

The elevator door finally opened on the ground floor and Philip stepped out. He turned around and looked at Teresa who was still standing inside the elevator, looking sad and hurt. “Look Teresa, I don’t know you from Adam, but you’re very lucky it was me in that elevator instead of god-knows-who. What you did just now was stupid and dangerous. And as a father myself, I can tell you that I would be mortified if you were my daughter. I hope you learn to have a little self-respect before you get yourself into trouble.”

Philip turned around and quickly walked through the hospital lobby to the exit.

[gapeach]

GREAT CHAPTER. Love how Phillip handled Teresa. Hopefully she will listen to his words of wisdom! Wait did I just mention words of wisdom and Phillip in the same sentence??? Dang kpatch, you are having grow up right in front of us!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!

[MrsM]

God I wish someone would treat Theresa like that on the show!!!! Go Philip!!

[melly]

Yay Philip! And loved seeing Maxine here, esp being good to Philip.

[fluffysmom]

Teresa certainly goes for it when she wants someone. I'm glad Philip didn't take her up on her offer.

I really liked Maxine and Philip's talk.

[Kpatch]

I'm glad you all liked the chapter. It is funny how it came about. This chapter sort of wrote itself, which sometimes happens. It's as if I have nothing to do with it, and the story just takes my keyboard hostage.

I didn't intend to write Teresa into this tale, but I admit that I've often wondered how Teresa and Philip would interact if he were still on the show. Knowing Teresa, it probably wouldn't be too different from the way she acted in this chapter, don't you think? Going forward, Philip will think back on this interaction on a couple of occasions as the story progresses. You'll see.

Thanks for continuing to read and comment on the story. I love hearing your reactions and thoughts!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 48


When Philip walked through the door of the Kiriakis mansion, he was surprised to hear voices coming from the living room so late. The door was open just a crack so he was able to see and hear what was going on without entering.

He could see Maggie in her robe sitting beside Daniel on the sofa and holding his hand. Victor was seated in the overstuffed chair he always sat in.

“Without a doubt ... the worst day ... of my life,” Daniel said quietly.

“I know honey. It’s been an awful day for all of us,” Maggie replied with sincere sympathy.

“But,” he said haltingly, “it was my negligence ... that caused ... Parker to fall. If I’d been ... watching him ... the way I should ... it ... never would have happened.”

“Don’t say that honey,” Maggie said reassuringly. “Things happen to children. Childhood accidents are so common.”

“Not accidents like this. Not accidents where ... where the doctors have to drill a hole in his head to reduce the pressure. And then ... oh god.” Daniel lowered his head. “And then to find out he’s not my son?” He lifted his head and looked at Maggie. “I’m not sure I even believe it, Mom. I mean, Philip would have been more than happy to tell me he was Parker’s father ... if that were true.”

“You’re right, honey. Philip would have gloated about it, I’m sure.” Maggie looked at Victor. “Philip confides in you, Victor. Did he say anything? Anything at all?”

Philip saw Victor open his mouth to speak and he knew he couldn’t let his father get caught in a lie. So he made his presence known. “I can answer that question,” Philip said as he walked into the room.

“How’s Parker, son?”

“Resting comfortably, as the staff likes to say.” Philip sat down on the far end of the sofa near his father. “I stayed as long as they let me. I ... I didn’t expect anyone here to still be up. It’s so late.”

“No one could sleep,” Maggie explained. “So Philip, what’s your take on all this? Do you believe EJ? Did you really have more paternity tests run?”

Philip nodded. “I didn’t believe him at first either. But obviously, it planted a seed so....”

Maggie raised an eyebrow. “At first? What do you mean ‘at first’? How long ago did EJ tell you?”

Philip looked at his father, then back at Maggie. “New Year’s Day.”

Maggie’s mouth fell open. “New Years? That’s two and a half months ago!”

Philip took a deep breath, wishing more than anything that he didn’t need to rehash all this again. He was dead tired and he wanted to go to sleep. But he knew it was important to set the record straight, so he continued. “I bought six paternity test kits. Used fake names so no one would tamper with them. And all the results came back a positive match. All six of them.”

“I’d like to see those results,” Daniel said without looking at Philip.

“Of course, I’ll email them to you.”

Maggie still had questions. “Why didn’t you tell us, Philip? Why would you keep this kind of information secret?”

“I did it for Parker.” Philip said. “With his mom being so sick and not part of his life right now ... well, I didn’t want him to go through any more upheaval. He’s been bounced around enough lately. My hope ... my plan was to tell Chloe first, when she’s better. This affects her too, and I didn’t want her to be the last to know. After that, I was going to tell everyone else.”

Daniel sat motionless with his head down the whole time Philip was speaking. Philip and Daniel never had a whole lot in common other than falling in love with the same woman, but right now, Philip knew exactly how he felt and, he honestly felt bad for him. “Daniel, I’m sorry. I mean, I’m not sorry to know that Parker’s really my son, but I’m sorry for what you’re going through. If anyone knows how you feel, it’s me.”

Daniel slowly turned his head toward Philip and glared at him angrily. “Easy to be the bigger man when you have the upper hand, isn’t it? ... Do you remember what you said to me when I held out an olive branch on New Year’s Day?”

Philip nodded. “I refused it, because I saw it as pity. I acted like a jerk. I felt like you were usurping my place in Parker’s life, and in Chloe’s.”

Daniel got up from the sofa. “I’m going to need my own proof, but even if it turns out you are Parker’s father, you’ll never be half the man I am. With you as a father, I feel sorry for Parker.” He looked at Victor. “No offense to you Victor.”

Daniel turned to Maggie and kissed her cheek. “Good night Mom.”

“Oh honey,” Maggie said, her lower lip quivering with sadness. “I’m here if you need me.”

After Daniel left the room, Philip rose to his feet. He looked at Maggie, then at Victor, and there was nothing more to say. So he silently left the room and headed upstairs to bed.

[MrsM]

I am glad Philip was the bigger man there. He proved what kind of man he really is.

[jc20886]

Love Philip he is just the best

[fluffysmom]

I'm glad that Philip had the chance to explain his reasons for keeping quiet.

[Kpatch]

Chapter 49


Tired as he was, sleep might just be a fool’s paradise tonight, because Philip’s mind simply wouldn’t give him any peace. Daniel wasn’t the only one who considered today was the worst day of his life. Philip did too. His son nearly died today and he wasn’t out of the woods yet. He had another 36 hours to go and Philip didn’t know how he’d get through it.

Chloe should be here. She should be sitting with her son and holding his hand. He and Chloe should be comforting each other, crying on each other’s shoulder, supporting one another. But she doesn’t even know. She doesn’t even know that her son is so sick. She doesn’t even know her son period. Philip wanted to punch something. This is not how it was supposed to be. Nothing was going right. Nothing.

Philip sat up in bed, resting his arm across his knees, running a hand through his hair. Everything is FUBAR as they used to say in the Marines. Effed up beyond all reason.

All Philip wanted was for his family -- Chloe, Parker, himself -- to be back together, healthy and happy and whole, body mind and spirit. Once that happens, everything else will fall into place. Seemed like such a simple goal.

Philip unexpectedly flashed to the girl on the elevator. Why did she pop into his mind, he wondered. All that encounter amounted to was an absurd moment in an already unbelievably horrible day. It was like some crazy-ass perverted fantasy.

Philip hadn’t thought about sex in months, at least not consciously. It was almost the furthest thing from his mind, and that wasn’t like Philip Kiriakis. It’s not that Philip was interested in Teresa; he wasn’t. In fact, her behavior was a total turn off. There might have been a time in his life when he would have taken her up on her proposition, when comfort sex seemed like a good idea. In fact, some of his best relationships started out that way.

Still, something about what happened on the elevator tonight prompted him to think about what’s been missing in his life. And it wasn’t just sex. It was love, it was intimacy, it was the emotional connection between a man and woman that transcended the physical. There was only one woman he wanted in his bed, and not just for an hour or a night or a week. It was time for it to happen already. He wanted his forever with Chloe, the same forever he wanted with her since their very first date.

Hundreds of eyes were on them as they they took center stage on the dance floor the night of the first Last Blast prom, but he saw only her. Their eyes locked and everyone else disappeared. It was just the two of them, falling in love to a LeeAnn Rimes song -- I Need You -- a song that would become the anthem of their relationship.

When Chloe smiled at him on the dance floor that night, she lit a fire in his heart, an Olympic-size flame that would never be extinguished. In that moment, young Philip was sure that no boy ever felt the way he felt about a girl before, as if he invented that feeling. He was sure nothing could ever compare. And truly, nothing ever had.

A missing body part was nothing new to Philip, but it was harder to deal with what was missing from his life these days. He felt like a chunk of his heart was gone and he wouldn’t be whole again until Chloe was back. He longed for the day that he’d have her back in his arms, holding her through the night, stroking her hair, touching her skin, looking into her blue eyes, and whispering I love you to each other between kisses. It was such a simple basic need, one that most people take for granted. He wanted all those moments that had been stolen from them. If that wish would just come true, Philip would be able to breathe again.

[gapeach]

Awwwwwwww. How sweet! You have me wanted their forever as well!!!

[MrsM]

Awwwwww.

[fluffysmom]

Philip is going through so much alone. I hope his dreams will come true very soon. I really liked Philip's thoughts of his first date with Chloe. Maybe the happy memories can bring him some comfort during this difficult time.

[melly]

The oh so perfect Dr Dan is turning out to be an enormous jerk. Just saying.