Stolen Moments (Read 15,835 times)

[kathyj]

Will Daniel be suspicious of the drugs Chloe is being given or wouldn't he question his friend?

[Kpatch]

The chapter you've all been waiting for is coming up next!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 15


Was it just his impatience, or was the traffic unbearable today? He seemed to hit every red light between Titan and the library. And he got stuck behind every poky car on the road. He remembered how much easier it was to get around Salem when he was younger. But that small town was gone and it was replaced by a semi-industrial city that was friendly to businesses and had a lower tax rate and cheaper real estate than Chicago, which was only 100 miles away.

When he was a kid, it took him about 15 minutes to jog from the library to Titan headquarters. And today, it would probably have been faster to walk than to drive. Get real, Kiriakis, he said to himself. Back in high school you were in great shape, captain of the track team, and you still had two good legs.

Maybe it wasn’t taking as long to get there as it felt, but it had been hours since Philip got the text alert that told him the first paternity test result was in. A half hour later he got another, then shortly afterwards, he got a third alert. Three of the six labs had results ready for him. He had surmised they’d all come through at once considering the fact he mailed the tests to the labs, all on the very same day. He created accounts using six fake names with six new email addresses; and he set up alerts to be informed when the results were in. He’d been in meetings all morning and he couldn’t break away until now.

Finally, he reached the library. He turned the wheel into the parking lot and found a spot. It didn’t look too crowded, giving him hope that at least one computer would be available inside. Ironically, the library proved to be the most private place to use an uncompromised computer.

Inside, he looked around briefly, hoping he wouldn’t see anyone he knew. And he didn’t. So he sat down at the computer terminal farthest from the entrance and tossed a small memo pad on the desk. The pad contained the account information and passwords he’d need to retrieve the results.

This is it, he told himself, the moment he’d been waiting for. He half-expected to hear drum rolls or a similar fanfare. This moment was so monumental, it was as if he should be sharing it with the world. Yet here he sat alone and anonymous, about to receive potentially life-altering information.

Tears sprang to eyes as he read the first report. And it confirmed what he already knew in his heart. That Parker was his. Philip was Parker’s biological father.

Really, there was never any question in Philip’s mind, and that’s what made it so hard to believe when he was told Parker wasn’t his son. The news he got last November ran contrary to what his gut told him, and what this new DNA test said. Positive match. He checked a second report. Positive match. And the third report. Positive matches all. A smile broke through his tears. Philip mentally leaped from his chair, high-fiving everyone in the library.

Then he landed with a thud. Damn EJ. Damn him to hell for playing this twisted game with their lives. It was his fault that Chloe was in a sanitarium. It was EJ’s fault that she wasn’t by Philip’s side right now to share this incredible news. God he missed her. In this moment, he missed her more than ever. This was maybe the happiest moment of Philip’s life and he had no one to share it with. Chloe was the one person he wanted to tell, to talk to. He had so much he wanted to say to her. But he couldn’t.

The truth was, it wasn’t EJ’s fault that Chloe was institutionalized. It was Philip’s. It was his own fault for reacting the way he did when he was told he wasn’t Parker’s father, his fault for pushing Chloe away and being uncommunicative.

He could beat himself up all he wanted but it wouldn’t change what happened. He had to deal with the current altered state of their lives until Chloe got well again.

Philip gazed over at a table in the center of the library and pictured himself and Chloe sitting there. He imagined the smile on her face when he told her that he was really Parker’s father after all.

His vision dissolved into a memory of a personal conversation two teenagers had in this very library more than 10 years ago.

“I want a big family,” the boy said.

The girl picked her head up from the book she was reading. “In that case, I hope you and your wife will be very happy.” She resumed her reading.

He nudged her arm. “What are you talking about? I meant with you, Chloe. I think you’re just pulling my leg.”

“No I’m not, Philip. I’m not so sure I want kids.”

“Why not?”

Head still in her textbook, she said matter-of-factly, “I’d be a terrible mom.”

Philip touched her chin, directing her to look at him. “You would not. How can you say that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t exactly have ideal role models for parents.”

Philip chuckled. “Well, neither do I.”

“Then it’s settled.” Chloe turned back to her book. “No kids.”

Philip looked off into space. “No, I can’t go along with that. We have to have children.”

Chloe stopped reading and looked at Philip. “Have to? Why?”

He turned to look at her. “Because our daughter will be the most beautiful little girl in the world.”

Chloe rolled her eyes. “How do you know?”

He ran his hand over her cheek. “Because I have eyes, don't I? Look at you. With you for a mother, it’s a foregone conclusion.”

Smiling, Chloe said, “You’re sweet. But I still say I’d make someone a lousy mother.”

“No you wouldn’t,” he said taking her hand in his. “We’ll be great parents. We’ll learn together.”

He’ll never forget the way she looked into his eyes at that moment, as if he just unlocked the holy grail. A smile spread across her face slowly as she told him, “I hope he looks just like you.”

“He? He who?”

“Our son,” she said.

Our son, he whispered to himself. At least now, he had confirmation that Parker was his. Oh how he wanted to rub it in Daniel’s face the way Daniel was rubbing it in Philip’s.

Hmmm. Suddenly Philip realized that now wasn’t the right time at all to tell anyone about this reversal of fortune. This wasn’t the time to tell anyone the news that Parker was his son. Life was too shaky with Chloe being away at The Oaks. And with both Daniel and Philip living under Victor’s roof, all it would do is cause unnecessary turmoil for all of them, Parker most of all. Things were tough enough, he didn’t need to make them any worse. When Chloe comes home, he’ll share the news with her first. He won’t tell anyone until after he tells Chloe. Then they can get their lives back, the life they planned together, the family they were meant to be.

[jc20886]

There is a rocky road ahead for everyone involved and I think Chloe is being druged
And Daniel is trying to move in since he's the only one getting to see her. Philip had better get a move on

[wendylou]

Phillip is being very selfless and mature to keep these results to himself for now but I'm kind of afraid that in the meantime Chloe and Daniel will continue to grow closer. It seems like Chloe is already getting attached to Daniel since he's the only one she sees and she also thinks it would be better for her to be with him since he's Parker's father.

I kind of wish he'd at least tell Victor. I am glad he got the results he wanted though.

[fluffysmom]

I'm so happy for Philip. It's bittersweet that he can't tell the world yet.

I love the high school flashback. It's very Phloe.

[melly]

Awwwww....happy chapter! But he needs some face time with Chloe soon...

[gapeach]

I am glad that Phillip is Parker's daddy. It is very grown up of him to realize that he is partially responsible for Chloe's condition and that he needs to tell Chloe the truth before he tells anyone else. I am glad that he is putting Parker first in this particular matter. After all - HE knows that he is Parker's daddy and Parker does keep calling HIM daddy!

[Kpatch]

Chapter 16


“Did you see Chloe?” Philip accosted Daniel as soon as Daniel walked through the door to the mansion. “How is she?”

Daniel eyed Philip, then walked right past him into the living room where Parker was playing. Daniel got down on the floor with Parker. “Hey little man. What’s that you got there?”

“Thomas Tank Engine,” Parker said holding up a picture book with both hands. “Daddy gave me.”

Daniel turned his head slowly and glared at Philip. “Daddy? Really? We’ve discussed this before. I’m Daddy.” Daniel pointed at himself, "and you're not." Then he got up off the floor and walked to Philip until they were almost nose to nose. “From now on, I don’t want you giving Parker any gifts. Is that clear?”

Philip took a step back and walked around the couch to get away from Daniel’s negative space. “Seriously Daniel? I can’t give presents to my ... to a two year old boy who’s missing his mother? Are you an ogre? Or are you really that jealous of me?”

“Jealous of you??” Daniel pointed at Philip. “That’s a laugh. Why would anyone be jealous of a wastrel like you?”

“Maybe because I’m the man Parker calls Daddy. And you know what?” Don’t go there, don’t go there, Philip’s head kept telling himself, but his mouth was off and running. “There’s a good reason for that.”

“Sure sure sure, why don’t you delude yourself a little more.”

Philip’s decision to wait and tell Chloe first was dissolving while his anger and pride was winning out. “I’m not delusional,” Philip said. “I have proof.”

“Why don’t you take your proof, shove it where the sun doesn’t shine, and move back to Chicago where you belong, Philip.”

Anger rising by the second, Philip said, “I told you! As long as Chloe and Parker are in Salem, I’m staying put.”

“Yeah, well Chloe doesn’t want you here.”

“Bull!”

“She doesn’t! I saw her today. Oh yes I did. We spend a lottttt of time together. And we have plans to spend more time together when she’s released.”

What? What the hell was Daniel talking about? Philip squinted at Daniel. “What are you trying to say?”

“I’m talking about Chloe and me. That’s right. Chloe and I are getting close again. When she gets released, she’s coming home, home to me. We’re going to be a family again. Chloe. Parker. And me.”

For a moment, the room seemed to be spinning as Daniel’s words echoed in his ears. Philip gripped the back of the sofa for balance. Did he hear Daniel correctly? ... No, this couldn’t be true. He’s just yanking your chain, Philip told himself. Just trying to get a rise out of you. He’s jealous of Parker’s connection to Philip and that’s why he’s lashing out, trying to hit Philip where he knows it hurts, using his Achilles heel -- Chloe. “You are so full of it, Daniel.”

“You’re going to find out sooner or later. May as well be sooner," Daniel boasted. "Chloe and I are back together. Oh, and she asked me to give you a message.”

Philip’s eyes widened. Daniel's lying, he had to be. But he said Chloe had a message for him? “What? What did she say?”

“She said you should leave Salem and go back to Chicago. She never wants to see you again.”

It felt like he'd been punched in the gut. “I don’t believe you. She loves me.”

“Loves you? Ha! She barely even remembers you. You turned on her, Philip, and that’s the only thing she remembers. I’m the man she loves, you’re the man who left her,” Daniel said, his voice getting louder with every sentence. “So guess what, Philip? I won and you lost. No Chloe. No Parker. You have nothing left here, so you can just pack your bags and get the hell out of Salem.” Daniel looked over at Parker whose lower lip was trembling and threatening to turn into a full-blown cry. He glanced at Philip. “Dammit. Look what you made me do.” Daniel lifted Parker from the floor. “Hey little man, there’s no crying in baseball, remember?” Daniel took Parker out of the room.

Philip dug his fingernails into the back of the sofa, trying to hold onto something real, something tangible. His hopes and plans and dreams were evaporating. This couldn't be happening. But it was. It was too late. He screwed up and now it was too damn late. Philip dropped to his knees, calling, “Noooooo. Chloeeeeeeee.”

[fluffysmom]

Poor Philip. He really needs to see for himself how poorly Chloe is doing. I hope he doesn't take Daniel's word for it.

Daniel is really overreacting to Philip giving Parker a book. Parker needs to be around people who love him. He must be missing his mom so much.

[melly]

Wow. Daniel showing his true colors....not pretty. And to think he was sounding human just a few chapters ago!

[gapeach]

I really can't wait for Phillip to see Chloe and I really DO NOT like Damiel right now!!!

[jc20886]

Philip has to find away to get in that place and see Chloe before Daniel brain washes her

[wendylou]

I knew it. I knew it! Daniel is completely taking advantage of Chloe's situation and the fact that Phillip can't have any contact with Chloe. He's got to find a way to get in and see her. Something isn't right and I question Daniel for seeing how messed up Chloe is and doing nothing to help her.

[MrsM]

Whoa. So many revelations to take in.