Chapter Four

A Wedding and an Arrival

"What do you mean I'll be marrying you? In case it escaped your notice I'm engaged to someone else." Chloe asked with a mixture of astonishment and shock.

"Simply put Chloe, you and I will be married before this week is out. Your engagement and any relationship with my nephew are over indefinitely. You will be my wife."

"You must be absolutely obtuse if you think for one minute that I'll marry you. I may not marry Brady, but I sure as hell won't marry you either." She told him.

Philip took a puff from his cigarette. "I don't why I have to keep telling you this. So do yourself a favor and make note for the last time. You do not have a choice. I am not giving you any options. I am telling you for the last time. You are going to marry me, not because you want to but because you have to." Chloe gave him the evil eye and started to retort back at him but Mimi and Lily walked back into the room.

Lily immediately sensed something wrong between her parents. She could tell her mother was angry about something from the way she looked at Philip. "What's wrong?" She asked looking from her mother to her father.

Chloe answered first. "Nothing sweetheart," She said grasping at straws of how to thwart this inquisitive child of hers with a question that she did not want to answer. She gave Lily a small smile before continuing. "Your father and I were just talking."

"About what?" Lily replied curious to know if she had been the topic of conversation.

"About you of course and a surprise." Lily perked up at the mention of a surprise.

"What kind of surprise, is it something I'll like?" She asked Philip excitedly.

"I think you'll like it – your mother and I are getting married." Philip told Lily much to Chloe's silent dismay.

"Really?" She looked at Chloe for confirmation.

"That's right honey, Daddy and I are getting married." Chloe replied somehow managing to smile happily as she did so. Lily squealed and ran to hug her mother then her father.

"Did you hear that Aunt Mimi, Momma and Daddy are getting married!" She said gleefully from Philip's arms.

"I certainly did, Kiddo." Mimi smiled as she walked over and pinched Lily's cheek. She hugged Philip and then Chloe. "Let me be the first to congratulate you on your marriage. I know you and Chloe are going to need to talk and I have an appointment so I'll leave. Let me know when the wedding is so I can be sure to be there." Mimi grabbed her purse and headed out of the office.

"Philip, I need to get Lily home, too. So––," Chloe started as she took Lily from Philip's arms. Her hand brushed a small object on his chest. She placed Lily on her feet and then readjusted her purse strap.

"Wait a second before you go, I have something for you." He walked around the corner to the desk and took a small ring box out of a drawer. "Here take this," he handed the box to her. At first, she was hesitant in taking it but she didn't want Lily to think anything was wrong so she just took the box. She started to open it but Philip stopped her, placing his hand over hers holding the box. "No, don't open it here, open it later." Philip broke eye contact with Chloe for a moment to look down at their daughter. Releasing her hand, he leaned down to Lily's level. "You be good to your Mom for me. And don't make anymore-unscheduled trips down here to see me. Don't worry, I'll be by to see you soon, munchkin." He said with a tap to her chin.

Lily giggled. "I won't Daddy." She reached up and hugged him wrapping her small arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're finally here, Daddy," she whispered to him softly. Then she stepped back and took Chloe's hand.

Chloe glanced at Philip once more before she led Lily out of the office.

"Bye," Philip said as he watched them go. He was caught off guard by Lily's show of emotion for him. Sighing, he stood up and went back to his desk, picking up a cigarette from a case on his desk he lit it. He sat back down in his chair and swiveled it around to the now darken skyline. As he looked out the window at the night before him he heard a door slide open and didn't bother to turn around to see who it was. It could only be one person.

"So I can assume Phase One of the plan went off without a hitch?" Stefano asked coming through a secret compartment in the office.

"Of course it did. Chloe took the bait, hook, line, and sinker." He flicked the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray.

"So why aren't you celebrating? Everything is going just as we planned. Chloe is leaving Brady Black and my great-granddaughter is getting her father."

"Yes, but Chloe actually thinks that I would take our daughter away from her. The other things I would do in a heartbeat but take Lily away from her?" He said incredulously. "I would never do that. Besides, that I have to force her to marry me when she's engaged willingly to my deceitful nephew."

"What does that matter when she will marry you. You don't have to question her motives on everything Philip. She did have a choice and she choose you––,"

"She choose me because I threatened to ruin her parents and take Liliana away from her." He swiveled the chair around and stood up. "She actually thinks I could take her away. She should know that I would never do that, not to her and especially not to Lily!" He stated passionately. "I'm trying to protect her and she looks at me like I'm some sort of monster. She doesn't even know about Brady's––," he paused attempting to reign in his temper. "You know what never mind. I am going to show her who the real monster is once and for all." He stumped his cigarette out and stormed out of the room leaving Stefano alone.

"Victor, it's a shame you didn't pull Philip into the business sooner. He would have been one hell of an adversary. Too bad, he's all heart." Stefano sighed looking heavenward.

It was Sunday and Chloe was awaiting the return of her daughter and Philip. They had been out for the day spending some "quality, bonding time" together as Philip called it. Apparently, Philip decided that he needed to get to know his daughter better since they had just met. Although, in Chloe's opinion it was clear that Lily adored him already. But even she couldn't deny Lily the right to get to know her father. So she had let her go even though it scared her to think she might lose her daughter's affection in favor of her father. But, she thought to herself that even the thought was ludicrous.

"Chloe, relax, Philip isn't trying to take Lily away from you. He just wants to spend some time with her that's all. After he gets through with his little revenge plan for Salem he'll let you go and you can just go back to your life." She told herself pacing the living room as the doorbell rang. She stopped walking and looking tensely at the door. Taking a deep breath, she walked over the door and opened expecting Philip and Lily or at least Brady. But, to her surprise it was Mimi.

"Hey Chloe, what's up?" Mimi asked as she walked into the house.

"I was waiting for Philip and Lily. Why are you here Meems?" Chloe asked as she shut the door.

"Well, I was just in the neighborhood so I'd thought I'd stop by." Mimi said beginning to wonder if something was wrong. "Is something wrong?"

"Tell me Meems do you usually take pleasure in stabbing your friends in the back or is it just me?" Chloe replied unable to her anger in. Mimi's green eyes widen in surprise.

"Whoa, where did that come from?" Mimi asked not understanding Chloe's reasoning for the onslaught of anger.

"You were the only one who knew about Darren and somehow Philip mysteriously found out about him. It's your fault that I am being blackmailed to marry Philip." From the look on Mimi's face it was clear she didn't know the truth about the engagement. "What's the matter Meems, afraid to hear the truth about how I ended up engaged to two men?"

"Well, in all honesty Chloe I just figured you were playing both Philip and Brady. It's not like you don't have experience." Mimi snapped back at Chloe. When Chloe looked as if she were going to respond Mimi held up her hand for to stop. "Hold it right there, I'm not done yet, Chloe. You need to get your story straight. I didn't tell Philip about Darren because he already knew. And if you want to blame someone for your little marriage predicament than I suggest you take a cold hard look in the mirror. I am not the blame for any of your problems, you brought them on yourself. You are the one who kept your child away from her father. You are the one who choose to keep his identity a secret. You decided he wasn't good enough to be a father to Lily NOT me. Now, I'm going to leave before I say something I know I'll regret." She turned and left leaving a semi-speechless Chloe in her wake. She paused at the door. "You know Chloe, you always have a choice. If you don't want to marry Philip then tell him that. But, the only thing you shouldn't do is take Lily from him. He needs her because without her, there's no one." With those final words Mimi left the house as quickly as she came.

What does she mean I have a choice? I don't … I have to marry Philip if I want to keep my daughter. Chloe thought to herself as the door opened again with Lily and Philip walking in minutes later. "What are you guys doing back so soon?" Chloe asked not bothering to wonder how Philip had walked into her house without a key. She was surprised to see him dressed so causally. If anything, since he had arrived back in Salem the only thing she had seen him in was a suit. But, now he was dressed in a tight pair of black jeans, a V-necked dark gray shirt that had a gold chain peeking through the V, and a pair of black boots. She stared at the chain for a second because it reminded her of something but she couldn't place her finger on what and her gaze slid back up to his eyes.

"Daddy, took me on a ride with a horse, Mom. Psyche, and when she has her baby––,"

"Her foal," Philip corrected.

"Her foal he said I could have her for my very own." Liliana replied excitedly. Chloe's gaze moved from their daughter to Philip smiling down at Lily.

"Mom, are you listening to me?" Lily sighed sensing that of course her mother hadn't heard a word she'd said.

Chloe couldn't believe it; Philip was trying to buy Lily's affections. This had to be nipped in the bud right there. There was no way she'd allow Lily to grow up as spoiled as her father had been. "Of course, I was listening to you Liliana. I need to talk to your father so why don't you go upstairs and call Jackie, she was looking for you today." Jackie, the child of one of their neighbors, was one of Lily's playmates in Salem.

Lily frowned. "You aren't going to send him away again are you?"

"Of course she isn't, your mom and I need to talk anyway about the wedding. We're getting married," Philip answered going down to Lily's level. "And that means no one can ever make me go away, not even your mother. Now, shoo so we can talk." He kissed her cheek as she hugged him.

"Okay Daddy. G'night. I love you." Lily said as she backed away and ran upstairs. Chloe waited till Lily was gone before she started.

"What are you trying to do Philip buy her affections? You can't buy her love you know." She told him.

Philip was eyes went from warm to freezing as he stood up and stared at Chloe. "I am not trying to buy her affections. I don't need to. Unlike some people my daughter openly gives me her love. The foal is not about buying extensive gifts. It's so she can learn to ride a horse and learn about the taking care of her own animal. To gain some responsibility and to give her something to do at the Mansion."

"What about the Mansion? She doesn't live at the mansion." Chloe replied.

"Not yet but she will once we get married. And speaking of our upcoming marriage, the wedding is tomorrow." Philip dropped the last bombshell expecting fireworks to come shooting out of Chloe's mouth.

"Why so soon?"

"I am not giving you a chance to back out of it. Besides, our marriage is just the beginning of the things I have planned."

"But, I haven't even had a chance to tell Brady yet," Chloe protested.

"Don't bother trying to tell him tomorrow, he will find out in all due time. Be at the Mansion no later than 5:30 my soon-to-be-wife. And wear something appropriate." He said as he headed to the door to leave. But Chloe grasped his hand stopping him.

"What do you mean he'll find out in all due time?" She asked, wanting to know what he had up his sleeve but Philip just smirked.

"Don't you worry you're pretty little head about it. Just concern yourself with getting to the mansion on time. We have plans after the wedding."

"What kind of plans?" Chloe asked suspiciously thinking it would not be above Philip to try and consummate this marriage.

"My, my what the dirty mind we do have Ms. Wesley I was not at all referring to not those kinds of plans." He scanned her body with his eyes wickedly. "Although, let me assure you Chloe this will be a real marriage in every way." She rolled her eyes. "Your grandfather has,"

"My grandfather is going to be there?"

"Yes, he will be there, as will Meems, Gene Briscoe, the judge and not to mention Lily. So be prompt." Philip said taking her hand off his wrist and leaving the house.

Chloe stood in the same position, "My Grandfather," she whispered.

It was a five twenty-five when Chloe and Lily arrived at the Mansion. They were immediately shuffled into what Chloe would call, the library where Philip, Mimi, Gene Briscoe, and an elderly gentleman dressed in an expensive suit were waiting. Chloe just assumed he was the judge Philip had found to perform their wedding.

Philip walked over to Chloe at the doorway and guided her into the room. He was somewhat relieved to see her manner of dress. He had been afraid she would dress inappropriately just to spite him. But, no she looked presentable enough. She was wearing a long black dress that was perfectly fitted to her voluptuous figure, black high heeled pumps, and her hair was held in tight bun at her nape. Her legs were encased in a pair of black stalkings that looked as if they were made for her legs. For some reason her whole appearance reminded him of her black shroud look back in high school.

"Judge Bryson, I'd like to introduce you to my bride, Chloe Wesley and our daughter, Liliana Jade." Philip said as he placed his hand on the small of Chloe's back and led her toward the judge. Lily brought up the front walking ahead of them.

Judge Bryson smiled as he clasped Chloe's hand. "My dear, it is apleasure to meet you. I'm a big fan of yours. I saw you at the Met a few years ago. I believe it was Faust; your portrayal of Marguerite was simply divine." Chloe smiled in response.

"It's always a pleasure to meet a fan." He released Chloe's hand to grasp Lily's.

"Aww, and you my little angel look just as lovely as your mother." He told Lily, who smiled prettily in return.

"Thank you, very much." Lily said before moving onto talk to Mimi. Philip took that time to pull Chloe away from Judge Bryson and off to the side for a second.

"I thought I told you to wear something appropriate. You look like you're dressed to go to a funeral." Philip whispered to her. Chloe snorted softly.

"You're one to talk. You look more like a mobster than anyone getting ready to be married." Chloe scantily eyed his dark gray suit and slicked back hair. "You should be happy I didn't show up in jeans and a t-shirt. But, look can you forget what I'm wearing so we can just get joke of a wedding over with." Chloe whispered back at him. Stopping herself from saying anymore as Lily and Mimi approached them.

"Daddy, you didn't say anything about my dress do you like it?" Lily moved in front of her father and spun around so he could see the whole dress. It was a dark red dress with a white trim on the bottom and her hair was tied back into one long braid.

"You look beautiful angel. Absolutely beautiful." He answered promptly bending down to greet his daughter. Mimi moved over to Chloe and stood beside her.

"Chloe, I'm sorry about-"

"Mimi you have nothing to apologize for if anyone should be sorry I am. I never should have gone off on you like that. It wasn't your fault." Chloe interrupted. "Say you'll forgive me."

"I forgive you Chloe. Oh come here," Mimi leaned over and hugged Chloe as Gene walked over to the foursome.

"Judge Bryson has a meeting to attend at six so let's get the show on the road here." Gene said nodding to the judge waiting across the room.

"Of course." Philip stood up took his daughter's hand and Chloe's and walked over to the judge. Mimi and Gene were serving as witnesses for the ceremony.

"Alright, then let's begin. Dearly beloved …" Judge Bryson began with the vows.

Chloe stood next to Philip slightly hearing the Judge, as she was immersed in her own thoughts. She found it hard to believe that after all these years she was finally getting married to her first love … Philip Kiriakis. Once upon of time she might have thought she would never see Philip again. Never have any sort of relationship with Philip ever after all they'd been through as teens. But, then that was before New York, before Lily, before she realized her life would never be the same without Philip in it. In the span of eighteen years they had met, held a two-year courtship, fell in love, had a child and now they were getting married. Their relationship had never been an easy one and as Chloe repeated her vows she knew it would never be.

As Philip repeated his vows he looked at Chloe anew. He realized that she hadn't been paying the Judge any attention. She seemed off in her own thoughts. It didn't matter though, he thought placing the platinum ring on her finger, and she was his wife now, for better or worse. He thought about that terminology – for better or worse. That seemed to fit his past turbulent affair with Chloe to a T. They had never had a boring relationship by any means. It was never without it's problems and this was no different. Only now they would be together forever and no one could destroy that, not even Brady. Philip knew, that while Chloe may not have wanted this marriage, she would never let anyone destroy it; she was a fighter simply put and stronger than anyone would ever know.

Lily watched as she parents recited their vows. Although, she wasn't exactly sure what everything they'd said meant she knew it was serious. And she also knew that now her parents were together forever, she smiled.

"… Then by the power vested in me, by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife, Philip you may kiss your lovely bride." Judge Bryson said clapping his hands together and smiling broadly.

Philip turned to Chloe, his wife, and pulled her into a kiss. Chloe didn't resist Philip once his mouth came down on hers. She couldn't resist him even if she wanted to because she was drawn to Philip, just as she had been all those ago in high school. So she returned his kiss with enough passion and gusto to rival his own. It was only when the door opened, and someone coughed in the doorway that he released her.

"I see I have not arrived too late." Stefano said as he stepped in the doorway. When Lily saw him she immediately moved pass her parents to run to him.

"Grandpapa," she said running to him. Once she stood in front of him she smiled happily. "I told Mama you would come." Stefano smiled at her.

"Aww, my little one, I see you still remember me."

Chloe stood by Philip and moved closer to him unconsciously as recognition dawned on her. Stefano Dimera, the Phoenix not to mention nemesis of her ex-fiancé and his family was her grandfather. Oh my god, Salem would be rocked on its core when they found out that he had never died.

Philip stood beside Chloe first watching his daughter and Stefano then Chloe as she moved closer to him. She surprised him a little. But at the same time it pleased him, she was moved closer to him for comfort even unconsciously it was a big step. "Stefano you arrived just in time, Chloe and I were just about to leave."

Chloe looked at Philip snapping her gaze away from Lily and Stefano. "Leave? And just, pray tell, where the hell are we supposed to be going?" Chloe asked heatedly wondering what sort of tricks Philip had under his sleeves.

"On your honeymoon, of course. Philip, didn't you tell her about my gift?" Stefano asked perplexed by the change in Chloe's demeanor when she talked to Philip.

"I hadn't got the chance to yet. But now's as good a time as any. Chloe, your grandfather is allowing us to stay on his island for a week. Mimi is going to watch Lily for us while we're gone. Right Meems?" Philip asked.

"Yeah that's right." Mimi moved over to take Lily's hand. "LJ and I are going to a sleepover party all week."

Chloe didn't know what to say. She was shocked speechless so Philip took advantage of that and grasped her hand. "Okay, Lily come see Mommy and Daddy off." Philip said as he took Chloe and pulled her out of the room with Lily following behind before Chloe could say anything.

Stefano watched this in some amusement with Mimi. "Are they always like that? So hot and cold?"

Mimi shrugged. "With Philip, Chloe is like a facet. She's cold and hot sometimes. Fire and Ice, when they get together they're combustible … they make steam."

Stefano rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "With those together Salem had better watch out."

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