Shocked, Chloe glared at Philip as though he had sprouted horns and was
preparing to grow wings. Glancing around at the passersby who had stopped
to wait for her answer, Chloe silently cursed Philip. How could he propose
to her in an airport at six o'clock in the morning while half the people
walking by stopped to gape?
Trying to keep her voice low, Chloe asked, "Have you gone nuts? We haven't even seen each other in two years!"
His face lighting up with a smile, Philip leaned in just a little closer to Chloe and replied, "You're wrong. I saw you just last night - in my dreams."
Chloe groaned and looked away from Philip's expectant gaze. He was so charming, so loving. She had once longed to hear him propose to her. Chloe could only wonder if the longing had ever really disappeared.
Philip tore Chloe from her retrospective thoughts as he remarked, "You said you believed that true love lasted forever."
"I do."
"Then, say yes. Agree to marry me, Chloe."
Chloe could feel the eyes of the onlookers burning holes through her. Venturing a glance at her audience, Chloe could see that they were all holding their breath, waiting to see if she would break Philip's heart or allow him to win hers.
"Philip, you're not thinking this through."
"Who needs to think when you can feel?"
Chloe had no logical comeback for Philip's question. When they had first met as teenagers, he had refused to follow his heart. Instead, he chose to follow his mind and join in when others ridiculed her at school. But, when Philip had finally listened to his heart, he had consequently made Chloe one of the happiest girls to ever live. Now, he was asking for the chance to make her happy once again.
Looking wistfully at the promise ring that Philip held out to her, Chloe softly said, "This is insane. We can't just decide to become engaged on some whim."
Laughing, Philip countered, "I'm not asking for some formal engagement, Chloe. I'm asking for a marriage."
"What are saying?"
"I want to marry you - today."
"Today? Philip, that's insane!"
"So you've said. But, what you haven't said is if you'll agree."
Chloe could not deny that she wanted Philip. She wanted him more than any man she had ever met or could ever hope to meet. She wanted to wake up every morning with his strong, yet amazingly tender arms wrapped around her. She wanted to be hear him call her his wife. She wanted to listen to him complain about a football game. She wanted Philip, and everything that came with him.
Before Chloe could find any words to express the conflicting emotions in her heart, Philip's soft voice assured her, "I love you, Chloe. And, I know you love me. Maybe it is insane. But, I don't care. I have spent the past two years wishing that I had somehow forced you on that plane to London with me. I wanted to spend my life with you then, and I still do. Please, Chloe, will you marry me?"
In a whisper so soft Philip felt certain that he had imagined it, Chloe wiped away her tears and answered, "Yes."
Jumping to his feet, Philip loudly questioned, "Yes?"
Chloe stood and locked eyes with Philip. With a smile that mirrored Philip's, Chloe said, "Yes. I'll marry you."
Taking Chloe's hand in his, Philip gently placed the promise ring on her finger. Keeping her hand in his, Philip pulled her body against his and lowered his lips to hers. Like the kiss that they had shared earlier that morning, it began slow and sweet, but quickly intensified into a sensual action that left them both breathless.
Only when Philip's lips reluctantly left hers did Chloe hear the applause. Looking over Philip's shoulder, Chloe felt herself blush as she saw that she and Philip had become the center of attention.
Moving her mouth enticingly close to Philip's ear, Chloe whispered, "It looks like we've earned ourselves an audience."
Continuing to hold Chloe's hand, he led her a few feet away from the diminishing crowd and simply said, "I love you."
That was when Chloe said the four most beautiful words that Philip had ever heard. "I love you, too."
Taking a deep breath, Philip tried to calm all the raging thoughts that ran rampant through his mind. He was still in a state of disbelief. After so many years of hoping to have a future with Chloe, Philip finally knew without a doubt that he would.
Without warning, Chloe felt Philip gently drop her hand and take a step away. For a moment, she feared that he had come to his senses and decided that he would be far better off without her. However, the moment she looked at his smiling face, she knew that he was never going to change his mind. He fully intended to love and honor her until the end of time.
"So," began Philip as a newfound nervousness took hold of him. "What's our next move?"
"Well, I guess we just have to wait here until it's time to catch our flight to Salem. I'm just glad that I thought to keep my dress and pumps with me as my carry on. I'm willing to be that Belle would be much more likely to overlook a few little wrinkles rather than no dress at all."
Motioning to his own carry on luggage that sat a few feet away, Philip remarked, "Yeah, I did the same thing with my tux. I have a feeling that Shawn would kill me if I was the one to ruin Belle's dream day." His eyes twinkling almost mischievously, Philip added, "At least Shawn and I will be a little more likely to remember our anniversaries since they're going to be on the same day."
"Philip, what are you talking about? Wait just a minute. You weren't really serious about getting married today, were you? I mean, we don't even have a marriage license. And, there's a waiting period."
"In most states, yes. However, there is an exception that come to mind."
Her eyes widening, Chloe uttered, "Philip, please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."
Smiling widely Philip declared, "Next stop, Las Vegas."
Philip could only laugh when Chloe muttered, "You really have gone insane."
Pulling Chloe behind him, Philip retrieved his carry on bag and hesitantly relinquished his hold on Chloe's hand so she could do the same. With confident strides, Philip led Chloe back to the counter where they had made their reservations after missing their original flight to Salem.
The woman behind the counter was obviously surprised to see Philip again, and greeted, "Hello - again. Is there something I can help you with?"
"We want to change flights."
"Again?"
"Yeah, is there any way on earth that we could catch a plane to Las Vegas and then another to Salem that would land before seven o'clock tonight?"
With a doubtful expression evident on her face, the airline employee skimmed through the flights on the schedule. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face that immediately brightened the faces of Philip and Chloe. Looking up from the computer screen, the woman happily answered, "We may just be able to pull that off. It appears that we have a flight leaving here in less than an hour. It'll land in Las Vegas at approximately 10:15 local time. After that, there is a flight taking off at noon and landing in Salem at 5:30 this evening."
Once again taking out his wallet and trusty credit card, Philip remarked, "We'll take it." Noticing his fiancee's nervous stare, Philip vowed, "We'll get there in plenty of time. Don't worry about it - or anything else for that mattered. From this moment on, nothing will stand in our way."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Nothing, eh?"
With a slightly guilty expression on his terribly handsome face, Philip answered, "Okay, maybe there will be a few things that stand in our way."
"Like our plane being delayed by almost forty minutes?"
Taking a peek out the plane's window and down out the world below, Philip remarked, "Yeah, I guess that could be one of those things. But, hey, at least we're on our way to Las Vegas now. I'm telling you, Chloe, it's smooth sailing from now on."
"Sure, now watch our plane crash," morosely remarked Chloe as she laid her head on Philip's shoulder, her lack of sleep finally catching up with her.
"Ah, you're so cute when you're acting all morbid."
Chloe chuckled lightly before saying, "I've missed this."
"What?"
"Us being together. I missed having you make me laugh with your corny lines."
"Corny?"
"I'm sorry, I meant romantic."
"Sure," lightheartedly responded Philip. "Hey, Chloe, can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"How did you end up at that airport in Boston? I mean, I was there because I had just arrived back in the States from London, but why exactly were you there?"
"Well, after Brady and I split up, he heard about this really great job offer from a friend of his. His friend had been living in Rome and was working for a school that was searching for an assistant voice instructor, preferably one who could work with the English speaking students. And, the rest is history."
"Wait a minute. After you and Brady broke up he helped you find your dream job? In Rome?"
"What can I say? Brady and I have never been easy to understand. To be perfectly honest, he's still one of my closest friends. He actually came to Rome about six months ago so we could spend some time together and just hang out."
"So, you and he are still really close?" Philip asked, his voice laced with unspoken fears.
Lifting her head from Philip's shoulder, Chloe calmly reassured, "You're the one I love, you're the only one I will ever love." With a short laugh, Chloe added, "Besides, even if I were madly and deeply in love with the troublesome Brady Black, he wouldn't even notice me these days. It seems that he's quite taken with another lady."
"Oh, really? Who?"
"Trust me, Philip, you wouldn't believe me if I told. Of course, if we get back to Salem in time for the wedding to end all weddings, you'll see for yourself. Even then, I bet you have a hard time believing it."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holding his bag with one hand and Chloe's waist with the other, Philip made his way out of the crowded airport. A quick glance at his watch told him that he and Chloe had just over an hour to find a chapel, tie the metaphorical knot, and get back to the airport in time to catch their flight to Salem. Philip prayed that they made it there in time, because if they didn't, it would be a little too late for praying once Belle got a hold of him.
Waving a taxi, Philip instructed the driver to take him and Chloe to the nearest wedding chapel he could find. Philip grinned broadly as the cab driver gave him an odd look before driving away from the airport.
In a whisper, Chloe said, "See, I told you this was insane. Even the cab driver thinks so."
Philip moved his arm so it fell across Chloe's shoulder and responded, "With all this talk about me being insane, I'm starting to think that you're going to have me committed to some institution before we reach our first anniversary!"
Using the back of her hand to playfully hit Philip in the chest, Chloe said, "Nah, I was planning to hold out a little longer than that."
"Oh, that's reassuring. Almost as reassuring as when we were on the plane and I was talking about my job at Titan and you fell asleep."
Throwing Philip a sheepish grin, Chloe said, "I'm sorry. I was just so sleepy after that flight from Rome. But, I'm awake now, I would love to hear about your job."
The sincerity in Chloe's voice made Philip's heart flutter just a little. Since he had moved to London, he had found several women who were interested in him. Too bad all they saw were the dollar signs and expensive clothing and not the person beneath it all.
As Philip began to speak of his work for Titan, Chloe moved herself closer to him until her head was laying comfortably on his chest. She divided her attention between listening his calming voice and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Both had a way of captivating her and stealing away her very breath.
When Philip unexpectedly stopped talking, Chloe raised her head and looked out the window. She found herself staring at an almost quaint looking structure, quite unlike what she would picture for a Vegas wedding chapel. With white stone walls covered in vines, the building looked almost enchanting.
"Here we are, kids. This wasn't the first chapel I came to, but I know from personal experience that it's better than those tacky one's in the main part of town. Actually, my wife and I got married here almost fifteen years ago. It was greatest day of my life. And, I have a feeling that you two deserve a day just as beautiful."
Stepping out of the cab, Chloe could only continue to stare at the building. She could hear the cab driver telling Philip good luck as he removed their bags, but Chloe's thoughts weren't in the moment, they were in the future. There was something almost magical about knowing that she would enter the chapel as Chloe Lane and exit as Mrs. Philip Kiriakis.
Trying to keep her voice low, Chloe asked, "Have you gone nuts? We haven't even seen each other in two years!"
His face lighting up with a smile, Philip leaned in just a little closer to Chloe and replied, "You're wrong. I saw you just last night - in my dreams."
Chloe groaned and looked away from Philip's expectant gaze. He was so charming, so loving. She had once longed to hear him propose to her. Chloe could only wonder if the longing had ever really disappeared.
Philip tore Chloe from her retrospective thoughts as he remarked, "You said you believed that true love lasted forever."
"I do."
"Then, say yes. Agree to marry me, Chloe."
Chloe could feel the eyes of the onlookers burning holes through her. Venturing a glance at her audience, Chloe could see that they were all holding their breath, waiting to see if she would break Philip's heart or allow him to win hers.
"Philip, you're not thinking this through."
"Who needs to think when you can feel?"
Chloe had no logical comeback for Philip's question. When they had first met as teenagers, he had refused to follow his heart. Instead, he chose to follow his mind and join in when others ridiculed her at school. But, when Philip had finally listened to his heart, he had consequently made Chloe one of the happiest girls to ever live. Now, he was asking for the chance to make her happy once again.
Looking wistfully at the promise ring that Philip held out to her, Chloe softly said, "This is insane. We can't just decide to become engaged on some whim."
Laughing, Philip countered, "I'm not asking for some formal engagement, Chloe. I'm asking for a marriage."
"What are saying?"
"I want to marry you - today."
"Today? Philip, that's insane!"
"So you've said. But, what you haven't said is if you'll agree."
Chloe could not deny that she wanted Philip. She wanted him more than any man she had ever met or could ever hope to meet. She wanted to wake up every morning with his strong, yet amazingly tender arms wrapped around her. She wanted to be hear him call her his wife. She wanted to listen to him complain about a football game. She wanted Philip, and everything that came with him.
Before Chloe could find any words to express the conflicting emotions in her heart, Philip's soft voice assured her, "I love you, Chloe. And, I know you love me. Maybe it is insane. But, I don't care. I have spent the past two years wishing that I had somehow forced you on that plane to London with me. I wanted to spend my life with you then, and I still do. Please, Chloe, will you marry me?"
In a whisper so soft Philip felt certain that he had imagined it, Chloe wiped away her tears and answered, "Yes."
Jumping to his feet, Philip loudly questioned, "Yes?"
Chloe stood and locked eyes with Philip. With a smile that mirrored Philip's, Chloe said, "Yes. I'll marry you."
Taking Chloe's hand in his, Philip gently placed the promise ring on her finger. Keeping her hand in his, Philip pulled her body against his and lowered his lips to hers. Like the kiss that they had shared earlier that morning, it began slow and sweet, but quickly intensified into a sensual action that left them both breathless.
Only when Philip's lips reluctantly left hers did Chloe hear the applause. Looking over Philip's shoulder, Chloe felt herself blush as she saw that she and Philip had become the center of attention.
Moving her mouth enticingly close to Philip's ear, Chloe whispered, "It looks like we've earned ourselves an audience."
Continuing to hold Chloe's hand, he led her a few feet away from the diminishing crowd and simply said, "I love you."
That was when Chloe said the four most beautiful words that Philip had ever heard. "I love you, too."
Taking a deep breath, Philip tried to calm all the raging thoughts that ran rampant through his mind. He was still in a state of disbelief. After so many years of hoping to have a future with Chloe, Philip finally knew without a doubt that he would.
Without warning, Chloe felt Philip gently drop her hand and take a step away. For a moment, she feared that he had come to his senses and decided that he would be far better off without her. However, the moment she looked at his smiling face, she knew that he was never going to change his mind. He fully intended to love and honor her until the end of time.
"So," began Philip as a newfound nervousness took hold of him. "What's our next move?"
"Well, I guess we just have to wait here until it's time to catch our flight to Salem. I'm just glad that I thought to keep my dress and pumps with me as my carry on. I'm willing to be that Belle would be much more likely to overlook a few little wrinkles rather than no dress at all."
Motioning to his own carry on luggage that sat a few feet away, Philip remarked, "Yeah, I did the same thing with my tux. I have a feeling that Shawn would kill me if I was the one to ruin Belle's dream day." His eyes twinkling almost mischievously, Philip added, "At least Shawn and I will be a little more likely to remember our anniversaries since they're going to be on the same day."
"Philip, what are you talking about? Wait just a minute. You weren't really serious about getting married today, were you? I mean, we don't even have a marriage license. And, there's a waiting period."
"In most states, yes. However, there is an exception that come to mind."
Her eyes widening, Chloe uttered, "Philip, please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."
Smiling widely Philip declared, "Next stop, Las Vegas."
Philip could only laugh when Chloe muttered, "You really have gone insane."
Pulling Chloe behind him, Philip retrieved his carry on bag and hesitantly relinquished his hold on Chloe's hand so she could do the same. With confident strides, Philip led Chloe back to the counter where they had made their reservations after missing their original flight to Salem.
The woman behind the counter was obviously surprised to see Philip again, and greeted, "Hello - again. Is there something I can help you with?"
"We want to change flights."
"Again?"
"Yeah, is there any way on earth that we could catch a plane to Las Vegas and then another to Salem that would land before seven o'clock tonight?"
With a doubtful expression evident on her face, the airline employee skimmed through the flights on the schedule. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face that immediately brightened the faces of Philip and Chloe. Looking up from the computer screen, the woman happily answered, "We may just be able to pull that off. It appears that we have a flight leaving here in less than an hour. It'll land in Las Vegas at approximately 10:15 local time. After that, there is a flight taking off at noon and landing in Salem at 5:30 this evening."
Once again taking out his wallet and trusty credit card, Philip remarked, "We'll take it." Noticing his fiancee's nervous stare, Philip vowed, "We'll get there in plenty of time. Don't worry about it - or anything else for that mattered. From this moment on, nothing will stand in our way."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Nothing, eh?"
With a slightly guilty expression on his terribly handsome face, Philip answered, "Okay, maybe there will be a few things that stand in our way."
"Like our plane being delayed by almost forty minutes?"
Taking a peek out the plane's window and down out the world below, Philip remarked, "Yeah, I guess that could be one of those things. But, hey, at least we're on our way to Las Vegas now. I'm telling you, Chloe, it's smooth sailing from now on."
"Sure, now watch our plane crash," morosely remarked Chloe as she laid her head on Philip's shoulder, her lack of sleep finally catching up with her.
"Ah, you're so cute when you're acting all morbid."
Chloe chuckled lightly before saying, "I've missed this."
"What?"
"Us being together. I missed having you make me laugh with your corny lines."
"Corny?"
"I'm sorry, I meant romantic."
"Sure," lightheartedly responded Philip. "Hey, Chloe, can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"How did you end up at that airport in Boston? I mean, I was there because I had just arrived back in the States from London, but why exactly were you there?"
"Well, after Brady and I split up, he heard about this really great job offer from a friend of his. His friend had been living in Rome and was working for a school that was searching for an assistant voice instructor, preferably one who could work with the English speaking students. And, the rest is history."
"Wait a minute. After you and Brady broke up he helped you find your dream job? In Rome?"
"What can I say? Brady and I have never been easy to understand. To be perfectly honest, he's still one of my closest friends. He actually came to Rome about six months ago so we could spend some time together and just hang out."
"So, you and he are still really close?" Philip asked, his voice laced with unspoken fears.
Lifting her head from Philip's shoulder, Chloe calmly reassured, "You're the one I love, you're the only one I will ever love." With a short laugh, Chloe added, "Besides, even if I were madly and deeply in love with the troublesome Brady Black, he wouldn't even notice me these days. It seems that he's quite taken with another lady."
"Oh, really? Who?"
"Trust me, Philip, you wouldn't believe me if I told. Of course, if we get back to Salem in time for the wedding to end all weddings, you'll see for yourself. Even then, I bet you have a hard time believing it."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holding his bag with one hand and Chloe's waist with the other, Philip made his way out of the crowded airport. A quick glance at his watch told him that he and Chloe had just over an hour to find a chapel, tie the metaphorical knot, and get back to the airport in time to catch their flight to Salem. Philip prayed that they made it there in time, because if they didn't, it would be a little too late for praying once Belle got a hold of him.
Waving a taxi, Philip instructed the driver to take him and Chloe to the nearest wedding chapel he could find. Philip grinned broadly as the cab driver gave him an odd look before driving away from the airport.
In a whisper, Chloe said, "See, I told you this was insane. Even the cab driver thinks so."
Philip moved his arm so it fell across Chloe's shoulder and responded, "With all this talk about me being insane, I'm starting to think that you're going to have me committed to some institution before we reach our first anniversary!"
Using the back of her hand to playfully hit Philip in the chest, Chloe said, "Nah, I was planning to hold out a little longer than that."
"Oh, that's reassuring. Almost as reassuring as when we were on the plane and I was talking about my job at Titan and you fell asleep."
Throwing Philip a sheepish grin, Chloe said, "I'm sorry. I was just so sleepy after that flight from Rome. But, I'm awake now, I would love to hear about your job."
The sincerity in Chloe's voice made Philip's heart flutter just a little. Since he had moved to London, he had found several women who were interested in him. Too bad all they saw were the dollar signs and expensive clothing and not the person beneath it all.
As Philip began to speak of his work for Titan, Chloe moved herself closer to him until her head was laying comfortably on his chest. She divided her attention between listening his calming voice and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Both had a way of captivating her and stealing away her very breath.
When Philip unexpectedly stopped talking, Chloe raised her head and looked out the window. She found herself staring at an almost quaint looking structure, quite unlike what she would picture for a Vegas wedding chapel. With white stone walls covered in vines, the building looked almost enchanting.
"Here we are, kids. This wasn't the first chapel I came to, but I know from personal experience that it's better than those tacky one's in the main part of town. Actually, my wife and I got married here almost fifteen years ago. It was greatest day of my life. And, I have a feeling that you two deserve a day just as beautiful."
Stepping out of the cab, Chloe could only continue to stare at the building. She could hear the cab driver telling Philip good luck as he removed their bags, but Chloe's thoughts weren't in the moment, they were in the future. There was something almost magical about knowing that she would enter the chapel as Chloe Lane and exit as Mrs. Philip Kiriakis.