Author's Note: Well this story is officially off hiatus and will be updated from this point on hopefully at least once a week. This new chapter brings the beginning of the new arc entitled: Family Issues … and Murder. So the first couple chapters are going to reintroduce you to family members and touch a little bit on what they are dealing with. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter … so on with the show. :)
Chapter Thirty-Two – What's in a Name?
It was the beginning of a glorious week in Salem. Already two weeks into September, school had started and everything was beginning anew. It was a change for many families in Salem but particularly for the Kiriakis' family.
This was a new beginning for all of the members of the family. For Philip and Chloe, it was a dream come true because they finally had all of their children with them. For the children it was a chance to have a little bit of normalcy with everyone together and not separated by secrets and criminal acts upon their parents. The summer had brought them all closer together uniting them as a true family in every sense of the word. The already bonded relationships between the siblings and parents that had been created the day Jarod was first brought home had been cemented. Although, it had taken a few weeks Jarod and Philip they were now as close as Philip was with his other children. For all intents and purposes they were a normal, happy family happily awaiting the birth of the fifth and final child of the Kiriakis family.
Philip strolled into the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee to see his all of his children with the exception of one around the kitchen table for breakfast. Every since Chloe had entered her second trimester of this pregnancy she had been adamant that they all eat their breakfast at the kitchen table instead of in the dining room. And instead of questioning her reasoning behind the demand he simply complied.
"Morning Dad." Dominic said not glancing up from the table where his head was buried in a book.
"Morning Daddy," Jessica and Ariana called out simultaneously and giggled.
"Good morning." He replied as he picked up his cup of coffee from the cook, Paula. Paula was somewhere within her mid-fifties with a full head of iron gray hair twisted into a bun at her nape. Although, truth be told she didn't look a day over 40. "Ahh Paula, my favorite chef how are you this morning?"
"You forgot the most beautiful and best chef in the world."
Philip feigned holding his hand to his heart. "How could I forget, how are you my most beautiful and best chef."
Paula chuckled lightly. "Better. "
He took another sip of his coffee. "So where's Jarod?"
"Jarod doesn't get up with us anymore, Dad. Don't you remember?" Dominic asked this time looking up from his book. At Philip's blank gaze he continued on. "School doesn't start for him until 8:45 so he sleeps in later. We," he gestured toward his sisters and himself. "Still have to be at school by eight."
"I didn't actually forget, Dominic, I just thought he would be up by now." Philip replied.
"How's the Doc doing this morning, I hope she got a little sleep last night what with the baby and all." Paula inquired as she turned back to the stove and cracked another egg on the skillet.
He shrugged. "Well she seemed to sleep really soundly last night when I came to bed. But, then again she was up and out of bed this morning before I was even up so I couldn't tell ya."
"The doc is fine this morning, Paula." Chloe said smiling as she walked into the kitchen, or rather she waddled into the kitchen in her beige maternity pants suit. She seemed almost ten years younger with her hair laying in waves about her shoulders. "Jarod's on his way down by the way." Chloe said as she poured herself a glass of water. "Although, I'm not quite sure why he's up so early since the bus doesn't come for another hour." Taking the glass she moved to stand next to Philip leaning slightly against him.
"He asked me to drop him off at school this morning." Philip replied slipping his arm around her waist a leaned down and kissed her neck.
"Well he should be down in a couple of minutes," then placing the glass on the bar she glanced at her watch and saw that it was almost 7:30. "Umm, guys it's getting late so go get your stuff so we can head out." She told the children at the breakfast table. Then, one by one children they all scrambled to do her bidding.
"Doc you're not leaving without having some breakfast this morning are you?" Paula asked as she placed the hard scrabbled egg on a plate next to some toast and bacon.
"No Paula, I already had something to eat. This baby just seems to want me fat with all of the food I've been eating lately." She replied unconsciously rubbing her belly.
"Well good, we don't want you going hungry now." She carried the plate down to the table where another place setting was. She was filling a glass full of orange juice when Jarod entered the kitchen, dressed and ready for the day ahead.
"Morning Mom, Dad." He greeted them as he headed to the place set for him at the table. "Thanks Paula."
"You're welcome Jarod. Now you eat up. " Paula replied and picked up the other dishes laying on the table from the other children's breakfast remains.
"We're ready Mom." Dominic called from the doorway of the kitchen.
Chloe turned her head toward her son. "Okay sweetie, you guys can head to the car I'll be there in a second." The twins and Jessica headed toward the garage. "Alright then I'll see you later," she said as she leaned up and brushed her lips across Philip's before moving out of his arms to walk to the table and kiss Jarod's cheek.
"Bye Mom," Jarod said with a wave of his spoon.
"And you call me later." She said as she moved past Philip to grab her purse and briefcase and head toward the direction of the garage.
Philip eased his Excursion onto the street and glanced out of the corner of his eyes at Jarod who was looking out the window. He seemed to be buried in his own thoughts.
"Are you okay?"
Jarod looked over at his father surprised. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"
Philip shrugged. "No reason. You just look like you have something on your mind, that's all." They stopped at a red light and he turned toward Jarod yet again. "So did you make any new friends?"
"Dad, we already had the new friends talk. It was two weeks ago. Remember?" Jarod sighed barely able to keep the smile from seeping out.
"I know I'm just trying to check-up on my son. I can do that can't I?" He asked pulling onto the street where the school was located. The Excursion pulled into the school parking lot. "I'm just concerned about you, that's all. As is your mother because this is a new experience you … being in a new school and all. Besides, I'm your father I can ask you all the annoying questions I want that's my prerogative. But, ultimately, I'm just trying to make sure you're alright, Kiddo. Okay?" He eased the car into park.
Jarod nodded grabbing his backpack and lunch bag from the car as he got out. He reached for the door handle and turned to his father. "Can you drop me off tomorrow?"
"Sure and if you want I can swing by and get Conrad too."
"You would?" Jarod asked surprised.
"Yeah it's no problem."
"Cool." He pushed the door open ad got out of the car then almost as if he remembered he turned back to the car. "Thanks Dad." Philip smiled as Jarod shut the door and watched his father drive off then he began walking toward the school.
"Well, well, well, it looks like the rich boy got his rich daddy to drive him to school in rich little car." A redheaded, freckled boy said from somewhere behind Jarod. Jarod stiffened slightly but continued walking when another voice chimed in.
"Yeah rich boy, the bus too good for?" said the other child.
Jarod stopped and turned to confront his tormentors. "That's not true, Sonny. I—," He started only to be interrupted by yet another child.
"Of course he thinks the bus is too good for him. He thinks that just because he claims to be a Kiriakis kid that he's better than the rest of us." The redheaded Josh added.
"Oh yeah I almost forgot — I mean everyone know his mother slept around and he's not really a Kiriakis." Derrick, a blonde-haired boy replied coming up behind him.
Jarod turned around this time, his fists clenched as he faced Derrick. "That is NOT true — don't you dare talk about my mother like that."
"Look Josh, little Jarod's getting mad. Too bad his rich Daddy ain't here to protect him." Derrick added as he and the other guys started to surround him.
"What's going on?" Conrad Black asked as he popped up out of nowhere.
Derrick, Josh, and the other boy backed away from Jarod and glanced over at Conrad hesitantly. Everyone knew that Conrad Black and Jarod Kiriakis were tight, to mess with one of them is to mess with them both. "Nothing that concerns you Black, Jarod and I were just having a little conversation, that's all." Derrick added as he watched Conrad move stand by his friend and cousin.
"Well the conversation is over so scram." Conrad ordered.
Looking from Conrad to Jarod and back again, Derrick decided it would be best to go ahead and leave. "See you around Rich boy." He said as brushed past Jarod and Conrad with Josh and Sonny following behind him.
"You cool man?" Conrad asked as he and Jarod continued walking into the building.
"Yeah sure."
"I mean with those guys raggin' on you everyday, it can kinda get on your nerves, man. Maybe we should tell your parents—,"
"Look I've got it handled just leave it alone." Jarod snapped as he walked ahead to his locker.
Conrad remained staying where he was to watch his cousin head to his locker. "Is Jarod okay, Conrad?" He turned to see Ms. Mason, the guidance counselor watching Jarod as he was.
"Uh yeah, he's fine. Just having a bad morning. That's all." The bell rang. "Oh well there's the first bell. I'd better go or I'll be late." Conrad hustled down the hallway to his locker leaving Ms. Mason standing there with a concerned look coming over her face.
* * * * *
Later that afternoon, Chloe returned to her office after coming from a late lunch with Nancy. Her mother had been after her for the last couple of months to choose a décor for the new baby's room. She had managed to get through the lunch without thinking about the last time she had planned the décor for the baby's room only to have that child die at birth. Luckily for her Nancy had been so thrilled when she was asked to help with the décor that she didn't bother asking why Chloe didn't want to do it. Frankly, she was happy to leave everything in Nancy's capable hands just so she could concentrate on safely delivering this child. That was the plan for the next couple of months.
A knock sounded at her door, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Brice, popped in. "May I take a few moments of your time, Chloe?"
"Yes of course, Dr. Brice is there something I may do for you?"
"No, not at this moment. As a matter of fact I was just coming to see how you're feeling?"
Chloe hid the surprise on her face; obviously the COS was up to something. "I'm fine thanks."
"That's good to hear. So … have you decided how long you're going to go off for your maternity leave after this baby is born?" The doctor asked seeing no reason to beat around the bush when she knew exactly what she wanted to know. "I would just like to make sure that we're completely on top of things here."
"Yes, well it's certainly good know that I'm cared about. Unfortunately, I'm haven't decided yet. But, when I do you'll be the first the know." Chloe answered promptly in truth because she honestly hadn't decided how long she was going to stay out with this baby.
"Well I don't want to take up anymore of your time, so I'll just take my leave. Please keep me abreast of your final decision." The doctor requested as she left the office without a backward glance.
* * * * *
Chloe was sat in the den supposedly reading the latest copy of Psychology Today. But, her mind was elsewhere at the moment. She was thinking about Jarod. Her mother's intuition told her that something wasn't quite right with him, something was bothering him — but what could it be? She had thought he was bothered by something the previous day when she picked him up from school but as usual he denied anything was wrong. To add more fuel to the fire she had received a phone call from the guidance counselor at his school requesting a meeting with her and Philip. Chloe was grateful for any incite on what could be troubling Jarod. However, the one thing she didn't was why Ms. Mason asked for the meeting. And for some unknown reason that had Chloe even more worried that something was wrong with Jarod.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Philip questioned from the doorway where leaned against a bookshelf.
Chloe saw her husband entering the den and smiled as he came and sat down by in front of her on the footstool. "I take it, this means you're finished your conference call?"
"Yes, I did. Now back to my question, what's on your mind?" He asked he pulled her feet up to rest in his lap.
Chloe leaned back in the chair resting her head with her eyes closed on the cushion as Philip began to massage her legs. "I was just thinking about the appointment with Ms. Mason, next week. Do you think it's bad?"
Philip shrugged. "No, I don't think so. I mean if it was serious wouldn't she have called us in sooner? Besides, that there's only been two weeks of school, how much trouble could Jarod have gotten into in that little amount of time."
Chloe's eyes snapped open. "Need I remind you Philip that in our first week of school together Junior year I found out about the bet, run away from home, burned all my clothes and you broke up with me. And based on some of the shenanigans Jarod and Conrad pulled this summer I'd say there's pretty good chance that he could get in trouble." She told him as she took her legs out of his lap.
"That's true but as you remind me all the time, Jarod isn't either of us, he's a good kid so I have no doubt that he's not in any trouble. Trust me its a father's instinct." He told her as he rose from the footstool to grasp her hand and pull her up.
Chloe snorted. "Yeah, where was that father's instinct when Jarod and Conrad sneaked out to go see that horror flic this summer?"
"Oh it was at the store buying someone ice cream and peanut butter for someone—,"
She interrupted him as they walked down the hallway towards the staircase. "If I recall correctly I wasn't the only one to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with cookie dough ice cream."
"Alright I'll give you that one. But for the record I just didn't want you to eat alone."
"Okay Philly boy whatever you say." They neared the top of the staircase when Chloe finally looked at her watch. "It's time for the twins and Jessie to go to bed. So I'll put them to bed and then you can put me to bed." She said as they reached the top of the staircase and headed toward the children's rooms.
"Yes, ma'am." Philip said and saluted her.
"Funny, Philip." She told him as she entered their daughter's room. "Ladies, it's time for bed."
"Aww, Mom can't we stay up a little while longer?" Ariana asked as she closed the book that she and Jessica had been reading. It was the newest book in the Fear Street series. Usually Chloe would never allow her daughters to read books that had some horrific content in it but both girls had taken an instinct liking to the series they were introduced to this past summer. Far be it for Chloe to restrict her daughters book interest. As long as they weren't scared by the somewhat horrific content then Chloe had no problem with them reading it. "Come on Mom we only have one more chapter to read, please?" Ariana begged as she pushed a strand of her golden brown locks out of her face.
"Sorry sweetie, it's light's out for you two. You have school tomorrow." Chloe said taking the book and placing it on Ariana's bookshelf. Then she walked back over to the bed and tucked her oldest daughter in. Sitting on the bed for a moment she leaned down and kissed her cheek before moving over to Jessie's bed and repeating the process. "Goodnight, girls."
"Night, Mommy," Jessica said and then kissed her mother's t-shirt covered belly, "night baby." She snuggled back under her covers just as Philip entered the room and wished his girls a good night.
Then Philip and Chloe continued down the hallway, with his arm loose around her waist. They walked into Jarod's room where they saw both of their sons laughing watching a cartoon on his computer.
"Dominic, honey it's time for you to go to bed." Chloe said leaning the doorway.
"Okay," he sighed and got up off of Jarod's bed where he sat. "Night Jarod." He walked past his brother out the door into his bedroom.
"Jarod lights out for you in an half hour alright?" Chloe asked looking for some collaboration.
He nodded and replied, "Sure Mom."
"By the way, Jarod I got a call from Ms. Mason, your guidance counselor today. She wants your father and I to come in for a meeting. You wouldn't by chance know what for, would you?"
Jarod seemed as surprised as she had been when the call can in as he went about clearing off his bed. "Nope." His mother nodded and sent his father a look.
"Alright, sweetie than I'll see you tomorrow." Chloe said before turning out of his doorway.
"Goodnight Mom. Dad could I ask you something?" He said as he saw his father heading out after his mother.
"Sure, what's up?" Philip replied turning to walk to sit down on the edge of his desk in front of his bed.
"I was wondering about when you were my age … did the kids at school treat you any different because you were a Kiriakis."
"What do you mean different?"
"You know what never —,"
Philip interrupted his son. "No Jarod if there is something you want to know just ask. I'll always be honest with you." He replied thinking that this may lead him to the reason he and Chloe had to meet with the counselor. "When I was your age I had a bunch of acquaintances and a couple of actual friends. Most kids just wanted to be friends with me because my father was rich. But, my true friends were always the ones who never treated as anything other than another kid like your Uncle Shawn and Aunt Belle. It didn't matter who my parents were to them, we had a relationship just like yours and Conrad's. Is that what you mean?"
Jarod nodded though somewhat hesitant. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks Dad." He turned to fix something on his bed.
As Philip rose from sitting on the desk he went to the door just as he was about to exit he turned around to see Jarod sitting on the bed looking into empty space, seemingly lost in thought. "Jarod," he looked up. "If there was something going on at school … anything, you'd tell me right?"
"Yeah, Dad I'd tell you." Jarod answered promptly.
Reassured nothing was wrong Philip nodded and turned to leave. "Good night."
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