Friends and Lovers
By Misha

Chapter Twenty

Author's Notes- Merry Christmas! Here's the first of two (or three) Christmas chapters, but I don't know when I'll get them done, so it's likely that this'll be the only one actually written before Christmas. Anyway, this part includes some Phloe romance, a sweet Shelle moment, and a surprise kiss! I hope you like! Sunday, December 24th 2000, Christmas Eve "You look happy." Phillip said, coming up behind Chloe and wrapping his arms around her waist.

She leant back against him with a smile. "I am." She told him softly. "Why wouldn't I be? I'm surrounded by my friends and family, and what's more important is that I'm with you."

Phillip smiled and tightened his hold on Chloe. "I love you." He whispered, placing a kiss on top of her head.

Chloe snuggled close to him. "I love you too. Merry Christmas, Phillip."

"Merry Christmas." Phillip replied lovingly, running his fingers through his long black hair.

"I hope that this is only just the first Christmas we'll spend together." She said softly, smiling up at him.

"It is." He promised. "We'll share lot's more together."

Chloe gave him a loving smile, her blue eyes showing how much the idea appealed to her.

Phillip smiled down at her, glad that they had worked out their problems of a few weeks ago.

The day after their fight he had begged her forgiveness and she given it, telling him afterwards that their fight had actually given her the chance to prepare her relationship with Shawn.

Which meant a lot to her, Phillip knew. He knew that he was the one that Chloe loved, but that Shawn's friendship meant a lot to her and he was glad that she had gotten it back.

As he held his girlfriend close to him, Phillip's eyes sought his rival and saw that he was talking to Belle.

They do look good together. Phillip thought, wondering if Shawn would ever see that Belle was as in love with him as he was with Chloe? Maybe they new year will bring a new romance for the two of them. Chloe would like that, she just wants them both to be happy.

Phillip gazed down at her and saw that her eyes were all fastened on Shawn and Belle and realized that she was thinking the same thing as him.

She gazed back at him and they shared a tender smile, each forgetting about the other couple as they concentrated on each other and their love which had blossomed over the last few months.
* * * * *

"They look good together don't they." Shawn commented quietly, looking over at where Phillip and Chloe stood, totally absorbed in each other.

"They do." Belle agreed, surprised at the lack of jealousy in Shawn's tone. "Does it bother you?"

Shawn smiled sadly. "Yes and no. There's a part of me that wishes it was me, but it's not and she loves him. That's what matters."

Belle smiled. "That's a good way of looking at things and this may be cold comfort, but Chloe values your friendship more than anything."

"Thanks." Shawn said quietly. "I values hers too. I've finally realized that I'd rather be her best friend than nothing at all."

Belle was quiet for a moment before smiling. "You know, I think this conversation is too sombre for a Christmas party! Let's go get some eggnog!"

Shawn grinned and stood up. "Alright." He agreed, following her over to the refreshment table, but he stopped halfway there.

"Why did you stop?" Belle asked curiously, glancing over at him.

"We're standing under the mistletoe." Shawn said, leaning over to give her a brief kiss. "Merry Christmas, Belle."

"Merry Christmas." Belle whispered, hardly able to contain her joy.

Shawn had kissed her! Maybe there was hope after all.

"Now let's go get that eggnog." He whispered.

"Let's." Belle agreed with a smile, practically skipping over to the refreshments table. What a wonderful day!
* * * * *

"Belle looks happy." Hope observed to Marlena a little later on, meeting up with her friend for the first time since the party had begun.

Just about everyone they knew had gathered together for the annual Christmas Eve party and they were all spread out around the room.

"She's on cloud nine." Marlena agreed. "Didn't you see Shawn kiss her under the mistletoe?"

"No, I must have missed it." Hope told her, thinking suddenly about the pairing of Shawn and Belle.

It would be a good match, she mused, not the one that she had been hoping for, but...

She gazed over at where Chloe stood in conversation with Belle and noticed that every so often the girl would look over at Phillip and smile tenderly. Her love for him was obvious to anyone who watched them.

Which was why there was no chance of anything ever happening between Shawn and Chloe, her heart lay elsewhere.

And Hope knew that after Chloe, who would always be like a daughter to her, Belle was her second choice for the woman who would win Shawn's heart.

"I wonder if something will happen between them." She said softly.

"I hope so." Marlena said with a smile. "But, I don't think Shawn realizes how she feels."

"He will." Hope said quietly. "He just needs to get over Chloe first. But it will happen."
* * * * *

Mimi watched as her friends all participated in decorating the tree, and snuck a glance at Jason. He was talking to Phillip, but his eyes were glued on her.

She knew that she had to talk to him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it, not yet. So, she had spent the last three weeks avoiding him, hoping to put off inevitable confrontation as long as possible. She wasn't sure her heart could take it.

After a moment she decided to head over to Chloe and Belle, hoping that they could take her mind off Jason.

As she approached them, she bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry." She apologised. "I wasn't looking-"

"It's alright." A male voice interrupted.

Mimi looked up to see Belle's brother Brady looking down at her with a grin.

"But you do know we're under the mistletoe, don't you?" He said with a grin, leaning down to kiss her.
* * * * *