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| Chapter Forty-Eight | |
| What's Left Behind | |
| A man stood outside his black four-door sedan smoking a cigarette, awaiting his latest client to meet him with the final payment. Unfortunately, said client was already half an hour late so rather than stand out in the cold any longer he climbed back into his car to warm up. Opening the door to the black sedan he slid behind the wheel. A few moments later to the back door opened. | |
| "What took ya' so long. I've been waitin' fer an hour already." | |
| "If you had done the job I paid you for I might have been here sooner. But, since you botched the job I had to make sure my tracks were covered." The quiet stern voice answered. | |
| "What? Man, I did exactly what you told me. I followed the lady in her car and drove her off the road, jus' like we agreed." | |
| "Yes but you made two critical mistakes. First, there were to be no witnesses, I wanted Kiriakis alone. Now, you drove her off the road near a residential area with cars following behind you and her son was in the car. Second, I wanted her dead not injured. Kiriakis survived the crash and is now in the hospital with 24-hour security protecting her. It seems to me that you aren't worth the money you're asking for." | |
| "I tried to get the broad alone but she never was. I tailed her for three weeks and she always had one of 'em damn rugrats wit' her. What was I supposed to do? I took the first opportunity I could, figurin' since she's already gotta bean in the oven you won't care too much if I take out another kid wit' her." The man stared into the rearview mirror where he made eye contact with the cool green eyes of his client. "And when I drove her off the road there weren't no cars behind me. How was I to know that someone was coming it was a hit and run, I hit 'er and run. It ain't my fault that she and the brat survived. I think you oughta pay me what you owe or I'll be paying the cops a little visit. I'm sure they'd like to know about yous paying me to murder the good Doctor." | |
| The person in the backseat sighed and slid a 9mm semiautomatic gun out of their pocket clicking off the safety. "It's unfortunate that you feel that way Mr. Foster. Very unfortunate for you." Before the man in the front seat could get out the car or say another word the person raised to gun and fired one shot through the headrest and into Mr. Foster's head. | |
| Slipping the gun back into their pocket, the person slid out of the back seat of the sedan and calmly walked away from the dead hit man's car. | |
| ~*~*~*~*~*@*~*~*~*~*~ | |
| Twelve hours after the newest addition to the Kiriakis family had been born and she was still unnamed. Bright and early Saturday morning, Nancy and Craig had arrived at the hospital to see their daughter and grandchild. They had expected of course to see Philip still in the hospital room in his wrinkled clothes by Chloe's side. They had expected Jarod naturally standing guard beside his father keeping a vigilant eye on Chloe. But, once they arrived they instantly worried when they saw the armed guard standing post outside their daughter's private room who stepped aside as they entered. Inside the room, present were Chloe and the baby in the bassinet. | |
| "So Philip left you here all by yourself?" Craig asked surprised as he peered down at his granddaughter in her bassinet. | |
| Chloe merely shook her head. "Bill is outside standing guard. Besides, Philip only left a couple hours ago to go home to shower and change. He said he was going to bring the kids by later." | |
| "That's because your Daddy is overprotective, yes he is." Nancy added in a baby voice as she smiled down at the light head of her granddaughter, who in response waved her arm at her grandmother. Chloe rolled her eyes and sat back in the bed. "Oh, isn't our granddaughter just the most cutest little baby you've ever seen Craig." | |
| "That she is Nancy, she's beautiful just like her mother and grandmother." He leaned down and kissed his wife's cheek. | |
| "Yes, she is. And I bet she would be even more beautiful with a name other than baby girl Kiriakis. Honestly Chloe, how could you and Philip have not picked out a name by now?" | |
| "Nance, I'm sure Chloe and Philip had more important things to worry about beyond picking a name for our beautiful granddaughter last night. By the way, how are you feeling, Chloe?" Craig asked as he moved away from the bassinet to stand by his daughter's bed. | |
| "I've been better. But, then that's to be expected." | |
| "So no nausea or drowsiness from the anesthesia?" | |
| "Nope, neither. I have had a baby before you know." | |
| "Yes, I know but not usually under these circumstances. Besides, I'm your father, I worry every time." | |
| "Thanks Dad." | |
| Craig grinned. "I'm just making sure that everything is in order for my daughter." Before he could say any more the door to Chloe's room opened to reveal Philip carrying Jessica, who held a pink bear in her hands with the twins following behind with flowers, and Jarod empty-handed with his arm strapped to his chest in the harness. | |
| "Hi Momma." Jessica said as Philip lowered to her feet and the little girl ran over to the bed, standing on her tiptoes to kiss Chloe's cheek. | |
| "Hi sweetie." Chloe replied as she lowered her bed slightly with the remote to briefly hug her daughter. The twins and Jarod followed suit each of them kissing their mother's cheek as they handed over their gifts. "My what's all this?" | |
| "Well Daddy said we could all bring something for the baby so Dommy and I got flowers and Jessie and Jarod picked out a teddy." Ariana answered as she unzipped her coat tossing it on a chair where Nancy's purse was settled. "Hi Granma', Grandpa," she said turning to briefly nod at her grandparents before returning to her mother's side. "So where is she?" | |
| Smiling indulgently at her daughter's apparent dismissal of her parents she gestured to her mother to hand her the baby. Nancy corresponded by gently lifting the baby girl into her arms, cooing at the child as she crossed the short distance to place the child into Chloe's arms. "Come here and meet your new sister." | |
| Ariana and Dominic stood by their mother's bed peering up at the child who stared back at them with identical blue eyes. She waved a hand in the air. "Oh, she's so pretty and tiny." | |
| "I can't see her." Jessica said as she attempted to stand on her tip toes to see the baby. | |
| Jarod started to lean down to lift her up but was stopped by his father's hand on his shoulder. | |
| "Let me since you're one-armed at the moment." Philip reached down and effortlessly lifted Jessica back into his arms so she could see her new baby sister. | |
| "She is pretty. Is her hair gonna' be dark like mine and 'Ana's?" Jessica asked as she reached down and touched the baby's light hair. | |
| "Mm, I don't know Jessie. When you and Ana were babies both of you had dark hair. Her hair is a lot lighter so it could get darker or lighter when she gets bigger." Philip answered as he settled Jessica next to her mother on the bed so that she could see the baby better. "What do you say Mom? Will we have another brunette in the family?" | |
| Using her free hand to touch the fine hair on the baby's head Chloe pondered the very question. "I'd say that we're going to have another blonde in the family. Your hair was just as dark as hers is when you were a baby Philip. And so was Jarod's when he was a baby." She glanced up at her son with dirty blonde hair, several shades darker than his father's feeling a moment of sadness that she never got to see her son as a baby and only had pictures. "Her hair will probably be closer to Jarod's." | |
| "So what's her name?" Dominic asked finally looking up from his baby sister to stare questioningly at his mother and father. | |
| "Baby Kiriakis." Philip answered. | |
| "Are you serious?" Jarod asked brows arched. | |
| Chloe frowned at Philip. "No you're father's not serious. Your Dad and I have decided that we want you guys to help name your sister." | |
| "Seriously, Mom?" Ariana asked surprised. | |
| "Yes. The only condition is that we want the four of you to decide together what her name will be." | |
| "And not something completely outrageous. Remember she's going to live with this name the rest of her life or until she's old enough to change for herself." Philip felt the need to add. | |
| "Cool." Dominic and Jarod said simultaneously. | |
| "Okay, then let's talk about it then. Jarod come over here." Dominic said as he took a piece of paper out of his coat pocket and moved to sit down in the chair. "Hey do you have pen?" | |
| "Of course." Craig said as he took a pen out from his coat pocket and handed to his grandson. | |
| "Thanks." Dominic wrote down a few names obediently as Jarod looked over his shoulder standing up. | |
| "Nope, you totally have to take number three off the list." Shaking his head Jarod said as he peered down at the list. | |
| "Why?" | |
| "Because it's a horrible name." | |
| "No, its not." | |
| "Yes, it is." | |
| Ariana moved from her mother's side to take a look at the name Dominic had written down. "No it's not." | |
| Jarod glared at his sister impiously. "Jessie, come 'ere. You can settle this." He implored of his younger sister, thinking that she would agree with him. The younger girl hopped down off the bed and walked over to the other children and commenced in a small discussion of Dominic's chosen name number three. | |
| "Chloe, do you really think you should let them name the baby?" Nancy asked hesitantly as she overheard the argument against the name Amber from Jarod and Ariana. | |
| "Mom, I hardly think they are going to come up with something completely off the wall as Phloe." Chloe said piercing her husband with bemused grin. | |
| Smirking Philip took Jessica's seat on the bed next to Chloe who was cooing at their daughter. "Well, you have to admit it was inspired." | |
| "Yes, inspired in the sense that never ever would I name my child something so hideous. Honestly Philip, I don't know where you come up with these things." Chloe kissed the baby's hand as the baby grasped her finger. "Daddy's just a funny man isn't he?" | |
| "So how are you feeling?" Changing the subject Philip looked over Chloe. | |
| "Honestly? Like I just had a baby. I'm sore and tired but otherwise good." | |
| "You look a little pale though." He said as smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear, caressing her cheek as he lifted her face to his to make eye contact. | |
| She pulled his hand away. "I'm fine Philip, really. I got through the accident and surgery without a scratch on me well except for the C-section. It was no big deal." | |
| "No big deal? Chloe someone forced your car off the road into a tree, I'd say it's a pretty big deal." Philip replied not letting his wife brush-off the accident that landed her in the hospital. | |
| "Well, I for one am glad that everyone is okay. You could have been seriously hurt. At least more so than you are, hopefully Bo will have more to tell us later." Craig added angry about the entire situation as it happened. | |
| "Okay we've decided." Dominic said as he rose from his spot on the chair and approached his mother's bedside with his paper in his hand. | |
| "Let's hear it." | |
| "So we decided for the first name, Caryn, that's C-A-R-Y-N. It's normal but different." | |
| "Caryn Kiriakis, I like it." Chloe nodded. "How about a middle name?" Dominic and Jarod looked at each other before announcing the name. "Kamiana." | |
| "Cami-ana?" Philip repeated raising a brow at the name before looking back at Chloe noting the question in her eyes. | |
| "Kamiana, now where on earth-," | |
| "Nancy, it's a lovely name." Craig offered shaking his head slightly as he grabbed her hand. "What made you decide on that?" | |
| Jarod scratched his head with his uninjured hand. "Well Kami, with a K instead of a C is for-," | |
| "Kami is the combined name of the two girls Jarod and Dommy have crushes on. And Ana of course, is for me being the eldest sister." Ariana answered sticking her tongue out at her brothers as they both blushed. "Next time Mommy, I say leave the naming to me and Jessie." | |
| Chloe chuckled. "Unfortunately, there won't be a next time, Ariana. Because our precious little bundle is the last baby I will be having." She peered down at the baby. "Caryn Kamiana Kiriakis, do you like that?" The baby gurgled. | |
| "I guess that means it's a keeper." Philip said chuckling as he caught one of the baby's flaying arm and leaned down to kiss her hand. There was a knock on the door followed by the entrance of Victor Kiriakis, in all his glory. | |
| "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." | |
| ~*~*~*~*~*@*~*~*~*~*~ | |
| Victor had been returning from a business trip in Paris when he'd been informed of the accident that had befallen his son's wife. Truth be told he had never seen eye to eye with the woman who married his son. They both wanted different things for Philip it almost always led to conflict between them. He had found that it was a rather pointless battle to fight because when it came down to it, if Philip ever had to be in a position to choose, he knew well-enough that the choice wouldn't be him. | |
| Even still, the fact that his daughter-in-law had been in an accident with his eldest grandson in the car put him ill-at-ease. It was one thing for him not to get along with her but it was quite another for someone else to attempt to harm her. She was a Kiriakis, dammit! No one harmed a Kiriakis, be it by blood or marriage, and got away with it. He'd be sure to put his best people on it considering that Salem PD was run by a bunch of bumbling fools. Seeing that justice was done meant getting your hands a little dirty and the protocol of law couldn't act it on these occasions. Victor Kiriakis had never been scared of a little dirt and he knew the men he hired wouldn't be either. | |
| He made a note to call Bo later to see what leads he had managed so far that he could pass along as he walked swiftly down the hallway corridor to Chloe's private room. As he approached the doorway he noted the tall man standing by it, Bill was one of the best of the security personnel he employed. He nodded to the man; Philip was definitely taking this seriously. He knocked on the door before walking in. | |
| ~*~*~*~*~*@*~*~*~*~*~ | |
| Victor walked into the room surprised to find it filled with all of his son's family as well as Chloe's parents. | |
| "Dad what are you doing here?" Philip asked as he rose from his position on the hospital bed beside Chloe; unconsciously blocking her and the baby from his father's view. | |
| "After you didn't show up from the video conference with Dramine, I called your secretary and he informed me of the accident." | |
| Philip sighed combing his hand through his hair. "Jesus, I completely forgot about the meeting. Did Mr. Dramine reschedule?" | |
| "Yes. After I explained the situation, he was more than willing to reschedule. Check with your secretary I'm sure he has all the details. Good morning children, I'm surprised to see you all here so early." | |
| Ariana spoke first sweeping her hair behind her ears. "We wanted to be the first to see the baby. Her name is Caryn, we got to name her. Granpa, come closer you can't see her that far away." She walked around the bed to grab Victor's hand and pull him over to the bed. "See, isn't she pretty? Momma says she'll have hair like Jarod's and Daddy's." | |
| Victor peered down to the child who held her mother's hand tightly in her hand. "Yes, Ariana I do believe your sister is very pretty, beautiful in fact." | |
| "So Dad what are you doing back so soon? I thought you were spinning the holidays in Paris this year." Philip said as he moved to stand behind Jarod, propping his hands on the boy's shoulders. | |
| Moving to stand upright, Victor slid his hands into his pockets. "Yes, that was the plan but someone reminded me that the holidays are the time for family." Philip sent his father a questioning gaze but Victor shook his head silently meaning that he'd explain later. | |
| "Do-does this mean you'll come to our party this year Granpa?" Dominic asked looking expectantly across the bed up at his grandfather. Then as an afterthought added, "If we're still having the party that is." | |
| Philip looked over at Dominic surprised. "Why wouldn't we still have the party this year?" | |
| "Because Momma just the baby and she won't be able to do all the things she'll usually does." Ariana answered. | |
| Looking up from the baby, Chloe nodded. "She's right Philip, I didn't think about the party. You'll have to get the list of parents from-," | |
| "I have the list Chloe." Nancy interrupted. "But, I don't see why we need to cancel it; I'm sure I can still get everything together and still have the party with Philip's help of course." She prompted, her brandy-colored eyes promising Philip misery if he didn't agree. | |
| "Of course." Philip parroted fairly certain that he could host a party for a bunch of ten-year-olds. After all he had four, five children (he corrected himself mentally), how hard could it be. | |
| Chloe snorted and focused her attention down on the adjusting the cover over the now sleeping child. | |
| "What?" | |
| She glanced back up at Philip pursuing her lips. "Philip, need I remind that of the eight birthday parties we've held for the twins that you've missed all but two and you were late to both of those." | |
| "So, I won't be late this time. I can handle this. After all it's not like I'll be alone, Nancy will be there to help." | |
| "Yes, of course I will be. All you have to do is relax Chloe and leave the rest to us." Nancy added putting a calming hand down on Chloe's leg. | |
| "So you'll come to the party then Granpa?" Ariana asked. | |
| Victor looked down at his granddaughter trying to come up with a suitable reason not to attend. | |
| "Yes, Victor please come, we'd love to have you." Chloe said extending another olive branch to her father-in-law knowing that if she didn't Philip wouldn't. | |
| "I'd be delighted to come to your birthday party my dear." Victor replied squeezing his granddaughter's name to be rewarded with a brilliant smile that reminded him of Philip's at that age he'd seen in pictures. "Now then Jarod, tell me what is the full name of my newest grandchild?" | |
| Surprised by his father's avid interest in his family Philip said nothing as he watched his father converse his wife and children with apparent astonishment written all over his face. | |
| ~*~*~*~*~*@*~*~*~*~*~ | |
| A few hours later, Chloe and Philip were alone together except for the baby who nursed hungrily at Chloe's breast beneath a nursing clothe. | |
| "When do you think I'll be able to go home? I am so tired of being in this hospital room." | |
| "Chloe," he sighed. "You just had major surgery yesterday. You can't honestly expect to go home tonight. I think you have a couple more days left here. But, on the bright side you'll be home in time for the twins' birthday." | |
| "I guess you're right." | |
| "Of course I'm right." He leaned up and kissed the soft hair of Caryn beneath the cloth from his seat beside the bed. Leaning back he fingered the brightly colored baby cover in the bassinet. | |
| There was a knock at the door. Chloe looked down to ensure that she was covered. "Come in." | |
| Bo walked into the room a moment later. Seeing that Chloe was nursing he immediately apologized. "I can come back later." | |
| "No, no please stay. You just need me to make a statement right?" | |
| "Not exactly, the situation has changed since last night." | |
| Philip tensed sitting up. "What's changed?" | |
| "Well around six o'clock this morning the body of the man who we believe ran you off the road was found. The M.E. thinks he was shot sometime last night so presumably a few hours from when he ran you off the road." | |
| "What!" | |
| Chloe took the news calmly as she carefully lifted the baby over her shoulder and patted the baby's back. "Do you have a picture?" | |
| "Yes," Bo reached into his coat pocket and pulled a headshot of the dead man taken from the morgue. He showed it to both Philip and Chloe. "Do either of you recognize him?" | |
| Shaking her head Chloe added, "I've never seen him before. Philip?" | |
| "I haven't either." | |
| Nodding Bo tucked the photo into his pocket. "I didn't think you would." | |
| "So what happens now?" | |
| "Well, since the only link we have on this guy is his connection to you, Chloe and your accident we're going to see if we can figure out why he caused your accident. I have my men working on it, checking his background and such. The minute we learn anything, anything at all I'll be in touch. You just take good care of yourself and that niece of mine." Bo said nodding to the baby before he took his leave. | |
| After Bo left, Philip eased down next to Chloe. "Well I certainly didn't expect that." | |
| "Who would have Philip?" As Caryn burped Chloe eased the baby onto her other shoulder continuing to rub her back. "Well, at least it's all over and we don't have to worry about anyone trying to run me off the road." | |
| Pensively watching as Chloe soothed their baby to sleep, Philip laid back pulling Chloe over against his chest within the shelter of his arms. "I'm not so sure about that Chloe. Somehow, I think this is one the beginning of something more to come." | |
| "I hope you're wrong, Philip. I hope you're wrong." Chloe whispered softly looking down at her daughter who was cuddled safely between her parents fast asleep. | |
| On to Chapter Forty-Nine | |
| Back to Secrets of the Heart | |