#dunphy

Phil Dunphy was a man who honored his promises. He promised to be a good husband, a good dad, a good real estate agent, and a good magician. He put his heart into everything he did. Despite his positive thinking there was always a small part of him that wonders what could’ve been.

Back when he was younger, Phil had his best friend he did everything with. Not Judy Greer. Or Tommy. It was you.

You were there when Phil brought up the idea of being a cheerleader. Not once did you ever laugh at him but instead, in the small space in your living room, you two made your own dance routines at all times of the day.

You were there when Phil brought up the idea of being a magician. The amount of times you had to be cut in half to please this man couldn’t be counted on two hands but you’d do it a million times just to see him happy. Phil would sit with you while you studied your law book because one day you were going to make enough money to make sure you two lived the dreams you two always talked about. A fancy lawyer and a fancy magician.

You were there when Phil got curious about kissing. Phil worked up the courage one night and snuck out his window to go to yours right across. Still in his PJs Phil knocked on your window secretly hoping you didn’t answer so he could go back home but before he could retreat you opened the window wearing your big glasses that emphasized your tired eyes.

“What’s up Phil? Dad driving you crazy again?”

“Uh.. no… can we…” Phil coughed in his hand. “Can we try something?”

Your eyebrow rose as Phil pulled himself up using the windowsill and his lips connected with yours.

“Worth it.”

That sweet moment was the start of the new found relationship between you two. Phil and You. You and Phil. Three words that were heard throughout the school and even your families houses. It was literally both of you against the world.

That was until college came.

College was where everything changed between the two of you. Because it was no longer Phil and you. It was now Phil and Claire. Claire Pritchett was the party girl, the beautiful blonde with the grumpy, rich dad. Claire was the girl who waltzed into your life and turned it upside down.

“I’m sorry.. I—I didn’t know this would happen.”

You couldn’t help but let out a weak smile at the teary eyed man that stood outside your parent’s house. The news that the Claire Pritchett was now pregnant was quick to spread. The worst part of it all was that Phil did his best to keep it from spreading to you.

“It’s okay Phil. I can’t do this anymore. Claire needs you so please leave.” Before you closed the door on the broken man, you opened it once more. “I genuinely hope you two are happy.”

That day.. that heart wrenching day was the day a door closed completely in Phil’s life. It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Claire Pritchett quickly became Claire Dunphy and little Hailey was born soon after. Phil became a husband and father in a span of a year. The magic wands and the preppy uniform were now put on the back burner for his new roles.

Time went on and two other kids came along, Alex and Luke. Oh his children were his whole world. Jay still didn’t like him but Phil still did his best to please the man though Claire didn’t make it easy sometimes.

It was a sunny June day when Phil stopped by a coffee shop before meeting with the clients to the house he’s showing. The place had an open layout with windows big enough to let the sunshine flow in which added on to the ambiance. It was truly a beautiful place.

His attention got interrupted when the last person he thought he’d ever see just casually walked through the door.

You.

Phil was genuinely at loss for words. You were here…. Here! In the same coffee shop at the same time as he was. Was this fate?

“Hey you!”

You whipped your head around at the sound of a familiar voice and smiled. “Well if it isn’t Phil Dunphy.”

“What brings you into these parts?” Phil awkwardly said. He could’ve said a million other things but nothing came to mind fast enough.

“I own this place.” Your face lit up with excitement. “And I came in to get a treat. I need to be back in office in a bit.”

Phil looked around in awe with the new found information. “No way this place! It screams you all over. I should’ve guessed. So how have you been?”

“Well… “ you paused “I became that fancy lawyer we always talked about. I’m actually running for senate soon. Did you ever became a fancy magician?”

Phil’s heart clenched at the thought. “No.. became a fancy real estate agent though.”

“Ah then these people are in good hands with you guiding them.” You smiled.

Honestly in that moment Phil forgot the bustling coffee shop. He forgot he needed to go meet a client in a bit. In fact it felt like time stood still and you two were the only two people in the world.

“You look really good Phil. Life did you good.” You softly said.

Life… that’s right. At the end of day he was a father of three. A husband. He didn’t get the dream he wanted but he had a good life.

“Ah.. thank you.” Phil awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Your coffee that was preordered was ready in minutes. To you the conversation felt like it was short and simple but to Phil time moved slowly.

“I have to head back but it was nice seeing you.” You cleared your throat.

Phil watched you walk towards the entrance but before you left, you turned around one last time. “I’m happy for you Phil. Seems like you got what you wanted. See you around.”

The ache that occasionally lingered in his chest was in full throttle today. Phil was healed enough to know that the door was completely closed but he was human enough to sometimes still look at the door. To sometimes wonder what could’ve been.

You occasionally haunt him.

“Dad, dad did you see this?! Look my favorite lawyer got a seat in the Senate!” Alex happily came down in excitement showing Phil an image of you smiling with your peers. “I want to be like them when I grow up. Smart. Sophisticated. Do you know they help the needy? They went to Harvard!!”