Sweet Home Colorado – By Nic

“Laura! I need these papers faxed to Michael. Capice?” Marlena

Evans said, running around her office, and gathering things for

her meeting with the board. “Call Shelly and tell her I have to

cancel dinner with the girls tonight so that I can go home and

pack. I’m going to Colorado. And you need to get home too.

You’re coming with me!” Marlena yelled, running out of her office.

 

Laura sat there trying to comprehend all the orders Marlena had

given her. Smiling to herself she got the papers ready to fax and

picked up the phone to call Shelly.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Frantically getting her stuff together, Marlena threw the last of

the clothing she was taking on her trip into her bag, and shut the

lights off to her penthouse, slamming the door shut behind her.

 

Looking down at the huge rock on her hand, she thought of

Scott. He had proposed to her 3 weeks before and when they

decided on a wedding date, she remembered the last time she was

in Colorado. She had thought that when she signed the divorce

papers, that they would be final. Little did she know that John

didn’t sign the papers. She began to realize that she would never

get him to sign those damn papers unless she dragged herself

back to Colorado and held him down, forcing him to sign them.

That wouldn’t be such a bad idea, she thought to herself… then

gasped, shocked at where her mind was leading her.

 

She laughed and stepped into the elevator, punching the first

floor button. ‘John and me? HA! Never again.’

 

Little did she know that when she made the decision to head

back to her home town, Colorado… she had also made the

decision to open up the door that led back to her true love: John

Black. Even if she didn’t realize that she was still in love with him.

 

“Sweet Home Colorado,” she said, as this day marked a new

beginning for her. Or so she thought.

Stepping off the plane, she walked through the crowded airport,

trying to find a quiet spot. She took out her cell phone and

dialled the number to her parents’ house.

 

She sighed when she heard the machine tone telling her that her

cell phone was out of reach and could not be used. Throwing it

back into her purse, she huffed frustratingly and found the

nearest phone booth.

 

She heard a voice much like hers on the other end of the line,

“Hello?” the voice said out of breath.

 

“Sam?” Marlena asked.

 

“Marlena?” Sam asked, equally surprised at hearing from her

sister. Usually, when they talked, Sam was the one to call

Marlena, seeing as how busy she always seemed to be. With her

own PERFECT life in Salem.

 

“What’s got you so out of breath? Are you okay?” Marlena

inquired.

 

“Well, if you MUST know…” Samantha trailed off, leaving

Marlena to draw her own conclusions.

 

“OH MY GOD! SAM! EWWW…”

 

“You asked,” Sam said, smiling at her companion. “What are you

calling for? I’m kinda… busy… you know.”

 

“Okay, Sam. I get the hint. I’m sorry to spoil your… uuhm… plans,

but I’m at the airport and I need a ride.”

 

“You’re home?!? Oh my God! Marlena, you’re here. Stay where you

are. I am coming to get you. RIGHT NOW!” Sam yelled, hanging

up the phone and flying out the room excitedly.

 

Okay, she was a little too enthusiastic, Marlena thought, smiling

with anticipation of seeing her family again.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Being that it was a small town and everybody knew each other,

the airport was close-by and Sam was there within 15 minutes. She

rushed through the crowd, searching for the face that was oh so

familiar to her own. When she spotted Marlena, she ran full

speed, yelling out her name.

 

Marlena turned in surprise and caught the big bear hug her sister

gave her, hugging back with the same intensity. “Oh my gosh,

Mar, it has been way too long. I’m so glad you found the time to

finally come and visit us.”

 

Marlena looked away guiltily, realizing that the reason she came

back to Colorado was not to visit, but to get some damn divorce

papers signed.

 

“Well, actually, the reason I came here is… is not important, but I

am sure glad to see you, Sam.”

 

“Well, come on then, what are we waiting for? We need to get you

home and unpacked, Mom and Dad are sure going to be delighted

to see you. Then, we are going out on the town to see all our

friends that have missed you deeply.”

 

It suddenly hit Marlena that she was going to have to speak to

John. She couldn’t just face him like this after all these years,

asking him for a divorce that she was beginning to believe she

didn’t want. Why did she come? She had contacts back in Salem

that would have set up a plan for the papers to be sent here to

John, requesting him to sign them.

 

As she got into her sister’s car, she knew it was too late to go

home and that she had to face him eventually. She was just afraid

of the feelings that deep down she knew would resurface and

cause her trouble. Or maybe with an act of God it would turn out

to be pleasurable. Right, Mar, she thought to herself. She was

fully prepared for a week of hell. Knowing John, he was going to

put up a fight and want her back. Eight years is a long wait for

true love. She knew what her feelings were for him. She’d known

all along, but she was scared that he would not want her anymore,

considering how they broke up, after being in love since the

second grade. Forcing her feelings back down, she filled her mind

with what she came back here to d, vowing to get the divorce

papers signed and returning home to her fiancée.

After unloading her stuff at her parents’ house and catching up,

Marlena headed out to do what her heart told her NOT to.

 

She drove her Dad’s old beat-up Ford to John’s place. Apparently

from what her sister said, he still lived in the same house that she

used to call home. They were happily married for a year. Every

waking hour was spent together. But Marlena had always wanted

to pursue a career in psychology. Her dream was to be a

psychologist. She remembered that terrible, stormy night when

she and John broke it off.

 

“You’re leaving me?” John asked, tears coming to his eyes. Never

one to show much emotion, even around his love, he couldn’t

help but just let the tears fall. He was loosing the love of his life.

 

“Not if you come with me, John.” Sshe pleaded with him to come

with her. But she knew that he could never do that. This was his

home…THEIR home.

 

“How could you ask me that? You know I can’t leave now.

Dammit, Mar… and you don’t have to leave either!”

 

“So, what? You’re suggesting I give up my dreams? John, don’t you

understand, my life is finally falling into place. I always wanted to

be a psychiatrist. You know that. And I got a job offer student

teaching at Salem University. This could be my big break. Maybe

I’ll even get a job offer at Salem University Hospital. You want me

to just give that up?”

 

“Of course I’m not saying give up your dreams. Mar, I want you to

be happy,” he said, placing a hand on her cheek. “But can’t you be

happy here? Colorado has wonderful colleges all over. You’re

bound to get accepted to teach at one.”

 

“See, that’s the problem with you, John,” she said, backing away

from him. “You never want to be disappointed. You never want to

give anything up, to try something else. There’s always going to be

some disappointment in your life… you just don’t want to face it.

I can’t live like you can. I can’t live day by day. I’m “bound to get

accepted to one?” Listen to yourself. I just can’t sit here and wait

for what I want. I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to leave

you, my family or my friends, but I have to in order to accomplish

my dreams. And I’m giving all that up. I’m giving YOU up, if you

don’t decide to come with me,” she finished, not being able to

watch the hurt form in his eyes.

 

Her harsh words hit him straight in the heart and he almost cried

out in pain at the intensity of the hurt he was feeling.

 

“Mar, please. I just signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies.

I can’t leave now. And Kim is pregnant. She’s going to need all the

help she can get from me and the rest of the family. I have to be

here for her,” John begged her.

 

“I’m so sorry, John. But I want this more than anything. And it

hurts to know that you don’t want this to happen for me,” she

cried.

 

“Don’t you dare put words in my mouth!” He was getting angry

now. “I want you to be happy. I just want to know why you have

to go cross country to have happiness.”

 

“John, I’m leaving. My plane comes tomorrow morning. Come with

me?” she asked one final time, knowing what the answer would be

before he even said it.

 

He turned around, his back towards her, not being able to look

her in the eyes. “I think you know my answer,” he stated softly.

 

“And I think you know mine,” she finished, in a soft tone of her

own.

 

“Good-bye, John,” she said, turning for the door.

 

Before she could leave he tried one last attempt, “Mar, Oh God.”

He pulled her towards him, kissing her softly on the lips, their

tears meshing with one another as their faces moved against each

others. “Please stay,” he cried. “I love you so much”.

 

Putting two fingers to her mouth as if to save the sensation of

his lips on hers, she looked down and shook her head. She backed

away and reached for the door, shutting it silently behind her as

she walked towards her car, away from the best thing that ever

happened to her.

 

Marlena was so caught up in the past that she didn’t even realize

she had been sitting in John’s driveway for a few minutes. She

shook out of her reverie when she heard the screen door slam

and a voice she desperately missed over the past eight years.

 

“You just going to sit in the truck all day, or are you going to get

out and say hello?”, John’s voice came from the porch. He was

wearing faded blue jeans, dirt smears going up the legs and a gray

T-shirt that had Colorado Rockies on the front… the lettering

faded. His dark brown hair was short, in the back and on top,

slightly ruffled, but not unruly since he didn’t have much of it

and the first thing she noticed was his smile, as gorgeous as ever.

He’d gotten a little taller, and his body was a bit bigger with more

torso muscles than she remembered. Baseball had done wonders

for his body.

 

Stepping out of the truck, she gave him a smile and felt out of

place in her black dress pants and white spaghetti straps.

 

Before she could say anything, a young boy with short dark brown

hair and a face EXACTLY like John’s came running out from

behind the house, chasing the dog around. He fell to the ground

and erupted into bouts of giggles when the dog started to sniff

and lick his face. John just looked at the boy and smiled happily.

 

Oh my God. He has a son. Which means he’s probably involved

with someone, she speculated. Her worst fears had come true.

The boy stood up and watched the dog run down the dock,

chasing the ducks into the pond. He half-laughed, reminding

Marlena of John’s laugh.

 

“So,” John started, walking down the steps to the porch. “How’ve

you been?”

 

Marlena managed a small smile. “I’ve been great. And yourself?”

 

“Just fine.”

 

An awkward silence followed. They both started to speak at the

same time. John laughed. Marlena, trying to avoid what she

wanted to say to him, spoke up first, “You first”.

 

“Well, I was just going to ask you how long you’re going to be in

town? It’s great seeing you.”

 

“I plan to leave as soon as possible,” she said, trying to be stern

and just come out with it.

 

Before she could continue, the boy came over to John, pulling on

his shirt. Kneeling down to be face to face with the boy, he said,

“What’s up slugger?”

 

The boy leaned in close and whispered something to John,

inaudible to Marlena. She couldn’t help but smile at the obvious

closeness the boy and John shared.

 

John smiled, nodded and stood up with the little boy in his arms.

“This,” John said, pointing to her, “Is Marlena.”

 

“Hi,” the boy said, reaching out his tiny hand to Marlena.

 

“Hello, there. What’s your name?” she asked, grasping his small

hand in her own.

 

“Eric. And I’m five.” He held up five fingers, showing her his age.

Suddenly, the boy’s eyes lit up. “Hey, want to come and see what

Uncle John and I are working on?” he asked, excitedly jumping

from John’s arms, and grabbing Marlena’s hand.

 

“Uh… Eric, Marlena came here to talk to me about something.

How ‘bout you go inside first and feed your dog, then we can

show her, okay?” The boy hung his head in disappointment, sulking

back to the house.

 

“John, its okay, really,” she said, calling for Eric to come back.

 

Eric ran over and grabbed Marlena’s hand again, pulling her

towards the garage. She couldn’t stifle her laugh when she saw

Eric turn his head and stick his tongue out at John, showing his

victory. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt overjoyed to find that

Eric was John’s nephew and not his son.

 

“Look!” Eric yelled when they got into the garage. He pointed to

the go-cart, while he jumped up and down, clearly excited. “Uncle

John threw away the insruckons, cause he said they were in

panish and he can’t read panish.”

 

Marlena laughed at that one, shaking her head at how that was

so like John. A voice came from the doorway. “No, I threw the

instructions away because they were wrong.”

 

“Sure you did,” she said to John. Looking back to Eric she shook

her head, mouthing ‘I believe you’ to him.

 

Eric laughed and said, “Uncle John thinks we can finish it by the

end of this month! Isn’t that great?! I can’t wait. We built trails in

the woods over there and we found 18 baseballs,” he exaggerated,

making Marlena laugh.

 

“18? Wow, that sure is a lot,” she said, laughing at how dramatic

the little boy was making his story to be.

 

“I still don’t know why there was 18 baseballs in there,” Eric said,

shrugging his shoulders and scrunching his eyebrows up, trying to

think of a plausible reason.

 

“I’ll tell you why,” Marlena started, looking at John leaning up

against the doorjamb, hands in his jean pockets. Her eyes met his

and she felt a shiver run up her spine at the way he was looking at

her. She knelt down to Eric’s height and said, “When I lived here

with your Uncle John, he would practice baseball all the time. We

would hit baseballs into the woods and when we were finished, we

would go through, getting all the balls back, but we lost a lot. I

see you found some, but, I’m sure there’s tons more out there.”

 

“Really? Wow!” Marlena was bemused at how something so simple

intrigued this boy so much. Then, as if replaying her words in his

mind, he asked, “You lived with Uncle John? Why? And how come

I never seen you before? Why did you move away?”

 

The questions were coming out fast from his mouth. Then, the

biggest question of all came. “Oh, I know. You were in wuv with

Uncle John. Like Momma is in love with Daddy. I hear her say it

all the time. If you wuved Uncle John, how come you moved

away?”

 

John felt tears sting his eyes and he remembered the night she

left. How he had slid down the door, crying his eyes out. They

had said good-bye that night and John sat there against the door,

crying til tears could come no more. Just feeling his heart ripped

in half. He very vaguely remembered Bo arriving the next morning.

John figured if Bo hadn’t come, he would have sat there against

the door the rest of his life. Now, hearing his youngest nephew

ask her these questions, he could feel the pain come back to his

heart. All the feelings he had felt that night came rushing back

like it was just yesterday that she left. Not ready to hear her

answer, John spoke up, “Eric, how about you go feed Brian? I’d

like to talk to Marlena for a second, okay?”

 

“Sure, Uncle John,” the boy replied, not at all upset at the fact

Marlena didn’t answer his questions. John could hear the boy

yelling for the dog, Brian, as he ran out the garage.

 

“John—“ Marlena started.

 

John interrupted her. “Listen, I know you want something from

1. That’s why you came back here, right? Not to visit. What can

I do for you?”

 

“John, you’re right. I did come back here for something. You

didn’t…” She paused, searching through her purse. She pulled out

a manila folder and handed it to him, continuing, “Sign these.”

 

Puzzled, John took the folder from her and opened it. His jaw

dropped when he saw what was inside. “Ohh… I see. So, that ring

on your finger IS an engagement ring. Who’s the lucky guy?”

 

“Just sign the papers, John,” she said.

 

“Why? I don’t want to divorce you. If you couldn’t already tell, I’m

still in love with you.” He backed her up against the wall, leaning

in close to her ear. “And if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re still

in love with me too.”

 

She snorted, pushing on his chest for him to back away. “You’re

crazy. I’m in love with a wonderful business man. He’s so sweet,

kind, and handsome. The most handsome man I ever met,” she

lied. Ever since she stepped out of her father’s truck and took

one look at John, she was beginning to wonder if her feelings for

Scott were what she had thought they were.

 

John could tell she was lying, but trying to put more pressure on

her, he replied, “Ouch. You know, I can still recall the days when

you would tell me I was the most handsome man you ever met.”

 

“Yeah, well, things change. You always tell the people you THINK

you love what they want to hear. Back then I did think you were

good-looking, but—“

 

Her words struck too close to home and suddenly, he wasn’t sure

he could carry on teasing her like this. “Ow. That one was below

the belt,” he whispered softly, pain shooting through his heart.

 

“Look, John, that was wrong. I didn’t mean –“

 

“Sure you did. But it’s okay. I mean, if you can’t take criticism,

you shouldn’t belong on this earth, right?” he asked her, trying to

hide his pain with a laugh. She, however, could see right through

him. She had hurt him badly. She was trying her best not to show

him how much he meant to her, denying to herself her true

feelings. In the process of doing so, she hurt him with words that

were far from the truth.

 

“John, I—“ she started again.

 

“Look at the time,” John said, looking towards the clock on the

wall. “Wow, I better get Eric back to Kayla before she has my

head. It’s been great seeing you Marlena, but I’ve got things to

1. Let me see those papers.” His attempt at changing the subject

didn’t run by Marlena. She planned on letting him know how she

felt.

 

“John, just listen to me. I—“

 

“Mar! Just stop, okay? I’m signing the God damn papers, so just

leave it at that.”

 

“No. You know what?” she asked, taking the papers from his

hands. “I’m staying all week. No need for you to sign them right

now. I’ll, uh, see you around, huh?”

 

She couldn’t stand that she hurt him and the last thing she

wanted to do right now was hurt him even more by making him

sign the papers. That could wait. She had to get out of there,

and quick. Seeing the pain flow through his eyes was breaking her

heart into millions of pieces. Disgusted with herself, she ran out

of the garage and jumped into the truck, driving off back to her

parents’ house.

The next morning Marlena woke up to the bright sunlight shining

through her window. Squinting, she looked out the window into

the forest and was hit with the pang of longing. She was used to

waking up to city lights, loud noises and the strong smell of

pollution. Now, seeing how beautiful and quiet it was, she

decided to get up and go to her favorite place by the lake.

 

After dressing in shorts and a tank-top, she slipped on her shoes

and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She walked the few feet

down the hall to her sister’s room, knocking twice before opening

the door to see no one there. She turned and walked across the

hall to her parents’ room, looking in through the open door and

seeing the bed cleanly made.

 

Wondering where everyone was at such an early hour, she trotted

into the kitchen where she saw her father drinking from the

orange juice carton. He choked when he saw her coming in.

“Morning sweetheart,” he said.

 

“Morning daddy,” she replied with a yawn. “Where is everyone?”

 

“Your Mom’s in town. Don’t know where your sister is, though.”

 

“Oh, okay. Well, I thought I’d go and see Jay this morning. I want

to play catch up with my friends.”

 

“That’s a good idea, honey.”

 

She stood on her toes and gave her father a kiss on his cheek.

Before she could get out the door, she heard her father yell,

“Keep out of trouble”.

 

She laughed and stepped outside. Taking a deep breath, she

sighed, smelling the sweet country smell. The freshness of the

day, with no cars, taxis and buses flying by, no city noises. Yes,

she could definitely say she missed being back home.

 

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t Mrs. I’m-too-good-for-my-friends

Evans. Or is it Black? I can never remember these days,” Jay said

from his truck, his head hanging out the window.

 

“Very funny, Jay. How the hell have you been?” she asked, walking

towards his truck.

 

He stepped out and said, “Great. And you Miss?”

 

“Wonderful”.

 

An awkward silence followed. “Well, give me a hug already.

Damn,” Jay said, breaking the silence.

 

She gave him a huge smile, jumping into his arms. “Oh, Jay, I

missed you so much”.

 

“Missed you too, little lady. So, where are you headed? Can I give

you a ride? We have so much catching up to do.”

 

“Well, actually, I was just on my way to see you. Where are you

headed?”

 

“Little league game. After my father died, I got his money… so I

figured I would put it into something good, something I love. I

like kids and I love baseball, so I’m the owner of the Little league

team. Wanna join me?”

 

“I would love to. Jay,” she said, stopping him with a hand on his

arm. “I’m so sorry to hear about your father. He was such a good

man. I always liked him.”

 

“Thank you, Mar. But, it’s been a long time since his death, so I’m

getting past it. And you know what? He liked you a lot too.”

 

She smiled, getting into the other side of the truck.

 

He added onto what he had said. “Until you conned me into

putting a stink-bomb in his car. Boy was he pissed.”

 

She just laughed and so did he. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a

bad visit home. She was sure that after seeing John last night,

her stay would be hell. Was it possible that she could get through

the rest of the week without running into him?

“So, I’m just curious, what’s going on with you and John? I know

it’s not any of my business, but you’re both my best friends, you

know that. I just want you to know that I’m here for you if you

want to talk,” Jay said, giving Marlena a comforting smile.

 

“Thanks, Jay, that’s so sweet. But, there’s really not much to tell

about us. For starters, there is no “us” as in me and John.

Actually the reason I came back here was to get a divorce from

him,” she said.

 

“Not for long. I just hope I can get through the rest of the week

without having to see him much. If at all.”

 

Jay looked out the window, his face a sour expression. “What’s

with the look, Jason?” Marlena asked.

 

“Ouch, the first name. You know I hate that, Mar,” he said… but

continued quickly when she crossed her arms and gave him what

he and everyone else knew as the “deadly Marlena glare”. “Uh, no

reason for the glum face, I just had to sneeze, that’s all.”

 

Before she could call him on his lie, he yelled out, “Look, Mar.

We’re here. Remember when we would come out here everyday

after school, and you and the rest of your girlfriends would

watch us guys play ball?”

 

“How could I forget?” she asked, stepping out of the truck. She

looked towards the baseball field. Smiling when she saw Kayla and

Kim sitting with their sister-in-law Hope on the bleachers, she

rushed over and said her hellos, giving them all hugs. Within

moments the ladies all started to chat about what’s been going on.

 

“Oh my, Mar, you look great,” Hope said, giving her a huge smile,

happy to have one of her best friends back in town.

 

“You too. Oh, I’ve missed you all so very much,” Marlena said.

“Where’s Bo?”

 

Hope averted her gaze to the baseball field, nodding her head in

his direction. Marlena followed her gaze.

 

Bo was standing behind the fence, talking with Jay. All the

sudden someone yelled out, “Heads up!!” And a ball came flying

behind the fence, almost knocking Bo on the head.

 

“Hey, can we have the ball back!?” John yelled. Marlena

instinctively looked towards the voice and put her head in her

hands when she saw him.

 

Kayla noticed the change in Marlena when she looked at John…

so she decided to ask her about it. “What has he done now? Is my

brother still being a jerk? I’ll kick his ass if he upset you, when

you’ve only been back for a day.” Serious was written all over her

face.

 

Marlena laughed and said, “No, no, I think I’m the one who’s being

the ass. We didn’t get off on the right foot and it’s all because of

me.”

 

“You sure about that? I know John like you do and when he gets

in those stubborn moods, I know what he can be like,” Kayla

replied, slinging an arm around Marlena’s shoulders, giving her a

hug. Then the proud Mom said, “Look, Mar. There’s my baby.

He’s batting.”

 

Marlena smiled and looked out towards the field. She saw Eric

standing there in a batting position; his pants way too big, hung

loosely from his legs and his blue and orange baseball jersey was

tucked in his pants, also too big for him. He was so tiny and cute

standing there, acting so professional.

 

He took one swing and missed. A swing and a miss again. John

timed out the game and ran up to him, kneeling on the ground

beside him to whisper something in his ear. The boy smiled and

John stood up, slapping hands with Eric before running back to

his place, standing by first base.

 

The next ball came over the plate, and Eric took one big, hard

swing and knocked a line drive out towards second. The second

baseman missed the grounder and the ball trotted out towards

outfield. Eric just stood there, jumping up and down, turning to

his mom and yelling, “Momma!! I hit da ball! Look!” Kayla nodded

and the girls clapped their hands for him.

 

Their attention was drawn back to John when he yelled, “Eric!

Run!”

 

Still excited from his obvious first hit, Eric didn’t know what to

do but ran towards third base, heading towards second. John

waved his hands and he and Bo yelled, “Eric, other way! Wrong

way! Go back!”

 

The outfield finally got to the ball and threw it in towards

second. Eric got confused and from second, took a short cut

through the field, past the pitcher and back to home, where he

stood, still bewildered. The second baseman ran the ball to the

pitcher and handed it to him. The pitcher saw Eric still standing

on home base, so with encouragement from his coaches telling

him to tag Eric, he chased him. John yelled, “Eric! RUN!”

 

It was a cute scene and it had the small-town crowd laughing.

Eric ran to the pitchers mound and around the infield as the

pitcher chased him. The ball fell from the pitchers glove and Eric

saw this as an opportunity to get away while he picked up the ball.

He ran over to John and hid behind him. John pulled Eric

towards the base and stood him on it, saying, “Great job, pal,” and

giving him a high five.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Seeing as how it was such a nice evening, Marlena told Jay that

she’d rather walk home than have him drive her. Now, she was

regretting her choice more than ever. It was starting to rain and

the sun had gone down completely, leaving her to walk home in

the pitch dark. This wasn’t like the city, where there are

streetlights on every block and stores are always open. Here,

everyone packed it in at the same time and the streets were left

dark and lonely.

 

Although it was probably the safest town she ever knew, Marlena

also knew what it was like to live in the city and walking through

certain parts of town could be dangerous. She started to walk a

little faster, hoping her eyes would adjust to the dark.

 

A loud roar came from far ahead and she wondered what the

sound could be. The moving vehicle made it’s way towards her

and all she could do was stand there, paralysed.

 

John put his feet on either side of the motorcycle, keeping it

upright. He looked over at Marlena and asked, “It should be

against the law for a beautiful young lady, such as yourself, to be

out here in the middle of the night all alone.”

 

Marlena snorted and replied.“And it should also be against the

law for a young man, such as yourself, to be throwing cheap lines

at a lady.”

 

“If you say so,” John laughed. When Marlena started to continue

to walk, he asked seriously, “Can I give you a ride?”

 

She turned around. “I think I can manage to walk another mile to

my house, but thanks anyway.”

 

“Suit yourself,” he said, turning off his motorcycle and climbing

off of it.

 

“What are you doing?” she asked him.

 

“If you insist on walking home, I’m sure not going to let you walk

alone.”

 

She rolled her eyes and said, “Oh please. John, I’m not a little girl.

I can handle myself, you know? I don’t need you to protect me.”

 

He looked hurt. “Can I ask you something, Marlena? What in the

HELL have I done to piss you off since you came back here?”

 

“What have you done?! Well, for starters, you refused to sign the

damn divorce papers!”

 

“Wait, wait, wait, I told you I would sign them. But, nooooo you

said I could sign them later.”

 

“You made me feel guilty!” she retorted.

 

“HA! I made you feel guilty?”

 

“YES! And you know what else? If you would have signed the

papers before, I wouldn’t have to come here!” she screamed.

 

John started to laugh.

 

“You think this is funny?” she growled.

 

He nodded his head and continued. “I think this is hilarious.

We’re standing in the middle of the street, middle of the night,

fighting over divorce papers. They’re just divorce papers.”

 

“Just divorce papers, huh? Well, I see it as more than ‘just divorce

papers’. I see it as me being free of YOU. I see it as ME being able

to marry the man of my dream,” she said.

 

“Seriously? If all that is true, let me ask you this. How can you say

that, but not be able to look me in the eyes? And why would you

want to marry the man of your dreams when you’re already

married to him?” John asked.

 

“Oh, would you get off your high horse and accept that I am not

in love with you anymore?” Marlena lied, her voice quivering at

how closely to home he had just hit.

 

“Okay, you win,” he replied. She looked at him, puzzled as to why

he was giving up so easily. This was not the John Black she knew.

He stuck out his hand and asked, “Friends?”

 

She just stared at his hand. Her mind yelled ‘NO!’ The truth was

that she was so in love with him… but she was scared. She didn’t

want to hurt him anymore and she didn’t want to hurt Scott

either.

 

“Sure,” she whispered, shaking his gentle hand.

 

“Now, come on, how about I take you home?” he asked.

 

“John, really, I’m—“

 

“Nonsense. Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to his

motorcycle. Mounting it, he offered his hand to help her on. She

smiled and got on behind him and wrapped her arms tightly

around his waist.

 

“John?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Don’t take me home, yet”.

 

When he looked at her with his eyebrow raised, she continued,

“It’s been so long since I’ve been home, I’d—“

 

He held up a hand, stopping her mid sentence. “I’ll take you

anywhere you want to go. Just hold on. Oh, and take this. It

might get cold.” He took off his jacket and handed it to her.

 

John started his motorcycle and the two of them speed off into

the country, each content to be in the other’s presence and

wondering where tonight was going to lead them.

 

Marlena almost fell asleep, her head resting on John’s back as he

drove peacefully through the country. She lifted her head when

she noticed John pulling off the road. He stopped the bike and

waited til she got off to put up the kickstand.

 

He took her hand and led her to the docks, sitting down beside

her. The water was smooth and the moonlight reflected off the

top.

 

Marlena leaned into John’s shoulder and said, “Its so peaceful

here.”

 

“Yeah,” he whispered. He noticed how the moonlight shining off

her face made her beautiful features stand out more. Wanting to

look at her face better, he put two fingers under her chin. She

lifted her head to look at him. She had forgotten how gorgeous

and handsome he was. His ocean blue eyes were what got her

every time. She could stare into his eyes for hours.

 

Ever so slowly, their faces moved towards one another, but

before their lips could touch, a fish jumped above the water,

splashing them. They both laughed nervously. John brought his

eyes back to hers and asked, “Should we try that again?”

 

Without thinking, Marlena nodded her head and they both moved

in again, this time their lips touching. They started out slowly, but

Marlena couldn’t get enough and wrapped her arm behind his

head, pulling him to her. She opened her mouth, allowing his

tongue to explore.

 

Their breathing was getting heavy and their kisses more

passionate. Suddenly, Marlena pushed against John’s chest,

breaking their lip contact. She saw the confusion on his face and

explained, “We shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t.”

 

When she rejected him, his heart tore in half. “John, I’m supposed

to be getting married to the man I love. I can’t do this.”

 

“Do you really love him, Mar? Do you? If you are so in love with

him, then why are you having trouble telling me this? Why are you

having a hard time resisting me? I know you better than anyone.

Sometimes, even better than yourself. And I can tell when you are

lying to me. Mar, I can see it in your eyes.”

 

“Stop, please, just stop. I think you should take me home now.”

She got up and walked back to his bike.

 

“Why are you avoiding this?” he asked her.

 

“Why do you keep on persisting that I don’t love my fiancée? You

don’t know him. You don’t even know ME anymore. So don’t say

that you do.”

 

“You’re right. I don’t mean to upset you. I just want you to be

happy, Marlena. That’s all I ever want. And if it’s not with me,

then I am still happy for you. Come on. I’ll take you home,” he

said, not looking at her, but meaning every word.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

John pulled up in front of Marlena’s parents’ house. He got off

the motorcycle and walked her to the door.

 

“Look—“

“I—“ They both started.

 

“Go ahead,” Marlena laughed.

 

“I just want to say I’m sorry. I guess… well, when you left here, I

hadn’t stopped loving you. I know you don’t want to hear this

now, but I’ll say it anyway. I never stopped loving you. And when

you thought it best for us to break it off… I agreed, to make you

happy, because I knew that’s what you wanted, what you needed.

It’s just that, eight years later you come waltzing back into my

life. I’m so glad you’re back. Even if its only for a little while. Just

be happy, Mar, okay? For once, think about yourself instead of

someone else,” John finished, giving her a small smile, and turning

to leave.

 

“John,” she said, stopping him. “You are a hypocrite.”

 

“What? How is that?”

 

Smiling, she added, “You say I should think about myself before

someone else. And I should worry about making me happy.”

 

“Yeah? And how am I a hypocrite?” he asked, clearly confused.

 

“What about you? You’ve always put your feelings aside to make

anyone and everyone happy. Not once have I seen you try and

make yourself happy. Why is that?”

 

“You caught me. I’m a self-centered jerk,” he laughed. She shook

her head, about to disagree, when he continued, “…you’ve never

seen me try to make myself happy. That’s because, whenever

you’re around me, I AM happy. I don’t need to try at it, I just am.”

Fearing he said too much, he lowered his head and told her, “I’m

sorry. I know you don’t need to hear that.”

 

“Don’t be sorry for anything. It’s getting kinda late, I better go

get my beauty sleep.”

 

“Yeah. Right. Like you need beauty sleep,” he chuckled.

 

“Oh, John. See you tomorrow.”

 

“Sure. Goodnight.”

 

“Night.”

 

He made sure she got into the house, then went back home.

Before John reached the door, he heard loud talking and

laughter coming from inside. He cringed at the thought of going

inside, knowing he would be surrounded by a bunch of loud,

talking, laughing women. Bo came out the door, slamming it shut

behind him. He looked like he was breathing a little heavily. John

asked him, “Problems with the ladies, Bo?”

 

“Ha ha. Very funny, Bro. I’d like to see you go in there and return

in one piece,” Bo said. “By the way, are you ready to go? I don’t

know how much longer Eric and David can last in there.”

 

“Yea, I’m ready. Should I go get them?” John asked.

 

“I don’t think you could get me to go back in there if it were a life

or death situation,” Bo replied.

 

John just laughed at him and went inside the house. All the

talking stopped and 20 pairs of eyes were bestowed upon him.

Jamie, Kim’s daughter, was standing on the table and yelled,

“Uncle John!” She held out her arms to him and he gave her a

hug. He pulled away and smiled at her. “Wow, Jame, you look so

beautiful.” She blushed and smiled happily.

 

“Thank you, Uncle John.”

 

“So, tell me, young lady, are you going to be my date to the

wedding?” John asked.

 

Jamie laughed and said, “Nope, sorry. I have a date.”

 

John raised his eyebrow and looked at Kim. She just shrugged her

shoulders. “Is that right?” John said.

 

“Don’t you dare, Uncle John,” Jamie warned.

 

“What? What did I do?” John said, holding his hands up in

defence.

 

“You know what I’m talking about.” When she saw the look of

confusion on his face, she refreshed his memory. “Cody Walker.

Third grade? Ring a bell?”

 

He blushed and laughed at her. “Oh. You remember that, huh?”

 

“Yes. I do.” Jamie turned and looked at the group of ladies

listening in to their conversation. She decided to embarrass John

and tell them the little story. Before she continued, she looked at

Marlena and asked, “You remember what he and Uncle Bo did,

don’t you?”

 

Marlena said, “Yes, I’m afraid so.” She tried not to laugh at John’s

face when he saw her. He didn’t even know she was there until

she spoke.

 

“Well, to make a long story short, my Uncle Bo and Uncle John

decided I was too young to have a boyfriend. His name was Cody

and when he came over to the house, my wonderful Uncles gave

him a speech about hurting me and breaking my heart. Uncle

John, I believe your exact words were, “break her heart and I

break your legs”. Poor Cody, he ran from the house, scared out

of his mind,” Jamie finished. She smiled in triumph when all the

ladies sucked in a breath and started to say how awful it was.

 

“James, he was all over you like a moth to a flame. He needed to

cool down,” John said, defending he and Bo.

 

“So what happened?” one of the ladies asked.

 

Jamie said, “Well, Cody dumped me and Aunt Hope yelled at

Uncle Bo for it. I do believe Uncle John got in trouble too.”

 

“Big time,” Marlena reminisced. Jamie smiled at her and gave her a

hug.

 

“Well, as much as I would LOVE to hang around and chat with

you ladies, we men have a baseball game to go to,” John said.

 

As if on cue, Eric and David came racing down the stairs. “Let’s

go!” they yelled.

 

Before John walked out the door, he winked at Marlena and gave

her a killer smile. He shut the door behind him and had to laugh

when he heard the “whooo hooos” from his little gesture to

Marlena.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

As the girls talked and planned the wedding, Marlena remembered

how much she missed doing this. Just being with the ladies. Back

“home” in the city, alls she did was work and come home to be

with Scott. Come to think of it, she wasn’t really with him all that

often either. He was always away on business. It was nice to be

back home, with her friends, her family… and John.

 

Kim came back into the room and said, “Marlena, phones for you.”

 

Marlena smiled and took the phone from Kim, saying “Thanks.”

 

“Hello?” she said.

 

“Hey baby. How’s it going? I called your parent’s house but they

said you weren’t there,” Scott said.

 

“Well, I’m at my sister-in-l–… uh… friends house,” Marlena told

him.

 

“You neglected to tell me that,” Scott accused her.

 

Marlena defended herself, saying, “Well, I’m terribly sorry I don’t

tell you where I am every second of the day.”

 

“Don’t get angry, just don’t let it happen again.”

 

Keeping her voice hushed so she didn’t alert the other women,

Marlena spoke a little harshly into the phone. “I won’t put up with

you telling me what to do. I’m actually glad I’m away from you for

a while. I think we need some time. Listen, I have to go. Talk to

you later,” Marlena said, hanging up the phone before he could

say, “I love you.”

 

Scott hung up the phone on the other end and said, “Surprise,

sweetie. I’m coming for a visit.”

Marlena walked into the crowded bar and immediately spotted

Kim and a few of their friends. She walked over to them and the

ladies hugged.

 

“I’m glad you could make it Marlena,” Kim said excitedly.

 

“You mean Ben actually didn’t oppose to you having a

bachelorette party?” Marlena asked with a laugh.

 

“Nope. You kidding? It was ‘Ben, you’re going to have to watch

the kids and the game with the guys while I go out.’ I swear I

heard him yell ‘See ya’ before I was even finished,” she laughed.

 

Marlena sighed and smiled at her. “Kim, I’m so happy you’ve found

him. You both deserve to have happiness and to be in love,” she

said.

 

“Yea, Ben is great. He loves Jamie like she was his own. And

David is just like him. He’s a wonderful man and I’m so in love

with him,” Kim said, averting her eyes a little.

 

Marlena took notice to her reaction and put a hand on her

shoulder, making eye contact with her. “What’s wrong, Kim?”

 

“Nothing.” She smiled. “It’s just… well, John and Bo are wary of

him. They tolerate him but that’s pretty much it. They’re kinda

hovering over us like hawks, waiting for Ben to mess up in some

way. After Jack left me when I was pregnant with Jamie, John

and Bo have always been my guards… but they’re a little

overprotective,” she sighed.

 

“I can only imagine,” Marlena replied. “I understand why John and

Bo are being overprotective about Ben. I really can’t say I know

Ben all that well, considering I just met him a few days ago… but

he seems like a wonderful, great guy who is in love with you. And

if you’re happy, Kim, that’s all that matters. John and Bo are your

brothers and they love you and want to protect you and the kids.

They’ll always be like that. But, if it’s any consolation, I can try to

talk to John about lightening up a little, if you’d like,” she offered.

 

Kim chuckled, “Good luck. However, I’m sure I don’t have to tell

you how stubborn John can be.”

 

Marlena gave her a small smile. “No, you sure don’t. But, I still

know John and if anyone can handle him, it’s me.”

 

“Is that so?” John asked, coming up behind them. He gave them a

smile and kissed Kim on the cheek. “How’s my little sister’s

bachelorette party?”

 

Kim rolled her eyes at him and couldn’t contain a smile. “It’s doing

just fine, big brother. But what are you doing here? The last time

I checked, bachelorette parties were for women and you, sir,

don’t fall into that category.”

 

“Ouch. Touche,” John teased her. “Actually, I just came to talk

to Ma. If that’s alright with you?” he asked.

 

Kim punched him in the arm and said, “If you’ll excuse me, I have

a party to attend.” John smiled and rubbed his arm as he watched

her walk away.

 

He turned back to Marlena and gave her a smile. “How’s it going?”

he asked.

 

“Just fine,” she said. Neither one knew what to say and an

awkward silence followed. Marlena spoke first. “Well, I’ll catch

you later.”

 

John was about to stop her and tell her they should forget these

games that they both seemed to be playing. He was about to tell

her how in love he still was with her… when the doors to the bar

slammed shut and a loud voice was heard. “Marlena! There you

are, honey! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I was just at

your parents. I’ve missed you so much.” The man took Marlena in

her arms and kissed her lightly on the lips.

 

Marlena resisted his touch at first and was surprised to see him

there. Shocked, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

 

Before Scott could answer, he caught sight of John… and asked

Marlena, “Well, honey, aren’t you going to introduce your friend

to me?”

 

Marlena remembered that John was still standing there and said,

“John, this is my fiancée Scott. Scott, this is John. An old friend

of mine.”

 

An old friend? John thought to himself. That’s all I am to her.

Maybe that’s all I ever was. He was broke out of his reverie when

Scott held his hand out. John shook it, then pulled back as if he

had been burned.

 

Scott saw the lust and love in John’s eyes when he looked at

Marlena, so he decided to be a jerk and really give him something

to look at. He grabbed Marlena’s butt and lifted her off the

ground a little, while his lips meshed together with hers in a rough

kiss. Marlena was unappreciative of Scott’s actions, and began to

push away from him. John was horrified at the scene before him,

let alone Marlena kissing Scott back.

 

“What was I thinking?” John asked after he made his hasty retreat

out of the bar. “She doesn’t love me anymore. She loves what’s his

name in there. Get over it John, she’s moved on with her life and

has fallen for a city guy”. Walking to his motorcycle, he got on

and sped off into the night, not seeing Marlena run out after him

as soon as he did so.

 

Marlena didn’t like the fact that Scott kissed her just to make

John jealous. She could see the jealousy Scott felt as he looked

at John and knew that was the exact reason he did what he did.

The kiss hadn’t lasted but a second. That was how quickly John

had left and Marlena was sorry he didn’t see how she pushed

Scott away. She ran out the door after John, but he

unfortunately didn’t see her as he drove off.

 

Scott chased Marlena outside and grabbed her arm. “What the

hell was that all about?” he demanded, squeezing her arm.

 

Marlena grit her teeth and said, “Let me go. I don’t have to

explain anything to you.”

 

“You sure as hell do. I don’t like the way that guy was looking at

you… and I really don’t like the way I saw you two looking at each

other when I arrived. Who is he and what’s going on?” Scott asked.

 

Marlena tore her arm from Scott’s grasp and told him, “First off,

don’t ever grab me like that again. Second, I have nothing to

explain to you as there is nothing going on between John and I.

We were in love a few years ago, but we’re still best friends. And

nothing will change that. I’m sorry if you’ve got a problem with

that.” Marlena walkedt off, tired of him telling her what to do,

and making accusations.

 

“Listen up” Scott said, grabbing both of her arms and squeezing

her tightly again so that she couldn’t free herself from his grasp.

“Don’t you ever talk to me that way again.” He backhanded her in

the face, knocking her to the ground. “And you will tell me what

I want to know. So, get up. We’re flying back to Salem tomorrow,”

he told her.

 

Marlena was not one to be told and Scott obviously didn’t know

that. Still on the ground, Marlena told him without fear, “I’m not

going anywhere with you and if you think you’re going to tell me

what to do, you’ve got another thing coming. I will not leave here

until I’m damn well ready to. Do YOU understand?”

 

Scott got angry and grabbed her by the shirt, tearing it as he

pulled her off the ground. He held onto her shirt and dragged

her to his car. She started to struggle, but he grabbed her hair

and slapped her in the face with the other hand.

 

The next part happened so fast that Marlena wasn’t sure exactly

what had happened. John came up behind Scott, seeing him

hurting Marlena… and punched him, knocking him to the ground.

He pulled him up by his shirt and threw him into the nearest car,

breaking the windshield. “Don’t you ever EVER touch her again. I

swear to God if you don’t get out of here now, I’ll make your life

a God damn hell, understand?!” John yelled, angrily.

 

Scott was scared and could only nod his head as he tried to stop

the bleeding coming from his mouth. He glanced at Marlena, then

got into his car and sped off.

 

John rushed over to Marlena and she fell into his embrace,

crying. He wrapped his arms around her and said, “Shh… It’s okay,

Baby. I’m right here. I won’t let him touch you ever again, alright?”

 

Marlena could only nod her head and continue to cry. She lifted

her head and was finally able to say, “I’m so glad you came back. I

don’t know what he would have done if you didn’t help me.”

 

John put his hand under her chin and softly said, “I’ll always be

here. I should have never left you here with him. I knew better.

I’m so sorry.”

 

“Don’t, John. Please don’t apologize for what he did to me. If it

weren’t for you, he would’ve hurt me.”

 

“He did hurt you,” John said, tears coming to his eyes when he

saw the bruise forming under her right eye. Without warning,

Marlena leaned into John and wrapped her arms around his neck.

She kissed him slowly at first, then pulled back slightly. They both

smiled at each other and moved in again, kissing more passionately

this time. Mouths were clashing together in beautiful bliss.

 

Marlena grabbed John by the shirt and walked backwards, pulling

him the few feet they were from Samantha’s car that Marlena

had borrowed. Their lips met again, sliding together with much

more passion than the kiss they shared on the docks the night

before. John put his hands under her buttocks and lifted her

onto the car as Marlena wrapped her legs around his waist,

grinding into him. He moaned softly and remembered what it had

been like with them before.

 

Marlena was tearing at John’s shirt, eager to get it off of him.

Suddenly, the door to the bar opened and they both jumped back

from each other. Bo laughed slightly and said, “How romantic

Bro. She’s been back three days and all you can think of is on a

car.” Bo was overjoyed to see them together again and couldn’t

wait to go back inside and inform everyone of his news.

 

John laughed, a little embarrassed and laid his head on Marlena’s

shoulder. She smiled and rubbed her fingers through the very

short hair on the back of his neck. Bo smiled. “See you two

sometime at the end of the week,” he joked, walking back inside

the bar.

 

After Bo went back inside, John lifted his head and smiled shyly

at Marlena. Marlena laughed. “What’s so funny?” John asked.

 

“You’re so cute when you’re blushing,” she said.

 

“Yeah, yeah, so they say,” he replied, moving in to kiss her again.

 

She put her hands on his shoulders to stop his advancement and

said, “Not here. We might get caught again.”

 

“Where do you want to go, my lady?” he asked, running his lips

down her neck in a slow seduction.

 

She moaned and pressed herself into him again. Trying to speak,

she told him, “Let’s go to your place…”

 

He smiled and kissed her on the lips again, but pulled back before

they could get out of hand in public. He lifted her off of the car

and carried her to his bike, placing her on her feet beside it. He

took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders and got

on the motorcycle.

 

She got on behind him and they headed towards John’s place.

John led Marlena inside his house. She could tell by the look on

his face that something was bothering him. She put her hand on

his cheek and made him look at her. “John, honey, what’s wrong?”

 

He tried to give her a smile, but didn’t quite succeed. “Sit down,”

he said, sitting beside her on the couch.

 

“John, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong? Did you change your

mind about wanting to be with me?” she feared.

 

His eyes shot right back to hers and he looked at her with

intensity. “No, Doc. That’s not it at all. I want to be with you so

much. I always have.” He cringed, remembering the day she left

him all those years ago. He continued, “I just don’t want you to

feel obligated to be here with me. I love you more than life

itself… always have, always will. And I understand if you want

time before we rush into something again that you might not be

ready for.”

 

Marlena had tears in her eyes as she thought about her attempt

at life after him. “I never wanted to leave you in the first place,

you know. I was so caught up in my goals for the future and when

I stood up and grasped it, I was shocked to find that what I

thought I needed and wanted wasn’t there, because YOU were

what I wanted and needed. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure

out that no matter what I had, if I didn’t have you, there was no

point,” she said, in between sobs.

 

John too was crying at her revelation. “I love you so much. And

I’m so glad you came back into my life,” he said, leaning in to kiss

her.

 

Marlena pulled back way too soon for John. At his puzzled look,

she smiled and told him what she had dreamed of telling him since

the day she left. “I love you. I never stopped. Scott was just a

very poor excuse for hiding my feelings for you.”

 

John smiled upon hearing her say she still loved him. He took her

hand in his own. “Let’s promise something to each other, right

here and right now…” he said.

 

“What’s that?”

 

“That as long as we are alive and love each other, we won’t let

anything break us apart again. There won’t be anymore of us going

separate ways for anything. From now on, where you are, is where

I’ll follow,” John said, wiping at the tears that fell from her face.

 

“Deal.” Marlena smiled. “But it doesn’t look like we’ll be going

separate ways again. Since I came back home, I realized this is

where I’m meant to be. I have so many reasons not to go back to

Salem. My family, my friends… YOU. You’re all here, which is

where I want to be.”

 

“What about your job?” John asked.

 

“I can always transfer to a school in Colorado. I hear they’re the

best,” she told him.

 

He smiled, “Who told you that?”

 

“A reliable source.” She laughed, moving closer to him on the

couch. She straddled his waist in a slow, seductive manner.

Lowering herself onto his lap, she smiled when she heard him

groan.

 

“Problem, Mr. Black?” she teased, running her lips up his neck.

 

He groaned out again and said, “No, everything is just fine.”

 

She felt the hardness through his jeans and said, “Well, it sure

doesn’t feel like it from my point of view. And what a view…”

 

He couldn’t stand it anymore and captured her lips with his own.

Their tongues duelled together in sweet passion as they devoured

one another. John stood up off the couch as he supported

Marlena’s body wrapped around his own. He walked back into the

bedroom and laid her on the bed.

 

She crawled to the middle and looked at John who had his eyes

glued to her. “You are so beautiful, Doc. I’m so sorry I missed out

on loving you for 8 years.”

 

Seductively, she latched onto his shirt and started to unbutton

it… as her other hand roamed to various parts of his body. “Well,

sailor, you have the rest of your life to make it up…”

 

“And that I will do,” he said huskily, as he moved on top of her.

He kissed her, then slowly moved his lips down to her breasts,

pleasuring her. She turned the tables on him and pushed him on

his back, sitting atop him with her legs on either side of his body.

 

She kissed her way down his navel, until he finally pulled her back

up to him and got back on top. They searched into each other’s

eyes and John said, “I love you.”

 

Marlena smiled and replied, “I love you, too. Make love to me,

John. I need you and I want you.”

 

He couldn’t of heard sweeter words coming from her mouth as

he entered her slowly. She gasped at the pleasure she was feeling

from him inside her. “Are you okay?” he asked, fearing he had

hurt her.

 

She didn’t answer, but instead wrapped her legs tightly around his

waist and started to move. They looked each other in the eye the

whole time, as they moved together with their beautiful

love-making. John could feel himself about to come and held

back, waiting for her. He could tell when she was ready and they

came together.

 

John rolled off of her and curled up behind her, wrapping her in

his strong embrace. They fell asleep together, each with a smile

on their faces.

 

The next morning, John woke up first. He smiled down at the

beauty in his arms and remembered the night before. He placed a

kiss on her forehead, then one on each cheek, her chin and the

small bruise that Scott caused. She woke up at his

administrations and said, “You missed a spot.”

 

He teased her by asking, “Where’s that?”

 

“Let me show you,” she said, pulling his face down to hers and

giving him a hot, steamy kiss.

 

They both pulled back, catching their breath. John swung his legs

out of the bed and started to walk towards the door. “Where do

you think you’re going John Black?” Marlena questioned,

watching his backside as he moved.

 

“I’m having a shower, care to join me?” he asked, knowing her

answer. She got out of bed and pounced on him, wrapping her

legs around him.

 

John carried her to the bathroom and tested the water before

stepping in with her. He pushed her back to the wall and entered

her quickly. They moved together faster than last night. Marlena

yelled out when she came, as did John.

 

As the water got cold, they got out of the shower and dried each

other off. It took forever to get dressed, for they could never

keep their clothes on long enough… before they would be driven

by desire and love towards each other.

 

Marlena was lying on top of John on the couch as they enjoyed

the presence of one another. “Have I told you that I love you yet

today?” Marlena asked.

 

“Yes, I do believe you have. But, you can say it all you want.

Because, lady, I am sure going to tell you every minute of the

day,” he said, claiming her lips with his.

 

Marlena remembered her plans that she had made with Kim and

Kayla for the day and sat up straight on John. “What?” he asked.

 

“I have plans with your sisters today. We’re supposed to meet at

your parent’s place to plan the wedding,” she said.

 

“Oh,” John groaned. “Her wedding, I forgot,” he sighed.

 

“What has Ben ever done to you?” Marlena asked him full force.

 

John pretended to think for a moment. “Well, for starters, he’s

marrying my sister.”

 

“Yeah? Your point? They love each other, can’t you see that?” she

questioned.

 

“I can.” John sighed, knowing she was right. “I just don’t want to

see Kim get hurt again.”

 

“And that’s why she has you and Bo to protect her. But, she has

to be happy too. You can still protect her… just do it from a

distance and let her decide what’s best for her and the kids,”

Marlena told him.

 

John smiled. “Do you always have to be right?”

 

Marlena said, “I can’t help it.” She smiled.

 

“Yeah, yeah. I know,” John said, placing his hands on her thighs

firmly before she could get up.

 

She raised her eyebrow, mocking him. John sat up and began to

kiss her. In between kisses, Marlena said, “John… I… really

should… go… to your… parents… house.”

 

She changed her mind and pushed him back onto the couch as

they went for their second round of love making that morning.

Marlena knew one thing for sure… she wasn’t going to regret

breaking it off with Scott and transferring back to Colorado…

Marlena walked up to the door of Kim’s house, glowing. Before

she reached it, the door swung open and Kayla came rushing out.

“Oh, Marlena, we didn’t think you were going to make it. Come

on, we’re going to go to the reception hall to set everything up to

see what it looks like,” Kayla said, pulling Marlena to the car, as

Kim and a few others came.

 

“Where are the kids?” Marlena asked as they got in the car.

 

“They’re at the hall with the guys.” Kim smiled.

 

Marlena couldn’t suppress her own smile. “What are they doing

there?” she wondered.

 

“Oh, they say it’s their “manly duties” to put up the banners and

fix things up. We’re just going to make sure they’re not screwing

anything up or hurting themselves. You know, to make sure they

behave?” Kayla said, as the ladies giggled.

 

They arrived at the hall and could hear voices coming from inside

as they approached it.

 

“Wait Bo, you’re going to break it!” They could hear John say.

 

“Well, here, take this and hold the ladder still,” Bo said.

 

As they went inside the reception hall, they could see the

somewhat humorous scene unfold before them.

 

Bo was on a ladder, trying to fix the banner they had put up.

John was holding onto the ladder as it wobbled when Bo reached

up… and Roman, Ben and some of Ben’s friends were putting

things on the various tables.

 

They had brought the TV from Roman’s place and had it sitting

on one of the tables and the football game could be heard rather

loudly. The announcers on the game started talking rapidly and

loudly and all eyes turned to look at which team was about to

score. As Bo whipped around on the ladder, it wobbled and he

fell backwards, landing on one of the tables. Everyone looked to

see what had happened and saw Bo lying on the table, fake roses

and flowers surrounding him as he was tangled up in the white

tablecloth.

 

John smiled and was trying really hard not to laugh. He had to

put a hand over his mouth to keep the smile hidden.

 

Bo looked up at him, not thinking it was funny at all, “You were

supposed to be holding the ladder.”

 

“Yea, well… you weren’t supposed to be… goofing around,” John

said.

 

Roman and Ben were snickering and Bo caught them. Bo

defended, “At least the damn table didn’t break.”

 

However, he had spoken too soon and a loud snap was heard as

the table gave and Bo went down with it. That had been too

much for John and he burst out laughing, not able to keep it in

any longer.

 

“What is going on in here?” Kim demanded, as they made their

presence known.

 

The guys stopped laughing and looked at Kim. At the same time,

Bo and John pointed their fingers at each other as the rest of

them pointed their fingers at Bo and John. “It was him,” Bo and

John said simultaneously.

 

“It was not!” Bo yelled, as John reached out a hand to help him

off the floor.

 

“If you would have been paying attention to what you were doing

instead of the game…” John accused.

 

“Listen!” Kim said, walking towards them so only those two could

hear her. “Knock it off and stop breaking stuff. I saw the whole

thing from the doorway, so don’t think I’m stupid and try to tell

me differently.”

 

John started to laugh, remembering Bo’s encounter with the

table, which was now only chunks of splintered wood in a pile on

the floor.

 

“You think this is funny?” Kim asked, not amused at all. Bo

started to smile and laugh too. “You two are such… such…

BROTHERS!” She stomped off.

 

John rolled his eyes at her and as he did so he caught sight of

Marlena looking at him. He smiled and walked over to her. He

leaned in and kissed her, then pulled back and said, “Hi, lady.”

 

“Hi sailor.” Se smiled back at him. “You know, its not even 11 in

the morning and yet you manage to get yourself into trouble and

break something,” she said, nodding towards the broken table.

 

He laughed and said, “Yeah, but that wasn’t me.”

 

“You were an accomplice,” she laughed, bringing his face back to

her so she could kiss him again.

 

Kayla interrupted them. She smiled and said, “Uhm, excuse me…

but I think I need her back for a little bit so we can arrange the

dining hall.”

 

John smiled at Marlena as they pulled back from the kiss. He

leaned his forehead against hers and said, “I love you.” Marlena’s

smile became huge and she happily said, “I love you too.”

 

“Okay, okay,” Kayla said, excitedly. She pulled on Marlena’s arm

and led her to the dining hall.

 

Marlena asked, “Where is everybody?”

 

“Oh, they’re outside, setting up,” Kayla told her.

 

“Then why are we in here?” Marlena was confused.

 

“Because I want to know what’s going on with you and my

brother” Kayla smiled, happy thinking of the two of them back

together. Marlena was one of her best friends. And when

Marlena and John had gotten serious those years ago, Kayla

began to think of her as more of a sister.

 

Marlena sighed and smiled at her. “We’re in love,” she informed

Kayla.

 

Kayla’s smile got bigger and said, “I could tell. What about…

what’s his name?”

 

“Scott. And he and I are over,” she said seriously.

 

“I wish I could say I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m glad you and

John finally got your acts together and stopped playing this

game,” Kayla informed her.

 

Marlena’s smiled wavered a little. “Kayla, did you ever resent me

for leaving him?”

 

Kayla was quick with her answer. “No. I didn’t resent you for

being happy. I’d never ever resent you for that. I still loved you as

a sister when you and John broke it off and you left. I still do

love you as a sister… even when you had just returned and were

engaged to Scott. But I admit I hated seeing John fall apart like

that when you left. For months he would lie on the hammock in

the woods that you two used to share. Only after I had Eric did

he really start to come around. Eric was like his little guardian

angel and kept John sane. As did Jamie, but she was a lot older. I

only resent the hurt John felt when you were gone, but never

you. Never,” Kayla said as tears came from her eyes. Marlena was

wiping at her own too.

 

“I never wanted to leave. I never wanted to hurt John. I loved

him, I always have and I still do. I didn’t know at the time that

going to Salem wasn’t for the best. Now I’m transferring to

Colorado and all that time in between was wasted,” Marlena

cried, as Kayla hugged her.

 

“It wasn’t wasted,” Kayla told her, hoping Marlena would see the

better side of things. “It only made your love and want and need

for each other grow stronger. And as it’s grown to the point that

it drew you both back together. You know what its like to be

apart and neither of you want that feeling again.”

 

“You’re right. We’ll never be apart again. At least not on my

counts,” Marlena said, smiling.

 

“Believe me, not on John’s either,” Kayla said, returning the smile.

Hoping to start on the brighter side of things Kayla asked, “So,

when are you two finally getting married?”

 

Marlena laughed. “I have no clue. We haven’t had the time to talk

about anything like that”.

 

“Well, there’s no rush. I mean, its not like you already aren’t apart

of the family and you and John haven’t been through hell and

back again together,” Kayla laughed as Marlena smiled.

 

“What are you two doing?” Kim and Hope asked from the doorway.

 

“Talking.” Kayla smiled. She pulled Kim towards the door and

said, “Come on, sis, you and me have a brother we need to knock

some sense into.”

 

“Why’s that?” Kim laughed.

 

“Because he’s waiting so damn long to marry our sister-in-law over

here.” Kayla nodded towards Marlena.

 

“Oh, well, in that case, lead the way, sister of mine. Any chance I

get to bully my brothers I take it,” Kim said as they went in search

of John.

 

Hope smiled at Marlena and said, “Someone’s in trouble.”

 

“Should I warn him?” Marlena asked, already knowing the answer.

 

“Nah, let Kay and Kim go. When they find him, maybe Bo will be

around and they could talk to him about kids with me.” Hope

laughed, as did Marlena.

“Mama!” Eric yelled, running up to Kayla.

 

“What is it honey?” Kayla asked, giving her son a smile.

 

“Can I go get my truck? It’s in your car,” he said.

 

“Sure honey. But take Uncle Bo or Uncle John with you, please…”

 

“I can’t find them,” Eric said, shrugging his shoulders.

 

“I’ll take him. I have to go get something from my car too,”

Marlena chimed in, coming up behind them.

 

Kayla smiled and said, “Thanks.”

 

Eric was already half way out the door before his mom even gave

him an answer. Marlena followed him outside and caught up with

him… when she saw him leaning over something. “What is it?”

Marlena asked, curiously.

 

“Look at this big worm,” Eric said, playing with a dirty, foot-long

worm. “Wanna hold him,” he offered, sticking his hand out to her

with the worm curled in it.

 

“Uh, no thanks,” Marlena laughed, making a disgusted face.

 

“You don’t like worms?” he asked.

 

“No, they’re ucky,” she said.

 

“Uncle John and I look for big worms like this right after it

rains.” Eric smiled as he thought about it.

 

Marlena smiled as she looked at Eric’s happy, carefree face. He

was the mirror image of John. Blue eyes, dark brown hair and a

handsome smile.

 

“What?” Eric giggled, noticing her smile.

 

“Nothing,” Marlena told him. “It’s just that you remind me of your

Uncle John.”

 

Eric’s smile got wider. “Mama says that too. ‘Specially when I’m

bad.”

 

Marlena laughed. “Come on, let’s go get your truck,” she said,

helping him to stand up. They walked to Kayla’s car and Eric dug

around in the back seat trying to find his toy truck.

 

“Hi Marlena,” a male voice said from behind.

 

Marlena turned and saw Scott standing there, flowers in his hand

and a sheepish smile on his face. “What do you want?” Marlena

asked, disgusted at the sight of him.

 

“I came to apologize for last night. I was drunk and way out of—“

he started, but Marlena cut him off angrily.

 

“You weren’t drunk. You were jealous and pigheaded. Don’t even

try to blame this on alcohol, because it’s not going to work. I

obviously found out last night what you’re really like,” she said

coldly.

 

“No,” he pleaded. “That’s not what I’m really like. It’s just that I

saw you with John… and I know guys like him. He’ll try to work

his charms on you, just so he can get you into bed.”

 

Marlena was furious, but kept her temper to a minimum as she

remembered Eric in the car. Pulling Scott aside so that Eric didn’t

have to hear her, she told him, “You do NOT know guys like him.

Because if you did… you’d be one of them. For your information

John does not try to charm me just to get me into bed. He

doesn’t have to…” She hoped that last comment would hurt his

ego.

 

It only made him angry. “Dammit, Marlena! You’re not listening to

me…”

 

“No, you’re not listening to ME,” she said, poking his chest to

emphasize her point. “You and I are over. And this engagement is

off.” She pulled the ring from her pocket and gave it to him.

 

“I will not take this back because we’re not over,” he told her.

 

“Yes it is. And I have nothing more to say to you” she said,

turning from him. Scott caught a glance of John out of the

corner of his eye, so he grabbed Marlena’s arm and twisted her to

face him. He pressed his lips roughly against hers and grabbed her

butt. Scott was holding her so tight that it was hard for her to

automatically pull away. When John saw this, his hopes of them

together shattered. He silently turned and walked back into the

reception hall.

 

Marlena pushed Scott away from her and slapped him across the

face, just as she saw John’s back go into the hall. Not even caring

about yelling at Scott at the moment, she helped Eric out of the

car and hurried back inside.

 

“Kim, have you seen John?” Marlena asked, running into her.

 

“Yea, he seems upset or something. He went that way,” Kim said,

pointing to the other end of the reception hall to the double

doors. Marlena ran that way with a muffled ‘thanks’. Puzzled, Kim

just shrugged her shoulders and went to find her own soon to be

husband.

 

Marlena ran out the doors just as she saw John heading to his

truck. “John! Wait,” she yelled, running to catch up with him.

 

He didn’t stop walking, just quickly swiped at his eyes… at what

Marlena knew was probably tears.

 

She grabbed his arm to stop him and he shook it off. “Don’t,

Doc,” he said softly.

 

“Please, if you just listen to me—“ she started.

 

“Why?” he asked, facing her. “If there are still feelings between

the two of you, please, don’t let me interrupt.”

 

“There aren’t feelings between Scott and I. At least not from my

end,” she explained.

 

“I saw you kissing him,” John said.

 

“But what you didn’t see was what happened before that.”

 

“I don’t want to know,” John said, frustrated.

 

“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway. Scott wanted to ‘win me back’

so to speak with his sorry excuses for an apology. He doesn’t

mean it… he just wants to have me. And even if he did mean that

he’s sorry, it doesn’t work. What he did to me was unforgivable.

And I’m in love with you. Can’t you see that?” Marlena asked.

 

“I don’t even know anymore, Doc,” he said sadly. “I mean, our love

is the greatest love that I have ever and will ever experience. You

are the one for me and I’ve been in love with you from day one. I

know what I feel, but I’m not quite sure I know what you feel. I

know you love me, but am I what you really want?”

 

Marlena smiled through the tears coming down her face. “Of

course you’re what I want. I’ve always wanted you and I have

always been in love with you. Even when we weren’t together…

that only made me love you and want you more. But I can’t blame

you for being suspicious of me. I haven’t been the best at

expressing my love for you. Considering that I left you for what I

thought I wanted, when it wasn’t really. And then you saw Scott

kiss me. I’m making a mess of things aren’t I?” she asked, looking

away from him.

 

John felt awful for questioning her love for him. He regretted it

the moment he saw the look on her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t—“

 

“It’s alright. I understand,” she said, knowing what he was about

to say.

 

He chuckled. “I barely said five words and you knew what I was

going to say?”

 

Marlena shrugged. “I know you too well.” she smiled.

 

“That’s a fact.”

 

He opened his arms and she wrapped herself in his embrace, glad

to feel the warmth of his body heat. “I love you,” she said.

 

“I love you too.” He kissed her on top of the head.

 

John pulled back from her. “Scott kissed you?” he asked.

 

Marlena looked up at him. “Yeah. My guess was that he saw you

and wanted to hurt you… so he kissed me. I tried to pull back but

he held me too tight”.

 

John was angry with himself. “And I just left you there with him.

How stupid of me!”

 

“You didn’t know,” Marlena said.

 

“But I—“

 

“John Black. Stop it,” she demanded. Then sweetly, she said, “You

know how you can make it up to me…”

 

“How?” He was eager to know.

 

Her smile became seductive and she said, “Please kiss me. I want

you to be the only one to kiss me.”

 

With that, he lowered his head to her and kissed her softly, yet

intensely. She pulled back and said, “Come on Black, you can do

better than that.”

 

That was all she had to say and then his lips were colliding with

hers. Rough, yet sweet. Nothing like Scott’s. Marlena smiled when

they had to part for air. “I was just starting to think the air was

cold, but that made me hot.”

 

John laughed. Suddenly, he felt the cold air hit him and said,

“Geez, Doc. You’re out here in a short sleeved top. Get inside,”

he demanded, tapping her butt with his hand.

 

Together they headed back into the reception hall, hand in hand.

 

“Look what I got!” Eric yelled, running up to them.

 

“What do you ‘got’?” John laughed.

 

Eric opened up his hand and showed John the worm that was

barely alive in his hand.

 

John said, “Hey, that’s pretty cool. Can I have it?” he joked.

 

Eric snatched his hand back. “No, you can’t.”

 

“What do you have?” Kayla asked, joining the trio.

 

“Nothing,” Eric lied, hiding his hands behind his back.

 

“You better show me, young man,” she threatened.

 

Eric lowered his head and showed her the worm. “Eric! Get that

thing out of here and wash your hands. You know how dirty

those things are?” Kayla said, fussing over him.

 

“Uncle John brought it in here,” Eric said, blaming John.

 

Kayla looked at John. “Don’t look at me. I didn’t even know…” he

said, but Eric pouted and gave him puppy dog eyes. “I didn’t even

know you didn’t want me to bring it in here. I just wanted to show

him.”

 

“Well, get it out. Those things are gross,” Kayla said. She grabbed

Eric’s arm and said, “Let’s go wash your hands.”

 

Before being taken away, Eric handed the worm to John and

smiled. John said to Marlena, “That little boy is so sly you

wouldn’t believe it. Did you see the way he looked at me? I mean,

seriously, that look just… he can get away with anything with that

face.”

 

“Wonder where he gets it from,” she suggested.

 

John smiled. “Very funny. Let’s get out of here…”

 

“Lead the way, handsome,” Marlena said, following him to the

door.

 

“Hey!” someone shouted at them. They both turned to see

Caroline standing there.

 

“Yeah Ma?” John asked, thinking he was in trouble.

 

“Family dinner tonight at the house. You both better be there,”

Caroline said, smiling at them.

 

Marlena covered John’s mouth with his hand before he could say

1. “We’ll be there,” she announced for them both.

 

Caroline nodded and headed into the other room.

 

“Yea, and try not to be late, huh?” Bo hinted.

 

John couldn’t contain a smile. “Well, if we’re late, you’ll know

where to find us.”

 

Marlena elbowed John in the side and kissed him, “Stop it.”

 

When they were outside, John said, “Well, we have a few hours to

waste. Got any ideas?”

 

Marlena smiled seductively and leaned in close to him. “I have a

few, sailor.”

 

“What’s that?” he asked, in a seductive manner also.

 

“Snow boarding!” she laughed, pulling him to her car.

 

John moaned. “But I don’t wanna snow board. I–“

 

Marlena suddenly kissed him roughly, sucking on his lower lip

before pulling back.

 

“Snow boarding it is!” he said. She smiled, knowing he’d give in to

anything with a little… persuasion.

The next few weeks passed by like a dream for John and Marlena.

They were both living the life they had thought they would never

have. That was until the day of Kim’s wedding.

 

Sitting in the pew beside John, Kayla tried to keep Eric under

control, as the little boy wouldn’t stop squirming in his seat.

Marlena and Hope sat in between John and Bo so they could

threaten them not to open their mouths when the priest asked,

“Is there anyone here who has a reason why these two should not

be married?”

 

After the beautiful ceremony, they all headed to the Reception

Hall. Marlena and John went out on the dance floor with Hope

and Bo when a slow song came on. Marlena leaned her head on

John’s shoulder, closing her eyes as John moved them to the

rhythm of the song. She sighed contently as John rubbed his

hand up and down her back.

 

“Can I cut in?” A voice asked from behind them. John’s eyes

snapped open and his body went stiff at hearing her voice. Oh

shit, he thought to himself, closing his eyes tightly, willing her to

go away.

 

Marlena lifted her head off of John’s shoulder and the couple

turned to face her. “I’m Isabella, you are?” Isabella extended her

hand to Marlena.

 

“Marlena.” She gave her a small smile, shaking her hand.

 

“So, can I cut in?” Isabella asked again, trying not to show her

annoyance at Marlena.

 

“Um… sure.” Marlena looked up at John, letting him know that

she would wait for the next one. Isabella was seething at their

unspoken communication with each other.

 

“Oh, I guess you don’t know who I am.” Isabella smiled evilly as

she linked her arm with John’s. Marlena got a confused look on

her face as she watched as John didn’t pull away from her.

 

“I am John’s fiancé.”

 

~

 

Marlena’s heart felt like it had fallen from her chest and was

being stomped on by both John and Isabella. She stared at them

in shock, wishing John would tell her he didn’t know who this

lunatic was and that what she was saying wasn’t true.

 

But he didn’t. They stood there for what seemed like hours.

Marlena finally looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. She

backed up when he made a move towards her.

 

“You lied to me,” she whispered, barely audibly. “You… you led me

to believe that you wanted me… I mean… I…” Marlena didn’t

want to discuss this, especially not in front of Isabella. As far as

Marlena was concerned, it was none of Isabella’s business.

 

“I just got the wrong impression.” She turned on her heel and fled

the Reception Hall, ashamed of herself. Who did she think she

was? Coming waltzing back into John’s life after 8 years and

expecting a man that gorgeous and sweet to be available, waiting

for her? Oh, she had certainly set herself up for destruction.

 

“Why? Why did I do this to myself?” She asked, trying to ignore

and get away from Hope and Kayla who she could hear calling out

for her as they chased her, seeing the interaction inside.

 

“I was doing so good by myself in Salem. I was so… in control of

my life. But then I had to come back here and set myself up for

this. Why did I think this would work?” She sat on a log in front

of the pond, swiping the tears that refused to stop falling.

 

“Marlena! Marlena!” Hope and Kayla called. They finally caught up

to her and stopped dead in their tracks, seeing her there by the

pond.

 

“Marlena…” Kayla walked towards her first. “I’m so sorry he never

told you. I wanted him to and I warned him to tell you or else this

would happen.”

 

“You were protecting him, I understand.” Marlena said softly.

 

“No.” Kayla said. “He might be my brother, but he’s a big boy and I

told him that by not telling you he was lying and going to hurt you

sooner or later. That’s the only reason. I didn’t want you to get

hurt.” Marlena started to cry as Kayla pulled her into a sisterly

hug. “Damn you John,” she whispered, mainly to herself.

 

~

 

“What are you doing here?” John turned towards Isabella, wanting

to run after Marlena, but seeing the looks Kayla gave him as she

went out the door, he decided to let his sister handle it for a

minute before he went after her.

 

“Honey, I told you I was going on business and that I’d be back in

time for your sister’s wedding,” Isabella told him, wrapping her

arms around his neck to kiss him.

 

He pulled her arms off of him. “Isabella, I told you we wouldn’t

work out. I told you that so many times. I love Marlena. You knew

how much of a part of me she is. I told you I can’t ever make you

fully happy because I’m in love with her.”

 

“You mean how much of a part of you she WAS?” She smiled a

little.

 

“Come on, lets go mingle.” She grabbed his hand.

 

“I don’t think you understand. I love Marlena. You and I will never

be.” He pulled his hand from hers and ran out the door after

Marlena.

 

“We’ll see.” Isabella smiled.

 

~

 

As Hope and Kayla sat with Marlena, they heard footsteps

approach. All knowing who is was, Kayla was the one who turned

to look at him, giving him the look that he better go away and

that it wasn’t a good time.

 

“Marlena,” John said, not listening to his sister.

 

She didn’t answer him as the tears slid down her face.

 

“Honey, I’m sorry I didn’t tell…” John walked towards her.

 

“You’re sorry you didn’t tell me before or after the fact John?

How long were you two timing me?” Marlena asked, letting her

anger seep through.

 

“Isabella and I were engaged, yes. But I had told her before she

went away that there was no her and I anymore. I love y…”

 

“Don’t say it John. Please. I don’t want to hear anymore.” Marlena

wiped the tears from her eyes, refusing to cry over him anymore.

 

“I’m just sorry I spoiled your plans.” She looked back at Kayla.

“Can you give me a ride home? I have a flight back to Salem

tonight.”

 

Kayla nodded as John looked on, hurt and shocked. “You were

planning on going back to Salem tonight. But I thought…” Tears

formed in his eyes.

 

Marlena looked down, not able to see the hurt in his eyes. “I

guess you weren’t the only one with a secret.” They started to

walk off. She passed John and then stopped, turning to look at

him, his back still to her. “But I was going to surprise you later

and rip up my plane ticket.” She looked down. “I guess we’re not

really supposed to have a life together. Maybe me coming back

was God’s way of showing us that what happened 8 years ago was

what was intended to happen.”

 

John only closed his eyes, thinking of how wrong she was.

Suddenly the pain of 8 years ago came flooding back into his

heart and he could barely breathe. He ran towards the parking lot

as he heard Kayla and Marlena drive off. “I won’t let you get away

this time,” John said, running to his Jeep.

 

“Oh yes you will.” Isabella stopped him.

 

“I thought I told you there was no us,” John told her, not in the

mood for her games.

 

She took his hands and placed it on the swell of her stomach.

“You can’t leave me. You can’t leave our baby.” She smiled as his

eyes grew dark with hurt and guilt, but a sense of excitement.

 

“You’re pregnant?” John asked.

 

She nodded, smiling triumphantly. I win, Doc, she thought to

herself.

Marlena laid on the couch in her office back in Salem. She

sighed, looking up at the clock. It was well past midnight and she

was still here. Twirling the ring John had given her so many years

ago on her finger; she felt the tears well up in her eyes.

 

She had finished blaming him, except the hurt still remained,

stronger than ever. She knew now that he really didn’t love her. It

had been a week since she fled Colorado, leaving John and the

rest of her family behind. He hadn’t come after her or tried to

get in touch with her either, which to her was a sure sign that he

was really in love with Isabella.

 

And why shouldn’t he be, Mar? she asked herself, rubbing her

hands over her tired face. You left him in the first place. And he

moved on.

 

She jumped, hearing her phone ring. The shrill sounds pulled her

out of her sulky state and she slowly got up to answer it. “Hi

Mom.” She sighed, answering the phone and falling back onto the

couch.

 

“Marlena? Oh honey, are you alright?” Martha’s worried voice

came through the other end. “You haven’t been answering any of

your calls. I wasn’t sure if something had happened to you or if

you…”

 

“Mom, its okay. I’m fine. I just didn’t feel like answering personal

calls these past few days. I’ve been busy here at the hospital.” She

rolled her eyes slightly as her mother still went on and on about

how she shouldn’t avoid calls just in case something would ever

happen to her. Same old lecture she got every time.

 

After a minute, Martha asked, “Marlena, are you still there?

Hello?”

 

“Yea Mom, I’m here.” Marlena said.

 

“You know, John has been…” Marlena cut her mother off.

 

“I don’t want to talk about John, mother, so please let’s just talk

about something else.”

 

“Marlena, you can’t avoid him. You don’t know the whole

situation.” Before Martha could continue, there was a knock at

the door, saving Marlena for the moment.

 

“Mom, I have to go. There’s someone at my office. I’ll call you

tomorrow. Love you, bye.” Marlena hung up before her Mom

could get a word in and jumped off the couch, running to the

door.

 

“Hello Dear.” Scott smiled as Marlena’s eyes turned fearful.

 

~

 

Martha hung up the phone, her motherly instincts picking up. She

turned to her husband who was watching a football game. “Frank,

I think something is going on with Marlena. Something she’s not

telling us about.”

 

“Well, that punk John broke her heart. Sure something is wrong

with her,” Frank said. “He hurt my baby and I don’t blame her one

bit for leaving. Actually, I wish he would have left so she didn’t

have to.”

 

“Frank, I think you are being a little harsh here. We both know

that John is only staying with Isabella because he feels an

obligation because she is pregnant. He loves Marlena. We both

know that,” Martha told him.

 

After some hesitation, Frank nodded his head, knowing she was

right. “But that doesn’t mean he can’t make it work. He doesn’t

have to break her heart like this.”

 

Martha sighed, taking a seat. “Something just doesn’t feel right.”

She looked up at her husband. “I have a bad feeling about

Marlena being back in Salem.”

 

~

 

“Go away.” Marlena tried to shut the door on Scott, but he

pushed his way inside.

 

“That’s no way to greet your hubby-to-be, is it?” Scott asked.

 

“Remember I broke off the engagement after you tried to beat me

to death?” Marlena said sarcastically, crossing her arms in front

of her chest.

 

“What are you talking about sweetie?” Scott moved closer to her.

 

She backed up a little. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.

So get out.”

 

He smiled, then slowly turned it into a frown. “Now you know I

didn’t do any of that on purpose. I was drinking and… Marlena

please. I love you. And I would never do anything to hurt you.”

 

“You lie,” Marlena said.

 

He didn’t like how she was talking back to him. Wanting to do

something about it, he suppressed his need to do so… if he ever

expected her to believe him and come running back to him.

 

“Why don’t you come home? I’ve missed you so and I’m glad you’re

back in Salem.”

 

“I’ve been back for a week,” Marlena told him, wanting to laugh at

the anger and shock on his face.

 

Scott was seething now. “And you haven’t been home?” He asked

a little more harshly than he wanted to.

 

“I’ve been staying at Laura’s.” She started to gather her stuff.

 

“Who do you think you are… trying to play games with me like

this?” Scott grabbed her arm hard.

 

“If you know what’s best for you, you’ll let her go.” They heard a

voice from the doorway. Marlena turned around and looked

towards the door, smiling.

 

~

 

Laura walked into the room, a security guard not far behind her.

“Bob, will you escort this man out of the building?”

 

The security guard went over to Scott. “Sir,” he said, giving him

the initiative to leave. Scott looked at Marlena and mouthed,

‘Later’, with a threatening glare. Then he turned and walked out

of the room, the security officer right behind him.

 

“Are you alright?” Laura asked, giving Marlena a hug.

 

Marlena nodded, thankful for her friend. “Yes, I am. You came

just in time.”

 

“You need to get away from him,” Laura told her as they headed

outside to their cars.

 

“Oh and where will I go to get away from him? At least

somewhere where I will be safe anyway?”

 

Realizing what Laura was about to suggest, Marlena gave her a

look. “Don’t even say it, Laura. I’m not going back.”

 

“Why not? Because that’s where he is? And because you can’t go

face him?”

 

“Because I can’t stand watching him being with someone else. I

can’t stand being the one to look on from a distance and watch

him be happy. I want him to be happy, but I want him to share

that happiness with me!” Marlena broke down, leaning against her

car as she cried.

 

“Shh…its okay, Mar.” Laura placed a hand on her shoulder.

 

“I’m so selfish,” Marlena cried. “I left him first. I broke his heart

first. Now I feel so much resentment towards him for breaking

mine when I know its only fair.”

 

“Marlena, don’t beat yourself up about it. I believe John is in love

with you.”

 

“Oh that doesn’t matter anymore!” Marlena said, wiping her tears.

“He’s in Salem with Isabella, continuing his life with her as if I had

never been there for a week. Lets just… go. I don’t want to talk

about this anymore.”

 

~

 

“Bye honey. Good luck at training today.” Isabella smiled, standing

in the doorway of John’s home, waving goodbye to him as he left

for baseball training for the beginning of the season.

 

John rolled his eyes and threw his bag onto the back of his

motorcycle. It made him sick when she tried to pretend to be the

devoted, at home housewife.

 

Isabella ran over to the phone as it began to ring. “Hello?

Kristen?” She smiled, sitting down on the couch.

 

“Oh I know. Its okay, though. John left for baseball training.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know, its so childish, he really should get a

better job to support me and the baby.” Pause. “No, of course he

doesn’t know the baby isn’t his! That would defeat the whole

purpose, now wouldn’t it?” Isabella rolled her eyes, feeling as if

she were talking to an idiot.

 

“If I told him it wasn’t, he would go running back to that… bitch

in Salem or wherever she ran off to. John feels guilty and

obligated to stay here with me. He’ll learn to love me and I know

he’ll adore the baby.” She smiled contently.

 

“You bitch!” Kayla yelled from the door, running at her.

 

“Ummm.bye!” Isabella screamed into the phone as Kayla grabbed a

hold of her hair and started to shake her.

 

“You’re keeping this from my brother to keep him with you? How

pathetic!” Kayla slapped her.

 

“What the hell are you doing?” John rushed into the room,

looking at Kayla with angry eyes. “She’s pregnant, you’re going to

hurt her or the baby!”

 

Kayla looked at him, not a bit sorry. “John the baby isn’t…”

 

“Ohhh!” Isabella moaned in pain, grabbing her stomach. “John,

the baby!”

 

John placed a hand over her stomach, then he picked her up,

carrying her outside. Isabella smiled at Kayla as they passed her.

 

“John, she’s faking it.” Kayla stood in front of him before he

could put her in the truck. “On second, thought, go to the

hospital.” Kayla smiled evilly as did Isabella.

 

“Oh John, you came to save me.” Isabella kissed him.

 

John cringed. “I actually came back for my catcher’s mit, but I’m

glad I did.”

 

Kayla rolled her eyes, watching him leave. She ran inside and

picked up the phone. “Kim? Get Hope and tell her to meet us at

the hospital.” She smiled. “Well John just took his precious

Isabella there because I hit her… and she thinks something is

wrong with the baby, which there isn’t because she was smiling

when he wasn’t looking… No I didn’t stop him from taking her.

Why? Well, that’s where you two come in. I heard Isabella telling

one of her bimbo friends that John isn’t the baby’s father and

well… I’ll tell you the rest later. So, while they’re there, I thought

it would be nice for them to get a blood test, don’t you?” She

smiled, hanging up the phone.

 

“Isabella, you’re done for.” She headed outside to her car in a

good mood, then spotted John’s motorcycle.

 

“What the hell?” She giggled, knowing John was going to kill her

for what she was about to do. She hopped on the motorcycle and

after a million tries, started it up. She screamed when she made it

go fast and stopped immediately. “Oh my God.” She giggled,

laughing. “Don’t hold your breath, Ickabella, here I come!” she

yelled, driving off.

Marlena and Laura lounged on the couch, eating from an ice

cream container as they watched “Gone With The Wind.”

 

Marlena rolled her eyes and glanced up at the clock. She stood

up and yawned, looking at Laura who had tears falling down her

face.

 

“You know, I think I’m going to bed.” She stretched. “I have some

early appointments tomorrow.”

 

“No you don’t.” Laura broke out of her trance. “I canceled them

all for you.”

 

“What? Why?” Marlena was puzzled. Laura looked away then

stood and went down the hallway to her room. “Hey, what are you

talking about?” Marlena asked, following her.

 

“Well, I thought you and I could take a trip tomorrow.” Laura

turned and smiled.

 

“Oh that will be nice…” Marlena trailed off, giving Laura a look.

“To where?” She asked.

 

“Just some nice little town.” Marlena took off down the hallway

to the guest room where she was staying. “I’m not going!”

 

“Oh yes you are!” Laura told her, closing her door to get some

sleep.

 

~

 

Kayla sped down the street on John’s motorcycle, already

accomplishing a speeding ticket on her way to the hospital. “This

thing is great!” She giggled, trying to find a spot to park the bike.

 

She pulled off the helmet and headed inside where she met her

sister, Kim, and Hope. “Where is John and whats her name?” Kayla

asked, looking around the waiting room.

 

“In the emergency room, what do you think?” Hope sighed,

brushing some hair from her face.

 

Just then, Lexie came out of the back room, walking over to

them. “Hey, thanks for doing me a favor.” Kayla smiled at her.

 

“Anything for my best friends, you know that.” She smiled. “Now

what do you need me to do?”

 

“Well, Isabella is not having John’s child…” Kayla went into the

whole story. “So I need you to get blood samples from John, just

to prove to him that he’s not the baby’s father.”

 

“That bitch!” Kim said, turning to go into Isabella’s room. Kayla

grabbed her arm. “Its okay, Kim, I already shook her by the hair

earlier.”

 

“You did?” The ladies laughed.

 

“Yeah, until John came in though.” Kayla pouted. “He’s such a

mean brother.”

 

“I’ll go see what I can do.” Lexie smiled, leaving the ladies to go

check the tests.

 

“Umm… Kay, what are you doing with John’s helmet?” Hope asked.

 

Kayla blushed and giggled. “You didn’t!” Kim squealed. “Oh my

God, John is going to kill you!”

 

“Well, I didn’t wreck it.” Kayla defended herself. “I only got a

speeding ticket.”

 

“John is going to make you pay it.” Hope smiled.

 

“Pay what?” John asked, coming up behind the ladies.

 

~

 

“Marlena! Get out of that room right now!” Laura yelled, getting

a little exhausted after fighting with her for about an hour.

 

Finally Marlena opened the door and peaked her head out. “Why

should I? I told you I am not going to Colorado.” She tried to

shut the door when Laura stopped her.

 

“Please Laura. Please don’t make me do this.” Marlena said, tired

of it all. “I really do thank you for caring, but I just can’t. Please.”

 

After some hesitation, Laura decided to let it go. “I just want you

to be happy, Marlena. And I know you’re happy when you are

there with him. But I’m going to respect your wishes and leave it

alone.”

 

“Thank you.” Marlena smiled, shutting her door to mope.

 

“Well… almost.” Laura giggled and grabbed the phone.

 

“Hello?” Kim answered her phone.

 

“Kim? This is Laura, Marlena’s best friend.”

 

“Oh my God, how are you?” Kim smiled.

 

“I’m fine. Yourself? And the kids?”

 

“We’re great, thanks. What can I do for you? By the way, how is

Marlena, I’m so worried about her. So are Hope and Kayla.”

 

“Well, that’s the main reason I called. Marlena refuses to come to

Colorado. So I was wondering if you would like to make a trip

here,” Laura wondered.

 

“I think that’s a great idea!” Kim smiled. “Kayla, Hope and I will

bring the kids.” Kim then proceeded to tell Laura of everything

that happened.

 

~

 

“But if its not his baby and he knows that, he still doesn’t want to

see me,” Marlena said, sitting on the couch with Laura.

 

“Now you don’t know that. He’s most likely getting over the shock

of it all.” Laura sighed. “Besides, I have a wonderful surprise for

you.”

 

“Laura no more surprises. I’m tired and I’m not going anywhere.”

 

“That’s just fine. You don’t have to. I had them come here.” Just

then there was a knock on the door.

 

“Oh you didn’t.” Marlena rolled her head back on the couch as

Laura went to answer the door. “I don’t want to see him.”

 

Laura opened the door and smiled. Eric ran in and ran right to

Marlena. “Aunt Marlena!” He giggled, hugging her. Surprised, she

smiled hugging him back.

 

“Eric. You look bigger.” Marlena smiled as he giggled.

 

“I know, I got big mukles.” He flexed his tiny arm.

 

“Oh my, you sure do.” She looked up. Samantha, Kayla, Kim and

Hope were standing there with Kim’s son David and her daughter

Jamie.

 

“Thank you for coming to see me.” Marlena smiled, hugging them.

“Its so great to see you.”

 

“Momma, I’m hungry,” Eric said, tugging on her arm.

 

“Well, we don’t have much food here, so why don’t I take us all

out to eat?” Marlena smiled, picking him up.

 

“That’s a greatest idea,” Eric said as they left.

 

~

 

“Look, Momma, a TV to watch when we eat!” Eric said, walking

into the sports bar/restaurant. He started to head over to the

bar area when Kim grabbed his hand.

 

“Not yet, buddy. You are waaayy too young.”

 

“But Aunt Kim, I want to…” She shook her head before he could

even finish.

 

Once they were at their table, the women were so caught up in

their conversation that they didn’t notice Eric slide under the

table and start to go over to the bar to see the TV better.

 

He was about to climb up onto a bar stool when someone grabbed

him from behind.

“So, what are you doing in a bar all alone little man?” Scott asked,

picking Eric up. Eric jumped and turned his tiny form to see who

had taken a hold of him.

 

He looked at Scott confused, wondering what to think of the

man. “Who you?” Eric asked, scratching the top of his head

slightly.

 

“My name is Scott. You must be Eric.”

 

“You know my name?” Eric asked, his eyes getting wide. Scott

nodded. “But you’re stranger.”

 

“So?” Scott played innocent.

 

“Momma says not to talk to strangers.”

 

“I’m a friend of your Uncle John,” he lied. Eric started to look

around, excited at the fact that John might be around

somewhere. Scott chuckled. “He’s not here. Come on, lets go

find your Mom.”

 

Scott saw them sitting in the back of the restaurant away from

the bar. He smiled, seeing Marlena. Then he began to seethe at

how she laughed with the other girls. John’s sisters that was. ‘She

avoids me, yet expects to have fun?’ He was fuming, but

suppressed it as he neared the table.

 

“Scott? Oh my God. What are you doing with Eric?” Marlena

jumped up from the table, as did Kayla, both extremely surprised

that Eric had slipped away unnoticed and by the fact that the

man who hurt Marlena was standing there, holding him.

 

As Kayla grabbed Eric from him, Marlena stood in front of Scott

to protect Eric once Kayla had him. “I saw Eric over there trying

to climb up on a bar stool. You know its not really wise for you to

be letting him out of your sight like that. Especially in a place like

this where you don’t know anyone.”

 

“Don’t give me advice on raising my son.” Kayla held Eric close,

running her hand over his head in a protective motherly way.

 

“Well who knows? Anyone could have taken him,” Scott

defended, trying to play the good guy.

 

“Yeah, a bastard like you maybe,” Marlena jumped in.

 

“Listen, I didn’t do anything wrong.” Scott grabbed her by the arm.

 

“That’s a first.” Marlena snorted, shaking her arm free of his

grasp. “Anyway, why should I trust you after what you’ve already

done to me?”

 

“I brought him back to her didn’t I?” Scott asked, moving closer

to her. He grabbed her by the arm roughly and pulled her towards

him. “So don’t be getting smart with me when you know nothing

about what you say.”

 

“I should have never got involved with you. You’re the second

biggest mistake I’ve made.” Marlena told him coolly.

 

“And whats the first?” He had to laugh.

 

“Leaving John,” Marlena told him before she could stop herself.

She already knew he was angry and that was like throwing fuel

into the fire.

 

“It’s always about that bastard, isn’t it?” He smiled, making his grip

on her tighter. “Well too bad for you, he’s in love with someone

else in Colorado. And if he really loved you as much as you say he

does, why hasn’t he followed you to Salem and won your heart

back already?”

 

As much as it hurt for him to shove that in her face, Marlena

could only smile coldly at him. “He doesn’t have to win my heart

back. He’s always had it.” Hearing that, Scott snapped and raised

his hand to hit her. Suddenly, Kim, Hope and Laura stepped up

behind Marlena as some guys from the bar stood up, seeing the

scene unfold. They might have been a little rough around the

edges, but when it came to hitting a lady, there was no excuse

and no way to bypass them.

 

“I think you’re outnumbered and that you should leave,” Kim

spoke up, ready to defend her best friend whom she’d always

considered her sister.

 

He smiled, letting Marlena go. “We’re not finished here,” he

whispered, leaning in close to her. Then he backed away and left

the restaurant.

 

Marlena sighed and turned to Kayla. “I’m sorry, Kay. I didn’t mean

for me to bring my problem to you. I mean, he could have taken

Eric and God knows what.”

 

“Stop honey. I know its not your fault, okay? Eric is fine.” Kayla

laid a reassuring hand on her arm and gave her a smile. “Besides,

your problem is our problem. We’re family, remember?”

 

Marlena smiled and nodded. She perked up and looked at Eric.

“How about we go home and watch a movie and eat ice cream?

Sound good?” Eric nodded excitedly and they all left the

restaurant.

 

~

 

Eric and David had fallen asleep in the back of the car with

Jamie. As Laura, Hope and Kim sat in the backseat talking, Kayla

sat up front as Marlena drove. It got dark soon after they left

the restaurant and was started to pour down rain during the

thunderstorm. Marlena sighed and leaned closer to the windshield

of her Ford Explorer.

 

“Is it just me, or do you see some smoke coming from under the

hood too?” Marlena asked, not glancing at Kayla.

 

Kayla looked closer and could see a little bit coming out. “Well,

you know, maybe its just the cool water hitting the warm truck.”

 

“Come on, Kay. How long have John and Bo been your brothers?

Give it to me straight.” Marlena could have smiled at the whole

situation if this wasn’t really serious.

 

Kayla sighed. “It looks to me like the radiator might be shot.”

 

“But I just had it serviced a week ago,” Marlena said.

 

“Well unless someone was tampering with it, I don’t see…” Kayla

stopped mid sentence as she and Marlena looked at each other at

the same time.

 

“Scott,” they both said. Suddenly the silence was broken by a loud

bang under the roof of the car. Everyone in the car screamed as

the kids woke up. “Shit,” Marlena said under her breath as the

car stopped and she tried to let it drift off to the side of the

road.

 

“What are we going to do now?” Laura asked from the backseat.

“We’re like 20 minutes from home.” Before anyone could answer, a

pair of headlights shone through the back window. The ladies

turned to see a car stopped up behind them.

 

“What now?” Hope asked, looking for something to defend

themselves with. Laura quickly got out her cell phone and tried

to call the police, but then remembered they were on a dark back

road and she didn’t know exactly where they were. They saw a

man jump out of the car and make his way towards their car.

Marlena hit the automatic lock button as they waited, not

knowing what to do, but only praying it wasn’t who they thought

it was.