Transformations – By Nicole R

She found herself taking an old friend Dr Jane Larkin’s offer to speak at a “Empowering Women” lecture series  

“Marley its only for a week.” Staring at a photo of John, her, Brady and Belle, Marlena was hesitant.”Janey..I really rather not. Belle’s been sick and I really don’t want to leave her.”

Jane’s confident and breezy voice cracked, revealing the pressure she was really under.
“Marley please come. My head speaker has upped and cancelled which leaves the series high and dry. Marlena please say you will come and help.”

Marlena looked out of her open office door and felt nauseous at the sight of John supporting Kristen, who was holding on to their son.

Feeling as if she didn’t get out of the hospital quickly that she would be sick, she agreed to it. “Marlena thank you so much. You have saved my life. You wont regret it…”

Marlena looked at John and how happy he seemed and thought to herself.

“Janey, I already am…More than you know.”

Less than 24 hours later found her packed and driving for the airport. Belle was safe at the pub with her adoring grandparents. John wanted her to stay at the DiMera Mansion, but Marlena refused.

“She is scared of your WIFE, John. I wont subject Belle to having to spend the week with Kristen. She stays where she usually does when I am away, with Shawn and Caroline at the Pub. John if you don’t like Belle’s care giving situation, Say so and We can go and make formal arrangements with Mickey.”

Not liking her tone as it wasn’t like her to speak this coldly to him, John pressed further “Why do you think that we need to make formal care arrangements with Mickey.”

Marlena decided to stand up. For so long she had protected Kristen’s child and well it was damned well time that she thought of the most important child in all of this and it was her sweet baby.

“Because I don’t want Kristen near Belle. If I have to, I will file papers with Mickey to give to the court that as long as you force our daughter to stay at that mausoleum that you will have restricted access and I will have sole custody.”

John was shocked “Doc what do you mean by this? This isn’t like you to be this cruel. Belle can stay with Shawn and Caroline, Its not a problem. Marlena you have never spoken this harshly about Kristen before.”

Marlena slammed the lid of her briefcase and glared at John before simply saying “Well its about time. Time for the truth and time for me to stand up for me and Belle. I don’t see anyone lining up to defend us.”

John grabbed her arm “Doc?”

She shook him off “Do us all a favor, Go home to your WIFE and leave me the hell alone!”
Marlena was so lost in thoughts as she drove to the hotel that she barely saw the animal dart across the highway. Remembering what Roman and John had taught her about driving defensively, she was able to avoid what she saw in her rear view window was a deer. But she wasn’t able to avoid the drunk driver coming directly for her.

Her car flipped over several times and miraculously landed right side up as if a small child had thrown it into a corner after playing with it..

The sparks from under the hood signaling that there was an imminent explosion and sadly the gas and brake fluid began to leak out towards the sparks….

*~*~*

Shane O’Neill was driving home to Pennistone Royal, his estate when he saw the accident. Praying that the driver of the affected car was still alive, he pulled over and ran to the scene.

Wrenching open the door, he was horrified to see that the driver was badly cut and he smelt smoke. He pulled out a swiss army knife and cut the seat belt that was jammed.
She slumped into his arms. “Come on Sleeping Beauty.” Shane yanked her out and ran with her to the safety of his car. He cradled her against the powerful blast….

As he heard the wail of the ambulance and fire trucks coming towards them, he checked her over, noticing the enormous bump on his head and when he heard her strong steady heartbeat, he smiled…

“Welcome to France my lady…”

Shane O’Neill was not a man used to waiting for anything and anyone.

But 3 hours after finding her amid the car wreckage, there was still no word on her, who she was or how she was doing….

He had asked his private investigations department to begin a search on her.
He knew that it would be hard as all of her ID was destroyed in the explosion. But from her dental and fingerprints, they could begin.

“Someone somewhere will be looking for her and I would like them to know that she is safe and being taken care of.” He refocused his attention to staring off into the darkness of the Parisian Night…

******

He checked his watch and decided that he needed to phone some people to let them know that he had been detained in Paris and wouldn’t be returning to Pennistone Royal for awhile…

“Maddy its me Shane. I need a huge favor from you, because your my favorite sister and I know you would help me if you could.”

As he explained what he needed her to do and what had detained him, Madalena Catherine O’Neill-Harte, known to all as Maddy let out a gasp.”Shane, is she alright?”
Shane checked on his watch only to find that it had been 15 minutes since he last checked it.

“I don’t know but Maddy, there is something about her. If her injuries aren’t as severe and the doctors will allow it. I want her to recuperate in England at Pennistone Royal.”
Maddy sounded excited “Shane, that is a lovely idea. When do you think you’ll know about the travel plans…”

At that moment, Shane saw the doctor in charge coming towards him and so he quickly said goodbye to his sister with the explanation that he’d call her back shortly and then with not so much as an hello asked “Dr Kallinski, how is she?”

******

John Black woke up in a cold sweat and sat straight up. Checking the clock which said 12:45. John came to the conclusion that something wasn’t right. Looking around, he saw his wife sound asleep and she seemed ok.

Grabbing his robe, he went to check on the boys….

Junior was sound asleep in his crib and so was Brady. As John studied his son’s sleeping form and wondered over where the time had gone, he noticed what Brady was clutching onto.

It was a photo of 4 very happy people. Taken in the garden of the DiMera Mansion, to the casual observer, it showed a family….

Remembering the argument between he and Marlena, John carefully slipped the photo out of his son’s tiny grip and ran his hand over Marlena’s delicate features and said outloud

“How did we get to this point…How could our once gentle words turn so bitter? Doc, I never meant for this….If only you could hear me.”

“The paitent is fine, considering the severity of the accident as you described it. Mr O’Neill she can be released in a few hours, just waiting on a few tests. But there is something that you should know…”

Shane heard something in the Doctor’s tone that he didn’t like.”And that is?”

Alexander Kallinski sensed that this was a man who didn’t take kindly to beating around the bush and said “From the blow to her head from hitting the steering wheel, She has amnesia and doesn’t know who and where she is.” Staring at the doctor in disbelief, Shane asked to see her. “She’s awake, follow me…”

The doctor came as far as the door and let him in to the room in time to see her sobbing as if her heart was broken. Without a moments thought, Shane came and took her into his arms to calm her down. Marlena didn’t know who he was but as she listened to him croon something to her in what she later discovered to be Gaelic, she sensed something kind and gentle in the man and responded instinctively to it.

“It’ll be alright, please don’t cry anymore.” She stared at him.”Who are you?” He held out his hand to her.”My name is Shane Alexander James O’Neill, I was the one who found you after your car accident and from now until you finally regain your memories, I am going to take care of you.”

Mischief shone in her eyes as she asked “Oh you are…What makes you qualified to do so?” Shane brought her hand to his lips and said “Think of me as your good guy with a capital G.”

For just a moment, Marlena heard a voice in her head saying that same thing and then like someone blowing out a candle, the memory was gone…

She smiled and a friendship was struck instantly from which all that would be involved would never be the same…..

She woke up with a jolt and for a moment didn’t remember where she was.
She glanced around and tried to sit up. The pain that exploded inside her head seemed to resemble fireworks as they played against the back of her eyelids. She whimpered and while she thought she was quiet, the noise was enough to send someone rushing to her rescue…

The red-haired young woman was all smiles as she began to ask questions of her patient. “Did you have a bad dream…. Are you hungry?”

Dazed and bewildered, She shook her head. “No its my head.”

Her acquaintance went to the table near the window and got a glass of water and a pill.
“Shane did tell me that Dr Kallinski had told him that you would be having pain for awhile and that you don’t have any memories of what happened or of who you are.”
She nodded and smiled sadly “I thought this only happened in the movies or storybooks…but here I am.”

The other woman placed a slim hand on hers…”No here WE are.”

She smiled serenely encouraging. “Once your a friend of my brothers, you stay a friend of all of us.” Marlena smiled and like a ghost chasing a thought down a hall, she caught a glimpse of a man with curly hair laughing with someone who had a beard…

“Are you remembering?”

As quickly as it arrived, it disappeared again. “I…I don’t know.”

The redhead went and opened the window..”Don’t worry, it’ll come when your at your most relaxed. Shane said Dr Kallinski also told him that as the pain and swelling around your brain subsides, you more than likely will get your memory back.” She blushed.
“I’m so sorry, I never told you who I am and you probably are sitting here scared witless. I’m Madelaina O’Neill-Harte, known to all as Maddy and I’m Shane’s youngest sister.”
Marlena nodded.”How many of you are there?” Maddy smiled “There’s five of us. Shane is the only boy. then comes Caden Rose, Tessa and Daisy then there’s me.”

A voice came teasingly from the doorway.”Is she boring you with the history of the O’Neill family.” Maddy threw a pillow that landed at his feet.”I don’t think so. She survived the drive home to Pennistone Royal with you from the channel and Big brother no offense but you are the most boring man I know.”

Shane winked at Marlena, and to her surprise she felt the stirrings of a blush coming on. “From what I heard you telling our invalid, Boring runs in the family.” To his surprise, he saw the subtle play of emotions run over her face again like it did in the hospital. It was obvious that she was having vague flashbacks and it was obvious she had no clue to what they meant.

With a smile, Shane pulled a bouquet of lilacs from behind his back. Marlena lit up and smiled shyly “For me?” Shane nodded “You seem to be a lilac lady to me.” She inhaled their smell and giggled….

Shane tore himself from watching her and said something to Maddy. “I said what name comes to mind when you see her?” Maddy looked lost.”Why?” Shane picked up a piece of one of the lilacs that dropped then put it in his pocket. Maddy saw and wondered over the significance of her brother doing that…

“Maddy, we cant keep calling her nothing. She needs a name, at least until she can remember her own.” He cast a critical and gentle eye on Marlena. “How about Caroline?”

Maddy shook her head. “Doesn’t look like a Caroline…How about Alice?”

Shane smiled “I got it…Grace.”

Marlena and Maddy said as one “Grace?” Then realization hit Maddy and she shook her head as she groaned “Oh no Shane…not the nun.”

Confused Marlena raised an eyebrow “Pardon? Shane you don’t look the type to have a Nun Fetish.” Brother and Sister started to laugh…

Shane sat back on the bed as Maddy took her lilacs and put them into water. “Maddy is pulling your leg sweetie. I thought of Grace because of your resemblance to a family friend Sister Grace. She taught me and my sisters when we were younger. I had a crush on her.”

Laughter danced in Marlena’s eyes “And is this the big fat sister Grace or the lovely and gentle sister Grace?” She saw something flash in Shane’s eyes “That would be the Lovely and Gentle sister Grace.” She smiled “Well then I guess I’m Grace.”

******

The next morning, John was at the pub visiting with Belle when Caroline said that there was a phone call for him. “Hello?” He quickly recognized the voice at the other end as Doc’s Friend from Med School, Jane.

What stunned him was what she had to tell him…After all of their harsh words two days before she left for France, he never expected or dreamed of something happening like this….

“John, this is so hard for me to tell you. Marlena never made it to Paris. The police are investigating and from what they have told me …They’ve ruled out a kidnapping. It’s foul play.”

John blinked, trying to make the room stop it’s spinning.

“Apparently they said that there was a car explosion and that the car was a rental and it was rented at the airport by Marlena…”

Jane started to cry “John she’s dead.”

John was so rocked by this piece of news that he shattered the glass that he was holding onto as he let out an animalistic cry.”NO..NOT DOC!!!!!!”

The news of Marlena’s death rang through Salem with a impact of a bull dancing in a china shop. Which was the image that was in Laura Horton’s mind as she watched Kristen’s reaction upon learning that her main rival was gone..

“Oh honey, you are so tired. Lets go home and see the baby.” John shook his head and stared at his baby daughter who was asleep in her grandfather’s arms. She had cried herself to sleep and before that refused to allow John to hold or comfort her….

“I wanna see Momma..Momma.” It broke John’s heart to see his daughter go into near hysterics at his approach. Caroline soothed her granddaughter as Shawn asked John to allow the child some breathing room. “She’s pining for Marlena…She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

Silently John nodded as he thought to himself sadly “Yes she does know as I’m feeling the same emotions.

But John didn’t know how to get back to the man who knew what to say and how to calm his little angel. All that he knew was that the person most able to restore calm was lost to him now…..

*****

Marlena was walking down the hall when she heard a child giggling and followed it into a gaily decorated nursery. She stopped upon meeting the room’s tiny occupant.
A little girl with Blonde Curls and blue eyes..

“Hi” Marlena smiled at the child “Hello to you too, I’m Grace..Who are you?”
The little girl smiled and said “I’m Caden Rose”

With an equally solemn expression on her face, Marlena smiled and shook hands with the independent little girl. The fast friends were settling down for a tea party when Shane came in…

Caden lit up upon seeing him “DADDY!”

As she flew across the room, Marlena had a flashback of holding a identical little girl and of a man with blue eyes as well….

*****

John left the Pub and went for a walk. Somehow without realizing it, he ended up at St Lukes and went inside…

He remembered the last time that the family thought they had lost her and came together here in memory of her..

The night he fought the strongest of evil to free her and won.
The night of miracles..

“Oh Doc, Baby I wish…”

He stared at the stained glass windows above the altar. “What do I wish, that all of the harsh words were never said? that you and I had the guts to admit that we were meant to be and should of been together? That my life with Kristen was a lie? Doc if it would mean that you would come back to me then I do wish for all of those things..Baby, we once had the strongest of bonds.”

He broke down and started to sob the heartbreak of a man who has lost the dearest person in his heart. Then while he was emotionally lost, he said a prayer.

“God, when we thought that we had lost her in the plane crash and before learning that she was in Paris, I could sense things about her…if she was in trouble. I cant believe that she’s gone. She cant of left me and Belle. Please God, give me a sign that she is ok…Please do something.”

As if someone had heard, John began to hear a gentle lullabye. It took a moment for him to realize that it was one he had heard several times before, when Marlena would sing their daughter to sleep…

Realizing that this was his sign,John had renewed hope and saying “Thank you” he ran out of the church and vowed to begin looking for her….

John stared at a photo of Belle and Marlena and wondered where to start looking for her. All of his favors had been called in and there was still nothing to be found amongst the ruins of the crash in France…
“Now where do I look for answers to find you?”
*****
It had been almost a month since the accident and Marlena was no closer to finding out who she was or even regaining her memories. Shane tried to be supportive and had people investigating on her behalf.

Marlena had learned via Maddy that Shane was a widower and that his wife had died giving birth to Caden Rose, whom Marlena had nicknamed Cady. “He’s had a hard time trusting anyone until now.” Marlena was about to ask more but Maddy’s husband David had called from Washington and she had to go.

Looking out the window, Marlena decided to go for a walk. She was wondering about what the estate looked like and so off she went….

******

Shane rode his horse “Sassenach” as if the devil was chasing him. In a way it was as he was running from a big demon…

For the first time since Paula died, He was head over heels in love with his “Grace”.
But for the life of him, he didn’t know what to do. What if she didn’t love him? What if they fell in love and she remembered? Or worse to Shane’s sense of honor, What if she gave him her heart and it wasn’t hers to give as it belonged to someone else?

“Shane, don’t you think you should tell her your feelings to her first?” screamed his sense of logic and he agreed. He turned around and headed for home……

*****

Marlena fell in love with Pennistone Royal on sight. According to Maddy it was close to 700 years old and it was the stereotypical English Manor in that it was all stone.
But the outside’s formality was nothing compared to the inside. It was comfortable in its choice of oversized and brightly coloured furniture. Marlena would later say that it looked as if Ralph Lauren had gotten a hold of it as it was obviously decorated by someone with vast wealth.

She was walking around the stables when a stableboy came up to her and asked if she wanted to go out riding. Seeing how hesitantly she answered, The young man smiled.”If you don’t know how to, that’s ok. We’ll teach you.”

Marlena shook her head. “Its….I don’t…I mean.” Shane’s voice rang out like a life preserver for a drowning victim. “Its alright thanks Andrew, I’ll take care of Miss Grace.”
Marlena shook her head. Shane sensed that all was not well with her and gently asked what was wrong with her. “I cant” Shane looked hopeful “You mean that your afraid?”
Somehow he couldn’t picture her being afraid of anything “No I cant do this…Shane, this is wrong.”

He laid his hand on her shoulder and found her shaking “Have I done something to offend you?” She jumped as if the merest of contact was like an electric shock. “NO!”
Once she realized what she had done, Marlena shook her head “Its all happening too fast…Its not supposed to be like this..I don’t understand this.”

She moved closer to the horse. “To answer your question Shane, I don’t know anything so how can I be expected to know how to ride a horse?” Shane nodded and ignoring for the moment the realization that she was beginning to have feelings for him, jumped back on Sassenach and held out his hand.”Come on…”

For a moment, She flashed back to the man with the electric blue eyes who smiled as he came towards her saying something about buddha and zen and how she made him feel alive again…

Something seemed to block that and she shook her head and couldn’t get the memory back. She climbed up onto the horse and they rode off….

*****

“Damn it I hate Voice Mail!” Abe peeked in and then quickly ducked out as John threw a paper ball at his head. In frustration more than anything else, he slammed down the phone. “Its not as if she’s a grain of sand. Abe can you tell me how someone can disappear without a trace?”

Abe shook his head and John put his head in his hands. “Its just like Stefano and Paris all over again.” John studied his best friends expression before slowly saying

“Abe I know you think that Doc’s dead…”

Abe shrugged his shoulders “I don’t know what to think, John. All I know is that you two seem to have the tightest of connections. Each and every time that something happens and it seems that all is lost, you both prove all naysayers wrong. John, I just don’t want you to be disappointed.” John was running through some papers and didn’t hear the tone in his best friends voice…..

*****

Marlena was listening to Shane’s heartbeat as they rode in companionable silence… Somehow, being together like this was driving her insane. How can she be in love with someone that she only just met? Things like this only happened in Romance Novels.
Just the idea of falling in love at first sight was enough to make her smile. Shane saw her smile creep up slowly and was enchanted by the sight. “Shane, Do you think that I will ever remember?”

Before he could answer, Sassenach was spooked by something unseen by its riders and reared up onto its back legs. In the middle of the commotions, Marlena fell from his grip and landed in a heap. Shane’s scream of “Grace!” was the last thing Marlena heard before beginning to lose consciousness…

The last thing she felt was Shane’s warm embrace and his tears as they fell on her while he pleaded with her not to leave him………..

******

Kristen was coming down the stairs at the penthouse when she overheard Lexie and Laura talking about Marlena and how John thought she was still alive. “I still cant get over how much he loves her, Lexie he cant let her go.”

Lexie nodded in agreement before answering “Sometimes People in love will hang on to the smallest of things…Its like they need to hold on..They need to have reasons to believe that things will turn out the way their supposed to.”

Kristen vowed to ensure that John would lose his faith in Marlena’s being alive.

“Your finally mine John, I didn’t go through all of this to ensure otherwise..If there is a god above, Marlena did die in that car crash!!!!”

Marlena woke up and focused in on the shape in front of her.

As her eyes began to focus, The blob turned out to be Shane’s concerned face…
Relieved that she seemed to be alright, Shane gathered her into his arms and began to murmur how much she meant to him and how he didn’t know what he would of done if she hadn’t woke up from the accident.

Somehow the closeness proved to be too much for them and with no further words, they shared their first kiss. It was tentative at first and began to grow with intensity…

*****

Now….While we’re here alone

And all is said and done

Now I can let you know Because of all you’ve shown

I’ ve grown enough to tell ya

You’ll always be inside of me…

How many roads have gone by

So many words left unspoken

I needed to be by your side

If only to hold you

Forever in my heart

Forever we will be

And even when I’m gone

You’ll be here with me

Forever…

Once I dreamed that you were gone

I cried and tried to find you

I bet the dream will fade away and please awaken me…

The night took a hold of my heart and left me with no one to follow

The love that I lost to the dark

I’ll always remember.

Forever in my heart

Forever in you and me

Know that when I’m gone

You’ll be near to me.

Forever in my life

Always thought Id be…

I’d be yours… Forever

In agony with tears rolling down his cheeks, John shut off the radio and cursed at the fact that Kenny Loggins wrote a song that exactly figured out his emotions over the loss of his Doc.

Despite hoping that someone who he asked to search for Doc would call in with some small word to let him know that he was right, that she WAS alive and waiting for him. Hoping to reunite her with their children, John turned to the stars and asked Gabe to send down some divine intervention…

“Help me again Gabe…Please?”

*****

Shane was hurt to find that Marlena wouldn’t talk to him about the kiss. He could tell by the way she responded that she wanted him and now she seemed to withdraw into a shell….

Marlena could see this and even though her heart was aching to be with him, She couldn’t burden him with this.

How could she go about telling him that she was having memories of running up a hill and screaming “No…Don’t hurt him Bo…Its ROMAN!!!”

“Who am I and what do these flashbacks mean?”

Marlena woke up and found herself staring at the clock. The red numbers glared back as it said 3:30 AM.

Rolling over to stare at the ceiling, Marlena could tell that there was no way that she was going to get back to sleep, not with the jumble of chaos and confusion that was her mind tonight.

So she reached for her robe and padded downstairs….

Shane also couldn’t sleep as all he could see when he shut his eyes was Him kissing Grace and her responding to it.

So he was sitting in the library talking the events over with himself “Damn it..You rushed her Shane. How could you of been so stupid.”

A soft voice from behind him made him jump “Hey I don’t like hearing my friends calling themselves Stupid..”

He turned to see Marlena standing in the doorway. She was smiling and seemed to be concerned.  “Couldn’t you sleep either?”

Shane smiled and felt hopeful that she was making the first move towards him. “No I woke up hungry and was about to raid the kitchen after getting a book to read, what about you Grace?”

Marlena shrugged her shoulders. “Just couldn’t fall back asleep. So here we are.” Shane smiled ‘Here we are, care to join me in my midnight raid?”

Marlena nodded…..

*****

John walked into the park and quickly spotted Caroline who waved him over.
“Where is She?” Caroline pointed out the tiny withdrawn figure sitting under the tree clinging onto Big Bunny.

“Caroline, I’m so glad that you called me when you did. But Im so sorry that you and Shawn had to deal with Belle’s and Brady’s Grief on top of your own. Its just that.”
He looked around, trying to find the words to best describe this state he was in.
“I cant explain this Caroline. I have this feeling that she is not dead…”

Caroline had seen this belief or bond that they had had in action twice before. Once it had led John to Paris to rescue her and in a heated battle, it had John facing an even more extraordinary adversary who, like Stefano, had wanted both he and Marlena’s souls….

But this wasn’t one of those times. Marlena had died overseas in an horrific car crash and they had parted in anger. Sometimes faith and love wasn’t enough. r32;  r32;Belle’s anguish was proof of that.

Caroline watched silently as the littlest victim of the accident would sob herself to sleep. Her last words and thoughts were always for her Mother.

John looked over at his daughter and softly called to her. Belle turned angry blue eyes onto him. “No..You made Mommy cry…I hate you!!!”

John reeled back at the anger in her voice.

He didn’t know how to react to this. He knew deep down that she was right. Marlena had cried during their explosive exchange that final time…

Wiping tears from his eyes, John quickly said his goodbyes and sorries to Caroline who nodded and rushed to the little girls side as now Belle was hysterical, sobbing into Big Bunny’s fur…

“Oh My little punkin. I promise you that I will bring your Momma home to you.”
John left the park and resolved to refocus his search to France and England….
Kristen didn’t like this.

John had shut himself away from her and their child to focus on a ghost. She chose to believe that Marlena WAS dead.

If she didn’t think that way, she knew that she would lose and Kristen’s motto was that she NEVER would lose…

But right now, she had no idea how to compete with or beat a ghost….

*****

Shane woke up in front of the fire and found Grace curled up with her head on his chest and her hand slipped inside of his robe. She looked so innocent that his heart melted at the sight of her.

Somehow sensing that she was being watched, Marlena opened her eyes and smiled sleepily. “What time is it?” Shane checked his watch and replied “4:45..Do you want to go upstairs to bed?”

Something sparkled in Marlena’s eyes…”Is that an offer?” Shane startled himself.

“I..meant that since this is an uncomfortable sofa, I’d hate for us to cramp up sleeping on it…” Marlena leaned over to plant a kiss on him which at first was tentative and shy but as they both wanted it, grew more intent and tension filled….

Shane glanced at her and softly asked “Are you sure about this?” She smiled and nodded…”I want you and that is all that I can see right now. Shane I want you to make love to me….I want you.”

Shane needed no further urging and scooped her up to whisk her upstairs…

*****

As rain softly pounded against the windows and a fire that Shane started to keep the chills away, He slipped onto the bed behind her and slipped an arm around her.
Marlena seemed transfixed by the fire.

As soon as she felt his arms wrap around her, she leaned back against him and exposed her neck to him as he leaned down and began to kiss her. She shivered from the combination of him and the slowly warming air, “Your beautiful…So beautiful. ”
He slid the robe off of her shoulders as she turned around to face him. They didn’t break eye contact as he slipped her nightgown off her and two injured and broken souls became one.

Marlena would later recognize the song softly playing on the radio as Celine Dion. She was singing “Seduces Me”….

Everything you are

Everything you’ll be

Touches the current of love

So deep in me

Every sigh in the night

Every tear that you cry

Seduces me

And all that I am

And all I’ll be means nothing at all

If you cant be with me

Your most innocent kiss

Or your sweetest caress

Seduces me

Idon’t care about tomorrow

I’ve given up on yesterday

Here and Now is all that matters

Right here with you is where I’ll stay

Everything in this world r32;Every voice in the night

Every thing of beauty

Comes shining thru in your eyes

And all that is you becomes part of me too 

‘Cause all you do seduces me

And If I should die tomorrow

I’d go down with a smile on my face

I thank god I’ve ever known you

I fall down on my knees

For all the love that we’ve made

Every sigh in the night

Every tear that you cry

Seduces me Seduces me

And all that you do….Seduces me

Marlena felt as if every inch of her was on fire. It was as if she had been in the furthest of regions and that Shane was all that stood between freezing and living again. For Shane, It was as if He had discovered colour after a lifetime of black and white..
They both knew that things had now turned a corner for them in terms of their friendship and that there was no way back to rescuer and helpless victim….

*****

A few days later, Shane had taken Marlena for a picnic and a horseback ride along the edge of the estate. Marlena could tell that Shane had something to ask her so she stayed quiet to allow him the chance to speak….

He took the opportunity to ask her his question when they had picked the spot and settled down for their picnic. “Grace, We have only been in each others lives for just a few weeks and I don’t know about how you feel but, to me at least It feels right.”

Marlena nodded suspecting what was coming next. “Everyone including Caden Rose loves you.” Marlena’s eyes shone “I love all of them too, especially Cady.”

Shane fiddled with something in his pocket and to her surprise, He pulled out a tiny black velvet box…

“Grace…will you marry me?”

Marlena shook her head, unable to speak. ” Shane you don’t know me…what if there is something in my past that’s unable to allow us to marry.” Shane kissed her hand.
“We will deal with that when and if your memory comes back sweetheart. No matter who you are and what your past is..I have never loved anyone this much before. So my amazing, wonderful Grace..will you marry me?” Marlena smiled “I would be honored to be your wife.”

She took his face in her hands “I love you so very much Shane O’Neill”

*****

John was overjoyed…

He finally had word that someone fitting Marlena’s description had been in a hospital in France and transferred to London. So as he packed for the flight over, He prayed that it was her.

“Doc there is so much that I have to tell you and to make up to you. No more words of anger and mistrust. Sweetheart, I will make the things I did to hurt you right again…Oh god please let it be Marlena.”

Kristen was in the doorway and vowed that he wouldn’t even get close to her if it was Marlena. What she endured in the car accident would be a picnic compared to the hell that Krissy would put her through…

Marlena stood at the moonlit window and stared at her engagement ring.

It had only been a few hours but it felt that they had traveled so many miles. In that state of quiet calm, she had a flashback of hugging a man who’s face she couldn’t see in the pouring rain in front of what seemed like a church…

“Whatcha thinking about?” Marlena shook her head and looked at Shane.

With his dark hair still damp from the shower, Shane looked like a panther ready to strike.

She turned around and ran both hands around his waist. “Im thinking that this all feels like home.”

Shane kissed her lips and smiled a serene smile as he held up her hand that wore the diamond ring.”That’s because it is…or will be once you marry me.”

Some nameless and faceless fear urged her to marry him as soon as possible, so Marlena asked him if they could do that as soon as possible. When Shane asked why, Marlena laughed it off as “Im not letting you have any second thoughts about this.”

Shane scooped her up and plunked her on the bed. “So how do you feel about this Saturday?” Marlena let out a squeal of laughter “Mr O’Neill what do I do for a wedding dress and what about your friends and family? Shane don’t you want them there?” Shane came and joined her.

“To me all I need to witness this is Cady, Maddy and David. Next to you, I am only close to those 3 people. So will you marry me in London on Saturday???” Marlena had to smile at his enthusiasm and so she happily nodded.

*****

John was walking out of the terminal and began looking for the limo that Victor had said would be waiting for him at Heathrow Airport. That meant that John would be able to go over the information that the ISA had provided for him concerning the Mystery Patient at St. Mary’s. From all accounts, it could very well be Marlena. All John wanted to do was hold her and never let her go….

Marlena and Shane had come out of the terminal doors with each holding onto a hand of an excited Cady. Shane was searching for the O’Neill driver when Cady tugged on Marlena’s hand. “Mommy..pick me up.”

Shane and Marlena exchanged glances and smiles. Maddy started to laugh “Well its official Grace, your a member of the family now.” Marlena rested her head on top of Caden’s and smiled “Your right Maddy.”

John heard the little girls plaintive demand and turned to smile at the woman who had on a wide brimmed summer hat that covered her face, bending down and smilingly pick up the little girl in the smocked plaid pinafore dress. The little girl reminded John so much of Belle that he felt a pain in his heart.

Then he saw a dark haired man approach the mother and child and gently place his hand on her back and kiss both her and the slowly falling asleep child while a second couple came over and waited for their car to arrive.

Then the woman laughed at something that her husband said and John swore that he knew her laugh….

But he dismissed it. “John your losing it..That cant be Doc. She’s supposedly at St.Mary’s. That woman isn’t Marlena.” He got into the limo 5 seconds before the wind turned stronger and blew her hat off revealing that it was…..

John was in anguish. He had flown to London with such high hopes and the Doctor, Charles Hogestyn was sure that his patient was the one he was looking for. But it wasn’t.
Marlena had disappeared again and he was left with such a pain in his heart…
While Maddy took Marlena to search for a wedding gown and Shane finished some last minute details, The nanny took Caden for a walk to Kensington Palace Gardens.
But when the nanny saw some old friends and began to talk to them, Caden saw a kitten and chased after it….

John needed to clear his head and so also went for a walk and ended up in the Palace Gardens. He hadn’t got far when he saw a little girl sitting on a bench in tears….

*****

It was a happy and tired Marlena who came walking back into Claridges with Maddy and several bags. Shane met them coming down in the elevator and kissed his radiant fiancee.

“Where is Cady?” Shane kissed her again and then took her bags. “She and Davina have gone for an outing. They will be back in time for tea.” Marlena seemed happy with that news and allowed him to lead her to their room.

*****

John saw the little girl and had a flashback of a sobbing Belle and so went to her. “Are you lost?” She nodded. “Found a Kitty. Went to get him and he ran away. Now Davy gone.” John seemed confused “Davy? Your Brother?” The little girl laughed.

“No silly..Davy my nanny.” John smiled “Sorry. Would you like me to help you find your nanny?” She shook her head. “Gwace said not to go with strangers.” John asked
“Grace, is she your nanny too?” Caden laughed. “Nooo, Gwace’s gonna be my new Mommy.”

John was enchanted by this golden haired angel. “Grace is a very smart lady.” He held out his hand “My name is John and I have a little girl at home, Her full name is Isabella, but her mommy and I call her Belle. She’s 3 just like you.” Cady smiled.

“Belle…Like Tinker Bell?”

John smiled “Her momma calls..”John caught himself and continued “Her momma calls her that.” John looked at his watch. “I bet Davy is looking for you. Lets go find her.” Cady took his hand and they began to search for her….

*****

Since it was getting dark when they finally found an panic filled Davy. John offered to escort them to their hotel. “I have a daughter the same age as Caden and I would hope that in similar circumstances, the person that found her would ensure that they got home safely.”

Shane was there to greet them. As a thrilled Cady flew into her father’s arms, the two men introduced themselves. “I’m John Black.” Shane took his hand “I’m Shane O’Neill. Your an American aren’t you?” He nodded “I’m here on personal business. Why did you ask if I’m an American?”

Shane laughed as Caden gave him a butterfly kiss. “No reason, My fiancee Grace is also from America. Id introduce you to her but she is lying down. Seems to be catching the flu. I just hope that its not as we are getting married on Saturday.”

John smiled “Congratulations, Cady is tickled about that. She told me all about getting a new mommy. ”

Shane looked at John “Do you have children Mr Black?” John nodded. “A son named Brady and a little blonde pixie named Belle who looks just like Caden.” Cady piped in. “Wanna see Grace.” John smiled and said “I should go.”

As the men said their farewells, John felt a pang of envy. O’Neill was marrying the woman he was obviously in love with, he on the other hand lost all chance of doing the same with the woman HE loved and didn’t know where to turn to find her.

*****

Shane did some investigating into Cady’s mystery friend and learned that he was a wealthy industrialist from America. He was married and besides the other children, just had a child with his new wife, the former Kristen DiMera.

Since he had the address of the hotel that he was staying at, Shane phoned and offered an invitation to John to come to the wedding and reception. John was stunned. “Why are you doing this?”

Shane smiled at the sight of Cady being read to by Grace. “Because It would be my way of saying thanks for rescuing my daughter and her nanny from who knows what.” They laughed. “So will you come?”
John against his better judgeme

nt smiled and agreed. “I would love to.” He pulled out a photo of he, Marlena and their two children and ran his finger over her features.
He said to the air “I would love to”…..

Marlena stared out of the window on the morning of her wedding and began to rub her temples as a new headache began to form just behind her eyes.

It had started with Shane telling her about the mystery man who rescued Cady and Davinia in the park…

Something about the description triggered warning bells…

*****

John had a vivid nightmare of seeing Marlena but not being able to touch her.
Every time that he tried, she was tortured and her screaming for him to leave her in peace was so vivid that he woke up in tears saying that he was so sorry, that he never meant to hurt her….

“DOC I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.”

He looked at the clock and saw that it was 10 AM. He remembered that he promised O’Neill that he would come to his wedding, John groaned. The only wedding he had ever truly felt happily comfortable at was His and Marlena’s…

“Doc where are you Sweetheart.”

*****

Maddy came in to the suite in time to see Cady all dressed in an Ivory Pinafore with a lace collar. Her blonde hair was in curls held in place by a garland of baby pink roses and ribbons.

She had on white socks and white shoes. She was bouncing on the sofa while Davinia tried to convince her young charge to allow her to take her picture.

“Is Grace ready Davinia?”

The nanny shook her head. “She wont answer the door. Last Minute Jitters.” Maddy smiled and nodded.

It was a running family joke just how bad Maddy’s nerves were when SHE married David.

She knocked on the door. “Grace? Its Maddy…Can I come in?”

*****

Maddy found her future sister in law sitting composedly still on a chair with her eyes closed. Marlena was wearing a short pink boxy jacket over an ivory silk dress.
Her hair was in an elegant twist and at her neck and ears and wrist was Shane’s wedding presents to her. A lovely Diamond necklace plus matching earrings and bracelet…

“Grace?” Marlena opened one eye and smiled weakly. “Is it your head again?”

She could only nod weakly as it felt that if she moved her head just an inch that she would explode!!

“Is it time to go?”

Maddy shook her head.

“In an moment, First things first. Old,new,borrowed and blue. Have to follow tradition.” Marlena smiled “Yes we do…New is my dress and Jacket.” Marlena looked puzzled as she said “Maddy, But I don’t have old, borrowed and blue…” Maddy smiled a grin that was so like her brothers, “You do now.”

From the bag, she pulled out an antique looking charm bracelet “This was our mother’s. She wore it at her wedding and so did I and our sisters at theirs. Its tradition that all O’Neill Brides wear the bracelet.” Marlena smiled and gracefully put it on. “This is from me and David.”

It was a lacy and blue garter. While Marlena put it on and said thanks, Maddy continued “And this is your borrowed.” It was also lacy but very tiny.

“Its also tradition for the young women who marry into the O’Neill Family to carry this. It was Our GreatGrandmother’s handkerchief and I know that Shane would be tickled to see you with this AND the charm bracelet on.”

The two women embraced and through the beginnings of happy tears, Maddy reminded her that it was time for church and that they had to go………

*****

John flew out of the hotel and jumped into the first available taxi. Unfortunately it got smack in the middle of a traffic jam. As he stared out of the window, he imagined what His and Marlena’s wedding would be like now….

Of course Belle would be the flower girl, and Brady would also be an honor attendant as he adored Marlena and she did him. John thought to himself that Brady should be his Best young man as Abe would be the Head Best Man. Doc would probably want Laura or Maggie to be her Matron Of Honor.

It would be held at St.Luke’s and it would be filled with Flowers, Candles, Family and Friends and above all it would be filled with a pure and tested love that had touched all of those who had been a witness to the relationship of John and his adored Doc….

“This isn’t St.Mary’s.” The Cabbie shook his head “Sir there is three St.Mary’s here in London. Didn’t your friend say which one they were getting Married in?” John thought for a moment then it hit him “The St.Mary’s in Westminster..”

The Cabbie smiled and turned the car back into the direction of the way they had just come and told John to hang on……

*****

Sadly he discovered that he was too late to see the ceremony. As he stood there in the rain, John could of sworn that he smelt Marlena’s perfume. It was as if he was being drawn into the church….

Coming inside, he got a strongwhiff of her perfume when he saw that O’Neill’s Bride had left behind her handkerchief.

Holding it in front of him, John got the overwhelming feeling that Marlena had held this. He was in an confused state of overwhelming denial and it was killing him as he kept saying over and over like a mantra….

“Nah it couldn’t be….Doc couldn’t have married Shane…”

*****
Returning back to the hotel after their Dinner and Party with all of Shane’s business and Personal Friends and the rest of the Large O’Neill family, Shane was handed a telegram and a note from John apologizing for missing the ceremony.

Sliding her arms around his waist, Marlena asked him what was wrong. Shane turned and smiled “It seems that we will have to postpone the honeymoon for a few months. A business deal that I had thought was completely signed and sealed is not. Now I have to go to where this Partner lives and renegotiate the whole thing over again….”

Marlena stood on tiptoe and smiled as she kissed her new husband “So where pray tell ARE we going Mr O’Neill?” Shane got a kick out of the fact she wanted to be with him. “Its in the United States Sweetheart, The town is called Salem and My Partner is a company called the Toscanno Foundation…..” Marlena smiled.

“Salem sounds interesting….” 

Marlena stared out the window, oblivious to the happy chatter of her new husband and daughter.

There was something that seemed to be like a siren call that began as soon as they got in the plane and only seemed to get louder the closer that their plane got to The United States and especially as they came closer to Salem…

Like a melody from a song, She kept hearing someone saying that “I’m Past that, Doc! I’m free falling! with just the idea that I am never going to see you again. I am never going to hear you laugh, I’m never going to smell your perfume and I’m never going to touch you…”

It had gone on like this since the beginning. She never was able to see the man’s face YET she could hear him as clear as listening to herself breathe at night. “Grace, honey?” She turned around and smiled at the gentle concern on the face of her beloved husband. “Hey there, you were a million miles away. Are you alright? Were you remembering again?”
The look of surprise that came over her face made him smile. “You didn’t think that I would notice that your headaches came along at the same time as the memory flashbacks? Honey I wish that I could help you.”

She kissed his hand that he had laid on her cheek. “You are, just by loving me and being here with me. I think that I can handle most anything if you were here by my side.” Shane made a face that made her smile “Yep that’s me, My Grace’s Security Blankey..”
She leaned over and took his face between her hands “Yep My Sexy and incredibly handsome security blanket.” Their gentle kisses grew more intense and would of led to something more except for the arrival of Martin, Shane’s Co-Pilot. “Steve wanted me to let you know that we are making our descent into Salem’s International Airport. This will give you guys time to buckle Miss Caden into her seat.”

Once he was gone. Shane’s expression made Marlena lose it completely. “Aw honey once we get settled into the hotel in Salem. I will make it all up to you.” Shane made what Marlena would say was an Adult version of a pout. “You better…”

*****

Victor glanced up from his portfolio and stared at John “I want to set up a Board Meeting for The Titan and Toscano Members to meet Mr O’Neill. ”

John nodded “I think that we should set it up ASAP. His secretary said that as soon as they find a place for his family to stay that Mr O’Neill would be arriving in Salem.”

The men shut up their briefcases and were walking out the door when Victor asked John if there was any more word on Marlena. “No, My sources are still looking, But Vic I was so hopeful with the lead that said Doc was in London and ….”

Seeing the younger man’s face so full of despair, Victor asked if he talked things over with Kristen. “No…Vic I haven’t. There is something that seems to block me from telling her anything.”

Victor had nothing to say. He had wisely kept his opinion of the woman that John had chosen to marry to himself. For he knew that no matter what he had to say about Kristen, once John had learnt that she was carrying his child, NOTHING could shake his faith in her.

Marlena could of in a heartbeat but John made her doubt him when he continuously shoved her face in his happiness with Kristen and their son. “Call me if you need to talk.”

*****

Marlena and Shane were driving to the Salem Inn when Shane asked Caden if she wanted a Toy for being so good on the flight over. “Can I…puhleeze Mummy?”

Marlena shot him a glance and then smiled at her step-daughter. “Cady, yes you may sweetie girl.” For a moment, she flashed back to holding a young woman in her arms and calling her that. “Salem Place, Lets go see Cady if they have a toy shop.”

Marlena got out of the rented car and joined her husband and an excited Caden Rose…..
John decided to go for a walk after the meeting at Titan. What he had said about Kristen had triggered something in John. So many things had come rushing up so that things that had once made sense now didn’t. He remembered not being able to touch Kristen when she was pregnant. It had started after Paris.

Oh so many things had happened after Paris and it made John come to the shattering conclusion that He didn’t love Kristen!!! It was just that he couldn’t get over his pride to allow himself the luxury of loving Marlena. As he walked, he remembered the song lyrics from the CD he had been listening to in the Jeep….

What can you lose?

Only the blues.

Why keep concealing everything your feeling?

Say it to her, what can you lose?

Maybe it shows

She’s had clues which she chose to ignore

Maybe though she knows,

And just wants to go on as before.

As a friend, nothing more

So she closes the door…..

Well if she does

Those are the dues

Once those words are spoken,

Something may be broken,

Still you love her,

What can you lose?

But what if she goes?

At least now, you have part of her.

What if she had to chose?

Leave it alone

Hold it all in

Better a bone

Don’t even begin.

With so much to win,

There’s too much to lose….

The emotions that he had held in during the search for Marlena had suddenly rushed to the forefront and threatened to drown him. He searched for a Park Bench to sit down on and found one near the Toy Store.

*****

Thanks to the relatively minor one alarm fire that broke out in Ballistix that promptly drew a crowd around the store. John didn’t see Marlena come out of the Toy Store carrying a tired Cady who was carrying her new stuffed rabbit which she promptly named “Mr B.Bunny” Marlena asked what the B meant and was told that it meant “BIG”
Shane took the little girl from her and began to put her into the rental car seat.
As Marlena waited for Shane to unlock her door, Caroline was pulling in with Belle and Brady. She had promised John that she would meet him here so that he could see the children.

Just as Caroline handed the children over to John, Belle turned around to pick up her “Big Bunny” and then spotted something that caused her to let out a squeal that everyone heard..”MOMMY!!!!”

Like a shot being fired, Belle’s cry of “Mommy!” rang out.

John spun around and looked to where Belle was pointing. They all saw a Red Jeep drive away with a blonde haired lady in the passenger seat. But they weren’t able to see her face as she was talking to the Driver….

John knelt in front of his small daughter who was in tears and whimpering for her mommy as she tried to bury her face into Big Bunny. “Belle baby, Grandma and Poppa have told you that Momma had to go away.”

Belle shook her head. She was very much her mothers daughter right down to the famous Evans Stubbornness and temper. She knew what she had seen and there was no way that her daddy and Grandmother could persuade her otherwise…

“Momma was in dat car!”

*****

Shane and Marlena were walking around the former Neil Curtis Estate with the realtor. Marlena had said that they didn’t need the house. “Honey, you told me that we would only be here for a few weeks.”

Shane pointed in the direction of their wide awake and excited daughter who was running ahead looking everywhere. “I didn’t think that it was going to be fair to her or you if I kept you both cooped up in the hotel while I took care of all this business. So I decided to get a house and besides, think of the investment that we can put into this…..”
Marlena had to smile at the enthusiasm of father and also of the daughter. Cady Rose had started to hum a song from the stage version of Beauty and the Beast which was her favorite show and movie as she ran around the garden. Marlena smiled as she began remembering how playfully annoyed Shane pretended to be as Cady asked for the tape to be played AGAIN in the car….

For some reason, Marlena flashed to a nursery where she was singing to a small blonde haired little girl with only a small lamp casting soft shadows…..

We are home

This is where we shall be forever

Trust in me

For you know I wont run away

For Today,

You are all that I need and all that I need to say

Don’t you know how you’ve changed me

Strange how it finally seems

I found home

Your my home

Stay with me……

As she laid the child into bed, she turned and saw the dark man again…..

*****

Later on at the Salem Inn, Marlena got a piece of paper and try to list all of the memories that she had had to try and get a sense of possibly who she was…

Shane rolled over and when his hand touched bare sheet from where she usually was, he woke up. Groggily looking around he found her staring out of the window.

As usual, there was just something about her that took his breath away.

She had her arms wrapped around her as if to ward off some unknown evil. Slipping out of bed, he came over to her. “Grace?” She turned to him with tears in her eyes….

*****

Kristen came home pushing the baby stroller and found the house in Darkness. She gloated. “John thinks that She’s alive but I’ve won. DOC is gone and I’ve won.” “No you didn’t.” Stunned to hear John’s voice in the darkness, Kristen spun around.

“John?”

He reached over and turned on the light. To Kristen’s horror, John had the Journal…
The Journal that Kristen had recognized in Paris had the power to completely obliterate her small world..

“DAMN YOU MARLENA!!” She quickly realized that she had to explain and so went into combat mode. All the while hearing Stefano say that “DiMera’s NEVER lose…”

*****

John sat there in shock as he listened to Kristen lie and whine her way out of what he so patently knew to be a lie. He said a silent “Oh God I am so very sorry Doc.” He thought of all the hell that he forced Doc and their children to endure. He realized that he for all intents and purposes rubbed Marlena’s face in the false happiness that he thought that he had had with Kristen…

He stood up and silenced her. “Before we go further, Im telling you this ONCE. Kristen shut up before you make me hate you anymore than I do. I thought that you weren’t like Stefano. Sadly it wasn’t the Journal that made me realize. It was listening to you bash someone who very well may be dead. Twisting things to make Doc look bad at your expense. She was your best friend at one point and made excuses for you. Lord only knows how I was so blind that I couldn’t see that I hurt the one woman that I truly love for you.”

When Kristen began to whine again, John cut her off. “I can see what it was that led me to marry you. It was the sex. I couldn’t have Doc and so turned to you. All that trashy stuff from Victoria’s Secret….I wanted you to have a child as I knew how much it meant to you and I obliged. Sadly I hurt the children that I ALREADY have by slavishly devoting myself just to you and John Jr. I have so much to make up for to Brady and my poor Belle…..”

He turned to go. “I’ll have Mickey draw up the Divorce Papers tomorrow. Im taking the children and I’m leaving tonight…” A hurt Kristen decided to drop the bomb…”You aren’t taking the baby…He isn’t yours!!!”

*****

The next morning found John walking down around the waterfront. He hadn’t slept and found his thoughts as always turning to Marlena. He smiled at the song that was playing through a small radio that was strapped to a passing joggers arm. It was playing “Brown Eyed Girl.” He found himself thinking of all the missed times and how through most of the hardest times in his life, She was always there with him….

He came into the Park and swore that he saw Belle. “Belle?” the little girl turned around. “My name is Caden Rose O’Neill.” She then recognized the man who rescued her. “Hello John.” As she hugged him, Shane came back from getting his daughter an ice cream cone and saw her talking to a Stranger. He stopped upon remembering that this was the man who rescued his child…

As the two men began to talk, they realized that the other man was the one whom they have been doing business with. As the deal had been worked through by other men, The main players had never met. John soon found himself liking the Other man, and asked if he had indeed gotten married that day so many weeks before….

“Oh yes I married my Grace. She is with the decorator this morning.” John was confused. “Decorator?” Shane scooped up a tired Caden. “Yes We are going to stay in Salem until I know for sure and feel comfortable with the deal going through. SO we went and bought a house. Maybe you know it, It used to be the Curtis Estate?” John nodded “Its a lovely house.”

He remembered the daydreams he had of moving Doc and the kids there. “So if your going to be here for awhile we should think of starting to introducing you to Salem’s elite.” Shane nodded while John told him of the planned party that Victor wanted to throw for him and his family at the Penthouse Grill later that week….

“It would be nice to finally meet this illusive Mrs O’Neill.” Shane smiled “Yes I know that you would love her. Grace is one amazing lady.

Marlena stood in front of the mirror and studied her reflection. She looked like an angel in her gown of white and gold. Her hair was pinned up with diamond combs and she gave off the impression that she was the wealthy and adored wife of Shane O’Neill.
But something was pulling at her and compelling her to flee. It was as if her heart knew that destiny was going to be changed at the gala that night……..

*****

John hung up the telephone and sat down on the couch. Since the night of the blowup at Kristen’s, John had moved he and Brady home to the loft. Belle was still too fragile to leave her Grandma and Poppa and so he left her with Brady and the Nanny at the pub.
He looked at his watch and saw that it was time to go to the Party. It was when he was going out the door that he remembered that it was Marlena who gave him that watch for giving her that precious second chance after being caught in the warehouse explosion….

*****

Shane studied his young wife and couldn’t figure out why she seemed to be so tense. All through the ride over to the Titan Building, Marlena was silent with her hands balled up into tiny fists…

She was rigid as she relived dreams of making love on a table with that dark haired man and felt as if she was going to die from the overwhelming sense of rightness about it. So she put on an act of the happy newlywed as she slipped her hand into his and walked into the building.

She dropped her wrap and Shane picked it up to readjust it. While they tinkered with it. Shawn and Caroline came up behind them. Caroline smelt the younger woman’s perfume and stopped Shawn “That’s the perfume that Marlena wore.”

John stared at the crowds that had gathered to welcome Shane and Grace O’Neill to Salem. He had always hated these black tie events but Marlena had always made them bearable. He remembered the night of the Art Auction for the Hospital which was also the night that Stella Lombard kidnapped Marlena. It was that Night when she had taught him that it was ok to dream and hope on Stars again, that life indeed could and would go on.

He saw Victor come to him. “Kate said that James saw them coming into the building. They should be here momentarily.” He saw that John wasn’t in the mood to be a happy host. “Do you want to talk about it…Is this about the search for Marlena. How is it going?”
Before he could answer, John heard the press going nuts and assumed that the fuss was all over Mr. and Mrs. O’Neill. Gesturing to Victor, John went to greet them….

Sure enough they were busy photographing the newest members of Salem’s elite. They had their backs to the entrance to the restaurant. John had an ache in his heart as he saw how much they were in love by their body language.

“Excuse me gentlemen, Victor and I want to have a few moments alone with the couple of the hour before you scare them back to London.”

Everyone laughed and when the press left, the O’Neills turned around……..

John expected to see a typical English Rose young woman even though Shane told him that his new wife was an American. But like the Rolling Stones song said, “You cant always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you find you get what you need…”
His jaw dropped when he saw his angel in front of him. He found that he couldn’t speak for a moment when Shane introduced them “John and Victor, this is my wife Grace. Grace these are my partners Victor Kiriakis and John Black.” Marlena looked at them and felt the urge to cry coming to the forefront.

“I…Help me.”

Shane looked at her concerned. “Darling?” She looked helplessly at the men before whimpering. “How do I know You? Help me please…”

She went as white as her gown and Shane caught her just in time….

Shane shot them a glance…”Does she know you?” 

The Penthouse Grill was in chaos.

The news that John was right all along and Marlena was alive, albeit with an assumed name and a new family was cause for celebration. Caroline and Shawn excused themselves to go pick up a certain person who would really benefit from seeing her.
John watched spellbound as all the commotion was going on around him and couldn’t help but relive the night on the pier so many years before. She came to him like a dream and for a long while after, even though he touched her cheek, he still couldn’t believe that she was indeed real. He felt that way now. He had tried to find her and had searched so hard.

A sickening thought hit him when he realized that he had almost had her within his sights several times. He realized that it was most likely Marlena who he had heard laughing at the airport.

“Oh God thank you for bringing her home to us.” He focused on trying to find out how she was….

Mike had just finished checking her over and said that her fainting spell was from the excitement and stress. Shane agreed. “Don’t think that I didn’t see that you hadn’t eaten a thing today. Sweetheart. ”

Marlena smiled and leaned against her husband for a moment before standing up with his help. She noticed all the loving and concerned faces and wondered why they looked that way. She couldn’t remember any of them.

Shane watched as they all surged forward to see Marlena who seemed overwhelmed from seeing them all.

“Who are all of you?” They all took it that Marlena was teasing and continued with asking her where she had been for so long and why she never contacted any of them.
With tears in her eyes, Marlena shot a pleading glance at Shane.

“Help me please…Honey I cant do this. They don’t want to listen to me.”

She went into the safe harbor of his arms and listened as he began to explain all that had gone on over the weeks and months away. While this was going on, She saw over her husband’s shoulder that the dark haired man had returned and was standing in the shadows of the doorway.

She had another series of flashbacks. Of standing with him in a church with their friends and family. They were being married. The two of them sharing in the most emotional and intimate situation that two humans could share in…The birth of a child.

Feeling like she was going to die as she was helplessly watching him give the breath of life to their tiny child….

“Mommy!!!” A tiny blonde pixie with a smile that lit up the room flew across the room before anyone could stop her.

Caroline had dressed her in a soft flowered dress with a white lace collar and white socks and black dress shoes. Without hesitating, Marlena knew that this little girl was hers…

The little girl began to cry and Marlena began to croon to her. “Oh it’s going to be alright now sweetie girl. Oh my little angel. Mommy’s here and I am NOT going to leave you again…”

Belle wrapped her tiny fingers in her mother’s wrap and knowing that her mommy was indeed there, fell asleep.

John felt close to tears as he witnessed the reunion. He knew just how connected Belle and Marlena were. How Belle could now begin to heal from this.

Shane watched the Mother and Child reunion for a few moments and then came over to her and gently asked her if this was indeed her child. “Grace do you remember? ”

He stopped suddenly as he remembered that Grace was an illusion. This woman now had a family and a name, and it WASN’T Grace…

She smiled at him as she pressed her lips to the hair of the sleeping child. “Oh yes she is.” She started to cry…”What is it?” She looked at the dark haired man. “She is our child isn’t she??”

John stared at the angel in front of him and knew that she was in such emotional distress and so tried to be gentle as he could. “Yes she is. Her full name is Isabella. But we called her Belle.”

Shane stood a little off and shivered at the possessive sound that came from the other man’s tone.. “WE called her Belle.” Shane sensed that there would be a battle ahead….
“NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!”

Everyone turned around and saw a wraith standing in the doorway of the restaurant. “YOUR dead!!!” John shuddered at the tone that he knew meant that Kristen was very angry. Marlena shook her head “Do I know you?”

Kristen came to her and shook a finger in her face. “As usual you’ve ruined my life and now your back and I hate you DOC.”

Marlena shook her head, unable to shake the beginnings of the pounding headache that was beginning to form behind her eyes. There was something about this woman that was beginning to seriously bother her but she didn’t know why.

She turned to go and that small move was enough to bother the hell out of Kristen. “No…oh No you don’t DOC. No one turns their back on Kristen DiMera. That was something that you should of remembered Marlena and you too John.” She saw that Marlena was standing in front of a table and gave her a shove.
Marlena fell to the ground, hitting her head. Shane rushed to his wife

‘s side as Mike came back to her aid. As Shane scooped her up in his arms for the trip to the hospital, he shot a glance at John “If anything has happened to my wife, You’re a dead man.”

John sat quietly in the hospital waiting room with the family and waited for news on Marlena. She had hit her head pretty hard and the fact that she hadn’t woken up was causing such great concern that John feared a repeat of the coma that had kept her from him for seven weeks so long ago.

“Oh Doc, Marlena it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Your homecoming should have been full of happiness and joy. Not this. You belong to someone else and now its my turn to sit and grieve for something that might have been…”

*****

Shane stared out of the hospital window and listened to the beeping of the various monitors attached to his wife. He came and sat down. Taking her hand in his, he began to talk to her in the hopes that she would hear him and come around…

“Sweetheart…it’s me Shane. I know that this all seems kind of overwhelming. But you need to come back to us. Belle needs you, Cady needs you and I certainly need you.” A blonde haired young woman peeked around the door. “Can I come in?” Shane nodded. “Please do…”

She held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Carrie.. Marlena’s stepdaughter. ” He smiled. “I’m Shane O’Neill. I didn’t see you at the party.” Carrie smiled “Nice to meet you…and that’s because I wasn’t at the party.”

Carrie looked around him to the occupant of the bed who still wasn’t moving. She came to the side of the bed and took Marlena’s hand in her own. “Hey there Marlena, its me Carrie. Thank god that you came home. We missed you all so much. I couldn’t believe that I had lost you again. John missed you too. He never stopped looking for you. He even went to London to find you. He never lost his faith in you.”

Suddenly Carrie turned around and blushed. “I’m so sorry Shane.” He smiled sadly “Its ok Carrie. When we married, she told me that she was afraid of the love that we had begun to share. She said that until she knew who she was, she had no right to claim my love and my heart. She didn’t know who she was or if she had any family.”

Carrie smiled “She certainly does have a family. A rather large one. She has this aura around her. Draws you in whether you need it or not. She’s like a magnet and you cant help but lose your heart to her.” r32;Shane joined Carrie by the side of the bed. “Sounds like you already have.” They laughed. “Guilty. I was just a child when She came into my life. Over time she became more my mother than my real mother.”

John watched from the window in the door and felt an unreasonable sense of Jealousy coming over him. He didn’t get that the man who had fallen in love with Marlena could begin to win her family over that quickly. He fell asleep on a chair in the waiting room and dreamt of how their reunion should have been…..

Like the night on the pier all those years ago, it was foggy as John walked to St. Luke’s. He felt like he was losing his faith as no matter how hard he was trying, he couldn’t find her. As he came closer to the church, he felt that there was someone watching him. He walked to the doors and went inside…

As he came closer to the altar, he saw that someone was already there and very deep in prayer. With the hood over their head, he couldn’t SEE who it was, but in his heart he knew. He barely called out to her. He smiled as he watched her reaction. The head popped up and the person turned around….”

“You not my Daddy!! I want Daddy…NOW!!” Belle’s screaming hit John like a shot. He sat up and remembered where he was and WHY he was there. Belle saw him and ran over in tears…

He shot a glance of pure hatred at O’Neill. “You may have won Carrie over but you aren’t getting my Belle.” John thought to himself….

Marlena woke up alone in her room or so she thought. She looked at Kristen who had a look of evil on her face…. “Welcome Back…Doc.” 

“Aren’t you going to say hello to an old friend Marlena? I for one have certainly missed having you around.”

Marlena looked curiously at the other woman. She may not of remembered who she was but she could sense that She sure as hell was NOT her friend.

“Are you really My Friend Kristen? You could of fooled me with the performance that you put on last night.”

Kristen Blake soon to be ex-Black studied her rival closely. It certainly APPEARED that Marlena wasn’t doing this deliberately but before she could figure out what to do next a man’s voice came from the doorway and he sure as hell wasn’t happy to see her there.
“What kind of town allows their criminals to walk around free?” He turned to his wife and with a smile kissed her hand “Hello Sweetheart.” He turned back to her guest “Shouldn’t you be in Jail Mrs Black for attempted assault?” He squeezed his wife’s hand.
An upset Marlena looked up at her husband, glad for the reassurance. “Don’t worry there Krissy, If I have to pound on every Police Official’s door here in Salem, you will be there by the end of the day. No one the likes of you gets away with harming my wife.” As cold as ice, Kristen told them both that she would be seeing them again and it would be soon…
Once she left, Marlena smiled at her husband. “Hope that the rest of the people here aren’t like that. Shane, she gives me the creeps.” Shane silently vowed to keep her from harm. “She will be in Jail very soon. Honey when I thought that I had lost you.”

He got emotional as he remembered how fragile and small she seemed lying on the gurney as they brought her in the other night. “Lady when I saw her, I had to look at you to stop myself from doing her bodily harm. What could you of done to have her attack you like that? ” Marlena shook her head. “I don’t know. I really don’t.”

John sat at his desk at Eco-systems and stared at a photo of the one family that should have been his but wasn’t and had never been thanks to his stupidity. Rather than love his two children that he had already had, he foolishly gave his heart to a child that was taken from its own mother.

He checked the file in front of him and saw that everything had been taken care of and J.J and his mother were now happy in Europe and had more money than they knew what to do with.

Part of him ached to phone the hospital but his rationale side told him to stay put. Doc was someone else’s wife now and he had no claim to her. She could have been but he hadn’t had the guts to take the risk.

The phone ringing made him jump. Answering it, he was surprised to hear HER on the other end. “Mr. Black, I was wondering…If you were not busy, Could you stop by the hospital later today? It wouldn’t be very long. Its just that I have these questions and I think that you’re the only one who could answer them..”

“Oh Lady would I..” John told himself not to think that way and replied that he would be there shortly. “I just need to finish up some loose ends here. Do you need anything or want me to pick anything up?” She seemed distant as she told him no. “Shane is picking up some of my things at the new house for me.”

She had no way of knowing that her innocent comment struck him like a shot. “Ok then, I will see you shortly.” He hung up and slid his head into his hands. “Oh Doc, I am so sorry.” When he got himself under some semblance of calm, he headed for the door. Opening it, he found himself face to face with Kristen who smiled as she threw her hands around his neck and kissed him….

As he tried to disentangle himself from the octopus known as his wife, John managed to get out a question. “What do YOU want Kristen?” She tried to look hurt. “Aren’t you glad to see me? I missed you.”

John’s response was to reach for the phone and in front of a shocked Kristen, he dialed the number for The Salem Police. “Abe she’s here. I want to press charges for fraud, Once Marlena recovers from the fight last night, Im pretty sure that she would want to too.”
When he hung up, he stared into the face of the woman that he loved more than life once and found himself feeling nothing but revulsion. “God how I hate you…”

Marlena stared out the window of her hospital room and held her head in one of her hands.

Ever since Shane had left to go to the Police Station to speak to Abe about Kristen and she had phoned John, she had begun to have a splitting headache. It seemed only to get worse as the morning progressed.

Checking to see if the change of clothes that Shane had brought for her were in the closet, Marlena quickly put the Jeans and white shirt on and slipped out of the hospital.
She knew only that she needed to find some place that could be a safe haven for her as the flashbacks seemed to be flooding back even faster… One thought seemed to flash into her mind “John why aren’t you here? I need your help.”

John walked along the pier and tried to clear his mind from watching the disgusting display that Kristen put on after Abe came to arrest her. How could he of allowed that thing to deflect his attention from his true love? That was one of the questions that ran through his head before realizing where his walk took him.

It was a spot full of emotions for them. He sat down on the bench and remembered the day when all that he thought was once lost had come back to him in the appearance of his love. “Oh Doc..”

He stood up and went over to look at the sailboats in the distance. He smiled as he remembered how he once wanted to take her and the children away on a sailboat, where they could just live together and love each other without a care or fear in the world…
Marlena walked around with more and more memories coming at her. It was like firecrackers going off in her mind. She remembered standing with John in front of St.Lukes in front of the statue being wrapped in his arms and glancing up at the statue with its arms outstretched. She could remember thinking that it was as if their love had been blessed by God…

She suddenly remembered the overwhelming sadness of watching John going through a wedding and somehow being unable to stop that. She began to cry and felt ill. She staggered as if from a blow and decided to go and sit down on the pier. r32;She felt as if she was chasing after Ghosts that maybe didn’t want to be caught.

Maybe she should just leave well enough alone and enjoy her life with Shane and Caden Rose and try to make due with new memories…

*****

John forced himself to come to the conclusion that it was time to let her work through this alone. She had told him time and time over that all she wanted from him was to be friends. He had to put his love for her away for now and was grateful that she needed him and trusted him enough to help her with the troubling memories.

He was headed for the Jeep when he heard someone sobbing. He could never refuse a damsel in distress especially one who was as heartbroken as this one was sounding like. He saw that her back was to him and so gently came and sat down behind her. He laid his hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright?” To his surprise, Marlena spun around and went into his arms. “Help me…. Please.” 

John froze as Marlena sobbed in his arms.

Finally he found his voice and asked her what she was doing away from the Hospital. “I thought that Mike wasn’t going to let you go till Tomorrow?” John looked at the face that he thought was lost to him and told himself that he was truly a fool to think that he could leave her.

Much less vow to be only a friend. “Face it Black, your head over heels for her. Always have been and You sure as hell always will.”

Marlena shakily glanced at him and whispered only one thing. “Please don’t leave me.” before falling into a dead faint. Scooping her up into his arms, John headed for his car. “That was all I needed to hear from you Lady.”

Shane was absolutely furious as he demanded to know from an equally annoyed Abe what the Salem PD were doing to bring about the safe return of his wife. Abe was obviously trying not to flip out as he said that no one was more concerned about that then he was.

“She is one of my best friends and she may not remember that right now. But I will do whatever it takes to bring her home, even listen to your ravings. Excuse me Mr. O’Neill.”
Marlena woke up in a semi darkened room and froze for a moment until she remembered what had happened on the pier. Anxious, she glanced around and timidly called out for John. “Im here Doc.”

She reached over and turned on the light. She found him sitting in a chair near the bed. There was something about him that truly unnerved her. He must have fallen asleep waiting for her to come to and was instantly on alert as he rushed to the bed.

“Are you alright Doc?” She was at a loss for words so she could only nod. “Thank you.” He was relieved to see that she was ok. So he smiled that smile that had been a constant in the memories that were flooding back to her. “For what?”

She seemed to be at a loss for words. “For coming to my aid.” Something that she saw in his eyes seemed to disturb her so she climbed off of the bed and went to look out the window. “Doc?” John came over to stand just behind her. “What’s the matter? Come on, you used to be able to tell me anything.”

She turned to face him. “USED to…That’s the key word. Its killing me you know. I have all of these memories rushing around in my head. I cant put any history to them. Its like being stuck in a never ending playback. Nothing is making any sense to me at all.” She looked at her hands and walked away.

“Doc…” She turned back around and began to pummel her tiny fists into his chest. It felt good to be able to at least vent some of the emotions that had been rushing to the surface. John allowed her this for a moment before grasping her hands. The contact was electric and Marlena’s eyes couldn’t get any huge as he drew first one and then the other to his lips and kissed them.

“Don’t worry Doc…I will tell you absolutely everything that you have missed.” She nodded and studied him intently for a moment. “Doc, are you alright?” She nodded and looked at him closely. “I have this feeling that you would always be there for me. That you would always be there to catch me.”

He found that for a moment he couldn’t speak. He whispered “You and I have always had a connection. Heart and Soul, Mind and Body. Im so sorry that I had to be mislead by Kristen to see what I had always had with you. Marlena, I love you so much.”
At the mention of Kristen, Marlena got up from the couch and went to the mantel of the fireplace, not hearing his declaration of love for her. She only knew that her headache had grown worse. It had only grew in intensity as soon as she had laid her eyes on that Photo.

As if in a dream, she dropped the photo and fainted dead away. Terrified that maybe somehow she had some sort of relapse, John gathered her up and laid her on the couch. After getting a cold cloth and laying it on her head, he went to pick the frame up to see what it was that had gotten her so upset…

He cursed himself for leaving that out. He had gotten rid of all of the memories and connections to Kristen. But that was such a lovely photo of Belle. He could see so much of Marlena in Belle in that shot that he couldn’t of tossed it away.

He came back to sit beside her. “Doc please come back to me. Come on Marlena…Wake up. Open those eyes and look at me. Oh please God, let her wake up so I can tell her finally that I love her beyond all words.”

Sleepily she opened her eyes. “John, wha…what happened?” He looked at her more closely and saw that something had changed in her eyes. The innocence was still there but there was a darker tinge to them. It was as if she had seen something that tested her and changed her…

“Baby…Doc are you alright?” Marlena sat up with his help and looked around curiously. “Why am I at the Loft, John and where is your wife?” John let out a war whoop as he drew her to him in a bear hug that threatened to break her.

“Oh Thank God..Doc your back. Your memory is back…” She shook her head as she remembered what she had heard when she woke up…

“You love me? Did I hear you right.” John looked bashful as he nodded. “Doc I have always loved you. I think when it comes down to it, I used Kristen as a very poor substitute for you. As the song goes, if you cant be with the one you love then love the one your with..”

Marlena started to cough. “Honey that really doesn’t make me feel good.” He got her a drink of water. “I meant that you and I had been so guilty over Roman and You have given off the impression that you had only wanted to be friends..” He looked closer at her.

Her head was down and when he slipped his hand under her chin to make her look at him. “You still want that Doc? Do you still want to be just friends.”

The smile that crossed her delicate features had only been seen twice by John. Once was on their wedding day when they had been under the impression he was Roman. But their love was obvious to all there. The second was on the day that they were blessed with their little angel.

He had saved Belle’s life and Marlena had rewarded him with a smile of such Pure love that had stuck with him in times of trial and hardships.

Her eyes shone as she shook her head. “I love you too John. I have always loved you. I only kept silent because of Kristen and the baby.” John was dumbstruck. “Doc…”
She continued. “It was killing me keeping my promise to Krissy not to endanger the pregnancy. But I was going to tell you that I loved you when I heard that Kristen was in labor. But when I got there, You had married her. I died inside John. A few days later I was asked about speaking at the lecture series..”

John continued. “That’s when you had the car accident.” Marlena nodded.

Drawing her to him, John thrilled to have her in his arms and whispered something into her hair. She pulled away for a moment only to ask him to repeat what he had said.
John leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was full of questions that Marlena began to answer. As the kiss grew in its intensity, Marlena broke away. “What about Kristen and the baby plus Shane and Caden. Oh John I cant do this again. I cant ruin another family.”
John drew her to him again. “There is no Kristen and J.J. The marriage was a fraud committed by JJ’s real mother. Kristen had lost the baby in Paris.” Marlena sat down, Horrified that the woman who John had loved would keep that to herself.

“Oh John, Im so sorry. I know how much you wanted that Baby.” John took her hand in his. “Doc, I will always grieve for the child that will never be but I have learnt one thing from all this. I wont lose the other people that mean the most to me. I mean Brady, Belle and You.”

Marlena shook her head. “John I cant. Im married to Shane.”

He drew her to him again and this time things began to take their course. He laid her back onto the couch and began to explore the buttons on her blouse. As they each gave way one by one, he planted a kiss along the path. “Not in your heart. You’ve been mine as I’ve been yours since that very first day in the hospital. You and I are soul mates Doc.”
He helped her to slide off her blouse and laid her back on the sofa. She helped him to slide off his shirt and ran her fingers over her chest. He never took his eyes off of her while he undid her bra clasp. For a brief moment, he stopped. Concerned she looked at him and asked him what was wrong. He smiled as he kissed the hollow of her throat.
“Nothing. Its just so hard to believe that Im not dreaming, that I have finally got you back in my arms.” She reached up and touched his cheek. “Im real and I feel that same way. It would kill me to watch you with her and now that I couldn’t.” He ran his hand under the delicate swell of her breasts and smiled a smile that ensured she would lose her heart yet again. He made her a promise.

“Doc, I wont lose you again. You and I both cant deny that this is beyond our control. It is out of our hands. Our Love is just that strong. But I am telling you this. I know that you love me and I am not going to let you leave me in order to go back to O’Neill. Your not his Grace. Fairy tales over. I’ve denied my love for you as long as you have for me. Not anymore.”

Without warning, he picked her up and took her upstairs. He whispered in her ear only that for their first time, there was no way that it would be on the sofa. Marlena nestled her head in the crook of his head and all thoughts of Shane that were in her head were forgotten……

John woke up in the bed alone. His hand grazed the spot where another body had lied not that long before. He sat up and rested his arm on his knees and sadly whispered to the air.

“I was dreaming…Oh Doc…You weren’t really here.”

Knowing deep in his heart that there was no way now that he would get back to sleep, John got up out of the bed and threw on a pair of pajama bottoms. Going to the window, he said a silent prayer for the Lord to watch over and protect the woman who he loved and adored.

“Thank you for bringing her back to me not once, with her return to Salem but also for restoring her memory. This time nothing and no one will keep her and I apart. I had to learn the hard way that our love is the only truly important thing…”

He could of sworn that he heard music playing faintly downstairs. Not wasting a moment in allowing his curiosity to have the better of him, He turned to the chair near the bed to grab his robe and decided to go and investigate…..

*****

He came down and found that he hadn’t been dreaming. She truly was there. She was wearing a T-shirt of his that just grazed her knees.

He smiled as a thought came bubbling into his head that his old Salem PD. T-shirt had never looked that good on him. He shook his head and refocused on Marlena. He had never seen her this quiet. She looked lost in thought while she listened to the soft strains of Celine Dion.

He came and sat down with her. She smiled.”What are you staring at?” He reached out with a shaking hand to brush her hair away from her face. “You…I woke up alone and thought that you and what had happened last night was a dream.” She smiled.

“Same here.” She turned her head to plant a gentle kiss on his palm. “I woke up in your arms and thought that I had died. John, for so long I had only dared to dream that I could do that. Once I was awake, I just stared at you. I was afraid that if I even so much as blinked, that you would be gone and I would be alone in the dark again. I love you so much.”

John ached inside to hear the grief that came from the woman he loved. Then and there, he made the vow that no matter what happened in the next days and weeks that he wouldn’t lose her.

He wanted to see her smile and know that she was happy, loved and protected and above all that she was cherished. John leaned over and drew her to him. As they sat peacefully in each other’s arms, they enjoyed the quiet for only a few seconds until Marlena sat up and looked at him. A question burning in her eyes.

John saw it and gently asked her what was wrong. Marlena was about to ask it when suddenly she slipped off the sofa and went to the window. “Doc?” She turned around to face the man whom she loved more than life.

“What do we do now?” John started to laugh. “Well sweetheart…In your case we’ll just have to see Mickey about arranging an annulment. You married O’Neill under a case of mistaken identity. You didn’t know who you were.” She looked at the rings on her hand. John took it in his.

“Don’t do it Doc.” She looked surprised. “Do what?” He glanced into her eyes and saw that they were clouded. “Don’t think of what ifs or what was. This is finally our chance to be happy baby and Im telling you that we will be.”

*****

Shane sat at the desk in his study and despite the papers concerning the deal between his company and John and Victor’s being all over the place, his mind was on his missing wife….

He came to the window and looked out, imagining all possible scenarios of what could of happened to her. “Please if she is out there…God keep her safe.” A tiny voice called out in sheer terror. “DADDY!!!!!!”

Running up to the nursery, he found Caden sitting up in bed. Her tiny face was covered in tears. He came and took her in his arms. “What’s with the tears little one? r32;Caden was inconsolable as she buried her face even tighter into his shoulder and murmured that she wanted her Grace. Shane sighed… “Oh me too little one…”

*****

“How do you know that we can be happy John? You may be free but Im not.” With a smile that was guaranteed to make her heart do flip-flops, he grabbed her T-shirt with both hands and pulled her to him. “This is why.” He kissed her gently at first.

As he felt her respond to him, she allowed him to slid the T-shirt off of her. He scooped her up and laid her on the bed. “There are some things that I don’t know..But this I do. Doc, you and I are going to be together. Belle and Brady deserve their Parents to be together and happy. Don’t you think?”

She smiled and ran her hands through his hair. They stared at each other for a moment until she started to smile. “Oh I do think. I think that they do deserve to have both of us together. I do think that Your right…for once and there is one other thing that Im putting a great deal of thought about.”

John kissed the hollow of her throat. “And that is?” She started to squirm as her stomach began to growl.

“I think that you should feed me…NOW.” They started to laugh..”Ok, never let it be said that I would allow my love to starve to death.”

*****

Marlena came back downstairs to wait for John who made a Pizza run. She went back to the fireplace and stared at the photos. Seeing the one of John and their two small children, she pulled it down and clutching it to her heart, turned around and imagined the four of them happily living there.

For the first time since her memory returning, she thought of the other man who claimed her heart. Sitting down at the desk, she reached for a piece of paper and a pen…
My Dear Shane,

I once told you that I felt that I was afraid that if I was to allow myself to ;love you that I would learn that my heart was never mine to give to you. That there was someone else that would be the keeper. Sadly my darling this has proven to be the case. I had given John my heart from the very first moment that we had met. My memory has reminded me of this.

I hate to do this, asking you to let me go. But its better this way as now r32;you have learnt that you can love again. I have never forgotten how you told r32;me that being unable to love was your greatest fear since losing your Paula.

I chose to hopefully believe that you can love me enough to let me go now. r32;But you see with all of my memories returning, I have come to know one thing r32;very well. My children need to have BOTH of their parents with them. They have r32;never had that as not only due to circumstances but also thanks to Pride and r32;stubbornness, John and I have denied that love and security to not only them r32;but to ourselves as well.
There is only one thing that you would allow me to have as a “Settlement” of r32;sorts, That you would allow me the chance to see Cady from time to time. I’ve r32;come to love her very much…
Truly,

Marlena….

She slid it into her purse and went to sit on the couch to wait for the food and especially the delivery boy…

*****

The next morning found Shane frantic that for a Second day there was no word on his wife. While reading his reports on the deal, his eyes wandered and landed on the file that was titled “Dossier-John Black.”

Something inside Shane compelled him to read it. The more he read on his partner made him convinced that he was the key to finding his missing wife. Scribbling his address on a scrap piece of paper, he grabbed for his keys and left a note for Caden’s nanny.

*****

He pulled up in front of the Apartment just in time to do a double take. He watched as John came out holding the hand of a tinier version of himself with one hand and an enormous picnic basket in the other.

He turned and started to laugh as a tiny blonde whirling dervish in a pink t-shirt and flowered overall shorts came tearing out and literally did a dance on the sidewalk while calling out for her Momma.

Wearing an oversized t-shirt which Shane assumed was John’s and her faded jeans and sneakers with her hair like the child’s, in a jaunty ponytail.

Marlena came and with her laugh tinkling in the air like a soft wind chime, scooped up her baby and smothered her and the little boy in kisses before leaning over and kissing John.

Suddenly her gaze fell on the Jeep. “Shane…” John turned around and his whole body tensed. Marlena looked scared. “Could you take the kids to the park sweetheart. I have to do this alone…”

John took her hand in his. “No…Im not leaving you alone with him, Baby.” She smiled and laid her hand on Belle’s head. Silencing the small child who glanced at her mother for reassurance that all was well.

Marlena looked back at John. “I need to jump start my life. This is as good a time as any. He does need to know the truth.” John smiled. “Ok…We’ll meet you at the park. Love you.” Her eyes twinkled. “Love you too.”

Shane watched as Marlena headed towards him and knew that deep down, his life as he knew it was now at an end…But he wasn’t about to let her go…

Shane cursed himself for being so stupidly weak. It had been a month since she left him and still he couldn’t get over that fact. She had left him as easily as going to the store. Gushing quietly over how she and John were together now and that their children finally had the chance to have their parents together.

“WHAT ABOUT CADEN!” His mind cried. Marlena had been the only real mother that Cady had ever known and despite saying that she wanted to spend as much time with the child as he would allow, he knew better. There was no way that John would allow her to see another man’s child. Especially when that man was once married to her.

He had thought long and hard over this and came to the conclusion that he wouldn’t allow them to see his hurt. He would play her friend and then when the moment was right, His Grace would be his once more, upon the untimely demise of that man…..
Marlena was doubled over and laughing so hard that the tears couldn’t stop no matter how hard she tried. It had started out as a day in the park complete with picnic. But it quickly turned into an all frontal assault…

She thought that John had taken the children to the carousel and had fallen asleep. But soon woke to the sounds of John telling the kids to in no uncertain terms to “GET MOMMY!!!” They all jumped in to tickle her.

Marlena had been lying on her back and enjoying the simple fact that for the first time there was no Kristen and no Shane and nothing standing between them…

Finally when Marlena appeared to be unable to breathe, John called off his tiny troops…
“Doc?” She stared at him then raised an eyebrow curiously? “You don’t fight fair Black.” Marlena shrugged. “Sue me…I like hot showers…” John rolled his eyes. “Please woman, to do what you did that is the prime example of NOT playing fair.” Marlena leaned in to him. “Well I didn’t hear any complaints when I did that magic trick with my tongue…”
John smiled smugly, the look on his face was just so funny that it got Marlena giggling again. “Oh I’m not complaining about THAT….Just saying that you don’t play fair woman…”

Suddenly he stood up and held out his hands…She looked skeptically at him. “Where are we off to?” John did his best impression of Brady went he was hurt…

“Come see please Doc?” Marlena lost her heart to see the hopeful look in his eyes and so gave him her hands as easily as he held her heart..

They rejoined Belle and Brady who were with Chelsea.

Each child had Balloons which they made dance as they jumped up and down as they excitedly waited for their mom and dad. Belle started the conversation off with her usual imperial air as she said plaintively..

“Bout time…You lost?”

Marlena looked at John and smiled. “No, Daddy wouldn’t tell me where we were going.”
John smiled at Brady who said. “Surprised Momma?” Belle ssshed her brother. “Momma no likes surprises..” Marlena shot John a look which he knew well enough to mean that he would get it later. “Didn’t hear it from me…”

So with John’s laughter ringing merrily in the air, they made their way to the Panda exhibit. They were walking with Chelsea when suddenly Belle and Brady veered off to the candy man who smiled and winked at the children before giving them a box of crackerjacks…

Marlena saw that box and looked at her daughter with her hands on her hips and fought off a case of the giggles as the child did the same. “Belle, what have I told you about candy BEFORE lunch?”

John watched this display with amusement as he knew that Belle was the exact copy of her momma when provoked, meaning that the little stand off could go on for awhile.
But he also knew that Belle had a part to play in his little scheme for this afternoon and so said nothing but instead took Brady off to see the Giant Kymono Lizards. “Belle..Momma is waiting.”

Belle pouted prettily..”Please Momma?” Marlena shook her head. “No I’ve told you and Brady before. NO candy before Lunch.” Brady suddenly let out a shout.

“MOMMA LOOK UP!!! Doing what was asked of her ensured that all thoughts of Belle’s candy went away.

She was staring at a skywriter who was putting the finishing touches on a question. “MARLENA WILL YOU MARRY ME? I LOVE YOU, JOHN.” She looked over at John and started to cry.

Belle started to dance a tiny jig. “Can I give her the candy now?” John started to laugh. “Yep Ya certainly can baby girl.” Curious, Marlena glanced at her daughter and the man she adored. “What are you up to?”

Belle shook her tiny head. “No cant tell…Here.” She handed the box to Marlena.
Shaking her head and laughing at her strange little girl, Marlena opened the box and began to nibble on the candy.

She noticed that the trio seemed to stare at her while trying not to be obvious about it. Coming over, she stood with them and kept nibbling, until she saw something sparkle. Taking a second look at it, she smiled. She held it out to John. “I believe this is yours?”
Taking it from her, John smiled and took it. Bowing, he corrected her. “Nope, I don’t think so. I believe that this is for you. My dear Marlena, will you marry me?” She smiled and glanced at the dancing on the spot children.

“Yes…Yes….YES! All I ever have wanted was to be your wife.” Brady summed it up as he stared at first at their parents and then to his little sister. “Belle we getting married!!!” Drawing a laughing Marlena to him, John agreed with his son. As Marlena looked at him, John smiled. “We getting Married”

“Your Presence is requested at a Party to celebrate the engagement of Marlena Evans to John Black. Friday May 5th at 8 P.M at The Penthouse Grill. Come and enjoy the magic….”
He read the invitation over again and tried to figure out how and why she would send him an invitation.

Then he assumed that it was a choice that his gentle Marlena made. Despite the anger over being invited, at least she cared enough to have him with her. His gaze fell on a photo of John and Marlena that he had secretly taken at the Zoo. Picking up his letter opener, he clenched it in his fist and slashed through John’s handsome features.
Staring at his handy work, he marveled to himself that it felt much better than he thought…

“Hey Doc, if you don’t start putting the pedal to the floor, we’ll be at The Grill just in time for Belle’s engagement party!”

Her voice came ringing down the staircase…”Im having trouble with my necklace.” John rolled his eyes and tilted his head to yell up to her.

“Well Baby, get on down here and I will gladly help you.” He knelt down to watch Brady and Belle play their game of snakes and ladders.

“Well…will I do?” John looked up in time to see Marlena dressed in a creamy white spaghetti strapped evening gown of sequinned Irish lace with a slit that ran up just enough to tastefully reveal her great legs and emphasize her tan. He let out a whistle. “That is some gown. fits well with my image of you.” She raised her eyebrow.
“Should I be curious and ask you exactly what that image of me is?” He came over and cupping her chin with his hand, planted a kiss that hinted at what he really meant. “Well Doc I cant show you with the children present.”

Marlena started to laugh. “Well you certainly could show me when we get home.”
John groaned and without another word, turned her so that her back was to him and planting a kiss on her bare back, asked for the necklace. Even though she was making no sound, John could see her shoulders bouncing. “Something tickle your funny bone dear?”
She faced John. “Nope. We’re going to be late.” “Alright, But we are going to finish this conversation.” She stared at her ring. An elegantly large diamond solitaire winked in the light. She smiled at John. “I have no doubt on this.”

Grabbing her silk wrap, John draped it around her shoulders and handed her clutch purse.

Their endurance in the Penthouse Grill was to the sounds of happy applause from all of their friends and family. Marlena was quickly swamped by her friends and spirited away. The happy couple only had brief glimpses of one another all night.

Till Marlena heard Gloria Estfan singing “Everlasting Love”

She came over to where John was standing with Abe, Bo, Mike and Austin. “Excuse me, can I steal him please?”

The men agreed and after getting kisses and best wishes from their friends, Marlena dragged John not to the dance floor but to the elevator. “Doc?”

She turned in his arms and the look in her eyes left him in no doubt that she was most definitely up to something. “Ssssh…surprises.” He raised an eyebrow.

“Doc I thought that you hated surprises baby?” She smiled and melted against him. “Oh this is one that I KNOW we both will enjoy.” He started to laugh. “Oh go for it baby.”
Shane saw the exchange and still fuming over the fact that Marlena had not even been near him to say a hello, decided to follow them……..

Sharing kisses and enjoying just being alone in the semidarkness. John just went along with his fiancee to see where she was leading him. He soon saw where they were headed.

Allowing the passion to build, he stopped her from opening the door. Laying a hand on her shoulder, he smiled. “Secretive little thing aren’t you.” She came closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Very secretive. I just wanted to show you that I love you and as I watched you mingling with the Guests, I realized that I wanted you. I wanted to feel your arms around me, making love to me and feel your breath on my skin.”

She suddenly looked up at him through eyes drowsy with desire. “John, do you remember that night?” John couldn’t believe that she was asking what she was.
That night with all that had happened was like yesterday with John. When they were apart, there were nights where he would wake up in a sweat and his heart racing as he remembered the feel of her in his arms as he laid her on that table. How intense the lovemaking was, as if they had only this night and no one else mattered.

“You were right.” John looked stunned. “I was…About what?”

Marlena smiled and wiped the tears that were tickling her eyes. “About what you said. How you felt when you were with me. I feel that same way now. Awake, alive, and nothing and nobody else on this earth makes me feel this way.”

John hesitated for a moment. “Not even Shane?” Marlena’s eyes darkened at his name but John saw that she didn’t flinch from that question.

“Shane came into my life at a time of great confusion and I loved him for taking me into his home and heart. When I realized that he had feelings, I didn’t want to reciprocate. But I told him that since I didn’t know who I was, maybe my heart wasn’t mine or free to give away. But over the months I didn’t get my memories back, so I began to think that maybe this was meant to be. That to compensate me for the family I lost, that I would get Shane’s.”

She tightened her hold on John’s waist. “He couldn’t take your place. I knew that the moment that I saw you here the night of the party to introduce us to Salem.” John didn’t say a word as he reached behind her and opened the door to the room. Shane walked off the elevator just after John semi closed the door….

Marlena stared for a moment at the man that she adored and went to the window. Turning around, she stared wordlessly at him and wrapped her arms around herself. John noticed her clenched fists. “Why are you afraid sweetie?” She shook her head.
“Am not afraid.” He came to stand in front of her. “Your hands tell me otherwise.” She snatched her hands back and when she opened them, she saw that she had drawn blood. Reaching for a kleenex, John saw her dabbing at the tiny cuts. “Let me.”

As he wiped them, he planted kisses on them. Like he would do for the children after they hurt themselves.

“Now, why are you afraid?” He finished. “Doc, I know that I have no right to ask this of you. But did you and he….”

She scooted over to make room for him on the desk. “Did Shane and I what? Make love?” She flashed back. “You and I have a promise of not lying to one another. I could lie and say no. But we did.”

John suddenly felt as if he had been punched. He rationally knew that he had no right to feel that way. Especially when he and Kristen had. But just the idea of Shane’s hands on Doc during the moments of passion….

He looked at Doc and saw her expressionless face. He knew that this would kill her but he had to ask it. “How could you let him make love to you?”

Marlena shot a glance and shot him to the quick. “Could say the same for you. How in the hell could you of slept with that tramp. Did her trampy lingerie dull your once intelligent mind? Do you have any idea what seeing you both in the wine cellar did to me? I died inside that night. Then to have to pretend to everyone including Abe.”

She shook her head. John recoiled in shame as he realized how he and Kristen had behaved down there that night. They didn’t know or care if anyone had seen. Hell the servants could of seen. But no, Doc had been the observer…

With that explosion still hanging in the air between them. Marlena wrapped her arms around herself again. To ward off the chill that entered her at the thoughts that witnessing all of that had conjured up. She felt the tears and this time allowed herself to mourn. For what she had seen and for what she had just allowed to be revealed.
“Im sorry, Its just been building inside of me. Sometimes I wonder if the accident changed me from what I was. I don’t think that I would of said something in that way before all of this had begun.” John came over and with trepidation and fear laid a hand on her shoulders.

“I shouldn’t of brought him into this. Should of left well enough alone. Doc, speak to me. Say something baby.” Marlena turned around and he reached over to wipe her eyes. “It had to come out. We wouldn’t be who we are otherwise. We have always told the truth. Don’t know about you but Im not going to change my style now.”

He smiled. “This is true.” She allowed him to wrap his arms around her. Laying her head on his chest, she continued. “If we didn’t ever address this, it would lay and fester and come back to haunt us. I don’t want our love to be tainted in the same way that it had been with what had happened with Roman. I know that our love is good and was meant to be. Lord knows that its been tested enough.”

John laughed. “Must be on the road back, you are making jokes about it.” She looked at him. “Im looking at this as our second chance. In your letter you did say that we had been with other people. How about a promise that from this moment on, you and I will think of what had happened in the loft as our second chance. From that night on, clean slates on both sides.”

She laid her hand on his face and looked hopefully into his eyes. “Do you want to?” John could hardly speak but leaned into kiss her. Wrapping his arms around her, he scooped her up and took her to the table.

“Clean slates..Doc I love you. More than words and more than actions. Heart and soul you and I are combined.” She started to shiver as she tentatively reached for him as he lowered her to the table.

She reached for him and he couldn’t get to her fast enough after shedding his jacket.
She undid his buttons and ran her fingers over his chest. Moving into kiss her, he cant believe that this has happened twice, he got her back and they ended up here again.
She arched her neck, wanting his lips to explore it and just wanting him to be with her. Closing her eyes in enjoyment of this, she laces her fingers in his hair and gently tugged him back up to her. Staring in his blue eyes, darkened with desire, she hungrily took control of the situation.

Shane was walking along the corridors, cursing the world for getting lost when he heard sounds coming from a Conference Room. Peeking around the corner, he saw a couple obviously in the middle of making love.

Lost to the world and aware of only each other. The man was whispering something in her ear while his hand was grazing ever so slowly up her thigh. The woman let out a shriek at the contact that his hand made.
That very familiar sound sent shivers of ice into Shane’s heart. as memories of heated encounters came rushing back to him of how he thought that he was the only one to hear her make those sounds that way.

He had to strain to hear what John said. “Your mine, oh god I love you Doc.” She reached up and pulled him to her. Breathlessly repeating his promise. “Your mine.” She slid his shirt off to feel his bare skin, pulling her head up to kiss his chest.

Enjoying the reaction play over his face. She squirmed with desire as his hand began to slide effortlessly from the outer side to the inner thigh. Sensing that she was going to moan, he muffled it with a kiss. Then whispered that he was the only one who was going to hear her make these sounds.

Shane felt a growing pain inside his skull watching them together like that as his rage continued to grow. John was going to pay for this….

Marlena let out another groan as John’s hands ran over the delicate Irish Lace of her gown. Just his touch was enough to make her restless. Sitting her up for a moment John reached behind her and undid the buttons on her dress.

Sliding the straps of the gown off her, his lips went instinctively to the hollow of her throat then began to go lower. She began to rake his back with her nails, enough to leave marks but not to draw blood. Breaking his contact with her, John reached behind her to gently lower her back down.

“Doc open your eyes.” She did as she was told and found John staring at her. “Doc, your beautiful seemingly asleep. But I want to watch your reactions with your eyes opened.”
She slid her hands down his back and rested them on the back inside of his trousers. As she slid her hands around to the front, stopping only to tease him. She began to undo them. “Doc?” She squirmed so that she was on top, straddling his hips. “Now its MY turn…Your going to behave and let me have my way with you.”

Sensing that she was determined, John smiled. “Wouldn’t dream of protesting.”

She lowered her lips to his. “Im sure that you wouldn’t. That’s what I love about you. You let me…”

She stretched out and with gentle kisses and bites, began to explore…

She could feel his chest rumble from the laughter he didn’t dare let out. “Well you said that tonight was a new start.” She shot him a glance and mumbled something about distracting her from her work. That sent John over the edge…

He lay there, enjoying her explorations but soon sensed that they were about to soon come to an end and they found themselves beginning a dance that was as old as time.
Feeling guilty for crossing over the line and yet full of rage for what he saw, Shane slipped away and ran for a bathroom unable to control the nausea that came rushing for him….

The happy couple came back to the party still in full swing and everyone asking where they had gone. Marlena made everyone smile with her answer of “Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies.”

Shane busted through their friends and family. “I want to talk to you.” Before anyone could interfere, he led her off to the terrace. Unable to get the look of confusion on Doc’s face out of his mind’s eye, John soon was swamped with guests and their best wishes….
She seemed genuinely happy to see him and came to lay a hand on his shoulder. “How come you didn’t say hello. I was looking for you and you weren’t here.” Shane saw the image of them entwined then flashed to her and John. “Well you were too busy.”
She smiled. “Oh not to busy for you.” He suddenly reached for her. “You said that you loved me…Why are you with him!” Marlena could smell the alcohol on his breath.
“Shane…” He tightened his grip on her. “You made vows…Don’t they mean anything to you?” She was mesmerized by the change in his disposition but terrified, especially since he was hurting her.

“Shane…LET GO!” He didn’t seem to hear as he rambled on. “We could go home to London. Grace you and I and Caden could be a family again.” Marlena screamed in her head. “Not again..Stefano was enough..”

She tried to wrench her arms from his grip. “You told me that you were ok with this. That you understood!” Something she saw in his eyes made her terrified.

She clutched on to the one rationale thought that she had while Shane rambled…
Taking a deep breath she let out a yell “JOHN….HELP ME!”

What John saw as he stood in the doorway made his blood boil. He came flying out onto the terrace and let out a yell of “Let her go!” Shane saw the look in the other man’s eyes made him realize that he may of misjudged him.

Letting go over her, He mumbled something about being drunk and jealous of their happiness. “For a brief moment, I had her.”

Concerned over his shaking fiancee, John told Abe that he was to let him go. “He’s probably drunk.” Once Shane had left, John took her in his arms. “Doc?”

He glanced at her arms. “Honey, you should let Laura or Mike examine you. Baby, He’s sick.”

Marlena let her friends check over the bruises while John talked with Abe.

Upon hearing John say that he wanted to go after Shane for hurting her like that, Marlena let out a whimper. “John oh no…please don’t. Leave it alone.”

He came over and knelt in front of her. “Baby, I understand WHY your saying that. But look at what he did.” He felt anger over the violent bruises.

Suddenly Marlena had a flashback of the time when she refused Stefano in Paris.
“Marlena if you wont let us go after him, could we at least get you a bodyguard?”
She snapped out of her trance and looked at John. He anguished over the pain and bleakness in her hazel eyes and asked “Doc?” She nodded, unable to face her fear that she could possibly have another madman after her. “John, I want the bodyguard.”
John and Abe exchanged glances. Marlena never accepted help like that, usually fought that tooth and nail. Drawing her to him, and vowing to keep her safe, John said that he would get her a guard.

Shane drove home and went directly into the study. Picking up the plans for the multimillion dollar deal between John’s, Victor’s and his own company, Shane studied it for a moment. Taking a large drink of his brandy, Shane started to smile.

“Sorry John, your going to lose your Precious Marlena AND Your company too. Sorry for that bad streak of luck.”

Grabbing the lighter, Shane set fire to the papers and started laughing. Enjoying the small blaze, Shane drained his glass. Holding up his empty glass, Shane proposed a toast.
“To having all that is John’s and to having My bride home and pregnant before the end of the year!”

It was a somber group who returned to the penthouse after the party. Marlena never even spoke when they came in. Just went upstairs with Laura, leaving the rest of them to go over the events of the evening.

Abe, Bo and John were closeted on the balcony going over the Security for not just Marlena and the children but also for the Wedding which was scheduled for that Saturday.

Laura reappeared as They came in. John walked over to her. “Where is Doc?” Laura glanced upwards.

“John, I have never seen her like this. I had to give her a sedative to calm her. She is in rough shape. She kept saying that Shane is just like Stefano. She has never truly dealt with him and now this.”

John nodded and went to peek in on her. Sensing that they needed time alone, everyone left…

He entered the room in time to find her in hysterics.

“Nooooo, Don’t Do This. I’m sorry, Noooooooooooo. Shane don’t. Don’t do this!!!!! Please don’t lock me in there! Somebody help me!!!!”

He climbed up onto the bed and gathered her to him.

Crooning to her as he did with Belle when she had a nightmare.

John spoke softly in her ear. “Doc it’s me…Baby its John. You’re Alright now. I won’t let him hurt you.” She struggled against him.

“LIES…I wont fall for this anymore. You can’t use John to hurt me. Do you hear me Stefano!” John never heard this much anger come from her. Marlena was usually so reserved.

Brushing the hair from her face, he kissed her damp cheek. “Baby it’s really me. Shane and Stefano won’t hurt you. I won’t let that happen.”

She sleepily stretched against him. “I love you.” He looked at her and smiled. “Well Doc, I really should hope you do. You are marrying me in a couple of days.” She moved away from him to stare intently at him.

“Do you really think that you and I can be happy with Stefano and Shane trying to destroy us?” John tightened his grip on her. “Doc I know that I love you and you love me. I can only hope that when all is said and done, that it would be enough.”

Laying her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his chest. Marlena inhaled the scent of him before speaking. “I really don’t think you know what your love means to me.”

John hid a smile at her but he allowed her to continue. “But I’m so tired of having things spiral so far out of my control. To be taken away from all that I love.” John tipped her face to his and kissed her. “I do know more than you think.”

He lowered her back against the pillows while his lips began to explore. He rained gentle kisses along her face and down her throat. Arching her neck to allow him to get easier access, Marlena banished all of the demons for that moment in time.

She lost herself in kissing her way across his chest. John was about to roll her over when his gaze fell to the bruises on her arms. Rage the likes of which he hadn’t had since Paris and the ordeal that Stefano had forced her to endure consumed him. r32;”John?”
He snapped out of his daydream of strangling Shane to find himself staring into the eyes of his loving fiancée. “Are you alright?” He kissed her forehead. “I’m fine. Just imagining what our life would be like on our first anniversary.” They shared a laugh as they snuggled down.

Drawing her closer to him, John noticed the bruises again.

“Doc, I will never forgive myself for allowing you to go with him on to the terrace. I never thought that he would do that to you.” She slid out of his embrace. “This wasn’t your fault. Baby it was mine. I also didn’t think that he would do this. But I saw a side of him that I’d seen once before and thought that I would never see again. John, Stefano grabbed me that same way in Paris when I refused him. I never wanted to see that raw rage in another man’s eyes…”

John rested his cheek on her hair seemingly unable to see his way clear as he wanted to make Shane pay for hurting her…

The next morning found Marlena at the hospital early enough to clear her desk so that Laura wouldn’t have such a large caseload to deal with over the three weeks that she and John would be on their honeymoon. The phone rang and without thinking, r32;Marlena grabbed it. “Hello Dr Evans.”

Shane smiled as he stared at the photo taken of them at the Gala. “Please don’t hang up. I wanted to apologize. I know that it sounds like an excuse but I was drunk. I would hope that you know me well enough that you wouldn’t think that I would harm the thing that I love the most.”

Marlena’s eyes widened as she fought the nausea that came threateningly close at those comments that she heard so many times from Stefano. She told herself to fight and stand her ground.

“You know before the accident that brought you into my life, I would accept the apology and move on. Not anymore. I’m not going to stand there and allow ANYONE to threaten me or anyone that I love. The pressure tactics that you decided to take with me last night only made me more convinced that I don’t have to forgive. That I can and will do what I need to do.”

Slamming the phone down, Marlena allowed the fear to consume her and she began to cry.

John was pounding the hell out of the punching bag at Titan’s gym when Abe came in. “Hey Partner. How’s Marlena today?” John didn’t answer as he continued to picture Shane’s face as the bag. “Fine. She had nightmares last night, but was gone to work when I woke up.”

He slammed a fist into the bag and felt some of the anger leaving him. “John?” John stopped the swinging bag and held it with both hands. “I never liked O’Neill. From the moment he threatened me at the party, there was something unsettling about him from the get go. But I was willing to let him slide because not only did he bring her home to us but Marlena seemed to believe he was good and a kind man.”

Abe sympathized with him. He could only imagine what he would do if anyone hurt Lexie the same way that Shane had hurt Marlena. “Do you want to tighten the security?”
John seemed lost in thought for a moment. “I know what I want, to just take her away from this. To be able to love her and make her happy without watching over our shoulders. Abe, I’m asking you honestly. Does that seem a lot to ask?”

Marlena was waiting for John to meet her after her dress appointment but she couldn’t shake the feeling again. That feeling that she had developed when Stefano had began all of their cat and mouse games. That something would happen and that she would lose again. She knew that her mother’s fairy tales were sadly wrong. The good didn’t triumph like in the books her mother would read her and Sam. “They never had to deal with Stefano and Shane.”

She started walking over to Johnny Angels when suddenly she heard a child cry “Mommy!” She barely had time to react before Caden came flying at her. Seeing the child in such distress, Marlena bent down and cradled the child, as she would do Belle.
Crooning to the sniffling child, Marlena stopped upon hearing footsteps approaching. Looking up, she froze. Shane was standing beside her. “Hello Dear.”

As John pulled into Salem Place’s parking lot, he finished his telephone call. “I will be there in an hour to sign the papers and to pick up the keys. Thanks Mickey.” He locked the door to the Jeep and whistled to himself. “This is exactly what Doc needs. A surprise to help take her mind off of this.” He checked his watch and made his way to Johnny Angels…

“Your sick…Why would you do this.” Shane looked sick. “Do what?” Marlena picked up Caden and glared at him. “Drag her into this?” Shane looked confused. “She needed new clothes, Davinia is back home for her sister’s wedding. Who was going to take her? It’s not as if She has a mother anymore!” Marlena started to shake…

“Don’t you DARE try to do that to me Shane. Don’t play her off as a guilt weapon! I never took you for a cheat and someone sleazy enough to use a child, THEIR child as a way to hurt someone else. My future is with John. You and I were a dream nothing more.”
Seeing that a fight in front of Barron’s had distracted the bodyguard, Shane leaned close into her face. “Enjoy your happiness Dear heart. You will be back at Pennistone Royal sooner than you think.” Something in her Father’s tone caused Caden to cry…”Nooo Daddy Noooo.” Marlena glared at him, hoping that her fear of him could be covered over by her anger of what he was doing.

“Get over this now Shane. Im not yours and wasn’t to begin with. Why cant you just let me go and find someone new.” He took a whimpering Caden from her and set the child down. “Do you really want to know WHY?” He grabbed her and pulled her to him. “Don’t ever forget that FAMILY is everything to me. Your mine. Always and forever. Caden deserves a mother…”

John came around the fountain in time to see Shane trying to steal a kiss from Marlena. Throwing a punch that made a satisfying crunch against Shane’s nose, John issued him a warning. “Leave my lady alone. Do you hear me? You lost her O’Neill.” Shane glanced up at his enemy. “Oh I don’t think so John. I don’t think I’ve lost THIS woman that I love. I lost one but I will NOT lose Marlena!”

Grabbing his child and packages, Shane left. Once he was gone, Marlena began to sob, crumbling completely against John. “Doc…” She couldn’t stop herself from shaking…
“Just get me outta here!” John saw that she was close to exploding and quickly rushed her out to The Jeep. Heading for Mickey’s office, John hoped that the surprise would help her get her mind off of this run-in.

They drove over to the new home, which was located near the lake. It was spacious enough for a couple with small children. Three floors with a huge master bedroom that was a designer’s dream come true. Exploring the house, John could see that Marlena’s heart wasn’t in it. Seeing the room that was set up for Belle’s room only sent Marlena into tears again over watching him torment Caden. “Excuse me John.”

She ran off to wash her face.

“Oh I don’t think so John, I don’t think that I’ve lost THIS woman that I love. I’ve lost one woman but I will NOT lose Marlena.”

John stared at the rain beginning to fall against the window. There was something about that comment that set off alarm bells. Something in his voice…

He heard Marlena come down and saw that the attempt that she had made to wash her face didn’t help. She still had swollen eyes. His heart was breaking over her pain and he didn’t know what to do for her. How could he begin to heal a heart already damaged from the trials she endured?

She came to him and he wrapped his arms around her, hoping that some of the warmth from the embrace would warm her. She felt like Marble. He tried to make her smile as he reached out to dry her eyes. “Hey Marlena…Baby, Your supposed to cry AFTER we get married. Your not helping my ego here Doc.”

She looked distant. “I can’t believe that he would use her that way. Cady is only 3.”
She looked at the photo of her own sunny toddler, never in her wildest dreams would she allow Belle to be thrown into a power play like the one that Shane dragged Caden into.

John checked his watch. “Doc we need to go. The rehearsal is in a hour and we need to meet the family at the Pub.” She nodded. Gathering her purse and jacket, She stopped John. “What did I do that cause these men to do this?” John just took her in his arms and kissed her. “I don’t claim to know the evil that men do. I do know that you never did anything to attract them. They only want what is good and kind and loving. That way they can destroy it. Doc I swear to you that he will not win and they will not take you from me.” Seemingly buying his promise for a moment, Marlena smiled. “Let’s go to the Pub.”

The rehearsal ran smoothly, John made a show off fumbling over promising to obey causing laughter to ring out with bell like clarity. Brady and Belle started fighting over the basket that Belle would use. The little girl reached for her brother’s pillow and thumped him over the head with it.

“I NO LIKE THAT!” Marlena hid her head on John’s shoulder to hide her laughter.
“Bwady its MINE!!”

She swatted him again allowing her father to mutter “Bossy just like her mommy.”
Shane was sitting at his desk when the phone rang. “Hello O’Neill here.” The voice on the other end was like a gunshot. “What do you want?”

Kristen DiMera smiled. “Yes that is the right question to ask. You see I want my husband back and your going to help me.” Shane looked at Marlena’s photograph. “Oh I am am I? And you are?” Kristen leaned back on the sofa smiling like the Cheshire cat. That same smile of hers that would send chills down Dracula’s spine.

“Why I’m the person who can set your house of cards tumbling down. Meet me at my house in a half an hour.”

Marlena was sitting with Laura and Hope and John could see that she was finally relaxed from her run in that afternoon. The phone rang and the new waitress True answered it. “Excuse Me. Its for you Dr Evans.”

Marlena said thank you and took the phone. Within 5 seconds, she was back off.
“One of my patients was brought in with an overdose. I have to go sign the admittance papers.” John came over. “Doc couldn’t someone else do it? Tomorrow is our wedding day.” She smiled for him “I know that. I will just sign him in and then I will be home in bed by the stroke of midnight.”

He shot her a glance that plainly showed that he didn’t believe her. “I PROMISE.” As everyone began to laugh, he drew her for a hug and good-natured Kiss…

“Excuse Me?” They turned to see a messenger. “I’m looking for a Dr Marlena Evans.” Marlena stepped forward. “I’m Marlena Evans.” He held out a clipboard. “Sign here Please.” When she finished, he handed over the papers. “Goodnight.” John tipped him and they all watched as Marlena opened them.

She let out a mournful wail. “Nooooooo why can’t he leave me alone… Now to bring HER into this.” She threw the papers on the floor and walked away, wrapping her arms around her waist to keep warm.

John knelt down to pick up the papers. There was a brief handwritten note that simply said…

My wedding present to you….

You really didn’t think that I would be completely out of your life. r32;Look forward to seeing you at the first board meeting.

Shane
She started to shake as she had a clarifying realization. “He isn’t going to stop this. Not until I’m his and John is dead.” John let out a snort. “This has got to be a joke. The man is sick.”

He explained to the family that Shane had sent John and Marlena as a wedding present shares in a company that he just created called Belmar. Its main shareholder would be 3 year old Belle.

John came to Marlena. “I won’t let him do this Doc.” She shrugged him off. “WHO are YOU Kidding? You can’t stop him and if you do go after him, You will be playing into his hands. He wants you dead and me back in England as his trophy wife. We can’t win and it’s probably time that we face this sick truth.” With that, she grabbed her keys and went to the hospital.

As soon as she was gone from eyesight, John who was still holding to the Papers asked Caroline if she could keep Brady and Belle till the morning where they would be meeting the bridesmaids at the penthouse. “You know better than to ask that. We would love for them to. Go after her John.”

He shook his head. “I’m not going after HER. Its time that Mr. O’Neill and I had a small chat. I wont let him harm Marlena and I sure as hell would kill him before he used Belle as a chess piece to get Marlena back by his side.”

Marlena had been at the hospital longer than she thought it would take. They fought long and hard over Eileen but finally they were able to stabilize her from the overdose attempt.

All she could think of was getting home to her big bed and sleeping soundly for the next 6 to 8 hours. But getting outside to where she had parked her Mercedes was just too mind boggling to accept. So she instead decided to turn around and sleep on her couch for the night.

The man seemed to be not out of the ordinary as he strolled in the parking lot. Just someone either visiting a family member or friend or even an employee. But he was there with a plan and it required him to break into and steal a red Mercedes….

Shane had just put Caden to bed when there was an insistent pounding on the front door. Opening it, he smiled at the person on the other side of it. “Why Hello John. Won’t you please come in?” John brushed by him and waited till Shane had closed the door before he waved the documents in front of him.

“WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU PULLING!”

Shane played innocent. “What, don’t you like the wedding present that I chose for you? I would think that you would love the shares in a company so new that its named for my 3 year old stepdaughter.”

John felt the rage wash over him like the rain that night at St Lukes. “Leave MY child out of this. Belle isn’t YOUR stepdaughter anymore. The annulment saw to that. I will only tell this to you once more. STAY AWAY FROM MARLENA AND BELLE!”

Heading back to the Jeep, He counted to ten before starting it. As he was pulling out of the O’Neill Estate Driveway, he saw a red Mercedes roar past him, swerving from side to side. Concerned for the driver’s safety, John decided to follow.

The Car continued to swerve from side to side but also began to gain speed. He said a silent prayer for the driver to realize how erratic they were driving and maybe somehow right the car.

To his relief the driver straightened out as they headed into a narrow stretch of road.
John’s relief was short lived as the driver began again to swerve from side to side. This time however the car sailed over the side of the road into space…

“OH NO!” John caught a clear view of the license plate just as it sailed off the road. “OH DEAR GOD THAT WAS DOC!”

“Did you handle the little matter that I asked you to?” Shane smiled and listened to his assistant. As he hung up, Shane smiled. “Bye Krissy…” 

John sat helplessly in the Emergency Room.

Pressing his hands to his eyes, he hoped to block out the images that haunted his heart. Watching as a silent sentinel as the Emergency Technicians fought to save his lady. She was so battered and broken that she was beyond recognition.

He couldn’t believe that the fates would allow the lady who was so lively and happily planning for their future to have the happiness that she had sought taken from her at the last moment.

All he could see was her laughing at the Zoo as she watched the skywriter ask the question that he knew the answer from the moment she came to the loft that night.
The Medical staff flew by him at an alarming rate. Hours seemed to fly by but were in reality just seconds and he seemed to watch the clock and wonder over how it ticked in time with his heart.

“Her heart is so big. Loved us all without question or reserve. Just accepted us as we were…”

He remembered the other night, as they lay in bed. Marlena was sound asleep in his arms and he was drowsily listening to the radio as Kate Bush sang “This Woman’s Work.”
As he waited for word, he found the words he smiled at then, now eerily coming to life before his eyes.

I know you have a little life in you yet.

I know you have a lot of strength left.

I know you have a little life in you yet.

I know you have a lot of strength left.

I should be crying, but I just can’t let it show.

I should be hoping but I can’t stop thinking

Of all the things I should’ve said,

That I never said

 All the things we should’ve done,

That we never did.

All the things I should’ve given,

But I didn’t.

Oh, Darling, make it go.

Make it go away

Give me these moments back.

Give them back to me.

Give me that little kiss.

Give me your hand…

Suddenly a high – pitched wail came from the ER cubicle that Marlena was in. Rising to his feet, John looked for any friendly face. Finally he saw Mike. “How is she?”

Before he could answer, a nurse ran to him and gestured to the cubicle.

John was alone again and left to wonder who to call first and how to tell the family.
“What do I say? Nothing can prepare them for this…”

Shane was sitting by Caden’s bed, watching his tiny daughter say her prayers. “God bwess Daddy and Davy and and umm…God bwess cook and evbybody. God bwess Mommy too.”

Shane smiled. “Yes Cady. God BLESS Your Mommy.” He tucked her in and made her smile and laugh as he tickled her and then bussed her cheek.

“Night Night Darling, Daddy loves you.”

Shane went downstairs and as he stared at the wedding photo relived the exchange between he and Kristen. He silenced her quickly enough with drugs that he slipped into her drink. They ensured that she would be hallucinating by the time she was loaded into the car.

“I couldn’t allow you to tell MY secret. John can’t know before its time.”

Carrie sleepily answered the phone. “Hello?”

John forced himself to go slowly. “Hi ya Punkin. I’m sorry to have woken you.” She sat up. “That’s alright John. What can I do for you.” He thought for a moment. “I wish you could give Marlena back to me….”

He lightened his tone. “Honey, is Austin there?” She didn’t like the tone of her former Stepfather’s voice. “John?”

He shook his head in the hope that he could shake the tears. “Sweetheart. You need to come to the hospital. Marlena was in an accident. I’m waiting for word.”

Carrie clutched at the sheets so tightly that her hands were parchment white. “Oh no no no no no no!” she dropped the phone in the attempt to get ready. Austin picked it up. “John?”

He held his head as he continued to remain strong. “Austin get Carrie here to the hospital. Marlena was in an accident and the family should be with her.” Austin glanced at Carrie “No Problem John. We will be there in 15 minutes.”

“Damn it People…We’re losing her!”

Mike yelled for people to jump to the situation that they were facing here. This woman hadn’t been wearing a seat belt and had been erratically speeding. Her injuries were catastrophic.

“Dr Horton. Give up, We’ve lost her.” Mike shot a glance at his head Nurse. “Holli GET OUT! I need people here who can help me not hurt me.”

She left without a second glance and went to the nurse’s desk. Dialing a number that she knew from heart. “Its me. You should get here. You were her husband.” Hanging up, she smiled. “I hope that you know what you are doing Shane.”

John sat with his head against the wall of the Emergency Waiting Room. Abe and Lexie came rushing in and their hearts went to him. “Partner?” He looked up to his friends and Abe saw something in John’s eyes that he never got used too. The bleakness and despair was casting shadows under his blue eyes.

“She has been in there for almost two hours. They haven’t been able to find someone to come out and tell me how she is.” Lexie came and sat beside him. “Oh John.” He made a futile attempt to dry his eyes. “Lex, tell me that this is a dream. That when I wake up she will be sleeping beside me.”

Lexie started to cry. “I know that you cant. She is fighting for her life and I cant help but think of the last time I lost her and was just as helpless then as I am now.”

Abe looked away. “I saw her plane crash into the ocean and couldn’t see how my life was going to be able to continue without her gentle nature.” Abe smiled. “But you did.” John shook his head. “I had it all and now….”

The family came in and John couldn’t breathe. Caroline had Belle sleeping in her arms. “John what happened.” John looked at Carrie and remembered the day of the memorial service from when Orpheus had blown up the House. How desolate they both were. “There was a Car Accident. Marlena’s car went out of control and off of a cliff.”

Caroline and Shawn held onto each other. Carrie began to shake her head and whimpered. “Not again. Austin help me. I can’t have lost Marlena again.” She began to sob and Austin exchanged a quick glance with John before slipping out on to the Balcony.
John took his sleeping daughter from Caroline and inhaled her sweet scent. She was just so much like her mommy that John felt the pain from his heart ripping apart again. Even down to the way that Belle sleepily wiped the hair that was tickling her cheek was identical to her mother’s mannerism.

All the best of the two of them were in this tiny person. He hoped that she would be able to still see Marlena. Shawn saw first a young blonde woman who he assumed was a Doctor and Caroline confirmed that it was Marlena’s friend Dr Scarlett Rayborn, as she ran from the Operating Room in tears.

Mike coming out and looking absolutely in shock followed her shortly afterwards. Cradling Belle, John came to him. “Mike how is She?”

Mike was as white as his face mask. “John, I am so very sorry. She was just too far-gone. The damage that she sustained was just too severe and while we were able to stop the bleeding.”

Mike began to cry. “John I’m so sorry. We all tried so hard. But there was just nothing that we could do to save her…”

Belle chose that moment to wake up and sleepily say “Mommy?” Caroline looked at Shawn and burst into tears. Abe and Lexie were bewildered and went to sit down. Unable to accept it John cradled his daughter.

He came to the conclusion that maybe this was the fate HE deserved. He had hurt her so badly with choosing Kristen over her that it was Fate’s decision to take her from him at the moment of their happiness…

Marlena woke up on the sofa curled up on her side. Checking her watch, she was stunned to see it after Midnight. Stretching, Marlena smiled to herself. “Happy Wedding Day Doc.”

Slipping on her shoes, Marlena reached for her keys. With a giggle she reached for the phone. “Hi, I would like a Taxi please. I’m at University Hospital. I will be waiting at the Doctor’s entrance.”

As she gave the dispatcher the location of where she wanted to go, Marlena fiddled with her engagement ring then got her stuff ready to wait.

Caroline came to stand beside John. “Honey, she is in a place with no more pain. You heard that her injuries were so severe. You saw that Dr Rayborn and Mike were in tears after examining her.”

John shot her a glance. “Is THAT supposed to help me. She is DEAD! There is no way to bring her back now.” His anger was enough to wake Belle who started to whimper.
Shane chose that moment to waltz in. Acting the part of the grieving ex-husband, he was demanding answers. He wanted to know what was going on and where HIS wife was. Enraged, John flew over to him and grabbed Shane by the collar of his shirt.

“What in the hell are YOU doing here O’Neill!” Shane glared at him and allowed tears to trickle to his cheeks. “I’m here because I was told that Marlena was here.” He started to shake as he continued to speak. “My Grace was dead from an car accident and I’ve come to take her home.”

The family exchanged glances, as John growled “No you are not.” Shane looked stunned. “What do you mean. She told me that if anything should have ever happen to her that she wanted to be buried quietly in my family’s Private Chapel at Pennistone Royal.”
John started to shake. “Oh No you are NOT burying Marlena away from her family. Especially when you want to send her to a dark spot far from her children and with YOUR ancestors!” The air crackled until Bo and Abe broke them apart.

Abe silenced them both. “Both of you SETTLE DOWN!” Bo looked at John. “She hasn’t even been dead a half an hour and ALREADY you two are at each others throats. She deserves to have peace and grace right now. She sure as hell does NOT need this spectacle and here of all places. Next to the church, I would not have chosen a worse public place to brawl like common drunks.”

John looked shaken. “Your right Abraham.” He looked at Shane. “For what you did to Marlena and the hell she endured from YOUR hands, there is NO WAY that you will take her away to Pennistone Royal. She will be buried here at St Luke’s. Surrounded by the family and friends who love and cherish.” He corrected himself

“Cherished her. I promise this to her and If its alright with Father Tim, She will lie in the most quiet and serene spot in the cemetery.” John kissed his tiny daughter and went over to Caroline. “Can Belle and Brady stay with you for now?” She nodded. “Sorry that I keep imposing on you.” His family and friends hearts went with him as he went to the Elevator.

Once he was away from earshot, Abe turned on Shane. “Do us all a favor. GET OUT OF HERE. You sure as hell are NOT wanted here.” Shane turned on the waterworks. Somehow managing to squeeze out tears. “She WAS my wife.” He left the shocked family in their vigil as well.

While riding on the elevator, Shane smiled. “All going according to Plan.”

While waiting, Marlena got an idea. Checking her watch, she played on her hunch and dialed. “Hello?” She smiled. “Hi Rachie, Its me.” Rachael Young smiled despite the lateness of the hour.

“Shouldn’t YOU be sleeping? Marlena, it’s not pretty to see a Bride with bags under her eyes as big as Elephants.”

They both laughed. “Rach, I didn’t wake you did I?” Rachael laughed. “Nope, I was just proofreading my FINAL term paper.” Marlena sympathized with her friend’s plight. When the Salem Zoo cut back on its staff due to financial difficulties, Rachael was one of the first to be let go from her job as the Head Zoologist.

She was determined to not allow that hardship to ruin her and so returned to school to study Sociology.

“Now that your finished, Can I ask a favor?” Rach smiled. “Sure thing there sweetie, What do you need?” Marlena looked at her watch. “I called for a cab around 45 minutes ago to get me. My car had been acting up and I didn’t want to drive it back home. So since the cab appears to be a no-show….”

Rach immediately knew where this was headed. Her accent was barely noticeable but added a musical lilt to her voice. “You would like ME to come and chauffeur you to where? Penthouse or the New House?”

Marlena smiled. “Both? I have to just drop something off to the new house for John and THEN it’s off for home so I can FINALLY get some sleep.” Rach laughed. “No worries, Just let me save the paper AGAIN and then I’m on my way. I will be there in 10 minutes.”
Marlena shifted her bag from one shoulder to the other before settling it down to the ground. “Did you use Scarlett’s computer AGAIN?” Rachie laughed. “I did. Marlena I could bite her. She never TOLD me that it was still possessed. I swear that she has some sort of electronic jinx.”

As the laughter faded, they hung up and Marlena went across to the coffee shop for a drink while she waited for her best friend. Unaware that John was just behind her….
He drove to St Luke’s to think. He turned on the radio to the country station, in time to hear Travis Tritt’s “Tell Me I Was Dreaming.” But as he drove into the gravel parking lot. All he could remember was the last time that they had been at the church, He carried her inside and despite the family’s protests, didn’t lose hope.

He KNEW that the woman he loved hadn’t died then. Despite what Mike and the other doctors said, He still had the hope that she wasn’t lost to him now.

He remembered the day when he watched as Orpheus’s plane went down. It had plunged as carelessly as a child throwing a toy during a temper tantrum. He could still remember his heart screaming “NO” Upon hearing her tearful voice crying “MAYDAY”.
Slumping over and resting his head against the steering wheel, John began to cry for what was lost and for what should have been…

Travis mournfully sang “Don’t tell me you didn’t say goodbye…”

“Are you going to be alright here alone Marlena? Shouldn’t you have your bodyguard?”
She smiled. “No I think I’m alright here Rach. I’m just going to putter around for a bit and then try to sleep. The girls should be here in the morning bright and early.” Rach smiled. “Alrighty then. I’m going to go and see you at St.Lukes in the morning.”

Marlena nodded as she leaned over to hug her. “Thank you Rach. I’ll be the one in the white gown.” They laughed and Marlena stood in the doorway and watched her friend drive off into the night.

John came walking down the aisle, staring at the spot where they should happily be standing and exchanging vows in just a few short hours. Looking up at the icon that signified the Madonna and child, he fell to his knees.

“How could you of allowed this Lord? Why her. She was so good and loving. She tried so hard to be the..”

The pain was overwhelming but he needed to have this heard.

“She tried. She loved without fear or reservation and I cant believe that after all was said and done that you would do this to her. She never asked for things for herself, it was always for the people she loved and adored. WHY!!!”

He came to the conclusion that he now was utterly alone. For a man who was used to being in charge, this was totally scary. He had realized that she filled in the spots that he was lacking in. Softness where he was hard, serene where he was not.

“Doc why would you leave me?” As he shut his eyes, he pictured what she endured in those moments. The fear and the mind numbing pain and then…

Feeling nauseous, he stood up. “Oh I have to get out of here!” He ran for the door, past the sweet smelling flowers that had already been put up for the ceremony the next morning. Getting into the car and wiping the tears from his eyes. He decided to go to see the house that had symbolized all of their hopes and dreams for this most precious of new starts.

Marlena had been tinkering around and really looking at the new house. She was just checking the rooms for Belle and was going to go to the Master Bedroom to stand on the Balcony when she heard a noise…

John came in and wondered over how the lights were left on. Assuming that their new housekeeper did it, He came to the open living room and sat in front of the fireplace.
“How could you really be gone Doc, There is so much here that calls to me of you.” He lay back on the sofa and started to cry. It quickly went to sobs that grew in intensity.

“You and I were supposed to be married today.” He reached for the pillow and stopped. The scent was there but it was faint. “John you are dreaming. You WANT her to be here and so.”

He started taking his grief out on the pillow on the sofa. He suddenly had the urge to smash something and grabbed a Waterford crystal vase and was about to pitch it against the wall.

Marlena heard the noises coming from downstairs and began to come to see. John had put the vase down and had slumped down on to the floor and sobbing as he stared at a photo of the two of them with the children that had been taken on the day of the proposal.

He had his back to her and so he didn’t see her on the top of the stairs or hear her coming. He stood up and went to the stereo and put on Reba McIntyre. Her Tribute to her fallen Band was something that John truly understood now.

If I had only known

It was the last walk in the rain

I’d keep you out for hours in the storm.

I would hold your hand

Like a lifeline to my heart.

Underneath the thunder we’d be warm

If I had only known

It was our last walk in the rain.

If I had only known

I’d never hear your voice again

I’d memorize each thing you ever said

And on those lonely nights

I could think of them once more

Keep your words alive inside my head If I had only known

I’d never hear your voice again. Y

ou were the treasure in my hand

You were the one who always stood beside me

So unaware I foolishly believed that you would always be there

But then there came a day

And I turned my head and you slipped away

If I had only known

It was my last night by your side

I‘d pray a miracle would stop the dawn

And when you smiled at me

I would look into your eyes and make sure you know my love

For you goes on and on

If I had only known

If I had only known

The love I would’ve shown

If I had only known…

John reached for the picture frame and went to stand at the French doors that led to the patio and the garden. The man who held himself with such dignity at the hospital finally lost it. The tears that tickled at his eyelashes suddenly busted forward and showed no sign of subsiding.

Concerned to see him in tears and fearing that something had happened to the children. She cautiously made her way down the stairs and stopped. He had slumped down into an almost fetal position and was gasping for breath. She stepped back into the shadows of the hall and was unseen by the grief stricken man.

She fought the fear that was grasping for her heart and came forward. “John?” It was as if he had been shot. He spun around with his red rimmed eyes absolutely huge. “No no no no. John you’re dreaming. You just want to believe she is real.”

He couldn’t stop shaking and shivering as he stared at her. Suddenly without warning, he remembered that night.

The night where some unknown forces at the time drew him to the pier. THEIR pier.
He had laughed about it later but it was fate that led him there to find her. She came out from the fog like an angel or an illusion. Even when he laid his shaking hand on her cheek, he couldn’t believe that she was indeed real.

Terrified and wondering over what had him in this state, Marlena knelt down in front of him. “Honey?” He flinched away. “John what is the matter? Honey?” He gasped for air. “They told me you were dead. I saw them pull you out of the wreckage.”

She tried to make a joke out of it. “Honey, that must have been some stag party that Abe and Bo threw.” He became angry. “DAMN IT I SAW!” He attempted to stand, brushing her hand aside as she offered to help him up. “You’re just dreaming Black. When you wake up, she will be gone and you will have been just dreaming. Marlena died in that car accident.”

Marlena shook her head. “Honey I’m here. My car was acting funny and instead of driving it, I asked Rachie to drive me over.”

Watching as John resisted touching her, Marlena leaned across and took his hand. “Look I’m real.” To her surprise, his hand was shaking again. “You are real.” She nodded. “I don’t know why you thought that it was me in that car. You told me not to go anywhere without phoning someone. I wasn’t to go out alone.” John stared at her. “Doc it was your car that I saw speeding so fast. I know the license plate by heart.”

She shook her head. “John since I am here. Baby it wasn’t me in the car.”

John looked at her. “Your real.” She nodded as she leaned over to dry his eyes. The connection was like a jolt that jumped from one to the other. Without words, he reached for her and drew her to him.

As their lips met, John scooped her up in his arms. Promising himself that he would not let her go again. He took her to the couch. Laying her on it, he sat beside her and gazed at the face that he thought was lost to him forever. He allowed himself to trace her features with one hand. She smiled as she sat up and began to undo his shirt.

“Baby, I’m not porcelain. I won’t break.”

John shivered at the combination of the cool air and her hand running over his chest. She leaned down and kissed the hollow of his throat. “John, I am real. Love me.” He started to cry. Drawing him to her, she rested her cheek on top of his head.

“I am so sorry that you had to endure such a cruel trick. Baby what I would give to take that pain from you.” She held his face in her hands. “You have had to endure quite a lot of that with me.” John smiled. “We both have.” She smiled. “Yes we have. But here and now, its just the two of us. No more hurt and no more pain.”

He undid her jacket and slid it off. As he stared into her eyes, he raised her hand and brought it to his lips. The feather light kiss made her shiver. “I love you. When I thought that I had lost you tonight.” She pushed him against the pillows on the couch. “No more words tonight.”

He smiled as she began her administrations to his broken heart. As she began to tickle her way to his belt, She stopped. With a look of contentment, he lifted his head. “Doc?” She winked “Happy Wedding Day Sweetheart.”

He sat up and claimed her lips with his. As the passion increased, John suddenly stopped. Leaving Marlena to ask, “What’s the matter?” He stood up with her in his arms. “Nothing. I am not making love to you on this couch. Baby its not comfortable.”

Her laughter rang through the house. As he laid her on the bed and went to light the fire, he let a crack go bout her laughing at him and they weren’t even married yet. She held out her hands. “Aw come here sailor..I will make it up to you.”

He climbed back in to the bed and her anxious arms. He slid his hand under the delicate lace and silk strap of her camisole and blew a kiss on to her shoulder and then laid her back against the pillows and taking both of her hands in his, stretched them above her head. He watched the shivers as the silk slid over her skin. He began at the spot that he knew would get her to respond.

The hollow of her throat where he could see her heart pulsing with excitement. As he began to slowly tease his way down, Marlena laced her fingers into his hair and then began to rake her nails gently at first across his back. “Ooooh John, I…”

The shrill ringing of the phone broke the silence of the moment. They looked at one another and Marlena shook her head. “Oh No. Don’t answer it please.” John placed a butterfly kiss on her left breast. “This could be important Doc.” He sat up “Hello John Black here..”

“John Buddy, Its Abe.” John glanced at Marlena. “Abe There is something that I need to tell you.” Abe jumped in “Let me go first.” Marlena sat up and leaned against his back as she wrapped her arms around his neck and began to kiss the side of his face.

“Ok go ahead Partner.” Abe took a deep breath. “The Autopsy was done. John, I don’t know how to tell you this. The Coroner had to do the tests twice to make sure of this.” John shot a glance at Marlena who was running one hand over his chest and the other was tracing the pattern of his ear.

“Let me guess what you are trying to say. That wasn’t Marlena.” Abe’s eyes couldn’t get any bigger. “How did you know that?” John smiled “Well cause she is sitting behind me. Let me tell you partner.”

She blew in his ear, causing him to playfully swat her away. “She was here when I got here. She sure threw me for a loop.” Marlena reached for his dress shirt and slipped away. “Well Partner, if it wasn’t Doc, Who was it?” Abe sighed. “We’re waiting for word. But when I find out, I will tell you.”

John hung up and turned around “Doc?” Her voice rang out from the bathroom “I’m in here.” Curious he climbed off the bed and went to see what she was up to. He started to laugh at the sight that awaited him.

Marlena was sitting in the tub, enjoying the bubbles and she smiled as she gestured for him to join her. As he climbed into the tub, Marlena leaned into him as she wrapped her arms around him. “Up to playing a game with me?”

Raising an eyebrow, John looked concerned. “What kind of game Doc?” She laid a finger on his lips and whispered in his ear. He started to laugh “DOC!” She smiled.

“What? It’s not as if you and I aren’t engaged. We are getting married today.” She slid under the water and John began to sing Barnacle Bill the sailor…. 

Sleepily Marlena rolled over and found herself facing someone that she thought that she wouldn’t be seeing on this morning of all mornings.

Glancing at the clock on the bedside table. Marlena turned her head Around and let out a screech:
YOUR NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE JOHN!

Her voice which he was so used to being usually so level and calm had the effect of a bull in a china shop. John literally fell out of bed taking half the covers with him. The sight of John’s bewildered face peering over the side of the bed was just enough to send her into peals of laughter that had her doubled.

He sat up and tried to look dignified which was a look that didn’t last very long as he watched in disgusted amusement as Marlena tried to get under control. “Would you mind telling me what in the blue blazes that Scream was for? Doc you nearly gave me a heart attack!”

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as she reached for the small porcelain clock that he gave her for her birthday. “Do you know that its now our Wedding morning. You know by now that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride. Your not supposed to be here.”

John reached across the bed for her hand and brought it to his lips. “Doc, after all that happened to us last night, there is nothing that can be worse than the heart stopping fear that I had lost you again.” Marlena stood up and came around to his side of the bed. She laid her hands on either side of his face.

“You couldn’t lose me now. We have gotten this far and I’ll be damned if we can’t get married in front of All of our friends and family at St Luke’s like that day so many years ago.”

John smiled and merely said a soft “Amen” before tightening his grip on her and falling back on the bed with her in his arms. As Hazel eyes stared serenely into Brilliant blue ones, Marlena’s lips slowly grazed John’s.

Not breaking eye or lip contact, Marlena began to shiver as John’s hands began to wander a path of their own accord up her bare back.

Allowing herself to fall under his spell, Marlena was almost to the point of no return when suddenly she had a thought that made her sit up. Falling to the wayside, John buried his face in the pillow. Letting out a curse and thinking to himself how grateful he was for the pillow’s ability to muffle it. Sitting up and propping his head up on an arm looked concerned. “Are you alright?”

She nodded. “They think I’m dead.” John sat up. “Yep so they do.” They looked at each other for a moment and then John smiled. “Tell you what. Go and have your shower and when you get back, I will have the problem cleared up.”

She leaned over and kissed him. “Is that a promise or do you HOPE that you have the problem cleared up?” She gracefully gathered the sheet around her and danced in to the bathroom, deftly avoiding his attempt to swat at her backside.

Once he heard the water running, John lunged for the phone. Punching in the number, he waited only moments before he smiled. “Its John…”

*****

When she got out of the shower, Marlena was reaching for her robe when she saw his handwritten note lying on top of it. Making sure that her towel was secure, she sat down and began to read.

Doc,
Be ready to go in 30 minutes r32;Wedding Day Surprise #1 r32;Oh and one more thing Honey r32;You have to be wearing Jeans
Love you
John…

Marlena looked happily bewildered as she began to do as he asked. “What are you cooking up in that mind of yours there John?” She went and got her Jeans and a T-shirt and a cardigan and checked to make sure that all would be ready for him when he came to get her.

She came bouncing down the stairs precisely 30 minutes later. John was admiring her long legs and the way that they enhanced her jeans. “Well I’m ready. Where are you taking me?” John waggled a finger in front of her. “Oh NO! You are not to know what is next for you until I decide it to be.”

She raised an eyebrow and asked “Oh and refresh my memory you are?”

She began to giggle as he drew her to him. His voice was like silk as he whispered in his ear. “I’m the man who adores you.” With that comment, John saw that she relaxed against him and at that moment, he reached into his jeans pocket and whipped out a black blindfold.

“JOHN!” He started to laugh. “Sorry Doc. can’t have you knowing ahead of time.” As she began to wiggle and try to undo his knot, John effortlessly scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder. “Let me DOWN!” He started to talk to himself as he punched the button for down and rolled his eyes.

“Easy there Doc. don’t strain yourself…Sad when a Doctor has no Patience.” She started to make a futile effort to swat at him. “Put me down and I know that I can show you just how much PATIENCE I really have.” He laughed and stepped inside.

“Oh I am sure that you can darling but Manslaughter is not part of the morning agenda.”

*****

Shane sat in his study and stared at the picture that had been taken at his and Grace’s wedding. “They think that you died in that crash. So now its time to move on to the next phase of the plan.” He was reaching for the phone when it rang beneath his fingers.
What the voice on the other end had to say ensured that any color on Shane’s face was gone at the end of the short conversation….

“My plan is ruined.”

*****

The passenger who was sitting demurely in the Jeep was ensuring that John had ample opportunity to see what traveling with their daughter would be like during summer vacations. “For the last time John, ARE WE THERE YET!”

He rolled his eyes and glanced over to ensure that her blindfold had indeed survived her last attempt to undo it. Seeing that indeed she was trying to get it off, he caught one of her hands in his and brought it to his lips. “Doc, If you try to take it off once more, I promise you no more Mr. Nice Guy.”

Marlena smiled and asked seductively. “Does this mean that if I take it off, your going to take advantage of me please?” John smiled and watched for the turn off. “Well I would love to do so, but we are at the stop number one and cant keep Zack waiting.” She was curious. “Zack?”

Zack Richard was the owner of the Stable that was boarding John’s surprise. He came out to greet them at the same moment that John was helping Marlena out of the Jeep. “Hey Zack.” The young man with the longish hair cut in a preppyish style smiled and shyly said his hellos. “Doc this is Zack. Zack this is my fiancée Dr Marlena Evans.”

As she tried to shake hands, John asked him how his sister was. “Oh Zoey is fine. Off at School and doing great.” Zack took a side-glance at Marlena. Something in her body language was telling him that she was anxious and so he quickly told John that he would get the surprise ready.

John’s attention was drawn to Marlena who was strangely silent. He slipped around her to undo her blindfold as Zack came around the corner leading the most beautiful stallion that Marlena had ever seen. “His name is Dorcha.” Marlena watched in silence as John effortlessly glided on top of him and held out his hand. “Come on Doc.”

Sensing that John wouldn’t let anything happen to her, Marlena held out her hand and was in front of John within a blink of an eye.

They had been riding for what seemed to Marlena to be for hours. Not that she minded, she loved the peacefulness of the mood and above all to just be in John’s arms. For so long after he had gone to Kristen, She dreamed of being with him and now after the hell that they endured at Shane’s hands. They both knew that they deserved this precious time.

She leaned against his chest and nearly dozed off listening to his heart beating. “Doc?” She glanced out of the corner of her eye and said, “Yes?” He inhaled the sweet smell of her hair. “You can’t fall asleep on me.” She sat up and did an impersonation of Belle. “Why not?”

John pointed a finger out and told her to look. “Destination Stop Part 2.” He glanced over at her to judge her reaction to the surprise Hot Air Balloon ride and doubled over at the sight of Doc’s expression. “Woah Baby.”

*****

John was trying hard not to laugh; He really didn’t want to. But there was something funny in watching his fiancée’s reaction to being nearly 500 feet above the ground that had her doing a combination of being awed over sailing over the local landmarks and also how tiny they were in relation to how high up they were then turning around so she could cling to him for dear life.

When they got to 1,000 feet, she let out a screech that threatened to deafen him. “Doc I never knew that you were afraid of heights?”

She smiled. “I’m not.” She looked smug. “Just wanted an excuse to hang on you.” She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “That is ok with you isn’t it?” He pulled her to him and laughed. “What do you think?” She started to laugh. “Oh I think so…”

Once she caught her breath, John looked at her seriously for a moment. “Doc ya know that it would make sense that you would be afraid of heights.” She glanced over at him. “What are you talking about?” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You were in a horrific plane crash. It makes sense.”

She was bout to say something to contradict him when they hit a pocket of turbulence that had her glancing with trepidation over the side of the basket. “AHA! You are a nervous wreck.” She glared at him. “I am not I have flown before.” John agreeably smiled and said, “Yes you have.”

She blushed as they both remembered the storm on that February night so many years before. To break that spell she glanced over the edge and shuddered. “But this…This is very different.”

John pulled her to him for a hug. Suddenly her eyes became as huge as saucers and then she winked “John is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” John started to kiss her ear and began to work his way around. “Oh I am always happy to see you.”

When they were about 5 minutes from landing, John reached into his back pocket for the blindfold. Marlena let out a screech. “Oh Nooooooo!” John gathered her up into his arms and slowly began to kiss her. As she began to melt against him, John whispered in her ear. “You trust me don’t you Doc?” She slowly nodded, fearing that her voice would betray her ragged emotions.

“Well if you trust me then let me.” He tightened the grip on her and before she could whimper, he had the blindfold on her. She let out a pitiful groan. “Awww it’s not fun anymore.” John smirked and thanked god for her lack of patience.

*****

“Hey sweetheart wake up, we’re here.” John smiled and watched as Doc tried to organize herself. “Since I am still wearing this blindfold. Would you like to tell me where HERE is?” John smiled. “You will soon enough. Come on Doc, give me your hand.” She did and he walked her to a predestined spot. “Ok ya ready Doc?”

She nodded. “Does it mean I get to take this off and keep it off?” John laughed and undid her blindfold. “Yep, For the journey to where we are going, You get to take it off. But once we arrive, your going to have to put it back on.”

Just as he undid it, she let out a “Aw John.” Which soon died in her throat as he turned her around. “Oh John.” He wrapped his arms around her and leaned his head against hers. “Yep we are going on a plane ride.” As they boarded, he could only hope that Rachie had managed to get the family already in the air and to their destination spot.

*****

Doc looked around and then back to John. “This isn’t what I think. It cant be the.” He sat down and pulled her onto his lap. “It is.” She leaned into kiss him. “Why?” He reached up and traced her features before brushing some loose strands of hair behind her ear. “We are going to be married today and I want nothing but happiness to touch you now. Here we refound our happiness and I just wanted you to keep that in your thoughts.”

She smiled and looked down as she began to undo his shirt buttons then turned her eyes back on him. “John you have always been in my mind and heart since that first day in the hospital. The plane..”

She glanced around and smiled. “THIS plane rejoined our hearts and gave us such a precious gift in our small Belle. I couldn’t forget this if I tried.”

She ran her hands over his chest and stopped at his waistband of his pants. “When I was Grace, I had no memory of most of the people who I love. But there was one person who kept haunting me. You were always there.”

He kissed the hollow of her throat. “I always had this sense of safety and love around those memories.” He slid his hand around her back and lazily traced patterns with a finger. Never taking his eyes off of her while he caused her the most delicious shivers, John smiled and in a whisper said.

“Well your mind may not of remembered me but your heart knew me.” He laid her on the couch and rolled on top of her. Caressing her cheek, he kissed her. “You’re mine Doc. Heart and Soul.” She smiled as she helped him remove the last pieces of clothing…

*****

“Poppa where are we?” Shawn smiled as he ruffled the hair of the wide-eyed little boy.

“Well we are in Ireland. This is where my ancestors came from a long time ago.” Belle popped up from her position on Bo’s back. “Weally Poppa?” Shawn bussed her on the tip of her nose. “Yes it certainly is my little Irish Rose.”

Belle smiled and laid her head back against Her uncle’s shoulder falling back to sleep in a blink of an eye.

While Shawn gave Brady a brief history lesson, Caroline helped Bo unload his sleeping cargo and Carrie who came without Austin, who had refused to leave Sami’s side while Will was so ill, was sitting and talking to Mike when she saw John’s assistant Rachael appearing.

Coming over to the smiling young woman Carrie asked if she knew what this was all about. With just a trace of her kiwi accent dancing ahead like a brook over rocks, Rachie smiled mysteriously and said. “I only know what John told me. You’re to go ahead to Loch Lochiel. The driver has been told to deposit you all to the Castle where the others are. Your outfits are there already and you’re to enjoy the entertainment and food. That’s all I truly know Carrie.”

Carrie still looked skeptical and Rachie lived up to her nickname of “The Sphinx” which had been given to her by John for her ability for keeping secrets. She smiled. “HONESTLY Carrie that is all that I know.” As the remainder of the guests followed John’s assistant, Carrie looked at Mike.

“I’m tickled that Marlena is alright but she is going to KILL him when she learns of what this surprise really is.” Mike started to laugh. “Your very right. So we better enjoy this while we can.” They laughed and joined the others at the limo.

After they had redressed and John had bravely held his own while Marlena used all of her feminine wiles on him to break and tell her what he was up to, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him

“Docccccc don’t you trust me? Don’t you like your surprises so far?” She smiled and leaned against him. “Oh I do but I can’t help but want to know what you’re up to dearest one.” John let out a snort and looked at her. “DEAREST ONE?”

To his surprise, he found that she fell asleep again.

So he smiled and reached behind them for the blanket and wrapped her in it. “You better get some sleep while you can. Your going to be needing it for what is lying ahead of you.”
Letting out a yawn, John reached for the phone to punch in the number to connect him to the flight cabin. “Hey Pete. My fiancée and I are going to catch 40 winks till we get to the destination. So get Frank to let us know when we’re 5 minutes from there please. Thanks.” He hung up and then redialed a second series of numbers.

“Hello there RachieQ. It’s me John. Have they all arrived?” He listened for a moment then smiled “Great and has Doc’s outfit arrived…” He listened. “Sounds like its all coming together. See you shortly Rach. We’re about an hour out.” He hung up and tightened his grip on Marlena. “Yep it is all coming together.”

*****

Shane thanked for what passed for him as a god for having the good fortune to have an insider who informed him on what the plans were for the evening and so was able to snag an invite for the surprise costume ball. He decided on an outfit of black and red with a belt trimmed in silver heraldry from Ireland’s past. For a mask he chose a plain one also in black. “Your mine Marlena. Tonight!”

*****

When she awoke, she was alone in a bedroom from a fairy tale. Sitting up she saw that she was in a four poster bed swathed in Tulle. The candles that were lit gave off a comforting glow. “Hello? John?” She slipped out of bed and found two tiny boxes and a trunk with a card on it.

“Your Bath is ready and waiting. r32;Dress in the costume that is in the trunk r32;Your mask and dancing slippers are in the boxes.” r32;Hurry, I’m waiting for you
The LOTD

Smiling, Marlena said out loud “John what are YOU up to?” She went into the bathroom and smiled at the sight of the bubble bath. “Whatever it is. I think I like it.”

*****

“Come in?” John smiled to see Abe coming into his room. “Hey Pardner.” They gave each other the customary slap on the back. “So does she know?” He shook his head and Abe started to laugh at the canary-eating grin.

“Well she knows that we are getting married today but the rest of this? It will be a surprise and it will be worth it to see her smile.” John stepped back to admire Abe’s costume. Similar in style to what John would be wearing minus the white Jacket with its silver heraldic symbols. Abe cut quite a dashing figure in his black pants, Greenish Blue Baggy Shirt and Black Vest. John started to laugh.

“What has you in a tizzy?” John choked it out. “Far cry from the Elvis wedding.” Abe smiled “I know. Leopard is definitely NOT for me.” They settled down and Abe asked him if he needed anything. John shook his head. “Nope I finally have Marlena. With her and the kids in my life that is all I need or could want.”

*****

Marlena was sitting in front of the old antique dressing table letting Lisa the hairdresser that John had hired finish weaving the white hair ribbons into her curls. She was doing up her charm bracelet and was listening to the lively Celtic music when The Pretty Brunette asked her something.

Marlena blushed “I’m sorry. What did you say?” Lisa smiled. “That’s alright. Mr. Black was like that as he told me what he wanted me to do.” Marlena stopped putting in her earrings. “He was?” Lisa laughed. “He also had that same look in his eyes that you do. That very happy and dreamy look.”

Marlena started smiling the smile of a woman who was very loved and happy. “Oh.” Lisa continued “Should have heard him as he told me how he wanted you to look.” She glanced at Lisa in the mirror. “And how is that?” Lisa turned around and called to her associate “Drea, is her dress ready?”

From the other room, the voice yelled, “Yes just about.” The two women smiled and then they heard “BEANY AND CECIL stay away from that gown!” Marlena looked at Lisa and raised an eyebrow. “Should I be worried?” Lisa pulled the curling iron out of the last curl and smiled. “Nope, B and C are Drea’s kitties and our Mascots and a lady who looks as lovely as you do, does NOT have a thing to worry about.”

She held up the mirror and showed Marlena the lovely job that she had done.
Marlena admired the curls and ribbons and started to cry. Lisa quickly handed her a Kleenex. “Oh don’t cry. You cry and then I will and then Drea will and it won’t be a pretty sight.” Marlena started to laugh. “You think I’m kidding.” Marlena’s laugh rang like church bells and that was what Carrie heard as she came in the door. “Oh Sweetie Girl look at you.”

Carrie had on an ice blue lace dress that ended at her knee. Her hair was similar in its ringlets to Marlena’s but she had a garland of roses and ribbons resting in her curls. “John sent me up to see what was keeping you and if you needed any help?” Before Marlena could answer, the door flew open and a tiny whirling dervish came in and stole her Mother’s heart.

Belle had been dressed in a green pinafore with a huge white Irish lace collar. Her usually straight as a board hair was in bouncing ringlets topped off like her big sisters with a rose and ribbon garland. Her tiny mask was made of lace and tiny pink rosettes.
The image that Belle was sending of complete and utter innocence so contrasted with her tom boyish image that everyone in the room couldn’t help oohing and awwing over her.
Brady appeared a short time later carrying Belle’s hoop of ivy and roses and followed by Laura who was carrying his hat. Marlena saw him and fell to pieces. “Oh Brady. Look at you.” He smiled. “Oh honey you look so handsome.” He scooted up on the bed beside Belle.

Brady was dressed in black pants with zippers on the legs, Suspenders and a black turtleneck with an emblem that had been taken off of one of the Banners that were hanging in the hall. He had a blue and black striped mask to wear as well.

Marlena admired Laura’s dress of Gold lace and how it enhanced her friend’s coloring. Carrie was about to go and bring out Marlena’s dress when she heard. “Cecil NO!” then “Beany you get away from that NOW!”

Peeking around the door, she had to laugh as she watched the young woman struggle to keep the kitties from attacking and molesting the garment bag and the dress. “They just wont listen to me today.” Carrie laughed. “I know that very well. My little sister and brother have two dogs and they seem to run into that alot.”

She reached over one cat who was extremely annoyed over having his toy taken from him by an annoying human. “Here let me help you with that.” Drea smiled. “Thanks.” She turned her attention to the cat. “You stay in here and don’t you DARE bang up against the door.”

She explained about how Cecil didn’t like to be locked in his room. Carrie started to laugh. “Well neither do my brother and sister.”

*****

John walked past the musicians warming up and came over to the singer who would be performing a solo during the ceremony. “How are you feeling Kristi?” She smiled. “Oh I’m doing alright. Kinda nervous.” John smiled. “Why. You sing beautifully.”

When the singer dressed as Erin the Goddess in Green Velvet blushed, John went to check on other arrangements.

Happily walking around with Abe and listening to their friends all happily telling him how happy they were that Marlena was indeed alive. John checked his watch. Abe smiled and searched for Lexie who waved at him from across the ballroom.
Admiring the banners gently fluttering in the breeze, she gently spoke. “John don’t worry.” John listened to the band as they played a lively jig that John vaguely remembered from Belle’s Lord of the Dance tape. He whispered as if in fear of disturbing fate. “I can’t help but not worry.”

Shane, who had been dancing with one of the guests, smiled as he overheard that last sentence. “Wise man John. You SHOULD worry.”

*****

“Come on Marlena. Let us see your gown.” Marlena laughed. “Just a second. I’m doing up the last of the buttons on my sleeve.” She came out to her friends and did a turn to show the finished picture. She was wearing an Irish lace dress that ended at her knee. It had a scalloped neckline and had lightly scattered sequins all over it.

She was also wearing a white taffeta overskirt that was tied with a soft green sash. “Oh my.” Laura was at a loss for words as she stared at her friend. “I hope that means you like this Laura?” Laura smiled at her best friend. “Oh I do like it very much. Marlena you are going to take his breath away.”

Suddenly as there was a knock at the door, Marlena let a crack go. “Oh I hope not. He is going to need ALL his strength for the honeymoon.” Carrie opened it to reveal Shawn. “Oh my Darlin. You just look so lovely.”

She blushed and showed him her outfit. Shawn smiled and after commenting “Are you ready? Its time.” She smiled and looked to her attendants. “Yes its time and I am more than ready.”

*****

To the strains of softly playing Celtic ballads, the assembled guests found their seats and began to watch the procession. Lexie came first and was met half way down the pathway by Eric who was handsome in his baggy white Irish linen shirt and black dress pants.
He and Mike wore vests of black with silver threads in the fabric. Carrie who blushed when Mike approached her to take her arm in the crook of his followed Lexie down the aisle.

The man who John had most felt should be by his side on this day of all days escorted Laura. Abe was all smiles as his best friend asked him to assume a role that he had happily played that happy day so many years before.

Shawn when he was asked to escort Marlena down the aisle was literally knocked over backwards when, thanks to a well placed kick in the leg from his adoring granddaughter Belle. She looked absolutely devastated for what she had done. Biting her lip she launched herself at Shawn. “Sworry Poppa, I was maiming for Bwady.”

Once she tearfully had apologized and had gone to see her Momma. John reasked the question. “Well I was wondering if you would do me the honor of walking Marlena down the aisle?” Shawn wiped his eyes. “Are You and Marlena sure?”

John looked sheepish. “Well if you really don’t want to be, I won’t mind.” The older man shook his head. “There is nothing more lad that would make me happier than to be at your sides when you finally marry Marlena. You both mean the world to Caroline and I. ”
Marlena peeked over the side of the gaily decorated boat and stared at the beauty of the Castle silhouetted in the moonlight. She sat back down and adjusted her cape around her. She glanced upwards in wonder over a night that was so clear and full of stars. Seeing an extremely bright one. Marlena smiled and shut her eyes as she prayed for nothing to ruin her moment. The one that they had both fought so hard for.

As they approached the landing dock, Shawn stood up and Marlena heard a faint singing. She glanced up to Shawn who held out a hand for her to slide her slender one into for support. “Here we go M’lady.”

As they made their way up the stone path that was lit by only simple torches, Marlena felt as if she had indeed stepped out of the pages of a story book. The mood of the music changed from the soaring tones of the choir to something more serene and light signaling for the partygoers to go to their seats and soon after, Belle appeared and smiling like a cherub.

In response to the light and happy music that accompanied her entrance. Belle skipped her way to the front and with a little help from her Granny Caroline, She sat up on the chair and smiled at Brady who stood beside their daddy holding the pillow for dear life.
Suddenly the music became haunting and dreamy and that was the moment that Marlena and Shawn appeared arm in arm under the banners. As they stopped for their picture to be taken just inside the arched doorway covered in a bower of roses and ivy and of freesias. The banners let go and fluttered down into a silken pool of colorful ribbon at the bride’s feet.

As they came down the steps, Kristi began to sing:
Where the river flows and surges to the sea

Silver figures rise to find me

Wise and as daring

Following the hearts cry

I am a deep pool

I am that dark spring

Warm with a mystery

I may reveal to you

In time

Time holds the hearts key

The Key to everything is love

Love makes the heart flower

Flowers into a deep desire

Passion in the hearts fire

Passion and love

See the eagle rise above the open plain

Golden in the morning air

Weaving and soaring

Watchful and Protecting

I am your shelter

I will enfold you

Marlena reached the foot of the stone steps and was met by her handsome groom. John reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “Baby you look absolutely wonderful.” She shivered as his lips touched her skin and his warm breath tickled her.

Shane saw the tender moment and seethed … “Enjoy this time. Its soon to be gone.”

As Shane watched the vows being performed, he felt like lunging for John and killing him there. “No, not here and not like that. You should stick to your plan.” He slipped away from the ceremony and went outside to refocus on the goal.

After bussing her hand, John smiled at the vision in white standing beside him. “Doc you look wonderful.”

She smiled and blushed. ‘Wonderful for you.” They both smiled and looked to the priest to begin. In his lilting Irish tones he began to lead them through the service. 

*****

“I, Grace take thee Shane to have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till Death us do part.”

Shane took a swig of the Irish whiskey and steeled himself from the kick that accompanied such a large drink of the stuff. He sat back in his chair and went over his memories of their wedding day while checking over his plan.

Things were falling into place and he found nothing missing from the plan. He had thought of everything. Nothing was missing. He remembered how Father had told him once when he was little that details were the key to any successful plan…

“Father I hope you are right.”

*****

The Priest began the service and while he spoke, it struck not just Marlena and John but all present that this ceremony had all the elements of a true fairy tale.

It was not just in the details of its locale but in the sense of it not being truly real. That after all that they both had to endure, that they could all just let down their guard and be totally happy for John and Marlena in the hour of their greatest joy.

*****

“I Marlena take you John to have and to hold from this day forward for better.”
Suddenly the room went into total darkness and fearing it to be an omen of bad luck, Marlena started to cling to John. “No not now, John ?”

Reaching over for her, he held on to her and calmed her fears. “Marlena honey look.” She did and saw like a gentle wave a rolling sea of light as everyone row by row lit tiny white candles bathing the room in soft light.

John turned her to face him. “See it’s alright, lets not let fear ruin the day alright Doc?” She smiled and nodded. “Your right.” They turned to face the Priest who smiled.

“Shall we continue?”

Shane heard his cell phone ringing and flipped it on. “Hello?” He winced at the voice at the other end. “Madelaina, why are you phoning?” He took another drink of the whiskey and allowed it to burn its way down.

“No I told you that I will not allow Cady to come home to you. She is sleeping and I’m not going to wake her.” He held the phone from his ear. “Listen Maddy. Your NOT her mother so kindly stop acting as if you are. Doing one small favor for us doesn’t make you her mother.”

Maddy swallowed and then faced him head on. “I KNOW I’m not. However what you have done is wrong. She isn’t yours and you have denied her what is rightfully hers. You never told me why I had to do that “Small favor” and who it was for. You know that I would NEVER have done that if I had known the truth.”

Shane began to see red. “What are you talking about sister mine?” Maddy shrieked “IM NOT YOUR SISTER!” Trying to calm a very volatile situation Shane took on a gentler tone.

“Does Phillip know that you haven’t been taking your pills Mads?” She counted to 10 in the hope that he wouldn’t goad her. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve seen the papers Shane or should I say..”

Shane cut her off. Cursing Phillip for leaving those papers out for her to see like that was utter madness. “No one will believe you. You do have a history for being shall we say, kinda fragile?” Maddy looked at a photo of Caden and Grace. “Marlena.” Maddy corrected herself.

“I have never felt better in my life. I know for once who you truly are and that is what will ruin you.” Shane smiled at the game of cat and mouse. If she knew as she said who he truly was, then she would also know that he couldn’t let her live.

Her next words cut through his foggy haze. “What did you say?” Maddy repeated herself defiantly. “I said that I will be telling them the truth. She belongs with them and the sooner she gets away from you and that legacy of evil.” Before Shane could continue, she hung up. As he smiled to himself, he had another thought. “Where is Maddy?”

*****

Maddy hung up the phone and returned to the wedding. As she was in costume, Shane hadn’t seen her there with Phillip. “Did you manage to get a hold of him?” She looked at her husband. “Yes I did. Phillip you know what this means. He won’t stop until he kills us both.” Phillip took her hands in his and whispered.

“Something’s are worth dying for to ensure that the evil ends. Remember he stole something infinitely precious from not only Caden but also from those two up there. It has to end Maddy and if I can somehow resolve my guilt in this.”

She looked to the bride and groom and nodded. “I know her Phillip. Even though she was sick and didn’t remember much, She has such a good heart. Once they know about Caden and the rest. They will forgive.”

As the trumpeters played the signal to announce that finally John and Marlena were finally and very happily man and wife, Maddy watched them go triumphantly up the aisle. “Soon Marlena..” Shane gazed at a photo of Marlena and Caden. “Mommy is coming home soon little one.”

*****

At the reception, the guests were happily milling about when Abe got a hold of the microphone. “Ladies and Gentlemen. I’m proud to announce and introduce to you, Mr and Mrs. John Black!” John and Marlena came into the ballroom laughing and arm in arm. Carrie noticed that Marlena’s taffeta overskirt was off, revealing the knee length lace dress and her hair was down with the ribbons bouncing merrily on her shoulders. She gave the appearance of being a woman very happily in love.

Before she could go and congratulate the happy couple, she watched laughing as her grandfather whisked Marlena off to dance to a lively Irish tune.

So coming over to John, whom she had seen talking to Abe. Carrie was soon growing worried. “John he wouldn’t dare show up here. We have the tightest security surrounding the castle and in the grounds. He couldn’t get in.” John shook his head. “I’m telling you Abraham. I have the feeling something will happen. Shane doesn’t seem the type to let her go that easily.”

Carrie was about to speak up when a young girl dressed as an young Irish gypsy came over and blindfolded John. “Aye and come with me…”

*****

Marlena was coming off with Shawn when she saw John being led onto the Dance floor. Letting out a squeal, she watched as he danced with the ladies at the reception while being unable to remove the blindfold. “It’s to see if he can tell who his wife is.” Marlena looked at Shawn. “What if he can’t tell me from say YOU?” Shawn laughed and hugged her. “Then the man is blind as well as dumb.”

They watched as John danced with Lexie, Carrie, Belle who laughed at seeing Daddy fumbling all over the place, followed by Laura, Romy, Carol and Kristi. Then came Sharon and DeAnn plus her cousins Cathleen and Cheryl and then also danced with Caroline. Marlena was bent double from laughing but managed to get herself under control. “When do I get in there?” Shawn smiled. “Whenever your ready.” She winked. “I’m ready now.”

She came over to her husband who was standing still for a moment trying to catch his breath. “Who is it?” Not saying a word, she ran her hand over his chest and then leaned in to brush a kiss against his lips. Putting on her best Irish accent, Marlena whispered. “Aye and would you be dancing with me now sir?”

John wrapped his arms around her and danced enjoying the feel of the lady in his arms as he smiled at the thought that Doc would trick him and not know that he could always sense her presence in a room by the smell of her perfume.

But before he could kiss her, she was pulled out of his arms and then he was dancing with what he figured was one BIG woman then suddenly two more appeared. “Must be some of my Alamainian relatives.” Suddenly the lights went out again and his blindfold was taken off and then he was kissed.

When the lights came back on, he found Abe, Shawn and Bo laughing their heads off with Marlena standing beside them and when she held up the hand mirror, he saw that he was covered in lipstick.. Bo started to smirk. “Gee John, think we took brotherly love too far?”

John groaned at that and looked at his wife. “Honey, you should really change your perfume if your going to even think of tricking me.” Laughing at her wide eyed expression, John pulled Marlena to him for a kiss, cutting off her comment of “Ooooh your not playing fair! YOU KNEW!”

The kiss was so full of hidden meaning and promises that she broke it off when she felt herself going limp. John smiled at the look in her eyes and felt proud that he was the one who got her that dreamy. “I’m going to get you for your little Irish Maid accent later.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I hope you do.” He started to laugh while She leaned her head against his for a moment and then smiled. “I think we should be getting you cleaned up.”

*****

She led him into the room that had been hers and turned on the light. “Doc?” She came back over to him and started to undo his buttons. “Your covered in lipstick and I really and truly think that you should have a nice..” She leaned over to kiss him. “Hot and very steamy shower with your new wife.”

John reached behind her and undid the pearl buttons on her dress. As it pooled around her feet, he marveled at the image before him in ivory silk and lace. He bent his head to kiss the hollow of her throat. Marlena laced her fingers into his hair and pulled him up to face her. “We did it. We truly are married.” John groaned and scooped her up. “Doc sweetheart, have I told you that you talk way too much.”

Laying her on the bed, he stretched out her arms over her head and started to explore thoroughly with gentle kisses that soon had Marlena wiggling with anticipation. r32;Not taking his eyes off of her, he slowly started taking off her stockings and enjoying the play of emotions that were going over her as he ran his fingers over the sensitive part of the inside of her thigh. When he saw that she was clutching the blankets, he came back and started to kiss the swell of her breasts.

She suddenly sat up and ran her hands over his chest. “I want you.” He cupped her face in his hands and slowly planted butterfly soft kisses over her face as he laid her back on the bed. “Doc, you have me.”

She felt as if it was that first night of their return home from West Virginia all over again as she was shaking as she ran her hand over his chest while his hands began to undo her lace underthings. Running his hand down her back, he stopped at her waist and pulled her up with him as he climbed off of the bed. Hazel eyes locked on to Blue ones while he carried her into the bathroom. He turned on the water and she undid his belt and helped him out of his clothes while waiting for the water to heat up.

*****

“Remember that Dr.Evans is NOT to be hurt.” Shane studied the faces of the men that he assigned to the plan and hoped that they would follow down to the letter all that he had wanted. “Bring him back here dead or alive.”

John studied the face of the woman he adored and leaned in to kiss her while she ran her hand over his back. Stopping at his shoulder while she ran her hand over the phoenix tatoo. She got a distant look in her eyes that John suddenly felt needed to be kissed away.

“Hello pretty lady. Your far away.” She refocused on him. “I am not. I’m right here with you. In your arms and if I wasn’t mistaken, in the shower with you not quite an hour ago?” John smiled but his eyes weren’t in it. “Doc honey what’s the matter?”

She shook her head. “Nothing’s the matter. I have you and the kids. That is all I need to be the happiest woman in the world.” He ran his hand down the sheet and let it linger possessively over her stomach. “You have never fooled me sweetheart. What is it that has you that worried?”

She looked at him and felt her heart being lost again. “It’s silly but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m going to lose you again.” John drew her into his arms and held her close. “You can’t lose me. I’m with you always.” She broke the embrace and smiled. “Call it post bridal nerves.”

As he drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it, Marlena glanced over to the bedside clock. “John the reception!” He started to laugh. “Honey I think they will have guessed that we started the honeymoon without them.” She glanced at him. “Please, I want to celebrate this with them.”

One look at his new wife’s face and John knew that he couldn’t let her get upset again and so with a groan got up out of bed. “We’ll go back and then when we leave. You are NOT to be getting out of this bed again, Got it Doc?” She was wrapping the sheet around her. “I do indeed get it and that is something I hope you will hold me to.” She shooed him out and went to pick out something else to wear as her pretty bridal laces were now wrinkled….

*****

A short while later, John was talking to Abe and Lexie when he suddenly grew worried about Marlena. Looking for her, he asked them if they could see her. Lexie spotted her first standing alone in front of the band who were playing something for her.
Marlena was dressed now in a black and silver dress that tied at the back of her neck. It had a sweetheart neckline and was also to the knee. Her hair was down in curls and she looked serenely ethereal as she moved in time to the music lost in her own little world.
Something drew John to stand just off the dance floor and watch her. As she swayed seductively to the music, he found himself being compelled to come and dance with her. He felt as if he wanted to possess this side of her that he had never really seen before.
Marlena sensed him behind her before he slid his hand around her waist and so just leaned against him as he dipped her to the side and then they were off dancing as if they were the only two in the entire world. The music ended just as John twirled her in his arms before dipping her once more and while he had her down like that, claimed her with a kiss.

The cheers and applause that followed had Marlena ducking her head into John’s shoulder with a blush.

Luckily after John let her up, Belle came bouncing out showing no signs of tiredness and asked her Daddy to dance with her. So Marlena with a laugh let go of her husband and allowed him to dance with their daughter. “Mommy watch!”

John piped in “Yeah Mommy watch!” Marlena scrunched up her nose. “John just dance with our Daughter.” While they went off to dance, Maddy made her move. “Marlena?”

Marlena turned and let out a squeal, “Maddy?”

*****

The other woman asked if she could speak to Marlena privately for a moment. “Ah sure Maddy. Come with me.” They went to a quiet corner and Marlena turned to Maddy.

“What is the matter? How is Phillip and Caden?” Maddy looked very nervous. “Phillip is fine and Cady is why I wanted to talk to you. There is something that you should know. I’m worried that Shane would harm her.”

Marlena shook her head. “Shane wouldn’t hurt her. He’s her father.” Maddy shook her head, feeling a cold hand of fear trying to grasp her. “No he isn’t her father. John is.”
Before she could explain, the lights went out again just as a shot rang out.

*****

Marlena could hear Abe and John screaming for the lights to be brought back online. She heard Belle screaming and wanted to cry out for her baby but couldn’t. She felt so heavy and the stone floor was chilling her to what felt to be the very bone.

She heard John yelling for her and she tried to cry out. For a moment she felt foggy as she tried to remember all that had happened. Then it came back to her, leaving her to wonder if she had been shot. Suddenly the lights came back on and she found to her horror that she was lying under Maddy. “Doc?” She willed her voice not to fail her and she let out a scream. “JOHN!”

He spun around and couldn’t see her at first. But when he and Bo spotted her, they rushed over and Bo lifted the lifeless body of Maddy off of Marlena. The men were sure that she had been shot as well but Marlena sat up and told them except for the bump on the head, she was fine.

John held onto her as if she would break and grateful for his warm and strong arms around her, Marlena sank gratefully into them. She didn’t see John signal Mike to bring her something that would knock her out so just before he did, Marlena told him what Maddy told her. “Cady.” John kissed her forehead. “What about her Doc?”

She gazed into her husband’s eyes. “Maddy told me that Cady is yours…OW!”
The medication kicked in immediately and soon she was fast asleep, John scooped her up and took her back upstairs where Lexie promised to watch over her.

*****

A shocked Phillip came to John upon his return back downstairs. “We need to talk.” John looked concerned. “You should see the Doctor. You..” Phillip dismissed the concern.

“Listen to me please, there isn’t much time left. Maddy wanted you and Marlena to know. Caden Rose isn’t Shane’s child. She is yours and Marlena’s.”

John looked as if the poor man’s grief had gotten to him. “No she isn’t.” Phillip continued. “Yes she is. Cady was conceived using an egg of Marlena’s that had been taken from her while Stefano had her in San Cristobal. Do you remember any tests that Stefano did to you at Maison Blanche?” John did indeed.

The memories always had haunted him at night and left him convinced that they were dreams. “So how did Shane get a hold of our child?” Phillip looked at John and saw where Cady had gotten her stubborn streak from. “Shane’s father helped.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “I really shouldn’t be calling him Shane.”

John raised an eyebrow. “Why shouldn’t you?” Phillip bit his lip. “The Real Shane O’Neill died as a result of an ISA mission shortly before Caden’s birth. A mission in which he was going after Stefano DiMera.”

John was absolutely confused and let the other man have it. “So if he isn’t O’Neill, who is he?” Phillip took a deep breath. “He is Antony DiMera.” John shook his head. “Nooo, Tony is dead.”

*****

Marlena came walking towards John and smiled at the sight of her handsome groom when suddenly she saw Shane coming towards him. She tried to cry out for him but found her voice had failed her. “Oh not now! Not like this!” Helpless to prevent the oncoming tragedy, she watched as Shane pulled out a gun and shot John!

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Running to him, she gathered him up in her arms and planted a kiss on his forehead only to be roughly pulled to her feet. “Hello Wife o’mine.” Horrified, she spun and looked into the face of Shane. “Why!” He pulled her to him and forced her to kiss him. She reached up and scratched him. “NO!”

He smiled and for a moment, Marlena wondered how she could have ever thought that was a man she could love.

“Oh yes, your mine and now that he is dead, your future is tied to mine.” She let out a scream as he kicked a seemingly lifeless John. “DON’T DO THAT!” He glared at her. “Why the hell can’t I! He took you from me and now retribution is mine.” As she cried out for John, Shane carried her away.

She woke up when Lexie gently shook her awake. Lexie’s heart went out to Marlena as she studied her friends tear stained face. “I need to see John.” Lexie helped her off the bed and they went in search of John.

*****

John started to wonder if Phillip had lost all sense of sanity with that last announcement. “Please you need to believe me.” John shook his head. “Why should I?” Phillip went to the window. “To help me ease my guilt. I helped him and now I’ve seen that what I had done was wrong.”

John looked curious, “What have you done?”

Phillip sat down and fiddled with his wedding ring. “I was the Doctor who planted your child into the surrogate mother.” John looked at his new ring as the implications of what he was telling him sank in. “Who was the surrogate mother if I may ask?” Philip looked older for a moment. “Maddy volunteered for it. We couldn’t have children of our own since…that doesn’t matter. She thought that she was doing it for her brother. Cady was born on the 22 of August.” John sat down. “Nooo.”

Phillip looked concerned. “John does that date mean something to you?” He nodded.

“Marlena and I had been married the first time on that date.” Phillip nodded “That makes sense.” John looked curious. “What does?”

Phillip shook his head. “Tony sent me a dossier on you and Marlena that said something in the margin about the baby needing to be born around that date.”

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. “Come in?” Abe peeked around the door. “Can I see you please?” John went with him and Phillip was left alone with his thoughts. It was so quiet that he didn’t see who was entering the room till it was too late and the other person was right on him. “You shouldn’t have told him.” The shot was covered up in the noise of the guests leaving the reception.

John joined Abe in the hall. “What is it?” Abe looked deadly serious. “We just got word from Salem. They finally ID’d the victim in Marlena’s car.” John looked anxious. “Well, who was it?” Abe hesitated for only a second. “It was Kristen.”

Hearing that it was Kristen just added to the speculative fear of John’s thanks to Phillip. “Partner could you please check on Doc for me? She should still be sleeping and Lex is with her.” Abe nodded. “Will you be alright?” John nodded. “Yeah Buddy. Just want to make sure Marlena is alright.”

Shane stood in the shadows. “Oh don’t worry John. I will make sure the lady is alright.” He went in search of Marlena’s room…

Abe met Marlena and Lexie coming down the Grand Gallery stairs. “Where is John!” Abe didn’t like the look in Marlena’s eyes so helped her down as she was still groggy and brought her down just in time to see a figure run by. Something about that figure worried Marlena and so asked Abe and Lexie to check it out. “Marlena, will you be alright alone?” She nodded. “I will be fine as soon as I see John.”

She watched them go and went walking down the hall looking for John. “Oh please be alright my love.”

John came back in just in time to see Phillip lying in a pool of blood. “Oh Dear God.” He didn’t need to check his pulse to see that Phillip was dead or close to it. Suddenly a tiny pang of fear kicked in and John had an irrational sense that he needed to see Marlena. Running out, he didn’t hear Phillip say with his last breath

“Beware Tony…”

He ran right into Marlena, who burst into tears at seeing her husband alright and in one piece. “Thank God.” He held her close and was thanking God for keeping her safe when suddenly Shane’s voice rang out. “Oh I think it’s too soon to be thanking God John.” Turning around, John moved around to see Shane aiming a gun at him.

Moving Marlena behind him, John asked what he wanted. “Oh that’s an easy one John. I want Marlena, and I will have her.”

Marlena let out a cry of “NO!” John glared at his enemy and vowed that his having Marlena would be the last thing that would be happening. “Oh I think it will. You see I hold all the cards. I also hold your child’s safety in my hands.”

Marlena assuming that it was Belle that he meant cried for him not to hurt her. Shane smiled. “Obviously Marlena is the one with all the sense in the family eh John?” That did it, John called out. “Why did you kill Kristen Shane? Or should I say Tony?”

In shock from John’s comment, Marlena peeked over his shoulder at an absolutely furious O’Neill. “Tony?” The firing of the gun rang out and echoed through the hallway like a cannon….

Abe ran upstairs in time to see Marlena slumped in a corner of the hallway next to a table with no sign of Shane or also of John. Checking for a pulse, he let out the breath that he didn’t even know that he was holding… Scooping her up, Abe went in search of medical attention for Marlena.

“Hey Doc…Doc wake up. Marlena are you in there.” John sat down beside the bed and played with her hair. Reaching to the bedside table, he pulled a rose from the vase and started to trace lazy patterns up and down her arm. That worked. “John?”

He smiled at the sleepy look in her eyes. “Hey sleeping beauty. Here I thought that you would sleep our whole honeymoon away. Glad to see you proved me wrong.” She sat up. “Why does my head hurt so bad?” John gathered her up in his arms. “Well honey that’s cause you had a whole bunch of stuff to drink at the reception and …”

She shook her head trying to remember. “No, I don’t think so.” She looked around the room cautiously. John caught her and smiled. “Whatcha doing that for? Only been married for not even 12 hours and already looking for the way out.” She smiled at the playful tone in John’s voice. “No not even wild horses would have me looking for the door. Just can’t help but think that somehow something isn’t quite right.”

She snuggled against her husband. “Honey I am so sorry but I can’t seem to keep my eyes open.” John smiled and planted a kiss against her hair. “Sweetie go ahead. We have the rest of our lives.” Marlena ran her hand across his chest and suddenly pulled away and started to scream! John, concern for his wife written across his handsome face asked her what was wrong. All she could do was point at his shirt where there was a rapidly growing scarlet stain. “NOOOOO!”‘

Marlena woke up in the room where not that long before she and John had shared such a wonderful moment in time. She saw Abe standing against the wall near the window. “Abe?” He came to sit with her on the bed. “Marlena, You should still be sleeping.” She looked around close to tears. “Where’s John?” Abe looked like he wanted to be anyplace than there at that moment. “Marlena, we have looked everywhere but we cannot find John or Shane.” She looked terrified.

“Shane was here Abe, he had a gun.” She leaned over and clutched at his shirt. “He had a gun. Abe please you have to find them!” Signaling to mike who had been just in the doorway, Abe helped to hold her while Mike gave her a second shot to make her sleep.
As her eyes began to close, Marlena had a sickening thought. That in the end, Abe and the others would be unable to help her. That it would come down to Shane and her and there would be one clear winner, and one very definite loser. Unbeknownst to her, she spoke one clear thought before letting the drug take over. “And I’m playing to win!”
“For Days I dreamt of him. I saw him in laughter and in tears. I felt us together in love and the feeling would have me waking in a sweat. Shaking so hard that I had to get up so I could believe that yes it was true, he still hadn’t come home to me.”

Marlena shut the journal that she had begun to keep and rested her hands on the desk. She gazed at the one wedding photo that she allowed herself to keep out. It showed her smiling in John’s arms and looking quite happy with the world. If only she had known what would lie ahead…

*****

For a few days after the commotion and disappearances of John and Shane,…”Tony” Marlena had to constantly remind herself of the man’s true identity, from the castle, Marlena fought to remember the events of that night and refused to believe what the others had begun to accept on fact.

That John had gone. She felt rightly that if he could have, he would have left her at least a little letter to let her know. There was nothing and so she waited.

Not even Belle or Brady could ease this pain and so watched over their mother with sadness. Marlena felt such guilt over that, but couldn’t see her way through it. So she decided to send them home to Salem with Shawn and Caroline.
“Are you sure of this honey?” Marlena smiled at the older woma

n’s concern and nodded. “Yes, they should be home with their own things, not here with a emotional overwrought mother. I just need to be here for awhile longer. Try to make sense of what had happened.”

So after they had gone, Marlena made arrangements for Maddy and Phillip’s funerals and escorted their bodies back to the rest of the O’Neill family. Staring at her ring on the flight back to London, Marlena leaned against the window. “John, where are you?”

*****

Upon her arrival in London, she relinquished custody of the caskets to Maddy’s sisters Tessa and Daisy and then went to get a room at a local hotel. Daisy at first resisted that idea. “You’re family, come and stay with us at the house.” Marlena nodded. “No but thanks, Daisy. I just would rather be alone.”

Upon her arrival at Claridges, the desk clerk was surprised to see her. “Your reservation has been made for several hours Madame.” He handed her a key and informed the bellboy to take her things upstairs…

When she came into the room, she found a bouquet of roses with a card. Hoping against all rational thought that it was from John, she went to open it. “The Game Begins, Winner takes all…”

Feeling a rush of Nausea overcoming her, Marlena reached for the phone, “Ah yes, Hello, Could housekeeping come up to room 2249 and collect these flowers. Thank you.” Sitting on the bed, Marlena fought to collect her thoughts. “Shane..”

Feeling sick for a moment, she decided to go and lay down on the bed. After tossing and turning for a few minutes Marlena began to be bombarded with memories.

“Tony?” Then coming over to Maddy and hearing her say with absolute clarity and certainty about Caden, all the while with a strange victorious gleam in her eyes, as she told the new bride. “No he isn’t her father. John is.” Then a fleeting moment of clarity when she woke up on the bed with Abe watching guard over her. “Abe?”

He came to sit with her on the bed. “Marlena, You should still be sleeping.” She looked around close to tears. “Where’s John?” Abe looked like he wanted to be anyplace than in that room at that moment. “Marlena, we have looked everywhere but we cannot find John or Shane.” She looked terrified. “Shane was here Abe, he had a gun.” She leaned over and clutched at his shirt. “He had a gun. Abe please you have to find them!”

Her thoughts were shattered by a phone call. Reaching for the phone, she was surprised by Mike’s cheerful voice telling her that he had some good news for her. “I noticed something in your wedding license blood tests and while we were all coming to Ireland, I had the lab here at home run some tests.”

Concerned, Marlena asked what he had seen. “Marlena, you’re pregnant.” She started to laugh to herself, allowing herself the joy of thinking that this was a honeymoon baby. “Do you know how far along I am Mike?” He gazed at the records in front of him… “Well according to this. Your close to three months along.”

Suddenly the laughter died in her throat as her eyes got huge at the thought that sat like a rock in the middle of her stomach. “I slept with Shane that last time around three months ago..Oh dear god!” She remembered that it was just before the party and shortly after, she and John reunited at the loft…

Thanking Mike for the news, Marlena smiled as a thought came to her. “If it is yours Tony…Your going to have to give me what I want. John’s safety for your child’s safety.” Reaching again for the phone she dialed a number that she felt would help jump start her search.

*****

She was standing by the hotel window watching the lights of London click on when the phone rang. Staring at it for a moment, she let it ring a couple of times and then came to answer it. “Hello?”

Tony smiled. “Hello sweetheart.” She grimaced at the tone he used, one of someone who is used to getting what he wanted, damning all that stood in his way. Consequences be damned.

All the while an image of a tortured John flashed into her mind. Placing a hand on her stomach and saying a prayer for strength she smiled. “I just wanted to say thank you for my roses.” There was a knock at the door and so she had to cut it short. “Well I am in no doubt that I will hear from you again. See you soon.” Hanging up the phone, she went to the door.

She leaned against it for a moment as she tried to clear her mind of the wave of nausea that was rising over her as she realized that she was in the game now and that she would have to go it alone. John wasn’t there to help support her and fight with her. She cleared her throat and answered the knock.”Yes?” She was stunned to hear a mangled scottish accent ask to speak to Doctor Marlena Evans-Black.

Peeking through the keyhole, she let out a gasp!

Opening it in a hurry, she buckled under the weight of him as he stumbled over the doorstep of her room. Turning him over, she let out a cry. “Jamie?”

*****

Marlena sat by the bed staring at its occupant intently and remembered the last time that she had seen him. It was in San Christobal and she thought that Her husband’s old ISA partner had joined forces with Stefano and Orpheus. But he hadn’t. After a knock down verbal argument in which she accused him of betraying the moral code that he and Roman had lived by, He had tried to spring her and sadly the plan had gone wrong and afterwards; she had been told by a victorious Stefano, that he had been shot and killed for his pains.
The resulting tr

auma had her sent to the clinic she escaped from all those years before.

His soft groan snapped her from the memories. She got up from the chair and knelt beside the bed. Speaking softly she felt his forehead and to her relief there was no fever or concussions or any signs of trauma. “It’s alright Jamie, your safe. It’s Marlena.”

He opened one eye. “Your alright?” She looked at him in amusement. “Yes, how are you?” He groaned and shut his eye. “No more beer!” She laughed. “How did you get here?”
He sat up carefully and looked her in the eye. “Your husband sent me to protect you.” She looked as if she had been slapped. “WHAT?”

*****

James Fraser sat up and stared at the woman who stood in front of him with her hair around her face as a shield. Her arms were crossed and he knew that from the body language, she was going to blow. “What did you just say to me Jamie?” Jamie stretched and the light from the lamp played with the copper glints in his hair.

“John asked me to watch over you, and I’m here to keep my vow.” She shook her head. “You and John can go jump in a lake. I never asked him to leave me. I never asked him to take this moral high ground. I sure as hell never wanted him to allow me to believe that he had been killed!”

She lunged for him and began to pound on his chest. Grasping at her hands with one enormous paw of his own, Jamie smiled. “Told you once before. You do that once in your life and once only. Your time was in San Christobal. Now you calm down Sassenach. John told me to tell you what he has learnt.”

Marlena squinted one eye and smiled. “Not till you tell me two things.” Jamie nodded. “And they are?” Marlena held up one finger, “What does Sassenach mean?” Jamie nodded “Fair enough and the second is?” Marlena’s face softened and she allowed her love for John to show through. “Is he alright?”

Jamie smiled as he drew her to him for a comforting hug, “Aye he’s fine, misses you very much and to fulfill the first part, it means outsider…not quite one of us. For you, its my term of endearment. If you ever became like me or John , I’d have to shoot you.” Jamie smiled as he felt her bouncing with laughter. Looking down, he saw her laughing and looking at him.

“When they made you they broke the mould. Thank God…Don’t think we could handle two of you..”

She looked at him, all seriousness as she stepped away from him. “Where is he or am I allowed to know?” Jamie smiled. “Yes you are and if you get your jacket, I will take you to him.” He grabbed her suitcase. “We’re leaving.” Marlena looked skeptical.

“Are you sure your up to traveling in your condition?” Jamie laughed. “Oh aye..Had worse hangovers than this. Lets go take you to your worried husband.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Where is he?” Jamie shut the door. “We’re going to Lallybroch.”

*****

Lallybroch was a quiet estate half an hour from London. Jamie told her to sleep while he drove and to her amazement, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the headrest…
She walked into a gaily decorated nursery full of stuffed animals and delicate fabrics. She smiled at the peace that emanated from the room. She heard the baby cry and started coming to the cradle. She went to pick up the baby when suddenly something about the child made her let out a scream of sheer terror.

“My love I want to thank you for the child. Our Child and my new heir. I told you that you would be back at Pennistone Royal and pregnant. You really should learn to believe me.” She flinched and turned away from Tony as he moved in to kiss her.

“IT IS NOT YOUR BABY!”

She woke up in a cold sweat and found herself alone in the car while Jamie was pumping Gas. Leaning her forehead against the cold window, Marlena whimpered. “Its not yours. It’s John’s.”

*****

“Wake up Sassenach we’re here.” Sleepily she rubbed her eyes. “Where is here?” Her door opened and a voice she thought that she would never hear again practically knocked her over with happiness. “Welcome to Lallybroch Marlena.” She started to cry as she flew out of the car into John’s arms.

Holding on for dear life, she just looked at him in the hopes that she could stay in his arms forever. She buried her face in his neck and heard him say “Thank You” to Jamie who smiled at his friends and drove off into the night

.
He reached under Marlena’s chin and made her look at him. “I am so sorry my love.”
She started to cry. “Just don’t leave me like that again?” He tentatively and with some hesitation claimed her mouth with a kiss which threatened to knock them both over. “John, I think…” He scooped her up in his arms and took her inside. “I think we should go upstairs, Talking can wait.” John smiled and did as he was told…

Setting her down in the bedroom, he shut and locked the door before coming back to her. She was shaking as he took her hands in his and kissed one and then the other hand. “Doc?”
She stepped closer to him and leaned her head on his chest. He picked her up and sat her on the bed. Reaching up for him, she pulled him back onto the bed with her and with all of her willpower, showed him that she wasn’t in the mood for gentleness.

That she wanted to show him all of the anger that she endured while not knowing where he was.

He could see something dancing behind those hazel eyes and so allowed her to have her way. He rolled her on her back and began to undress her while she struggled to make him let go off her hands. While he began to reacquaint himself with her, she raked her fingers up his back. “Ow Doc!” He rolled off her.

“Ok what is the matter with you?” She sat up and started to weep. “I never thought that I would say this to you. But for leaving me and putting Brady and Belle and the rest of the family though this hell….”

John turned around to get his shirt “John for all of that, I hate you.” Not showing her how that hurt, he put it on and then came to crouch in front of her. “Do you think that I would willingly put you all through this? That I would leave you on our wedding night?” He grabbed for her hands.

“I would die before putting our family through pain. But Tony needs to be stopped.”
“Not by leaving us alone and vulnerable. For all you know, he could be making plans to grab Belle and Brady or even your other child.” The way she said your made John’s head swivel in shock. “What do you mean by that.”

Marlena slid off the bed and went to sit in front of the fireplace. “Maddy told me at the reception that Caden was your child.” John bit his tongue to hide the laughter.

“Yes Caden is my child. But You’re her Mother, Doc.” She shook her head at him in disbelief. “John that is not funny!”

He came to sit with her. “No no it isn’t. Apparently Phillip implanted Maddy with a child of ours.” She started to cry when it impacted on her. Maddy had her child and she would soon have Tony’s. “STOP IT!” She told herself. “This is John’s baby and leave it be at that!”
She gazed at John. “So what do we do now? How do we go bout saving our child from him?” John told her about the information that he and Jamie had begun to gather on the O’Neill/DiMera fortune and all of its illegal dealings.

“I have also contacted Shane Donovan’s attorney who is as we speak drawing up custody papers. We will take him to court to ensure that we get to bring our Cady home.”
She burst out into tears causing John to smile. “Aww Doc, I didn’t think it would be that bad of a proposition to you.” She shook her head. “I am so sorry.” He leaned into her and took her face in his hands.

“Seeing as your just so damned cute, I will let it slide for now.” She slid back against the pillows in front of the fire and pulled him on top of her. “Let me show you how sorry I am.”

*****

The next morning found her sleeping snuggled against John with her arm slung over his chest. John smiled as he saw her at peace. Moving his head over to kiss the tip of her nose, he soon found himself staring into the one opened eye of his wife. “Hello there Doc.”

He moved away so she could wake up. Soon both eyes were opened and she gave him a smile that lit up her face. “Hello. Your real.” John sat up tickled to hear that tone in her voice. “Yep I am.” Suddenly there was a knock at the door and a female voice rang out. “Are you ready for breakfast Mr. Black?”

John nearly choked at the look on Marlena’s face as her head whipped around questioningly. “WHO is that?”

John leaned over and kissed Marlena before tossing her his t-shirt. “Clear that thought out of your mind Sweetheart. It isn’t what YOUR thinking.’ Marlena looked ready to bust from laughing. “Oh so who is the psychiatrist?”

John snorted in amusement and called out “Come in Lavinia.” An older woman who looked to Marlena to be a cross between Mrs. Claus and Alice Horton bustled in.
When she said her good mornings to them, Marlena was tickled to hear that the woman’s accent was thicker than Shawn’s.

*****

After eating breakfast, John asked Marlena to stay in the house while he and Jamie went to speak to the lawyers. Happily she agreed and decided to keep positive thoughts. That her baby was John’s and so decided to surprise him with the baby news.

Borrowing some baby wool and knitting needles from Lavinia, She began to knit and soon lost track of time. “Hello there honey.” He kissed her head and saw the booties. “Aw honey thanks. But their too small for me.” She slapped them out of his hand.

“Not for you. For the baby.” John sat back happily. “I see, the baby..” She started to count to ten and got to 3 before it hit him. “Baby? Whose baby?” Marlena was bent double with laughter. “Our Baby.”

Jamie’s appearance silenced the celebration. “Hello Lurch!” He smiled at Marlena.
“Hello Sass.” He saw the dumbstruck look on John’s face. “What’s with him? You didn’t cook did you?” She threw the wool at him. “Nope..Just told him that he was about to be a daddy again.” Jamie looked hugely amused by this news. “Man cant you keep that thing in your pants?”

Marlena who was sipping her tea started to choke at that comment and John had to rush to her aid. “Glad to see that you haven’t lost leave of your senses there Black my boy. You were looking like a sick sheep there for a bit.”

With that graphic in her head, Marlena made a hasty retreat and ran upstairs…

*****

Tony sat in his car and watched as Marlena sat in the garden. He checked his watch and reached for his cell phone. “Are you all ready?” The chorus that greeted him made him crack a smile. “Good.” He checked his watch. “On my mark.”

Marlena was sitting and reading when she heard rustling in the bushes behind her. Dismissing it as a cat, she went back to her reading. She glanced at her watch and remembered that John told her he and Jamie would be back at 4. “10 more minutes.”
Suddenly she heard it. It was faint at first but she soon spun around in terror.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

She had only a few seconds to struggle before falling under the influence…

John and Jamie were coming around the house to the backyard when he saw Marlena struggling with someone. Running to her aid, he let out a scream for Jamie to call the police when he heard the shot and saw to his horror that Jamie had gone down with a fatal shot. He was going to have to go it alone when he saw Tony.

Tony screamed for his men to take Marlena away when she woke up and saw John. “HELP ME!” He tried to come to her aid but was hit by another of Shane’s guards.
Tony grabbed a pool cleaning stick and began to hit him with it. As the men were taking her away, she managed to break away from the guards and ran to hide in some bushes.
The men were fighting close to the diving board and it had rained earlier but the rage that was pouring from both men ensured that neither saw it. They only wanted the other dead.

Marlena, who wasn’t bout to move, saw Jamie’s body beside her and that a gun was close to him. Reaching for it, she pulled it to her and checked for the number of bullets…

Making sure that she was in the clear, she slipped out from under the bushes and came back.

*****

“Your father misjudged me and I shot him. I don’t know how you could make that same mistake.” Her voice broke through the haze and the men stopped to see Marlena holding the gun on Tony. “Move away from John Tony…NOW!”

She cocked the trigger and counted off while moving closer. “MOVE!” John saw the rage in her eyes and was about to tackle Tony when he spun around and with the fallen Pool stick cracked him one. Once he was down, he kicked him savagely and that was when she fired. The first shot hit him in the arm. “I love you Grace. We belong together.”

She shook her head sickened and in disbelief. “You belong in hell!” He began to inch her closer to the wet cement of the pool edge. “You Caden and I belong together. We will live at Pennistone Royal with our new baby.” She shook her head. “Your deluded. What new baby?”

Tony smiled as he pointed at her. “Your carrying my child. I broke into Mike’s office. That baby is mine!” She started to scream. “No its NOT!” She fired again and this time, she made contact with his chest but when he began to fall, he took her with him.

Marlena hit her head against the diving board in the process and fell into the pool. John woke up and held his head. “Doc?” He managed to stand up woozily and as he saw the carnage, he saw the figure in the white shorts and Pink tshirt that was floating in the middle of the pool.

“DOC! Oh no no, no, no, no.”

Not knowing how long she had been in the pool, he dove in and got her out. To his dying day, he would never forget how limp she was in his arms…..

John reached for the phone. Groggily he opened one eye to check the time. “Hello?”
Caroline’s voice, meaning nothing but love and concern was beginning to bug him to no end. “Caroline, I am fine. There really is no need for you to be calling me to make sure that all is well. I’m hanging up so I can get some more sleep and then I will be swinging by to pick up the kids.”

Before she could protest, John hung up. Rolling over, he checked his watch a second time and shook his head. “Not yet.”

From the moment that he returned home, without his wife and all was revealed. John seemed to slide into the depths of despair, not eating or worrying over how he looked.
On the night of his arrival home from London, He lashed out at Abe and Bo by saying to them. “What do you want me to act like, huh? My wife died in an attempt to keep ME safe. Then on top of all that guilt to learn that she was pregnant.”

He went to the edge of the pier. Not looking at his two friends for fear of losing it, John looked at his ring. “At least two good things came from this. Doc managed to kill Tony before she died and Caden is home where she belongs.”

John thought silently for a moment. “Caden Rose.” He had to pull some strings to get the British Government to allow Caden to be acknowledged as an American citizen.

But with some favors called in, he and his daughter were in the air within 48 hours after the accident.

Stroking her blonde hair, John couldn’t help but remark on her resemblance to Belle and of course to Marlena.

Looking at how innocently his daughter slept was able to help John steel himself for what lay ahead. A line from a poem he once read came into his head.

“Some Gifts are given so that others may be taken.”

John had the urge to check on his sleeping daughters and so walked up to the nursery where two pretty little angels slept peacefully unaware of all that transpired to get them together.

Standing in the doorway of the room, which was bathed in soft light. John started to cry.

“Where am I?” The rosy cheeked nurse came over and began to take her pulse. “Ah Bonjour Madame.” Marlena did a double take. “Excuse me?”

The nurse looked concerned and asked Marlena if she spoke french at all. “I do but right now, my head hurts to much to try and to comprehend and think of sentences in any other language is beyond me.” The nurse smiled. “Ah of course.”

Once the nurse had waddled out of the room, Marlena gingerly slipped out of bed. Taking her time to make her way over to the window, Marlena leaned against the window and tried to remember. It only served to make her weep. “John, help me.”
“WHAT!” His assistant scared as hell and reliving that scene from Star Wars where Darth Vader kills an underling for bringing him bad news, swallowed hard in the mistaken belief that if he did that a couple of times, it would help him erase the fear he was feeling.

Suddenly he could swear his life was passing in front of him as a voice that he r32;could swear wasn’t his, revealed what he knew.

“Tony was killed in a show down with Dr. Evans and Mr. Black.” Stefano turned up the Wagner and turned back to face him “Who did it?” He looked at the floor and pictured what he would look like as a grease stain on the delicate tapestry carpet.

“Dr.Evans did it. Sadly she was killed in the aftermath when her head hit the diving board and she fell into the pool. Officially it was drowning. But there was something else.”

Stefano drained his beer in one shot while imagining what he would soon do to John. All Stefano could see was that Black helped kill his son and took Caden away from the only family she had ever known.

“What was it?”

Counting to ten, The assistant spoke in a whisper. “Dr. Evans was pregnant with Tony’s child.”

The Click of the pistol was the last sound that he heard as Stefano pulled it from the desk and fired within a blink of an eye.

Hitting the button for one of the servants to clean up the mess, Stefano sat back and looked reflective for a moment. “Fool, should of known that I ALWAYS shoot the messenger.”

****

John sat in front of his laptop and studied the information that he became aware of as the case came to ahead. Tony had infiltrated the O’Neill family shortly after the real Shane O’Neill, on a mission to Aremid for the ISA to investigate Tony’s supposed disappearance from Salem that fog shrouded night so many years before, stumbled onto something that he shouldn’t have and was murdered for his pains. Under that guise, Tony was able to jump back and forth from Tony DiMera to Shane with no trouble.
Tony took over the dead man’s life successfully and completely and had somehow managed to persuade Maddy and her husband to allow Maddy to become the surrogate mom for Caden. Saying that sadly he had lost his wife Paula and that all he had left to remember her was the embryo. So good hearted Maddy agreed and Caden was born.
From what John could surmise without actually getting his hands on the medical reports on Maddy. The egg was taken from Marlena at Maison Blanche or while she was in Stefano’s hands for those missing years. Since Cady was younger than Belle by less than a year, John figured his part in this had also happened at Maison Blanche.

He slammed his fist. “DAMN YOU DIMERA!”

Just at that Moment, The phone rang. “Hello?” The voice on the other end made him smile. “Hello.” Marlena leaned her head against the back of the chair she was sitting r32;in. “When do I get sprung from here?” John smiled at the image in his head. Of his very anxious and impaitent wife, trapped in house arrest in Alamainia.

“What did you say Doc?” Marlena was silent for so long that John thought that she was gone. “I said I miss you.” John was about to say something when a small voice recreated a memory in his head. “YOUR CARRYING MY CHILD!” then he heard Marlena, his voice of reason cry out. “YOUR DELUDED.”

“John? Are you sure that thump didn’t give you early senility?” John bit his lip. “No Doc honey, I just checked my watch. I have to go and pick up Belle and Brady from Mom and Pop’s.” Marlena seemed hesitant. “How is Cady?”

John’s Cell phone rang and John made her a promise that he would be with her soon. “I love you so much sweetheart.” Marlena smiled on her end. “I love you too.”

****

Marlena quickly regained her strength and the pregnancy, which had seemed in danger after the accident seemed to progress rapidly. She seemed happy, serene and content. She missed the family and especially the children but understood that she was to be kept hidden until John felt the danger to her and the child was over.

Lying on a recliner near the pool, Marlena laid her hand on her gently swelling stomach and marvelled on the baby who fought so hard to get to this point. According to her Doctors, She was doing wonderfully and they saw no trouble.

She felt the tiny flutterings, not strong enough for kicks., but enough for Marlena to think she had butterflies. “Oh if only your daddy was here.”

She went to the stereo and turned it on. She recognized the song as “Your Love”
It’s not flowers, wrapped in fancy paper

It’s not the ring, I wear around my finger

There’s nothing in all the world I need

When I have you here beside me, here beside me
So you could give me wings to fly

And catch me if I fall

Or pull the stars down from the sky

So I could wish on them all

But I couldn’t ask for more

‘Cause your love is the greatest gift of all.
In your arms, I found a strength inside me

And in your eyes, there’s a light to guide me

I would be lost without you

And all that my heart could ever want has come true So you could give me wings to fly

And catch me if I fall

Or pull the stars down from the sky

So I could wish on them all

But I couldn’t ask for more Cause your love is the greatest gift of all

You could offer me the sun, the moon

And I would still believe

You gave me everything

When you gave your heart to me…

As Michelle Wright’s voice died out on the chorus, Marlena smiled. “John you are my greatest gift.”

****

John sat in front of the picture window and listened to the stereo while trying to think of a way to bring Marlena and the baby home safely. The maid brought in a envelope to him. “Sir this was just delivered for you.”

Taking it from her, John opened it and let out a curse…

“JOHN, COMING TO CLAIM THE HEIR TO MY EMPIRE. STEFANO….”
ROCKABYE BABY ON THE TREETOP r32;WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, THE DIMERAS WILL ROCK WHEN THE BOW BREAKS, JOHN’S HEART WILL FALL CAUSE I WILL HAVE MARLENA………
BABY AND ALL……….

Tearing the card into a infinite number of little pieces, John let out a curse. “I will kill you. That is MY CHILD.” Reaching for the phone, John told the pilot to gas up the plane.

****

Staring at the chess board, Stefano smiled as he studied the pieces. “This one is Marlena, this one is John and this wee little one…Well that one will soon be my pawn. The next heir to the empire.”

He suddenly had a dream of holding the child in his arms and Marlena standing adoringly by his side. “If she will not come willingly…Well then. I do r32;have other options.” He glanced at a photo of Caden Rose.

John stared out the window. He thought that sending her home to Alamainia would keep her safe. But he knew deep in his heart that it wouldn’t. Once Stefano learnt that she wasn’t dead and could possibly be carrying his last link to Tony. He started to say it like a mantra, over and over. “Hang on Doc…”

Marlena was walking in the garden when she suddenly smiled and touched her stomach. “Oh little one. Can’t wait for you to meet your daddy.” Suddenly she heard that voice….
“Well since you killed it’s father Marlena, it won’t be. So get used to having me around you as a child, especially THIS ONE needs its grandfather.”

Her hand went to her mouth. “HOW DID YOU FIND ME!” Stefano came up to r32;her and laid his hand on her stomach and smiled as he felt the life force of the child inside. “That’s easy Marlena.” He smiled and bowed. “Your carrying my grandchild. I will do whatever it takes to keep my family close to me.”

John’s voice rang out from the steps leading into the house. “It is NOT your grandchild. Its MY baby.”

He came over and took Marlena’s hand in his. “OUR baby. Mine and Marlena’s. Get it through that skull of yours. Touch any of the members of my family and I swear to you, Your life will not be worth a plugged nickel. GOT IT Old man?”

Stefano merely smiled and looked at the mother to be. “We know the truth eh Marlena?”
Marlena dug her nails into John’s hand. “John IS the father of this child.”

Stefano laughed as he walked away.. “Well, we shall soon see. 5 months isn’t that long.” He stopped and stared at Marlena. “If that is my grandchild. You and I are bound for life.”
John glared at Stefano as suddenly Marlena’s eyes rolled back into her head and she collapsed into John’s arms. Staring at the woman he adored, he had a sudden traitorous thought….

“What if the child IS Shane’s?” 

Marlena lay still while the technician rubbed the cold jelly on her stomach. r32;She had been through this so many times before. From D.J down to Belle, but she had never had the jitters about what lay ahead as she did at that moment.

“So much is riding on this.” She turned her head to look at the door which convienantly was near the clock. “He knew the appointment was at 3.” She turned back to smile at the tech. “John, where are you?”

John sat in the Jeep and watched the second hand on his watch as it turned to the 12. “Your being a coward.” He shut his eyes and willed his brain to be silent. “I am not!” He looked at the glint of gold that was on his hand. “Doc, I can’t do this with you. I can’t risk getting attached to another child to learn that its not mine to love.”

Since the run in with Stefano, John constantly had a nightmare in which while Marlena and he brought their child home, Stefano would come in and take the child away while Marlena lay unconscious and he was frozen in place….

He started the car. “Sorry sweetheart.”

****

Marlena came into her office and started to laugh as she sat in her chair and twirlled herself around. “TWINS!” Laura peeked in at that moment and smiled. “Bless you.” Marlena shook her head, quite delighted and hugely pleased with herself.

“No, I just came back from the ultrasound. Laura, John and I are having TWINS!”
Laura rejoiced with her friend. “Oh Marlena, you and John must be so pleased.” At that comment, Marlena froze. “I am, its John you would have to ask about being pleased.”
Laura sat in the chair in front of the desk. “Oh honey, I am so sorry.” Marlena nodded. “I can understand why he is acting the way he is. I don’t blame him. But Laura, This baby.” She stopped herself and corrected what she had said. “These Babies are OURS.”

She fidgetted with her rings. “If only he could believe.” She wiped her eyes. “Lets think of other things shall we. Lets go and finish the Christmas Shopping. With two on the way, I need so much MORE.”

Thanking heaven for bringing back the lightness in her eyes, Laura agreed. “Lets go.”

****

John was dozing at home when he began to dream again…

“JOHN…HELP ME!” He looked up from his papers and ran to his wife’s aid. Glancing into the children’s rooms, he saw Caden and Belle fast asleep. Brady was nowhere to be seen. “What is going on?”

He had his answer soon enough as he saw Brady been held by Stefano while Tony struggled with Marlena. “Where is our baby sweetheart?” Marlena’s answer was to scratch him in the cheek. “Oooh we’re fiesty today arent we.”

He saw John standing there frozen in shock. “Hello there. Just wanted to come and claim my wife and child.” He spun Marlena around and brought his arm around her and began to kiss her neck. Huge tears welled up in her eyes and still John was unable to move.
Only when Brady screamed for his Momma did John react. Lunging for Marlena, he wrenched her out of Tony’s arms and Marlena pushed Tony out the window. She ran for Brady and pulled him away so John could have free range for Stefano.

The gunshot woke John up with a jolt. Focusing on the sound, he realized that someone was at the door. Getting up to answer it, he found a laughing Marlena and Laura. “Hi John.”

Marlena leaned up to kiss him. “Hello honey. Sorry bout knocking but with our hands full, I couldn’t get to my keys and with Chelsea out with Belle and Cady. Brady at school and Mrs. Naughton having the day off…”

John’s answer was to grab ahold of her tightly and not say a word. Marlena however did have something to say. “Honey? I can’t breathe.”

As he let her go and watched, the women went through Marlena’s purchases.

Showing the tickled father what was bought for the children. Especially Cady on her first Christmas as part of the large boisterious Brady clan. Suddenly Marlena looked puzzled. “Laura, is that your bag?” Hanging up her cell phone, Laura shook her head. “Nope, I left mine in my car. You said to bring in all the bags that were in your trunk. I did what you told me to.” Marlena shook her head in puzzlement. “Its not mine.”

Exchanging worried looks with Marlena, John opened it and went white. Stunned to see him have that kind of reaction to what was inside. Marlena took it from him to open it. All she saw at first was the back of a baby doll. “John, its a doll.” Laughing with Laura, Marlena then turned it around.

Letting out a scream, Marlena threw it across the room where it shattered upon hitting the wall. “Not my baby. Its not HIS!” She ran from the room in tears. r32;Concerned, Laura searched for the card. Finding it, she began to read.

“This is only a doll. But heaven help the one who stops me from getting to know my flesh and blood. My Tony’s only child.”

John sat down and held his head in his hands. “The doll’s face was broken and it was a mess Laura.” Marlena’s bleak voice came from the shadows in the hallway. “He wont let up. He thinks Tony is the father and just wont give up.” As John hugged her, Marlena surprised them both by saying simply. “He wont let go, The babies arent safe and neither am I.”

John looked stunned to Laura. “Babies?”

****

Later, John found Marlena sitting in the middle of wrapping paper sobbing.
Crouching down to be near her eye level, John asked what was with the tears. “I should never have come home. I should have started to run and not stop.” Scared as this was not the strong woman who faced Stefano down before saying these things, John cupped her chin with his hand and made her look at him.

“No. We dont run, YOU dont run. We’re going to make the stand here and now. Stefano can’t win.” She looked very doubtful and so John drew her closer to him. She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Trust me Doc.”

****

She woke up and went to peek at the new nursery. She stopped into check on the various tiny occupants of the various bedrooms, tucking this one in, picking up teddies or in Belle’s case, her beloved big bunny and sliding him into bed.

She came into the nursery and sat on the comfy rocking chair that John had stripped to its original light pine from the hideous yellow that had coated it when they had found it at the antique market.

Picking up the baby shawl that she had laid over the edge of the bassinette, Marlena let out a sigh. “Please keep my babies safe from harm and allow them to be raise without fear. Let them be John’s. Let the tests show what my heart already knows.”
John quickly snuck back into the bedroom.

****

“Momma, noooooo.” Marlena laughed. “Cady honey, you have to wear your hair in either a braid or a ponytail. You remember what Momma told you. Look at Belle.” Marlena had to laugh.

For the first time, Belle had allowed her Mother to braid her hair in its tight braid tied by a jaunty plaid ribbon that matched her jumper with The Avonlea School’s logo on its left hand corner. John and Marlena had decided that for three mornings a week, the little girls would go to a private preschool close to their home.

Brady had gone there before going to the kindergarden nearby and had won over everyone with his gentle manner and winning ways.

“Noooooo braid.” Rolling her eyes, Marlena looked at John with a shrug. “You wanna try instead of staring at your daughter and I can get their jackets ready to go?” While she left, the phone rang. “I got it!” She reached over and spoke. “Hello?” Silence rang for a moment until she tried it again. “Hello, is anyone there?”

She hung up and went back into the kitchen. “Are we ready to go?” John came over and hugged her. “Who was on the phone?” Marlena leaned down to hug the kids. “I dont know. Think it was a wrong number.” She ushered the children out. “See you later on.”
She was walking through Salem Place when she was stopped by Stefano. “What do you want?” He held her arm. “I heard that you had an ultrasound, I wanted to know how it went?” She shrugged his hand away. “It went.”

As she walked away, Stefano spoke to his assistant Jake. “I want you to call and check on him. I want to know how much longer he will be there before he comes to take care of this.” As he walked away, Stefano smiled. “Thank goodness, I convinced Tony to hire that lookalike.”

Marlena came home and found it quiet. A note on the living room table made her smile.
“I want to make up for the doubts. I should have believed. Be ready in an hour. I love you so very much. John

Marlena smiled and went to get ready, not noticing the shadowy figure lurking in the shadows…..

John stood at the nursery window and watched as the nurse weighed the young man who was known to the small world around him as James Alexander Fraser Black.

A smile played across John’s face as he remembered who came up with the little boy’s rather large moniker as well as his sister’s Brianna Claire.

Marlena had begun reading Diana Gabbaldon’s novels and had jokingly begun to refer to her lead characters as “the time-travelling us.” Pressed to explain this by a puzzled John, Marlena would only say, “They are the only other couple totally head over heels for one another who have gotten into as much trouble and adventure as you and I have.”

“Mr. Black?” John shook himself out of his daydream to find himself staring at his children’s and now the twins new pediatrician. “Hello Dr.McTieran.” The young woman with the short brownish-red hair smiled and held out her hand.

“Please call me Katya.” John smiled and agreed. “Ok hello Katya. Marlena has told me alot about you.” The young woman smiled and looked sheepish. “I hope it was good?”

John nodded. “She said that your a regular pied-piper with the children. Cady especially adores you.” Katya turned to finish writing something in the file she had been carrying. “Well I think its a mutual admiration society. I have never met such extraordinary kids as your five.” John waited till she was done and then asked the one question that he had on his mind.

“Katya, how long would we have to wait until we could do blood tests on the twins?” Katya shook her head. “Don’t worry Mr.Black, Your wife has already beaten you to this. The twins are scheduled for the test later today.”

John looked sheepish. “I must seem such a anxious father.” Katya smiled. “It’s understandable for someone in your situation to be worried. The babies are so precious and you want to know if their yours.”

John nodded. “Yes.” The young doctor smiled and laid a gentle hand on John’s. “I know from what Marlena has told me that these tests need to be done in the utmost security and that no one is to know.” John nodded.

“For the safety of the twins, the tests need to be done and the results need to be given to us as soon as you can.” Katya smiled. “That will be within hours. I’ve alerted two separate secret blood testing facilities and so all the results will be verified from three different sources.” John glanced back to the babies. “Its more a case of confirmation. I already know their mine.”

Tony faded into the shadows as they passed then smiled. “Oh you think so do you John.”
John had planned to drop off the girls and Brady to their respective schools that morning but with the twins blood test being scheduled for that morning, he phoned Carrie and asked if she could do he and Marlena a big favor. Carrie looked at Austin and mouthed the words. “Could we drop off the kids?”

When he nodded, Carrie smiled. “Ok, what time do I pick them up and drop them off?” She laughed and told John that it really was not a problem to do it. John saw Katya going into the nursery to begin the procedure. “Carrie, we owe you one. Thank you Punkin.”
Caden Rose was dressed in her school uniform and her red cardigan while Belle was identical except for her green cardigan and the green ribbon holding back her hair. Belle was chasing Brady around the enormous Maple that John and Marlena had in their front yard.

Caden seemed listless as she sat swinging in the tire swing. Belle noticed Carrie’s car as the little girl begun climbing up the rope ladder to the children’s fort. She let out a rather unladylike screech “Cawyieeeeeee!” In the process of climbing down, Belle stepped on Brady’s hand. But to Brady, it was more along the lines of stomping on him.

After tending to her little brother’s injury, Carrie bundled the children off into the car. Totally unaware of the two other cars that were following hers…..

John came into the hospital room to see that Marlena was nowhere to be seen. He was struck by how graphic the contrast was between the empty bed and the gaily coloured balloons and flowers with their messages of Congratulations. “Oh Mr.Black?”

John turned to see the nurse looking at him with a smile. “Yes?” She took her hands off of the magazine trolley for a moment and checked her watch. “Dr.Evans asked me to tell you when I saw you that she was going to the chapel and if you could meet her there.”
When John arrived, he found Marlena deep in prayer. He had to strain his ears to hear her soft voice. “Dear God, I know that you have always been there for John and I when we have needed you most.” She smiled and continued.

“I know that it probably seems to you to be alot of the time. But this time, its not for him and I that Im coming to you now. God, Im asking you please. It’s for James and Brianna. Their innocent and need us. Please don’t allow them to be Tony’s. Please dont let those two precious babies be tainted by the DiMera curse.”

Torn between comforting the ache and the pain in her voice and staying silent, not letting her know that he overheard her. John sat with his head bowed.

Marlena was just getting up when Katya came to her. “Are the tests over?” Katya nodded “Yes they are and you will be tickled to know that James and Brianna sailed through with flying colours.” Marlena tilted her head and said anxiously. “So when will we know?”
She and Katya walked out of the chapel, unaware of John still sitting in the corner. “We should know within the next 2-3 hours.”

Caden was still feeling unwell at school and so was sitting on the bench near Belle who was playing Jump Rope with their friends Abby and Erin Rosie. Every once in awhile, Belle would look over to her sister and ask if she would want to play. “No tank you.”
The teacher on Yard Duty was Miss Rademacher. She had only been on the job for a day and hadn’t met Belle and Caden Rose’s parents as of yet. Since she had been told that the girls mother had just given birth the previous day, she assumed that it would be a couple of days before she did.

She glanced over at the two sisters. Since the girl jumping rope was wearing the red cardigan, she assumed that it was Caden and so called her over to ask how her mother was.

But before she could, the schoolyard erupted into chaos….

Tony had waited until the girl he believed to be Caden had gone to the teacher before making his move on Belle. Coming up to the tiny blonde on the swing, he laid his hand on her shoulder, looking for all the world to be her uncle or family friend.

“Hello Belle.”

Caden spun around and let out a scream. “Noooooo! I dont know YOU…Let me go. Bad man.” The terrified little girl cried out anything that would attract attention to her situation. It worked with “I DONT KNOW YOU!”

The schoolyard erupted into shouts from terrified little schoolgirls. But during the melee, Tony escaped….

John was walking back to Marlena’s room when his cell phone rang. Sliding it out of his pocket, John answered it. “Hello?” Whoever was on the other end was silent for a moment and then as if by magic, A little girl plaintively cried out for her Daddy.
Smiling, John asked which one of his little girls he was talking to. Suddenly the cry grew sharper and more intense. “Dadddyyyy.” Suddenly the cry was cut off and a mechanical voice asked. “Do you know where your daughters are?” Horrified, John demanded to know who he was speaking to. “How about Brady and those precious Babies of yours?”
Slamming the phone, John made a beeline for the desk where he was told by Katya that yes the twins were fine. “Their in with Marlena being fed.” He ran for the elevator, rereaching for his cell phone and calling Brady’s school where he was told that yes Brady was still there. “His class is in the library this morning Mr. Black.”

So with three out of the five children accounted for, he rushed to the Avonlea School…
Tony held the phone to his chin for a moment and savored the victory. “Got you Black.”
John arrived just in time to hear the bell ring for lunch. He went into the school and decided after a few choice words with the Principal to yank both of his girls from the school in order to find them one with tighter security.

As they walked to the car, John smiled as he watched his one daughter skip, unaware of just who was coming for her. Cady on the other hand was clinging to his hand and seemed more shyer than usual, more tentitive.

As he watched her jump into the back of the jeep. John made a note to talk to his little daughter later alone…

Katya was hard at work going over the results of the blood workup when the phone rang. “Hello?” Whomever was on the other end made her blood run cold. “Yes I understand. But he has three clinics working on the results not to mention the Lab here at University.”

Tony leaned back in his chair. “Well then Katya ma chere, then I suggest that you find a way or that little matter of your Mother’s Visa will not be cleared in time for that operation that she needs so desperately.” Katya hissed.

“You slimy son of a…” Tony laughed mockingly. “Now Now..” His smile faded and his voice was like ice. “Don’t fail me on this Katya.”

As he hung up, leaving her with dead air, Katya sighed. “As if I have a choice.”

John sat holding James and found that he couldn’t stop staring at the little boy. All of the love that he wanted to lavish on the tiny child was in his eyes as he smiled. Marlena watched happily unaware that John was about to burst her bubble.

“Marlena, sweetheart. I don’t know how to tell you this.” Marlena smiled. “Try the beginning.” She watched as John laid James into his bassinette. “There was a kidnapping attempt at the girls school.”

Marlena’s response was silenced by the arrival of Katya. The look on the other woman’s face made the hairs at the back of John’s neck stand up. “No.” Confused, Marlena glanced from one to the other. “John, Marlena…I am truly sorry.”

Marlena finally found the words to speak. “Why are you saying that?”

Katya handed John the file. “We have the first two out of the five lab results back.” Marlena nodded. “And?”

Katya’s face was as white as snow. “The twins are not John’s.”

Marlena’s face crumpled into an expression of overwhelming despair. “Nooooooo.”

“Their not yours.”

With those three words, Marlena’s world fell apart. All of the dreams that she had kept herself sane with hadn’t helped at all. The baby twins who she had believed and in her heart KNEW where John’s were not at all.

As long as Marlena lived, she would never get over the painful look in John’s eyes as he walked away after Katya’s annoucement.

“John, please look at me.” His voice was desolate as he kept his back to her. “No. If I so much as glance at you, I’ll see you in his arms and that’s not the image that will keep me sane.” Marlena reached over to him. “John, please.”

As much as it pained him to say it, John found himself speaking. “I’ll be bringing you and the babies home but after that, I’m going to be going away.” Marlena’s voice became panic-strickened. “WHAT!”

John turned around. “I am taking Belle, Caden and Brady away for a few weeks. I think that the time away will be exactly what I need.” Marlena shook her head. “I don’t think so. YOU need to be with the family.”

John braced himself and walked out. “Being with you is the LAST thing that I need.”

*****

“I hope that your happy. I broke them apart.” Tony stared out at the inky darkness of the Salem skyline. “Oh that pleases me. But we’re a far way from making me happy.” He turned around and sipped at his drink.

“Nothing will make me happy until Marlena and our children are under this roof and under my control.” Katya shook her head. “But their not yours.” Tony sat down and leaned forward against the desk. “But they will be.”

******

“Knock, Knock. Marlena, can I come in?” Kim stuck her head in and became alarmed upon seeing Marlena hunched over in the hospital bed and sobbing as she rocked back and forth. “Marlena, what is it?” She murmured something that Kim couldn’t hear as she pushed Marlena’s hair out of the way so she would understand.

“I said, John’s left me.” Kim shook her head, unaware of the situation. “No he hasn’t. John loves you and there is nothing that would make him leave you. Especially not now with your new babies.”

Marlena turned to look at her. “Kim, the kids aren’t his. It’s Belle all over again.”

****

“Daddy, where are we going?” John finished packing up some things for Cady and then looked at his daughter. “We’re going on a holiday punkin.” Cady shook her head. “Not without Momma.”

John smiled as he stared at his daughter. “Baby, Momma and I are having problems and we need to have some time apart.” Cady bit her lip, hesitating for the brief moment and then swaying from one foot to another. “Cause of me isn’t it?”

John shook his head as he picked her up and sat down on her bed. “Baby girl, this isn’t because of you. Momma and I just can’t get over this problem that we have and we need to be apart. But it won’t be for long I promise you.”

Caden turned her hazel eyes on to her father and watched him solumnly for a moment before hugging him “Luv you Daddy.” John nestled his face into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent before smiling and whispered into her hair. “I love you too sweet girl.”

******

Marlena came home to a quiet gathering who were all there ready to welcome her and the children home. Kim stuck by her side all night. “What’s wrong?” Marlena laid Brianna into the cot and turned around. “This isn’t what I thought our homecoming would be like.” Kim hugged her friend. “I know sweetie.”

Marlena went and sat on the bed. “Their in London right now. John thought that it would be nice for Cady to see Daisy and Tessa.” Kim knelt down and took her hands to emphasize her point. “John just needs time. To learn that the babies that he thought were his aren’t is quite a shock.”

Marlena sighed and stood up. “It’s not just for him ya know.”

*****

John walked through Kensington Gardens with his enchanted children, who ran ahead of him, not that it mattered as all he could see was Marlena. “I shouldn’t of run away. I mean she’s stood by me throughout so many things. Yet when the going gets rough, I bail. Damn it man that’s not like you!”

Caden’s scream cut him out of his thoughts.

******

“What’s wrong?” Cady pointed at the back of a man who was running out of the park.

“That’s Daddy.” John knelt at his daughter’s level. “Sweetie, Im your daddy.” Cady shook her head. “I know that.” John smiled. “Then it wasn’t me.” Cady glared at him.

“MY OLD DADDY!”

John quickly gathered the three children up and rushed them back to the hotel.

*******

Despite the thundering crashes of lightening that was battering against the windows of the house, In front of the fire Marlena was sitting with a contented James in her arms when the phone rang. “Hello?” There was silence for a moment and then he spoke.
“Where’s my children.” Marlena laid the baby in his crib and went to the window. A car that wasn’t there earlier on in the evening was just up the road.

Tony’s shrill voice rang through the receiver, causing Marlena to cringe and lift the phone away from her ear. “I asked you a question GRACE, kindly have the decency to answer me.” Marlena felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise as she peered through the window. “Tony, my name is Marlena. You know that.”

“DONT TELL ME WHAT TO PRESUME!” Instantly worried, Marlena softened her tone. “I wasn’t. You just said the wrong name.”

His voice went soft and dreamy, sending waves of nausea over her as Marlena realized that this was how he used to sweet talk her when he was seducing her. “No I didn’t. Your my Grace. So sweet and kind and you look so lovely standing by the window.”
Marlena came away from the window in time to hear a window in the back of the house crash. “I’m coming for you Maaarlena.”

******

John was sitting on the plane watching over his sleeping children and listening for the umpteenth time to the dial tone. Finally after 10 minutes of the incessant ringing, the phone at his house picked up and Abe’s voice answered.

“Hello?” John worried. “Hey Partner, where’s Doc?” Abe hesitated and then spoke. “I should be asking you that.” John puzzled asked him what he meant by that. “Lexie and I stopped by to welcome home the twins and when we got here, the door was wide opened, the house was totally trashed and no sign of anyone. In fact, John. I’m so sorry to tell you this but Davina is dead.”

John began to panic. “Where’s Marlena and the twins?” Abe glanced at the crews investigating for clues. “We don’t know John. They’ve disappeared without a trace.”
The visions came at her quickly, like snapshots not fully developed.

Faster and faster the images bombarded her, never ceasing in the speed in which they assaulted her brain.

She could see herself on her knees weeping, a black hooded figure sweep past her, flames and dead bodies. She tossed, dislodging her blankets, but still the dream visions came at her furiously.

She was walking towards the one body, lying broken as if a giant child had carelessly dropping a china doll. But this was not a toy, the giant blood stain proved that to her.
For some reason, she couldn’t see the victims face clearly, but still she walked towards it.
Kneeling down, she showed a gentle reverence for the person by reaching out and turning the head so she could see.

“Oh my god.” She felt the tears falling and shattered the silence by the scream that erupted from her. Clutching the body to her, she rocked back and forth as she frantically looked around her. Wondering how it could have all came to this so fast.

“I love you forever and a day.”

“OH DEAR GOD…NO!”

Like a shot, she leapt out of the bed and flung open the window. She took great big gulps of air and soon found herself under control.

Marlena didn’t know how long she had been sitting there when she came away from the window and lay back down on the bed. Clutching the pillow to her, she began to cry. She had managed to convince Tony that the twins should go home to John.

“You’ll stay with me?” He looked almost needy and rather than risk the babies’ safe retreat, she agreed.

But now she was alone and the situation was tearing her apart.

“Ssh.” The hand came across her side and turned her to face him. “John?”

He smiled and dried her eyes. “It’s going to be alright.” She shook her head, biting her lip from calling out. “Don’t do that.” She looked up at him and sat up. “I don’t know how I can do this. I can’t be with you, I can’t be with our babies and I’m so scared.”

He laid a finger on her lips. “Don’t be. I’m with you in your mind and in your heart.”
He lowered her back against the pillows and propped himself over her. “God, I forget sometimes, just how truly beautiful you are in soft light.”

She reached up and with shaking hands began to undo his shirt, rising up to plant a kiss on his chest. “Make love to me.” He pinned her hands over her head and began to slide his hands over her. “It’s been too long.”

Tony shut the door after checking on her, finding her fast asleep. “I will make you mine again.”

****

John came to the door and let Abe in. “Any word?” Abe shook his head. “The Nanny is still being questioned at the station. But she doesn’t seem to know where the hideout is.” He took his jacket off. “Even if she did, there’s no way that Tony would have kept the base of operations there. He would have her moved.”

Abe stopped as he heard the children laughing. “How are they?” John listened to them and then led his friend into the study. “Their resilient. But this is tearing Caden up. She keeps having nightmares of Marlena and calls out for her. Eric is the only one who seems to be able to get her to open up, Belle plays by herself and doesn’t say a word and Brady is very clingy. Laura has been coming out to counsel them and seems to be getting through to them.”

He picked up the photo of Marlena he kept on the desk, only to put it back down. “I keep hoping that having the babies home will help.” Abe nodded. “Lex and I are here if you want any help?” John nodded. “Thanks.”

****

“Damn it Dad, this is a family issue. I would think that you of all people would have an interest in bringing DiMera down.” Eric rolled his eyes. “Do whatever you want Dad. It wouldn’t be the first time you put the almighty ISA before the family. We’ll find Mom without YOUR help.”

Eric slammed the phone down and stopped.

A tiny solemn little girl stood in the doorway. “Hey Squee.” He came and knelt down to her level. “What’s up little Cady?” He came and picked her up. “Did you have a nap?” She shook her head and nestled her head against his neck. “Missing Mommy again sweetie?”
Cady nodded.

“I know this is hard for you Cady. But your daddy is doing everything he can to find Mommy and he will bring her home. But she’d want you to be a big girl and help Nanny with the babies.” Cady looked up with tears in her big eyes.

“Oh it’s alright to cry sweetie.” After a few minutes of walking with the crying little girl, he felt her fall asleep and as he turned around, Eric saw they weren’t alone. He smiled at the Nanny. “Why do you call her Squee?” Eric laid the little girl on her bed.
“Cady is very much a mommy’s girl. Because of her history, Cady has had a hard time in trusting but when she does, its like night and day. She’ll give you such tight little hugs.” He grinned. “It’s as if she’s pouring her heart and soul into the hug. So Squee is short for Squeezer.”

They walked out of the room, leaving the little girl to get what rest she could before the demons finally got a hold of her again.

*****

Roman Brady slammed his fist against the desk. “I don’t care!” He shot an angry and extremely mutinous glance at his old friend. “Abe I’m not sitting here doing needle point while JOHN runs around. Marlena was my wife once.” Abe looked up from the file. “WAS, She’s John’s now. But we do need help.”

Roman slumped into the chair and ran a hand through his curls. Abe looked over at his friend and wasn’t truly surprised by what Roman was muttering to himself as he read over the file to date on Marlena’s disappearance.

“What was John thinking. KNOWING that she was in a fragile state and yet he ups and leaves her alone. KNEW the boy was dumb before this, that just settled it for me.”
Abe grimaced. Having the prodigal son coming into the investigation just upped the ante. If there wasn’t trouble BEFORE Roman arrived there certainly was going to be once John saw him.

*****

“Now tell me that you’re not happy Marlena.” Tony smiled. “I’ve done everything that you have asked for and yet here you sit pouting.” Marlena raised an eyebrow and then turned back to stare at the wall in front of her.

Tony grimaced. “Well, I was going to save this as a SURPRISE. But seeing as I have to have some way of making you smile, you and I are going on a little trip. Since you were so happy and made such a fairy-tale bride, we’re going back to Ireland.”

He smiled as her eyes widened and then he came over to her and whispered something into her ear that had her shrieking. “Don’t do this. Tony PLEASE!” r32;He straightened up and nodded to the guard. “Take my wife to her room.”

*****

The streamers were gently blowing in the breeze as she and Shawn made their way to the spot where she could just see John, standing there looking so handsome.

As they came under the archway, the streamers fell softly into a silken pool at her feet. Enchanted by the sight, Marlena glanced down and found that she was standing in what was now a pool of blood. Horrified, she dropped her bouquet and glanced to Shawn for help and let out a scream.

“Hello my lovely bride.” She glanced back to John, feeling the security of this moment falling away. But her anchor was gone. “YOU MURDERED HIM!” She lunged at Tony, only for him to pin her to him. “I didn’t. Marlena, YOU did.”

*****

“Mr. Black, this just arrived for you.”

John turned as his new head of security came into the room, carrying a package. “Sir, its been dusted for fingerprints. What little we do have has been sent to the ISA and to the Salem Police laboratories.”

John nodded and took the package from him. Opening it, a letter fluttered out first followed by a neatly tied series of photographs.

“John, We’re giving you the first clues to the final game. Anxious to see how fast you figure it all out.”

Laying the note to one side, John began to look at the photos.

“John?” He looked up at Abe, who had come in while John was engrossed with the photos. “Your head of security told me what he brought you. Is there anything in there that could help Marlena?”

John looked puzzled. “If this clue is what I think it is. Marlena’s in Ireland.”

Marlena stood at the edge of the estate grounds, arms wrapped tightly around herself to ward off the biting wind and also to keep herself closed off from the situation.

She closed her eyes and conjured up a vision of a smiling John to hold as a talisman against the hell that was about to unfurl in this most brutal of end games.

She found that since they had come back to Ireland, she had been able to imagine his touch, the way his skin smelt when he had just come out of the shower and above all the blue of his eyes.

There had been times that she had prayed that John had the sense to let her go. To ignore the challenge put to him by Tony.

But she knew the man who was the other half of her too well. He would come after her and there was no denying that there would be only one winner.
“My love be with you always John.”

She felt the darkness begin to fall and she turned to go inside, but not before one last look to the rocks below, watching as the powerful tides smashed against them…

****

“Hello there.” He turned from the window and smiled at the vision that stood in front of him. She smiled shyly as he reached a hand out to her.

With a sparkle in her hazel eyes, she slid one of hers into it. “Hello yourself.”

John allowed himself a moment to inhale the light flowery scent of her perfume before lowering his lips to hers. “I missed you.”

She broke out into an incadscent smile, that seemed to her loving husband to have r32;taken all the light out of the room. “Doesn’t matter anymore. We’re together now.” She ran her hand over his chest.

“Heart, Soul, Body and Mind.”

“Of heart to heart and body to mind, in all of these are we two combined.” Marlena’s eyes snapped open and she cursed herself for falling asleep while reading a book of poetry.
Of all the foolish moves she could have possibly made, she shut the book and rolled over to her side. She watched as the moonlight poured into the room, creating illusions of shadows and light that transfixed her for a moment.

She shut her eyes and relived the most precious of moments from her Irish Royal wedding. Walking with Shawn under the streamers, the smile that came across her face watching her little girl skipping to meet Caroline, the look in John’s eyes as she walked to him. “You look wonderful.” The glow on her cheeks as she replied. “Wonderful for you.”
The sea of candles being lit by their friends, a beacon for them to promise forever by.
A beacon now for her to hold on to, Marlena smiled with the memories and found herself whispering a verse of a song that had been sung that night.

Where the river flows and surges to the sea Silver figures rise to find me

Wise and as daring

Following the hearts cry

Marlena cuddled the pillow more tightly. “John find me soon.”
As she felt the tears coming, she buried her face into it. “Find me now.”

****

“Well?”

Abe came in, shaking his head. “ISA is still looking.” John rolled his eyes and went to the window. “That was NOT a surprise Abe.” Abe bowed his head. “No, actually it wasn’t. What was a surprise to me was that Roman went to bat to get more men on the case.”
Getting no response from John, Abe went to check on him.

“Are you listening to me buddy?” John wiped his eyes and turned around to face him. “What?” Abe’s concern for John showed as he laid a hand on his arm. “John, what is it?”
He looked down at his wedding ring for a moment before he began to talk, his voice was no bigger than a controlled whisper.

“I let her down again partner. I left her alone and vulnerable and he took her. She’s alone with him and who knows what’s happened.”

Abe shut his eyes, remembering what the nanny had said when she had brought those golden babies home to John. How their momma had sacraficed herself to ensure they were safely home with their family and friends.
“I promise this to you John. We’ll bring her home and

she will be in your arms again and this will all be over.”

The men’s conversation ended by Roman walking into the room.

“We found the location.”

*****

“NO TONY! DON’T DO THIS!”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Please?”

He walked towards her and Marlena fought the nausea that threatened to choke her as he smiled. “Such a devoted wife to that loser aren’t you my sweet?” He laid a hand against her cheek. “You were once that to me, and between you and I, once I get rid of him, you will be that again.”

He pulled her to him. “If you disobey me, I promise you that the last thing Black sees is you in my arms as his life ends. Do you understand me?”

He stepped away at her scream of such pain and heartbrokenness that some of the staff outside the room began to weep.

As Marlena slumped to the ground weeping, he walked away and carelessly left the door open. Once she felt that there were no more tears to be shed, Marlena was lying against the cool floor when she felt a hand on her shoulder. “M’lady?”

She looked up into the face of her savior.

****

As the ISA forces began to close in onto the estate, John was counting down the minutes till they had her safely in their hands. “I promise you lady, once your with me I will never let you go.”

Abe glanced over at Roman and then to John. “Ready?” When they nodded, Abe started to count. “On 3.”

****

“Hurry Marlena.”

She looked at the younger woman. “Why are you doing this Morrigan?” The redhead smiled. “Cause Tony has to be stopped. I didn’t like how he treated you OR those precious cherubs of yours. YOU belong with your real husband.” Marlena bit her lip at the courageous act of the young woman.

“Besides, for what he did to my sister’s husband was enough. To take over his life.” Marlena’s eyes widened. “Your Paula’s sister. I remember what Tessa told me.” Morrigan nodded. “Here take my keys.”

She waited while Marlena got the car started. “Hurry, before Tony finds you gone.” The women jumped at the sound of gunfire. “Hurry will you!”

The green eyes softened. “Take care, god be with you.” Marlena wiped her eyes. “And with you.”

As Marlena sped through the open garage door, she was horrified to see Tony shoot Morrigan. Her eyes locked with his and she shivered to hear him scream her name….

****

John saw the car speed by and noted that some of the ISA force went after it.
“1…2…3!” With an unspoken prayer, they each went their separate ways, linked by radio.

****

Roman found Morrigan lying limp on the ground and began to cry.
“Morrigan?” She opened her eyes and weakly smiled. “Hello Love.” He checked her for injuries and cradled her closer. “Hang on.” She shut her eyes and nodded. “WE NEED HELP HERE!”

He turned his attention back to the woman who had captured his heart and healed it after he had lost Marlena. “You don’t leave me lass.” She smiled. “Think your getting off that easy?”

****

John found him, with his back to the door. “Games over Tony. Give up now.” Tony looked up from gathering his files to take with him. “Or what?” He turned around. “You’d shoot me?” John cocked the trigger. “You wouldn’t dare.”

John’s voice was like ice. “Wanna try me?” Tony smiled. “I win. You wouldn’t shoot me cause if you did, you’d never know what I did to Marlena. She’s the prime concern isnt she?”

“You should have heard her cry when I told her what I was going to do to her.” Tony’s eyes glittered dangerously.

“She then turned into quite the little tiger. But then I had no other option. IF I couldn’t have her, there was NO way in hell that I’d let her go back to you.”

Tony shrugged. “So I killed her.”

The silence in the room became a roar that crashed over John and drowned out everything else in the room. “You did WHAT?”

Tony advanced on John, revealing a gun of his own. “I used THIS to shoot your precious Marlena. Her very last mortal sight was of me as I tossed her to the rocks below the estate.”

Anger washed over John, coating everything in the color of red as he let out a scream of rage and fired at Tony. The men began a death struggle as ISA agents came running at the shot.

****

Marlena came to the one spot she knew that she would be safe. She had a moment of pure joy here when she had seen with her own eyes, that what she had been told by a dear friend was true. That her John was alive.

She watched as he learnt they would be parents and so it made sense to come home to Lallybroch, where Lavinia was waiting for her with open arms.

As the older woman fussed and doted on her, Marlena felt such a bone numbing tiredness wash over her and so allowed Lavinia to usher her upstairs to a big bed, covered in a duvet and tons of big fluffy pillows.

“Sleep now Lass.” Marlena peered up at her from the middle of the bed and could only nod as the first sleep that she had as a free woman claimed her. “Thank you Lavinia.”

****

“NO!”

Marlena woke up a couple of hours later, her heart racing. Glancing around the room, she had seen she was safe. So that was NOT the reason for her ice cold terror.
Taking a few moments to remember as to what it was, it hit her.

“I have to go back there.”

Dressing quickly, she remembered where John had hidden the gun from their last visit and loaded it. Looking heavenwards, she asked for divine intervention with tears in her eyes.

“Keep him safe.”

****

Marlena drove back to the house, with vivid memories of her life with John and their children. “You are going to be alright John.” She kept positive until she got closer to the house that held her hostage for months.

“You HAVE to be. We’re going to grow old together and we’re going to be totally in love and you have to be safe.”

She pulled over to the corner of the road and walked out to meet the house, and whatever horrors it held for her…

****

“John, you have to come inside. Your going to catch a cold standing here.” Abe threw John’s jacket over the big guy’s shoulders. His gaze never breaking from watching the search teams combing the shoreline.

“Not until they find her.” Abe looked thoughtful. “John, have you considered that he could have lied to you. He’s a DiMera. They aren’t known for truth.”

John shook his head and his hand went to the shoulder that Tony’s bullet injured. “He didn’t lie.” He winced at the combination of the pain from the bruises and if he wanted to admit it, from the broken heart he now carried.

“His eyes were too cold Abe. He didn’t lie.” He turned to look at his friend. “Abe, he killed her.”

Abe wanted nothing more than to begin the day again.

“Roman get Morrigan to the hospital alright?” Abe jumped at John’s sudden concern for his rival. “Yeah, he checked in about ten minutes ago. She was finally out of surgery and is stabilized.”

John nodded. “At least one of us didn’t lose the woman he loved.”

John felt a strange disturbance in the air and glanced around him. “I need to go for a walk.”

****

His walk soon had him away from the grounds and in the fog that came just before dawn. If he wanted to look, he could see the pretty colours in the predawn.

But he didn’t. All he wanted was now, according to Tony, lost forever.
He hated taking a life, but this time, it was for the greater good.
But all he wanted was to have Marlena back.

****

Marlena was again lost in thought staring out to sea with her thoughts anywhere but on the fact that she couldn’t go back to the house.

She was in tears, reliving that nightmare of Tony, gloating that it wasn’t HE that had killed her beloved John, but it was HER.

“Please, help me Lord. Give me the courage to go back there. To be with John.”
She suddenly froze, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, Her mind was racing as she sensed the prescence of another.

It couldn’t be. There was NO way that it would be. BUT, her joyful heart reminded her, It HAD happened once for them.

Her logical side challenged her, “Twice in a mortal lifetime?” She turned away from the water and froze.

****

Till her dying day, Marlena would never be able to describe what happened next. She couldn’t trust herself to not break down in tears.

He hadn’t seen her, but she had seen him. Even in the dimness, there was no mistaking the man who was so close, enough that if she had trusted her body to stop shaking, she could have laid a hand on him.

Tears came to her eyes as she found enough of a voice to softly call out. She smiled as she heard the musical-like whisper pass her ears.

“John?”
****

“You know something my love?” He ran his fingers up her bare arm and stopped as he caressed her cheek. “Of all the adventures we’ve had. This one killed me.”

He turned her face sideways so that she could see him.

“When I heard you call my name, all I could think of was that I was blessed by an angel.” He lowered his lips to her neck, relishing in the shivers his lips on her bare skin was creating in her.

“I never thought that anything would take the place of magic that our first reunion had. But this, this was beyond that.” Marlena turned to face him and smiled. “Magical?”
John watched as she ran her hand over his chest, pausing at the bandage that covered his ribs and also the bullet wound to his shoulder. He reached up to wipe the tears away with a thumb that was shaking.

Marlena gently pushed him back against the pillows on the big bed. “No, it was undeniably magical.” She held him still with one hand. “And until you admit that Black, we’re not going ANY where.”

She lowered her head and brought her lips to the hollow of his throat and peered up at him.

“Anytime John?”

He shook his head. “Oh, you were saying something?”

Marlena was about to get up, when suddenly he got ahold of her and rolled her over. “YOUR HURT!”

He silenced her cry of alarm with a kiss. “One arm maybe, but I can do alot of things with the other.”

She smiled as he lowered his lips to hers. “Oh, I bet you can.” Blue eyes looked up to find Hazel eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Is that a challenge my love?” Marlena’s soft laugh told him that yes indeed it r32;was.
He ran his hands across her bare skin, watching as she began to writhe and the hazel eyes grew drowsy with desire. “J..John?”

He smiled, looking up from his ministrations and sweetly asking her what she wanted.

“Don’t stop.” He lowered his lips to hers. “Now that your back where you belong, you can count on that.”

He grinned. “For what you put ME through these past few months. You’ll be getting payback sweetheart, in bed.”

The mischief returned. “Promise?” The look in his eyes sent her into the sweetest giggles John had ever heard

“Please???”

****

He woke up and found himself alone in the bed. “Marlena?” He winced as he climbed out of bed. “Doc?” He paused when he found her curled up in front of the fireplace. He came to sit with her.

“Hello there.” She looked up stunned. “I’m sorry, did I wake you love?”

John shook his head. “As a matter of fact, yes you did. I woke up, reaching for you and there was no gorgeous blonde there where she should be.” He watched as a rather becoming blush rose over her cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I had a nightmare and didn’t want to wake you.” He reached over and brushed the hair off of her face.

“Talk to me.”

She looked up and smiled.

“Actually I’m alright. I’ve watched you sleeping so peacefully and I knew that it was all right. This whole sordid thing with Tony is over. OUR babies are just that,  OUR babies. Roman has a new love. When all was said and done. The main thing is simple. I still have you and I still love you more than anything.”

John’s face softened. “That was the one thing never in any doubt love. From the moment we first met until now, You have been the only woman for me, the only woman I could see growing old, having a life and future with.”

He brought her hand to his lips. “You and I have such a strong foundation. I hurt you by not believing, but I promise that from here out, I will never doubt you again.”
Marlena smiled and playfully threw herself at him.

“Out of all the Transformations that you and I have gone through Black. I love this one the most.”

Marlena sat in the garden and was rocking her little boy with a smile and laughed as she watched John chasing Brianna before he scooped her up and smothered her in kisses.
“Now Missy, say goodnight to your Momma.”

1 year old Brianna reached out with both hands. “Byeee.”

Marlena smiled. “Goodnight sweetie girl. Momma loves you.”

Marlena listened to her daughter’s belly laugh as John tickled her going into the house and then turned around and stared into the blue eyes of her little son. “Jamie, you aren’t tired at all are you darling?”

He smiled at her in a way that sent her off into peals of laughter. “Your just like your daddy.” She rested her cheek on his downy head.

She heard two little girls singing before she saw them, followed by an absolutely exhausted Eric, who was carrying a sleeping Brady. “Hi there.”

Caden came and sat beside them and Belle took the other side. “How was the Amusement Park?” Belle grinned. “Ask Eric.”

Eric laid Brady in the hammock. “I have to give it to you Mom. I don’t know HOW you manage with five under 8’s.” He made a face at his sisters.  “Eight hours at the amusement park and I’m beat.”

Caden came and sat in his lap. “Thank you for taking us Eric.”

As he hugged her, Marlena smiled as she realized just how far her little daughter had come in the weeks and months since Marlena’s kidnapping and her own return to her new family.

From a shy and scared little 4 year old, she blossomed into a sunny 5 year old. Who loved music, sports, her beanie baby collection, adored her father, her baby siblings, Eric and Marlena in no particular order.

John also noticed that just like Marlena, Cady had an infectious belly laugh.

“Daddy!” Belle launched herself at him and laughed as John swung her upside down before turning her right side up. “How was the amusement park?”

Eric groaned. “Here’s where I take my leave. Down you get angel face.”

Cady grimaced and Eric then picked up his brother. “I have NO clue how someone this little weighs so much. Brady is too heavy.”

John came back and joined the crew, as he planted a kiss on Marlena’s cheek. “YOU were once just like that.” He scooped up James and said to the girls that it was time for bed.
Once everyone had gone inside, Marlena moved to the swing and enjoyed the stillness of the night.

She marvelled at how peaceful everything was and smiled as she realized that they deserved every moment of happiness that they now had.

She felt John’s arm slip around her and she leaned against him “Are they asleep?” John smiled. “Pretty much. Eric’s settling Caden in. But everyone else is out.”

She lifted her head. “Do you know what Today is?”

She started to laugh as John spaced out. “Groundhog Day?”

He shook his head. “Can’t be.”

He peeked to see her reaction and then smiled. “Do you think that I wouldn’t know what Today is?”

He brought her hand to his lips. “Today is exactly one year to the day that I got you back.”
She felt herself tearing up. “That was the day that I began to believe in Miracles.”
He reached out and dried her tears with his thumb.

“Everyone has begun to heal. I am still totally head over heels for the incredibly beautiful, amazingly smart and heartbreakingly sexy lady that I married. We have healthy, happy and amazing kids. Life for the Blacks.” He leaned in to kiss her. “Is incredibly perfect.”

Marlena smiled. “So is it always going to be this quiet?”

John thought for a moment. “I hope for at least the next five minutes.”

They started laughing. “I can’t promise peace forever. But I can promise for now.”
Marlena snuggled closer. “That’s all I need. I’ve learnt one major thing from this whole Tony mess. To enjoy what I have now and dream for the future.”

He smiled and reached out to cup her chin. “I knew you were smart.”

Eric paused as he saw the scene before him. With a smile, he turned around to go the other way. He looked to heaven and smiled.

“Their together and happy, which means that all is right with the world.”

He started whistling and walked off to his car, leaving the lovers alone in the garden, dreaming dreams… 

The End