She sat at the bar of the Brady pub, trying her damnedest to rub away the headache that was threatening to take over. She’d just finished “talking” to Sami, listening to her go on about the latest drama in her life. Sami had asked for her motherly advice, so she had given it to her. Once again, Sami took what was said the wrong way and stormed out before Marlena had a chance to explain. “God knows I love that child,” Marlena thought, “but there are days when I could just wring her little blonde neck.”
Caroline walked over to the bar and placed a whiskey sour on the cocktail napkin in front of Marlena. “Drink this, It’s on me.”
“Caroline, I didn’t order this. You know I don’t drink that often, and when Ido it’s nothing more than white wine or a glass of champagne.”
“Marlena, drink it. I overheard your conversation with Sami. I love my granddaughter, but I hate seeing the way she can treat you. You deserve a stiff one.”
If only Caroline knew how right she was. Sami wasn’t the only reason Marlena was so tense. John had been out of town on business for a week and wouldn’t be home for another three days. How Marlena despised being away from her man for so long! Her mind drifted to all the things she wanted to do to him when she got him back, and all the things she wanted him to do to her. She imagined his hands caressing her from her shoulders all the way down to her feet. Of course, his mouth would make the same torturously pleasurable trek. She could almost feel his warm breath on her skin before he kissed her.
Marlena was so caught up in her daydream that she barely heard Caroline say her name as she patted her hand. “Marlena. Marlena! Where did you go?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Caroline. I’ve just had a hellacious day, between work and Sami. I guess I phased out for a moment.”
“You’re missing John aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah.” Marlena answered with a sheepishly innocent smile. “How did you know?”
“Darling, I may be getting on in years, but I know a look of longing when I see one.” They both chuckled out loud.
“I guess some things never change. I do miss that man!”
“I know you do, Marlena. He’ll be home soon, and I am sure Salem will see you two again in a month or so. Enjoy your drink.” Caroline smiled an evil smile, patted Marlena’s hand one last time, and laughed out loud as she exited the room, leaving Marlena in a gape-mouthed stupor.
Once she recovered from the shock of her ex-mother-in-law making a reference to her sex life, Marlena found that she felt a little more relaxed. Thankful for the relief, she began to settle into the lovely taste of her whiskey sour.
The hand at the small of her back caused Marlena to jerk straight up on her bar stool. It firmly, yet gently, traced a path up to the back of her neck, where it began to knead away all the tension from the day. The hand moved to her left shoulder while its mate found her right shoulder. The feeling of those hands squeezing and releasing caused Marlena to allow her head to fall back against the chest of their owner, close her eyes, and release a soft sigh filled with pleasure. She had no fear. She knew that feel. She knew that scent. He leaned in, and she felt his breath tickle her ear.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi, Sailor.”
Marlena reached up to take his hands in hers and pull them around her in an embrace. John drew her in so close she could feel his heartbeat on her back. “I wasn’t expecting you for another three days.”
John moved her hair and kissed the spot right behind her ear, and Marlena let out a girlish little squeal. He held her even tighter. “Well, I finished sooner than expected and just couldn’t stay away from you a minute longer than needed.”
“Aren’t I the lucky girl?” She reached down and behind her and found his thigh. She gave it a little squeeze and elicited a low growl from her husband. His hips involuntarily rotated forward, and she could tell John was already aroused. She loved that she had that effect on him.
John turned the bar stool around and moved his hand to the back of Marlena’s head,
pulling it back so he could gain access to her mouth. He softly kissed her, increasing the pressure slightly as he licked her bottom lip, seeking permission to deepen the kiss. She returned the gesture, parting her lips, meeting his tongue in a dance that they had perfected so long ago. Marlena got a rush every time they kissed in public because no one knew just how intimate they were. They’d created a subtlety that gave them all the pleasure they needed, yet didn’t appear vulgar to passersby. John moaned into Marlena’s mouth as her hand slipped inside his jacket and around to grab his ass beneath his coat so no one could see what she was doing. His free hand slid from her hip up her rib cage, slowing as it caressed the side of her breast. Marlena was melting
under his touch.
Marlena hesitantly broke the kiss, breathing a little harder than she wanted, and John leaned his forehead against hers as he placed his hand on her cheek and traced her lips with his thumb. She licked his thumb and smiled as she whispered her question. “How ‘bout you take me home, and I give you the proper welcome?”
“Sounds like a plan!” He pulled her from her seat, grabbed her purse and coat, and led her to the door. As they approach the exit, John smacked Marlena’s ass and caused her to laugh like a school girl. As she walked out the door, Marlena turned to see Caroline standing at the bar. She smiled a knowing smile, waved, and winked at Marlena. John grabbed Marlena from behind, and kissed her neck. “Let’s get this party started!”
**********
The moment the door began to swing closed, John spun Marlena around and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. He encased her face in both his hands and was thrilled when her mouth opened and she released a passionate sigh. Her tongue collided with his as they greedily tasted each other for the first time in days. The kiss finally broke when both of them had to catch their breathe.
“Oh, baby, I have missed you so much. I don’t ever want to be away from you that long again. Do you hear me?” John brought Marlena into an embrace that left no room between them and was shocked to find her struggling to escape his hold. “Doc, what are you doing? What’s wrong?”
“John, when the hell are you going to fix this damned door? It never latches properly!” She said as she closed the door and flipped the deadbolt. “I have not been in the same room as you in 8 days, 12 hours, and 23 minutes. I do not want a soul walking through that door until I am good and ready to see one, is that understood?” John grinned to himself when he heard Marlena swear. She only did that on two occasions: when she was extremely angry and when she was extremely turned on. He knew for a fact she was not angry.
Marlena had turned to walk back in his direction, and John could see an almost savage look in her eyes. He had to gulp in order to salvage what little moisture he had in his mouth to speak. “I’ll get on that ASAP.”
“See that you do, hmmm?” Having finally reached her destination, Marlena grabbed John’s tie and walked him over to the couch. She pushed him down forcefully, maybe even more than she intended. Having John where she wanted him, she straddled him and took his mouth with hers in a greedy kiss. John moaned into her mouth and grabbed her around her waist. He loved it when she would take the initiative. She was like a lioness on the prowl, and he was her prey. Some of his favorite moments were the ones when Marlena lost her inhibitions.
Marlena took no time removing John’s tie and jacket. She unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands up and down his torso, reveling in the feel of his muscles twitching under her touch. She moved back in for another kiss and slowly slid to the floor between John’s legs. Breaking the kiss, she removed John’s belt and unfastened his pants. John made quick work of removing his shirt, raising his hips to allow Marlena to slide his pants and boxer briefs off.
Looking at her husband sitting on the couch naked as the day he was born, Marlena released a heavy sigh and grinned from ear to ear, licking her lips. “You look good enough to drink.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, you look way too overdressed.” John reached for Marlena, but she slapped his hands away and stood up.
“Oh, no you don’t, Mr. Black! We’re doing this my way. You are going to sit right there and not move a muscle until I tell you.”
“Well, Doc, that’s going to be a little hard to do. There’s one muscle that’s already on the move,” John chuckled as he looked down. Marlena followed his look and saw his hard member standing at full attention.
“I see. Well, see that the rest of you stays put, will you?”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Marlena slowly unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall to the floor. She unzipped her skirt and let it fall too. She stood in front of John in a black lace bra and panties and black heels. “Ohhhhh, Doc!” John moaned when he took in the vision before him.
“You like what you see?”
“I love what I see. Come here.”
“We’re playing by my rules, and I have other plans.”
Marlena began to run her hands down her body, stopping to caress her breasts, and then moved further south. Her hand disappeared behind the lacey black material that covered her center, and she began to moan as she gave herself pleasure. John had grabbed his own hair and was doing everything in his power not to jump off the couch and throw her on the floor to ravage her.
Seeing John’s struggle, Marlena removed her hand from her center and knelt between his legs again. She brought her slick hand up to John’s mouth, and he licked her clean, sucking her fingers one by one, eliciting a moan from her. “Do you see what you do to me? I’ve been wet since you first touched me at the pub.”
She licked and kissed a trail down his stomach and stopped when she reached his
cock. She cupped his sac in her hand, squeezing lightly, as she licked along the vein on the underside of his shaft. John bucked his hips involuntarily when Marlena’s mouth took his tip, and she licked the pre-cum off. He took her face in his hands and lifted her head where he could look her in the eyes.
“I believe I told you not to move.”
“I know, baby, but if you don’t stop right now, I’m not gonna last. I can’t hold back.”
“Then don’t,” Marlena responded, taking his hands off her face and returning to her work. She took John into her mouth as completely as she could, for he was a lot of man, and began to move up and down. She would alternate between sucking and licking, massaging his balls all the while. When she heard John’s breathing grow shallow, she quickened her actions. When she felt his hands in her hair, she knew he was close.
John did not guide Marlena. She did not need guidance. She knew him inside and out and new just how to pleasure him. But he needed something to hold on to, so he grabbed her hair. Her motions were driving him to the brink, and he knew he couldn’t hold on.
“Oh, shit! That feels so good. Yeah, baby, just like that.” He couldn’t hold on anymore. His release hit him hard as he screamed her name, and he came in Marlena’s mouth. She did not move. She took everything he had and stayed with him until he was empty. When, at last, his body had relaxed, John brought Marlena up to him. He kissed her madly and passionately, tasting himself on her tongue.
“You are so fucking amazing, Doc.”
“Well, thank you Mr. Black. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Let’s see. You’ve given me one helluva welcome home. But there is something.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
John moved quickly, bringing forth a deep-throated laugh from his wife as he pinned her down on the couch. “I am starving! I wonder what there is to eat.”
Chapter 2
John moved quickly, bringing forth a deep-throated laugh from his wife as he pinned her down on the couch. “I am starving! I wonder what there is to eat.”
“You’re looking at it. Dinner is served, my dear.” Marlena reached for his face to bring him down for a kiss only to have John grab her arms and hold them over her head with one hand. “I like it when you get all macho and take charge,” she said with a giggle in her speech and a mischievous gleam in her eye.
“Then you’re gonna love this.” John lowered himself to take possession of Marlena’s mouth. Just as his tongue invaded her mouth, John reached between them and snaked his hand under the black lace that covered her center. A moan escaped Marlena when his fingers swirled around her clit. “Round 1 was yours, Doc. Now it’s my turn. You will lie here and not move until I am finished.”
As he gave his instructions, John moved his fingers along her lips and massaged her clit. Marlena tried to maneuver her legs around John’s waist, but his hand stopped as soon as she made her attempt. Marlena whimpered in protest. John only grinned as he repeated his directions. “Don’t move. If you do, I’ll have to stop. You hear?”
“Yes, sir!” The response came through gritted teeth.
“Good girl.” John resumed his sweet torture, now slipping first one finger, then two into Marlena’s slick opening. The hand that held Marlena’s in place slid down her arm and made its way to the clasp of her bra. He expertly unfastened the garment and slid it off Marlena, continuing to pump his hand in and out of her and adding a third finger.
Marlena thought she would come the second John took her right breast into his mouth and flicked his tongue over her nipple. He sucked until he heard her let out a short little yelp, letting him know he had left his mark on her. He heard her heartbeat and breathing quicken. Moving to leave his mark on her other breast, John increased the speed of his hand and found Marlena’s clit with his thumb. When he saw Marlena’s eyes roll and heard her moan in the back of her throat, John began to curve his fingers in a “come-here” motion each time he would move them inside her. He could feel her walls contracting before she could vocalize her pleasure.
“Oh God, John, don’t stop! Right there…faster…please, John, faster!” Marlena grabbed the arm of the sofa above her head, somehow remembering John’s orders and not wanting him to quit. John moved his hand even faster now, finding her pleasure spot each time he curled his fingers. When she could take no more, Marlena released a primeval scream as she came.
John watched and reveled in his wife’s face as she climbed to the zenith of ecstasy and floated back down to earth. He slowly removed his hand from her center and licked her juices from two of his fingers, then gave her the third. She took it into her mouth and tasted herself as she licked him clean. John took her mouth for another passionate kiss that lasted until they were both out of breath.
“That was a nice appetizer,” he said when they broke their kiss. “Now for the main course.”
Still recovering from her orgasm, Marlena could only stare at John and try to catch her breath as he slid down her body and removed her panties. With Marlena lying so beautifully on the couch, John took a moment to memorize her every feature as he had every time they’d made love. No matter how frenzied or slow their unions were, he always had time to look at his wife.
He gently took her left leg and brought her ankle to his lips. He kissed her along the inside of her entire leg, stopping at the thigh to leave yet another mark. Marlena moaned a sweet sigh that became animalistic when John’s mouth made contact with her center and he took a nipple between his thumb and index finger. John’s tongue found Marlena’s clit and flicked it, first quickly, then tortuously slowly. Still massaging Marlena’s nipple, John shifted his tongue’s attention to her core. He started with one long, slow pass along her slit, then entered her and tasted her inner walls. Marlena’s hips rose from the couch to meet John’s mouth, and a well-practiced rhythm took over. John moved his fingers to replace his tongue, pumping in an out and sucking her clit. He could feel Marlena’s body tense and sat up.
“Don’t stop, John! What are you doing?” Marlena didn’t know what to think. John had never stopped before bringing her to climax. She was lost in a world of confusion when John brought is rock-hard cock to her well-readied pussy and sheathed himself completely in one thrust. The joyous pressure of his girth was enough to send Marlena over the edge. John, not knowing how, was able to remain still until she had ridden it out.
He leaned down to a breathless Marlena. “I love you so much, Doc. I have missed you more than anything. I never want to be away from you again.” He began to move in slow motion, rotating his hips every so often, bringing Marlena’s desire back once more. She could only look into his eyes and return his soft kisses as he loved her and told her what he desired. “I want to lie next to you and with you every night. I want to wake up next to you every morning. I never want to hear the word goodbye come from your mouth. You are my forever, my eternity, Doc.” This man never ceased to amaze Marlena. She had started this game as one of swift and fun sex, and he had instantly turned it into one of
the sweetest experiences she had ever had. That’s why she loved him so. He was a natural-born romantic. He could never have sex with her. He would always be making love.
John was kissing away Marlena’s tears of joy when she brought him to her mouth for a kiss so tender and loving, he was tempted to cry himself. Marlena’s hips began to match John’s rhythm as she moved her hands down his back. She rested her hands on his ass, squeezing lightly with every thrust, and brought her legs up higher placing her feet just below her hands. The new angle elicited a moan from both of them as John could now reach even deeper inside Marlena and rub against her sensitive bundle of nerves with each pass. The pace quickened as John could feel Marlena nearing her third climax. Marlena could see him trying to control himself to make sure she was pleasured before he reached his release.
She grabbed his face in her hands. “John, open your eyes and look at me. Look at your wife.” He did as he was told. “I love you. I will be there every night to lie with you. I will be there when you wake up. I will never leave you. I want you to make me come, and I want you to come with me. Come on, baby. Come with me. How I love you so.”
“Oh, Doc!” Her words alone were enough to bring him to the brink. John began to thrust faster and harder, hitting Marlena’s pleasure spot each and every time. When her walls tightened around his shaft, John took Marlena’s mouth as they screamed in ecstasy simultaneously. Marlena trembled and convulsed in John’s arms as his seed filled her. A few more gentle thrusts, and John was able to relax into Marlena’s embrace. He shifted toward the inside of the couch and brought Marlena to rest on top of him, managing not to break their connection. They simply held each other for what felt like eternity and an instant all at once.
“Welcome home, honey.” Marlena finally said as she lazily caressed John’s neck, chest, and shoulders. “I missed you so.”
“Me too, Doc. Being back home has made me one very happy, and may I add, satisfied man.” Marlena chuckled and playfully smacked his chest as he kissed her loudly on the head. “At the risk of spoiling the mood, what was up when I saw you at the pub? You were really tense.”
“Nothing. I was just missing you, that’s all.”
“C’mon, Doc. It’s me you’re talking to.” He nudged her head with his. “You were very pensive and you were drinking whiskey. Something or someone other than me was on your mind.”
“First of all, Caroline made that drink and made me take it. Secondly, why do you have to know me so well?”
“That’s what soul mates do. So, Caroline knew you were tense too. What happened?” After a moment of silence, John took Marlena’s chin in his hand and turned her to him. “Marlena, what happened?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, Marlena gave in. “Sami happened.”
“Why am I not surprised?” John asked as he rubbed his eyes. “What’s she up to this time?”
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. She and Lucas are at it over Will again. I swear she loves that man one minute and hates the ground he walks on the next. They’re both so wrapped up in themselves that they can’t see what they’re doing to everyone around them. Sami came to me looking for advice. She wanted to know how to deal with the situation, and she wanted me to be honest. So, I was. I told her to sit down and talk with Lucas; seek family counseling if they needed to. I also told her that conniving her way through the situation would not work.”
“That sounds fair.”
“That’s what I thought. Then she did it.”
“Did what?”
“She pulled the affair card.”
“Dear, God. I thought we were past that, Doc.”
“So did I. Sami looked me square in the eye and told me that maybe if I hadn’t ‘screwed around’ on her dad, maybe she’d know how to keep her family together.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. She can’t be serious.”
“She’s not. She’s just in denial. She doesn’t want to take responsibility for her life or her actions, so she chooses to blame me for all her problems because I used to let her do that to me. Well, I told her that I would no longer be her scapegoat and that my feelings of guilt were far behind me. She could take my advice or chuck in the nearest trash can. She was on her own.”
“Good for you, Doc. It’s about time.” John rewarded Marlena with a swift kiss.
“Thank you,” she responded with a girlish smile and another kiss. “Sami didn’t take it too well and started to pitch a fit in the middle of the pub. That’s when Caroline stepped in. She all but dragged Sami upstairs. A few minutes later Sami stormed out of the pub and Caroline brought me my drink.” Marlena snuggled in to John. “That’s when my white knight showed up.”
“Boy, I’d loved to have been a fly on the wall. Caroline can be ferocious when someone makes her angry.”
“I know. I dearly love that woman, and Shawn too. After the affair, I thought I had lost them both.”
“I know, me too. They’re the only parents I’ve ever known.” John hugged Marlena a little tighter, remembering the hard times.
“I wonder if they know just how grateful we are that they came to accept us as their own again. Do we say it often enough?”
“I don’t know, Doc. You have something in mind?”
“Yes, I do. Let’s invite them over for dinner tomorrow night; just the four of us. Let’s tell them exactly what they mean to us.”
“I like that. I’ll call them first thing in the morning.” John squeezed Marlena a little harder in his embrace. “Have I told you today that I have the sweetest, most loving, most gorgeous wife in the world?”
“No you haven’t. I should get out of here before she finds us together.” Marlena shot up and attempted to run away before John pulled her back on top of him.
“Get back here, you!” He shouted between laughs. He brought her mouth down to his, quickly forcing his tongue’s entrance and finding hers. Marlena was just reaching for John’s quickly hardening cock when the phone rang.
“Ugh! Really!?” She sighed indignantly.
“Hold that thought. I’ll get rid of them, I swear. I don’t care if it’s the president calling for you. I’ll take a message.” John got up and Marlena enjoyed the view as he walked over to the phone. “Hello? Hey, Shawn, we were just…what…hold on, slow down. Okay, okay. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Okay. Bye.” John turned around with a devastated look of concern on his face.
“John, what is it?”
“Doc, we need to get dressed.”
John was on autopilot, and Marlena was getting worried. “Honey, what’s wrong? You’re starting to scare me.”
“Uh, we need to get to the hospital. It’s Caroline.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know, Doc. We just need to go.”
With that, John and Marlena got dressed and rushed out the door into the unexpected.
Chapter 3
The drive from John and Marlena’s home to University Hospital was only five minutes, but John managed to make it in two. They hurried from the parking garage into the emergency room, frantically searching for Shawn Brady. They found him kneeling in the corner saying a silent prayer for his wife, too afraid to go to the chapel and risk missing any information about Caroline. Upon seeing Shawn, Marlena unconsciously reached for John’s hand. He took it without hesitation.
“John, I think this may be more serious than we thought. Shawn looks worried out of his mind.”
“I can only imagine what he’s going through. If it were you in there, I’d be doing the same thing. Doc, I didn’t think about it until just now. Abe and Lexie are out of town on vacation. Who’s the attending physician?”
“Oh,” Marlena thought a moment before remembering. “Chuck Hastings is covering for Lexie while she’s gone. He’s only been here about 6 months.”
“Yeah, I remember meeting him at the last fundraiser. He seemed like a nice guy.”
“He is, and he’s an excellent doctor. He’s very well-rounded but is most comfortable in emergency/triage situations. Caroline is in good hands.” John could tell Marlena believed what she said but also knew she was saying it out loud to remind herself as much as him. He took the hand he held and brought it to his lips then took it in both his hands to rub it reassuringly. When he looked up, he saw Shawn crossing himself, signaling the end of his prayer, and standing up.
“Tell ya what, Doc. How ‘bout we go tell Shawn what good hands his wife’s in?” Without waiting for her answer, John led Marlena across the room. Lightly taking Shawn’s shoulder as not to startle him, John spoke to the man he once thought was his father. “Hey, Shawn. How are you holding up?”
Shawn turned around and looked at John with worried despair pouring from his soul. When he truly saw John, a glimmer of hope brightened his eyes faintly.
“Oh, John. Thank you for comin’. Marlena, darlin’ girl!” He first took John into a quick hug, and then turned to embrace Marlena.
“Where is the rest of the family, Shawn?” Marlena asked. “I expected to see everyone here with you.” She looked around in thinly veiled disbelief.
“Oh, well, Roman and Bo are workin’ a case. Hope is tryin’ to track them down. They’ll be here as soon as they can. I didn’t call the young ones. I didn’t want to worry them if it was not as serious as I thought.”
“What happened, Shawn?” John inquired. “You were so panicked on the phone. I didn’t really give you a chance to explain in my rush to get us here.”
“I wish I could tell ya, John. I was in the back of the pub doing inventory. Caroline had just been back to tell me that you had come home early. We were talkin’ and were thinkin’ of invitin’ you for dinner tomorrow.” At that, John and Marlena looked at each other indignantly, catching Shawn’s eye. “What did I say?”
“Nothing much. We were actually discussing inviting you to dinner right before you called, but that’s not important now. We didn’t mean to interrupt you.” Marlena reached out for Shawn’s hand and led him to sit in the nearest chair. She and John sat across from him as he continued to relay the series of events leading them to the hospital.
“Well, I kept on doin’ what I was doin’. The rush crowd was thinnin’ out, and the routine was all the same, ya know? I finished the inventory and headed back to the front to help Caroline at the bar. She told me she had gotten a headache and was goin’ upstairs to get somethin’ for the pain.” Shawn stopped suddenly, and John and Marlena could see the tears beginning to fill his Irish eyes. Marlena reached over to him and took his hand, absently rubbing the top with her thumb.
“What happened, Shawn?”
“Oh, I keep seein’ it replay in my head in slow motion. I was draftin’ Guinness for a customer when I heard Caroline just cry out. The sound was pure agony. When I looked up, I saw her just crumple to the ground and fall down the stairs.” The tears were streaming down his face as he relayed the story. “She was unconscious when she landed. I tried so hard to wake her up. Two steps. She only had to make it two more steps, and she’d have never fallen.”
Marlena was wiping tears from her own face when she felt John shift by her side. He had moved over to Shawn and taken him into an embrace. She was taken aback by the tenderness these two “manly men” were sharing. There was a love there that was purely that of a father and a son.
After breaking the hug, John cleared his throat. “Well, what do the doctors say? Is she going to be okay?”
“I don’t know. No one’s been out here yet. I tell ya, I’m goin’ out of my mind. We’ve only been here half an hour, but it feels like an eternity. I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m sure someone will be out here soon,” Marlena said as she sat at Shawn’s other side, rubbing his shoulders as she spoke. “The attending physician is very thorough and likes to be able to tell patients and their families as much as possible. Would you like some coffee or tea while we wait?”
“Sure. Sure. It’ll give me something to do. I’ll take a coffee with…”
“Sugar, no cream. I remember. I’ll be right back.” Marlena gave Shawn a little squeeze before going to the coffee station and pouring John and Shawn coffee and tea for herself. She was just returning when opening doors caught her eye. As she placed the beverages on a side table, she heard a voice.
“Mr. Brady?”
“Yeah, that’s me,” Shawn exclaimed as he stood to meet the doctor waking towards them.
“I’m Dr. Hastings.” The man looked quizzically in Marlena’s direction.
“Marlena? What are you doing here?” Making the connection that she was with Mr. Brady, he asked, “Do you know Mrs. Brady?”
“Yes, she’s my ex-mother-in-law. How is she?”
“Yeah, how is she, doctor?” Shawn asked nervously.
“Unfortunately, there’s not much I can tell you in the way of a definite diagnosis. We have to run some tests and take some x-rays. What I can tell you is that your wife has a rather nasty bump on the back of her head that I assume came from the fall. That may mean she has a concussion. She is still unconscious, and we cannot be sure until she is awake. I must say that I thought she would be conscious by now, and that is a definite concern. I can tell you without much assistance from the x-rays that Mrs. Brady has broken her left tibia and possibly her fibula.” Hastings noted a confused look on Shawn’s face but did not want to insult his intelligence. He paused to give Shawn the
opportunity to ask any questions he may have had.
“Dr. Hastings, I’m a bit frazzled at the moment, and can’t quite remember those bones.”
“Those are the bones located in the lower leg. Now, I am not going to lie to you. The recovery time for an injury like that could be anywhere from three to four months.”
“That’s a long time.” Shawn released a sigh, the breath he was not aware he had
been holding.
John and Marlena both understood that Shawn would need help when Caroline went
home. He had a business to run, after all. John quickly spoke up. “Shawn, don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll get home healthcare set up at your place, and you can look for someone to help you out at the pub. Caroline will be taken care of, no matter the cost.”
“John, I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t. I’m telling you that’s what will happen. No arguments.”
“Thank you, son.” Shawn’s sentiment caused John’s heart to skip a beat. He did not notice Marlena blink back a tear.
“Chuck, you said you thought Caroline should be awake by now.” Marlena’s concerned inquiry caught both John and Shawn’s attention. “Have you been able to find any explanation as why she hasn’t regained consciousness?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea, Marlena. The location of the swelling on her head is not in a necessarily precarious spot. I’ve ordered a CT-scan. I am hoping that will shed some light on the subject. I’m about to go check on Mrs. Brady’s progress, unless you have any other questions?”
Shawn did not seem able to speak, perhaps because he was trying to process everything he had just heard. Marlena looked to John, who shook his head, signaling that he had no questions. “No, Chuck. I think we are satisfied with what you’ve been able to tell us. I know that the sooner we let you go, the sooner you can find out what the cause of Caroline’s unconsciousness is.”
Chuck Hastings nodded in agreement and excused himself. As he approached the exit, he turned to glance at the three people he had just left and couldn’t help but be amazed. The man he addressed only as Mr. Brady was sitting in a chair, flanked by Marlena and her husband, John Black. Marlena was leaning on Shawn’s shoulder, holding his hand in both of hers. John had his arm around Mr. Brady’s shoulders and was talking to him to keep him distracted. Marlena had told Chuck the Brady’s were her ex-in-laws. He couldn’t help thinking to himself, “I’d much rather see that look of love from my current in-laws than the flying daggers.” He chuckled to himself briefly, and then returned to his
very serious task of finding out just what was ailing the much-loved Caroline Brady.
**********************************************************************
Two hours had passed since Dr. Hastings had left Shawn, Marlena, and John. Hope had arrived, bringing Roman and Bo with her. They were all with Shawn, and John
and Marlena had offered to get everyone something to eat. Shawn initially declined the offer, but pressure from his sons changed his mind.
Just as everyone was finishing up with their food, Hastings entered the waiting area. Marlena was the first to see him enter, and stood to acknowledge his presence. “Chuck, is there any word, any change? Can you tell us anything?”
“Well, there hasn’t been any change in Mrs. Brady’s current condition. She is stable but still unconscious. It seems I have a larger audience.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Dr. Chuck Hastings, these are Shawn and Caroline’s sons, Roman and Bo Brady, and Bo’s wife, Hope.” Each member of the family nodded in salutation as Marlena introduced them.
“I’d like to say it’s nice to meet you, but I am also very sorry for the situation in which we are meeting.” Hastings’ greeting was met with nods of acknowledgement. Clearing his throat, he continued. “As I told you earlier, I suspected that Mrs. Brady may have had a fractured tibia or fibula. X-rays show that both bones in the left leg are broken. We’ve already set the bones and placed a cast. As for the reason for Mrs. Brady’s unconsciousness, we have isolated the cause.”
Noting an expression that told her Hastings was hesitant to continue, Marlena felt the need to urge him on. “Chuck, we need to know, for better or worse, what we are facing. Why hasn’t Caroline awakened yet?”
“After examining the CT-Scan and consulting with our head neurologist, it is my
conclusion that Mrs. Brady has suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. Mr. Brady, has Mrs. Brady had any complaints lately of headaches, nausea, double vision, or neck pain.”
“She had a headache just before the accident and complained off and on for a few days. She was nauseous too. We had chalked it up to the flu.”
“Many other people would assume the same. Medical records show that there’s no history of this in your wife’s family, so it is not something she would have thought to
suspect.” Hastings looked at the group before him and couldn’t help but feel his heart break a bit for them.
Marlena was the first to find the strength to speak. “Is Caroline going to be alright?”
“Right now, it’s too soon to tell. The CT showed there was intracranial hemorrhaging. Mrs. Brady will have to go into surgery. We have to go in and release the pressure on the brain and make sure no other vessels have become blocked. If we don’t operate, fluid will continue to build in the brain, and Mrs. Brady could have a stroke.”
“You’re sayin’ that this can be fixed? We can get my Caroline back?” Shawn was grasping for any sign of hope he could find.
“I’m saying we can try, Mr. Brady.” Hastings responded. “There’s a risk attached to any kind of surgery. This is brain surgery, and your wife is unconscious. The neurological team will be working without a net. There could be potential brain damage. However, without the surgery, there will most definitely be brain damage, and the risk of fatality increases dramatically.”
“Well, then, why are we standin’ here talkin’? Bring me the paperwork so you can get my wife to surgery,” Shawn ordered.
“I’ll have someone bring it to you immediately and inform the O.R. that they have a patient coming to them.”
Simultaneously relieved and worried beyond belief, the Brady’s wandered to the seating area. John went to Marlena and asked her if she was going to join them.
“No. I think they need some time together to talk and to pray. I’m going to go get some air. You can join them if you need to.” Marlena reached up and kissed John tenderly on the cheek before walking to the side exit, which led to the garden.
John, sensing something was off, followed his wife outside. When he reached the door, he saw that Marlena had walked over to a bench and was leaning on the back. The movement of her shoulders and the small whimpers John heard immediately told him Marlena was crying. Swiftly and silently, John walked to her and took her in his arms from behind.
Marlena let out a startled yelp before she realized it was John who had frightened her. Finally determining she was safe, she turned around in his arms and clung to him for dear life. John held his wife tightly as she sobbed into his shoulder.
Chapter 4
Minutes passed as John held Marlena in his arms and allowed her to cry out her sorrows. He knew when she got to this point, the best thing to do was offer her support and let her get it out of her system. Eventually, Marlena’s breathing became less broken, she held on a bit more loosely, and she released her grip on John. Stepping back and wiping the tears from her face, she gave her husband a quick “I’m alright” smile.
“Honey, are you okay?” John asked, a look of utter concern on his face.
“No, not really, but I will be eventually. I’m just tired, John.”
“Well, I’ll take you home to get some rest. Come on, Doc. Let’s get out of here.” John reached for Marlena’s hand and headed toward the door that led back into the ER waiting area. Marlena stopped him before he could make his move.
“That’s not what I mean, John. I’m tired of living this saga that we seem doomed to endure. When is it going to end?” She threw her hands into the air and brought them down in an exasperated gesture as she walk back to the bench. She sat on the bench in the garden outside the ER. At that moment she looked around her and contemplated where she was. This garden had been added years ago in the hopes of providing some sort of tranquility for those families who would seek peace and some semblance of hope while awaiting the latest news about their loved ones. The reality of her family’s current situation rushed back into her thoughts. Caroline Brady was being prepped for brain surgery, and there was nothing Marlena could do to help. There was no advice that would lead Caroline out of danger. There was no comfort she could offer Shawn.
Understanding her helplessness, Marlena began to cry once again.
John, not being able to withstand watching his wife hurt, sat next to her on the bench and reached to embrace her once again. Marlena, seeing what John was attempting, quickly stood up and paced behind the bench.
“Doc, you have to sit down, and let’s talk about this.”
“I can’t John. If I start talking, I’ll start to ramble. If I start to ramble, there’s no telling when I may stop, and I have no right to be feeling so sorry for myself when Caroline is fighting for her life!”
“Honey, no one would blame you for feeling the way you do if they heard you right now. Besides, it’s just you and I. I love you and will be here to listen to you, no matter what you have to say. Let it out, honey. I’m right here.”
Marlena ran her hands through her hair. She knew John was right. She needed to talk to someone. Who better than her best friend? Now, the only question that remained was where to start?
“Look what this family has been through over the years, John. Honey, we have all been to Hell and back: presumed deaths, resurrections, adultery, paternity questions, forgiveness, kidnappings, tortures, shootings, acid attacks. You name it, we’ve been through it. My God, honey, we fought the devil himself and won! At what point do we catch a break? Am I the only one who has come to accept the fact that for every day of happiness we are granted, there is a year of torment we must survive? We try so hard to be there for each other and provide what is needed, but the wear and tear is starting to show. Even the sturdiest of structures begin to falter over the ages. The elements will one day make their mark. Is it too much to ask for the ability to go to bed and know that when I wake up I’ll know the people I love most in this world are safe and happy? Is it too much for me to want to open my eyes and have my first sight be your face and have that same vision as the last thing I see before I close my eyes at night?
“I want to hear the phone ring and answer it anticipating happy news instead of
dreading whose life is danger. I want to meet my children on the street and be
greeted with a hug and an ‘I love you’ instead of looks of resentment. I want to know that that woman upstairs, whom I love like my own mother, will be alive tomorrow morning and recovering. I want this to be over!” Marlena was unable to control her emotions and began to weep once more.
John, who had stood up to watch his wife pace the garden as she spoke, went to her and held her again. Embracing her as tightly as he could, he kissed the top of her head lightly. “Doc, I wish there was something I could say that would make you feel better. I wish I could make you promises and tell you everything will be alright. I just can’t. That’s your forte. I swoop in and save the day. You’re the beauty and brains. I’m the brawn.”
Marlena released a short chuckle at John’s attempt at self-effacing humor. He was the best medicine for her, and she could not believe how he was so easily able to lift her spirits even the tiniest bit.
John was relieved to know Marlena had calmed down once more. He knew she had to
be exhausted. Marlena was notorious for waking early in the morning and keeping busy with work and family until she was often the last one asleep. He was aware that she rested even less when he was gone. This fact was usually something he took great pride in, but at the moment, it caused him concern. He took Marlena by her shoulders, stepping back to look at his wife, holding her at arms’ length and rubbing her arms as he spoke.
“Doc, you’re tired.” He cut her off as she began to protest. “No. You are exhausted, I can tell. I’m going to take you to your office. You are going to lie on the couch and get some sleep. I will sit with Shawn and wake you if anything changes, for better or worse.”
Marlena wanted to protest but knew John was right. She was worn out. The minor
drama from earlier in the day combined with their love-making and the night’s crisis had drained her.
“Okay. I’ll go to my office and try to rest, but only if you promise to let me know if anything changes.”
“Cross my heart. You have my word.” John leaned down and gave Marlena a quick but gentle kiss. The two of them headed back inside the hospital to check up on the Bradys.
When they entered, Marlena noticed an addition to the group in the waiting area. There, surrounded by her father, uncle, aunt, and grandfather was Sami Brady. She looked as if she had been crying since she heard the news, and that broke Marlena’s heart. She wanted nothing more than to hold her little girl and tell her everything would be okay. Still holding John’s hand and leading the way, Marlena made her way to her daughter.
“Sami, honey, are you okay? When did you get here?” Marlena approached Sami with her arms outstretched to take her into an embrace.
Sami quickly stepped away from her mother. Marlena, looking quite shocked and hurt, brought her arms back down to her side. “Sami, let me be here for you.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, your grandpa called to let us know what happened, and we got here as soon as we could. We stayed with Shawn until your daddy and Uncle Bo could get here.”
“Grandpa called you before he called Daddy?” Sami asked indignantly.
“Well, no. Roman and Bo were on a case, and it took a little while to find them.”
“Oh, well, they’re here now. So am I. You can leave now.”
Roman had just returned from checking on his father when he heard Sami’s last statement.
“Samantha Gene Brady! You have no right to talk to you mother that way.”
John, when he was finally able to respond after the shock of what had just happened, added to the mix. “Sami, we are here for the family. We love Caroline and want to see that everyone is taken care of.”
“You are not family, John!” Sami snapped back. “Why are you even here? You’ve done what you came to do. You played the hero and you even brought your damsel along with you. The show’s over, so why don’t you just leave?”
“Samantha, that’s enough! Apologize to your mother and John this instant!” Roman demanded.
“No, Roman,” Marlena responded. “Let her be. She obviously meant it, or she would not have said it. We’ll be leaving.”
“Yeah,” John said. “I was just about to take Marlena to her office so she could get some rest.”
“No. We’re going home.”
“But, Doc…”
“John, I think we should go home. The focus needs to be on Caroline right now, and our presence is deflecting that needed attention. Please just take me home.”
“Okay, Doc. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” Marlena turned to Shawn, Roman, Bo, and Hope. You know where we’ll be. Please, please call us and let us know how Caroline comes out of surgery. Call at any hour, no matter how great or small the need.”
“Will do, darlin’,” Shawn replied as he hugged Marlena. “You’ll be the first to know.” He released her from his embrace and shook John’s hand and gave him a quick hug. “You make sure our girl gets some rest, now.”
“Sure thing, Shawn. Take care.” With that, John turned to his wife and walked her to the exit.
Once they were in the car, John looked at Marlena. He could see the obvious hurt in her eyes and was still in disbelief that Sami could say such things to her mother with no remorse. “Doc, are you sure you wouldn’t rather go upstairs?”
“I’m sure, John. Honey, please just take me home.” She looked out the window, making a feeble attempt to hold back the tears that once again threatened to escape her eyes.
John turned the ignition, and began the drive back to their home.
Chapter 5
The trip home from University Hospital was silent. The elevator ride to the penthouse was even quieter. Marlena had not made any attempt to speak since asking John to take her home. She knew if she spoke, she would fall apart. She had done that enough in the past few hours and did not see a reason to keep torturing her husband.
John was growing more and more concerned about Marlena. He had managed to look
at her more than the road on the trip home, and had been staring at her during their elevator ride. He knew she was trying to be strong—that was her way. He also knew that, one way or another, he was going to get her to let go. She couldn’t keep holding in her pain in her attempt to be strong for her family.
When the elevator reached the top floor, John guided Marlena to their door, unlocked it, and made sure to latch and lock it behind them upon their entrance. Marlena, on instinct, removed her heels and earrings, placing them in their usual spots. Then, she just stood there, staring into oblivion, expressionless. Unconsciously, she began to rub her own neck and shoulders. When John took over, she started. Then, as the effects of his ministrations began to travel through her body, she relaxed and leaned back into him. John, by his own instinct, wrapped his arms around Marlena. After a moment, he took her hand and began to lead her upstairs.
“John, what are you doing?”
“I’m seeing to my wife. You are going to take a nice long, hot bath. But before that, we are going to talk.”
“John, I don’t want to …”
“I didn’t ask what you wanted, Doc,” John interrupted, continuing the walk up the stairs. “We are going to talk. You are going to let it out. I don’t care if you throw things, yell at me, or crumple on the floor. You are going to get the release you need!”
Having reached the bedroom, John turned Marlena to face him and gently took her by the arms. “You’re hurting, Doc, and I don’t know how to fix it, but I want to try. You have to let me try.”
Tears were now escaping, Marlena’s eyes. “I don’t know that you can fix it, John. That’s what scares me. I don’t know if I can be fixed. I don’t know that I want to be fixed.” John could see the wall beginning to crumble. “I don’t even know where to begin, John. I realized something earlier today, but was in complete denial. I am now absolutely sure of the undeniable truth.”
“We’re not talking about Caroline are we, Doc?”
“No, we aren’t.” Marlena walked to the mirror and stared at her reflection as if she didn’t know the woman staring back. “I realized that I’ve lost my daughter.”
“No you haven’t, Doc. Sami’s just in one of her phases. This will pass, she’ll forgive us all over again, and things will be great until the next time she screws up and needs someone to blame. It’s the circle of life…well, at least our lives.” John knew his attempt to lighten the mood was ill-fated, but he had to try. He did not expect Marlena’s reaction, though.
Marlena wheeled around and looked at John in utter disbelief. “Does knowing that appease you, John!? Are you willing to accept the lie Sami feeds us when she says she loves us? She doesn’t love us! She hates us! She’s forgotten, or taken for granted, everything you have done for her. You were, no, you ARE her father! I love Roman. He’s a dear friend, but he has never been the father you were to her. I am almost physically sick sometimes when Sami goes on and on in her worship of Roman. Then, I am sick from the guilt that I feel that way. Roman doesn’t deserve my resentment.” As Marlena grew more emotional in her speech, she began to pace the room, using her hands boldly to accentuate her thoughts.
“I can understand why Sami would have difficulties feeling close to me. I was gone during the most formative years of her life. I knew it would take time for our relationship to grow to a good place. But, dammit, how long am I expected to wait. We messed up that night in the conference room. No. I messed up long before that. I should have never resumed my life with Roman before resolving my feelings. If I had stepped back and looked at the picture, I would have seen how much I love you, and I would have fought for you with every fiber of my being.” Marlena could see John was preparing to speak, but she stopped him with her last statement.
“John, Isabella was a lovely woman, and I know you loved her, but I should have fought. I should have told you the moment I knew how I felt. I should have examined what was going on and run to you. Instead, I continued to live a lie—a lie that led me down a road I never thought I’d travel. I committed adultery that night on your plane.”
“Doc,…”
“No. I’m on a roll, now. Let me get it out. Listen to the psychiatrist.”
John smirked and sat on the bed to listen. Marlena sat next to him and held his hand in both hers in her lap as she spoke. “The guilt I felt that night came from so many places. I had given myself to you when I was not free to do that. I had betrayed my husband. I had betrayed myself.”
“I don’t get that last one, Doc. How did you betray yourself?”
“I had done something I swore I would never do. I know what it feels like to be cheated on.”
“Oh, I see. Don Craig.”
“Exactly. I promised myself I would never make another human being feel the way I felt when I discovered Don’s infidelity. A great deal of my guilt came from the knowledge that I had done what I vowed never to do. The rest came from the knowledge that I had so easily forgotten my pledge when I was in your arms. I loved you, love you, that much.” She lifted John’s hand to her lips and kissed it softly.
“That’s why Sami’s guilt trips have worked so well over the years. I knew she was right. I hurt her, John. I hurt her, Roman, the Bradys, you, everyone. I won’t do it anymore. I won’t fall into her trap. I’ve paid my dues. Roman and his family have forgiven me. I’ve prayed for forgiveness, and I have finally forgiven myself. I won’t deny how much I hurt inside when I say this, but I have lost my daughter. She will never forgive me, and she will never stop scheming. At this moment, I don’t care. That may make me the world’s most terrible mother. That’s something I’ll just have to face. Knowing that, I have to stop living in guilt and appreciate what I have. I have an extended family who loves me. I have friends who don’t judge me. And I have the most beautiful husband on earth, in both body and spirit.”
Marlena’s tears had subsided, and John was speechless. They spent a moment simply looking into each other’s eyes communicating their love in a language only they could understand. Then, Marlena’s hands traveled up John’s arms, across his chest, and up to his face. She slowly brought his mouth to hers and kissed him lovingly. Her right hand traveled to the back of John’s head and ran through his hair as she deepened the kiss, her tongue enticing John’s to join it in a slow dance. He was glad to oblige.
As he kissed his wife, John brought Marlena’s legs to lie across his lap as he brought his own onto the bed. Marlena made quick work of bringing her body around to straddle her husband. She broke their kiss and looked deeply into his eyes.
“Do you know how much I love you? I don’t think I will ever be able to say it enough.”
“Why don’t you show me, Doc?” John responded almost breathlessly.
“That would take a lifetime,” Marlena said with a smile.
“I think I can handle that,” John replied as he brought Marlena in for another kiss, ravishing her mouth carnally.
Marlena wanted to take this slow, but was finding it hard to resist quickening the pace when she felt John’s arousal begin to press against her. She slowly unbuttoned his shirt, starting at the collar and working her way down. Running her hands up his muscled torso, she began to nuzzle, lick, and suck at his neck.
Her hands began travel back down and found John’s belt. She made quick work unfastening the belt and pants and slid her hand inside to find his fully aroused member. Marlena slowly stroked John as she continued to work on his neck. She licked up and over his Adam’s apple before finding his mouth again. She was hungry for John, and she made sure to let him know as she sucked his tongue into her mouth and increased her pressure as she stroked.
John was going mad. He had known Marlena needed to be the one in control and had been holding on to her hips as she made her moves. Having applied so much restraint to himself, he was sure she would have lovely bruises on her hips tomorrow from where he had squeezed. He wanted Marlena to be in control, but he needed to feel her. Their clothes were too obstructive. Breaking their kiss and removing the hand that was driving him insane, he stood them up. Marlena had moaned in protest until John began unbuttoning her blouse. After the blouse was discarded, John made sure to follow suit with the rest of her clothes with simultaneous lightning speed and slow torture. “How does he do that?” Marlena thought to herself. He caressed and kissed every inch of Marlena’s body. The little sighs and whimpers emanating from her caused John to harden even more, something he thought impossible. He swiftly turned down the bed and refocused his attention on Marlena. She stood there in front of him in her glorious
nudity looking at him with ravenous eyes. John took possession of Marlena’s mouth with his and her right breast with his hand. Simultaneously, his free hand palmed her mound, where he found her hot, wet, and ready for him. Before he was able to consciously think about it, John slid two of his fingers into her center and began to imitate with his hands the actions of his tongue in her mouth.
John’s triple attack left Marlena weak in the knees. She wanted John. She needed him inside her. She knew that if she let him continue his actions for just a moment more, she would come undone, but she needed more. She managed to turn them around, with John’s back to the bed. She walked him back and pushed him down.
“You have on too many clothes,” She told John as she removed his shoes and socks. “I think you’ve had a bit of an advantage the last few minutes.” Marlena removed the remainder of John’s clothing and looked at him in wonder. He lay on the bed in all his glory, his cock standing at full attention. “You are my Adonis,” she told him as she crawled onto the bed and straddled him.
“And you, my Aphrodite.”
“I want you.” She pinned his hands above his head as he had done her so many times before and kissed him. “I need you.” Another kiss. “I want to love you.” Kiss. “I want to fuck you.”
John moaned when Marlena captured his mouth and began to devour him. She’d done
- She’d begun to talk dirty to him. He knew now that she was in complete control of this situation and there was no turning back. He simply relaxed into the moment.
Marlena brought one hand down just long enough to stroke John a few times and begin to guide his shaft to her center. She held his hands once again as she began to lower herself tortuously around him. Once she had sheathed him completely she brought herself back up and lowered herself again quickly. John’s hips bucked and he let out a primal groan. Marlena began a steady motion, rocking and twisting, driving John to the brink. She whispered in his ear all the things she wanted to do to him and all the things she wanted done to her. She nipped and sucked his earlobe, maintaining her agonizing rhythm.
It was when John managed to sit up and reach to find her sensitive bundle with his adept hand Marlena lost all control. He was beginning to move his hips in time with hers as he massaged her clit and sent her to the edge. Marlena tried to hang on, wanting to make it last, but she couldn’t take it anymore. She clinched her eyes and bit her bottom lip in her efforts to stay focused.
“What’s wrong, baby?” John asked as he took Marlena’s nipple between his free thumb and forefinger, pinching as he thrust. Marlena growled. “Can’t talk right now?” This time he grabbed her hips, lifted her and thrust deeply. She yelped in pleasure. “What do you want, baby? Tell me want to you want.”
Marlena had tried. Her efforts were valiant, but she could not wait any longer. She took John’s face in her hands, kissed him passionately, and answered. “I want you to fuck me. I want you to…”
She was cut off by the force of John’s thrust. She reached behind her and rested her hands on John’s thighs as he lay back, grabbed Marlena’s hips, and began to move his own. Like a piston, he moved in and out of Marlena’s core. The only sounds in the room were their breathing, moaning, and the sounds of their bodies coming together. The rhythm was lost as they both began to move wildly, grinding for all it was worth. John found Marlena’s bundle with his hand again, and that sent her over the edge.
The room disappeared and Marlena was floating; the only other thing in existence was John. The only word she knew was John’s name. She screamed it over and over as she came and contracted her inner muscles in an attempt to pull John in deeper.
The pressure was enough to drive John insane with ecstasy. He drove into her three more times, releasing his seed and calling her name in return.
Marlena collapsed atop John as they began to come down. John did not want to break their connection just yet, but knew Marlena would soon become chilled and needed to cover her up. Woefully, he repositioned them on the bed and pulled the covers over them. Marlena turned on her side, inviting John to spoon her, which he did willingly.
They lay there for moments, and Marlena thought she could easily fall sleep until she felt John’s cock twitching back to life.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?” John responded with a chuckle.
“How you ‘recover’ so quickly?”
“It’s you, Doc. It’s your beauty, your smell, your touch. Everything about you arouses me,” he said as he brought her leg up over his. He found her center with his hand and found that she was already wet for him. “It seems I’m not the only one who recovers quickly.”
“It’s your beauty, your smell, your…touch…mmmmmmm,” Marlena had to catch her
breath as John spread her and guided himself into her center, still in the spoon position. They moved together slowly and sensuously until they both reached their peak.
Once they caught their breath, Marlena turned toward John and rested in his embrace. Exhausted from the day’s events and satiated from their lovemaking, the lovers settled into a peaceful slumber.
Chapter 6
When Marlena awoke the next morning, the room was filled with sunlight. Sensing that John had already gotten up and started his day, she took the opportunity to use the empty space and stretched a catlike stretch, sighing at the release of the tension a heavy sleep can sometimes bring. She was surprised she had slept so well, given the events of the past twenty-four hours. Then again, being secure in John’s arms always put her at ease.
As Marlena got out of bed and reached for her robe, she heard water flowing in the bathroom. It didn’t sound like the shower, though, and she had only known John to take baths on certain romantic occasions. Smiling her little girl smile, she sleepily sauntered toward the sound. When she entered the room, there he was—her knight in shining armor. He was sitting on the edge of the tub testing the water’s temperature and adding Marlena’s favorite bubble bath. Marlena strode behind him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed his neck.
“Good morning,” she said in that sensually satisfied tone she always took on after a night of passion.
“Hey, baby,” John replied, taking her hand and kissing it. “Did you sleep as well as I think you did? You didn’t budge when I got up this morning.”
“I always sleep well when I’m with you. Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Like I said, you looked so peaceful, I couldn’t bring myself to. Besides, your snooze fest allowed me time to get this little bath of yours going.”
John turned and brought Marlena to his lap. “Did I say good morning?” A kiss with a kick better than any cup of coffee followed his query.
“Well, if you keep saying it like that I’ll never say you had,” she responded through a giggle.
Noticing that the bath water had reached the proper level, John reached over and turned the faucet off. He then stood with Marlena and looked her in the eyes as he untied her robe. John’s gaze followed the white silk to the floor as he took in the beauty before him, as Marlena had chosen to sleep in the nude the previous night. Unable to resist, John brought Marlena to him for another high-inducing kiss. When the kiss broke, Marlena let a little wisp of a breath escape her barely opened mouth and reached to unbutton John’s shirt. She was unpleasantly surprised when he stopped her.
“Aren’t you going to join me, Sailor?” Marlena seductively asked running her hands from John’s chest to his shoulders and back.
“As tempting as that is, I have other plans for you. You’ll just have to get in your nice, warm bath, sit back, and relax while I prepare everything.”
“John Black, you spoil me.”
“And you love every second of it. Now, enjoy your bath, and I’ll go take care of breakfast.” After a quick peck on the lips and his little kiss on her nose, John left Marlena to her serene bubble bath. He even switched on her favorite relaxation music as he left the room. The man really does think of everything, Marlena thought as she sank down in bubbles that reached her chin, laid her head back and enjoyed the moment.
***********************************
John saw Marlena descending the stairs just as he was coming back in from the terrace. He noticed her wardrobe immediately. She was in jeans and a dark purple button-up…and barefoot.
“Is it casual Friday already?” John teased as he took his wife into an embrace.
“No, you goof! I’m not going in today. I called the hospital from upstairs. Thank you for my bath.” She kissed him sweetly. “I feel wonderful. Now, what’s for breakfast?”
“Well, Madame, zeez morning we are glad to serve zee French toast and zee fresh fruit,” John replied, using the worst French accent ever, making Marlena love him all the more. “As zee the sky she is so magnifique zeez morning, you and I shall be dining on zee terrace.”
“Oh! What a lovely idea!”
“Zen, zeez way, Madame!”
The morning was truly magnificent, Marlena noticed once they were outside. There was not a cloud to be seen, the sun was shining, and the birds were even singing a happy tune. If she hadn’t been aware of the drama going on outside her home, she would have been tempted to forget about the world and lure John into an impromptu vacation. Instead, she enjoyed her breakfast and her view of both the outdoors and her husband as she contemplated her goals for the day.
“So, why did you decide to call in?” John asked over his coffee.
“I have decided to be proactive and look into finding some at-home care for Caroline so it won’t be such a frantic search when she finally gets to come home. I also want to let the team at the pub know that they need to look for some extra help. Then, I am going to check in on Shawn and Caroline.”
“Well, whattaya know? I was thinking of doing the same thing and called the office while you were in the bath. I guess we’ll just have to work together.”
“I like the sound of that. I just hope we aren’t stepping on any toes.”
“What do you mean, Doc?”
“Well, don’t you think these are decisions for the Bradys to make? Roman, Bo, and the others may want some say in this, don’t you think?”
John reached across the table and took Marlena’s hand. “Honey, don’t worry about stepping on anyone’s toes. I’ve already thought about that and called Roman this morning.”
“My, you havebeen busy.”
“Yeah, you can say that,” he answered with a chuckle. “I had to be sure I wasn’t offending anyone by stepping in, though. When I told Roman what I, we, wanted to do, he welcomed it. He and Bo cannot get off the case they are working, and the rest of the family is trying to make travel arrangements to get home. It’s a big family, but they need our help. Before you say anything, Bo was with Roman and agreed with him.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure, Doc.”
“Alrighty, then. Let’s get this day started. We have work to do.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
***********************************
After hours of research, phone calls, and negotiations, Marlena was spent. She closed the laptop and put it away, leaned back on the couch, and propped her feet up on the coffee table as she closed her eyes and released a heavy breath. She felt John’s weight next to her as he sat beside her and mirrored her position. He had been doing his fair share of work.
“Oh, sweet comfort!” John sighed as he stretched his arms along the back of the couch and wrapped one around Marlena. She instinctively turned toward him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“You can say that again. I didn’t expect this to be so much work. I guess I didn’t realize how many home health professionals we had in Salem. Thank goodness I was able to get some recommendations. I still had to talk to twenty nurses.”
“So, any decisions?”
“I have it narrowed down to three and should have a decision by tomorrow. I may just rotate the three, depending on how much care Caroline will need.”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“Mmm-hmm. How’d you do with the pub issue?”
“Well, I called Lisa, and thank God for her! She has several contacts and has agreed to hold interviews so I don’t have to worry about it. We whittled the list done pretty well on the phone. She’s been at the pub so long; I figure she would know exactly what Shawn and Caroline look for in an employee. I think she’ll find some great help.”
“She is wonderful and extremely devoted to her work and to Shawn and Caroline. You made a fine decision, Mr. Black.” Marlena stifled a yawn.
“Oh, no you don’t. The day is still young.”
“But, John, we’ve been at this for hours. Just a little rest?”
“There is no rest for the wicked.”
“Wicked? I am not wicked! I am the nicest person you’ve ever…” John’s mouth cut her off with a searing kiss.
John changed his position so he could take Marlena’s face in both hands as he deepened the kiss, his tongue dancing playfully with hers. When John broke the kiss, Marlena took advantage of the moment and shifted quickly so she was soon straddling John. His hands unconsciously found their way to Marlena’s hips as she began to nuzzle his neck. When she began to lick and suck on his earlobe, a breathless groan escaped from John. He was turned on and in love. Marlena could feel her husband’s arousal when she ground her center over him and could not deny the warmth she felt at her core. John slid his hands underneath Marlena’s shirt and up her back just to feel her skin. It was soft and growing increasingly warmer with her arousal. Marlena found John’s mouth with hers, yearning to taste him. They enjoyed the moment until it felt like time had stopped. John could wait no longer and brought his hands to Marlena’s waist, finding the button to her jeans. As Marlena felt John’s hands sliding to her front she………stood up.
John sat on the couch in a stupor as he watched Marlena straighten her shirt and comb her hands through her hair in an attempt to straighten it back in place. “Doc, what the hell are you doing!?”
“I’m going to go upstairs and get my things so we can go see Caroline. We didsay we were going to do that.”
“Yeah, but we have a little unfinished business to attend to, don’t you think?” John asked through gritted teeth, quickly shifting his eyes back and forth between his wife and his obvious erection.
“Well, Sailor, that’s what you get for leaving me alone in my bath this morning.” She rounded the couch and leaned over him as he laid his head back. “Now,” she said with a kiss, “I’m going upstairs to freshen up and get my things. I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes. Will you be?”
John’s moan was almost painful. “I think so.”
Marlena couldn’t help but giggle as she turned toward the stairs.
“I’m gonna get you for this, Doc!”
“Oh, honey, I expect you to,” she said seductively. She was thankful John’s eyes were closed and he didn’t see her stumble on the first step because she was so weak in the knees. She took a firm grasp of the railing and let out a quiet little breath and wondered who was suffering more at the moment: her or John?
The Jarlena Journal 