Prologue
He woke up alone in the bed; the French doors open allowing the moonlight to stream in. He sat up and called her name. Getting no response, he began to panic, calling for her over and over.
“I’m here.” He came out to find her draped in a sheet from the bed. “Not tired?” She smiled and stretched, reminding him of a contented cat, who had spent the day lying in the sun. “I feel as if I could stay awake like this forever.” He came and wrapped an arm around her, pressing his lips to the side of her face. “So your happy?”
She turned around and smiled wickedly, dropping the sheet. “Very happy. There’s something about being here with you that gives me such a sense of peace.”
John Black grimaced as he took another drink of his beer. Dreams and visions of her were NOT what he needed to cope with at this point.
He thought that after that one night, he had hardened his heart to her. His senses dulled to the scent of her perfume, the warmth of her skin, her hazel eyes.
“John, ready to go?” He glanced up at his friend Abe Carver and shook his head. “Yeah Partner, Lets go to the function.” He grabbed at his tie, only to have his friend’s wife Alexandra smack his hand away. “Don’t do that.”
He made her laugh. “I hate ties.”
She checked her watch and then shook her head at the stewardess’s question of what she would like to drink. “A Pepsi please?” Turning back, she rested her head back and gazed out the window.
“Hold on.” John glanced over to her as she caught sight of a booth. “Wait here.” With a smile, he watched as she came back with her hands behind her back. “What do you have there little girl?” He reached for her and pulled her to him.
He planted a kiss on her until he felt her buckle against him. The moment she had done that, he reached behind her and grabbed what she had. “NO FAIR!”
“Baby that is UGLY.” She grinned, yanked it back and plopped it on his head. “Why do you think I bought it for YOU?” John peered through the fringe of the hat and made a face, sending her into giggles. “You always hurt the one you love.”
That last line echoed in her mind, causing her to wipe away a tear she didn’t know was there.
She tried to go to sleep and found her mind too overactive. Finally she sat up and pulled a book out of her bag.
She regretted it when a piece of paper fluttered to the ground. If ever there had been a symbol of what ifs and if only, this letter was it.
Marlena picked it up and held it to her chest. She didn’t even have to look at the writing. She had memorized it to heart.
“Dearest John,
As I watched you sleep, I came to realize that this night was like a dream. It wouldn’t have lasted beyond the morning light. I’ve left now, so that the sight of you at peace would be the last thing I have to hold on to.”
She had watched him as she reached down to lay the letter on the pillow. But suddenly she hesitated and pulled the letter back to her.
She sat back down on the bed and reached out a hand to his lips. “I owe you my life. You gave me back my soul.”
She smiled. “You have my love, always.”
She checked her watch and gathered everything up, leaving no trace that she had even been there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She came driving up the wide driveway and found herself shaking before she even got out of the limousine. “Breathe in and out. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Bart was coming out of the mansion when he saw Marlena. “Welcome home Mrs. DiMera.” She took her bag from the car. “Hello Bart.” She walked past him into the house.
“How was your trip?” Marlena shut her eyes and turned back around. “Bart, I really don’t mean to be rude. But I can’t deal with you right now. The flight was long and I’m tired.” He nodded. “I understand, I..” He surprisingly turned red. ” I just wanted to say that it’s nice to have you back.”
She smiled and nodded. “Thank you Bart.”
She was about to turn around when a deep bassoon voice rang out. “Ah Cara, your home.” She froze. “Hello Stefano.”
Bart made his excuses and left the husband and wife alone.
“I’m tired.” She tried to walk away, but his arm stopped her. “Did you forget. We’re due to attend your fundraiser at Tuscany?” Marlena grimaced. “How am I to forget that?”
Her voice turned into ice. “YOU’VE reminded me of it enough before my trip.”
She disentangled her arm from his grip. “Let me get dressed.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She rolled over and smiled, propping up her head in her left hand. Her free hand gently pulled the cover up before allowing her hand to rest on his stomach. God how much she hated what brought her to this place, for her moment of weakness for allowing what happened to between them. She never meant for this to happen, but she was now head over heels for this man.
She carefully slipped out of the bed, pausing only to reach for her dress that was on the floor. With a grin, she remembered when it had been slipped off of her.
They had gone to dinner and then came back to his home, overlooking the ocean.
“Let me help you with that.” He came up behind her and slowly moved his hands in front, slowly sliding the dress off her shoulders. She shivered as the cool air met her skin and a second more noticeable shiver hit when his lips lowered onto her shoulder.
“I think you’ve had experience with this kind sir.” She turned to face him, her hazel eyes now amber in the moonlight.
He smiled and brought one hand then the other to his lips. “What if I said that this is the first time?” She grinned and reached up to run her hand through his hair. “I would say that you were lying.”
He drew her to him and gently lowered his lips onto hers, gently drawing her lower lip in for a gentle tug. “Your wrong. You are the first and now the last.”
He cradled her face in his hands and she smiled. “Make love to me please.” He smiled back before reaching down to slide one strap of her camisole and then the other off of her shoulders.
“Your wish is my command.”
She packed quickly, not daring to pause for fear of waking him. She knew that the dreams that they shared in their brief time together could never come true. HE would never allow her the freedom to find happiness somewhere and with someone else.
She shut her eyes. “Happiness is an illusion people in grief hold to.”
Rubbing her eyes in a vain effort to prevent her from crying, she checked her watch and saw that she had time to get back to the hotel, pack her remaining things and be gone before sun up.
She turned around and saw him curled up on his side and looking far more peaceful than anyone had the right to be. “I can’t leave you like this.”
She began to write the letter and found that the words she had thought would work as her goodbye suddenly failed her.
“Dearest John,
As I watch you sleep, I came to realize that the magic that you and I created this night was like a dream. It wouldn’t have lasted beyond the morning light. I’ve left now, so that the sight of you at peace would be the last thing I have to hold on to.”
She was about to lay it on the pillow when tears overwhelmed her. Grabbing the letter back, she folded it into her bag and quickly wrote out something less sentimental and far colder.
“Forgive me…”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As she rode through the deserted streets of Alamainia, Marlena shut her eyes and wept. “How could I have been so stupid.” She rested her forehead against the chilled coolness of the car window.
“I was hurt by Stefano and now I’ve hurt you.” She turned her head and dreamt of John’s laughing blue eyes. “This was NOT what I wanted to do.”
It was supposed to have been a vacation to get away from her husband and to get away from the loss of a child he had wanted to have more than she had.
But then, that didn’t really surprise her. Marrying a wealthy older man for what she thought at the time was love but soon turned into possessionship on his part, was the stupidest move on her part.
She wanted desperately to try to keep her marriage working. She wasn’t a quitter and wasn’t about to start now. She allowed herself to be talked into becoming pregnant and shortly after, had learnt the truth of just how despicable a man she was married to.
The stress of learning that he had caused a man to die for a crime he didn’t commit had led to her miscarriage and the final tear in her marriage.
She begged for time away from the world they had created, and he agreed.
She chose Alamainia for the fact he would be hundreds of thousands of miles away.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She was sitting on a rock, watching the tide come in and out when he first came into her life.
“Do you often sit by yourself pretty lady?” She tilted her head and squinted. “Do you often flirt with women you don’t know?”
He smiled. “Only with incredibly beautiful blonde haired angels. My name is John Black.” She shook her head. “I think you need to get inside. The heat stroke is playing tricks with your mind.” She gathered her things and was about to climb down when she slipped and fell.
“Let me help you.” She snatched her hand up “I can manage.” But now sooner did she try to stand but she buckled. “You could. But four hands are better than two.” She stared at him as if he had grown a second head. “Has ANYONE ever told you that you are just TOO bossy?”
He glanced at her foot. “We need to get that taken care of. My house is just over there. C’mon.” He started to head her over there. “Since your leading, I have no choice.” He grinned. “FINALLY you see sense.”
She let out an unladylike snort. “Don’t think so. With you holding me up and with my ankle hurting this bad. I don’t think I’d be running anywhere.”
He took a corner a little bit too sharply and she shot him a mutinous and very disgusted look. “Do THAT again, and I’ll crawl anywhere to get away from YOU.”
He glanced at the beauty in his arms and he made a face. “Has ANYONE ever told you that you talk to much?” She grinned back. “Nope.”
Her ankle accidentally hit the rock just before the steps to his house and she nearly blacked out from the pain. Without thinking, he scooped her up in his arms.
He was rewarded with a huge smile and a softly spoken “Thank you.” He grinned back. “Your welcome. Just call me a good guy with a capital G.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena woke up and found herself on a big oversized couch, with her foot propped up on some pillows. She glanced around her and found that it was dark.
“Hello?” She spoke up a little louder. “Hello?” She clamped her eyes shut and yelled.
“HELLO!”
Her eyes widened as somewhere in the dark, she heard a crash and a muffled curse.
“Are you alright?” He glanced over and only saw her shoulders bouncing silhouetted against the moonlight coming in from the French doors behind her. “Do you care?”
THAT did it. She started to laugh and couldn’t stop. “Awww look at the big baby.”
He reached for the light and smiled at the sight before him. She was sitting with a pillow, her hair sleepily mussed up and looking far cuter than any woman had the right to be.
“I don’t think I’d be considered the baby. Marlena your looking awfully precious there Doc.” When her eyes widened, he explained. “With your hair sticking up, you look like the sixth dwarf.” Her eyebrow shot up. “Hey, I’m sorry, you do.”
He crinkled his nose at her and walked away. “Hey, not fair. Start a fight and leave a crippled lady here alone.”
She tossed the pillow at his retreating back with a playfully hurt expression on her face. “Probably was raised in a barn.”
He came back with some hot chocolate with whipped cream. “What was that?” She took a sip and smiled. “I said this house is as big as a barn.”
He sipped his hot chocolate for a moment before glancing at her speculatively. He laid the hot chocolate down and leaned in.
She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t kiss on the first date.” John’s eyes widened. “I aint THAT cheap. For a first date, I don’t think my checking your ankle would count.” He carefully unwrapped her ankle and began to check.
“Awfully jumpy there Doc.” She smiled. “That’s cause your hands are cold.” He looked up at her and his gaze grew thoughtful for a moment. “I’m sorry.”
She started to giggle and he looked up with a bemused expression at her. “What is so funny.” She tilted her head. “The nickname you gave me.” John nodded. “Doc, yeah what about it?” She leaned forward to check his adminstrations. “You see, I’m a doctor.”
He made a face. “You let me fuss over you like this and gave me NO help?” He straightened up. “Some doctor YOU are.” Marlena smiled. “Hey, it aint as if you asked me what my profession is.”
He banged his hand against his forehead. “Your right.” He rewrapped her ankle and disappeared for a moment. When he came back, he had some Tylenol and water for her. “To try and help you sleep.”
She took the medications and soon fell asleep.
He went and sat in the chair across from the sofa and studied the sleeping beauty closely. He propped his head up on his arm. “Why does it feel like I’ve known you all my life?” He smiled. “Can you tell me that?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She woke up to hear crying. Thinking it had been her, she turned over carefully and found that it was John, sleeping in the chair across from her.
Carefully, she slipped off the couch and went over to check on him. “John?” She softly shook him. “Please don’t leave me. I promise I’ll be good. Don’t do this.”
The pain in his voice broke her heart as she gently laid a hand on his arm. She felt tears as she listened to him plead to who ever it was not to leave him behind.
She carefully stood up, wincing as she put full weight on her ankle and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. “You sweetheart.”
John woke up from the nightmare to find Marlena staring at him with wide eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Marlena shook her head and fibbed. “No, my ankle hurt and I couldn’t sleep.”
John seemed surprisingly relived. “I wouldn’t feel right about the nightmares.” She smiled. “Nightmares happened to the best of us. Even YOU.”
She tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled. “Do you want to talk about it?” He shook his head. “Not tonight.” He gestured to the ankle. “YOU need to rest.”
She glanced at him. “I can listen very well with my ankle on these pillows.” She looked anywhere but at him. “You’ve been so kind to me, keeping me still to rest my ankle. The least that I could do is be a good listener.”
John smiled. “I promise that soon, I’ll talk.”
She grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.” John shook his head. “Why do I think you would indeed?” She yawned. “Simple, cause your smarter than the average bear.”
He covered her up. “Say goodnight Gracie.” She smiled. “Goo’night Gracie.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hey there sleepy. Wake up.” She peered up at him with one eye shut. “Why do I feel like I’ve been hit by an 10 pd weight?”
John smiled. “That’s cause you have. I’d like to introduce you to your new best friend. Zack.”
Marlena turned her head and found herself nose to nose with a brown and gold coloured shih-tzu. No sooner did she open both of her eyes, he seemingly grinned at her and kissed her.
“Yep, he’s YOUR dog alright.”
John looked pleased. “How did you guess?” Marlena shot him a glare. “Just reminds me of you.” She smiled. “Also cause last night you slobbered like he is right now.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena smiled at the memory of the friendly little dog as she glanced around the hotel room to make sure all of her things had been packed.
“God it would be just so easy to run away from all of this.”
“Marry me.” She lifted her head from its accustomed place on his chest, listening to his heart’s steady beating. “What did you just say?” John smiled. “I asked you to marry me.”
Hazel eyes turned to amber as she climbed on top of him to avoid answer that question. “Lets run away. You and I.” She lowered her lips to his as she ran her hands over his chest. “We can find a little island somewhere that it could be you and I.” John rolled over so that it was now him on top.
“STOP THIS!” She dried her eyes and unclenched her fists. “This isn’t helping you Marlena.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He rolled over and when his hand touched empty space, he sat up like a shot. “MARLENA?” He started rushing around to try and find her, when he found the note.
“I never meant for this to happen, I’m sorry..Marlena.”
Crumpling the letter in his hands, he quickly dressed and ran out after her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He prayed that he could get to her in time. All he could see in his mind was images of her.
Marlena boarded the plane and got buckled in. “Are you ready Mrs DiMera?” She looked up and nodded. “Take us home to Salem.”
She placed her hand protectively on her stomach as she gazed out the window. Unaware of the car roaring up the tarmac trying futilely to prevent the flight from taking off and failing by mere seconds.
Prologue
He woke up alone in the bed; the French doors open allowing the moonlight to stream in. He sat up and called her name. Getting no response, he began to panic, calling for her over and over.
“I’m here.” He came out to find her draped in a sheet from the bed. “Not tired?” She smiled and stretched, reminding him of a contented cat, who had spent the day lying in the sun. “I feel as if I could stay awake like this forever.” He came and wrapped an arm around her, pressing his lips to the side of her face. “So your happy?”
She turned around and smiled wickedly, dropping the sheet. “Very happy. There’s something about being here with you that gives me such a sense of peace.”
John Black grimaced as he took another drink of his beer. Dreams and visions of her were NOT what he needed to cope with at this point.
He thought that after that one night, he had hardened his heart to her. His senses dulled to the scent of her perfume, the warmth of her skin, her hazel eyes.
“John, ready to go?” He glanced up at his friend Abe Carver and shook his head. “Yeah Partner, Lets go to the function.” He grabbed at his tie, only to have his friend’s wife Alexandra smack his hand away. “Don’t do that.”
He made her laugh. “I hate ties.”
She checked her watch and then shook her head at the stewardess’s question of what she would like to drink. “A Pepsi please?” Turning back, she rested her head back and gazed out the window.
“Hold on.” John glanced over to her as she caught sight of a booth. “Wait here.” With a smile, he watched as she came back with her hands behind her back. “What do you have there little girl?” He reached for her and pulled her to him.
He planted a kiss on her until he felt her buckle against him. The moment she had done that, he reached behind her and grabbed what she had. “NO FAIR!”
“Baby that is UGLY.” She grinned, yanked it back and plopped it on his head. “Why do you think I bought it for YOU?” John peered through the fringe of the hat and made a face, sending her into giggles. “You always hurt the one you love.”
That last line echoed in her mind, causing her to wipe away a tear she didn’t know was there.
She tried to go to sleep and found her mind too overactive. Finally she sat up and pulled a book out of her bag.
She regretted it when a piece of paper fluttered to the ground. If ever there had been a symbol of what ifs and if only, this letter was it.
Marlena picked it up and held it to her chest. She didn’t even have to look at the writing. She had memorized it to heart.
“Dearest John,
As I watched you sleep, I came to realize that this night was like a dream. It wouldn’t have lasted beyond the morning light. I’ve left now, so that the sight of you at peace would be the last thing I have to hold on to.”
She had watched him as she reached down to lay the letter on the pillow. But suddenly she hesitated and pulled the letter back to her.
She sat back down on the bed and reached out a hand to his lips. “I owe you my life. You gave me back my soul.”
She smiled. “You have my love, always.”
She checked her watch and gathered everything up, leaving no trace that she had even been there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She came driving up the wide driveway and found herself shaking before she even got out of the limousine. “Breathe in and out. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Bart was coming out of the mansion when he saw Marlena. “Welcome home Mrs. DiMera.” She took her bag from the car. “Hello Bart.” She walked past him into the house.
“How was your trip?” Marlena shut her eyes and turned back around. “Bart, I really don’t mean to be rude. But I can’t deal with you right now. The flight was long and I’m tired.” He nodded. “I understand, I..” He surprisingly turned red. ” I just wanted to say that it’s nice to have you back.”
She smiled and nodded. “Thank you Bart.”
She was about to turn around when a deep bassoon voice rang out. “Ah Cara, your home.” She froze. “Hello Stefano.”
Bart made his excuses and left the husband and wife alone.
“I’m tired.” She tried to walk away, but his arm stopped her. “Did you forget. We’re due to attend your fundraiser at Tuscany?” Marlena grimaced. “How am I to forget that?”
Her voice turned into ice. “YOU’VE reminded me of it enough before my trip.”
She disentangled her arm from his grip. “Let me get dressed.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She rolled over and smiled, propping up her head in her left hand. Her free hand gently pulled the cover up before allowing her hand to rest on his stomach. God how much she hated what brought her to this place, for her moment of weakness for allowing what happened to between them. She never meant for this to happen, but she was now head over heels for this man.
She carefully slipped out of the bed, pausing only to reach for her dress that was on the floor. With a grin, she remembered when it had been slipped off of her.
They had gone to dinner and then came back to his home, overlooking the ocean.
“Let me help you with that.” He came up behind her and slowly moved his hands in front, slowly sliding the dress off her shoulders. She shivered as the cool air met her skin and a second more noticeable shiver hit when his lips lowered onto her shoulder.
“I think you’ve had experience with this kind sir.” She turned to face him, her hazel eyes now amber in the moonlight.
He smiled and brought one hand then the other to his lips. “What if I said that this is the first time?” She grinned and reached up to run her hand through his hair. “I would say that you were lying.”
He drew her to him and gently lowered his lips onto hers, gently drawing her lower lip in for a gentle tug. “Your wrong. You are the first and now the last.”
He cradled her face in his hands and she smiled. “Make love to me please.” He smiled back before reaching down to slide one strap of her camisole and then the other off of her shoulders.
“Your wish is my command.”
She packed quickly, not daring to pause for fear of waking him. She knew that the dreams that they shared in their brief time together could never come true. HE would never allow her the freedom to find happiness somewhere and with someone else.
She shut her eyes. “Happiness is an illusion people in grief hold to.”
Rubbing her eyes in a vain effort to prevent her from crying, she checked her watch and saw that she had time to get back to the hotel, pack her remaining things and be gone before sun up.
She turned around and saw him curled up on his side and looking far more peaceful than anyone had the right to be. “I can’t leave you like this.”
She began to write the letter and found that the words she had thought would work as her goodbye suddenly failed her.
“Dearest John,
As I watch you sleep, I came to realize that the magic that you and I created this night was like a dream. It wouldn’t have lasted beyond the morning light. I’ve left now, so that the sight of you at peace would be the last thing I have to hold on to.”
She was about to lay it on the pillow when tears overwhelmed her. Grabbing the letter back, she folded it into her bag and quickly wrote out something less sentimental and far colder.
“Forgive me…”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As she rode through the deserted streets of Alamainia, Marlena shut her eyes and wept. “How could I have been so stupid.” She rested her forehead against the chilled coolness of the car window.
“I was hurt by Stefano and now I’ve hurt you.” She turned her head and dreamt of John’s laughing blue eyes. “This was NOT what I wanted to do.”
It was supposed to have been a vacation to get away from her husband and to get away from the loss of a child he had wanted to have more than she had.
But then, that didn’t really surprise her. Marrying a wealthy older man for what she thought at the time was love but soon turned into possessionship on his part, was the stupidest move on her part.
She wanted desperately to try to keep her marriage working. She wasn’t a quitter and wasn’t about to start now. She allowed herself to be talked into becoming pregnant and shortly after, had learnt the truth of just how despicable a man she was married to.
The stress of learning that he had caused a man to die for a crime he didn’t commit had led to her miscarriage and the final tear in her marriage.
She begged for time away from the world they had created, and he agreed.
She chose Alamainia for the fact he would be hundreds of thousands of miles away.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She was sitting on a rock, watching the tide come in and out when he first came into her life.
“Do you often sit by yourself pretty lady?” She tilted her head and squinted. “Do you often flirt with women you don’t know?”
He smiled. “Only with incredibly beautiful blonde haired angels. My name is John Black.” She shook her head. “I think you need to get inside. The heat stroke is playing tricks with your mind.” She gathered her things and was about to climb down when she slipped and fell.
“Let me help you.” She snatched her hand up “I can manage.” But now sooner did she try to stand but she buckled. “You could. But four hands are better than two.” She stared at him as if he had grown a second head. “Has ANYONE ever told you that you are just TOO bossy?”
He glanced at her foot. “We need to get that taken care of. My house is just over there. C’mon.” He started to head her over there. “Since your leading, I have no choice.” He grinned. “FINALLY you see sense.”
She let out an unladylike snort. “Don’t think so. With you holding me up and with my ankle hurting this bad. I don’t think I’d be running anywhere.”
He took a corner a little bit too sharply and she shot him a mutinous and very disgusted look. “Do THAT again, and I’ll crawl anywhere to get away from YOU.”
He glanced at the beauty in his arms and he made a face. “Has ANYONE ever told you that you talk to much?” She grinned back. “Nope.”
Her ankle accidentally hit the rock just before the steps to his house and she nearly blacked out from the pain. Without thinking, he scooped her up in his arms.
He was rewarded with a huge smile and a softly spoken “Thank you.” He grinned back. “Your welcome. Just call me a good guy with a capital G.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena woke up and found herself on a big oversized couch, with her foot propped up on some pillows. She glanced around her and found that it was dark.
“Hello?” She spoke up a little louder. “Hello?” She clamped her eyes shut and yelled.
“HELLO!”
Her eyes widened as somewhere in the dark, she heard a crash and a muffled curse.
“Are you alright?” He glanced over and only saw her shoulders bouncing silhouetted against the moonlight coming in from the French doors behind her. “Do you care?”
THAT did it. She started to laugh and couldn’t stop. “Awww look at the big baby.”
He reached for the light and smiled at the sight before him. She was sitting with a pillow, her hair sleepily mussed up and looking far cuter than any woman had the right to be.
“I don’t think I’d be considered the baby. Marlena your looking awfully precious there Doc.” When her eyes widened, he explained. “With your hair sticking up, you look like the sixth dwarf.” Her eyebrow shot up. “Hey, I’m sorry, you do.”
He crinkled his nose at her and walked away. “Hey, not fair. Start a fight and leave a crippled lady here alone.”
She tossed the pillow at his retreating back with a playfully hurt expression on her face. “Probably was raised in a barn.”
He came back with some hot chocolate with whipped cream. “What was that?” She took a sip and smiled. “I said this house is as big as a barn.”
He sipped his hot chocolate for a moment before glancing at her speculatively. He laid the hot chocolate down and leaned in.
She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t kiss on the first date.” John’s eyes widened. “I aint THAT cheap. For a first date, I don’t think my checking your ankle would count.” He carefully unwrapped her ankle and began to check.
“Awfully jumpy there Doc.” She smiled. “That’s cause your hands are cold.” He looked up at her and his gaze grew thoughtful for a moment. “I’m sorry.”
She started to giggle and he looked up with a bemused expression at her. “What is so funny.” She tilted her head. “The nickname you gave me.” John nodded. “Doc, yeah what about it?” She leaned forward to check his adminstrations. “You see, I’m a doctor.”
He made a face. “You let me fuss over you like this and gave me NO help?” He straightened up. “Some doctor YOU are.” Marlena smiled. “Hey, it aint as if you asked me what my profession is.”
He banged his hand against his forehead. “Your right.” He rewrapped her ankle and disappeared for a moment. When he came back, he had some Tylenol and water for her. “To try and help you sleep.”
She took the medications and soon fell asleep.
He went and sat in the chair across from the sofa and studied the sleeping beauty closely. He propped his head up on his arm. “Why does it feel like I’ve known you all my life?” He smiled. “Can you tell me that?”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She woke up to hear crying. Thinking it had been her, she turned over carefully and found that it was John, sleeping in the chair across from her.
Carefully, she slipped off the couch and went over to check on him. “John?” She softly shook him. “Please don’t leave me. I promise I’ll be good. Don’t do this.”
The pain in his voice broke her heart as she gently laid a hand on his arm. She felt tears as she listened to him plead to who ever it was not to leave him behind.
She carefully stood up, wincing as she put full weight on her ankle and gently placed a kiss on his cheek. “You sweetheart.”
John woke up from the nightmare to find Marlena staring at him with wide eyes. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Marlena shook her head and fibbed. “No, my ankle hurt and I couldn’t sleep.”
John seemed surprisingly relived. “I wouldn’t feel right about the nightmares.” She smiled. “Nightmares happened to the best of us. Even YOU.”
She tucked her hair behind her ears and smiled. “Do you want to talk about it?” He shook his head. “Not tonight.” He gestured to the ankle. “YOU need to rest.”
She glanced at him. “I can listen very well with my ankle on these pillows.” She looked anywhere but at him. “You’ve been so kind to me, keeping me still to rest my ankle. The least that I could do is be a good listener.”
John smiled. “I promise that soon, I’ll talk.”
She grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.” John shook his head. “Why do I think you would indeed?” She yawned. “Simple, cause your smarter than the average bear.”
He covered her up. “Say goodnight Gracie.” She smiled. “Goo’night Gracie.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hey there sleepy. Wake up.” She peered up at him with one eye shut. “Why do I feel like I’ve been hit by an 10 pd weight?”
John smiled. “That’s cause you have. I’d like to introduce you to your new best friend. Zack.”
Marlena turned her head and found herself nose to nose with a brown and gold coloured shih-tzu. No sooner did she open both of her eyes, he seemingly grinned at her and kissed her.
“Yep, he’s YOUR dog alright.”
John looked pleased. “How did you guess?” Marlena shot him a glare. “Just reminds me of you.” She smiled. “Also cause last night you slobbered like he is right now.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena smiled at the memory of the friendly little dog as she glanced around the hotel room to make sure all of her things had been packed.
“God it would be just so easy to run away from all of this.”
“Marry me.” She lifted her head from its accustomed place on his chest, listening to his heart’s steady beating. “What did you just say?” John smiled. “I asked you to marry me.”
Hazel eyes turned to amber as she climbed on top of him to avoid answer that question. “Lets run away. You and I.” She lowered her lips to his as she ran her hands over his chest. “We can find a little island somewhere that it could be you and I.” John rolled over so that it was now him on top.
“STOP THIS!” She dried her eyes and unclenched her fists. “This isn’t helping you Marlena.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He rolled over and when his hand touched empty space, he sat up like a shot. “MARLENA?” He started rushing around to try and find her, when he found the note.
“I never meant for this to happen, I’m sorry..Marlena.”
Crumpling the letter in his hands, he quickly dressed and ran out after her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He prayed that he could get to her in time. All he could see in his mind was images of her.
Marlena boarded the plane and got buckled in. “Are you ready Mrs DiMera?” She looked up and nodded. “Take us home to Salem.”
She placed her hand protectively on her stomach as she gazed out the window. Unaware of the car roaring up the tarmac trying futilely to prevent the flight from taking off and failing by mere seconds.
He woke up alone in the bed; the French doors open allowing the moonlight to stream in. He sat up and called her name. Getting no response, he began to panic, calling for her over and over.
“I’m here.” He came out to find her draped in a sheet from the bed. “Not tired?” She smiled and stretched, reminding him of a contented cat, who had spent the day lying in the sun. “I feel as if I could stay awake like this forever.” He came and wrapped an arm around her, pressing his lips to the side of her face. “So your happy?”
She turned around and smiled wickedly, dropping the sheet. “Very happy. There’s something about being here with you that gives me such a sense of peace.”
John Black grimaced as he took another drink of his beer. Dreams and visions of her were NOT what he needed to cope with at this point.
He thought that after that one night, he had hardened his heart to her. His senses dulled to the scent of her perfume, the warmth of her skin, her hazel eyes.
“John, ready to go?” He glanced up at his friend Abe Carver and shook his head. “Yeah Partner, Lets go to the function.” He grabbed at his tie, only to have his friend’s wife Alexandra smack his hand away. “Don’t do that.”
He made her laugh. “I hate ties.”
She checked her watch and then shook her head at the stewardess’s question of what she would like to drink. “A Pepsi please?” Turning back, she rested her head back and gazed out the window.
“Hold on.” John glanced over to her as she caught sight of a booth. “Wait here.” With a smile, he watched as she came back with her hands behind her back. “What do you have there little girl?” He reached for her and pulled her to him.
He planted a kiss on her until he felt her buckle against him. The moment she had done that, he reached behind her and grabbed what she had. “NO FAIR!”
“Baby that is UGLY.” She grinned, yanked it back and plopped it on his head. “Why do you think I bought it for YOU?” John peered through the fringe of the hat and made a face, sending her into giggles. “You always hurt the one you love.”
That last line echoed in her mind, causing her to wipe away a tear she didn’t know was there.
She tried to go to sleep and found her mind too overactive. Finally she sat up and pulled a book out of her bag.
She regretted it when a piece of paper fluttered to the ground. If ever there had been a symbol of what ifs and if only, this letter was it.
Marlena picked it up and held it to her chest. She didn’t even have to look at the writing. She had memorized it to heart.
“Dearest John,
As I watched you sleep, I came to realize that this night was like a dream. It wouldn’t have lasted beyond the morning light. I’ve left now, so that the sight of you at peace would be the last thing I have to hold on to.”
She had watched him as she reached down to lay the letter on the pillow. But suddenly she hesitated and pulled the letter back to her.
She sat back down on the bed and reached out a hand to his lips. “I owe you my life. You gave me back my soul.”
She smiled. “You have my love, always.”
She checked her watch and gathered everything up, leaving no trace that she had even been there.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
She came driving up the wide driveway and found herself shaking before she even got out of the limousine. “Breathe in and out. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Bart was coming out of the mansion when he saw Marlena. “Welcome home Mrs. DiMera.” She took her bag from the car. “Hello Bart.” She walked past him into the house.
“How was your trip?” Marlena shut her eyes and turned back around. “Bart, I really don’t mean to be rude. But I can’t deal with you right now. The flight was long and I’m tired.” He nodded. “I understand, I..” He surprisingly turned red. ” I just wanted to say that it’s nice to have you back.”
She smiled and nodded. “Thank you Bart.”
She was about to turn around when a deep bassoon voice rang out. “Ah Cara, your home.” She froze. “Hello Stefano.”
Bart made his excuses and left the husband and wife alone.
“I’m tired.” She tried to walk away, but his arm stopped her. “Did you forget. We’re due to attend your fundraiser at Tuscany?” Marlena grimaced. “How am I to forget that?” Her voice turned into ice. “YOU’VE reminded me of it enough before my trip.”
She disentangled her arm from his grip. “Let me get dressed.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
John was talking to Lexie and some other friends when he felt the room closing in around him. Excusing himself, he went out onto the terrace. He leaned against the railing and felt the coolness of the air easing his mind.
It had been a year and still she was in his thoughts. He tried everything and anything. But she was like a breeze, blowing around him when he least expected it. He had traveled around the world and found her everywhere. In the sunset at the taj mahal, On the beaches of Monaco…
“Why can’t you say it?” She glanced up at him and shook her head. “Say what?” John leaned against the stone wall leading to the beach. “I love you.” Marlena bit her lip. “I can’t say I love you. We’ve known each other for such a short time John. How do we know that its love?” John stood up and came to stand in front of her.
“I know what I’m feeling about you and I’m not afraid to say it.” Marlena looked up and said cryptically. “I can’t give what belongs to someone else.”
“I can’t give what belongs to someone else….” He was about to leave, when Lexie came to him. “John, I’d like to introduce you to my father and step-mother.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Dance with me.” Marlena shook her head; totally puzzled at this goofy side of the man she had fallen in love with. “Here?”
“Where else?” He pulled her to her feet and danced with her in the square, in front of the musicians.
“Marlena?” She realized with a jolt that the car had stopped in front of Tuscany. She ignored the hand that Stefano had held out for her and arranged her white beaded gown. “Marlena, TRY and look happy.”
She was about to go inside when Stefano stopped her. “If you can’t act happy, think of that precious.” She yanked her hand back. “I AM thinking of her. Never doubt that. She’s the ONLY reason that I’m still here.”
She swished inside and smiled for the cameras…
~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Lex, do I really have to?” She smiled. “I think you’d like my step-mother.” She searched the crowds and smiled. “There they are.” John could only see the back of the couple, and if body language was anything, Lex’s stepmother was not as happy as Lex let on.
“Stefano?” He turned around. “Hello Alexandra.” He nodded at the man on her arm. “Where is Abraham?” She smiled. “He’s talking to Mickey.” She pulled John over. “John, this is Stefano DiMera.” The men shook hands. “And this lovely lady is my step-mother.” She reached over and laid a hand on the back of Marlena’s arm. “Marlena?”
She turned around and froze.
“Marlena DiMera, this is John Black.”
It was as if a light had come in behind her eyes. “How do you do.” She reached out to shake his hand and she smiled. “I have heard that you are our single biggest benefactor.”
John watched in stunned amazement, as she was able to move so effortlessly through this.
“Yes, yes I am. It’s my way of giving to the community.”
He was about to convince himself that she wasn’t the same woman that he had met when he saw her eyes. They said more for her than she realized.
“Please forgive me.”
“Hello Mrs. DiMera.” John watched as a look of joy was covered over by a look of pain. She looked at Stefano for a moment before coming back to John’s face. Where a scared but thrilled young woman had stood, now was an elegant ice queen.
“How do you do Mr. Black?” He nodded and in a flash, she was gone. He watched her go onto the dance floor with Abe and was about to leave when he caught a glimpse of her eyes watching him as she peered over Abe’s shoulder.
“She’s a beautiful woman.” John jumped. “Pardon me?” He turned around and looked at Stefano, who was watching his wife with hawk eyes. “I was saying that my wife is lovely.” He watched John’s reaction. “Yes, yes she is.” He turned around. “You are a very lucky man Mr. DiMera.”
Stefano turned his attention back to his young wife, who was laughing with Abe. “Yes I was.”
“Marlena, what is it?” She glanced back at her friend. “What is what Abe?” He smiled. “You can talk to me. You KNOW that.” She nodded. “Yes, I do know.” She smiled at him. “But this is something that I can’t really talk about.”
Abe peeked over to where John and Stefano were talking. “Is it him again?” She seemed startled. “Stefano?” She shook her head. “Not even close. We’re at a stalemate. He won’t let me leave and I won’t let him have her. So I’m stuck with no way out.”
Abe shook his head. “Marlena, He is her father.” Marlena looked pained. “Abe I know that. But what kind of a father would hold a baby up for ransom. Abe I’ve seen what he did to Tony. I WON’T let him harm the baby.”
Abe spoke softly, seeing the distress his friend was in. “Marlena, Lex is his daughter too. She’s turned out fine.” Marlena nodded. “That’s cause Celeste kept her hidden.” Abe sighed. “That’s true too.”
The music ended and they applauded. “Marlena, whatever happens, you have Lex’s and my support.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
Upon their arrival home, Marlena went upstairs to the nursery while Stefano went into the study. “How was the party Mr. DiMera?” He nodded. “It was alright Bart. While your here, can you do me a favor?” He nodded. “Certainly.” Stefano looked up from the fireplace. “I want you to look into a man. He could be of great use to me down the road.” Bart nodded. “Ok, do we have a name sir?”
Stefano smiled. “His name is John Black.” As Bart walked away to get on the case, Stefano sat back and took a sip of his brandy. “Could be of great interest to me.” He remembered the look on John’s face as he had watched Marlena dancing with Abe.
It was a look of hunger…
Marlena sat in the rocking chair and attempted to allow the peace of the nursery to wash over her. She looked down at the cherub in her arms and pressed her lips to the babe’s cheek.
She had once been so in love with this child’s father that she had wanted nothing more than to have his baby. But now, things had gone so far out of control.
“You two look so lovely together.” She froze and kept her sight on the baby, who had woken up hearing her father’s voice. “Thank you.”
Stefano mercifully stayed in the doorway.
“Hard to believe that you were once the most precious thing in the world to me.” Marlena looked up and she shook her head. “Hard to believe that I once thought the world of you. Strange how things change isn’t it?”
She stood up and laid the baby back in her cradle and was about to walk past him when he held up an arm against the doorframe, effectively blocking her way.
“I really liked that fellow at the gala. I think we should have him to dinner.” Marlena wearily looked at him. “Which fellow?”
The name sent shocks through her system. “John Black.”
She covered effectively. “Do what you want.” Her eyes were shadowed. “You will any ways.”
She walked into her bedroom and locked the door. After running her bath and slipping out of her heels and shooting them across the room, she went to the French doors and opened them.
She looked up to the heavens and said only one word to the fates that would have brought her back together with the man who held her heart.
“WHY?”
She shed her evening gown and her ivory silk and lace lingerie as she walked in to the bathroom. Pinning up her curls, she slid into the bubble bath and allowed her mind to wander back in memories.
Of a time when she allowed herself to fall in love with a man who would now possess her body and soul. When she allowed herself to believe that Stefano would be the man to protect her.
Somewhere in the middle of her dreams, Stefano turned into John and as the scenes of their last night relived in her mind, Marlena woke with a jolt as she realized that the water had gone cold long before.
Reaching for her robe, Marlena got out in search of warmth and as her head hit the pillow, her thoughts were on a blue eyed man who stole her heart.
John was settling some pictures on his desk when the phone rang. “Hello John Black here.” He went back to reading the files, listening to the fellow. “Could you repeat that?”
Stefano set his cup down and leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “I said, are you available to come to dinner this evening Mr. Black?”
Thoughts of a smiling Marlena came through his mind. “Thank you for the offer, but I have a meeting later this afternoon that from the looks of the files, will be going right into the early hours of tomorrow. But once again, thank you.”
Stefano paused for a moment and then tried again. “Well then, what about tomorrow? I think that you and I would make a great partnership.”
John shut his eyes. “Ok, what time?”
“Stefano, this is the amazing psychiatrist that I told you about.” Lexie reached out and touched Marlena’s arm. She turned and smiled. “Hey Lex.”
Lex grinned and reached for Stefano. “Marlena, I’m so glad that I finally have you two in the same room. I’d like to introduce you to my father. Marlena, this is Stefano DiMera.”
He bowed and smiled. “I’m finally getting to see the lovely face behind the wonderful words that my daughter has said about you.” Marlena shot a look of worry at her friend, who mischievously grinned back at her.
“Whatever Lex told you, is lies.” Stefano stepped back, as if admiring a painting. “No, I know my daughter. If she says something about a friend, it is always truth. She said that you were lovely and obviously it’s true.”
Marlena stepped back inside from sitting on the terrace and shut the French doors. “Why did you change so dramatically?” She paused in front of the fireplace and stared at the wedding photo that she had placed there on the day they had returned from their honeymoon.
As she ran her hand over the glass, she heard his voice “She walks in beauty..”
Reliving the poem that Stefano recited to her the day of the wedding suddenly made her very claustrophobic.
Feeling queasy, she was heading upstairs when Stefano came out of the study.
“There you are.” Marlena paused. “I was going up to check on the baby.” He nodded. “When does Danielle return?” Marlena hesitated. “She should be home within the next couple of days.”
She was about to resume going upstairs when he called to her.
“I’ve invited John. He’ll be here tomorrow.”
Before she could respond, the baby’s plaintive cries could be heard.
“You do what you want. After all, this is your home.” His voice was suddenly warm, setting her on her guard. “You said this was the center of our lives.” Marlena shook her head. “That was before you cheated and lied.”
She shook her head. “I told you once that I couldn’t understand the necessity of lying to further a business. YOU stole from people who would of have dealt fairly. Stefano, you caused a man to die. For what?”
Stefano’s eyes softened. “I could change.”
She grimaced. “That’s not possible now. Now I am going to take care of our daughter.”
As she walked away, Stefano got a determined look in his eye. “Oh it IS possible Marlena.” A cat like smile came across his features. “More than you know.”
“My Precious girl, do you know how much your momma loves you?” Marlena smiled at the wide-eyed beauty who gave her a gummy grin in return. “I love you more than the ocean, more than the sky.” Marlena shut her eyes and inhaled the sweet baby powder scent of her baby daughter.
“I’ve promised you that you will never know what mistakes I made before you came into my life. Alli, I’ve made enough for you, grandma and half of Salem. Did you know that?” Another gummy grin was her answer.
“As if you would care.” Allison Marianna DiMera replied to her mother with a yawn that was as big as she was.
Marlena smiled and carefully laid the sleepy baby back into her crib. “World is awfully big for you isn’t it angel?” She reached behind her for the mobile when she paused.
“What kind of father do you think I would be?” A sleepy Marlena lifted her head off of his bare chest. “Pardon?” His smile at her confusion only made him chuckle to himself. “I asked you what kind of a father do you think I would make?”
Marlena smiled. “From what I have seen and what I KNOW of the wonderful man you are, sweetheart I can safely say that ANY baby would be thrilled to have you as a daddy.” He reached up and caressed her cheek. “You have such strength and when I’m with you, I feel so secure. That’s what a child needs. To know that Daddy is there no matter what.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “I will be there for them.” His eyes grew distant. “My Father wasn’t there for me. Marlena, it’s sad to say, but I have NO memory of my father.”
Marlena felt the tears well up in her eyes and she rested her hands against the railing of the baby’s crib. “Sweet girl. What have I done?”
The snow stung as it whipped across the open plain. To him, it felt like thousands of needles impaling into his skin as he climbed up the side of the cliff.
All he knew was that he had to get her out of his mind. To make his body hurt so that the heart could heal finally. But she was everywhere around him. Sun, wind, snow and rain. In everything, he could find pieces of her, taunting him to try and find her.
As he reached the summit, he paused at the sight of the woman in the red cape, walking away from him.
“WAIT!” He started running towards her. “Don’t RUN!” She suddenly paused, her back to him.
“Let me see your face?” He reached out to turn her to face him and got an electric shock that went up his arm at the exact moment that he saw the face hidden under the cape’s hood.
“Keep this up John and you’ll have yourself having a head on collision.” He expertly drove his jeep along the winding streets and paused just outside the massive wrought iron gates of the mansion.
“Suddenly everything makes so much more sense.”
Stefano was showing John around the house as they passed by a room with the door partially opened.
“I’d like to introduce you to the other member of my family.” John’s eyes widened. “She may be asleep.” John paused. “Well we shouldn’t intrude.” Stefano’s eyes glowed. “Nonsense. I want the world to know my remarkable baby daughter.”
He didn’t see the pain in John’s eyes as he followed him into the room.
Time has a way of playing with emotions and memories, as John was stunned to realize that it wasn’t just mere months ago that they had their moment. But now there was a child? He found himself feeling like a little boy having his biggest wish being fulfilled at Christmas.
His heart did a leap as he saw Marlena sitting in a softly lit room, rocking a baby back to sleep. He noticed the tasteful and serene nursery and then focused on the child.
“Hello John.”
She could see the look in his eyes and it killed her. She knew what he was thinking. That Allison was THEIR baby.
“John, don’t you think she looks like her father.”
Blue eyes searched Hazel ones for an answer that she wasn’t ready to give.
“I think she looks like her lovely mother.”
“What’s her name?” Stefano smiled, pleased at his guest’s admiration of the two beauties sitting before him. “Her name is Marlena.”
Marlena felt close to tears as she looked at the pride in John’s eyes as he practically devoured the baby. “Stefano, he meant the baby.” She stood up and came towards him. “Her name is Allison Marianna.”
Realization hit him and he quickly covered over the significance of the baby girl’s middle name. “She named her for my mother.” He bowed to the little baby, who stared back with wide blue eyes.
“Pleasure to meet you little one.”
Marlena smiled and looked at Stefano. “Only two months old and she’s already a charmer.” Stefano’s voice nearly turned John’s stomach. “Well she already has her mother’s beauty.” He could see that that comment upset Marlena and she quickly turned. “It’s time for Allison to go to bed. I’ll meet you two gentlemen downstairs.”
She turned away and laid the little girl in her ornate cradle and Stefano escorted John out.
“So what brings you to Salem Mr Black?” Marlena hesitated, afraid to hear what John would say. But he covered. “This is the ideal place to expand my business interests. Since my wife Isabella died almost two years ago, I let things slide. Other people ran my business for me. I decided that it was time to pick up the reins again.”
Marlena felt her legs buckle and she remembered a conversation she and John had once over a roaring fire.
“Everyone I loved have been taken from me. I was only eight, when I lost my parents. Then I lost Isabella.” Marlena rested her cheek against his shoulder.
“For the longest time, I felt that I was such a jinx. That to love me, meant certain death.” She looked at him. “I love you and I’m still here.” He caressed her cheek, a vague smile flitting across his features.
“Yes, yes you are.”
She reached over and pulled his face to hers. “I will always be here for you.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
She came downstairs to find John standing alone at the French Doors. “Where’s Stefano?” John turned around. “He had to take an overseas phone call.” He came and sat down. “You have a lovely home Mrs. DiMera.”
Marlena grimaced. “Why did you come John?”
He looked at the vision before him and marvelled that the icy princess before him was the same laughing lady who stole his heart in Alamainia.
He stepped towards her. “I came as your HUSBAND invited me.” She glared at him and his heart stopped. He wondered if she knew just what being with her was doing to him. He glanced at her and saw through her shadowed eyes that she did indeed know and felt the same way. But feeling his eyes on her, she put up her guard and walked to the other side of the room.
“How do you heal a broken heart.” She shook her head and smiled at him before she rested hers on his shoulder. “You take tiny steps, tiny stitches. But in time, it would heal.” She lifted her head at the same time she rested her hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. “LOVE heals anything.”
“Why did you leave without a goodbye?”
Marlena, shaken by the memory opened her mouth to speak and saw Stefano coming back with Bart. So she looked down at the floor and listened to the men speaking on what was the current state of various companies.
Without looking at their guest, Marlena excused herself. “I’m going to check on the baby.” John was about to speak, when he saw her fists.
He bit his lip. “So I AM right. Your not as cool as you let on.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Once Marlena was safely in Allison’s room, she went to the photo that had been taken at the child’s christening that was on the baby’s dresser. Carefully opening the back, Marlena pulled out the second photo hidden inside.
It had been taken at the first time they had danced together and that night was so vivid in her mind. The warmth of the breeze, the scent that John wore, the words of love that danced so effortlessly from their mouths as from the eyes that never left the other’s face.
Swaying to the music, Marlena shut her eyes for a moment and heard him call her name.
As he caressed her cheek with a shaking thumb, John pulled her to him and as he lowered his lips to hers, Marlena committed the last lines of the song to her memory.
In these dreams I’ve loved you
So that by now I think I know
What it’s like to be loved by you
The photo was snapped of two people totally in love and lost in the world they had just begun to create.
Marlena let out the breath she was holding in time to see the first tear fall onto the photo.
“Oh what I have done?”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“So how did you two meet?” Stefano grinned and went to sit by the fireplace. “She stole my heart even before I had met her. My daughter Alexandra had spoken so much about her that when I finally did meet her, I knew that I had to have her.”
“Obsession and hatred are the same things Marlena.” She shook her head to clear the tears in her eyes not for sorrow but of rage. She looked around her daughter’s room.
How she could have been SO stupid as to have fallen for him. It WASNT love that he spoke of. He wanted her for nothing more than as a toy. His little trophy wife and god, she wanted nothing more than to have her hands around his neck squeezing the life out of him.
“Stefano, all I know is that because of whatever flimsy reason you had to hate Roman Brady, I LOST our child and right now, all I can see is that I HATE you.”
Marlena blinked and found herself back in the nursery. Carefully replacing her photograph, she came back to rest against her daughter’s crib. Softly crying, she watched her baby daughter contentedly dreaming baby dreams..
“Little one, do you have ANY idea what a wonderous man your daddy is?” She gently rearranged her baby’s blankets. “If he knew, do you have any idea just how much he would adore you. Your daddy has had such upset in his life and a child would be such a gift. A way to keep him focused on living again. But he can never know. To keep you both safe, I can’t say a word.”
“I think that you should.”
Stunned, Marlena turned around. He was standing in the doorway. Marlena had no way of knowing that by seeing her in tears, John wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and make the tears disappear.
“Take you and our child away and never be found again.”
“Stefano asked me to bring you down for dinner. Marlena, I’ve heard what you said. Once and for all, we’re going to talk.”
Marlena shook her head. “Stefano is in the house. I WON’T discuss things with you. You don’t have any idea, any REAL idea of the power that he wields. To have the knowledge of you and I and our time together, would send him over the edge and I can tell you that he’d kill you.”
She shook her head, tears coming to the surface. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything was to happen to you. I couldn’t bear to be.” She stopped herself and turned away.
He came to her and lightly put his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face him. “Say it.”
She shook her head. “No. Stefano’s here.”
John shook his head and smiled, feeling such a sense of hope for the first time since he woke up alone in his bed and found nothing to show that she had even been with him.
“He and that fellow.” Marlena corrected him. “Bart.” John nodded. “Yeah, him.”
Marlena nodded. “What about him?”
Lost in her eyes, John snapped back to attention. Remembering why he had come searching for her, he smiled and reached out to caress her cheek.
“Oh yeah, they’ve had to run out, some sort of an emergency. He told me to come up and let you know.”
Marlena could only stare at him. “Say it Marlena.”
Melting under the intensity of his eyes, Marlena smiled. “I love you.” She shrugged. “That simple, I’ve always loved you.”
As he pulled her to him, she rested her hands on his cheeks. “To leave you like I did, I am so sorry. I can only plead for you to understand. But my sweet John, I couldn’t see any other choice.”
She broke the embrace, tears trickling down her cheeks like tiny diamonds. “God, why couldn’t have I met you two years ago.” Her voice fell to a broken whisper. “Why didn’t I!”
She turned away to dry her eyes only to be spun back around and have her lips claimed in a kiss that began to heal the heart that she thought would be broken forever..
As they broke for air, John rested his forehead on hers and with almost feverishly bright eyes, he shook his head, as he studied the hazel eyes that were drinking him in. “That has been the one question I’ve asked since you left me.” He brushed a stray hair from her face. “Why DIDN’T I meet you two years ago.”
She began to cry again. “John.”
He shook his head and in that gesture, Marlena could see the boy inside the man. As he laid a finger against her lips, he made her a promise. “I love you. Marlena, I have since the first moment we met in Alamainia. I love you more than anything in this whole world and I will die protecting that.”
He caressed her cheek. “Tell me that you believe me.”
While she nodded yes, he could see the fear in her eyes. “I want to.”
He pulled her to him again for a hug. “Then lady, do believe it cause that’s a fact. I will die to protect you, the love I found with you and…”
Curious, Marlena looked up. “John?”
She turned her head to see where he was looking and found him gazing hungrily at the cradle.
And she couldn’t help but grin. “Mr. Black, come and meet your baby daughter.” She took his hand and pulled him to the cradle.
To Marlena’s surprise, Allison was awake and gurgling to herself. Reaching into the cradle, Marlena picked up her precious baby angel. “Ali, I’d like to introduce you to your daddy.”
John went to sit in the rocking chair and allowed Marlena to carefully place the baby in his arms.
His eyes widened at the beauty of his daughter. “You named her for my mother?” Marlena smiled and nodded. “The day that you brought me to her grave in Alamainia and told me just what she had meant to you and about her strength and courage. Well, when I found out that I was carrying our daughter, it was just an obvious choice.”
He leaned down to gently brush his lips over her downy head. “Is she a good baby?”
Marlena smiled. “Oh yeah, Allison is a wonder. She’s such a peaceful little soul that there are times when I’m with her that I just cry with happiness.” Marlena blushed. “I think that was just that I could see you looking back at me through those big big eyes of hers and then I was lost again.”
John tore himself away from looking at his daughter and reached out a hand and touched his love’s cheek. “Do you have any idea how much I want to take you home with me and make love to you?”
She smiled and nodded. “About as much as I want you to. “
John’s eyes narrowed. “Then pack a few things for the baby and yourself. Marlena, I’m taking you out of here. TONIGHT!”
She shook her head. “I can’t DO that.” He tightened the grip on her neck. “I won’t leave you and our child here with that man. Marlena, if he’s as insane as you say he is.”
She began to cry. “John, I’m scared!” He hugged her with his free arm. “Marlena, I have the best security team around. That monster won’t hurt you or the baby. Allison isn’t his. He has no claim to her.”
Hazel eyes locked onto Blue and she felt the strength of John’s belief and love. “Do you believe me when I tell you that I would die to keep you and our daughter and this incredible bond we have safe?” She nodded. “Do you believe me when I tell you that I won’t let him hurt you?” Again, wordlessly she nodded. “Then get up, gather up some things for the babe and a change of clothes and we’ll be outta here.”
Marlena felt a sense of peace. “Ok.”
Before she left the room, John pulled her to him for a kiss. “You and I and this incredible baby of ours by the end of tonight will be a family.”
Marlena was walking with Allison out of the nursery just in front of John when the maid intercepted them. “Dr Evans?” She nodded. “Yes Maddy?” She glanced at the guest. “Mr. DiMera said that he would be delayed longer than he originally planned. Did you and Mr. Black wish to have dinner without him?”
Marlena smiled. “No that’s alright. Actually Mr. Black was just about to leave. I was going to show him out. Your free to go Maddy.”
Once the maid was gone, Marlena spun around. “That was close.” He nodded. “Thank god you realized that you didn’t have time to pack.”
Marlena carefully adjusted the blankets around her daughter. “Lets go..NOW!”
He grinned. “Are you always so pushy Dr Evans?” She tilted her head. “Why no I’m not. There’s just something about you that does that to me.” He turned her around. “Lets go. Walk me to my car.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
As they drove out of the gates, Marlena pressed her lips to her daughter’s cheek.
“Oh Allison, we did it. Baby, we’re free.” She glanced at John who was checking the driver’s mirror. “Are we alright?”
He grinned. “We’re better than alright. We’re fantastic. But I have to get you two hidden first.” Marlena’s eyes widened. “No, I’m not going to hide. I haven’t done anything wrong.” He reached out and took her hand in his. “Doc, I’m not going to have anything happen to you now. YOU and our child need to be kept hidden. I’d take you to my home, but that would be the first place he’d send his terror troops. We need a place that’s safe, comfortable and secure.”
A sudden flash came across his face. “I’ve GOT it!”
*~*~*~*~*~*
John helped Marlena out of the car. She was carrying a wide eyed baby, which sent John into laughter. “She’s our child alright. Your not going to be a quiet child are you darling?” He scooped her up from Marlena. “Your going to be in everything aren’t you. Adventure Black.”
Marlena rolled her eyes. “Where are we John?” She looked around and saw a cottage, similar to the Horton’s Cabin on Smith Island, but this one was secluded thanks to the trees around the border of the land and only one road in and out.
He smiled. “This is Tranquility Cottage. My mother left it to me in her will.” Marlena’s eyes widened. “You never told me that you had a home here?”
He shook his head. “I don’t. This is in my father in law’s name. If anyone was to do a search, it would be in Victor’s name and so since he and Stefano are business associates. Why would his dear friend do anything like harbor his wife?”
Marlena started to shake. “John, can we trust Victor?”
John nodded. “He’s the grandfather of my son Brady. Victor loves my son and knows that to do anything to endanger him or anyone I care about would mean he’d never see his last link to Isabella. So, he’s safe. Besides, I won’t tell Victor.”
Marlena came inside with John and smiled. “What’s so funny?” Marlena shook her head, fixing a make shift cot for the baby with the pillows from the couch. “Its just what I thought a cottage would be like. Cozy.”
He smiled. “The best parts are that its two hours from Salem, he can’t find you and with the security men that I’ve already got watching the cottage. You and the baby are very safe.” Marlena shook her head. “You already have them watching the cottage?”
He smiled. “I called from the cell phone while you and angel face were sleeping. Their my top men. Between them on the outside and me on the inside, Doc. You are going to be one very secure lady.”
Marlena smiled. “That’s good. Because if I’m supposed to have guards, there’s only one man I’d want watching over me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh and do I know this fellow? Because I am not having just ANYONE watching over my lady and my daughter.”
Marlena walked towards him and stopped just inches in front of him. “Well how many clues do you want?” He pulled her to him, smiling as she wrapped her hands around his neck. “How many do I get?”
She grinned and lightly blew air on his face. “Let me give you the best clue first.”
He let out a groan and lowered his lips to hers. Breaking the kiss, Marlena rested her hand on his cheek. “Are you sure?”
He pulled her hair back. “I have wanted nothing more than to have you in bed, in my arms making love to you.” She smiled and lowered her eyes as she began to undo his shirt. She lowered her lips to kiss each spot that was uncovered during her ministrations.
He scooped her up and brought her to the bed. “Welcome back Marlena.” She smiled sweetly. “You smell so good.” He lowered her and pinned her hands above her head with his own.
He started by kissing first one eye then the other, pausing at her nose and then working on first one earlobe, sucking gently until she whimpered, then moving to the other and pausing just over her lips. “Do you want me to stop?”
Wordlessly she shook her head. “Good.”
She arched her neck so that he could continue to get reacquainted with the places he knew to get her to react.
He heard her whisper his name and so while he undid the buttons of her dress and then slid the lace underthings away, he brought his lips back to hers for just a moment before he smiled.
“Do you have any idea just how much I ached for you at night?” Her eyes widened. “I could feel you in my arms and yet when I woke up you were gone. So for all the torture you put me through, now its MY turn.” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m going to make love to you so slowly that by the time I get to the end, you’ll aching for release as much as I did from the memories of your kisses.”
He stopped and lowered his lips to first one nipple and then the other, watching her reaction. Once he saw her reach that mark, he stopped. “From the feel of your skin on mine and from the scent of you that lingered in the air.”
Marlena tried to speak but he silenced her with what he was doing with his hands. As she shut her eyes, she heard his voice in her ear. “Open your eyes, I want to watch your reaction…”
The hazel eyes turned to amber and she arched her back. “Remember sweetheart, what goes around definitely comes around. Torment me now, pay back later.”
He lifted his head and smiled dangerously. “I love challenges.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“SHE’S WHAT!” Stefano turned around and glared at Bart. “FIND HER!”
As his assistant flew off, Stefano turned around and threw his brandy goblet across the room. He didn’t know what was worse. The fact that she actually did what she had always threatened to do or that she had someone help her.
But that she took the child with her was something else altogether.
“I will get you both back. When I find you, life as you and whoever helped you leave with our child will be over Marlena.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena rolled over and found the bed empty. Sitting up, she frantically called out. Reaching for John’s shirt on the floor, Marlena got up and went to find him.
What she ran into brought a smile to her lips. She leaned against the doorway and watched the sight in front of her.
John was lying on the couch fast asleep with a tightly held Allison on his chest. Checking her watch, Marlena knew that it was time for the little girl to be fed, so she padded over and went to get her.
“C’mon little one.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
It was John’s turn to wake up and panic. Coming back into the bedroom, he smiled at his two ladies fast asleep. Carefully not to disturb them, he climbed into bed.
Drowsy hazel eyes opened and she smiled, reaching a hand out to rest on his cheek. “She had to be fed and I guess we both fell back asleep.” John grinned. “Well then, we can all have a lazy day and enjoy each other.” He turned his head and kissed the hand. “Go back to sleep sweetheart.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Sir, I’m sorry. But Mr. Black has flown to Washington for an emergency takeover meeting. He’s instructed to be in radio silence until the negotiations are over. I’ll have him call you back. May I have your number please?”
Stefano slammed down the phone. “Sir?” Stefano glared at Bart. “He’s in a meeting and can’t be reached. I wonder if he knew that she would be leaving?” Bart shook his head. “Why would she trust a stranger with this?”
“Bart, how stupid are you?” The assistant grimaced. “Sir, knowing that she has a number of friends and family she could count on in a case like this. WHY would she turn to him?”
Stefano leaned forward, picking up the Queen chess piece. “Why indeed?
Marlena sat cross-legged on the bed, watching John with Allison. “Why I do believe you a pro with her Mr. Black.” He grinned. “She is such an amazing baby. I can’t wait for Brady to meet her.”
He looked over and saw Marlena’s face. “What is it?”
Marlena shook her head. “There’s something not right about us leaving so easily. This isn’t like him John. He wouldn’t of let me or especially Allison get away so smoothly.” John came and sat on the bed, placing their girl in the nest they made for her of pillows in the middle of the bed.
“Your worrying too much.” Marlena shook her head. “I am NOT. John, I’m married to him. I know him.” John grinned. “Correction, WERE married to him.”
She shoved him away. “He’ll never let us go and this was a BIG mistake.”
John smiled. “You really don’t have faith in me and us do you?” He pulled her to him. “I never said THAT. But I do know how he works. John, he’ll kill me before he lets me leave.”
His smile faded and his voice grew very intense. “I’ll kill him with my bare hands before that happens.” She shook her head. “John, this isn’t a game of shoot ’em up. With Stefano, you can’t make idle threats.”
She climbed off the bed and began to gather up the things that John had one of his security men buy for her. “What are you doing?” Marlena didn’t even look up. “Now what does it LOOK like I’m doing?” He shook his head. “I just got you back and I’m not ready to lose you again. Marlena, look at me.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to lose you either. That’s why I’m leaving.”
He grabbed for her arm and he started to yell. “You are NOT leaving!” He latched ahold of her arm a little tighter than he had planned to and he misread the look in her eyes. He thought it was that she was nervous. He had no idea that it was for anger and out of fear.
“LET GO OF ME!” She yanked her arm away at the same time she shoved him. “Not even YOU have the right to manhandle me.”
He dropped his hands. “I wasn’t manhandling you.” She rubbed her arm. “What do you call ignoring what I asked you not to do?” He didn’t like the look in her eyes. She wasn’t really focused on him. “I begged you and I pleaded for you NOT to hit me. But you didn’t listen.”
It suddenly dawned on him just WHY she had stayed silent, just why it took her everything that she had to tear her heart away from him that blissful month in Alamainia. Stefano broke the angel in front of him.
He felt tears in his eyes and he had to look away from her for just a moment. “The final straw was that you told me I could never see Allison again. If I left, you would take my baby and I can’t live without her.”
Feeling the rage overwhelming him again, he quickly gathered her up and murmured frantically to her in an attempt to get her to calm down. “Love, it’s me. Marlena, its John. I’m here, not Stefano and I won’t let him near our daughter OR you.”
Slowly she let go and he supported her. “Ssh, I’d never hurt you.”
She began to sob. “Sssh.” She buried her face in his shirtfront and he stroked her back. “You were dreaming. I understand now.”
She lifted her head. “You do?”
He picked her up as effortlessly as Allison and brought her to sit with him on the couch. As he settled her on his lap, he pressed his lips to her head. “When you left me, I swore that it was because you couldn’t see a future with me. I never knew that you were married or this.” He pinned her face in between his hands. “But now that I have you back.”
She smiled and rested her head on his chest. “Oh, John. I ruined your shirt!” She lifted her head and grinned. “It would appear so.” He laughed as she began to undo his shirt. “Guess I’m about to lose it?”
She smiled. “Yep.” She shifted so that she was facing him and began to kiss him. “I guess we both have broken wings that need some mending.” He ran a hand through her hair. “You’re so smart.”
She lightly blew on his face and let out a squeal as he stood up and lowered her to the rug in front of the fireplace.
“God, I love you so much.” She ran her hand over his face. “Promise me something?”
He paused from working on her blouse to listen. “I would promise you the world if it would mean you smiled like you are now.” She arched her back as he ran his hands over her breasts. “Promise you what?”
She grinned. “Promise me that when this is over, you and I will be married. I can’t live without you now that I have you back.”
He did a trick with his tongue that had her whimpering in pleasure. “That was exactly what I was thinking.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
He disappeared for an hour while Marlena was trying to relax with Allison. “I’m just going to run some errands. I’ll be right back and if you really want, I’ll call you on my way back.” She grinned. “Just come back to me and don’t worry. By the time you come back, you can give Allison her bath.”
He smiled and leaned over to kiss their contented daughter’s head. “Can’t wait.”
As he shut the door, he alerted the security to watch over them. “I’ll be back in an hour.” As he got in the car, he grinned. “With one HELL of a surprise.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Hello, Stefano DiMera please.” John looked back around the busy Salem Place parking lot. “Just let him know that John Black returned his call. I had a free moment and thought I would check my messages. I’ll try calling back when my next meeting finishes. Thank you Bart.”
He hung up. “That will keep him off my trail.” He checked his watch. His surprise should be ready. “With the money that I paid for it, it better be.”
As he walked away, he caught sight of the perfect after gift and so went into pick it up.
“Sir you have excellent taste.” He watched as it was wrapped up. “Thank you.” The girl rang it up for him. “The lady will adore it.” John grinned. “I hope so, it’s for our wedding night.” She smiled. “Your bride will love it.”
He picked up the package. “From your lips to my bride’s ears.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
The dream was so real that Marlena was convinced that if she reached out her hands, she could feel the smoothness of the wood paneling in the cabin.
She stood silent in the middle of the room and listened to the lyrics of the ballad softly overwhelming her senses.
I wake up in this dream tonight
That’s when I see the truth
Of all the faces in my heart
There’s only one I chose
“It was all so perfect. I had you and now I’ve lost it all.”
She shut her eyes and thought if she had known, had just the slightest of ideas, she could have done something.
She looked at her reflection sideways in the mirror and shook her head. “If I had of known. If I hadn’t let down my guard when it came to you and what I know your capable of. Stefano, I could have killed you.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Stefano stood looking at his captive and smiled. “How stupid did you think I was John? That I wouldn’t have had my wife followed when she fled Salem? That I wouldn’t of known her every move? My greatest treasure. I knew all about you and her.”
John looked up from his position on the floor, shackled to the wall and said nothing. But his heart was screaming a prayer that Marlena and the child were safe.
“I knew that the child wasn’t mine. It’s amazing what a little pressure can do to a person’s integrity. But I love Marlena enough to raise YOUR child as if she was. The child shouldn’t be held responsible for a mistake she had nothing to do with.” John growled. “Stay the hell away from Allison.”
Stefano reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo. “To show you that I’m not TOTALLY a heartless monster. I brought you a gift. The last time you’ll ever see Marlena or the baby again.”
He threw it at John’s feet. “I’ll kill you DiMera!”
Stefano smiled. “I don’t think so.”
As he left the cell, John stared at the photo and vowed that if it was the last thing he would do; he would hold his wife again.
“Symbolic or not. Doc, you are my wife.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
Marlena stood at the window watching the rain falling and she continued to remember the day as if it was minutes ago.
He came back and found Marlena curled up sleeping beside Allison, who was looking at the ceiling, happily gurgling to herself.
As he picked up his daughter, John set about working on his surprise. “Sssh.” He looked down at his daughter. “You don’t say nothing.” Allison, contented to be in her daddy’s arms, threw her hands in the air. “Gee, you’re easier to please than your mommy.”
Marlena started to laugh. “That’s cause you haven’t held ME like that.”
Busted, he turned around and his expression sent her into giggles. “I woke up when you picked up Ally.”
He came back and handed the little girl to her mom. “I wanted to surprise you.”
She laid her head on the hand that was caressing her cheek. “Every day with you IS a surprise.” John smiled. “Good.”
She saw the bags. “What did you bring us?”
He looked behind him. “Oooh tons of things.”
He turned around and leaned in for a kiss. “I don’t know what it is about you Mr. Black, but when I’m with you, I believe in anything being possible.”
He rested his head against hers. “That’s because anything IS possible, when someone loves you as much as I do you.”
She stared down at her rolling ring when she heard the door opening. “What DO you want?”
Stefano came in and smiled. “I’ve come to invite you to dinner.”
Marlena shook her head. “I rather DIE than sit down to dinner with you ever again.” Stefano grimaced. “Now is that any way to talk to the man who loves you?”
She turned away and picked up her daughter’s photograph. “I might have believed THAT once. But after what you did. I feel nothing but hate and loathing for you right now.” She turned around. “You don’t love me. You’re obsessed. That makes you truly scary.”
Stefano shrugged. “Suit yourself. John and I will eat alone. Though it would be nice to have female company.” Marlena’s head lifted up. “John?”
Stefano smiled. “I KNEW that would catch your attention. Dress formally and be ready in an hour.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
‘What is all this?” John wrapped his arms around her and grinned. “Do you like it?” She turned her head as his lips began nibbling on her earlobe. “John, its lovely.” He turned her to face him. “I wanted you to be dressed as bridelike as possible. I know that it can’t be official. Not yet, anyway.” He pulled her to him. “But I want it seen in the eyes of god that you are mine.”
She smiled. “Well I have been yours since that first day on the beach. This is just another heart kiss on the way to making it official.”
He lowered his lips to hers. “You up to a wedding just the two of us.” Marlena smiled. “And Allison makes three.”
John grinned. “Can’t forget, Allison makes three.”
He went to check on their still sleeping daughter. “Now, go get ready and we’ll go outside.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Well, how do I look?” John turned around from entertaining their daughter and smiled at the lady in the simple slip styled dress, with flowers tucked in her curls. Finding himself lacking in words, he could only rest his cheek on Allison’s head and smile.
“You, you look incredible.”
Marlena smoothed the fabric of her gown. “Now, I KNOW your lying.”
John stepped back and pretended he was an artist. “Well, the lighting is rather bright, but I think you are spectacular.” He picked up her hand and rubbed it against his lips. “The flowers in your hair were a nice touch.”
Marlena grinned and held out her hands. “Give me my baby you creep.” As he handed Allison to her, John held his hand to his chest. “Ow, that HURT!” Laughing, Marlena came over to him as he wrapped his arm around her. “Want me to kiss your pride better ya big baby?” He smiled. “Oh, I’ll show ya who’s the big baby.”
As they made their way through the forest, one of the security men made a fast phone call…
*~*~*~*~*~*
“Our daughter is fast asleep.” Marlena grinned from her spot in front of the roaring fire. “She’s a very accommodating little lady when she wants to be.” He came and knelt in front of her. “Just like her mommy.”
Marlena ran her fingertips along his face.
“What are you doing Doc?”
She smiled. “It’s going to sound silly. But I just want to make sure your real. To be with you like this, well it was something that I dreamt of for a long time after I left you. But now here we are.”
He slowly slid a strap down off her shoulders. “Here we are, and I will NOT let you go again.” He picked up her hand. “This ring proves that to you. As long as you have it on, until the day I can actually put a wedding ring on your hand, this is proof that YOU are mine.”
“Proof that I am yours.” She snapped out of her memory and got dressed. Before she opened the door, she said a prayer for God to watch over John. “Please, please don’t take him from me.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
“What the hell is going on?” John turned around and stared at Stefano. “After weeks of being beaten and locked in a cell, you have your men come and dress me for dinner? Old man, you truly are insane.”
Stefano smiled. “We’re waiting on one more person and then we’ll eat.”
As if on cue, Marlena appeared.
John saw her and felt a weight lift off his chest. “Doc?”
She smiled and tears came to her eyes at the sight of the battered and bruised man she loved. She shook her head. “This is my fault, if I hadn’t of come with him that night.” She smiled ironically, “I’m alright. He’s learnt his lesson as to beating up his treasures. Haven’t you DEAR.”
Stefano turned around from adjusting the stereo. “Nessun Dorma has always been Marlena’s favorite piece of music.” He sat down. “Marlena, it’s not nice to be rude in front of guests. That was one time when you caused me to lose control.”
Marlena simply shook her head. “You call it whatever you want to ease your conscious. I know better and I have hated you ever since.”
Stefano smiled. “I think it’s time that I tell you sweetheart, what I’ve told John.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
John woke up, hearing Marlena’s scream and Allison’s cry. Sitting up, his last sight of them was Marlena’s limp body being carried out the door.
Stefano smiled as his men restrained John. “You think you can take what belongs to me?” He gestured to one of the guards. “Take him and burn it to the ground.” He paused as he was going out the door to watch his men beat John.
“You’ll pay the price for even THINKING of taking my Queen.” Stefano grabbed John’s face in one hand. “Black, if it is the last thing I do, I will take everything that’s yours. Including Marlena AND the child.”
Marlena shook her head. “If I didn’t think you were sick before this.” Stefano waved his hand as the food was served. “Marlena, what have I told you about losing control in front of servants?”
John watched the play between the two and shook his head. “I’m sorry Marlena, I should have been more on guard.”
She turned to him and shook his head. “Stefano is like a spider. Cut off one hand, he’s still got seven more to get him in the middle of things.”
Stefano smiled. “Play nicely Marlena, and I just might allow you two to see Allison.”
Marlena threw her glass of wine at Stefano. “You won’t. Who DO you think your kidding? Her voice was suddenly sickeningly sweet. “YOU really should make sure your goons don’t speak in front of doors that you have prisoners locked behind. I heard Bart. You’ve taken MY daughter away.”
Stefano suddenly lunged for Marlena. “Listen to me pet and listen well.” He pinned her face between his hands. “YOU right now are the only thing that is keeping HIM alive. I have NO use for John Black and NO qualms as to killing him. Allison is for all intents and purposes MY daughter as well.”
John tried to get up and found himself restrained as Bart’s hands kept him pinned to the chair. “Now, my queen. Eat your dinner and I MIGHT allow you to see Allison. Don’t eat, and I’ll have John strung up again and beaten again.”
Marlena began to struggle. “You LIAR.” Stefano shrugged his shoulders. “Bart, she doesn’t believe me.” He gestured to John. “Take off his jacket.”
Marlena’s eyes widened even more at the torture she wasn’t able to see due to the jacket that was inflicted on John’s body. Tears welled up in her eyes, enraging John as he watched her pick up the spoon. “Doc, don’t do it!”
She turned to Stefano. “You PROMISE me that if I do what you want, you’ll let John go?” Stefano shook his head. “No, but I do promise you behave yourself and I wont have him beaten again.”
Marlena was afraid to even look at John as she began to eat. His screams of not to touch it were ringing in her ears as she began to swallow the dinner.
She felt the burning in her throat and suddenly looked at her husband. “What have you done?” She reached for the glass of water as her eyes began to tear. “This was poisoned.” John began to swear at Stefano, who shook his head. “Did you really think that as my Queen I’d let you not be punished? I had to show Mr. Black here that I did indeed mean business.”
Marlena tried to push her chair away and failed, she looked helplessly to John, who pleaded with her to hold on. “I can’t.’
The last image she saw was of John’s terrified blue eyes as she sank into the murky depths and the image of Stefano grabbing for her.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Alexandra Carver shook her head as she listened to John’s story. Confusion written over her face as she turned around throwing her hands up.
As a drowning man would grab for the first thing he thought would save him, no matter how flimsy it was. She spun back around. “I can’t believe that my father would be capable of this or of even harming Marlena. He loves her.” Lexie walked away from the side of John’s hospital bed.
“Just like you wouldn’t believe that he would keep John shackled to the wall?” Abe turned his wife to face him. “Lexie, he did that.”
John sat in the hospital bed and looked at his friends. “I don’t care about what he’s done to me. Just makes me more determined to bring him down. What I want is to find him so I can bring Marlena and our daughter home.” He rubbed his bandaged wrist. “Doc must be so terrified. If he hasn’t let her see Allison.”
Abe came and sat beside John’s bed. “Listen to me. We’ve put all our best men on the search AND we’ve also called in the I.S.A for this. We’ll find them both and you have to hang on to this. John you’ll have them both home soon.”
He nodded grimly. “I’m sorry Lex, but I swear to you. If I find Stefano first, I’ll kill him.”
The Jarlena Journal 
This is good. Is there more to this story?
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