Marlena was lying in bed one morning when a feeling of incredible sadness began to overwhelm her. She didn’t know what was causing it, but she knew she had to get rid of it, and fast. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, she began to sob. John heard her and came rushing into the room. He sat down beside her on the bed and quickly took her into his arms. “Shh, I’m right here, Doc.” he soothed as he stroked her hair. “It’s ok.” It was killing him to see her like this because this time, he didn’t know what to do. After a few minutes, the sobbing stopped and she glanced up, a little surprised to see John holding her. “John.” she said with an embarrassed laugh as she wiped her eyes. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to know something’s bothering you.” John replied as he wiped away a few more tears. “What is it, Doc? What’s wrong?” She laughed again. “Well, I’m not entirely sure, to tell you the truth.” she replied. John nodded. “Well, whatever it is, I think I know how to make it better.” he said with a smile. “How’s that?” she asked as she returned his smile. He chuckled. “Five words, Doc- champagne, strawberries, and whipped cream.” he replied before giving her a light kiss. She returned it before letting out a soft giggle. “John, you always know just how to cheer me up.” she said as she flashed him another smile. “I think that’s exactly what I need right now.” John kissed her again before helping her out of bed. “Great. Then, let’s go.” he said as he opened the bedroom door. “The champagne’s on ice, and I had the strawberries and whipped cream delivered while you were sleeping. They’re in the fridge.” Marlena giggled again as they began descending the stairs. “Well, it sounds like you’ve thought of everything.” she said. Before John could respond, she tripped, causing her to roll to the bottom of the stairs. “Doc!” John called frantically as he rushed down to her. Amazingly, she wasn’t bleeding. She was, however, unconscious. “Doc, can you hear me?” John asked as he shook her shoulders gently.
John was beginning to panic. Ten minutes had passed, and Marlena still hadn’t responded to him. “Doc, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand.” he said pleadingly. Marlena squeezed it hard as she eased her eyes open slowly. John breathed a sigh of relief before giving her a light kiss. “Doc, you scared me.” he said with a nervous laugh. “Are you ok?” Marlena nodded. “I think so,” she said, taking John’s hand and rising slowly. Suddenly, she groaned. “Oh, my back.” she cried softly as she leaned into John’s shoulder. “Should we go to the hospital?” he asked. The concern was evident in his eyes as he hugged her. Marlena shook her head and smiled bravely. “No, no, I’m sure it’ll pass.” she replied before giving him a light kiss. He returned it with a nod. “If you’re sure.” he said after he’d pulled away. “Are you still up for dessert?” She nodded, flashing him a soft smile. “Of course.” she replied as she let him lead her into the dining room. Before she could sit down, though, she heard the gentle introduction to “Faithfully” coming from the living room stereo. She turned toward the sound as she heard John ask, “May I have this dance, Doc?” She nodded, smiling warmly as she stepped into his arms. As they danced, she felt an incredible sense of peace wash over her. This moment confirmed what they already knew. They were meant for each other, and that would never change.
As their dance continued, Marlena began to feel a squeezing pain in her back, and she winced. John glanced down at her as she stepped closer to him. “You okay, Doc?” he asked worriedly. Marlena nodded. “It’s just my back again.” she replied. “I must’ve pulled a muscle when I fell earlier.” “Well, let’s take a breather, and I’ll get you an ice bag. How’s that sound?” John asked as he led her over to the couch. She shook her head. “No, I’d rather keep dancing.” she replied with a warm smile. John returned the smile, but shook his head as well. “Me, too, Doc, but you can barely stand.” he said as he helped her ease onto the couch. “You need to rest that back for awhile.” “Oh, but what about dessert?” Marlena asked quickly as she shifted on the couch. “Don’t worry, Doc.” John told her as another smile lit his eyes. “I’ll bring dessert to you.” Marlena returned the smile before letting out a soft giggle. “Ok.” she agreed as she watched him head toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, he came back carrying the champagne, strawberries, whipped cream, and a gift box that he thought was hidden from Marlena’s view. He sat down beside her on the couch and handed her the whipped cream to open. He was popping the champagne cork when Marlena noticed the relatively small bulge in his jacket. “John, what’s that?” she asked, pointing. He glanced down to where she was pointing and pulled the box out of his jacket. “Oh, this?” he asked casually as he handed it to her. “It’s just a little somethin I picked up for you in Salem Place this morning. I couldn’t pass it up. Go ahead, open it.” Marlena smiled shyly as she opened the box to reveal a pair of white gold dangle earrings that had the letters M.B. hanging from them. The letters were pure diamonds. She gasped. “John, they’re beautiful.” she breathed. “Where’d you find them?” “Jordan’s Jewelers.” he replied before giving her a light kiss. She returned it before she said, “They must’ve cost a fortune.” John smiled. “You’re worth every penny, Doc.” he told her before kissing her again. She returned it, knowing that she’d always be completely safe as long as she and John were together.
As Marlena drove over to Bo and Hope’s, she couldn’t help thinking about the moment after she and John had kissed. As he’d smiled, he’d looked at her as if he didn’t want her to leave. He’d been acting strangely lately, and it hadn’t hit her till now. He seemed really worried about her, and she wondered why. Suddenly, she gasped. “That’s it!” she thought to herself. “He’s afraid something’s gonna happen to me, and he wants to keep me close to him so I’ll be safe.” She sighed. “Oh, John, you don’t have to worry.” she said, thinking aloud. At that moment, she heard tires screech in front of her and saw two cars collide with one another. As one of the cars left the scene, she gasped. “Oh, my.” she said as she stepped out of her car and rushed toward the accident. “Are you ok?” she asked the remaining car’s occupants, a young man and woman. They nodded. “The person that hit us just sped off.” the young man told her. Marlena nodded. “I saw.” she told him, frowning as she glanced in the direction that the other car had gone. “My name’s Marlena Evans.” she said after a few minutes. “Do you need a ride to the hospital?” The man nodded again as she extended a hand to help them out of the car. The young man unbuckled his seatbelt and took it quickly. When he was safely on the ground, Marlena extended her hand to the young woman, but she shook her head. “Eva doesn’t do well with strangers.” the man told Marlena, who shot him a confused glance. “They scare her.” She nodded. “It’s ok, Eva.” she coaxed gently. “I won’t hurt you.” Eva smiled, slid over to the driver’s side, and took Marlena’s hand. She helped her down and began leading them the few feet back to her car. “Don’t worry about your car.” she told them as they reached it. “I’ll call a tow track for you.” “Thanks, Miss Evans.” the man said with a smile. She returned it before she said, “Oh, please, call me Marlena.” The man nodded. “Ok, Marlena.” he said with a chuckle as she opened the back door of the car. “What’s your name?” she asked him as he and Eva climbed in. “Oh, I’m Tito.” he answered as he comforted Eva, who was whimpering a little. “It’s ok, Eva.” Marlena said gently as she closed their door and headed back to the driver’s seat. She climbed in, and they all buckled up quickly. Before starting the engine, she pulled her cell phone out of her suit and began to dial. “Moe’s Tows.” she heard a male voice say after a few minutes. “Yes, hi. This is Dr. Marlena Evans, and I need a tow truck sent to Sun Hill Drive ASAP.” she said. “Is the car totaled, or should we have our mechanics look at it when we get it here?” asked the male voice. Marlena glanced back at the car before she replied, It’s salvageable.” “We’ll be over soon, Dr. Evans.” the male voice assured her. “Go on about your day. We’ll find it.” “Ok, can do.” Marlena said as she hung up. After taking a deep breath, she started the engine and headed to the hospital. “So, what brings you to sleepy little Salem?” she asked Tito. “Well, we’re from a few towns over, and we were passing through.” he replied. Marlena nodded. Suddenly, she was overwhelmed by a terribly dark feeling. “John.” she whispered. She hoped Tito and Eva didn’t mind a detour because she had to find him. Something didn’t feel right.
John broke the kiss after a few minutes and was pouring the champagne when Marlena’s pager went off. She groaned. “Oh, gosh, it never fails.” she said as she pulled it off her suit and glanced at the number. Her face fell instantly. “What’s wrong, Doc?” John asked as he put a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face him with a sad sigh. “It’s Hope.” she replied. “She says J.T. won’t stop crying, and nothing she or the rest of the family does is fixing it. She wants me to take a look at him and see what I can do.” “Well, can’t she call Lexie?” John asked as Marlena shook her head. “Lexie, Abe, and Theo went on a family vacation.” she replied. “They won’t be back till next week, so I guess we can have dessert when I get home.” John nodded before giving her a light kiss. “But what about your back, Doc?” he asked as she stood. She flashed him a reassuring smile before she said, “John, you worry too much. I’ll be fine.” John nodded and returned her smile. “Be careful.” he cautioned. “I love you.” “I love you, too.” she told him as she hugged him. Then, they shared a quick kiss, and shortly after that, she rushed out the door to help J.T.
“What’s wrong with me?” Marlena asked herself under her breath. “Why do I feel so strange?” She didn’t know the answers to these questions, but her gut was telling her that they had something to do with John. She tried to shake the feeling off and focus on getting Tito and Eva to the hospital, but it only grew stronger. “That’s it.” she whispered with conviction. “Tito, Eva, I’m afraid there’s been a change of plans.” she told them. “I don’t understand. You’re still taking us to the hospital, aren’t you, Marlena?” Eva asked, speaking up for the first time. “Yeah, of course I am, Eva, but we’re gonna have to make a stop along the way.” Marlena replied. “I left my husband John back at our penthouse, and I need to go check on him.” “Did you get one of those foreboding feelings, the kind that creep up on you, but you have no clue where they come from?” Tito asked her in an understanding tone. She gasped. “How could he have possibly known that?” she asked herself silently. “You hit that right on the head, Tito.” she replied aloud. “How’d you know?” “I get them all the time.” he responded, shuddering a little. “It’s kinda creepy, to be honest with you.” She nodded. “Tell me about it.” she agreed with a nervous chuckle. With that, she drove on, lost in silence and hoping to find John safe.
The Jarlena Journal 