Making History In New Orleans – By Sandra B

Morning In Jackson Square

The sun was shining down from the heavens, as if to bless them, casting soft shadows on the lush green lawn in the middle of Jackson Square. Having left Salem to spend a few days in New Orleans sans children, John Black and Marlena Evans were walking along arm in arm, admiring the street art and listening to the strolling musicians, feeling very happy to be back together at last. Unexpectedly, John stopped their forward progress and pulled Marlena close, planting a soft, moist kiss on her sweet unsuspecting lips.

“Ooh, John.. what was that for?” she asked when Marlena’s breath returned from wherever it had gone after John kissed her.

Grinning widely, he answered. “Just cause I love you and I’m so happy, Doc.. You made me the happiest man alive when you committed to me again. I want to show you the world, Marlena.. No, I want to give you the world!” John said with boyish excitement, as he lifted Marlena off the ground and held her close again, twirling them around in a circle.

Looking down into those dancing blue eyes, Marlena told John how she felt about the past few months. “Oh, honey.. you are so.. sweet to me. I love you so much. I’m really sorry that I wavered in making my decision…. but I just didn’t want to hurt anyone…you know.”

Putting Marlena down, John gazed lovingly into her hazel eyes which sparkled in the sun, and let her off the hook. “I know, Doc.. that’s because you have such a tender heart. But, you know what? I don’t want to talk about that anymore. I want to talk about you.. and me.. and all our plans for the future. No more looking back. What do you say baby?”

Marlena smiled warmly and then switched subjects completely, “I say… I want… some beignets and cafe’ au lait at the Cafe’ Du Monde!” she said, as Marlena ran off down the sidewalk toward the place to which she was referring.

“Some what.. at the where?” John asked, perplexed, and having to practically run to catch up with Marlena .

When John finally snagged Marlena’s right forearm, she turned back to him and said with mock condemnation. “Oh… John.. have you no sense of culture? It’s simply a requirement of any self-respecting tourist in New Orleans to go there and have some. “

“Well, I’m sorry, Doc… if I haven’t read the latest issue of Travel Magazine, I’ve been a little busy, and besides.. the last time I was here, it wasn’t exactly as a… tourist.” The memory of Maison Blanche suddenly flashed in his head and he wished his mind hadn’t taken him there. He shut his eyes, trying to eliminate those painful images, as he apologized immediately, “Oh.. man.. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.. bring that up.” Sighing heavily and running his hands through his hair John added one last comment, “I told myself, I wasn’t gonna even think of what we.. went through, I’m.. really sorry, Doc.” he said quietly, shaking his head in disbelief that he had set himself up to think of the suffering they both endured.

Marlena took John’s right hand and said “It’s okay, John.. you couldn’t help but remember it at least once. I’m just sorry it was today when we’ve been having such a good time. I think maybe we need to.. talk about all that sometime, but right now I want to introduce you to one of my favorite places here. Are you sure you’ve never heard of beignets?”

“Nope… but I’m sure you’re going to tell me all about them. Lead on lovely pretty lady.” John said gesturing for Marlena to walk past him to the establishment she was raving about.

Marlena beamed a sunlit smile at John, excited to have a chance to share something new with her love. “Oh.. boy! Let’s go and I’ll explain it to you. There’s a long history of tradition to this place.” she said sounding every bit the expert on the city and the food.

“If whatever you just said happens to taste good, I’ll be glad to listen to a little history while I’m eating, Marlena.” he said as they crossed the street.

Marlena chuckled lightly before responding, which was his intention. John just wanted to see her smile and make her laugh as often as possible. Neither one of them had done it much in the past year or so.

“Just like a man.. to focus mostly on the food.” she concluded, shaking her head at his apparent lack of interest in the historical aspect of their current environment.

“Well, what do you expect, Doc, it’s almost ten o’clock and we haven’t eaten anything yet. I’m hungry!”

Tugging on John’s arm, Marlena said somewhat impatiently. “Well then.. what are you waiting for? Come on, baby, let’s get a move on. You’re gonna love this!”

That was all it took to remind him of a more pleasant time they shared. They were together on their honeymoon and it was a warm day like this, the sun was shining and they were so much in love. “Oh, yea… I already do, Doc.. I already do. I’m just so glad to be with you like this.. I’d go anywhere with you, Marlena… anywhere you want to go.. I’ll follow baby.”

Marlena’s heart was melting; John was being so wonderful and the love that oozed from his pores was intoxicating. She couldn’t seem to get enough, or give enough. “Oh… honey.. the same goes for me. We are finally together now and there is nothing in this world that will ever separate us again.”

His blue eyes danced with delight as he asked, mostly in jest. “Promise?” Marlena stopped in her tracks to respond. There had been more than enough uncertainty and though John was teasing, there was an air of seriousness to his request.

“Promise.” Marlena said, placing her right hand on her heart to symbolize the solemn vow she was making to John. “I Marlena Evans, soon to be Black, promise to never, ever, ever… let anything or anyone come between me and the man I love with all my heart. Our love is now and forever.”

“Oh, yes.. that’s what I want to hear. Okay… let’s eat now.”

“Hey.. what about your promise to me?” Marlena asked, wanting to hear John say similar words to her.

“Well, you didn’t ask me.. but alright.” John imitated her motion, placing his hand over his heart and said. “I, John Black do solemnly swear to always love Marlena Evans.. soon to be Black, with all of my heart, mind, body, and soul for every single second of every single day for the rest of my life.” He stopped for a second as if to think of what else she might like to hear and then he smiled mischievously and continued. “And.. I promise to make sweet love to her wherever and whenever she wants me to.. oh, and nothing will come between us ever, ever again.”

Marlena was beaming when he finished. “I just love you so…JB” Taking advantage of the moment, John leaned in to kiss Marlena again, whispering the same kind of sentiments in her ears.

“Alright then… I guess that about wraps it up. Now.. can we finally go to the Cafe’ Du Monde?” she said, feeling slightly exasperated with both of them for all the delays. She was hungry too.

“Well, yea.. I wondered what you were waiting for, Doc.. come on time’s wasting!” John said playfully as he edged around Marlena and then jogged off down the sidewalk, catching her off guard.

“Oh, you… stinker!” she called after him.

A short time later, they were sitting in the wrought iron chairs on the patio at that little cafe Marlena raved about and John was eating his third beignet. He looked at Marlena and she was busy reading a brochure about some historic sites, so he knew she would be distracted. “You.. know.. I don’t know why you think these things are so great.. they’re nothing special and the coffee’s a little too strong for me.”

There was a delayed reaction to what she’d heard and then she laid into him, “John.. how can you say that… these pastries are famous all around the world.. Everybody loves them and the coffee too.. You just don’t….” She looked over at John and he was grinning from ear to ear, powdered sugar all around his lips.. and suddenly it occurred to her. “John.. that’s the third one you’ve had. If you didn’t like them, why did you eat so many?” I

“It’s all they had and I was hungry?” John joked while raising his eyebrows, and then she knew. He was teasing her the whole time. “John.. you said that just to see if you could get a reaction out of me, didn’t you?”

Grinning again, he pointed to himself and answered with a question. “Who.. moi? Would I do something like that… to you?”

Marlena didn’t say anything, she shook her head and just slowly and methodically rolled up the brochure she was holding and proceeded to bop him on the head with it. Then John flashed that golden smile, the one that turned her insides to mush and said. “It sure did work didn’t it?”

Marlena sighed contentedly and then reacted as part of the fun. “Oh.. you… what am I gonna do with you?” she said with mock frustration.

“Keep me forever and ever?” he said, still smiling.

“Yep… that’s *exactly* what I’m gonna do… You are mine.. John Black.. for the rest of your life!” Marlena said with an air of possession.

“Ooh, I love it when you’re so forceful, Doc.” John said, scrunching up his face at the same time he was pulling Marlena toward him. In another second, he was kissing her passionately.

When the contact ended they were both smiling with joy and their hearts were light. It felt so good to tease, and laugh, and love each other so freely and easily. It had taken so very long and they were enjoying every minute they spent together. It was a glorious time of rediscovery and they were going to savor every memory they were making. This was the time when they were creating their own history, the history of John and Marlena.. distinct from the past and yet the love they shared before was there as a backdrop and a foundation for this new and exciting future they were shaping.

The Way She Loves Me

Lyrics The Way She Loves Me from Richard Marx

They were sitting in an outdoor cafe having just finished a mid-afternoon snack, a slightly more nutritious one than their late morning’s fare. The sun was shining in her hair, making soft shimmering highlights of gold and in John’s estimation, Marlena looked like an angel from heaven. He was holding her hand gazing at her lovingly, and she was doing it again, looking at him with those dreamy lover’s hazel eyes. He wanted to say something, but felt himself losing his power of speech. In fact, all thoughts other than this beautiful, wonderful, incredible woman were floating right out of his lovesick head. ‘Oh, Doc… I love the way you love me,’ he was thinking, when she started to say something to him.

Let me tell you about the way she loves me

Ooh, want the world to know

I’m crazy about the way she loves me

Ooh, proud to let it show…..

I’ll have this feeling till the day that I die

When I hear my baby calling

A simple motion, a look in her eyes

And I’m helplessly falling

I’d give all of somebody else

For any piece of her heart that’s left

She knows me better than I know myself……..

Just holding Marlena’s hand was making him want her a lot, and she looked again, and knew it. “John… honey.. let’s go play on the swings.” Marlena said with a mischievous sexy smile. In the next second, she broke free and ran toward the playground about fifty yards across the lawn from them, looking like a school girl, her hair blowing in the wind.

John watched Marlena running and laughing all the way. God, it was good to see her happy. That was all he ever wanted anyway, and the fact that it was him that brought the smile to her face and renewed the shine in her hazel eyes. Well, that was icing on the cake. “Oh, Baby… here we go!” John said while watching Marlena, his heart overflowing with happiness. With that he sprinted after her and grabbed her from behind, saying. “I love you, Doc… so much. It’s wonderful to see you smiling and laughing!”

“It’s you, John… you make me smile, you make me laugh. Being here with you like this.. it’s everything I’ve dreamed of for so long. I love you.. so!” When Marlena said it, there were tears of joy in her gorgeous hazel eyes and he kissed them away. Then John kissed Marlena lips, a tender sweet kiss, filled with promise for the future, filled with the gentleness of a lover finally at peace with his relationship.

“And I love.. you very, very much!” he said, matching her quiet intensity. After gazing at each other admiringly for a moment or two, John broke the spell, somewhat reluctantly. He was afraid he’d try to take Marlena right there in broad daylight in a public park if he didn’t. “Now… let’s go play, I bet I can jump farther than you off the swings.” he said, heading in that direction.

Marlena ran toward and them and started right in while saying. “No way, honey, I was the best.. I beat all the boys when I was in school and I can beat you too.” Again, she had an expression of youthful delight and he didn’t care if she did win. He would do anything to keep her smiling and happy. “Alright young pretty lady, you’re on!” he challenged.

Nobody else could have done me so right

A breath of heaven in my darkest night

I’m gonna hold on with all of my might

Let me tell you about the way she loves me…

Ooh, want the world to know

I’m crazy about the way she loves me

Ooh, proud to let it show…….

Before they knew it, they were both flying high and at the point where one should logically jump, if one were going to, that is. Suddenly, they looked at each other and they knew in that moment that age did, after all, make a difference. Neither wanted to jump and they burst out laughing as they caught the same conclusion in the other set of eyes. “So, Doc.. you gonna jump?” John teased anyway.

“I was going to give you first crack at it.” she said, issuing an unspoken challenge of her own.

“Oh.. well, uh.. ladies first.” he said quickly, hoping she’d go for it.

“Are you scared, John?” she said, knowing they both were afraid they’d break an ankle. Middle aged joints weren’t nearly so supple as those of a ten year old.

“Who me, afraid to jump out of a swing? Ha… I laugh in the face of danger.” John said in a perfect imitation of Simba in the Lion King, one of Belle and Brady’s favorite Disney films.

Marlena tossed her head back and laughed as she began to slow her swinging down. “Oh, I see, well then by all means, John… jump off of there and see how far you get.”

John was thinking fast now and said. “Nah.. I don’t want to show you up, you know… considering we’re just getting reacquainted and all, don’t want to ruin my chances for the future.”

Marlena smile was a knowing one, knowing the real reason he made the last comment. “Ah, you mean if you break your ankle, the bedroom activities are going to be considerably tamer.. is that it?”

A hearty laugh erupted in response to that one.. “Ha.. Yea.. I guess you could look at it that way.. So, are in agreement here, we probably shouldn’t jump?” he said as they both slowed down.

Marlena stopped her swing abruptly and stared him down, then stood up and said. “I still say you’re chicken…” Then she ran off down the path that led to the Riverwalk.

“Chicken.. huh? I’m chicken.. well, you’re… Uh… you’re..” he was thinking of something to top her, but couldn’t so when he caught up with her, John pulled Marlena into a passionate kiss, pressing his lips firmly on hers. “You.. are right, I was chicken!” Then, capturing her mouth, both hands on her cheeks, he kissed her long and deep, and when it was over, both of them were breathless and their eyes were glossy with love.

“Oh, man do I love you!” she said when Marlena recovered her breath. Then she returned the favor with another spine tingling kiss and he swooned.

“Uh.. Doc, are you sure you’re not ready to go back to the hotel yet?” He asked hopefully. “I could *show* you how much I love you, and how happy you made me when you chose me. I’m much better at the show part than the tell part.” John said with that sexy raised eyebrow move of his.

“Oh… yes you are, my love…. yes you are baby.” Marlena said feeling some of the same desire, while thinking of how many times John had already shown her since her final decision was made the other day. “But.. there are just a couple more places I wanted to see.”

Suddenly, Marlena bolted off down the path that led to the Riverwalk, calling behind her, “Catch me if you can!”

Came close to letting this train pass me by

Just like a fool second guessing

I could have spent my life wondering why

I didn’t cherish the blessing

If I’d known she’d come my way

The lonely nights would have been okay

I have her promise that she’s gonna stay

Let me tell you about the way she loves me

Ooh, I want the world to know

I’m crazy about the way she loves me

Ooh, proud to let it show…

John raced after Marlena, anticipating a romantic walk by the riverside, something they both enjoyed very much. This time, their love was back to stay and he was loving every second they were spending in the romantic setting of the French Quarter. “Oh, Baby.. here I come! I’m gonna catch you and honey.. when I do.. I’m gonna keep you.. forever!” John heard the sound of Marlena’s golden laughter floating toward him and he knew he was as close to heaven as a man could be while still living on planet earth.

A River Runs Through It

It was a peaceful place for strolling, a place where romance was in the air, and John and Marlena were immersed in that atmosphere. They were walking along the river’s edge holding hands in the late afternoon sun, enjoying every moment together. Marlena couldn’t help but notice John checking his watch periodically, and finally after about the third time she inquired about it. “John… honey.. don’t tell me you’re bored with me already.”

That comment stopped him dead in his tracks and he responded immediately. “Bored with you? How could you think I would ever become bored with you?” John asked, completely bewildered by the question.

“Well, that was the third time you checked your watch. Why is the time so important?”

John smiled at the concern in Marlena’s face and began to explain. “Oh… that. Honey, before I answer that, let me set the record straight.” As he spoke, he put his muscular arms around Marlena and then gazed at her through blue lover’s eyes and with total sincerity, said. “There will NEVER come a time when this man becomes bored with this.. beautiful creature in his arms. Marlena, I love you more and more with every beat of this old heart and you could never bore me. The reason I’ve been checking my watch is that we have some place to be in about a half hour and I want to make sure we’re on time. “

Listening to John talk and seeing the overwhelming love in his blue eyes was enough to make her want to run back to the hotel with him and show him how she felt. Marlena’s heart melted to hear him speak that way about her. “Oh, honey… you are so.. wonderful to me. The things you’ve been saying to me.. the way you… look at me. It makes me feel so.. loved, so… cherished. I love you so.. John” she said, her hands moving up from John’s muscular arms toward his rugged cheeks.

There were tears of joy in her hazel eyes again, and John had put them there. It brought moisture born of that same emotion to see Marlena weep because of what they were sharing. “Oh.. Doc, That’s all I ever wanted… is to make you feel that; to bring you joy and happiness is my only desire. I love so much.. and being with you like this… it’s incredible. I can hardly believe it.”

“Oh… believe it honey.” Without warning Marlena captured John’s handsome face within her hands and kissed him powerfully, parting his lips quickly and swirling her tongue around his in quick little movements made his desire rise swiftly.

“Woah.. Doc.. we’ll never make it on time, if you keep doing that.”

That reminded her to ask. “Just what is it you have planned for us, tonight?”

“I…. can’t tell you that. But if you’ll kindly follow me, I will more than gladly show you, my pretty lady.” he said, gesturing for Marlena to continue on down the pathway.

“Well, alright, if it has to be a surprise.”

Nodding with a sly smile he replied with no hint. “It has to be a surprise, at least until we get there.”

“Oh.. alright, but you could give me a little hint, just a little one?” Marlena said hopefully, but knowing he wouldn’t go for it.

“Nope… I already gave you a big one and you missed it, so.. that’s the way it goes.”

Now Marlena was really puzzled. “You did? When?”

John waved his muscular arms around them and said. “This.. this is my hint.. right here in front of us.”

Marlena was puzzled by those comments. “The river…. the path.. what? That’s the hint, how can that be the hint?” Suddenly there was a noise that sounded like, what? It dawned on her then, it sounded like a steam engine sounding out the warning that it was about to depart from the docks and she smiled with understanding. “Oh… that hint, well, we better get a move on before we miss our ride.”

“You guessed it, Doc.. Let’s go!” John said excitedly, taking Marlena’s hand. They jogged off down the path to the area where the paddle wheelers were docked. He was taking her on a sunset dinner cruise along the river.

When Marlena recovered her breath she was positively beaming. “You.. never cease to amaze me. Just when did you have time to arrange this?”

John winked, feeling quite pleased to see that Marlena was as happy about his choice as he had hoped she would be. “Oh.. I have my ways, Doc.. I slipped away while you were reading all those brochures about the historical sites around here. “

“You… I just love you more and more and… John Black.” she was saying as they moved slowly closer for another sweet tender kiss. Their lips hovered for a moment and then met briefly before their mouths opened to each other. The kiss was long and deep and the world went away as they became lost in it. A very loud noise jolted them back to reality and they jumped and started to laugh. The boat was ready to leave and they had to run down the ramp before it left without them. They were blushing as John handed the tickets to the man at the end of that ramp. The older man just smiled knowingly and said. “Nice night for romance, isn’t it? Have a wonderful cruise…”

“Uh.. yes it is, and we will, thank you.” John answered for them, while pulling Marlena closer.

His fiance blushed and said a quiet. “Thank you.” Within moments, the rest of the world disappeared again as they only had eyes for each other. As they walked along the wooden deck of the fully restored paddle wheel boat holding hands and staring out at the water, Marlena looked up at her love and said. “Oh, honey… this is so… beautiful. You are making this the most.. wonderful trip. I just…love you so much sailor.”

Placing John arms around Marlena’s waist, and bringing her close, he responded from his heart. “Doc… seeing you happy, smiling, laughing.. loving me like this. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of and I would go to the ends of the earth to keep you feeling like you do right now. I love you more than.. anything, more than life itself. I’m so glad I can please you.”

Reaching up to touch John’s cheeks, she said softly. “Oh.. you can’t know… how much you do.. please me. You mean more to me than I can even say, John and I am truly sorry for making you wait so long.”

John put his hands on Marlena’s shoulders and spoke a little more firmly. “Hey.. I thought we agreed not to say I’m sorry about the past any more. We both had other people in our lives, and circumstances that kept us apart, but that is all over now. We are together and that’s the way we’re going to stay.”

“You’re right.. we did. Alright, no more ‘I’m sorry’ talk. I want to focus on you and me.. and this romantic riverboat ride. This was a terrific idea, John.” Marlena said, taking John’s hand to walk further on down the length of the boat.

John smiled warmly, enjoying the pleasure Marlena was obviously having thus far on their little trip. “I thought you might like it. The meal sounds great and then it stays out past sunset so we can watch the sun go down together. How’s that sound?”

The more time they spent together, the more she wanted and she said quite positively. “It sounds perfect, honey.. just perfect, just like you are perfect for me.”

John smiled to hear Marlena make such solid comments about their union. “You know it’s a good thing, because you’re perfect for me too. I guess we really are made for each other.”

Marlena own smile widened and her hazel eyes glistened with love as she affirmed that statement. “Oh… yes we are, John. I know it now more than ever. We were meant to be together.”

It seemed like a long wait but finally dinner arrived and their mouths watered in anticipation as both were becoming quite hungry by that time. It was 7:00 when the plates were set down in front of them. Marlena chose chicken and John picked prime rib, which was typical. They wasted no time and were eating in silence when Marlena started to giggle, causing John to look up at her. “What’s so funny, Doc?”

“You… me.. This.” she said pointing to the fact that they’d both eaten about half their meals without saying a word.

John caught Marlena’s meaning and chuckled. “Oh.. yea.. well, I guess when hunger hits, everything else takes a back seat.”

“Aw.. shucks, and I thought we were living on love.” she teased.

John was quick this time; the food must have helped, as he said while staring at Marlena longingly. “Doc… we survive because of the food, but we…. live on love.” Then, John leaned over the table and placed his lips less than an inch from Marlena’s and then spoke very quietly of his plans for later on. “And, I intend to show you exactly.. what I mean when we.. *finally* get back to the hotel a few hours from now.”

It sent shivers of desire through Marlena’s entire body when John spoke in that raspy whisper, his need for her more than obvious. Her body shuddered and she stared into those sexy blue eyes as she reacted. “Oooh, I like the sound of that. You put it all so nicely, by the way.”

John moved back into place and picked up his fork to continue eating. “Thanks.. I do try, Doc.”

When the dessert tray came around, Marlena turned it down as usual, but while John was making his selection, Marlena was trying to steer John toward something chocolate. He looked over at her and said. “I suppose you think you’re going to have some of this.”

“Well, no.. I just thought you really would like the chocolate one, honey.” she said smiling sweetly.

“Oh.. well thank you for being so helpful, Marlena. I appreciate it very much.” He pretended as though he would pick the opposite, but then at the last second, John winked at Marlena and pointed out his choice to the waiter. It was the one he knew she would like the most.

All Marlena could do was smile and sigh with complete contentment. Even when it came to desserts that she said she didn’t want to eat, the man she loved with all her heart was thinking of her preferences. Life just couldn’t get any better than that. “John, did I tell you enough times today how very much I love you and how blessed I feel to have you in my life?”

“Well, you’ve said it pretty often, but I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.” John answered with a vulnerable expression that turned her heart to melted butter.

Marlena sighed and gazed into those baby blues and said. “I love you more than life itself and I know that I am blessed to have your love in return. I love you so much!”

John sigh matched hers; he was at peace now. He could finally relax into loving Marlena and it was an indescribable feeling after having been so insecure for so many months. “Ah… I guess I can’t hear it too many times. You know I love you that way too, Doc and I’ll tell you and show you the depth and breadth of my love every day for the rest of your sweet, long life.” As he spoke, John moved around the table for another lingering kiss, their eyes locked in that enchanting gaze that only lover’s share. Their taste of each other was long and lingering and once again, there was nothing else in existence, just John and Marlena, together at last.

A Song That Captures the Essence

Dessert was done, and they were gazing admiringly across the water at the setting sun. John and Marlena were standing on the top deck observing the glorious array of colors that swirled in the soft wispy clouds above them. John was standing behind Marlena, his muscular arms wrapped securely around her to ward off the evening chill. There was no need for words now, the love had been so clearly expressed in every way possible, so they stood in companionable silence, content to enjoy the artistry of nature.

Eventually, one of them broke the silence and it was Marlena, who wanted to express her gratitude for the most wonderful day imaginable. “John…. thank you so much for taking us here on this trip, for doing so much to please me. You have been so good about everything, so patient, so.. loving. I want you to know that the.. ambivalence you sensed the other day. That wasn’t what it was, John… you see.. there was a part of me that still didn’t believe we deserved to be happy, because of the past. I..”

John hated it when she was so hard on herself and he turned Marlena toward him and started to interrupt her. “Doc… no regrets.. come on, we promised.”

Looking in his blue eyes, she said. “No.. honey, please let me finish. What I’m trying to say is… I understand now… that we do. We deserve to be happy just like anyone else. Yes, we made our mistakes, but you’ve helped me to understand that every one does and that we shouldn’t be punished for the love that motivated the one big mistake we made. That is what you sensed. I was still punishing myself for loving you, John, for giving you my heart when it belonged to Roman after I thought he died. But.. being away from home, being here.. with you.. feeling the love you have for me.. it’s made me realize that I wasted so much precious time.. feeling that guilt and I’m finished with it now, John.” Suddenly there were tears in her eyes again as she told John her innermost feelings. “Honey.. the truth is, I have loved you.. since almost the very first time I ever saw your handsome face. There was an instant connection formed between us, and much as I denied it at times, it was always there.”

John nodded and smiled with the warmth of the Marlena that had just set and she wondered what he was thinking. “Funny you should mention that, Doc.” was all he said.

Marlena was puzzled by his vague comment. “Mention what, honey.. I said a lot of things just now.”

Reaching out for Marlena’s face, John caressed her cheeks tenderly as he said. “Yes, you did and I’m so glad you told me all that. Marlena, I’ve been… praying so hard that you would forgive yourself, I mean.. truly forgive yourself for the affair, because I came to realize that until you did.. we couldn’t really be happy together. Hearing you say all that means.. so much to me.”

“Oh.. John, I’m so very sorry you were so troubled by that. I know you felt the guilt too, but somehow you got past it sooner than I did. I guess seeing Roman again brought it back for me in full force, I don’t know.. The point is, John.. I’m letting it all go now because I realized how deep our love goes and how long it has endured. It goes all the way back to the first time I met you.”

John smiled somewhat mischievously and said. “Well, I know one thing for sure, Doc and that is.. that you still have impeccable timing.”

“Timing for what.. you are being so mysterious today, John… what is that you’ve got up your sleeve this time?” Marlena asked, searching John’s blue eyes for an answer his lips didn’t give her.

Chuckling lightly, he said. “Oh.. you’ll have to follow me to find out, Marlena. Come on and go with me, baby.” John said, taking a step toward the staircase, extending his right hand to Marlena.

If John was trying to peak her curiosity, he was doing a fine job of it. “What *are* you up to, John Black?”

“Like I said, honey.. you gotta come with me to find out the answer to your question. You do trust me, don’t you?” John asked with a sexy wink.

“Umm, depends on the situation, I suppose.. but… we’re on a crowded riverboat. I don’t suppose there’s too much trouble we can get into here. Okay, I’m game. Lead on, my love.” she concluded, giving John her left hand.

The self satisfied smile returned to his face and Marlena was more curious than ever about what John had planned. “Alright, then.” was all he had to say in response as John guided Marlena away from the railing and then down the stairs to the first level of the riverboat. Once they had descended completely, he said. “Okay, now.. you have to close your eyes and let me lead you for about a minute or two, until we’re in the right place.”

Marlena frowned slightly, but was having fun all the same. John’s surprises were all so sweet and romantic, but she had no idea what he might be thinking. “Close my eyes.. Oh, John.. what in the world?” she started to ask, before going along with him.

John was slightly impatient, not wanting to lose the moment, and he asked her nicely. “Please, Doc.. come on.. be a good sport baby.”

“Alright, but this better be good handsome.” she agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly, fearing he had something embarrassing planned for her, something that would call undue attention to her or both of them.

“I promise you won’t regret indulging me in this, Marlena.. or at least I hope you won’t.” he said cheerfully.

Marlena sighed and shut her eyes as requested and John led her by the hand for what seemed like fifty or sixty feet and then stopped. “Okay now.. keep em closed for one more minute while I make the final arrangements.”

Marlena’s hands over her eyes, as suggested, she said. “I will, John.. but I’m more than curious now.”

John made a couple of waving motions to a small group gathered across the room from them and then he was set. “Okay Doc.. what was it you were saying up there about when you first fell in love with me? What were your exact words?”

Marlena was contemplative and then said. “I told you that I have loved you almost since the first time I saw your face.”

“Bingo.. Doc. Now.. keep your eyes closed and listen, listen very carefully.” he commanded quietly, smiling all the while in anticipation of her response to what she would hear.

John was making Marlena crazy by being so cryptic, but she complied with his request. As she did so, she found more joyful tears filling her hazel eyes. This man was so.. sweet and so very romantic. How could John have known that this was one of the songs that always made her think of him and of their amazing bond of love?

The first time, the first time I saw your face

The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes….

“Oh, John… I just love you so.. with all my heart” was all she could manage, as the words tickled her ears and warmed her heart. The tears returned and she wept with joy once again.

“May I have this dance, my one and only true love?” John asked tenderly, while wiping a couple wayward tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs, as he had done so many times. That simple gesture spoke volumes of their love and friendship throughout the years.

Marlena was speechless, all she could manage was a tearful nod and then John began to glide her around the dance floor which was meant for them alone. He had arranged to clear it for their special dance. They were mesmerized with each other as they moved to the soft romantic song which had so much meaning for them. The smooth harmonic blend of two voices filled the air, Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt surrounding them in a heavenly atmosphere, heightening their experience of love and romance.

And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave

To the dark and the endless sky

My love…..

And the first time ever I kissed your mouth

I felt the earth move in my hand

Like a trembling heart of a captive bird

It was there at my command

My love…..

Marlena couldn’t believe how much John loved her, how much planning he was putting it to this time of rediscovery and renewal of their love. John was the most incredibly loving extraordinary man, so sensitive, so sweet, so amazingly so romantic and thoughtful, and his love was enticing and intoxicating. Marlena couldn’t get enough of seeing it in his brilliant deep blue eyes, or in John’s strong yet tender embrace, or in his loving touch when they were in bed together or in his loving words and soft voice. Remembering so many passionate kisses John had given her, the love they shared, made the warmth rise up from deep within her being and she wanted John more than ever before. Marlena knew in that moment that loving this man was all she wanted for the rest of her life. There was nothing of which she had been more certain in her entire existence on earth. Now that they were together, she vowed that she would never let anyone or anything tear them apart again.

And the first time ever I lay with you

I felt your heart so close to mine

And I knew our joy, it would fill the earth

And it would last to the end of time

My love….

John gazed into those tear-filled hazel eyes and he was happier than he ever remembered being. Marlena was definitely pleased; she was touched by his gestures, and she felt loved by him. That was all he wanted. To make this beautiful, kind, loving, and compassionate woman in his muscular arms happy was his highest priority, and it would be so every day for the rest of his life. John too remembered the early days of their time together, the first time they made love, how special it was, how wonderful, how loved he felt. John felt desire rising from somewhere within his soul and it was a desire to love and to please as much as to be loved or feel pleasure in his own body.

Finally, John had to tell Marlena the words from his own heart, and he did with tears in his eyes. “I love you, Marlena Evans, and I have since that very first day. The first time ever I saw your beautiful face, the first time ever you smiled at me, the first time you spoke to me… I was gone. I wanted you to know that tonight, so I arranged to have them play this song for us.”

It would last till the end of time……

The tears flowed unfettered, and Marlena could barely speak she was so moved by the depth of feeling John was expressing for her. “Oh…John.. you.. just don’t know.. how much I love you, what you do to me.. how you touch my heart so.. I love you so much! Baby” Marlena captured John’s mouth in a kiss designed to show him how much that was. First her lips were pressing gently on his and then her tongue slipped inside his warm moist mouth and wrapped around his, threatening to take him to heaven and back. He was breathless when she ended it.

“Whew, Marlena… you really do love me!”

“Yes.. I really do love you. And, I have since the first time ever I saw that gorgeous face of yours, John Black.”

Though he had just said it, he needed to repeat it once more. “And I have loved you since the first time I saw yours, Marlena Evans, soon to be Black.”

The first time…

The first time ever I saw your face

Your face, your face

Your face….

Your face

The first time I saw your face

Your face……

Let’s Try to Remember To Forget

The moon was full and the stars shone brightly in the dark night sky. ‘Thank goodness it isn’t Mardi Gras time,’ Marlena was thinking as they walked along Bourbon street looking for a place to hear some authentic blues. There was quite a large crowd anyway, and so many of the people they saw were well beyond intoxicated. Wanting to keep Marlena safe, John was constantly scanning the environment, but somehow didn’t notice as they got wooshed along with the crowd into one of the establishments along the main drag.

Once inside, they both wished they hadn’t been. As they labored to get their bearings while their eyes struggled to make the adjustment to the darkness in this particular place, there were some haunting sounds, sounds that took them both on a mental road trip to a horrific place they didn’t ever want to go again. Marlena snuggled up close to John for protection.

Then there was a voice, unreasonably like another they knew and loathed, which said. “Welcome to The Dungeon.” A dark hooded figure approached them, rattling chains with shackles attached. It was all in good fun, and they knew they were supposed to laugh as did the people around them, but they couldn’t.

Marlena gasped and John shuddered as a whole host of frightening memories overwhelmed them both. Their instinct was to exit immediately, but somehow they were frozen in place, the crowd pressing in around them from all sides. The man with the shackles sensed nervous tension and pushed the point with John. “Aww.. come on, Buddy, put em on.. it’s all in fun.. we’ve got the keys.” he said stepping closer to John, nearly managing to clamp them around John’s wrists.

Something he’d thought was buried deep inside him came rushing to the surface and John shoved the man backward. “Get the hell away from me you son of a bitch!” John shouted with raging anger, frightening everyone within fifty feet of them. Then he reached out and put his hands around the smaller man’s neck, squeezing hard. Within seconds the other man was choking. It all happened before Marlena could even react.

Finally, Marlena recovered from the initial shock and calmly spoke in John’s ear. “Honey.. it’s okay.. let him go.. this is just a bar and he was only having fun. You’re hurting an innocent man.” Alarmed by his action, it suddenly occurred to Marlena what to say and do to stop him. “John, it’s not Stefano.. let him go!” she whispered with great intensity, as she put her hands on top of his.

It was as if a spell were broken and John immediately released his fierce grip, then was silent, his blue eyes wide with terror, his breathing ragged with the nearly overwhelming tension caused by the reminder of his brutal captivity at the hands of Stefano Dimera. He was shocked by his own violent reaction, as were the bar patrons who had never seen anyone respond in quite that way before to the admittedly eerie dungeon theme, which was nonetheless clearly all in jest.

Seeing that John was in no condition to explain, Marlena made a quick apology for them both, saying. “I’m really sorry about that.. he.. uh, he’s been through some.. very rough experiences and this was a bad reminder. We’ll just… go now.”

The man John had choked was still recovering his breath, but the others nodded soundlessly and the crowd parted instantly, in total silence, to let the couple out of the bar.

Marlena then guided a stunned John, who was blinking rapidly, still breathing harshly and staring blankly at his hands, outside into the fresh air. Marlena was genuinely worried about what had just taken place, as well as the look on his face. John was still so quiet too. “Honey… talk to me.” John’s blue eyes were glazed over and he seemed lost in those awful memories. “John… please.. tell me about it.”

Shaking his head, still staring at his trembling hands, John walked away from the entrance on very shaky legs, his breathing still rapid and labored. “I…I… don’t know.. I don’t… know.”

Realizing that the whole experience was extremely upsetting to him, Marlena said put a comforting hand on John’s back and said supportively. “I’m so sorry that happened, John.”

Finally, her fiance was able to put his thoughts to words, saying in disbelief. “I.. almost.. killed that guy. If you hadn’t… been with me, I could have killed him, Doc.” There was an expression of horror on John’s face that broke her heart.

Marlena had such faith in the man she loved and she argued strongly. “No… you wouldn’t have done that, John. You would have snapped out of it, honey.”

John was angry because he was scared of what might happen, and countered, just as firmly. “You can’t *know* that!” John went back to the instant before he attacked the poor man. “I was there, Doc.. I was back at Maison Blanche.. the second I heard those chains rattling. When he came at me with those shackles, I was…. back there in my mind and I wanted to.. kill Stefano. It was so.. real.” John shut his eyes and shook his head to try and clear it of the painful images. “It was so real, Doc.”

“Oh, honey… I’m sorry.. that must have been so frightening for you.”

Staring at Marlena, wanting the psychiatrist in her to help him understand, he asked. “Why, Doc… why did I do that? Why, after so long would it hit me that way? I almost killed someone who had nothing to do with it. That scares me, Marlena.. that scares me a lot!” he said pacing in circular fashion.

Seeing the worried tension that was being exuded from John’s pores, Marlena attempted to explain it and alleviate his concerns. “John… those shackles, that voice, and the chains.. they were vivid reminders of some very painful, terrifying times and it took you back there in your mind. The crowd was pressing in on us, you probably felt trapped and helpless, some of the same emotions you felt when Stefano had you. So, you reacted to that. Don’t be so hard on yourself, it was a freak event. I’m sure it won’t happen again.”

For some reason, John couldn’t just dismiss it so easily. It was like he clocked out for a minute or two and the thought of doing that with someone he cared about was terrifying. “What if I had been alone though? I might have choked him to death, Doc. What if something else triggers that reaction, what if it’s someone I love, what if it’s you I go off on?”

“John… please.. you know that’s not going to happen. Let’s just go back to the hotel and try to forget all about it.”

He was reeling from the latest turn of events. John really believed that most of his anger, most of that fierce dark rage toward Stefano Dimera for all the torture and brainwashing, for stealing his life and his memories, was dead and buried. He believed it was gone, fading away a little more each day in the light of the love he was sharing with Marlena. Unfortunately, in that split second reaction to the chains, his belief in that possibility was shattered. “I can’t, Marlena.. Don’t you understand? I thought I was past all that, I thought that… it was over, that I didn’t feel the rage anymore, but I was wrong. I must have just.. pushed it way down deep. Now.. those memories are back, and so is the anger; it’s back and I’m scared, Doc. I’m scared it will cause you or the kids… someone I care about, to be hurt. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if that happened.”

Realizing that there wasn’t anything she could do to convince John otherwise at the moment, Marlena said. “Well, for now.. let’s go back to the hotel and spend some time alone. I’d really like to try out that spa tub, how about you honey?” she asked, as Marlena took John’s hand without asking.

John stared down at his hands again, hands that just a few minutes earlier were gripped tightly around another man’s neck, nearly squeezing the life out of him. Feeling strange about it, he suddenly released hers, afraid he might harm her.

“John… stop this, you are not going to hurt me. Now.. come on, take my hand and walk with me.” she implored.

“Okay.. you’re right, I’m being silly aren’t I?” he asked, somehow needing the added reassurance.

“Yes.. you are, now let’s go back to the room where we can finally have some privacy.” John did as requested, but he didn’t say much after that, and they rode back to the hotel, a twenty minute ride, in total silence. Marlena was worried about how John was feeling, wondering if the memories had all flooded back into his conscious mind with the untimely reminder. John was second guessing himself in every conceivable manner, worried that something else might trigger his rage at Stefano and cause him to take it out on someone he loved.

~~~~~~~~~~~

At last they were safe within the confines of their room at the restored Southern mansion. Marlena was suddenly struck with how much it resembled the style of architecture and decor of the Maison Blanche estate. Marlena looked at John and saw that same recognition in his blue eyes and there was a sense of anxious agitation she had so hoped would be gone when they were finally alone together. “John… will you please talk to me?” Marlena asked, wishing John would share his pain the way he shared his happiness. He had been rather exuberant about their renewed relationship, but when he was hurting, he seemed to shut down sometimes, and he was being conspicuously quiet.

“I don’t know what to say, Doc.”

“Say what you’re thinking, what you’re feeling, honey.. I know that your memories were stimulated tonight. Tell me..baby “

“I don’t want to ruin things.. maybe you’re right, maybe we should just.. forget about all that.” he said as John tried to kiss Marlena to distract her from further pursuing the subject.

Marlena wanted to be with John, but ended the embrace in favor of her concern about the emotional state of the man she loved. “John…. if you could really do that, it would be fine with me, but I can see you’re bothered by what happened tonight and it made you re-live that time in your mind. I want to listen, John… because I love you.”

Sighing tiredly, John responded in a self-denigrating tone as he sat down on the edge of the bed. “So much for finishing up our wonderful day with more love and romance. Sorry I screwed it up for us, Doc.”

“Stop that, you did no such thing, John. What happened back there was not your fault. Now.. please.. share your thoughts with me.”

“Alright…alright.. I’ll tell you.” John sat with his elbows resting on his knees and opened himself up to her, “When I heard the clanking sound of those chains and that guy came toward me with the shackles… it was like.. I was standing there with the Old evil Man… in that dungeon.” Tears rushed to fill his eyes as John remembered the moment of being locked up again and his voice shook as he explained what happened. “I was drugged and helpless, I couldn’t move and he was going to lock me up in chains… and leave me alone in the dark. I was… angry, and SO worried about you. All those emotions I had to force down to survive it…. the fear I never wanted to admit… it was all there, Doc.” John snapped his fingers to make his point, as he said with a voice filled with frustration. “In that split second.. it all came rushing to the surface.” Running his fingers through his sweat dampened hair, he finished expressing it, finally looking up to meet her concerned gaze. “Oh, Doc.. I wanted to forget it, and I really thought I had. But now.. it’s all right there again.. Dammit!”

Marlena’s heart went out to John because she knew how hard he’d worked at putting those memories away and how difficult it was to tell her how he felt about it now. “Oh.. honey… I’m so sorry. I wish it didn’t happen, but John… maybe there’s a reason besides the coincidence of walking into that bar. You thought of it earlier today too. Maybe.. it’s time for you to.. look into your past again.”

John was slightly shocked by that comment and he snapped to attention, standing up and asking. “What? Doc.. I thought you didn’t really want me to look into it. I’ve always gotten the impression that it worried you, so I wasn’t going to bring it up.”

Marlena smiled weakly and took John’s hand. “You’re right, it does worry me, but if it’s important to you and I think it is.. then I support you if you want to research it. I love you and if filling in the missing pieces of your past is what you need to feel complete, then I’ll be by your side while you search for them.”

“Do you have any idea.. how much I love you Marlena Evans… very soon to be Mrs. John Black?” John asked kissing Marlena sweetly on the lips.

With a sexy wink and an inviting smile she replied quietly. “Oh… I think so, but I wouldn’t mind a bit if you decided you’d like to show me.”

John raised his eyebrows and then moved in for another, more meaningful kiss, saying. “Ah, now *that* is music to my ears, pretty lady.. How do I love thee.. let me show you the ways…” In just a few more minutes they had both forgotten all about the unfortunate incident at the bar called The Dungeon, and were well on their way to a paradise of their own making.

The Perfect End to an Almost Perfect Day

Lyrics The Power of Love as performed by Celine Dion.

The whispers in the morning

Of lovers sleeping tight

Are rolling like thunder now

As I look in your eyes…..

Marlena was working hard to make John forget all about the very unfortunate reminder of some of his most horrific memories of mistreatment by the evil man who had wreaked havoc in both their lives for as long as they had known each other. And, yet it was that same man who had made it possible for them to meet. That was a strange irony of which they were all too well aware. Nevertheless, it was an issue that was mostly left unspoken between them.

Marlena’s lover was running his hands up and down her back and over the sensuous curves of her hips and butt, and she was blowing in John’s ear. Electric sparks were flying all over the room. The current of love flowed powerfully, without interruption and heated desire was rising rapidly.

John lifted Marlena up and carried her to the bed, placing her gently on the soft cover of the comforter. John leaned over Marlena’s mostly naked form and kissed her teasingly, pressing his lips on her eager ones only briefly before pulling away slightly. Before she could effectively register a protest, John put his right forefinger over those lips and said. “Wait just a second. Doc… I’ll be right back.”

Marlena laid there waiting for her love to return, listening to the music that was playing and thinking about how blessed she was to have him. “Oh, John..” she whispered… “how I do love you.. and tonight I will show you all that love you’ve waiting so long to see in my eyes, hear from my mouth, and feel in my touch. Like we said.. there will be no more hiding our love. We’re going to shout it out loud and clear for everyone to see, from now on.”

Cause I am your lady

And you are my man

Whenever you reach for me

I’ll do all that I can……

Marlena was immersed in her thoughts about exactly how she planned to show John, and didn’t hear him come back. It wasn’t until John sat down on the bed holding two glasses of wine that she became aware. “What was that, Doc?” he was asking her, thinking he heard part of it.

“Oh… I was just saying to myself how much I love you and thinking about the best way to show you the love I’ve had inside for you.. all this time.” Marlena said, taking the glass from John , thanking him with her hazel eyes.

“Hmm, that sounds very interesting… so what’d you come up with, Doc?” he asked with sexy expectant wink as they toasted silently.

Marlena looked at John with smoldering hazel eyes, and a wickedly delightful smile, putting the wine glass down on the bedside table. “I’m not telling… you got to tease me about where we going.. now it’s.. my… turn… to…tease… You.” Marlena said seductively, in between soft moist kisses starting with John’s mouth and moving slowly lower. First it was his earlobe which she nibbled on, then his neck and his collarbone, and he had to put his glass down too, before he dropped it. Marlena smiled deliciously, watching John become increasingly aroused by her ministrations, as she moved to his broad muscular chest, kissing John in several places. He was soon on fire for her and groaned with his need. And then Marlena kissed John in the middle of his abdomen. In between her many kisses she used her tongue.. and blew soft breaths on the trail of moisture to arouse him further still.

“Oh… Doc… that’s..cruel… Ooh.. but if it’s a hint.. it’s a good one, honey.” John managed to say, nearly breathless from what Marlena was doing to him.

Marlena smiled, satisfied with the results, saying. “Yes.. it’s a hint, baby.”

All John could do was stare at Marlena in all her glorious beauty, taking a deep breath to inhale the slightly sweet fragrance of Marlena’s natural scent which blended so perfectly with the alluring aroma of her perfume. “Oh.. Marlena… I love you… so much. I want to show you…too.” John gazed deeply into her hazel eyes for a lingering moment and then lifted Marlena’s slip up over hear head, then moved quickly to her bra. As John finished, he leaned in close and began kissing her neck and nibbling on her earlobes, blowing soft breaths on the moistened area, as she had done to him.

I hold on to your body

And feel each move you make

Your voice is warm and tender

A love I could not forsake…..

Marlena shivered with the contrast of the warmth in her body and the coolness of John’s breath on her skin. “Whew… honey… ooh, how I missed the way you love me, the way you touch me.. Oh, John… how did we ever stay apart for so long?”

Though it was more than frustrating at the time, he had to chuckled about it now. “Well, for me…. it was a heck of a lot of cold showers. It just about killed me… every time I had to leave you.”

Marlena couldn’t help but laugh at that one, imagining John running back to the Salem Inn and climbing into a cold stream of water to cool his passion for her. “Oh my…. it must have gotten pretty chilly this winter!”

John’s hands roved all over Marlena’s body, and he was saying. “Yes.. it did, Doc.. but being with you now.. that’s all that matters to me, and knowing I don’t have to take any more cold showers.. well, that’s a bonus.” Then John kissed Marlena very passionately, his lips hovering and making brief contact a few times before his tongue slipped inside the warm moist confines of her mouth and swirled around hers fervently. It was intense and they both moaned with the pleasure of rising desire. “Oh.. Doc.”

Lost is how I’m feeling lying in your arms

When the world outside’s

Too much to take

That all ends when I’m with you….

Even though there may be times

It seems I’m far away

Never wonder where I am

Cause I am always by your side..

Marlena was nearly speechless, the kiss was so captivating. “Whew… John… well, I don’t know how I did it either.. and that kiss reminded me of something. Do you remember… that night you came to the Penthouse… and it was late, but you wanted my last thoughts to be of you?” Marlena asked, knowing John did. It was quite a stirring kiss.

John smiled and nodded in fond recollection, saying in a ragged whisper. “Oh.. yea, I remember. I couldn’t stand being away from you; all I could think of was that we should have been married, and I was missing you so badly that night. I had to do something about it.”

It was definitely effective and Marlena had to let John know it. Taking a quick sip of wine before resuming their activities, she said, “I have to tell you.. it worked very well, John. I didn’t get any sleep at all that night. All I could think of was the last time we made love and I kept dreaming about you, and I’d wake up and you weren’t there. I.. hated it, John. I hated being apart and I’m sorry it took so long for me to make my decision.”

Somehow it helped to know she was missing him and wanting him too, though Marlena seemed to handle it better than he did. “I’m glad it worked…. and I had the same problem.. almost every night.” John began to softly massage Marlena’s body with the tips of his fingers, starting with her feet, and then moving slowly up her legs, as he spoke quietly. “I dreamed of.. kissing you… touching you.. making love to you.. night after night.. Oh, God.. I missed being with you like this!” he finished lustfully before acting further on that emotion. John kissed Marlena’s belly as he continued to touch with expert hands and he heard her breathing quicken and soon felt the moisture that told him he was succeeding in pleasing her. ” I could manage to get through the days alright, but… not the nights.” Placing his body over top of hers, he leaned down and kissed her all over the chest, swiping with ardor at Marlena’s creamy voluptuous breasts in swift motions while one hand pulled her mouth close, preparing for a deep fiery kiss.

We’re heading for something

Somewhere I’ve never been

Sometimes I am frightened

But I’m ready to learn

Of the power of love……

Then John continued telling Marlena in breathless desire-filled whispers exactly how difficult it was for him during all those months apart. “Oh.. Marlena.. I would just.. lie there in the dark.. thinking about you… about the softness of your skin… about how you smelled… when we loved like this.. about how.. sweet your lips taste. And your hair.. your beautiful silky hair.. and I couldn’t sleep. To tell you the truth, it was all I could do sometimes not to run over to the Penthouse and steal you away from there. I wanted to run off with you and get married in secret.”

Marlena’s body was responding to John’s kiss and his touch, but her heart was moved by the depth of hungry emotion he was expressing. Marlena took a moment to help John off with his boxer-brief, admiring the sight for a moment. And then she kissed John fiercely before saying. “Oh.. honey.. I’m so sorry. I missed you like that and I wanted that too sometimes.. but you don’t have to sleep alone any more. I will be with you from now on. No more cold showers, and no more long lonely nights spent dreaming of each other. From this moment forward we’re going to make all those dreams real.”

With that Marlena captured John’s mouth and made rapid little movements around his tongue before slowing down and letting him lead the kiss with more controlled caressing motions and then brief sucking. When he did so, she moaned… “Oh.. John.. the way you kiss me… the way you’re touching me.. oh… Oh.. honey.. it feels so good.” Marlena was nearly crying from the intensity of her growing need to have him within her body. She was desperate for John.

John’s body responded to the love sounds and the changes in her breathing. His own breathing was labored and he felt sweat beads forming on his heated flesh and he too was aching to join with Marlena in that immeasurable intimacy he only shared with the beautiful woman whose incredibly gorgeous body lay beneath his. “Oh… I want you… so much… baby.” ‘Touch me, Doc.. please touch me,’ he was about to say, when she anticipated his need and began to massage him with soft slow rhythmic movements of her hands. Marlena brought John to levels of maddening desire by using her hands and then her mouth to tease him. His lover moved in low and gave him a few moist kisses, then stopped. She blew out several soft breaths and waited a second or two, watching his body respond. Then she touched him again, tenderly caressing John’s Butt, and his private pleasure center until he thought he would die from the intense heated sensations Marlena stimulated, his body flushed with an over whelming desire to join with her.

John lowered himself overtop his lover, positioning himself correctly and then paused only a moment before entering Marlena, taking time to gaze into her glistening hazel eyes, wanting to etch this special memory into his mind. Marlena loved him and wanted him as much as he wanted her; there were no more doubts, no more insecurities. This was love the way it was meant to be. “I love you.. Doc.. from now until the end of time.. and beyond.”

“Ooh, honey… and I love you.. always and forever… forever John,” Marlena said passionately, as she arched her body toward his, signaling that she couldn’t wait any longer. “Take me, John… take me with you… ” and he did just that. John pulled Marlena close and pressed his anxious lips on hers, parting them with precision, gliding his tongue to the farthest reaches of her sweet mouth. They sighed and moaned with their mutual craving to become one blissful entity. It had been so very long and this night they were going to leave nothing unsaid, nothing held back. At same time as their tongues danced in tune, their bodies made a rhythm all their own, moving in perfect time together taking them higher and higher toward the summit of love.

They cried out in their simultaneous experience of euphoria. “Oh. Doc.. Oh. my God..it feels incredible.. I love you, I love you so much!” John said in a raspy whisper.

Marlena was experiencing the same level of ecstasy, crying out as she was fully satisfied by her lover. “John.. Oh… honey.. Oh.. John.. Baby it’s so good.. it’s been so long.. OH! God JOHN” Marlena found herself weeping with the release of sexual tension, as they came together in one final masterful thrust.

The sound of your heart beating

Made it clear suddenly

The feeling that I can’t go on

Is light years away…

Cause I am your lady

And you are my man

Whenever you reach for me

I’ll do all that I can…

John was crying softly too, and somehow that made the experience that much more significant. In response to all that they were feeling, the two lovers spoke at the exact same time, as their eyes met in a mesmerizing gaze. “I love you..” they said with quivering voices, their eyes filled with joyful tears. “I love you so much.”

As their breathing slowed and their heart rates began to return to normal, they laid there in the afterglow with arms and legs wrapped securely around each other. Content to enjoy the companionable silence, John and Marlena savored the moment that signified their renewed sense of commitment in love. From this moment forward they were forever united in mind, body and soul.

This night of lovemaking was wondrous because they were finally free to express, without reservation, the love they had kept locked inside the vault of their hearts for the past several months. And for so many years before their summer reunion that was cut short by the unexpected return of the man John once thought he was. Now, their hearts were wide open and the deep and abiding love and passion they always felt for each other enveloped them in its warmth and comfort. It was in every sigh, every moan, every word spoken, every touch, and every glance. In every move they made, there was love and adoration such as they had never felt before, even with each other. It was as if the fact that their love had to be denied or hidden for so long, made this experience richer, more intensely pleasurable, more meaningful somehow. Sharing themselves in this way was a perfect ending to a day that was as close to perfect as one could ever have.

We’re heading for something

Somewhere I’ve never been

Sometimes I am frightened

But I’m ready to learn

About the power of love

The power of love…….