Fatigued – By Jenn Rayner

This story takes place after Susan has given birth to Elvis or John Jr.  Marlena and John are at the Dimera Mansion alone the children have gone to Shawn and Caroline’s for the day because Marlena has to work later and John is going to go and see Kristen and John Jr.  Marlena is in the middle of packing up her and Belle’s things to go back to the Penthouse before Kristen and John Jr. come home. She comes downstairs and John is in the living room…

“John do you know where Belle’s bunny is I don’t want to forget it.”  Marlena asks standing behind John.

It’s the first time that day that John has seen Marlena and he’s taken aback by how beautiful she looks in what she is wearing.  Marlena is in a pair of tight jeans with a light color button up sweater that hugs her curves beautifully. As quite a bit of time passes Marlena tries to snap John out of his trance.  “ John hey are you there.”

“Yeah I’m here Doc.  I think Belle left her bunny upstairs in the nursery yesterday when I was showing it to her.”  John said still looking Marlena up and down.

“Thanks she’d have a fit if we forgot to take it with us to the penthouse.  She really does love that thing to death. She carries it everywhere.” Marlena said getting a hazy look in her eye as she thought about her little girl and how much she loved her.

“Yeah the last thing we need is Belle having a temper tantrum over her bunny.”  John gets the same look in his eye that Marlena has as he starts to think of his daughter.

“Alright I’m going to upstairs to try and track it down.  But I tell you if I don’t find it in a half hour I’m going to get Abe to put out an APB on it.”  Marlena says as they both chuckle.

“Tell you what why don’t I come upstairs and help you I’m done with my work and I can help you try and get the rest of your stuff together and convince you why you shouldn’t go.”  John said grabbing Marlena by the hand and leading her upstairs.

As they enter the nursery John is trying to convince Marlena that she should stay at the house with him.  “Come on Doc how can you do this knowing that it could put our little girl in danger. Why won’t you just stay here.”  John asks Marlena almost pleadingly.

“ John I know you don’t want Belle and I to go to the Penthouse but I don’t think that Kristen will feel comfortable having your ex wife staying with you in this house alone just after she’s had a baby.”  Marlena said picking up Belle’s bunny from the rocking chair and walking out of the room.

“Doc come on Kristen isn’t that insecure.  She’s fine with you staying here.” John said following her into her room.  Grabbing her by the shoulders he began a slow massage.

“I need you here you’re my best friend I need you here so I have someone to talk to when something bad goes on.”  John said still keeping his hands on her shoulders and their massaging.

“ John I’ll still be only a phone call away you can always call me and I’ll come right over and see you, you know that.”  Marlena said closing her eyes from the pleasure that John was causing.

“ You know it won’t be the same without you here and what about Belle she loves having her Mommy and Daddy and big brother all living in the same house she likes having everyone here.”

“ All the more reason that we need to leave John we will never be a real family it’s only giving Belle false hope that we will be someday and that will never happen now that you’ve married Kristen.”

“ Doc just because I have a wife and new born son doesn’t mean that we won’t still be a family will Belle and Brady.  No matter what we will always have each other and our children.”

“I wish I could believe that John but eventually John things will change.”  Marlena said wiping away the few tears that had poured out of her eyes.

Feeling a sudden urge to hold Marlena in his arms he turned her around and eloped her in a fierce hug.  Marlena now in a fit of tears buried her head in John’s chest. After a few minutes had passed Marlena finally lifted her head from John’s neck.  For a long time they just stood and stared at each other. John running his fingers through her hair and Marlena running her hands up and down his back neither of them wanting to break the spell that was woven around them.

Marlena finally fed up with the lies and deceit grabbed John by the face and pulled him into a kiss.  John returning the kiss with as much force. Finally after a few minutes they broke apart for air, staring into each other’s eyes until John finally grasped both sides of her shirt and ripped it open.  Sliding her sweater off her shoulders and arms he broke apart from her as he went for the buttons of her pants next. She trembled slightly as he undid the buttons then the fly of her jeans. Soon after her jeans joined her sweater on the other side of the room.  Standing up he reached behind her and unclasped her bra.

“God you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen Doc.” John said sliding his fingers under the bands of her panties.  “Why don’t you finish what you started so I can get started on you. Pulling her panties all the way down her legs she stepped out of them and flung them into the pile of clothes that was at the other side of room.  John then stoof up and pulled her into another fierce kiss.

Marlena now decided to get in on the idea of getting him undressed as she went for his shirt.   Her fingers finally getting fed up with the buttons she ripped the shirt in two down the front sending the buttons in every direction.  Lightly raking her nails down his back as she removed the shirt she heard John stifle a moan.

” Feel good John.”  Marlena asked with a seductive grin.  Crushing her mouth in a carnal kiss he answered her question.  Taking the kiss into her control she began to weave her tongue around his, finally feeling the need for air they broke away and she rolled them over so she was now lying on top of him sitting up she began to unbuckle his belt.

His hands slowly wandered down Marlena’s back to the round curve of her behind.  Massaging lightly she had to use his shoulders for balance letting him suck and lick her breasts again as they swung in front of his face.  ” John please help with your incredibly tight and annoying pants.” Marlena said whimpering from both frustration and ecstasy.

In one quick movement John stripped himself of his pants leaving him in only his silk boxers.  ” Much better, now maybe we could do something about these.” Marlena said reaching down and massaging John through the fly of his boxers.

” Baby you keep that up and there’s not going to be anything left for later.”  John said pulling her hand away and sitting up and kissing her eagerly moving is hands up her back and around to her breasts.  Throwing her head back in ecstasy John moved his mouth to her neck. Slowly beginning to rock her hips back and forth as her breathing became more ragged.

“John please I want you now please.”  Marlena begged pulling his face up to hers.  ” Please baby. … Umm please.” Marlena said between kisses.  John rolling her over onto her back. “Why don’t we get rid of these?”  Marlena said grabbing a hold of John’s boxer shorts ad with one quick tug they were no longer a problem.

Quickly wrapping her leg around him, she quickened her rocking movements.  Raising up off of her slightly he thrust back into her immediately she cried out as she sunk her nails into his back.  Remaining still for a few seconds he began to move slowly at first and then he began to move almost all the way out of her and then slam back into her until her bumped against the opening of her womb.  “Ohh God John.” as they both reached the edge of their climax they cried out in ecstasy.

Traveling up and over and back down the high of ecstasy they laid calmly in each other’s arms…

    “Umm John what did we just do?”  Marlena asked waking up in John’s arms her head lying on his chest.  “ We just made love Doc.” John said the guilt showing in his eyes.

“ God how could I have done that?”  John said sitting up suddenly and grabbing his clothes off the floor.  “ We shouldn’t have done this Doc. I’m married to Kristen now that’s the way things are.”  John said tears in his eyes as he thought about what he was saying.

We both know that I shouldn’t be here

This is wrong

And baby it’s killing me, it’s killing you

“Alright John if that is the way that you really want it.  I’m gonna get dressed and get mine and Belle’s stuff together we’ll be out of her by the end of the day.”  Marlena said wrapping the sheet around herself and walking into the bathroom.

“Doc look you don’t have to go.” John said still not wanting her to be alone at the Penthouse for fear of her safety.

Both of us trying to be strong

I’ve got somewhere else to be

Promises to keep

“Yes I do John we can’t live in the same house not under these circumstances and since this is the life you have chosen for yourself and Brady, then that means that Belle and I have to make a life for ourselves with or without you.”  Marlena said coming out of the bathroom in her bathrobe, picking up her clothes from the floor.

Someone else who loves me

And trusts me fast asleep

I’ve made up my mind

“Doc no matter what happens you will be a part of our lives, just as I will be a part of your life as long as we have Belle and Brady we will be tied together.” John said grabbing her arm so she would stop picking things up to finish her packing.

There is no turning back

She’s been good to me

And she deserves better than that

 “See it’s things like that that make it so that I have to move back to the Penthouse.  Brady is your son John not mine as much as I wish he was my son that will never happen you are Kristen’s husband and now she is his mother and eventually with time both you and he will be able to except that.”  Marlena said jerking her arm out of his grasp.

It’s the hardest thing

I’ll ever have to do

Moving around the room she quickly found herself packed and ready to go back to the Penthouse.  She quickly threw on a pair of slacks and an old shirt. Draggin her suitcase down stairs she found a note and all of her and Belle’s things packed in the pack of her car.

To look you in the eye

And tell you I don’t love you

It’s the hardest thing

I’ll ever have to lie

To show no emotion

When you start to cry

I can’t let you see

Dear Doc

I’m Sorry if I upset you this afternoon.  The truth is that I find it hard to believe that Brady isn’t your son he’s so attached to you and Belle he’s grown to think of you as his mother.  I’m sure we can work out something about Belle and custody issues. About this afternoon I still think that we have to talk about it so that we don’t have the same situation that we did the last time this happened.

  Love

John

“God what do you want from me I’m only human you expect me to stay away from him but still live in the same town as him and share custody of our daughter.  I can’t do this anymore I have to get out of this place.” Marlena said opening her purse and pulling her cell phone out. She dialed the travel broker and arranged a one way ticket out of Salem.

What you mean to me

When my hands are tied

And my hearts not free

We’re not meant to be

It’s the hardest thing

I’ll ever had to do

To turn around and walk away

Pretending I don’t love you

An hour later Marlnea was at the Penthouse trying to get some clothes together to take with herself on her trip.  It seemed as if John was almost haunting her she found that evreything she pulled out of her clset or bag reminded her of John.

So you can get on with your life

I’ve got to be cruel to be kind

Like Dr. Zhivago

All my love I’ll be sending

And you will never know

There can be no happy ending

Finally she was able to find one piece of clothing out of her closet that had no attachment to John.  It was a plain black skirt and blazer that hugger her curves tightly. She had bought it one afternoon while shopping with Belle and never had gotten around to wearing it.

I know that we’ll meet again

Fate has a place and time

It’s the hardest thing

I’ll ever have to lie

To show no emotion

When you start to cry

I can’t let you see

What you mean to me

When my hands are tied

And my hearts not free

We’re not meant to be

It’s the hardest thing

I’ll ever had to do

To turn around and walk away

Pretending I don’t love you

Changing quickly into that she grabbed her purse and emptied all her reminders of John leaving her with her wallet of credit cards and cash and a single photo of Belle and Brady.

Maybe another time, another day

As much as I want to, I can’t stay

(Ooh)

I’ve made up my mind

There is no turning back

She’s been good to me

And she deserves better than that

Chorus

I don’t want to live a lie

What can I do

It was 2 weeks before Christmas of 1997 Marlena had been gone almost a year.  It had been hard for John to cope with not having Marlena there to talk to. It was also hard for Brady and Belle every morning they would wake up and ask if Mommy was home. As John sat in the living room of the Dimera Mansion waiting for Kristen and the children to come downstairs they had all decided that it would be a good idea to get away from Salem for a little while before Christmas.  John began to remember the day that he and Kristen had taken the children to see Santa Claus they had overheard what Belle had asked Santa for for Christmas

“And what would you like for Christmas little girl?” the Santa impersonator asked Belle.  

“I want my Mommy to come home in time for Christmas, so we can spend this Christmas as a family.”  

“Sweetie we’re ready.”  

Kristen said coming downstairs Brady two steps ahead of her John Jr. in her arms and Belle by her side.  After a few seconds of not hearing anything from John Kristen decided to repeat herself

“John Honey we’re ready to go to the airport.”

“What?  Oh all right then let’s get going we don’t want to be late otherwise the pilot might get upset.”  John said picking Belle and Brady in each arm.

“ Daddy are gonna be back in time for Christmas with Gramma and Gampa?”  Belle asked. “Well sweetheart I don’t know I hope so but we’ll have to see alright?”  “Okay Daddy as long as we together for Christmas dat all dat matter.” Belle said wrapping her arms around his neck.

Life for Marlena had been quite different this past year.  She had found someone she hadn’t seen in years. As they sat together in a Parisian Café she began to remember the day that the doctors had told her she had been blessed with a miracle yet again.  

Well Dr. Evans we know what’s wrong with you it seems that you’re pregnant again.” The doctor told her like it was nothing out of the ordinary.  

“No I can’t be pregnant you must have gotten the test results mixed up or something.”

“Dr Evans you know that the chances of that happening are slim to none. The truth is if we run the tests again they will come back the same.  Now if you’ll excuse me I have another patient.”

It’s times like this I wish that Mike was still my doctor.’  Marlena thought to herself. So I thought maybe you might like to come to Bailey’s with me for Christmas spend some time with his family.  

“Will they be there too?”  Marlena asked.

“I’m not sure they might be I haven’t talked to Bailey in a few days he just asked me to mention it to you and see if you wanted to.”

“I’m going to pass I’m not really in the mood to be around small children right now and if they are there it will only make everyone else’s Christmas terrible.”  

“Then why don’t you go back to Salem and be with John and your children.  Running from them isn’t going to do any good.”

“Well if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black. I dare you to go back to Salem after all these years and confront everyone from your past see what they would say or do.”  Marlena said rather loudly and defensively.

“Calm down or you’ll wake up Alexander.”  

“I’m Sorry I didn’t mean to snap at you like that I just don’t know what to do I want to go home and be with my family but as long as John is married to Kristen Alexander and I will stay here in Paris.”

“ Mr. Black we are now preparing to land in Paris.”  The Pilot announced over the intercom. “Alright kiddos it’s time to get into your seats and buckle up for the landing.”  John said picking Belle up in his arms and sitting her down on the seat.

“Daddy my bunny it needs to be buckled in,” Belle said grabbing towards the floor where her bunny lied with one of Marlena’s scarves tied around its neck.

As they all got buckled into their seats they began to descend onto the airport runway.  Twenty minutes later they were walking into the luggage department at the airport.

 “So what do you want to do this evening.”  Marlena asked as she and the man she had been speaking with walked down the street pushing a baby stroller.  

“Well I thought maybe we could go down to the restaurant and visit Bailey and Marie.  Maybe grab a bite to eat.”

“I’d love to but you know how busy they get down there we’d only be taking up space that their customers could be using.”  

“Like Bailey would care he loves it when you come down to the restaurant.”  

“Yeah I guess your right and he hasn’t seen me or the baby in a while now maybe we should go visit him.”  Marlena said as they turned in the direction of the restaurant and started to walk in its direction.

John and Kristen walked into their hotel room.  The baby asleep in Kristen’s arms Belle in John’s arms and Brady walking beside John.  “All right kiddos your room is right beside ours okay John said walking over to the shared door and opening it with the key given to them by the desk clerk.  “ See you can sleep here Belle and Brady you get to sleep here, and we’ll set John John’s porta crib up here and he can sleep in here too.” “ Honey why don’t we leave this stuff and go get something to eat at this restaurant down the street I hear it’s a great restaurant they have great French food.” Kristen said from inside their bedroom.  “ Sure if you want to we can although I think the kids probably want to get some rest they really do look tired.” John said looking at Belle who was trying to keep her eyes open. “ Well we can get someone from the hotel to come and watch and we could go out by ourselves and grab something to eat.” Kristen said bringing the baby into thee other room.  “ All right I’ll call down to the desk and ask them if they’ll send someone up why don’t you set up J.J’s crib and get the kids put in bed.” John said putting Belle sown on the bed and going into the other room.

“Marlena what are you doing here?”  Bailey asked with enthusiasm laced in his voice.  “We thought we’d come down and get something to eat visit you and Marie so you guys can see Alexander.”  Marlena said hugging Bailey. “Speaking of Alexander where is he come on let me see him.” Bailey said looking around for him.  “He was taken around back so that we didn’t have to pull the stroller through the crowd and because I know how much Marie wants to see him.  Speaking of which Marie and I are having a Christmas party next weekend and we want you to come and you know you have to bring Alex because Elizabeth has been looking forward to baby sitting him since he was born.”  Bailey said as they walked around back. “ Well I don’t know Bailey it is going to be ackward if I’m there and they are as well why don’t I just drop Alexander off and Lizzy can watch him anyway.” “Oh come on you have to be there it’s going to be great there will be tons of people there you won’t even have to talk to them if they are even there.  I asked them and they said that they don’t know if they are coming or not.” “ I don’t know I’ll get back to you but you can tell Lizzy that she can watch Alexander if she wants to.” By this time they were in the back room where Marie was already visiting with Alex. “ Well hello you two so you finally decided to come join us back here I just hope your not trying to seduce my husband up front.”  Marie said with laughter in her voice hugging Marlena. “ Eww that is not something I’m planning on doing anytime soon Marie but you might want to watch Sailor over has had his on him for a while.” Marlena said and she and Marie started to laugh. “ Well how could he resist I’m one fine piece of meat.” Bailey said placing an arm around his friend. “But we should get back out there it’s getting busy, why don’t I show you two to a seat.”  “I think that’s a good idea because Alex looks like he’s getting hungry.”

“ All right Kristen I am ready to go when you are.”  John said. “Okay honey I’m ready let’s go.” Kristen said coming out of the bathroom.  John looked at her and thought to himself “Doc usually didn’t wear this much makeup when she was around.”  They left the hotel room and walked down the Parisian sidewalk to the little restaurant that looked quite busy from the outside.

“Hey Sweetie what’s wrong are you hungry?”  Marlena said picking up her tiny son from the stroller and nestling him in her arms he immediately went for her breast knowing that he could get food.  “ All right little one hold on one minute she said undoing the top few buttons of her shirt and let the baby feed.

“Excuse me I was wondering if you have any free tables?” John asked the maitre d’.  “ We actually have one table left if you’ll follow me.” He said leading them to the back of the restaurant.

“Hey will you watch Alex I’m going to go try and flag down Bailey see if we can get some food I’m starving.”  Marlena said handing the very full and happy baby over to her friend. As Marlena walked through the restaurant trying to find Bailey she bumped into someone.  As she looked up and came face to face with a set of eyes she never thought she would see again in her life. All she could do is utter one word “John…”

  They both stood staring in awe at each other “What are you doing here John?”  Marlena asked after several minutes of silence. “We thought we would get away form Salem with the children it’s been a rough year them and we figured staying in Salem would just make it tougher on them especially since it’s the holidays.”  “Why Paris I mean it’s not exactly a familiar place to either of you?” “ Well that was the point we didn’t want a familiar place to John or the children because almost all of them remind them of you and that would only hurt them.” Kristen butted in.  “ I’m sorry if my being here ruined your plans I’ve just been staying here visiting old friends they actually own this restaurant.” Marlena said feeling a little awkward around them. “ Well I’d love to meet them.” John said wondering who these people were.  Marlena suddenly thought of her son and friend seated on the other side of the room. “Umm I tell you what why don’t you go and get a table and I’ll try and find them in this big crowd all right but I can’t guarantee that he will be able to get back here though as you can see the restaurant is really busy.”  “I never knew you knew anyone in Paris.” John said taking her arm and walking with her. “ Well there are a lot of things that you don’t know about me John a lot of things that a lot of people don’t know. But enough about me how are the kids.” Marlena said and then reality set in that her son was on the other side of the room waiting for her to come back.  “They’re good Doc they missed you a lot.” “I’m sure they did, why don’t you go get a seat while I get the owner.” “Okay Doc whatever you say.” He said following the maitre d’. “You have to take Alex home all right.” Marlena said rushing to the table and grabbing the baby stuff and putting it together. “Why what’s going on?” he asked with concern. “John and Kristen just showed up and unless you want them to see you here you have to go and take Alex with you because this is not the way I want John to find out about him.” Marlena said trying her best to get everything packed up.  “ All right you call me when you’re done and I’ll bring Alex over to you.” He said trying to help put things in the stroller while holding the baby when they finally finished Marlena held her arms out to take the baby. “Oh big boy come here I am going to miss you so much you have no idea. But I will see you after I’m done talking with my friends okay.” Marlena said looking down at him. “ Come on Marly we have to go John’s gonna wonder where you are.” “All right here you go big guy Mommy loves all right.” Marlena said as her friend took her son and left through the back. “All right now I gotta go find Bailey and introduce him to John and then try and explain my relationship with Bailey.”  As Marlena walked around the restaurant in search of Bailey. “ Oh Bailey there you are there’s someone I want you to come and meet.” “All right who is it?” “You’ll see.” Marlena said pulling Bailey with her back to the table. “ John this is Bailey. Bailey this is John.” Marlena said arriving at the table. As Bailey looked John up and down he recognized something in his eyes that reminded him of someone. Brushing the feeling off as simply knowing the man because he was all Marlena could talk about. “Well it’s certainly nice to meet you I’ve heard tons about you from Marlena.” Extending a hand to John whom took it with pleasure. Looking at Kristen Bailey said “ and you must be Kristen, Marlena’s told me lots about you as well.”  Bailey said not extending the warm hand as he had to John. “You know what Bailey why don’t you tell John about your business while I go get you wife out of the kitchen. Kristen why don’t you come with me I know Marie would love to meet you and that may John and Bailey can talk about business.” Marlena said putting on a smile for show. “Sure why not I always get bored when John talks about business anyway.”

As Marlena and Kristen walk towards the kitchen Kristen yanked Marlena by the arm.  “ What the hell do you think you’re doing.” “ I have no idea what your talking about but I would recommend for your own safety that you lower your voice and not grab me like that again there are about two dozen people in this restaurant alone that would like nothing more then to kill you themselves get this your on my turf now you play by my rules which means you grab me like that again I tell John the truth got that.” Marlena said becoming more hostile by the minute.

  “ Marlena you know dame well there is nothing you can say or do that would make John break his wedding vows to me.”  Kristen said with a triumphant smirk on her face. “Well what would happen if John had gotten married before Stefano was turned him into John then he really wouldn’t be married to you and then once I tell him all of the horrible things you’ve done he will take custody of your son and leave you.  That is if he was married.” Marlena said a hint of victory gleaming on her face. “Well even if he was married to someone else that still doesn’t allow you to be with him.” “It really doesn’t matter if John is with me as long as he is with someone that he loves because they were honest about who and what they are.  You weren’t that’s why you don’t deserve him or his love.” Marlena said turning just as she heard a scream from the other side of the restaurant. Running as quickly as she could to see who was screaming she saw a frightened Bailey holding a shaking Marie who was in hysterics on the floor. “Marie you okay.” Marlena said kneeling on the floor.  “It’s… It’s him. He’s ba… back.” Marie said trembling. Bailey picking her up brought her to the back room of the restaurant with Marlena tailing close behind. “Bailey why don’t you go get her something to drink while I talk to her.” Marlena said looking at Bailey. “ All right Sweetheart try and calm down a little okay I’ll be right back.” Bailey said as he walked out the door into the restaurant.  “ Look Marie I know what you’re thinking.” “He told us that he was dead so how do you explain him being alive.” “When he left Stefano found him and did some things to him that changed him so now he’s living as John Black but what I need you to do is act like you don’t know him because if you do then everyone is gong to find out that he’s alive and it’s going to put my children in danger.” Marlena said near tears hoping that Marie would.  “What I don’t understand is if you knew he was alive why didn’t you tell anyone and also when did you find out that he was alive?” Marie asked relaxing slightly. “I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to put you or Bailey in an awkward position. I found out whom he really was when I was in Paris last year. Stefano finally thought that he had me forever so he told me the truth about what happened. I guess he kinda figured that either way I would never tell if John found me I wouldn’t put my children in that sort of danger so he was safe I don’t think he ever thought John and I would be back after what happened the last time we were here.”

“Hey Bailey is your wife okay?” John asked walking up to Bailey.  “Yeah Marlena must have told her who you were and that just made her think about all the things that have happened to Marlena over the years and it upset her.  She and Marlena were very close when they were younger you know they did practically everything together here.” “Here? I thought Marlena lived in Colorado her whle life?” “Nope she moved to live there when she was 17.  Well I gotta take Marie her tea all right.” Bailey said leaving for the back room.

As John walked through the restaurant not quite sure what to think of what Bailey had told him.  “Sweetie you okay?” Kristen said walking up to still not sure what to think of the night’s events.  “I’m fine just thinking about something that Bailey told me that’s all sweetheart. Why don’t you go back to the hotel you look tired?”  “ All right are you going to come with me?” “ No you go ahead I’ll be back later I want to stay and talk to Doc for a little while get some things cleared up with her.”  “ Come on honey you can talk to her later she’s probably going to be busy with her friend all night.” “ No I’m not my friends fine Kristen she’s sitting in the back having tea with Bailey.”  “ See Kristen and I really need to talk to Doc all right and I promise I’ll e back as soon as I can.” John said turning his back to Marlena who gave Kristen a look to tell her to let him stay or else.  “Okay sweetheart just hurry back.” Kristen said giving him a long carnal kiss more for Marlena’s benefit then anything. Sticking her nose into the air she walked out. Marlena standing behind John just shook her head.  As John turned around “What?” “Nothing.” “Come on Doc I know you what are you thinking.” “ All right I was thinking that Kristen seems a little in the insecure side. Why is she so adamant on us not spending time together?”  “ I have no idea why she is acting this way its not like she has a reason to.” “ Which means you didn’t tell her about the two of us sleeping together great just great.” Marlena said walking away from him. “Doc wait.” “Why should I you have been keeping a secret from your wife for almost a year now and now after all this time your asking me to help you out I tried to do that by leaving and yet amazingly you keep following me.”  “Doc you know it’s not like that if you had stayed in Salem I would have told the truth about what happened.” “ Really John and would it have been the whole truth that you slept with me because you had feelings for me or would it have been a lame excuse like you told her when we got caught in the hospital room by her.” “Doc why are you so upset?” “I’m upset because I’ve been doing fine forgetting about you and moving on with my life for myself and…” Marlena said cutting herself off not wanting to tell John the truth this way.  “ And what Marlena.” “And then you come here and you expect me to just drop everything and come home.” “Hey I never once asked you to drop anything.” “No you wouldn’t come flat out and say it but that’s what you want.” Marlena said. “Look Doc you can try al you want to forget about your past but the truth is we have a little girl who is asleep right now in a hotel room down the road and dreaming about having her mother come home for Christmas. She has missed you more than anything on earth and she wants nothing more then to have you back in her life.”  “I know that but don’t you think it’s better for belle to live with you and Kristen and have a happy family then for me to come home and have Kristen find out the truth about why I left. Then have the same thing happen to her that happened to Sami I can’t and won’t do that to her. I’ve already screwed up one daughters life I won’t screw up another’s life.” Marlena said walking away from John. John feeling defeated decided to wait until another day to talk with her about what Bailey had mentioned to him.

Marlena walked into the back of the restaurant.  “Look Marie I’m gonna get out of here and go pick up Alexander and then I’m going home and relaxing I’ll call you later tonight to talk about tomorrow and whether or not I’m still going to make it over.”  Marlena said grabbing her coat. “Oh come on you promised months ago when I heard Bailey was going out of town on business.” “Yeah I know I did bit with John coming back and everything it’s…” “It’s just going to give you something to take your mind off John plus it will make Lizzy happy when you bring the baby over.”  Marie said. “I know but…” “But nothing you are coming to my house tomorrow night if I have to drag you there myself.” “ All right I will try and get there before 8 but I can’t make any promises it could be more like 8:30.” Marlena said as she and Marie laughed.

John walked into the hotel room and saw Kristen asleep in the bed the door to the children’s room open.  He peaked his head in he saw Belle asleep on her bed her tiny thumb buried inside her mouth and her tiny leg was thrown over the covers of her bed.  He quietly entered the room and placed her legs under the covers making sure she didn’t catch cold. ‘ Oh Princess what am I gonna do I can give you what you want most your Mommy but will it come at the expense of J.J’s future and my marriage to Kristen.’  “Momma, Momma no don’t go please.” Belle began to scream out. “Princess it’s okay come here it’s okay Daddy’s here.” “Daddy I had a bad dream.” “Yeah I could tell you want to tell Daddy about it.” “No will you sit with me ‘til I fall back asleep.” “Sure baby you know I will.”  John aid as he sat on the floor beside Belle’s bed as she fell asleep.

Marlena made her way up the front steps and into the house she had already been to pick up Alexander and was now home at her apartment.  Explaining John to her friends was harder then she had thought it was going to be. “Well big guy it is going to be ten times harder to explain you to your father then it was explaining your father to you.  But then again your only a month old and love me no matter what.” Marlena said as she took Alexander out of his winter clothing and picked him and put him in the nursery. Lying him down in the crib she wound his mobile and listened to the music that began to play it reminded her of the mobile that use to put Belle to sleep every night when she was a baby.  ‘ I hope that your big brother and sister are happy with your Daddy and Kristen.’ Marlena thought as she turned the intercom one and the light off and left the room with the door open.

The next morning Marlena was a woken by the sound of a tiny baby crying in the other room.  Picking herself up she stammered into the other room to see her little son looking up at her crying with his fist in his mouth.  “Well hello handsome, I think your sole purpose in life is to not allow me to have 8 hours sleep a night.” Marlena said picking her son up out of his crib and lying him down on the change table.  Peeling back his diaper she said, “Well now I understand what all the crying was about.” She quickly changed him and brought him into the other room. Sitting down on the sofa she put on the morning news and began to feed Alex.  ‘In other news today it looks as if…” rambled the news reporter on the television Marlena’s mind however was on the fight she and John had encountered. “Your Daddy is going to be so mad at me when I tell him the truth. But at least when I do tell him you can have your Daddy in your life.”  Marlena said looking at her tiny son and noticing how innocent he was in this big mess.

Marie and Bailey’s household was already up and busy with four children trying to make their way around the house trying to get ready for school.  “Lizzy I need you to come help your brother with get ready.” Marie hollered up the stairs and somehow it made it’s way through al the commotion and into the bathroom.  “Sure mom just give me two minutes alright. I’m almost ready.” Liz hollered back to her mother. “All right. Jacob baby I want you to go pick out what you’re going to bring for show and tell.  Lizzy is going to be there in a few minutes to help you get dressed all right.” “ Okay Momma.” Jacob said getting down from the table and scrambled up the stairs. “Anna get your butt down here and eat your breakfast before I tan it.  And I was referring to your behind not your breakfast.” Marie hollered up the stairs. “I’m coming Momma I had to find my other shoe it was under Cassie’s bed.” Anna said running down the stairs. “ Speaking of your sister where is she?”  “She’s still in bed.” “What?!” Marie half said half yelled. Just then Marlena walked through the front door with Alex in her arms. “Hey Marie how’s your morning?” Marlena said a huge grin on her face. “Perfect timing you can go upstairs and get Cassie out of bed.  Lizzy should have gotten Jacob dressed by now she can watch Alex while you help me get these guys ready and on the bus.” “ Well aren’t I the privileged one.” Marlena said as she took Alex’s snowsuit and boots off and headed up the stairs to find Lizzy. “There you go buddy all ready now why don’t you go get everything put in your backpack alright.”  “Hey kiddos.” Marlena said walking into Jacob’s room. “Hi Aunt Marly.” Jacob said walking past Marlena “Hey you where’s my kiss.” Marlena said as grabbing the back of Jacob’s shirt. He turned around and gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran from the room. “Hey Aunt Marly am I allowed to take this little guy off your hands.” “Apparently I get the privilege of waking up your little sister and getting her ready for school.”  “Good Luck she sleeps like a log.” Lizzy said walking out of the room with Alex in her arms. Marlena walked down the hall and into Cassie’s room “Cassie sweetie come on its time to get up.” “Not yet it’s too early.” “Come on baby it’s time for school.” As Cassie slowly opened her eyes she saw her Aunt looking down at her “Hi Auntie Marly what are you doing here?” “Well I’m staying here tonight because your Daddy is going out of town remember.”  “Oh yeah Momma said he was.” “Yeah so come on and get up so we can get to you ready for school. About fifteen minutes later Marlena made her way downstairs with Cassie who was fully dressed and ready for school. “Hey Marie I think I found someone upstairs asleep.” Marlena said yelling from the living room “Great now Cassie my little baby girl why don’t you go in there and get your breakfast it’s on the table.” Marie said as Marlena set Cassie on the floor.  “Okay Mommy.” Cassie said skipping into the kitchen. “God I remember when she was Alex’s age now she’s already in kindergarten.” Marie said as she and Marlena made their way into kitchen. Lizzy was seated in one of the chairs holding Alex with Jacob in the seat

John was just waking up in the hotel suite to the sound of two little children laughing on the floor of their room.  As John crawled out of bed and sat on the floor beside the children who had pulled their paper and crayons out and begun to color.  “Well god morning you two?” “Morning Daddy.” Both the children said in a cheery voice. “And what are you two drawing?” John asked picking Belle up and placing her in his lap and pulling Brady over for a kiss.  “I drew a picture of our family see there you and kristen and John Jr and Brady and Me and Mommy.” Belle said pointing to each of the people she had drawn. “Wow baby girl but where are Sami and Carrie and Eric and Will and Austin.” “Daddy I’m not done yet.” “Oh okay well why don’t you guys finish coloring while I call room service to order breakfast.” “Okay Belle said crawling out of his lap and finishing her picture.

“Okay so are what are you going to do about John and Alex?”  Marie asked as she and Marlena drove towards the restaurant. “What are you talking about?”  Marlena asked looking back at her son asleep in his car seat. “I mean are you going to tell him the truth about Alex or are you going to keep it from him and have Alex grow up without his father.”  “Isn’t it better that Alex grow up without a father then with a mother and father that hate each other.” “You still think that he doesn’t love you don’t you?” “Look I’m sorry but it’s a little hard to forget the things that he’s done.  And I know what your going to say he’s changed he’s a different person. There is only one problem with that I tell him the truth and he remembers everything that happened before and he hates me just like before and I won’t put Alex through that.”  Marlena said as the car pulled into the parking lot. “Marlena you don’t have to tell him everything just tell him about Alex at least give Alex a chance to know his father the longer you keep it a secret the more hurt John is going to be.” Marie said getting out of the car and going into the restaurant Marlena right behind her with Alex in his car seat.  ” Trust me if I know John the way I think I do he is going to hate me when he finds out that I didn’t tell him about Alex.” “You don’t know that for sure you are guessing as much as you are guessing that the reason he left is because he didn’t love you.”

“John honey what happened after I left last night.”  Kristin asked as they all sat around the table eating breakfast.  Belle and Brady sitting across from each other making faces Kristen at one end of the table with John JR sitting in a high chair beside him.  “You know what we should talk about this later Kristen. I think that it is time for the kiddos to get washed up so that they can come with us to the park and then maybe we can go shopping and stuff.”  John said trying to change the subject so the children wouldn’t find out about Marlena being so close. “All right tell you what why don’t the kids and I get cleaned up and you can go take care of any business you need to and then we should be ready to go to the park.”  Kristen said putting John JR in his playpen and coming back over to the table. “All right sounds like a plan.” John said as Kristen went to pick up Belle, who immediately jumped up from her chair and ran to John. “Daddy please don’t go you stay with Belle.” Belle said clinging to his leg.  “Sweetheart I’m only going downstairs for a little while I’ll be back soon.” “Belle go with you.” Belle said putting her foot down to John. “Sweetheart you know that I would love to have you come with me but this is grown up business okay but I promise I will be back as soon as I can and then we will spend the whole day together.”  John said kneeling down and picking Belle up into his arms. “Okay Daddy but you promise when you come back that we gonna go to the park?” “Promise Baby Girl now let me go so that I can get back as soon as possible.” John said putting her on the floor hugging and kissing each of them and then left.

“Okay little man you are gonna stay here with Auntie Marie well Mommy goes to her doctors appointment and then I will come pick you up and we’ll go visit your Uncle and see if he survived being alone with you last night.”  Marlena said lifting a sleeping Alex out of his car seat. Kissing him on the forehead she handed him to Marie. “Okay I should be back soon.” Marlena said picking her coat up and putting it on picking up her purse she turned once more to kiss Alex on the forehead.  “Okay I’m out of here I’ll be back as soon as I can be.” Marlena said running out the door.

John slowly walked down the street a little nervous he didn’t know why he was just that he was for some reason.  He stood for what seemed like hours in front of the restaurant just staring inside wondering what it was about the place that he found so intoxicating.  Then he remembered his dream he was a small boy sitting inside a restaurant at a booth it looked like he was seated with another young boy and two young girls.  He couldn’t explain why he had the feelings he did he felt the way he did when he was around Kim and Kayla and yet at the same time he felt the same kind of love that he felt for Marlena all in one.  Shaking himself mentally he went inside the restaurant. “We aren’t open yet…” Marie said stammering when she saw who it was. “Hey you’re Marie right?” John asked not quite sure if that was her name or not.  “That would be me what can I do for you?” Marie asked a little nervous having Alex so close to John and Marlena no where around. ” I was looking for Marlena do you know where she is?” “Umm yeah she had to leave for a doctors appointment she should be back in a half hour to an hour or so it all depends on whether she makes any stops or not.”  Marie said fidgeting a little bit. “All right well you know what I’ll wait for her if that’s okay with you cause if I go back to the hotel then Belle will never let me leave.” “No problem why don’t you have a seat I’ll brig you a cup of coffee.” “That would be great cause I actually wanted to talk to you about something that your husband said last night.”  John said as Marie went walking into the back of the restaurant. “Something Bailey said can’t imagine what he could have told you.” Marie shouted from the back room. “He told me that when Marlena was younger she use to live in France and it struck me as odd because she has always told me that she was raised by her parents in Colorado.” “Umm… I don’t know John maybe she just doesn’t feel comfortable telling you yet give her time ask her about it she will eventually.”  “ But Bailey said that you and Marlena have been friends since the two of you were small, I mean you’ve got to know what he was talking about.” “ I know exactly what he was talking about but that doesn’t mean that I can tell you all I can say is that she will tell when she fells comfortable and safe telling you.” Just as she finished Alex made his presence known to them both. “Give me a minute all right.” “Sure I didn’t know that you just had a baby.” John said looking at Marie’s figure and thinking that it didn’t look like the figure of someone who had had a baby recently.  “Well I didn’t I’m watching the baby for a friend of mine.” “Oh do you and Bailey have any children?” John asked sitting beside her and the baby. “Actually we have four children our oldest is Lizzy she’s 16 and our second oldest is Anna she just turned 12 our son Jacob is 6 and our daughter Cassie is 4.” “Wow you guys really have a full house.” “What about you and Marlena I mean there’s Carrie, Sami, Eric, Brady Belle and John Jr. that’s quite a few for yourselves.” “Yeah but they are all great kids I guess that’s what matters the most.” “Yeah, you know you and Marlena think so much a like.”  “Yeah even thou we bump heads about things we still manage to get along.” “Yeah I’ve heard the stories. And I believe one of them included a sign in sign out sheet.” “Yeah that was quite an experience.” “Well Marlena was never one to take orders even in school she talked back. I remember sitting in the back of the classroom and talking to Marlena the teacher told us to stop or we wold have detention and she almost told him where he could shove his detention slips but she did manage to control herself. She’s just someone who likes to be very independent.” “ I remember when I first got to Salem and we went on the run god she was impossible.”  “ That’s only because she thought you were Stefano and after everything that man has done to everybody she loves she had a reason to be frightful.” “ Yeah I know….” “ Marie are you back here.” Marlena hollered from the front of the restaurant. “I’m back here Marly.” “Oh there you are…John what are you doing here I thought you would be with Kristen and the children.” “Yeah I was actually waiting for you to get back so that I could talk to you.” “All right what did you want to talk about.” “Can we talk in private.” “Why she’ll just tell me later any way?” Marie said picking Alex up and rocking him in her arms. “Okay fine then. I want to know if you are planning on coming to see Belle and Brady at all because they keep asking about you and I don’t know what to tell them.”  “ Tell them I love them but I can’t come see them right now.” “ Why not Doc they want to see you and I know that you want to see them.” “ Of course I do but I don’t want to disrupt their lives or yours.” “ Doc how are you going to disrupt our lives?” “ How do you think that Kristen is going react when she finds out we slept together.” “ Doc can we talk about this somewhere else?” “ Why she already knows we slept together she’s holding our son.” Marlena said storming out of the restaurant.

John ran out of the restaurant as fast as he could after Marlena.  Marlena had managed to make it half way down the street before John caught up with her.  “Well I defiantly know that you weren’t at the doctors because you’re sick.” “Just leave me alone John okay?”  “No I want to know the truth about what happened after you left.” “Fine the truth is I did have a baby that I didn’t tell you about. Now maybe Marie is right and I should have told you the truth as soon as I found out that I was pregnant but I didn’t want to upset your life.  You were so ashamed of what we did I knew that if I told you the truth you would feel even worse. Then of course you came to Paris and I was going to tell you I thought well maybe this is a sign maybe he really should know and then you decided to tell me that you hadn’t told her about the two of us being together.  I thought if he isn’t even willing to tell her that we slept together how is he gonna tell her that we have another child together and how is he going to help raise him when he’s too ashamed to admit he’s actual got another son.” “Doc you know that’s not true if you had told me that we had a son I would have told Kristen in a heart beat you know that. When you left I thought I would never see you again and then I figured why hurt Kristen when I don’t have to hurt her.  But you have to believe that I could never give up the chance of raising our son for anything. Even if it means breaking up my marriage to Kristen.” “ I can’t ask you to do that. John you have three other children to think about as well as a marriage.” “ Nothing is more important to me then my children, that means that I am going to tell them and Kristen the truth.” “ All right I’ll tell you what why don’t you have Marie watch the children while you tell her that way they don’t have to listen to the screaming and yelling.”  “ Doc why don’t you spend the time with them?” “ Because I want to be there when she starts calling me a slut and whore so that I can defend myself.” “ All right but I want you to see them sometime this trip.” “ John I don’t know I mean…” “Doc trust me about this okay they need you more then anything right now.” “How do you do that with anyone else I can hold my ground but with you I can’t win.” “Well now that’s not always true sometimes I let you win.” “Oh is that so because I do believe there were times when I could have put up a fight and didn’t.” Marlena said walking back towards the restaurant.  “Yeah yeah yeah okay so what are we going to do tonight if that’s when we are going to tell Kristen the truth.” “Tell you what why don’t you bring the kids down here and Marie can watch them. Then when we are done having our little talk with Kristen I will come pick them up and take them out to Marie’s with me and you can pick up John Jr. and take him with you where ever you end up going.” “ Okay sounds like a plan all thou I must warn you I way end up where ever you end up.” “ You have got to be kidding me John there are going to be 7 children and two adults.” “ Well I suppose the streets are suitable.”  John said pouting slightly. “Well dear Marie is the one that needs to be convince all thou she may feel safer having a big lug like you staying at the house with Bailey gone.” They made their way back into the restaurant where Marie is still holding Alex. Hearing them walk in she says rather loudly “You know big guy your parents are absolutely nuts did you know that.” “I heard that.” Marlena says walking in back of the restaurant. “Hey big guy how are you? Oh Mommy missed you today?” As Marlena took Alex from Marie’s arms he began to whimper and when he was nestled in her arms he instinctively went for her breast.  “Okay I assume this means that someone is hungry.” Marlena said undoing her shirt to feed him. “There you go bug guy now to introduce you to your Daddy not exactly the best way to make an introduction. But it will have to do.” Marlena said walking back out to where John was. “Well I know this wasn’t what you were expecting but here he is your little boy.” Marlena said walking out with Alex resting in her arms. “Oh hey big guy look at you.” John said looking at his son not quite believe that he was involved in creating such a beautiful sight. “Yeah well we defiantly know that he is your child because he has your appetite.”  “Is that so? Doc what’s his name?” John asked looking up for his son and into Marlena’s eyes. “His name is Alexander Thomas.” “You named him after Lexi and Tom didn’t you?” John asked. “Yeah I though that since Lexi and I are so close and Tom was like my father it was only right that he carry their names. I was going to name him after you but John Jr. already has your name I didn’t think you needed to have to babies named after you.” Marlena said laughing lightly. “No no I think you choose a wonderful name for him. It would make Alice proud that’s for sure and Lexi will flip out when she finds out.” “ You okay you seem kinda out of it.”  “ You know what I think it is Doc, the fact that I was a part of creating another living being with you. He’s so beautiful and innocent.” “ Yeah he’s just like Belle the best of you and the nest of me. And he’s going to be just like Brady because he’s going o have your love and wisdom to guide him.”

Marlena paced the floor of the restaurant waiting for John to show up with the children.  “Hey girl you keep pacing the floor like that and you’ll wear a hole right through it.” Marie said coming out from the back room.

“I’m sorry I’m just nervous about seeing them after all this time.  God it seems like forever it’s hard to believe that it hasn’t even been a year.  I wonder how much Belle has grown.” Marlena said her mind slipping back to the past.

“Well look your going to see them any minute now why don’t you go fix yourself up a little bit so that they actually recognize you when they see you.”  Marie said taking a piece of hair from her face.

“I guess I’ve been so busy taking care of Alexander that I kinda let my looks get away from me.”  Marlena said taking her compact out of her purse and lightly fixing her hair and some of her make up.

“Why don’t you go in the back and get fixed up I’m sure that they will be a few more minutes.”  Marie said taking Marlena by the arm and leading her toward the back of the restaurant.

“All right but you come get me if they show up all right?”  Marlena said stopping at the end of the hall.

“Of course I will.  Just hurry up before they do get here.”  Marie said giving her a little shove down the hall.

“Come on you guys.”  John said holding the door open for Brady and Belle.

“Daddy where are we going?”  Belle asked jumping out of the car.

“You guys are going to go out for dinner at a restaurant that is owned by one of Mommy’s friends.  And while you guys are eating I’m going to go talk to Kristen for a little while okay.” John said leaning down to Belle’s height.

“But Daddy I thought we were going to be together for dinner tonight?”  Belle said upset that she wouldn’t be able to be with her Daddy tonight.

“Well I think that you will have fun here with Marie.  Did I tell you that she has a little girl your age Belle and a little boy your age Brady.”  John said as they went inside the restaurant. “But I promise that I will be back as soon as I can I just have to go and talk to Kristen for a little while all right big girl and I also promise that you will have a great time tonight okay.”

“  All right Daddy if you say so.”  Belle said climbing into the booth John had taken them to.

“Hey Marie.”  John said as Marie came to their table.  “Where’s Doc?” John whispered into Marie ear.

“Relax she’s just in the bathroom.  Well who do we have here I’m guessing that you are Belle and you are Brady.”  Marie said sitting across from them and pointing at each of hem as she said their names.

“What’s your name?”  Belle asked looking at the strange woman.

“My name is Marie I’m one of your Mommy’s friends.  She told me all about you two.”

“Like what?” asked Brady

“Like how much you like baseball or how much Belle likes ballet.  Or about the night that Belle was born or how about how much she loves both of you.”

“I miss my Mommy.  I want her to come home for Christmas I asked for my birthday but she never came.”  Belle said her whole outer appearance changing. The once happy girl was now sad.

Marlena who had just come from washing her hands had heard what Belle had said and say the change in her daughter.  “Well what if I said that I am coming home and I will never going to leave you again.” Marlena said coming up behind them.

“MOMMY!!!!!!!!!.”  Belle screamed as she ran out of the booth from the side that Brady didn’t block.  She ran to Marlena arms and squeezed as tight as she could. Brady on the other hand just stood and stared at Marlena and Belle.

“Hey Slugger why don’t you go give her a hug.  I know she missed you a whole bunch.” John said kneeling down to Brady’s side.

“If she missed us then how come she didn’t come back to see us.  How come she left in the first place?”

“Hey baby why don’t you go back with Marie and help her get the drinks while I talk to your brother okay?”  Marlena said putting Belle on the floor.

“Okay but you gotta promise that you aren’t going to go anywhere okay Momma?”

“I promise you that I will be here when you get back.  But I want to talk with your brother okay baby girl.”

“Come on Belle you can help me get some food from the kitchen.”  Marie said taking Belle’s hand and leading her into the kitchen.

“Hey Bid guy what’s wrong?”  Marlena said coming and sitting down beside Brady and across from John.

“Hello.” Brady said as if he were talking to a stranger.  “It’s nice to see you.”

“Oh so your mad at me.  Well I guess I deserve it for leaving.  But if it makes you feel better I never stopped thinking about you for a minute since I left Salem.  IN fact a kept your picture with me all the time.”

“How come you left what did Belle and I do that was so bad that you didn’t want us anymore.”

“Oh baby you and your sister couldn’t have been more perfect if I had molded you myslef I just needed sometime big guy.  I know that I never should have left you and your sister but I can promise you this I will never leave you or Belle every again.  In fact I am going to go home with you guys when you go back to Salem. I also have a surprise for you and your sister.”

“You rpomise you’re never going to leave again.”

“I promise you that I will never leave you again nothing could ever tear me away from you again.”

“You said that before and you still left after that how can you be so sure that you will never leae again.”

“Well no one van ever be 100% sure that they will never leave again but I can rpomise you this your Daddy and I are going to try everything in our power to make sure that I am neve taken from you again.  Hey I have one more reason to stay with everyone.”

“Really what is it?”

“Well he will be here in a few minutes with Marie’s children.” Marlena said smiling down at Brady.

“Okay Mommy I love you.” Brady said kneeling on the seat and huging her with all his might.

“Oh I love you too Sweetie.  More then you will ever know.” Marlena said hugging him and never wanting to let go.

“Well they should be here soon I wonder what is taking them so long.”  Marlena said looking out the window of the restaurant to see if the car was coming down the road.

“Doc it’s snowing now Lizzy’s probably just taking it easy so there isn’t an accident.”

“Well I hope there isn’t an accident.  That is the last thing we need.”

“Come on don’t think like that they will get here in no time and they will be safe and we will all spend a happy Christmas together.  But you have to be patient and stop worrying the will be here soon.” John said wrapping his arms around Marlena trying to comfort her.

“All right then why don’t we go sit with the children while we wait.”  Marlena said turning to face John. They started to head for the table when John’s cell phone rang.

“I’m going to get that why don’t you go sit with the kids.”

“Sure don’t be long alright”

“I won’t be.”  John said as Marlena headed for the table.  “Hello John Black here.”

“Hi honey what’s taking so long I thought you were coming back here after you dropped the kids off.”  Kristen shrill voice sounded on the other end of the phone.

“Yeah you see the kids wanted to heave dinner with Doc and me so I am going to be a little longer then I thought but I should be back in a little while.”  John said hoping he sounded convincing.

“All right honey just try to make it back soon.”  Kristen whined into the phone. “I love you.”

“Same here bye.”  John said eager to get off the phone.

“Bye.”  Kristen said and then hung up the phone.

“Hey you guys.  So did you decide what you wanted for dinner yet?”  John asked sitting down beside Marlena.

“Marie said she’d make us all spaghetti that is if you’ll eat it John?”  Marlena said looking at him with love and happiness in her eyes.

“I think that that is a great idea.”  John said running his hand up and down Marlena’s leg.  Feeling his hand along her thigh she quickly gripped it before it went any higher and gave him a warning glare.

“Tell you what kids why don’t you go tell Marie that we all want spaghetti.”

“Okay Mommy we be back in a minute.” Belle said climbing out of the booth with her brother.

“ John…”

“What Doc?”

“You can’t be doing that?”

“Why not it’s pretty obvious that we can’t control ourselves we always end up together in the end anyway so why fight it?”

“Because you are a married man and I have no rights to you and as long as you are married I never will.”  Marlena said then quickly got up from the table and went to the children.

“Hey everyone we finally made it.”  Lizzy said coming into the near empty restaurant due to the progressing storm.

“Oh thank god you guys finally made it we were getting worried you’d had an accident.”  Marlena said hurrying over to hold her little boy. Marlena bent down and picked Alex up out of his carrier.  She laid him on the table and started taking his winter clothing off. “Oh there you go big guy how’s that you feel better.”  Marlena asked as the baby happily slept in her arms.

“Oh there’s my boy.  You know what Doc I think he grew this afternoon when we weren’t with him.” John said kissing his feet.  “And I think he even got more cute too.”

“John I don’t know he was already pretty cute before.  I think that you just missed him so much you think he’s changed.  Why don’t you go get the kids well I get him and me settled in the booth.”  Marlena said walking toward the booth.

“Hey guys come on Mommy and me have something we want to show you back at our booth.”  John said coming over and picking both the children up in the air. They walked over to the table a child in each of his arms to where Marlena sat with a now awake and hungry Alex.

“Come on you guys sit up here in the booth.” John said setting each one of them down.  Brady scrambling to the far corner of the booth. “All right we need to talk to you two.”

“Okay Daddy what about?” Brady asked some concern etched across his face.

“Well you remember when I left home right.” Both children sadly shake their heads.  “Well what Daddy and I didn’t tell you was that when I left I had a tiny baby growing inside my belly.  And a few months ago I had that little baby.” Marlena said looking at the mixed expressions on the children’s faces.  “So what your Daddy and I are trying to tel you guys is that you have another little baby brother.” Malrena said sitting Alex up in her arms so that they could both see him.

“Daddy I thought that John Jr wass our baby brudder?” Belle asked confused.

“Well you can have more then one baby brother.  Just like Uncle Bo has two older sisters you can have two little brothers.”  Marlena said trying to explain this in ways that the children would understand.

“Is he gonna come home with us later.”  Brady asked hopfully.

“Of course he is big guy.  He’s going to come home and stay at my home with me.”  Marlena said as Alex began to fuss. “Hey little one it’s okay.”  Marlena said rocking his gently. “Oh hey you guys there’s Marie with your supper.”  Marlena says and the children scramble to try nd ehlp Marie. “John honey will you grab the baby’s bag for me.”

“Sure no problem.” John says smling on the inside as she uses the word honey to address him.  John walking over to whrer the coats and bags had been put and got out the diaper bag. Returning to Marlena and handing her the bag she took out a recieveing blanket and began to nurse the baby.  The children then came to join their parents in what made them appear to be the picture perfect family.

Nearly an hour and a half had passed since Marlena John and the children had started dinner.  Alex slept happily in his carrier between John and Marlena as Belle and Brady ate their ice cream and pie.  “Hey Doc we better get going or Kristen is going to wonder what is taking so long.” John said in a low voice trying to keep the children from over hearing their conversation so as not to worry them.

“Yeah your right.”  Marlena said looking at her watch.  “All right kiddos your Daddy and I have to go out for a little while but we will be back as soon as we can.”  Marlena said standing up.

“But you will come back right Mommy.”  Belle said climbing out of the booth and up into her mother’s arms.

“Of course we will be baby girl and then we will go stay out at Marie’s but right now you and Brady have to stay here.”  Marlena said carrying Belle with as she got her coat. “Awright.” Belle said sliding down to the floor and running back to the table.  John was now getting dressed himself. Once both were dressed for the cold Parisian weather.

“All right kiddos come on say goodbye to Mommy and Daddy before we head out.”  John said kneeling down and opening his arms as the children ran into them.

After giving the children their hugs and kisses Marlena and John got into John’s rented car.  For the first few minutes there is noting but silence and the car radio playing Christmas carols in French.  “So are you ready to tell her?” Marlena asked trying to make conversation. “About as ready as I’ll ever be. In a way it’s a relief to know that everything will be out in the open and there will be no more secrets.  Kristen will know everything that happened and then we can go from there.” John said looking at Marlena and running his hand on her thigh.

“John the last thing you need to be doing is things that are going to get you in anymore trouble with your wife and I would consider you running your hands up my legs something that would get you in trouble.” Marlena said putting her hand on top on John’s a pealing it from her thigh.

“But it gets me in good graces with the woman I love and that’s what matters.” John said with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“Actually John it doesn’t.  I was your other woman once before I won’t do it again.  I can’t handle it. Just knowing that you are eventually going to leave me for her eats at me to a point where it’s all I can think about and that’s not fair to you, me and especially the children.”

“So what is fair teaching them that living without the person you love most in the world is a good thing something that you should do.” John said becoming frustrated.

“No but maybe if they see that you marrying someone other then the love of your life left you this unhappy they won’t make the same mistake.”  Marlena said as John rolled the car to a stop in front of the hotel. Getting out they were greeted by an over cheerful parking attendant. They walked through the lobby to the elevator and waiting as it made it’s way down the ground level.

“You know not talking isn’t going to make this situation any better.”  Marlena finally said as the headed up the floors in the elevator. “If we are going to tell her together we have to be playing on the same team.  We can’t go in there and be upset with each other. It’s going to be hard enough with Kristen being upset.”

“All right then let’s agree that we are going in there with one purpose to get everything and I mean everything out in the open no more secrets no more lies and no more pretending.”  Walking out of the elevator and down the hallway they held hands each trying to give strength to the other. They approached the door and John knocked feeling like a stranger to the room even though it was where his wife of almost a year stayed probably worried about where he had been for so long.

The wood door swung open to reveal a worried and angry Kristen.  “Where the hell have you been you told me you’d only be two hours that was 4 hours ago.” Kristen said her temper rising when she saw Marlena standing with him.

“Look I’m Sorry we just lost track of time, we were catching up and the kids were enjoying having their parents in the smae rooom I couldn’t take that away from them not after the past few months.”  John said walking into the hotel room.

“Look I didn’t mean to keep him away that long it’s just the children rerally enjoyed having him around.” marlne said feeling guilty knowing that some of what she had said was true but that for the most part it wasn’t she had enjoyed having him there just as much if not more then the children.

“Well you did, he has anotherr child Marlena that neeeds him just as much as Belle and Brady if not more.”  Kristen said with pure hatred in her voice.

“If you only knew the truth, if you only knew.”

“You’ve been saying that to me since we got to Paris and found you in that restaurant what’s it suppose to mean, John is my husband and there is nothing you can say or do that would make me doubt my love for him NOTHING.”

“Honey that’s why we’re here we have something to tell you. Somehting you need to know.”  John said taking her by the hand and guiding her to a chair to sit in. “Umm I’m not sure how to tell you this but last Febuary when you were in the hospital with John Jr and I came home to get some sleep well something happened.”

“What ae you talking about John?”

“Last Febuary Marlena and I slpet together.”  John said looking her square in the eye.

“WHAT? How could you?  I was in the hospitall recoverring from giving birth to our son and youu were off rolling around in the sac with that slut.” Kristen said turning towards Marlena who stood loking calmly at her.  “You just couldn’t help it could you. Couldn’t accept that he was my husband so you had to sleep with him.” kristen said the angry showing on her face.

“That isn’t how it happened.  I was going to leave the mansion that day John was trying to stop me and it got emtional and on thing led to another.  There was no seduction or romancing or anything like that. I left that day so that you and John could live your life together with out feeling threatened by me constantly.”

“Oh and you thought as a parting present you’d sleep with my husband.  I can not believe taht you slept with another woman less then a week after we were married.”

“I don’t know I just couldn’t help it.”

“Let me guess that was the same excuse you used when you did this to Roman.”  Kristen said tears in her eyes. “And I suppose she got knocked up a second time too right?”

“Ummm…Well…”

“Oh my god it’s true you have another child with her.”  kristen said her eyes wide in disbelief as she saw the look on their faces.  What bothered herr most of all was that the look was not one of guilt but more of pride.

“Yes we have a son now he’s almost 3 months old now.  That is one of the reasons John was gone so long tonight he was spending time with his son.”  Marlena said feeling the need tot defend her son to the woman she hated more then anyhting.

“I can’t believe this. It’s so unreal that the one man I trusted more then anyhting could do something like this to me.”  Kristen said getting up and walking out on John. After about 15 of sitting in silence John and Marlena relized that Kristen wasn’t planning on coming back.

“John why don’t we take John JR and go out to Marie’s. I’m sure that she’s already take the kids out there by now because of the storm and I need a ride out there anyway and by the time we get out there it will be dark and with the storm you shouldn’t drive back.”  marlena said wanting to get to the children.

“All right just let me pack somethings for John JR before we go.”  john said getting up and looking through the suitcases on the floor.  With a bag packed John bent down and picked up his infant son amazed that he could sleep thrrough the yellings of his mother.  “Umm Doc should I bring his portable crib with us?”

“Umm no you shouldn’t need it we have Alex’s portable crib out at Marie’s and Alex’s can sleep with me tonight.”  Marlena sid taking the bag from John and heading for the door.

“All right let me write Kristen a note so she knows I have John JR with me.”  John said grabbing a note pad and jotting down a short note and wlaking out the hotel room with Marlena behind him.

Pulling into the long driveway it had taken them almost 3 hours to drive what would normally take no more then an hour.  The storm had gotten worse in the mere hour they had been at the hotel. The drive had been quite mostly because John wanted to concentrate on his driving and Marlena wanted him too as well.

Marie sat inside her home starring out the window waiting to see headlights coming up the drive way even thou it was useless you could barely see 10 ft in front of you let alone down a driveway.  Finally as the car came to a stop she saw the lights. Running down the stair she threw on some boots and went out to help them. “Come on you guys this storm is getting really bad. I can’t believe you made it here.”  Marie said taking John JR’s bag from Marlena and they all made a run for the house.

When all of them were safe in the house Marlena and John naturally hugged each other thankful that they were safe and able to hold each other.  “All right you too there aren’t enough beds for everyone.”

“That’s okay Marie I can take the couch.” John said

“Hehe John you’re tough but not tough enough to make it through a night on Marie’s couch trust me.  It’s like sleeping on nail with cloth over them. You and I can share a bed.” Marlena said as Marie walked upstairs leaving them alone.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea Doc I mean…” John said nervously

“You seem a little nervous John especially since you’ve been trying to get with me all night.  Look Alex will be in the bed with us so there is no problem.” Marlena said climbing the stairs.  “Our room is the third door on the right. I’ll be right in I just want to talk to Marie a minute.”  Marlena said pointing to the room and watching John make his way down the hall.

“So how did it go?”  Marie asked when Marlena walked into the kitchen.

“Okay I guess.  She got mad stormed out and then we got John JR packed up and we came out here.”  Marlena said sitting in one of the kitchen chairs.

”  Well my dear I think you need a good night’s sleep.”  Marie said standing up. ” I’m going to bed you going to go too.”

“Yeah I think I’m going to need all the sleep I can get.”  Marlena said pulling her body up from the chair she had just sat down in.   Walking down the hall she stopped in the room she knew Brady was in. Jacob and Brady were sprawled on a bed together.  Bending down she covered them both with the blanket she placed a kiss on both of their foreheads and left the room. She then made her way into the room that Cassie and Belle were sharing.  Both little girls were lying on their sides almost in the fetal position clutching their stuffed animals. ‘Too precious.’ Marlena thought as she pulled the covers over them and kissed them both good night.

“All right all children are tucked in safe and sound and asleep.”  Marlena said walking into the room she was suppose to share with John.  The crib was out on the floor and a tired John JR lay sleeping in it. On the bed John sat holding Alex who was fast asleep.

“Um they are all ready for bed when you are.”  John said lying Alex on top of the bed spread and standing up.

“Okay.  I’m surprised that Alex didn’t wake up when we came in.”  Marlena said unbuttoning her shirt and taking it off. Pulling her nightgown on over her head she took off the rest of her clothes and climbed on the bed.  John just stood looking at her even when she was fully clothed she was still incredibly sexy. “You just going to sit and stare or are you coming to bed?” Marlena said giggling slightly as she watched John get ready for bed.

“G’Night JJ” John said kissing the infant on top of his head.  “G’Night Doc.” John said turning to face her. “And G’night to you big guy.”  John said finally kissing the baby that lay between Marlena and himself.

The made quick work of falling to sleep.  They had a relatively peaceful nights sleep with Alex waking up only once and John JR sleeping through the night.  It was around nine or so in the morning when Marlena rolled over and came in contact with John’s bare chest. “Mmmm” she moaned raking her nails over his chest as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.   Leaning into his chest she turned her head to the side and began to plant light airy kisses on his chest. Rolling her onto her back he himself began to plant kisses on her body. “Hmm John….Hmm that feels good don’t stop.”  Marlena said gripping the back of his head.

“Mmm I don’t intend to.”  John said his hand running down her body to the end of the night gown and running his hand up under her gown.  Both of their eyes now slightly open but neither of them were fully awake. As realization began to set in on what was going on neither of them seem to care.  The only movement between them was Marlena’s hands running through John’s hair and John’s hands running along Marlena’s bare thigh making his run high enough to know that the only thing she wore was her nightgown.  Looking each other square in the eyes they both at the same time drew their lips together in a searing kiss.

“Umm John what are we doing…someone could walk in.” Marlena said trying to come to her senses but it was hard when John was looking at her let alone running his hands all over her body.

“No they won’t they think we are asleep.”John said raising her  night gown above her head.

“Umm guess your right.  Well you got me naked now how about I return the favor for you?”  Marlena said not bothering to wait for an answer as she turned him onto his back and straddled his waist.  Leaning down she began plant hot wet kisses on is mouth and jaw. Wiggling down his body she grabbed his boxers and pulled them down with her.  Grabbing her by the buttocks he pulled her up to his waist again. Going in for another kiss his hands as busy as his lips. They had moved up her ribcage just below her breasts.  Marlena becoming inpatient wanting to feel him inside her. His hands had now begun to massage her breasts, as Marlena moved her hips enticingly.

“Umm John I want you so much.”  Marlena said rolling them over by herself taking John off guard.   Regaining himself quickly he entered her swiftly. Taking them both to their peak quickly and riding it down together the stayed tangled together in the sheets until their breathing returned to normal.

”  Mmm I still can’t get over how good you are in bed even after all these years.”  Marlena said snuggling into John as he held her tightly in his arms.

“Well it’s easy when you have a good partner.”  John said looking down at Marlena who had drifted off to sleep.  ” Sweet dreams Sleeping Beauty.” john said kissing her cheek and falling asleep beside her.