Fighting Chance – By Jessica D and Jame J

“Mom, do we have to go?” Ben asked sadly, as he tossed his last bag into the backseat of their Voyager.

“Ben, we have discussed this several times already. Yes, we have to go to Salem and live in Grandpa’s house and take care of his gym.”

“But all my friends are here in Chicago! I don’t want to leave them for some stupid gym in the middle of nowhere! If Dad were still here, we wouldn’t be going.”

“Yes, well Daddy’s not here, Ben. He hasn’t been here for quite some time, and he’s not comming back. So, that leaves you with two choices. You can go to Salem and like it, or go to Salem and *not* like it, it’s up to you” Marlena replied with her smile, as she slipped her sunglasses on, and got into the car.

“Ugh, why me?” Ben said as he rolled his eyes, and then entered the passenger side as he and Marlena headed for their journey. Although not very promising now, this was going to change their lives forever.

___________________________________________________

 

“Here we go, 217 Woodburrow Lane” Marlena commented, as she pulled the car into the driveway.

Ben carefully examined the scenery . The rural area was surrounded by trees. Houses were few and far between. The only people in sight were several elderly men playing cards on a porch, very attentive to their new neighbors.

“Wow, this place looks *so* exciting! We should have moved here years ago! Maybe I could convince those men to let me join in their *invigorating* and intense hand of bridge!”

“Ben!” Marlena scolded, as she began to take her belongings out of the car, “I know this is not exactly 5th Avenue, but you could at least *try* to adjust! I know it’s not easy for you, but did you ever stop to think how hard this is on me? I am trying Ben, trying to give you the best life has to offer, but I couldn’t exactly do that on a secretary’s salary! Here, I have a chance to run a business, and accomodate you better. A better education, a better neighborhood, a better life. I am trying to do this for you. So please, just give it a try for me?”

Ben looked at her, and saw tears begin to brim her toasted eyes. Shrugging his shoulders and letting out a sigh, he nodded his head, and smiled.

“Sure, Mom. I guess it can’t be *that* bad, it’s not exciting enough to be *that* bad.”

“Good boy. I promise you, things will get better. And, look at the bright side, we have our very own gym. A gym where boxers, professional ones at that, train.

Free matches for you to watch, up close and personally. If your good, I’ll even let you be a water boy!” Marlena said as she patted his back lightly.

“I’m thrilled” Ben said as he grabbed some more of his stuff out of the car, and rolled his eyes.

“Yea yea, but you know what the best part is?”

“Wally and the Beav live next door, and June invited us over for a nice dinner? Golly gee, Mom, it doesn’t get much better than that!” Ben said, as he laid the sarcasm on thickly.

“No wiseguy,” Marlena said as she removed here sunglasses, and glared him straight in the eye, “you get to see your Mom try her hand at coaching!” Marlena acknowledged with a smile, as they headed for the front door, and Ben let out a chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing doesn’t make you laugh.”

“Well, just that you don’t know the first *thing* about boxing.”

“Hey! I’m a fast learner, and it’s not as though I am *completely* lost.”

“Okay, than what’s a K.O.?”

“Easy, the opposite of O.K., right?”

“Mom, you have a lot to learn,” Ben said with a laugh, as Marlena opened the front door to reveal the old fashioned foyer of their humble new abode. Stepping inside, Marlena took a few minutes to soak in the familiar surroundings of her childhood home. Moving around the living room where she’d spent the first years of her life through adolesence, she couldn’t help but reminisce on her youth. After several moments of letting herself slip into a small nostalgia, she walked back over to Ben, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders lovingly.

“Welcome home.”

 

Marlena pulled her black Voyager up to the gym and gazed out the window.

Memories flooded her mind as she could still recall her childhood days in Salem. She had always hated that gym. . . it was the one thing more important to her father than herself. She knew in the long run it wasn’t true, that his baby girl meant more to him than anything, even the gym, but she still couldn’t help feeling that way. Maybe that was why she had moved her and Ben back to Salem. . . because that gym was the one thing that could always remind her of her father. She had dropped Ben off at the gym an hour ago and had promised she’d come by after she had unpacked slightly. She got out of the car and stood across the street, just looking at the sign. ‘Frank’s Gym’ had always sounded so bland to her, but now that she had the chance to change the name, it seemed perfect.

“Well well, if it isn’t my bestest friend from high school.”

Marlena looked up and smiled throwing her arms around the person in front of her. “Abe Carver, how are you sweetheart? God, I have missed you.”

“I missed you too. I’m good. Babe, I just have a question. Do you know *anything* about managing a gym or a boxer for that matter?”

“What? I don’t manage boxers, just the gym.”

“Ooooy. Did you ever see the final copy of your father’s will?” Marlena shook her head and Abe took her arm and walked her across the street. “Frank had this one boxer who he considered his prize. . . Lucky was like a son to Frank, he managed all his fights, paid his income taxes, gave hima place to live. . . and in your fathers will, he left not only the gym to you, but Lucky as well.”

“Oooh, you’ve *got* to be kidding me! Was my father insane? Did he want to punish me? Abe, what the hell am I going to do. I have a 16 year old son to take care of, myself, a gym which I know *nothing* about, plus I need to find another job because this doesn’t pay enough,” Marlena exclaimed as her and Abe walked into the gym. She noticed Ben in the far corner of the room, boxing gloves on his hands, sparring off in the ring with an older man. She ran over to them and got up to the robes.

“Ben, what the hell are you doing?” Marlena yelled. “Do you know how dangerous boxing is?”

“Chill lady, we’re just joking around, the guy fighting with Ben replied.

“Who the hell are you and how dare you tell me to chill.”

“The name is John Black. But in the ring, I’m also known as Lucky!”

 

“*You’re* Lucky?” Marlena asked in astonishment, as the tall, dark and handsome boxer nodded his head, and smiled.

“That’s a fact,” he replied, extended his hand to her, “you must be Marlena.

You’re father spoke highly of you. His passing was a shock to all of us. I thought of him as a father.”

“And he always told me you were the son he’d never had and always wanted,” Marlena said, losing her train of thought on exactly why she’d been angry with this man standing before her only a few moments earlier, but her memory soon returned when she noticed Ben standing before her, still clad in boxing gloves.

“Ben, take the goves off, now!” Marlena demanded as she glared at him.

Rolling his eyes, Ben reluctantly removed the gloves, and stormed off.

“I was just showing the kid a few moves, no harm done,” John tried to explain in his defense.

“Well, thank you Mr. Black for your concern, but I do not want my son involved in this type of lifestyle.”

“And what type of lifestyle might that be, Ms. Evans?” he asked as he folded his arms across his chest, obviously offended by her comment. “The one your father loved and devoted his life to?”

“I don’t owe you any sort of explaination for why I do not want my son becoming a boxer. So if you’ll excuse me, I have some errands to run,” she spoke defensively, as though she were trying to hide something, as she gathered her belongings, and motioned for Ben to come along.

“Nice meeting you. I must admit, your *charming* demeanor is most appreciated.”

“And your *witty* sarcasm is going to make my owning this establishment all the more thrilling. See ya soon!” she smiled as she waved goodbye, and walked quickly out of the gym.

“Sooner than you think, Sweetheart. Sooner than you think.”

_____________________________________________________

 

“He has to be the most *arrogant* man to walk the earth!” Marlena said frustrated, as she, Abe, and Ben entered the Evans’ house with several grocery bags.

“Lucky?” Abe said with a laugh, “He was just trying to rile you up and he did, Marlena. The guy’s harmless! He wouldn’t hurt a fly, outside of the ring that is.”

“I think he’s cool,” Ben chimed in, as he tried to steal a donut from one of the bags, as Marlena grabbed it from him quickly.

“First of all, those are for after dinner. Secondly, I don’t want you hanging around him, understand, Ben?” she scolded, as she began to put the purchases away.

“Geez Mom, that won’t be so easy considering he *lives* here.”

“What?” Marlena said darting around, in shock of her son’s last comment. “Abe, what the hell does he mean ‘he *lives* here’?”

“Umm, I gotta go. Lexi has dinner waiting. She hates it when I’m late,” Abe replied quickly, as he jolted up. “See you two soon. Good luck Ben.”

“Abe! Don’t you dare lea-” Before she could finish, the slamming of the door cut off her last word.

“Leave.” Marlena sighed, as she turned around to see her son snooping through the groceries once more.

“Oh Ben…”

“Oh gosh Mom, look at the time! 7 o’ clock! Don’t wanna miss Jeaopardy and ruin my chance of increasing my mental intellegency. That’s almost as bad as forgetting to put on my Baby Genius casette before bed! Can’t get enough of Bedtime beethoven! Bye!”

Before she could protest, he’d darted up the stairs and slammed his bedroom door.

“Ugh, could things *possibly* get any worse!” Marlena shrugged as she shook her head towards the sky in frustration.

“Honey, I’m home!”

 

“Honey I’m home.”

Marlena spun around and saw John standing there, a gym bag in one hand, a cold beer in the other. She rolled her eyes and went back to unpacking groceries. “So Mr. Black, when were you going to tell me you lived with my father? And by the way, *never* call me honey.”

“What is your problem Marlena? What do you have against me? The fact that your son was getting pointers on how to box from me, the fact that in reality, I was closer to your father then you were, seriously tell me what the hell you have against me, you don’t know me, you have no right!”

“I have no right?” she shot back. “I walk into the gym to find my son sparring off with someone twice his age. . .”

“He’s 16 Marlena! I may not know you, but from the five minutes I’ve been in your presence you have hovered around that kid and you try to protect him like he’s the president! Let him live a little,” John said sitting down at the table.

“What do you know about raising a kid?” Marlena yelled, stopping what she was doing.

“I know you have to let them live, let them have fun!”

“By boxing? Do you even know how dangerous, your little sport is?”

“Marlena, he was boxing for a minute, it was a *joke!* I bet he watches Jeopardy and listens to some Beethoven crap because he has been so withdrawn from having fun! Look, I don’t know either of you, but I knew your father better than I knew anyone else in this world, sometimes even better than myself. And that man lived for every second, he had fun no matter what the circumstance, he wouldn’t want his grandson growing up, afraid of this world because his mother never let him do what he wanted.”

“John, you may think you knew my father well, and I’m not going to deny the fact that you did, but he was *my* father, not *yours!* I do *not* under *any* circumstance need you, or want you to tell me how my father wanted me to raise my child. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some unpacking to do upstairs. I’d appreciate it, if you stayed in the basement most of the time and out of my son’s life and most especially out of mine,” she yelled, storming off, up the stairs.

“Reeeeeer,” John said as he watched her storm upstairs. He spotted the doughnuts on the counter and smiled taking one out. “Well at least now I have food to eat, I was starting to get sick of beer.”

___________________________________________________

 

“Ben?” Marlena asked knocking on her son’s door.

“Yeah, come in.”

Marlena walked in and sat down on his bed picking up the car magazine that was lying on the edge of his bed. “Ben, I need to talk to you for a sec,” she said putting it down and looking at her sons features. His sapphire green eyes shone with a glimmer of hope, the same hope that gave her reason to live when she felt there was no other. His dirty blonde hair was wet on his head from just showering and a pair of boxers, showed off his shapely stomach from obvious years of working out in the privacy of his bedroom.

“Sure. But before you say anything, I listened to Baby Genius and I even listened to the kiddy songs and sang along to 12 Little Monkeys. It brings me back to being five, ahhh the memories,” Ben smiled sarcastically.

“Haha, you’re clever,” Marlena smiled, throwing a pillow at him. “But seriously. . . Ben, do you think I’m to overprotective? I know you’re 16, but it’s just, you’re still my baby, you always will be. I just don’t want you to think I am a bad mother. . .”

“Marlena Evans doubting what a wonderful mother she is? I’m shocked,” Ben laughed, his mouth opened wide. “Mom, yes maybe you’re a little overprotective sometimes but you’re the furthest thing from a bad mother. When daddy left, you were there for me, even though you must have felt horrible inside you cared more about me than yourself. I know sometimes I can be a real pain in the butt but I love you. Now can we end this sappy conversation because I start school tomorrow,” Ben said, leaning up against his pillows.

“Yeah we can end this sappy conversation,” Marlena smiled. “I love you kid.”

“I love you too.”

Marlena kissed his forehead and started to walk out of the room when Ben stopped her.

“One more thing Mom, give Lucky a break, he’s a cool guy.”

Marlena smiled and walked out of the room leaning up against the door. “I don’t think I can Ben, some things are just to hard. . .” she whispered as she walked into her bedroom.

 

After changing into an old pair of sweat and a T-shirt, Marlena headed back downstiars to fix herself something to eat, just in time to see John stealing another doughnut.

“Do you always take other peoples food without asking?” she questioned with a smirk, as he dropped the dessert, and spun around to face her, powered sugar decorating his upper lip.

“I’m sorry,” he quickly answered as he frantically tried to close the box to it’s original appearance. “I just hadn’t eaten all day, I should have asked first I guess.”

“No,” Marlena said as she sighed, “It’s okay. I was just comming down here to fix myself something to eat. If you’re still hungry, I could make you something as well.”

“No thanks, I don’t want to impose,” he replied graciously as he shook his head no.

“But stealing my doughnuts is not imposing?” she said with a laugh.

“I guess ya got a point,” he agreed, as he joined in her laughing, happy to see the tension between them earlier had worn off a little.

“Good. Then how does some spaghetti sound?” she asked, as she went over to the cabinets and pulled out a pound of pasta, and then to the refrigerator to retrive some tomatoes and seasonings.

“Sounds great,” he said with a pleasant smile, “Geez, I can’t even remember the last time someone made me spaghetti with ragu, let alone with a homemade marinara sauce. As a matter of fact, I was content with your Dad’s chili.”

“Ahhh, his famous 5 alarm chilli, no one made that better than him.” Marlena said as she became a little melancholy with thoughts of her deceased father.

“Yeah, he was the best.”

“That he was,” she said with a smile, as she placed the ingedients on the table, and turned around to pull a knife from the drawer. “So Champ, wanna earn your keep and help me dice these babies?” she asked with a grin as she tossed him a tomato and handed him a knife.

“Do I have a choice?”

“Not unless you wanna go hungry.”

“Did I mention that slicing tomatoes is my specialty?” he said quickly as he began to chop away.

“Yeah but eating doughnuts isn’t,” she said with a laugh, as she set a pot of water on the stove to begin boiling.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked as he arched his eyebrow with curiousity.

“What it means is,” she began as she grabbed a dish towel and walked over to him, “you left a little bit of a mess,” she said with a smile, as she softly dabbed the powered sugar from his lips.

Watching her attentively, John saw something attractive about her motherly demeanor. For the first time since they’d met, he’d noticed a sparkle in her hazel orbs. Something he’d missed when they’d been introduced, but now, caught up in the moment, he saw something enchanting, something special, and something that intrigued him to find out more about the classy blonde who’d entered his life.

“There, all gone.” Her words withdrew him from his trance, as he blushed, a little embarrassed by what he’d done.

“Sorry, I guess it’s the mother in me,” she said smiling as she noticed the slight change in his complexion.

“Do you always treat your borders so well?”

“What can I say, I aim to please.”

“Yea, well it’s good to see you smiling, you should do it more often.”

Marlena looked up from her tasks with the pasta, unsure of what to say as he began to pay her compliments. Boxing was a lifestyle all too familiar to her, and she was determined not to allow herself, or her son to be caught up in it again.

“Thanks.”

“No I mean it,” he said again, this time a little more sincere, “You really do have a gorgeous smile.”

John!” she exclaimed, as she slammed the dish towel back down and looked up at him, “Just cause I am making you dinner, you don’t have to feel obligated to hit on me like we’re teenagers!”

“Hit on you?” he replied defensively “God, I was just paying you a compliment, and all of a sudden, you’re turning back into the Ice Queen. I don’t know what your problem is Sweetheart, but I am not your enemy, and I think you need to lighten up a little!”

“How dare you insult me after you’ve been nothing but rude and arrogant since I’ve arrived!”

“Me? I’ve been rude?” he questioned unbelievingly, “Listen lady, you’ve got it all backwards! Every time I try to be nice to you, or say something courteously, you bite my head off! You obviously have a problem with me, but I can’t figure out what the hell it is!”

“Did you ever stop to think *you’re* the one with a problem, Mr. Black?”

“Ha, ya know what. I give up!” he shrugged as he walked into the living room and grabbed his jacket. “Thanks for the dinner invitation, but I’ve seem to have lost my appetite. It’s easier to go 12 Rounds with Mike Tyson then to eat a meal and have a civil conversation with you! See ya later!”

With that, he stormed out the door leaving Marlena there hurt, as she threw what was left of the tomatoes onto the floor, and leaned over the counter as tears brimmed from her toasted eyes. The past was coming back to haunt her, and trying to escape it once more one be one of the biggest battles of her life.

Marlena walked into her father’s study and surveyed the small room. Boxing tropies mounted the dressers and plaques covered the walls. She moved over to the wall and traced her fingers over the indented words on the plaque. ‘Alexander Falconer, Heavyweight Champion, 1981

.’

“Falconer, you have to help me out. . . I can’t do this again. I left Salem in the first place because of this, I. . . I can’t deal with this another time,” she whispered as tears fell from her eyes. She could picture his face in her mind. . . his crisp brown eyes, the way his hair was parted in the center of his head. . . his laugh vibrated in her ears as she pushed him out of her vision. She couldn’t let her past distract her, not now, not again. The past was over and she needed to concentrate on her future. . . for herself and for Ben.

She sat down in her father’s cushy chair and opened up his desk drawer with a small key she had found in his bedroom. She had told Abe she would find some papers about the gym ownership and figured her father’s study would be the first place to look. She rummaged through papers coming across a picture she never knew her father had kept. . . it was a picture of her and Alexander on her 16th birthday. He had thrown her a huge surprise party with over a hundred of her friends, a huge dance floor, a world renound DJ. . . the works. She flipped over the picture and read the scribbled writing.

“Frank, Here’s the picture of me and Mar from her 16th birthday. Thanks for all the support in the ring and outside of it. Marlena is lucky to have such a wonderful father like you. In many ways you are a father to me as well so thanks. I love you. Falconer.”

Marlena wiped the tears from her eyes and put the picture back in the drawer, not wanting to go back in time. She started to look through the drawer more when a piece of paper caught her eye. She picked it up and examined the sheet throughly, her eyes growing wide. “What the hell is this?”

John walked into Brady’s Pub and sat down at a bar stool. It was a local pub in the center of Salem, owned by a family that had become one of his own. Before he had even met Frank, that bar had been his home at one point, a room he rented just upstairs. Shawn and Caroline Brady were his saviors. . . he had come to Salem with no place to live, no family, and barely any money to survive on. The Brady’s took him in, no questions asked, no contracts drawn up, just a helping hand to a guy who needed it.

“You’re here late tonight.”

John looked up and saw Shawn Brady standing before him. He was a plump man, with white hair matted gently on his head, an Irish face that always held a smile and the man made clam chowder like no one else in this world.

“I know. I’ve just had some stuff bothering me lately. Can you get me a beer?”

“Of course,” Shawn replied taking a beer and opening it. “So what’s up?”

“Frank’s daughter is what’s up. She’s so. . . I don’t know. I don’t know if I want to kill her or kiss her. She has this way about her that makes a guy want to scream, she’s so damn stubborn and she has to have things done on her term and no one elses. She’s a real bitch sometimes but other times she’s just. . . uuuugh I don’t know,” John exclaimed as he took a long sip of beer.

“Does she know about why ou stayed with her father for so long?” Frank asked concerned.

“No. What am I supposed to say? Marlena, your father was like a father to me and I stayed with him out of loyalty even though he couldn’t afford me and I had the chance to be the next Mike Tyson but gave it up because of that? And the fact of the matter is, I don’t know if I want to leave the gym.”

“Because of her?”

“Maybe. But it’s still out of loyalty to Frank and I know he would want me to leave, he wanted me to leave when he found out he couldn’t afford me, but I feel some sort of obligation to both of them and I don’t even know her! I am so frustrated, I think I’m just gonna go back to the gym and use the punching bag for an hour or so,” John said getting up.

Shawn looked down at his watch and looked up again. “It’s almost 11 at night. The gym isn’t open. . .”

“Well *lucky* is my middle name and *lucky* for me, I have one that opens the door,” he smiled. “Thanks for everything Shawn.”

“My pleausre,” he replied as he watched John walk out of the bar.

John walked into the gym to find a couple of other fighters working out in the ring.

“Isn’t this place closed,” John laughed as he threw his gym bag down on the floor and started to throw a few punches at the bag in front of him.

“Big fight tomorrow remember?” John’s one time opponent Jimmy said.

“Oooh yeah, I can’t believe I forgot. Jimmy, good lucky with that man, don’t let them jab you to much,” John joked.

“Oooh, you are so clever Black, I. . .” Before Jimmy could finish the chimes of the front door drew their attention.

“Lucky, I need to talk to you, *now!*”

 

“Lucky, I need to talk to you, *now!* “Marlena demanded, as she stormed in the front door of Frank’s Gym, as the other boxers immediately stopped they’re sparring to take witness of the hell that was about to break loose.

 

“I don’t think I’m the one who has to be *Lucky* right now,” Jimmy whispered to Austin ‘The Kidd’ Reed.

 

“Not in the mood for your insults and outbursts right now, Marlena,” Lucky acknowledged with a smile, as he slipped into his gloves, and began taking a few jabs to the punching bag. Completely frustrated with him, she moved to the opposite side of the bag, stopping it with her hands, and holding it in place firmly, as he looked up at her startled at her action.

 

“What the hell?” he asked raising an eyebrow in astonishment.

 

“I said I want to talk to you, and I want to talk to you NOW!”

 

“So, talk!” he exclaimed as he threw his hands up and reached into his gym bag, and pulled out his water bottle

 

“What’s this?” she asked as she threw him the document she’d discovered earlier.

 

“I dunno, I’m a boxer, not a mind reader,” he said sarcastically as he sipped his water, ignoring the paper she’d just tossed him, “why don’t you tell me.”

 

“It’s your contract, which so clearly shows, MY FATHER COULD NOT AFFORD you!”

 

John’s jaw dropped as she spoke her last words. Austin and Jimmy had also forgotten about all else as this quarrell became more and more heated, and the truth began to pour out.

 

“So, what are you getting at?” John asked as he throw his sport bottle back into the bag, and headed back to the punching bag, as though her words had no affect on him.

 

“What am I getting at? Why did you stay, John? Why are you *still* staying?”

 

“Something’s are more important in life to me than money, Marlena!”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Like your father!” he yelled, as he turned back around to face her. A nerve had been hit, and he couldn’t deny his feelings anymore. “He saved me, when I was nothing, he gave me a chance, and I took it. That’s why they call me Lucky! I succeeded, I was one of the best, hell, maybe I still am, but Frank didn’t have the money to support me as a big shot heavy weight, I made do with what I had, and was still able to do what I love the most, box!”

 

“But, he wanted you to go, he begged you!” she screamed, as she moved a few steps closer to him

 

“It wasn’t like that! Why can’t you understand? I loved him, he treated me like a son! That was something I had very little of in life. Yea, maybe I could have been something big, but what about when I was washed up? I would have had nothing left! This way, I had Frank, I had a home, and I got to box! That’s what mattered most to me! He didn’t back out on me Marlena, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to back out on him!”

 

“What about now?” she asked, as tears begin to brim over her hazel orbs, “Now, you still have a chance to be big. So take it. You have no more obligation. You stood by my father, and I can never thank you enough for that. So Lucky, you can consider this your second chance. I’m letting you go.”

 

With that, Marlena began to walk away, sobbing as she stuffed the document back into her purse, and headed for the door. She made it half way past the ring, when his strong arm swung her back to his direction.

 

“You’re *letting me go*?” he asked as his voice took on a firm tone, “Isn’t that *my* choice?”

 

“Yes, but dammit, I can’t afford you, and there’s nothing to hold you back anymore, John. So go. Lives your dreams. My father would have wanted it that way.”

 

“No!”

 

“Dammit, it’s what’s best!” she yelped, as she began to cry harder, as tears streamed down her angelic cheeks

 

“That’s not what’s best, stop saying that! I know what’s *best* for me! I am not going anywhere!”

 

“Yes you are, there’s no reason for you to stay!” she exclaimed, as she turned around to leave again.

 

“The hell there”s not!”

 

“What then?” she questioned loudly, as she threw her hands in the air, “What could possibly be keeping you from pursuing a career as heavyweight boxing champion of the world?”

 

Storming across the gym, he grabbed the lapels of her jacket, as she gasped in surprise. Their faces mere inches from each other, he held her there steadily, as he looked her over once, and then answered her question.

 

“You!”

 

With that, he pulled her to him, after weeks of tension mounting, the feelings came out in that first kiss. Soft and slow as first, as their lips met, a spark was ignited. Marlena wrapped her arms firmly around his neck, as he moved his to her waist, never breaking from their kiss which became more passionate and more hungry with every second. Easing back towards the ring, still too caught up in the moment, the sounding of a bell broke the moment that had stood still just for them, as they fell against the side of the ring. The two young boxers, whistled, and cheered them on, as Marlena and John stood there, locked in each other’s gaze, still shocked at what just happened, but more confused about what happnes next.

 

Marlena pushed back from John and bit down on her lower lip, anger rising in her chest. She felt Austin, Jimmy, and especially John’s eyes watching her closely and she turned around wrapping her arms around her chest. Tears began to spring from her eyes and she wiped them away quickly spinning around.

 

“Where the hell do you get off?” she screamed, not exactly sure how to take the kiss. She had felt the sexual tension between her and John since the day she had arrived back in Salem but being involved with a boxer was disastrous, she had learned that first hand.

 

“Excuse me?” he asked. “Whoa, why are you making me out to be the bad person here? I felt your tongue in my mouth Marlena, you kissed me too!”

 

“Wow John, you have such a romantic way with words,” Austin said laughing as him and Jimmy sat in the ring, just watching them fight.

 

“You, get out of here, both of you, this is between Marlena and I,” John yelled.

 

“Fine, fine,” Jimmy laughed, getting up, “Boss, I gotta tell ya, I’ve never seen Lucky get so worked up over a woman before. You got him good.”

 

“Out,” John yelled as they both left. He turned back to Marlena and the sparkle in her eyes made his heart melt. There was something about her that he found so beautiful. He didn’t know if it was the way her eyes never lost that glimmer of light, or the way her golden hair always shone like the summer sun. She was the most stubborn, irrational, irritating woman but somehow he couldn’t help but feel as if he was falling in love with her. He snapped back into reality when he noticed her walking away. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “What is wrong with you?” he asked.

 

“What is wrong with me? Where do you get off kissing me like that? *If* I kissed you back, it was only out of pure shock. I’m sorry Mr. Black, but the last thing I intend to do is to get involved with a boxer. Your way of life is not my way. . .”

 

“What do you have against boxers, Marlena?”

 

She adverted her eyes from him and tried to avoid the tears that were threatening to spill over. “That, is none of your business. Now you may refuse to leave this gym and I can’t stop you from leaving. But know that you will *never* have a relationship with me, so if that is why you are staying, you should just leave now. And I can’t pay you what you deserve, I don’t know if I ever will. And you may be living under my roof, but if you dare butt into my personal life, I will kick you out, no matter what my father’s will reads. Do I make myself clear?” she said sternly, her eyes taking on an icy form.

 

“Damn it Marlena, I’m not Ben, stop treating me like I am five. So seriously, what gave you this bitchy interior? You come into town like you are God’s gift to Salem and just because you are beautiful doesn’t mean you have any right to act the way you do! You may think I am a piece of meat because I make a life out of boxing, but whether you realize this or not, I have feelings! You might be trying to fight me off because of some issues that you have, so you don’t get hurt but do you even care that you are hurting me?” he asked, emotions running through his veins.

 

“I’m sorry, but my decision stands strong. We will never have a relationship and if you don’t approve you’re free to leave. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get home, it’s getting late, I am exhausted, and my son starts school tomorrow.” She started walking off when John’s voice stopped her.

 

“That’s right Marlena, why don’t you go make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with the crusts cut off and pack his Walkman with all the Baby Genius material you can find. Ooooh I’m sorry, you probably make him go on some soy diet, don’t you?” he said in a condescending manner.

 

“Good John, when you stop acting five, maybe I’ll stop talking to you like you are,” she said snidely as she walked out of the gym, leaving John alone and confused.

 

“Women!” John Black complained as he stormed into the Brady Pub, and took a seat next to Abe at the bar.

 

“I take it you and Marlena had another sparring match today?” Abe said with a laugh, as he sipped his beer.

 

“Haha very funny!” he said sarcastically, as he asked Shawn for his usual Bud Light. “I swear to God, I’ll never understand her! One minute, she’s kissing me, the next, she’s telling me we’ll never have a relationship. What am I doing wrong?” he asked confused as he tossed a handful of peanuts in his mouth.

 

“Woah! Back up, Champ, whattaya mean you kissed her?” Shawn asked as he came back with John’s order, just in time to overhear.

 

“What? Am I not speaking English now? I mean just what I said, we kissed!” he exclaimed as he went to grab his drink.

 

“Not so fast, Lucky,” the old man said, as he pulled the beer from his reach. “What kinda kiss you talking about here? Like a cheek kiss to a friend or are we talking about one of those sappy movie ones? Ya know, with fireworks and everything, Lad?”

 

“This one had Big Red commercial written all over it!” John said proudly, “Now, can I have my beer?”

 

“Nope, not yet my little good luck charm. That’s only the good half of the story, now ya don’t leave us hanging to save face and tell us the bad half.”

 

“I gotta go with Shawn on this one, Buddy,” Abe said with a wink as he patted his good friend on the back.

 

“Jesus, you just love to see me made a fool of, don’t ya?”

 

“Yup, now spill it!”

 

“There’s nothing to say! I dunno what it is! She keeps giving me this bull about not wanting to get involved in the boxer lifestyle and blah blah blah. I think she’s just afraid of commitment or just a tease.”

 

“Dammit it, Black,” Abe said angrily, “You can be a real insensitive bastard sometimes.”

 

“Christ, now I got you sounding just like her!” John said, not being able to believe how they were all siding against her.

“Ay Lad, you don’t know about Marlena do ya?”

 

“What are you two talking about?”

 

“I think that’s something you need to talk with her about,” Abe replied as he paid Shawn his tab and got up to slip into his jacket “If you’ll excuse me, I have a wife and son to get home, too. Goodnight.”

 

“Night, Abraham!”

 

“Abe wait, what the hell? Shawn, what don’t I know?”

 

“About Falconer, Laddy.”

 

John looked at him with an arched eyebrow, extremely confused with the events that had occured throughout the evening.

 

“Falcon Crest? As in the TV show?”

 

“No ya goofball, as in one of the greatest boxer’s ever to come out of Salem, aside from you.”

 

“What the hell does that have to do with me and Marlena?”

 

“Everything.”

 

“Everything? Shawn, man, please tell me what’s going on?” John pleaded.

 

To no avail, Shawn shook his head no, and made his last comment on the matter.

 

“Sorry Lucky, I’ve said too much already. I think you need to go see Marlena for the answers you’re looking for.”

 

With that, Shawn headed to tend to the other customers, leaving John there with no other choice than to take his advice to heart.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

The rain poured down steadily along the streets of Salem as John headed back home to find Marlena and answers.

 

He entered the front door, removing his soaked shoes, and searching for any indication of there being anyone at home. That’s when he inhaled the sweet scent of homemade chilli petruding from the kitchen. Entering the room slowly, he found Marlena at the stove, stirring away, completely oblivious that he’d returned home.

“Smells just like your Dad’s,” he called out with a smile.

 

Startled to hear his voice, she gasped. Turning to face him, she remembered the events of earlier that evening and reverted her attention back to her cooking.

 

“Thanks,” she mumbled, trying to avoid any elongated conversation or eye contact with him.

 

“Don’t you think it’s a little late though?”

 

“I felt like cooking, so I did. God, can you ever go one day without aggrevating me?” she replied, as she rolled her eyes.

 

“If it’s any consellation, I ask myself the same thing about you everyday,” he commented with a smirk. “But, I didn’t come here to fight, I came here to talk.”

 

“Well,” she began as she turned around to finally face him, “I think we established earlier that we can’t talk without fighting, and I don’t want to wake up my son who starts school tomorrow. Aside from the fact that I have made it quite clear, there’s *nothing* more I have to say to you!”

 

“Oh, I think there is.”

 

“Oh, do you?” she asked as she folded her arms across her chest and leaned against the counter.

 

“Uh huh.”

 

“And just what do you *think* I have to say to you?”

 

“I *think* it’s time for you to tell *me* all about *why* you have such a problem with boxers.”

 

“And I told you I don’t owe you any explaination!” she exclaimed as she threw her hands in the air, and turned from him once more, not wanting to get into another debate on the subject.

 

“I’m not asking for an explaination,” he said as he took a seat at the kitchen table. “I’m just asking you to tell me about *Falconer*.”

 

Marlena spun around her eyes wide, her heart rate increasing as she looked into John’s baby blue eyes.

 

“How the hell do you know about him?” Marlena whispered as tears slid down her cheeks. “Did you snoop through my father’s stuff? You will *never* be Falconer,” she screamed. “My father loved Falconer, no one can ever replace him,” she yelled as her body shook and chills cascaded down her spine.

 

“First of all I would *never* look through your father’s things. Abe and Shawn mentioned him but said I had to talk to you about him . . . so what’s wrong Miss Evans? Did a fighter break your heart,” he said in a condesending manner. “Is little Marlena afraid of the big bad boxer?”

 

“I hate you,” she seethed. She walked up to him and stood before him, tears pouring down her cheeks. She felt as anger built up in chest and before she realized what she was doing, she felt her fists pounding into his chest. “You have no fucking idea who Falconer was and what happened! I hate you! I don’t know how my father ever thought of you as a son, you’re a cold, inconsiderate bastard and I wish it was you who died and not Falconer,” she screamed as she stopped pounding and fell onto the floor in hysterics.

 

John felt his jaw drop and realized how wrong he had been . . . he didn’t break her heart, he had died in the ring. He closed his eyes, feeling a pang of guilt as he watched her breakdown right before him. He knelt down and gathered her in his arms, feeling as she melted into his embrace. She was as vulnerable as a lost child as they sat in the middle of the kitchen, in each others arms. He stroked her blonde hair gently, whispering in her ear.

 

“Shh . . . I’m so sorry, Marlena. If I had known . . .”

 

“I came to the ring to tell him something important,” she interrupted, her voice soft with emotion. “He had begged me to come watch him fight, but he knew I wouldn’t go, due to the fact I hated seeing him in there fighting. It was pouring that night, thunder was booming outside, lighting lit up the sky every few seconds . . . it took me forever to get there and by the time I did, the match had already started. I couldn’t leave now, I just had to tell him my news. So I sat in the front row just watching him. Even though I thought it was such a barberic sport I couldn’t help but be proud. I was 17 and I was dating one of the best up and coming boxers. He was 23 but from the first time we met there was just a connection. I just sat staring at him for awhile but then it happened . . . all of a sudden his opponate, Cyclone, just started to pound him. Falconer kinda just stood there at first but Cyclone just kept pounding him and pounding him . . . he just seemed to crumble onto the floor, his breathing becoming slow until it just . . .it just stopped,” she cried as she remembered that night so well. “I didn’t get up, I *couldn’t* get up. I thought I was dreaming . . . my feet were glued to the floor, my eyes just staring at his body lying limp in that ring. Falconer was one of the best boxers out there, I didn’t understand how he could just stand there and get the crap kicked out of him without fighting back. I started to blame myself . . . I thought that maybe he was distracted by me when I came him and he just stopped paying attention or maybe he stopped trying because he knew I hated it . . . or maybe . . .”

“Don’t dwell on maybe’s,” John said softly as his heart broke for her. He finally understood just why she had been so resistant to involve herself with a boxer. He sounded so much like Falconer and he knew that scared her more than anything. “Marlena, things happen in life for a reason. I’m not trying to justify his death, please don’t think that. But you can’t live your life thinking you could have changed things. I learned that the hard way . . . my father used to beat my mother. I would come home after being with friends and I would hear her screaming and crying inside their bedroom and I would hear the sound of his belt whipping across her body. The sound still haunts me sometimes. Well one night I just needed to get out. My best friend picked me up and we just hung out at the football field all night. I got home at around 1 in the morning to find the cops there and my father in hand cuffs. He and my mother were fighting and he pushed her . . . right out their bedroom window, down 14 stories. I hated myself. I thought that if I hadn’t gone out that night, I could have saved her. If only I had just stayed inside, she wouldn’t have died! After that I was a mess . . . I tried to kill myself more times than I can even rememberand they had to put me into a hospital. I went into group therapy and they told me that I was angry at myself but slicing my wrists wasn’t the way out. They took me to a gym and showed me the bag. They told me to get my frustrations out on that and that’s how I started to box. The point of the story is, no matter what you think, no matter how much blame you place on yourself, nothing can change what happened,” he said softly as he wiped his own tears.

 

Marlena turned around in his arms and felt her hand across his face for a moment, shutting her eyes, just getting the feel of him. She opened her eyes and took his hand in her own. “I’m . . . I’m sorry, I guess I wasn’t so easy on you. It just scares me so badly. I think that if I allow myself to love you, it’ll all happen again. I’ll lose you, like I lost Falconer, and I can’t do that to my heart. His death was 17 years ago and I still can’t get over it . . .”

 

“You’re not supposed to get over it, Mar. Someone you loved *died*, you just don’t get over that. But I have a question, what was it you needed to tell him?” John asked curiosuly.

 

Marlena breathed in deeply and exhaled closing her eyes. “I found out I was pregnant that morning. The night of senior prom, I lost my virginity to him and I guess . . . well you can imagine. I loved him, I didn’t care if I was 17, I knew I was going to spend my life with him. Even my father excepted it because he loved Falconer . . . but when he died, I was so frightened, I almost thought of giving my baby up. But I knew if I gave him up, I would never have a piece of Falconer left.”

 

“I thought Ben’s father left?”

 

“My second husband left. Ben doesn’t know his father is dead, he doesn’t know about Falconer . . . when Ben was three I married some guy who I worked with. I didn’t love him, I know that now, but I needed someone to help me raise Ben and I just did it.”

 

“You need to tell him,” John said honestly. “He’s almost 17, he has a right to know . . .”

 

“You have no idea what the situation is . . .” she protested backing out of his embrace.

 

“I know you still think Ben is five and he can’t handle things. But he isn’t five Marlena, he’s practically an adult, are you just going to let him lim live his life thinking that his father left him? Without getting to know his father through your eyes or ever seeing his father’s grave, why is that right?”

 

“Ugh,” Marlena screamed, standing up, straightening her shirt. “I don’t know why I even opened up to you. You don’t understand, you will *never* understand. Goodnight.” She stormed out of the room and up the stairs leaving John alone.

 

“Good Black, you have her open up and you ruin it, smart move ass,” he said a loud as he walked down the stairs to his room.

 

“I have to be the world’s biggest asshole,” John said shaking his head, as he plopped down on the Carver living room sofa with a beer in hand.

 

Abe laughed as he seated himself in the recliner next to him and sipped on his drink. “Hey man, not your fault,” he said reassurlingly, “you had no idea about Falconer.”

 

“Thanks to you and Shawn,” he said with a smirk.

 

“That wasn’t our place to tell you, John. It was Marlena’s.”

 

“Well, she told me all right!” he said, a little perturbed as he got up from his seat and paced the living room. “Now I feel like the world’s biggest, insensitive shit!”

 

“Nope, Lucky,” Abe said as he stood up and walked over to him, “If you were insensitive, this wouldn’t bother you at all. The problem is, you love her. Totally and completely infatuated by Marlena. That’s why this hurts you so much, isn’t it?” Abe asked, as John turned away to gaze out of the window, not wanting to face Abe or the truth held in his words.

 

“It’s more than just infatuation,” he said as he sighed deeply, “I’m in love with her.”

____________________________

 

“Mom?” Ben asked groggily, as he opened her bedroom door slowly, hoping she hadn’t fallen asleep just yet.

 

After her confrontation with John, the last thing Marlena could do was sleep. Seated by her bedroom window, her hands folded over her chest, dressed in her bathrobe and nightshirt, she turned to face Ben with tired and tearstained eyes.

 

“Hey Sweetie, what are you still doing up?”

 

“I heard you and Lucky arguing,” he said as he walked into her bedroom and cautiously closed the door behind him. “I was worried you were upset, so I came into check on you.”

 

She smiled proudly at how he’d grown into such a handsome and caring young man. She couldn’t help but think back to the heated words her and John had exchanged earlier. He was so right, Ben was no longer five years old. He was a man, a bright, handsome, and strong willed one at that. It was at that moment she realized, she had to let go of the Momma’s boy complex she’d bestowed on him. No matter how hard it might be, it was time to let go of his hands and let him free to be on his own.

 

“I’m fine Sweetheart,” she said with a smile, “but thank you for being so thoughtful.”

 

“I guess I owe it to you,” he replied with a smile, as he walked over and kissed her forehead adoringly, “after all, you’ve put up with my wise ass for 16 years, I owe you my life. I know I don’t say it or show it a lot, but I love you, Mom.”

 

Smiling at the compassion this young boy held in his heart, Marlena felt tears once again form in her hazel orbs as she got up and embraced him tightly.

 

“I love you, too. More than you could ever know.”

 

“Enough to tell me the truth?” he asked as he pulled away from their hug and made eye contact with her.

 

“What do you mean, sweetie? We have no secrets, you know that.”

 

“Then tell me the truth about you and Lucky.”

 

“What’s to tell?” she replied, doing her best to avoid the question, as she walked away from him and gazed out of the window “He’s a boxer, I am his manager. End of story.”

 

“What about the fact that you two have the hots for each other?”

 

“Ben! Where in God’s name did you get an idea like that? That’s insane! I can’t even stand to have a conversation with that egotistical, arrogant man, let alone a relationship!”

 

“Please Mom,” Ben said with a laugh, “The sexual tension between you two is so thick, you need a chainsaw to cut it.”

 

“I think you’re sleep deprieved and correct me if I’m wrong, don’t you start school tomorrow?”

 

“Well, correct me if *I’m* wrong, but aren’t you dodging my question?”

 

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?” she asked as she turned and shook her head at him.

 

“Cause I’m your son,” he said with a grin.

 

“Too true,” she said with a bright smile, “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

 

“Nope, same as I can’t from you. So what are you going to do with the Lucky thing?”

 

Laughing at his persistence, Marlena lifted her arms in the air, and shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing. We’re just going to leave things the way they are.”

 

“But Mom, I wanna see you happy.”

 

“I don’t need a man to make me happy, Ben. I have you. You give me a reason to live. You’re what makes my life complete. I don’t need anything more.”

 

“Mom, you’re gonna have to forgive me on this one,” he said, as he began to tell her how it was, “but that is the biggest bunch of bullshit I have ever heard! Yes, you’re an independent, strong, and the by far the world’s most *incredible* single Mom, but you’re also human, and deserve to love. If not, you’re missing out on all life has to offer!”

 

“What do you know about love?” she asked, as she looked at him in awe of the rational adult he’d molded into.

 

“Enough to know it makes the world go round.”

 

“Okay Cassanova, what do you think I should do then?”

 

“I think you should swallow some pride and take a chance,” he said with a grin as he strolled towards the door, “and how knows, ya might even get *lucky*”

Ben walked into his house after school, throwing his bag onto the floor. He heard screams coming from the den and ran in terrified of what was going on. He saw Lucky sitting there, the TV on high volume as he sat lifting weights.

“Lucky, you scared me! Whatcha watching?” Ben asked sitting down next to him and taking a handful of popcorn that was in the bowl in front of them.

“Scream 3. Courteney Cox is such a babe. That Arquette guy is one *lucky* SOB!”

“Nah, she doesn’t look great in this movie, bangs are to short but dude she is mad hot on Friends. Her and Jenn Aniston! Such fine girls,” Ben said smiling.

“Hmm I like Chandler on Friends, don’t you think we’re alike,” John said winking.

“Hmm yeah, because you’re dating a leggy brunette, you sit in a coffee house all day except for the random moments you punch in numbers, and you have *great* sense of humor! Oh my, you *are* like Chandler,” Ben said sarcastically.

“Hey, maybe you’re more like Chandler than me! And hey, Chandler’s mom is a hot blonde also,” he winked, setting the weights down.

“Lucky, I know you don’t really know me, but can you be honest with me for a sec?” Ben asked, his mood changing into seriousness.

“Sure buddy, what’s up?”

“What’s going on between you and my mother? I heard you guys argueing last night and when I came into her room she was crying and the only reason I could think of would be because of you. I know she doesn’t show it because my mother is one of the most stubborn people you will ever meet but she really likes you. She’s just scared because my father left us alone and she doesn’t know how to handle relationships much since that. When Grandpa died, she became this emotional wreck and she would *kill* me if she knew I was telling you all this but I don’t want you to think she doesn’t like you or anything. But I guess what I am really trying to ask is, do you like her?”

“I mean, besides her occasional mood swings of hating me, sure I like her. She seems like a great lady and I *know* she loves you,” John said sincerely.

“I don’t mean like that Lucky. I mean do you *like* her, like her! I’m not a kid, don’t treat me like one! Come on Lucky, please tell me. I want to see my mom happy and I think you’re the guy who can make that happen! I don’t know you well, but I know you’re a great guy or else my grandfather wouldn’t have loved you as much as he did. I’m not trying to pressure you, but I can feel the tension between you guys and I was kinda just wondering . . .”

“Yes . . . I do like her like that but come on, your mother would never date someone like me, she made that *quite* clear.”

******************

Marlena and Abe sat in her office at the gym eating lunch. She twirled her fork around in her Ceaser Salad and started biting down on her lower lip, her eyes staring off somewhere past Abe.

“Hey Gorgeous, what’s wrong?” Abe asked, watching her.

She snapped out of her daze and smiled at her lifelong friend. She had grown up with Abe Carver and they had been best friends as long as she could remember. After Falconer had died, she had left Salem and had lost contact with everyone but her father including Abe. They would send birthday cards back and forth and Marlena had called him on the day of his wedding and on the day his son was born but basically that was all the contact they had made in years. She had missed him in all that time though, no one could ever replace that position that he held.

“I was . . . I was, umm . . .”

“Thinking about John Black?” Abe question, his eyebrow raised in question.

“That obvious huh?” she smiled, throwing her fork into the styrafome box.

“Just a little. So what’s up? Do you wanna discuss it?”

“I just don’t know what I feel! I told him about Falconer, he told me a little about his past and for a few minutes I actually thought I could fall for him. But then he went ahead and ruined it but yet I started to cry because I *hate* fighting with him. Then Ben comes into my room and tells me he wants me to be happy and that I should give Lucky a chance! And I know he is right but I just can’t date someone like him . . .”

“Marlena, not every situation will be like Falconer. You can’t swear off love because of the past. Things happen, things which you can’t control, and things you have to learn to accept,” Abe said truthfully.

“Yeah but I don’t know if he likes me or . . .”

“He loves you Marlena, so stop being afraid and do something,” Abe said simply.

Maybe your right, Abe.” Marlena said, as she smiled slightly, and gathered her belongings.

“I know I’m right,” he professed proudly with a wide grin. “Now, I betcha Lucky’s at the gym right now, throwing a few punches to get all this tension and pent up frustration out of him. I think you should go there and talk this out *rationally*, once and for all.” He said as he moved in to hug her lovingly.

“Thanks Abe, this means a lot.” Breaking away from the embrace, she took a deep sigh and spoke “Here goes nothin’.”

********************

Things were the usual for Frank’s Gym this Friday night. The atmosphere consisted of a few guys sparring off, goofing around, working out. They guys still teased John about his late night lip lock with the boss, but he shrugged it off and paid no mind as he concentrated hard on his training, knowing that soon, he would need it.

The sound of the door opening went unnoticed by most of the guys, who continued working diligently on jabs, cuts, or abs. It wasn’t until Austin Reed turned around, with a double look, did anyone notice the vision that had just walked through the door.

There she was. Dressed in a white tank dress, her curly tresses sculpted her angelically made up face, and white heels gracing the bottom off her long, killer legs. The jaws of the men dropped one by one, as they all stopped what they were doing to turn around and gawk at the sight of this most gorgeous creature. John still didn’t pay much attention, as he continue to tediously take hits at the big with fierce determination. It wasn’t into young Jimmy made a verbal comment, did he break from his game long enough to see what everyone was talking about.

“Woo Hoo! Damn, who needs a 9-5er when we got a boss who looks *that* good in a dress. Now I know why they call ya Lucky, Black!”

The others whistled, as John walked over, taking the towel from his neck to wipe the sweat from his face. Giving them a stare, which they knew meant to cut it out before he took action, the others continued, not until after a few whistles and winks, but eventually, went back to what they were doing, leaving the mixed up lovebirds to talk.

“Ya know, you shouldn’t come in here dressed like that, suppose I was in a match? The sight of you, looking like *that* could distract a guy.”

He said with a wink, as he arched his eyebrow, and glanced her over thoroughly, drinking in all of her curves, and luscious beauty.

“Well, I guess I kind of did come here to *distract* you for a little while. We need to talk, Lucky.”

“We need to talk,” he began, as he inched himself within an arm’s length of her and whispered “or do we need to fight?”

“Talk. About *us*.”

“Oh, there’s an *us* now?”

“That’s what we need to discuss.”

“Now lemme get this straight,” he started, as he walked over to take a few sips from his water bottle “You came, *here*, dressed like *that* so we could *talk* about *us*?”

“Is that your final answer?” she asked, as she folded her arms across her chest

“Yep, but no can do tonight. I have to get ready for tomorrow.”

“What’s tomorrow?” she asked curiously

“Sunday Night Spar,” he said as he slid his hand back into his boxing gloves. “Every week we have one, each guy goes once a month, tomorrow’s my day. Get to box the reigning champ, Stefano “The Phoenix” DiMera. We’re the main event.” He said proudly as he walked back over to the bag, and stopped after making a revelation “Hey boss, shouldn’t you *know* these things?”

“A fight, huh? Why the *hell* are you fighting tomorrow night?”

“Umm, I’m a boxer, that’s what I do, *box*.”

“So what you’re saying is we can’t talk about *us*, cause you have to practice to get your brains bashed in?”

“No, oh Christ, not another pile of this shit again!” he said with disgust, as he walked over to her once more “I am training so I won’t get my brains bashed in, *Marlena*! This is what I do, this is what I love, this is what I *live* for!”

With an ironic laugh, she shook her head and looked at him with a gaze of utter disbelief.

“Ya know, I don’t know what the *hell* made me think I could get involved with a boxer again, but this conversation just showed me why it should *never* happen. Good luck tomorrow.” she said as she started to walk out, turning around, and feigning a light slap to her forehead “Oh silly me! You don’t need be best wishes, John Black is *Lucky* enough already!”

With that, she walked out, losing all hope she had of actually taking a chance with her life, with him. She couldn’t bear to lose another man she loved in that profession, and she was going to do everything she could to avoid being hurt once more.

Ben walked into the gym and saw Lucky sparring in the ring with Austin. He had always admired people like John Black. For them to be able to get into the ring, not knowing what the next move could be, whether they would live or die, truly amazed him. He knew his mother had some reservations about John, that he didn’t understand and on some level didn’t want to. He really liked Lucky and didn’t want his view on him to change because of what Marlena thought. He watched as Lucky threw in towel and got out of the ring, taking his gym bag with him.

“Lucky,” Ben yelled, jogging over to him.

“Benjamin Halsey, shouldn’t you be in bed right about now. You have school tomorrow, if your mother found out . . .”

“My mother saw me bring my wonderful soy drink into my room with Beethoven playing at just the right volume,” Ben said sarcastically.

John laughed throwing his towel at Ben. “Oooy, you are Chandler aren’t you! Seriously Ben, if she finds out that you’re gone and with *me*, she’ll kill you and *me!” John exclaimed as he began lifting weights.

“Wow things went that well tonight huh?” Ben asked sitting down. “I knew she seemed upset when she got home earlier, what happened?”

“Look, kid, I know you want your mom and I together and it’s a sweet concept but you just have to accept the fact that we don’t get along. When we get in a room together it’s like all hell has broken loose. She’s an amazing person, I know that, but we fight every moment we see each other, I’m sorry,” John said sympathetically.

“I will never get adults and if this is what it’s like to be one, well then I think I’ll just stay a Toys R’ Us kid forever!” Ben exclaimed pulling on a pair of boxing gloves. He got up in the ring and started feigning the air in front of him, getting out his aggrivation on the open space. John laughed and pulled on his own pair of gloves getting in the ring with him. Without words being spoken, the two men just started to fight gently, soft punches being hit to the gloves.

“Ben, it’s not for you to get. There are just things between your mother and I that would never work. She hates what I do for a living, I hate how she is so overprotective, she hates my sarcastic comments, I hate her stuborrness . . .”

“But you love the way she has dinner made for you when you get home and no matter how angry you get at each other, you love the way she cries afterwards because you know she cares and . . .”

“So tell me Casanova,” John interrupted him, “When did you get so smart? I mean you’re 16 years old, you’re not young, but how do you even know about all of this?”

“Because I haven’t seen my mother this happy or this upset or this emotional, since Falconer, I mean my father” Ben said softly.

John’s mouth dropped open as he stopped boxing for a second to look at Ben. “How . . . how do you know . . .”

“I was going through our stuff the day we got here, looking for one of my old baseball gloves when I found this video. I thought maybe it was an old episode of The Simpsons or Friends or something so I put it in the VCR. It was my mother and this guy. I just watched her with him and they seemed *so* in love. I had never seen her that happy in all my life. And my father seemed great, I just wish . . .I just wish I could have met him. Anyway, last night when you two had your big blowout, I found out *he* was my father and not the man who walked out on my mom a couple of months ago. But instead of being mad, I felt *so* bad for her. She’s never opened up to *anyone* about that, not even her own son. That has to mean something John. You opened up to her about something that must be so hard for you? Am I the only one who sees what you two have?” Ben asked as he stared into John’s eyes, searching for a real answer.

“I see it,” Marlena said softly, stepping up to the ring. “Ben, I should kick your butt for being here right now, but . . .”

“I know,” he said nodding his head and taking the gloves off. “I’ll walk home. Bye John, thanks for the talk. Night mom, I love you.”

“I love you too and thanks,” she whispered in his ear.

They both watched as Ben walked out of the gym, an awkward silence filling the room.

“I think we need to talk,” they said in unision as they turned to face each other, love, strength and devotion built up in both their eyes.

 

“I think we need to talk,” they said in unison as they turned to face each other, love, strength and devotion built up in both their eyes.

 

“Let’s go home,” John whispered, as they slowly exited the gym together, and finally opened up completely, with no holding back.

* * * * * * * * * * *

 

“Okay,” Marlena replied nervously, as she sat across from him on the recliner of her living room, and he on the sofa. Inhaling deeply before she spoke.

 

“I’m sorry I snapped at you early. You’ve known me a few weeks, and you’ve known boxing all your life. I can’t blame you for wanting to do it, I know how passionately you feel about it…same as Falconer did,” she said as tears began to well up in her hazel orbs. “I was just scared, that’s all. I can’t take losing another man that I lo-” Her near use of the word love sent a chill down John’s spine. She herself felt the pang of the word, and caught onto it before she could finish. “Another man that I have *feelings* for.”

 

“You had every right to be angry,” he consoled, as he got up and walked towards her chair, kneeling at her feet.

 

Reaching his hand under her chin, he gently pulled her face to his views, as their eyes met, and sparks flew. “You’ve been hurt before, and you have every right to be afraid, but one thing that you need to know is that the last thing in this world I want to do is *hurt* you. If anything, I want to make all your pain go away.”

 

“But can’t you see? Boxing hurts me, and I don’t know how to let go of my fears! God, I wish I could, but it isn’t easy. I wish I could just hold you and never let you go, but knowing that stepping into the ring tomorrow night puts you at risk, I can’t find the courage to let all my reservations go.”

 

“I know that, but *knowing* that you want me to hold you like that, and that you love me the way I love you, that gives me all the more determination *NOT* to get hurt in that ring. I promise you, if I can’t handle what he dishes out, I’ll fall to the mat, I let him call it a KO, just so you won’t have to worry about what might happen to me!”

 

“See when you say things like that it makes this even harder on me!” She yelled, completely frustrated from her current situation “You, Falconer, the memories, going back when I said I wouldn’t, it’s so hard! I don’t know how to let go of all that!” she cried, as tears poured from her eyes, and down her angelic cheeks.

 

“Fine,” he said as he got up, and walked over to his gym bag, pulling out his boxing gloves, and handing them to her. “Take it out on me!”

 

“What?” she asked, completely startled with his request

 

“Hit me,” he said as he took the liberty of placing the gloves on her delicate hands, and pulling her up to stand. “Hit me for reminding you of Falconer, for being stubborn, for making you become infatuated, and go back on your word. Let it all out!”

 

“John, I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” She said, as she used her forearm to wipe away her tears.

 

“Just hit me!” he yelled

 

“Fine!”

With one quick motion, Marlena swept her right hand straight across his face, and knocking him to the floor, both completely surprised by her strength.

 

“Oh my God! Lucky I am so sorry, are you okay?” she asked worriedly, as she leaned down to see if he was doing all right.

 

“Christ Marlena,” He said, as he rubbed his swollen lip “For someone who hates boxing, you’ve got one helluva right hook!”

 

Watching him grin, Marlena laughed in spite of herself, as he looked at her, a little embarrassed, he began to blush.

 

“Gee, thanks. I hope hurting me makes you feel better.”

 

“Aww poor baby? Did I give you a fat lip?” she said feigning a soft mother like voice. Leaning over, she moved her face to his, whispering seductively, “Lemme kiss it and make it better.”

 

Baby I’ve been drifting away

Dreaming all day

Of holding you

Touching you

The only thing I want to do

Is be with you

As close to you

As I can be

 

Inching to him slowly, she gently pressed her lips to his, and within seconds, he responded. Their mouths parted slowly, as their tongues meshed together, the hunger for the kiss, as well as each other grew with each passing second.

 

After several minutes, John pulled away suddenly, getting to his feet, and reaching his hand out to Marlena, he helped her up.

 

“Think I should go to bed,” John said, much to her dismay “tomorrow’s a big day”

 

Marlena watched as he walked slowly to the front door and locked it, a sense of sadness and disappointment washing over her. Coming back into the living room, John walked over to her, and in one fell swoop, lifted her into his arms, and headed for the stairs.

 

Gasping and shock, Marlena questioned him “Oh my! I thought you were going to bed?”

 

“I am,” he said with a mischievous grin “that doesn’t mean I have to sleep.”

 

“And what makes you think I’d go to bed with you?” she teased him, as a coy smile crept across her face.

 

“Because,” he replied as he arched his eyebrow, and placed a light kiss on her lips “they don’t call me *Lucky* for nothing”

 

Let’s make love

All night long

Until all our strength is gone

Hold on tight

Just let go

I want to feel you in my soul

Until the sun comes up

Let’s make love

Oh, baby

 

Gently, placing her down on the bed, he sat beside her. Taking a few minutes to himself to thank God for blessing him with this angel, and her love. Slowly, he stroked the hair from her face, and place a tender kiss upon her forehead.

 

“I love you, Marlena,” he said wholeheartedly, as he gazed deeply into her hazel orbs “I don’t want you to doubt that, and I don’t want you to have any regrets.”

 

Smiling at him, she gently placed a hand on either side of his face “You took away all my doubts, and my only regret is being stubborn and not listening to you sooner. I love you, Lucky. It scared me to admit it, but now, and scares me not to say it, because I might lose you.”

 

“You never have to be scared again, I’m not going anywhere.” He reassured her, as he took her hand in his own, as their fingers intertwined, and tears formed in both their eyes.

 

Do you know what you do to me

Everything inside of me

Is wanting you

And needing you

I’m so in love with you

Look in my eyes

Let’s get lost tonight

In each other

 

Laying her down slowly, he gently slid down the straps of her dress from her perfectly sculpted shoulders. Sitting up as he removed his shirt, and then returned to her side. Running his index finger along her jawbone, and down her neck, he slowly reached for her hand, and brought it to his lips, kissing it lovingly.

 

“You ready to take a chance?” he asked with a bright smile

 

“With you, I’m ready for anything.”

 

Nothing else needed to be said, he leaned down, and kissed her passionately, as the two star-crossed soulmates finally gave into their feelings, and made love for the first time.

 

Let’s make love

All night long

Until all our strength is gone

Hold on tight

Just let go

I want to feel you in my soul

Until the sun comes up

Let’s make love

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Lying in afterglow, the sought comfort in the presence of one another. No words needed to be spoken, because it was their love that said it all. Marlena lie with her head rested on John’s chest, as he held her hand over his heart. Both contented in just *finally*, being together.

 

Some time later, it was Marlena’s low and raspy voice that broke the sweet silence that enveloped the room. Propping herself on one elbow, she caressed John’s cheek, and placed a light peck on his lips

 

“Thank you.”

 

“For what?” he asked curiously

 

“For proving me wrong.”

 

“Anytime.”

 

Let’s make love

All night long

Until all our strength is gone

Hold on tight

Just let go

I want to feel you in my soul

Until the sun comes up

Oh, until the sun comes up

Let’s make love

 

“I meant it, Lucky,” she said, as she began to cry once more “I was afraid to give my heart away again, especially to a fighter. So I pretended that all my feelings had died. Then, you came along, and my heart felt *alive* again. I felt something in me that I thought had gone with Falconer. I denied it, because I thought it was wrong, that it would only bring hurt. Now, you’ve convinced me that falling in love is *so* right. And here I am, in your arms, and for the first time since I lost Falconer, I feel complete.” She confessed as he dried her tears with the pads of his thumbs, and sat up.

 

“Marlena, I lied about something earlier,” he said, as she looked at him worriedly

 

“About what?”

 

“About boxing being what I *live* for, what I love the most. I used to think that, but now I know, it’s not true. *You* are what I live for. *You* are what I love most. That’s what makes me whole. Not boxing. I was just as scared as you were, because nothing aside from fighting had consumed my life the way you had. I mean, I have had an occasional relationship, but no person, no fight, *nothing* had made me feel so complete, and so happy with who I am as you have. I love you.”

 

“And I love you.” He whispered back, as he pulled her lips to his own once more, and became lost in the joy of their new found love.

 

Oh baby, let’s make love

All night long

All night long

Let’s make love

Ben stood outside the back door looking for his key when he noticed John at the stove cooking pancakes. A pair of black silk boxers were positioned around his waist and his chest remained bare as he flipped the pancakes from side to side.

“What the hell is going on?” Ben muttered, “Doesn’t Lucky have a fight tonight?” His questions were answered when he saw his mother walk down the stairs, clad only in Lucky’s favorite T-shirt, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Ben watched as Lucky spun around and lifted her up onto the counter, kissing her passionatly.

He opened the front door and just stood for a second, letting a small laugh loose. “Well, well, well, it looks like I do a good job playing matchmaker,” Ben smiled walking to the table and sitting down. Marlena pushed away from John, blushing as she licked her lips. “Aww, don’t blush mom, believe it or not, I do more than listen to Bedtime Beethoven! Remember I used to have a girlfriend obsessed with soap operas? I think I’ve seen and experienced kissing before.”

“I know, I know,” Marlena smiled. “So how was school?”

“School’s school. Hey Lucky, don’t you have that huge fight tonight?” Ben asked taking a pancake off the plate next to the stove.

“Yup, I actually have to get going. You gonna be there?”

“Sure! I just have to finish some homework, but I’ll be there.”

“Okay good. I’ll see *you* later,” he said leaning up to kiss Marlena. He grabbed his gym bag which was sitting next to the door and blew Marlena a kiss goodbye. “Bye,” he winked walking out the door, leaving Marlena’s heart wild with desire.

*************************

“Why am I here,” Marlena groaned as she took her seat next to Abe at the fight. “I hate boxing. Falconer *died* from boxing, I . . . I can’t handle this!”

“Honey, you need to calm down. Take some prozac or something,” Abe commented, holding out a pill bar.

She gave him a dirty look and pushed the pills away. “I don’t need prozac, I need a boyfriend with a new occupation! I don’t even understand why men want to get into a ring and beat the crap out of each other. This is the most barberic . . .”

“Hello and welcome to Frank’s Gym’s Monthly Compitition,” the announcer exclaimed, interrupting Marlena. “In the ring tonight we have John ‘Lucky’ Black up against his number one competitor Al ‘The Cyclone’ Barker. At the sound of the bell, round one will begin.”

A bell was sounded and Marlena watched as Lucky and the Cyclone started to face off. A few jabs were thrown back and forth as they each tried to take their own ground. Before Marlena knew what was going down, she watched as Cyclone threw his fist right into John’s chest watching as he crumbled to the floor. The color drained from his face as his lifeless body stayed completely still on the floor. Marlena jumped up as tears slid down her face. She moved into the ring, leaning down next to him.

“Come on Lucky,” she cried, “Please, please don’t let me lose you. Come on, I love you sweetie, just please, please get up, I am begging you . . .

“

“Mom . . . mom . . .”

Marlena’s head snapped up and she saw people getting up to leave. She shot up from her seat and looked around for John. “Ben, where is Lucky? Is he okay? Did he get up?”

Ben let out a laugh and grabbed his mother’s hand. “Mom, you fell asleep. If John knew, he’d kill you,” Ben laughed. “He’s fine, the match is over, he won.”

“Oooooh thank God! So I fell asleep huh? If Lucky asks, I *loved* it,” Marlena teased.

“Sorry darling, but I saw you nodding off, it’s a good thing I love you,” John joked, coming up behind them.

“Yeah yeah,” she smiled. “Anyway, that nap made me hungry so who’s ready for dinner?”

“I am if you’re paying,” John joked, the three of them walking out the gym together.

Several months had passed since Lucky won the big fight, and since then, and soon enough, it was Christmas in Salem. Marlena, Ben, and John celebrated with a fabulous feast at The Brady Pub, and then, back home to exchange gifts for the first time as a *family*, or the closest thing to it.

“All right kid,” John said with a smile, as he handed Ben a box with holes cut out of the top and with a tendency to bark, “this one’s yours.”

Without hesitating, Ben ripped the lid off the box to reveal a small boxer, who trembled in the corner, scared of the dark surroundings he’d been confined to.

“One of my old pals dogs had puppies and he couldn’t keep all of em, so he gave some away at work. I saw this one and I thought you might like to have him. His name’s Champ.”

“Thanks so much, Lucky, I love him!” Ben said as he gently lift the small dog from the box, and held him on his chest, as he happily sniffed and licked his new owner’s face. “Just one thing, how’d ya get my mother to go for this one?” Ben asked with a grin, as he turned towards the two of them sitting on the sofa, wide smiles spread across both their faces.

“Your *mother*,” Marlena began as she wrapped her arm around Lucky’s shoulder, “gave in because you’ll be taking care of him in *your* new room and she won’t have to worry about anything.”

“New room?” he asked curiously.

“Mmm hmm,” she nodded “Lucky’s moving in with me, so the basement is all yours.”

“Even the fridge and all the cool boxing memorabilia?”

“Fridge yes, boxing stuff, we’ll negotiate” Lucky said with a wink.

“Hmm, well, I think I need to go down there and see what remodeling I can do. You guys are the best! Thanks, I love you both!” Ben said as he hurried down the stairs to examine his new abode.

“Couldn’t have made him happier if we’d given him a million dollars,” Marlena said, as she proudly watched her son leave the room so pleased.

“Nope,” Lucky replied as he got up from the sofa and walked towards the Christmas tree.

“Where are you going?”

“To get this,” he said with a smile, as he handed her a beautifully wrapped box, with a card attached.

“What have you done now?”

“Just open it and find out.”

Shaking her head and laughing lightly, Marlena ripped through the package eagerly, and was a tad disappointed to find nothing more than a bright, shiny, new pair of boxing gloves inside.

“Boxing gloves?”

“Mmm hmm, read the card,” he instructed as he handed it to her.

Sighing deeply, she tored the envelope open, and read aloud.

To my Beautiful Marlena,

You will always be my favorite ‘Knock out’

Merry Christmas,

Love Always,

Lucky

“I don’t know what to say,” Marlena said, unsure of how to react to the gift, and trying her best not to come off as rude.

“Say you’ll try them on for a little sparring match?”

“What?” she asked shocked.

“C’mon, it’ll be fun!” he insisted, as he took the iniative, as he knelt down in front of her, trying to put the gloves on her himself, as she continued to persist.

“Lucky, I really don’t wan- OW!” she screamed, as she felt something digging into the palm of her hand, as he pulled the glove up her forearm.

“What?”

“Something’s sharp in there, and it just cut me!” she exclaimed, as she yanked her arm from the glove, and rubbed her hand.

“Something sharp?” he asked as he put his own hand inside and felt around until he found exactly what he was looking for. He removed his hand, balled into a fist, and brought it to her face, which watched attentively. Slowly, he opened his hand to reveal a bright, shining diamond ring, set on a platinum band. Marlena felt her heart start to pound, as tears welled up in her hazel orbs.

“My my, what do we have here..”

“Sparring, huh?” she said with a laugh, as she wiped the wetness that had begun to trickle down her angelic cheeks.

“I had to throw you off somehow and I think it worked,” he said as he winked, and then, took her hand in his own, bringing it to his lips for a light kiss.

“All my life, one ring mattered to me….the boxing ring. When I was little, I used to dream of being one of the greats, just like Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, all of them. Until a short while ago, that ring signified everything that I loved in life, and then, you came along. Now this ring is the one symbolic to everything I love and live for. If I never fight again, it won’t matter. If I never throw another punch, it won’t matter, but if I never have you, I’m useless. That’s why I am about to do something I never thought I’d have the courage to do, commit myself to something other than boxing. So, my beautiful Marlena, the beat of my heart, the song of my soul, the light of my life, will you marry me?”

Looking down at him, on bended knee, professing everything he was to her, Marlena felt overwhelmed with every emotion of bliss known to man. Endless streams of happy tears poured down her face, as she smiled brightly, and flung her arms around the man that she loved more then life itself’s neck.

“Yes, nothing would make me happier than to marry you. I love you, Lucky.”

“And I love you” he whispered back, as he wiped the wet moisture from her eyes, and leaned in to seal their engagement with a tender kiss.

“Oh my, I almost forgot!” Marlena said pulling away as she walked over to the tree, and grabbed her present marked for John.

“Merry Christmas,” she said with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.

“Hmm,” he said as he shook the box, “whatever it is, it’s light.”

“Oh, it might be light, but what’s in that box is something we can share for the rest of our lives.”

“You’ve peaked my curiousity,” he replied, as he anxiously opened the tiny box, and found inside, under a layer of tissue paper, a small white, stick shaped object, with plus sign in the center portion.

“It’s a stick with a plus sign?”

“No Swifty, it’s a test, with a *positive sign.*”

“Test with a positive sign?” he said, still confused, as he glanced over it once more, and then it finally hit him.

“Oh my God, does this mean?” he asked, as a wide grin spread from ear to ear.

Marlena beamed at him, as maternal glow shined throughout her, and she replied with a nod.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”

Marlena walked down the stairs as the daybreak fought its way through the horizen. Snow gently fell onto the ground as Christmas carols could be heard playing lightly in the living room. She stood in the doorway to the room, watching as John sat there, his head in his hands, the sound of his feet lightly tapping to the rhythm of the music. She moved into the room, sitting next to him, wrapping her arm gently around his shoulders.

“You okay?” she asked gently, lifting her legs up onto the couch.

He looked up at her, his ocean blue eyes brimming over in tears, a look of pure vulnerability evident on his face. Without words, he lifted his hand up to her face, feeling every feature on it. He brushed her hair from her eyes and just held his gaze with hers as more tears fell from his eyes.

“John, you’re scaring me, please tell me what’s wrong,” she begged as she felt tears start to build in her eyes, frightened for him.

“Nothing,” he replied, clearing his throat and fixating his eyes on the brightly lit tree in front of them. “I guess the emotions of Christmas kinda just got to me. I always spent them with your father and…”

“Stop lying to me,” she interrupted him. “John, I know that isn’t the reason why and if I’m going to be your wife and the mother of our child then…”

“I’m scared,” he whispered, barely audible. He looked up at her like a lost puppy and sank into the couch, rubbing his hands over his eyes. “I don’t know what is wrong with me, I was *so* happy earlier but then I woke up and it just sank in…I’m going to be a father. I mean helping you with Ben is one thing, he’s 17, he’s practically an adult…but to raise our own baby, I…I just don’t know how to do that. Marlena, I grew up alone. I had no brothers or sisters, I hated my father, I was to scared to try and protect my mother so I just did my own thing. And when I got into boxing, it became who I was. And I was so scared to fall in love with you because it suddenly became unfamiliar territory. It just seems as if everything is happening in a whirlwind and I don’t know what to do,” he explained, watching the flakes fall onto the window in front of them.

“Do you want me to have this baby?” Marlena asked quietly, clsoing her eyes, feeling as pain invaded her heart.

John turned to her, his eyes moist with tears and he smiled, running his knuckle over her cheek. “Of course I do, I’m sorry I even made you question that. Sweetheart, if there is one thing I am certain of, it is how much I love you. When I was younger, before I fell in love with boxing, I would watch these romance movies, playing at the local drive in, from the roof of my house and I would always wish that love like that was true. But after seeing the ‘love’ my parents had it made it hard for me to believe. But when I met you…God Marlena, you gave me *everything* and I can’t thank you enough for that…”

“No, I’m the one who is thankful. John, when Falconer died, a part of me did as well. He was my first kiss, my first love, my first everything…I was having a son with him…and the night he died, I really felt as if I would too. Meeting you, loving you…it taught me that there was life after death and you made me want to have that life. I know you’re scared baby, I am too. I’m so afraid that this will all end like Falconer’s life did. I’m pregnant, enagaged and I’m with a boxer. I’ve never been more frightened but John, we can’t just sit around being afraid of life. We have to celebrate it! And no matter how dark or hopeless things seem, we can’t give up, promise me that okay?”

John nodded his head and pressed his forehead against hers. “I promise,” he whispered his breath hot on her face. “I love you so much, always remember that.”

“I will,” she nodded quietly. “Always, always.”

Do you want anything, Sweetheart?” John asked anxiously, as he paced to and fro across the floor of Dr. Bader’s Clinic.

“No Lucky, I am fine, really,” she said with a smile, as she patted her slightly swollen tummy. “Ya know, this isn’t a test, there’s really no need to be nervous.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just. I don’t know anything about this.” He admitted, as he rolled a stool over to Marlena’s examining table, and sat down beside her. “The only thing I’ve ever been good at in my life is boxing. Now, I am 38 years old, and about to be a father for a first time, and I am *so* scared I am gonna do something wrong, or not be good enough. I just, I wanna be the best husband, and father possible, and I am afraid I won’t live up to your expectations.”

Running her fingers through his soft brown hair, Marlena looked at him lovingly, as she replied wholeheartedly to his words of despair.

“John, what you are to me, as a friend, a lover, a soulmate, as far beyond *anything* I’d ever expected. You say all you’ve ever known is how to fight, but that’s not true, you know how to love me, and you’re going to know how to love this baby. I was just a teenager when I had Ben, and I was as scared as you are right now. But the moment the Doctor placed him in my arms, and we looked into each other’s eyes, I knew he was something I’d love forever, and die before I’d let him meet harm. I promise you that together, we’re going to give this baby all the love the world has to offer, because that’s what it was conceived from, and that’s what it’s going to be blessed with. Okay?”

“Okay,” he said with a smile of reassurance, as he gently lifted his index finger, and caressed her cheek. “Did I mention that I love you? For taking away my fears, for giving me a child, and another reason to live, but most of all, for being you, and loving me back?”

“I think you might have said it once or twice….but I don’t mind being made a fuss over” she said with a wink

“Good, cause I intend to pamper you, Ben, and this little one for a long time…” he smiled, as he gently rubbed his hands over her stomach

“I am gonna hold you to that…” She whispered as she pulled him up to her face, and placed a tender kiss on his lips.

“Mr. and Mrs. Black?” The doctor called, as she entered the room, causing the lovebirds to break from their embrace.

“Not officially, but next weekend it will be.” He winked, as he stood beside Marlena, and draped his arm over her shoulder.

“Oh, then I guess we have two reasons to celebrate then “Dr. Bader said with a smile, as she jotted some notes on her chart. “So, whattaya say we have a look at this soon to be bundle of joy?”

“I’m ready when you are…” Marlena stated, as John supported her back, and she laid down upon the examining table.

“I’m ready now more than ever” he replied gleefully, as he took her hand in his, and brought it to his lips for a light kiss.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Well, everything looks good. You should have a very healthy baby screaming around the house by July.”

“Can’t wait” John said sarcastically, as he brushed several stray hairs from Marlena’s forehead

“I can tell you’re enthused about that one” She replied with a laugh, as she continued writing results on her clipboard. “Okay, that takes care of everything except for the best part.”

“I almost forgot about that, it’s been 17 years.” Marlena said with a giggle

“Yea, well it’s been 38 for me, so what’s the best part?” John asked curiously.

“Hearing your baby’s heartbeat.”

Looking up in shock, John watched attentively, as the doctor reached for the instrument, and set it on Marlena’s bare midriff. Slowly, she turned the machine on, as the light sounds of life penetrated throughout the room, sending chills down the spines of both parents to be, as tears petruded their glistening orbs.

Reaching slowly for his wife’s hand, he leaned to her ear, and whispered softly.

“Marlena..”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think there’s enough love in the world for the way I feel right now.”

“Yes, there is,” she whispered, “just listen.”

Marlena sat in the bride’s room, staring at herself in the mirror. Her stomach seemed to be growing as the seconds ticked and she threw her vail at the mirror. “Ugh maybe I should learn to marry before I am almost five months pregnant,” she muttered, sitting on the couch.

“Come on mom, you barely even look pregnant,” Ben said walking into the room. “I promise you, no one will even know.” He looked at his mother and smiled at how radient she was. Her usual curly tresses was blown straight, just passing the curve of her shoulders. A long white wedding dress fitted her body perfectly, accenting her stomach slightly but not enough to give away her’s and John’s secret. A smile was built into the curves of her lips, a smile Ben hadn’t seen that bright since he had watched the video of her and his father. “Mom, I just came in to tell you, dad would be really proud of you today.”

“I hate to say this sweetie, but I don’t think your father would care one way or the other. We haven’t even spoken to him since he left.”

“I meant Falconer . . .”

Marlena looked her, her hazel eyes brimmed over in tears. She felt as a large lump formed in her throat and she swallowed gently, wiping the tears with her right hand. “How . . . how did you . . . who told you?” she stammered, placing her hand over her stomach as some type of comfort.

“I found the video from your 17th birthday. And I also heard you and Lucky talking the night you told him Fa . . . well he was my dad. I just want you to know I’m not mad at all, that he seems like a great guy and I’m glad you found someone like him, someone who makes you as happy as my father made you. And I was also wondering if . . . well since Falconer isn’t here any longer, well if it would be okay if I asked John to . . . to adopt me. I mean, I wanted to run it by you first and I know this sounds so childish because I’m practically 18 but I think of him as one and since Eric Halsey was never really my father and Falconer is dead . . . it just kinda makes sense. Do you think it would be okay if I asked him?” Ben asked shyly as his cheeks turned red in embarrasment.

Marlena smiled through her tears and pulled Ben into a hug. “He would love it,” she whispered, overcome with emotion. “Ben I just want you to know how much I love you and I didn’t *not* want to tell you about Falconer, I just . . . I just didn’t know how.”

“I know, I understand. And I know I can be a huge pain in the butt, but I love you so much mommy and I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Mommy?” Marlena smiled. “I haven’t been called that in about 10 years.”

“Well, in about four months, you’ll have someone new to call you mommy. Well not four months exactly but you know what I mean. Anyway, I’m gonna go find John and ask him, I love you so much mom. And now that I have made myself into a sappy momma’s boy, I’m gonna get outta here. Bye.” He gave Marlena one last hug and walked out the door in search of his future father.

************************

“So you ready to be my best man?” Ben spun around and saw John behind him, wrestling with his bow tie. “You know in all my years, I never figured out how to do these damn bow ties. I bet Muhammad Ali isn’t great at this either. I wish your mother would have let me get married in a pair of boxers and my gloves,” John teased, finally putting the tie firmly in place.

“Oh yeah, the women who makes me listen to Baby Genius at 17. She’d just *dig* that kinda wedding,” Ben joked. “Actually I’m glad you found me, I was looking for you, can we go someplace and talk?” he said seriously.

“Is everything okay? You’re not gonna tell me you’re mother is backing out right, everything is okay, did . . .”

“Whoa calm down there, it has nothing to do with my mom. I just need to talk, we still have a few minutes before the wedding, so can we?”

“Sure, it seems important.”

They walked into the groom’s room and Ben sat himself on the couch, gently wringing his hands together, nervously. He watched as Lucky watched him, a smile on his face, obviously in joy over the coming events of that day. In the past months, John really had become like a father to him. They had flown to New York for the first baseball game of the season, seen almost every action movie the night it had opened and John had just been there for him when he needed someone to talk to.

“Okay, I . . . I um . . . I don’t even know how to say this,” Ben began.

“Just tell me, I can handle it, I’m a tough guy,” John winked.

Ben smiled at how easy going John was and knew he’d be able to do this. “Okay, over the past months, ever since I met you actually, you have been a huge father figure to me. My father had just left us and it was kinda hard just living with a women. I had no one to speak to sports or women about and even though my mother tried hard, she was still no guy. Then my grandfather died and things were just a mess. When I met you, I don’t know, you just seemed like one of the guys and in these months you became everything I needed. I can speak to you about sports, women, movies, but you became the one thing I needed the most . . . a father. My mother could have fallen in love with a lot of guys, but she didn’t, she fell in love with you. I hate sounding like a sap, I really do but I can’t express the graditute I feel towards you. Now I have to ask you something and you can say no . . .”

“I’m sorry, I’m already engaged, but I have a lovely parting gift for you,” John joked, smiling.

Ben laughed and continued. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t going to ask you that, not yet anyway,” he laughed. “But seriously, you can say no if you want but I was wondering if maybe . . . well I want to know if you could be . . . I was wondering if you’d adopt me, you know once you and my mom got married and I know that this probably really overwhelming because you have a baby on the way so if you want . . .”

“I’d love too,” John said interrupting him. “Ben, knowing you has been amazing for me. And I don’t want you to think I wasn’t going to ask to adopt you because I was . . . tonight after the wedding actually. I want us to be a family, not just by me marrying your mother but by making you my son. I know this is probably a lot of mushyness for one day but I love you.”

“Yeah it really is a lot of mushyness,” Ben laughed. “But I love you too . . . dad.”

“Hmmm I like the sound of that. Benjamin Black, has a nice ring right?”

“Yeah, I sound like a secret agent,” he laughed. “But it sounds great.” He glanced down at his watch and looked back up at John. “You ready to marry my mother? It’s time.”

“More ready than I have ever been,” he smiled as they walked from the room, about to embark in the biggest obstacle of all their lives.

The wedding march sounded throughout St. Luke’s church, on this glorious February afternoon. The light bed of snow grazing the streets of Salem gave just the right touch of a winter wonderland fairytale for the wedding of John and Marlena.

Friends and loved ones gathered together to bare witness to the grand event of this unlikely match made in heaven. The once bickering, and tension filled friends had blossomed beautifully into one of the most celebrated love stories to ever live in the small town, and today, they were going to receive the proper ending to their storybook romance.

Every day there’s something new

Honey, to keep me lovin’ you

And with every passin’ minute

Ah baby, so much joy wrapped up in it

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to join two very deserving people in holy matrimony.” Father Jansen announced as John and Marlena stood side by side, giddiness and overwhelming emotion surrounding them both, as they listened to the Priest’s opening remarks, sporadically glancing at one another just to make sure it wasn’t a dream, and that what they were about to embark on was very much real.

Heaven must have sent you from above

Wo, heaven must have sent your precious love

And I, I’ve got a song to sing

Tellin’ the world about the joy you bring

And you gave me a reason for livin’

And ooo, you taught me, you taught me the meaning of givin’

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“At this point in time, I would like to call on John and Marlena to recite the vows they’ve prepared as a pledge of everlasting love and devotion to each other. John…”

Clearing his throat, and fidgeting with his bow tie, John inhaled deeply before he spoke the words that were going to seal his commitment, his life, his everything to the gorgeous creature that stood before him. With poise and grace, he began the speech that would bound him eternally to his earth angel.

“My Marlena,” He began, as he smiled proudly, and took her hand in his own as he brought it to his lips, and placed the most tender of kisses on her delicate skin, which he held tightly in his grasp. “Last night, I was up late packing my things away in my room, trying to think of what would be just the right thing to say to you now. Most of what I came up with sounded no better than a sappy greeting card. For most people, that’d be sentimental, but I have always been one to take a challenge, and go for the more unique approach. So, I took a break from writing, and went back to packing my stuff. I never realized how much memorabilia I had until I tried to pack it all away. I found numerous trophies, gloves, autographs, and what used to be my most prized possession, a picture of me and George Forman. I’d met him with you Dad in Vegas, when I was just starting out. He took me there as a gift for winning my first big match. I still remember watching him autograph, speaking aloud as he wrote ‘To Lucky, I’d be proud to face a kid with as much heart and love for the sport as you any day. Never change, George Foreman.’ A few months ago, I wouldn’t have parted with that thing if my life depended on it, but this morning, I gave it to Ben. Yes, I know that shocked many of you, hell, I am still in shock from it!” John joked as the church chuckled, and Marlena giggled as tears brimmed her toasted orbs.

Heaven must have sent you from above

Wo, heaven must have sent your precious love

“But while I was looking at the picture, I came across something even better…it was a picture of you and me. Ben took it on Christmas Eve, when he caught us both under the mistletoe. I couldn’t help but laugh as a I thought back to that night. You were so embarrassed, you turned beet red and buried your head in my chest, and it was that moment that I knew, what I felt for you was not something that was gonna go away. Like you needed me, to protect you from humility, and it was like, I needed to protect you, more than I need anything else, I need you. To love you, to hold you, to wipe away your tears, to make you happy, just to be blessed with your presence meant more than anything ever could. So maybe I won’t ever be the next George Foreman, but what I am after today is something better than any fight could make me. I’ll be your husband, I’ll be yours to love forever, and you will be mine to do the same. I’ll share my life with you, I’ll share my everything with you, and no boxing match could ever take that away. I love you Marlena, more than life itself, and today, I give everything that I am, and everything I will be, for always.

To find a love like ours is rare these days

‘Cause you’ve shown me happiness, yes, in so many ways

I look in the mirror, and I’m glad to see

Laughter in the eyes where tears used to be

“I’m speechless, not exactly a good thing to be when I am on the spot like I am now.” Marlena sniffed, as she wiped the stray tears from her eyes, and gazed up at John with all the love in the world. “I know in the beginning, I wasn’t exactly the easiest manager/trainer to get along with, but I had my reasons. I lost one great love of my life to boxing, and I was scared to lose another. So scared, I almost gave up the chance to feel true love again by pushing you away relentlessly, until finally, your stubbornness caught me with my guard down, and I allowed myself to give my heart to you. Fortunately, it turned it to be the best decision *I* ever made. You brought out emotions in me I thought had died with Falconer, but truly, I just hid them, afraid to be hurt again, but at the same time, I left myself empty and lifeless. The one thing that kept me going was Ben, the other best thing in my life. Then, one night, you said the words that changed it all. You told me to let it all out, and I did. Today, as I stand right here with you, and offer everything I have to you for the rest of our lives in beyond, I know I made the right choice, I know I did the right thing, and most of all, I know they don’t call you *Lucky* for nothin’! So thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me, for being just as stubborn as me, if not more, for giving me a second chance, and most of all, for reminding just how great love truly is. That’s why, right now, in front of God, in front of this congregation, I promise all that I am, and all that I will be to you, for always.”

With that, she brought his hand to her lips, and kissed it gently, as he caressed her faith lightly with his free hand, and wiped the tears of joy from her angelic cheeks.

What you’ve given me I could never return

‘Cause there’s so much, girl, I have yet to learn

And I wanna show, I wanna show my appreciation

‘Cause when I found you, I found a new inspiration

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“And do you Marlena, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in sickness, and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do”

And do you John, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in sickness, and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do”

“Then by the power invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

“With pleasure!” John exclaimed, as a wide smile spread from ear to ear on both he, and his brand new brand. Pulling Marlena towards him, he pressed his lips to hers, sealing their union of elongated wedded bliss.

Heaven must have sent you from above

Wo, heaven must have sent your precious love

 

Guests began to overflow in the ballroom of the Salem Inn to celebrate the marriage of a couple that Salem thought they would never see. The involved-with-himself boxer and the cautious-afraid-to-love manager had finally tied the knot after it took months for them to see what everyone else had known from the start . . . the two star crossed lovers were destined to be together and bound to each other forever.

John stopped Marlena in the far corner of the room, speaking to Abe and he smiled walking over to the two of them. “Abraham, do you mind if I steal my wife for the first dance?” John smiled, wrapping his arms around Marlena.

“Of course not man, but do me a favor? Take good care of her. She’s been my best friend since before I can even remember and if anyone hurts her . . .”

“I would never,” John smiled, kissing her forehead. “I love her way to much to ever do that.”

Marlena gave Abe a kiss on the cheek as she let John lead her to the center of the dance floor. She looked into his blue eyes, as her own brimmed over in tears as she watched him. A smile had been lit up on his face since the moment she had walked to that alter and it never seemed to fade in all that time.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce my parents . . . Mr. and Mrs. John Black. This dance is for you because what you have will always be an ‘Endless Love.'” Ben smiled at both of them and stepped out of the way as he watched the two of them hold onto each other as if there was no tomorrow. Marlena’s arm was around John’s neck, while her other hand stayed firmly in his. Their foreheads were mere inches from each other and Marlena could feel his hot breath on her skin.

“You know we have to tell them about the baby soon,” John whispered as he pushed himself closer to Marlena, letting his spare hand slip onto her stomach. He felt the curve of her stomach and felt the emotion start to rise in his throat. They had created something out of a love that was so pure and even if it was a little sooner than he had ever imagined, he had never been happier.

“I know we do, I guess I just always pictured my father here when and if I ever got pregnant again. I’m just . . . emotional I guess you could say,” Marlena laughed as she wiped her tears away. “Speaking of emotional, did you get a chance to speak to Ben before the wedding?”

“About the adoption? Yeah, we spoke about it earlier. I just want you to know that I was going to surprise the both of you tonight after the wedding . . . I’ve been planning to adopt him since the night I asked you to be my wife. I love that kid as if he was my own, I hope you know that,” John said sincerely. “I know I said it before in my vows and I know I say it everyday but I don’t think you can ever truly understand how much I love you. Thanks for changing my life, you are the blood that runs through my veins, you’re the other half of my heart . . . if I ever lost you, I would be half a man.”

“You’ll never lose me,” Marlena cried, running her hand over John’s cheek. “I promise you that right now and I promise you that I will always be here if you need someone to talk to. I love you Lucky, forever,” she whispered, kissing his forehead as the song came to a slow end.

“May I have your attention,” Ben said standing up, a glass of champagne in his left hand, a microphone in the other. “Tonight is a very special night for me. Not just because my mother married someone who has become like a father to me but because that man will become my father tonight. Lucky and I discussed it earlier and he’s going to adopt me and I have never been more happy. I’ve had a somewhat hard life . . . after awhile my father left my mother and I and I felt like I had to be the one to take care of her. It was hard growing up so quickly but it made me treasure my mother a lot more. When we moved to Salem, the minute I met Lucky I knew he was the one. I can’t explain why but there was just something about him . . . tonight is the first night of the rest of all our lives, not just my parents. As best man and as your son, I just wanted to say I am so proud of both of you and I love you both more than you will ever know. To Mr. and Mrs. John Black, may everyday be as special and as memorable as tonight. I love you.” Ben held up his glass and smiled at his parents as unshed tears fell from his own eyes.

*************************

John stood up, a mic in his hand as he looked at everyone who had gathered there to share his special day with him. He took a quick glance around the room and stopped when he had done a complete circle, his eyes focusing downward on his wife. She smiled back at him and stood up next to him, grabbing his hand.

“Now,” she whispered as she squeezed his hand and John brought the mic up to his mouth.

“Excuse me, can I have your attention,” John spoke as his hand never left Marlena’s. “I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who showed up here today, it really means a lot to both Marlena and I and we love you all. I’d also like to add onto something Ben said earlier. Not only am I gaining a son, I am also gaining another child. We found out a few weeks ago that Marlena is pregnant.” Whistles and claps were sounded throughout the room as John continued. “For awhile I was sort of nervous for all of this. Within a few short months I had gained a fiancee, a stepson, and then in a whirlwind Marlena is pregnant. But I can honestly say I have never been happier in my life. This child is proof of the love Marlena and I share and I love this child more than anything already.”

“Well I don’t think this is our fan event but congrats away,” a blonde said smiling from the doorway with a handsome brunette on her arm.

“Do we know you?” Marlena asked.

“Mar, that’s Deidre Hall, damn Ben, take some pictures,” John exclaimed, leaning over to Ben.

“Oooh yeah,” Marlena shrugged sitting back down. “She’s the chic who got posessed right? Hmm here’s a note honey. Next time you become posessed try levitating vertically. Looks like more fun!”

“Yeah no kidding,” Deidre yelled across the room. “I tried to let the writer’s let me do that but they said it was to dangerous, so I just tell everyone I did it that way anyway!”

“Um, listen congrats and all, but Dee, we have a fan event to get to,” Drake Hogestyn said pulling her out the door. He looked back up at John and Marlena and smiled. “Congrats again, we’re sorry for crashing you’re reception. Bye.” As they walked out the door, Drake looked back one last time at the bride. “Hmm, she’s pretty good looking.”

“Hogestyn, you’re married, turn around,” she said as they left, making this already memorable event all the more *unforgettable*.

The soft winds blew along the picturesque beaches of the Bahamas. The sun sunk slowly into the horizon, leavinga sight almost too beautiful to fully appreciate in this life time. The tranquil waves hit the shore lightly, as the gulls swooped along the coast.

John stood silently on the balcony of their honeymoon suite, just allowing himself to indulge in the beauty of his surroundings, and all the blessings that had been bestowed upon him the day his beloved became his wife. The crisp air enveloped him as he closed his eyes, and inhaled the sweet scent of paradise, saying a silent prayer to the Lord in thanks of not only giving him Marlena, but Ben and a new child as well. In a way, it was a chance to start over. A life aside from boxing, and from this day forward, he intended to savor every moment of it.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I’ll be your dream, I’ll be your wish I’ll be your fantasy.

I’ll be your hope, I’ll be your love be everything that you need.

I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do..

I will be strong I will be faithful ‘cos I’m counting on A new beginning.

A reason for living. A deeper meaning.

John turned around to see Marlena standing there, in her white robe and negligee, her stomach starting to show even more indication of being with child, but at that moment, in the aura of the setting sun, and with a maternal glow, he’d never seen anything as gorgeous, or as magnificent as the earth angel that stood before him.

“There’s only one thing more beautiful, and that’s you.” he smiled as he extended his hand to her, and lead her out to the terrace with him.

“Mmm, I can’t believe we’re here, in paradise, we’re happily married, and that it’s going to be like this forever.” she sighed contentedly as she rested her head against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, rubbing her swollen stomach.

“Forever isn’t long enough anymore. I want to be like this long after that sun doesn’t shine anymore, and the moon doesn’t rise anymore. Even eternity isn’t enough time for me to love you.” He whispered as he lightly nuzzled her neck, and rested his head on the curve of her shoulder.

“I know, but I don’t want to think about that. I want to think about *now*, about *us*,” she continued as she spun around to face him, and placed his hand over her tummy, along with hers. “about our new baby, our family with Ben, and all the amazing things that we get to share from now until whenever. And maybe it won’t be long enough, but one second of that is worth a lifetime for me.”

I want to stand with you on a mountain.

I want to bathe with you in the sea.

I want to lay like this forever.

Until the sky falls down on me…

“God I love you,” he replied wholeheartedly, as he placed a tender kiss upon her lips, and then turned her attention back towards the sky. “Look there…”

“What is it?” she asked as he pointed into the heavens

“The first star, the brightest star. The one that encourages all the others to shine through the darkened skies, and shine a little light upon our lives during the times that seem the bleakest. That’s our star, that’s our guiding light, that’s our love. It shines first, it shines brightest, and it will shine long after our love leaves this earth. I love you Marlena, always know that.” He said wholeheartedly, as he caressed her cheek lovingly, and she looked up at him, tears brimming her hazel orbs.

“And I love you, more than you could ever know.”

And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,

I’ll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry..

The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty.

That we’re surrounded by the comfort and protection of..

The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you..

With that, he leaned down, and kissed her passionately, gathering her into his arms, as they embarked on their glorious first night as man and wife.

I want to stand with you on a mountain,

I want to bathe with you in the sea.

I want to lay like this forever,

Until the sky falls down on me…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Ya know, we’re not going to get many moments like this when the baby’s born” Marlena sighed, as she lie in John’s arms in the afterglow, as she lighlty ran her fingers across the rough hairs on his chest.

“Yea, but what we’re going to get is going to make up for all of that,” he began with a smile, as he turned to face her, a sense of pride draped over his face. “We’re going to have a beautiful baby. Something *we* created, something we’ll bring into this world together, and raise it with all the love life has to offer. Marlena, I know before I was scared, and that I was worried I wasn’t right for this baby, but now, after marrying you, adopting Ben, for the first time in my life, I’m not scared anymore, because I know as long as we have each other, *nothing* can go wrong. I’d die before I’d let any of you meet harm, and it’s my life’s vow to make all of you happy, so you won’t ever regret taking a chance on me.”

Oh can’t you see it baby?

 

You don’t have to close your eyes ‘cos it’s standing right before you.

All that you need will surely come…

“How could I ever regret the best thing to ever happen to me? She asked as tears streamed down her angelic face.

“Lucky, I love you. I love the fact that we have created a child that’s going to be blessed with the world’s most devoted father, who has more heart and character then any boxer to ever step into the ring. He or she is going to adore you, just as Ben and I do.”

“I hope so.” he grinned

“I *know* so.” She smiled with reassurance, as she pulled him in for a kiss, and the two continued to bask in the love of their wedding night.

I’ll be your dream I’ll be your wish I’ll be your fantasy.

I’ll be your hope I’ll be your love be everything that you need.

I’ll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do…

* * * * * * * * * * *

“John..” Marlena called as she laid propped up on one elbow, and watched as he slept.

“Hmm?” he called as he fidgeted around a little, and blinked his eyes open.

“If this baby’s a boy, I want to name him John Jr., we could even call him little Lucky.”

Shooting up quickly, John looked at her in astonishment.

“Whoa, where’d that come from?”

“I dunno,” she shrugged “I was just thinking of baby names and I decided that was the one best suited for a boy, if we have one.”

“Marlena…I don’t know what to say. I’d love for him to carry on my name.”

“See, even at 3AM, I keep the good ideas cranking.”

“Haha, that you do. But wait a minute..”

“Yes?”

“What if we have a little girl?”

I want to stand with you on a mountain.

I want to bathe with you in the sea.

I want to lay like this forever.

Until the sky falls down on me…

“Layla.”

“Like the song?”

“Yes, I love that name. Ever since I was a little girl. I used to have a doll with that name, Layla Morgan actually. She had gorgeous flowing blonde hair, and the most captivating baby blue eyes. I adored her. I know it’s silly, but I promised myself if I ever did have a little girl, I’d name her after my doll.” She blushed, a little embarassed from what she’d just admitted.

“I think that’s perfect. Just like he or she’ll will be.”

“Good.” she smiled as she lightly brushed his cheek with the palm of her hand. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I want to stand with you on a mountain….

Lexie, I really don’t feel up to dinner out tonight. I was actually hoping to get some sleep, since I won’t after the baby is due in a few weeks,” Marlena protested, as she and Lexie headed towards the Brady Pub, clueless to what was about to take place.

“You’ll have plenty of time for that, but as of right now, I’d like you to eat. You need to keep up your strength for you and that child. We won’t be long, I promise. I even called Caroline and asked her to make sure there was plenty of clam chowder bubbling,” she replied with a smile.

“Oh, I guess there’s no point in aruging and that chowder does sound good right about now,” she commented, as she rubbed her hands across her largely swelled stomach.

“Good, then after you,” Lexie motioned, as she opened the front door of the family owned bistro, and watched as Marlena slowly stepped inside.

“Surprise!”

Startled, Marlena jumped back as she looked around the room full of friends and family, gifts bombarding every crevice, and decorations for a small child hung throughout the room. Overcome with emotion, and hormones, Marlena burst into tears at this hearfelt gesture of a surprise baby shower, hosted by those she loved the most.

“Oh my! You shouldn’t have!” she said as she shook her head, and wiped several stray tears from her face.

“Don’t be silly, you deserve this, girl!” Lexie said as she helped her off with her coat, and led her to her seat in the middle of the room of giggling women.

“Thank you,” she replied as she smiled, and took several moments to gaze around at everyone and everything, stopping when she saw an all too familiar face standing across the Pub, in the corner, smiling in her direction. Walking towards her quickly, she flung out her arms, and embraced her sister, whom she’d not seen in almost five years.

“Oh Sam! It’s really you!” Marlena exclaimed gleefully, as she hugged her even more tight.

“Yes it is, Mar. Now did you really think after I missed an engagement *and* a wedding, that I wouldn’t be here for your baby shower?”

“No, but you’ve been so busy in Paris and all. Your job with Titan has kept you moving, I would completely have understood.”

“Some things are more important than money or work, Marly. And I promise, I am not going back anywhere until I see by brand new niece or nephew, and spoil them rotten. You can count on that.”

“I dunno if I should be happy or upset about that comment,” she chuckled “but I do know I can’t tell you how *good* it is to see you!”

“You don’t have to. I’m here now, and I think it’s time to take a look at what this kid has to look forward to. So, whattaya say? Ready to open some gifts?”

“Sam, your my twin, you should know I was *born* ready to open gifts.”

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Okay Marlena, two more!” Caroline acknowledged as she handed her the next box.

“Good grief! Two more? I aleready got a crib from Abe and Lexie, a playpen from Bo & Hope, a wardrobe of designer clothes from my sister, a car seat from Austin and Carrie, food and accessories from the boys at the gym, a highchair and everyday needs from you and Shawn, what else could there be?

“Well Sis, according to the tag, this next one’s from Ben.”

“Ben? What on earth did that boy do now?” Marlena laughed as she slowly unwrapped his present, pealing away the layers of tissue paper to reveal a embroided scrapbook.

“Little Angel,” Marlena read aloud as she opened the album to the first few pages, covered with pictures of sonograms and ultrasounds. A sense of pride overcame her as she revealed how much her little boy had grown into such a handsome and caring young man.

“He’s a good kid.” Caroline noted, as she reached for the final box.

“Yes he definitely is that,” Marlena agreed with a smile, as she handed her the book, and sniffed back the tears that had begun to form in her hazel orbs.

“And now last, but not least,” Sam announced as she handed her the final present, “This one is from the Father to Be.”

“What has he done now?” she asked as she tore through the box, and anxiously pulled out it’s contents to reveal a minature pair of boxing gloves, and a snowglobe with a note attached.

“Marlena-

I know you probably want to throw out the gloves already, but I just couldn’t resist. The snowglobe is for the baby’s room. It plays our song, and that’s something that’s always comforted me when I’ve been upset or afraid, I am sure it will do the same for our child.

Love Always,

 

Lucky”

Turning the wind on the bottle slowly, Marlena felt her heart melt as the sounds of ‘Endless Love’ oozed from the snowdome, and the little baby inside lay peacefully in a quiet slumber, looking tranquil and content in dreamland. Marlena smiled brightly at John’s warm gift, and at that moment she realized, the last several months hadn’t been one big dream, but instead, one very real fantasy come true, and things could only get better.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“Leather pants?” Marlena laughed holding the slinky material up in the air. She had gotten home only minutes earlier to find John holding another gift for her when she had arrived. “The globe was adorbale honey, but do you really want me to get into these? We want to make our baby feel safe, not frighten it!” she exclaimed laughing.

“Well, they can be your weight losing goal . . . but come on baby, you’d look hot in those,” John joked wrapping his arm around her.

“*Maybe* I’ll wear them one day. You know what I think would be fun?”

“What’s that?” he asked, taking a sip of the beer in front of him.

“If *you* put on those pants. They’d look so sexy . . .”

“Wow, I would never want to see that,” Ben laughed walking into the room. “Can I talk to you two for a minute, it’s kinda important.”

“Sure baby, sit down,” Marlena said patting the spot next to her on the couch. “Is everything all right? You look kinda sserious.”

“Well yeah it kinda is,” Ben began, cracking his knuckles, doing anything to avoid his parents’ faces. “As you know, I was gonna take a year off before I went to college, maybe get a job somewhere to try and figure out what I wanted to do. Well I figured it out and this morning right after I dropped off your gift at the Brady Pub I enlisted in the army. Now I know you probably hate the idea . . .”

“Probably?” Marlena interrupted. “No way in hell are you going to the army,” she yelled, standing up. “Ben, are you insane, do you know how many people die a year, no a *day* being in the army . . .”

“Honey, let him speak, John said grabbing her hand and pulling her down.

“No! Ben you *just* turned 18 and the first thing you do is enlist? Did you even think this thing through *at all*?”

“Yes mom, I did. I thought about it a lot and I just realized that this is something I want to do for my country, for myself! You raised me to believe that other people came before myself, that saving others is one of the most important things in life and that’s what I want to do! Don’t be afraid to lose me mom, if we fear life, then what’s the point of living it? Just believe in me and have faith that I’ll be okay but you can’t stop me from going, this is the one thing that you can’t decide for me,” he said honestly watching as tears fell from his mothers eyes.

“And what about your brother or sister? You’re just gonna leave?” she asked quietly, her hands moving to her stomach.

“Come on, Mom, I’m not dying. I’ll take weekend passes as much as I can and I’ll treat that baby like it’s God’s gift to the world. Just pretend I’m in college and I can’t come home because it’s on the other side of the US. You’re not going to lose me Mom, you can’t . . .”

“I really have no choice do I?” she stated, hinting at a smile, as plush tears still ran down her cheeks.

“Not really. I leave tomorrow morning, crack of dawn. I just want you to know that I love you both, more than *anything* in this world and that’s what’s going to keep me alive out there. Knowing that I have the two most wonderful, attentive, honorable mom and dad to come home too.”

“I’m proud of you kid,” John said getting up to hug him. “You’re everything I could have wanted in a son . . .”

“And you’re everything I needed in a father,” Ben whispered as he hugged the man who had become the tru definition of a father to him.

Marlena watched as the two of them embraced, and felt as her own tears started to fall faster. She laid her head back on the couch, as a sharp pain soared through her.

“Owwww,” she cried, gripping to her stomach.

“Honey are you okay?” John asked spinning around to fface her.

“Ben, you may get to meet your brother or sister before you leave tomorrow because my water just broke . . .”

This is it, Sweetheart,” John whispered lovingly, as he stood vigil by Marlena’s bedside, holding her hand and supporting her through every contraction. “Just think, in a few hours, all those months of waiting, and anticipating, and our little angel is finally going to say hello.”

“It’s funny, I don’t remember it being this hard with Ben,” she grunted in between ragged breaths, as she continued her lamaze.

“I know baby, but I’m here, whatever you need, anything, just name it please. I love you Marlena, and I want to make this as easy on you as possible.”

“I love, you too,” she smiled, as another sharp pain shot throughout her. “Ahhhhhh!”

“Shhh, c’mon, you’re doing fine, squeeze my hand, lean on me baby, that’s why I’m here, just hold on.”

“Lucky,” she breathed, as her contraction passed and she collapsed back to the hospiital bed. “May I have some ice chips, please?”

“Of course,” he smiled, as he rushed to get some from the table at the foot of the bed, returning quickly, as he fed them to her, and wiped her sweat drenched head with a washcloth. “Do you need anything else, Mar?”

“Just talk to me, tell me a story. Just something to get my mind off of the pain. Okay?”

“Hmm, a story,” he said aloud, as he thought deeply to come up with the perfect tale. A wide smile spread across his face when the perfect one raced to mind.

“How about the night we declared our love, that was the best night of my life. Aside from this, and our wedding.”

“That’s perfect.”

“Well, I remember you walking into that gym, wanting to talk to me. You had on that short white dress, heels, and your curly hair was golden and flowing. I couldn’t see straight, your beauty blinded me that much. Made me dizzy. You walked into the gym confident, with such poise, such grace, and I thought my heart was gonna pound through my chest. I was so in love with you, I wanted you so badly, and I thought I didn’t stand a chance. Five minutes later, you walked your killer legs right out that door, and I swore I’d blown my one chance at happiness. Then later on, it was Ben who brought us together, showed us what we were missing by being so stubborn. God, I owe that kid so much. That night, when we made love for the first time, I was complete, I was whole, and I thought life couldn’t get any better than this. Now, you’re about to give birth to our baby, a baby we created that night, out of a love so pure, so right, and my heart’s about to burst with pride and joy. God, I love you so much, and I promise you, from here on out, you, Ben and this baby *are* my life.”

“Oh, Lucky,” she wept, as tears poured down her already sweat-soaked face. “I love you, soo-OWWWWWWW!”

“Well, I think this baby wants to come out soon,” Dr. Bader acknoweldged, as she entered the delivery room, and consulted the newest tests. “Nurse, how far as she dialated?

“Seven centimeters.”

“Well, it won’t be long now.”

********************

“She’s fully dialated, Doctor.”

Nodding at her nurse, and slipping on her gloves, Dr. Bader took her place, as they prepared to finally bring this long awaited bundle of joy into the world.

“Okay Marlena, I can see the head. All I need from you know is a few good pushes, are you ready?”

“I don’t have much of a choice, ARGH!” she screamed, as she dug her nails through Lucky’s forearm, almost drawing blood.

“Wow Sweetie, I never thought childbirth could give me more injuries than fighting.” John joked, as he held her close for support.

“Very funny, keep it up, and you can shove this baby out of your A-AHHHHHHH!”

“Marlena, it’s time, now give it all you got, push!”

Sitting up, and clenching her hand firmly around John’s, Marlena pushed with all her might, and then fell back into John’s arms for a rest.

“All right, you’re doing beautifully, the head is out.”

“Oh my God!” John said, feeling a little faint, as he looked over to see just what Dr. Bader was saying. “I can see the head, and it’s there, and Oh my God, Mar, how are you doing this?”

“Mr. Black are you all right?” the nurse asked, as she watched the color drain from his face.

“Fine, fine,” he said as he inhaled deeply, and concentrated back to Marlena.

“All right you two, one more push, that’s all I need, just one more.”

“This is it, Honey,” John whispered, as he helped to sit her up once more, and grabbed her hand tightly, as he placed a light kiss on her forehead, “You can do it, I know you can!”

“Yea, easy for you to say. Remind me to tell you that when I shove a punching bag up your nose,” she seethed, as she bit down on her lip, and prepared for her last push.

“Allrighty, on 3. 1, 2 . . . 3!”

With everything she had left, Marlena pushed, as John held her as well as he could. Screaming out in immense pain, she fell back onto the bed, completely exhausted and worn out. Only to be rewarded by the sounds of their newborn’s cry.

“Oh John!” Marlena squealed, as she sat up, and rested her head on his chest, tears falling from both their eyes.

“I’ve never loved you more than I do right now. And this baby, I didn’t know it was possible to love something so fast,” he sobbed, as he rubbed his eyes, and sniffed back tears.

“Congratulations,” Dr. Bader smiled. “Here’s your little angel.”

Gently, she placed the baby in it’s mother’s arms, as the proud parents. As they basked in the life they’d created together, taken over by overwhelming love and emotion.

**********************

Pacing impatiently throughout the waiting room, Ben asked every Doctor who passed how the birth was progressing, but to no avail. He sat with the Brady’s, Carver’s, and his Aunt Samantha, waiting for any news.

“I have to ship out in 2 hours. I wish this would hurry.”

“Ay lad, this could take hours.” Shawn commented

“Man, I don’t wanna miss this!” Ben shrugged with frustration, as Sam rested a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“It’s okay, Honey. Your Mom and Dad know how much this means to you. They’ll understand.”

“Still, I wanted to see the baby before I left,” he replied sadly, as he sat down and sighed.

Just then, John came through the doors, positively glowing with joy and delight.

“Dad, the baby? Is it here, is it okay? Can I see it?”

“Whoa, slow down kid! Of couse you can see her.”

“Her?”

“Yep, congratulations Ben, you have a new beautiful baby sister.”

Ben stood in the doorway of his mother’s hospital room, watching her momentarilly. His sister was wrapped up in blankets, placed gently in her arms, a soft lullaby coming freely from her mouth.

“She’s beautiful,” Ben commented, walking into the room. He sat down next to Marlena and gently entangled his hand with his baby sister’s. “She has Lucky’s eyes,” he smiled, his heart filling with pure adoration for his sister. “Hey, what’s her name anyway?”

“Layla Morgan,” Marlena smiled, cradeling Layla in her arms.

“Like your doll?” Ben looked up curiously, his voice soft with emotion.

“Yeah . . . you know I still have that doll up in the atic. Your grandfather promised me he would never throw it away and I figured I would give it to Layla . . . you know so she would know her namesake, even if it is a doll.” She noticed Ben checking his watch and looked up into his eyes, tears falling from her own. “You going soon?” she asked, her voice cracking.

“Um, yeah. Shawn told me he’d drive me to the airport. We ship out from New Mexico later on today so I need to take a flight there. I just came in to see Layla and to say goodbye,” he said quietly.

At that moment the door swung open and a nurse walked in, watching the threesome. “Mrs. Black, I need to bring your daughter back to the nursery, I’ll bring her back in a couple hours when she needs to eat. I suggest you get some rest until then, you’ll have a screaming baby to keep you up in the next few months,” she smiled.

“Can I just say goodbye to her first?” Ben asked. The nurse shook her head and stepped away from them, lingering near the door. Marlena handed the baby to Ben, her eyes misty. “Layla, I have to go away for awhile but always remember something okay? Your big brother loves you more than anything and I promise when I come home from the army on my weekend passes, I’ll take you anywhere you want to go . . . the park, the circus, the zoo, I’ll even change your diapers, but it’s only because I won’t have to do it everyday, but shhh, don’t tell mommy,” he whispered, kissing her forehead. “Honey, I don’t know when I’ll see you next but I want to sing you something, all right?” Ben cleared his throat and began to sing, the song which held his baby sister’s namesake. “Layla, you’ve got me on my knees, Layla, I’m begging, darling please, Layla, darling won’t you ease my worried mind . . .” he stopped for a second, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I know you’re to young to understand this, but you have to help me out here . . . promise to take care of mom and dad, ease the worries from my mind, that even at your young age, you’ll be a constant joy and love to their lives. I love you baby sister, never forget that,” he replied kissing her. He gave her one last look and handed her over to the nurse, not sure when he’d see her again.

********

“Did you say goodbye to Lucky yet?” Marlena asked, sitting up in bed, taking her son’s hand in her own.

“Yeah, just before. You know it’s weird . . . he may not be my blood father but sometimes, I totally think he is. He’s been there for me when I’ve really needed it . . . .whether it was as a father or just as a friend. I’m so happy you married him mom . . . I really am.”

“You know it’s because of you we ever started to date. You both knew we had our selfish pride and you made us fight to get past it. I owe you my life Ben, I really do,” she stated, as her tears started to fall faster.

“Nah, I owe you mine,” he smiled. “Mom, I know you don’t agree with me going and I know you’re gonna worry because you’re Marlena Evans and Marlena Evans *always* worries but try not to. You’ve raised me to believe in helping others, in putting others before myself. Mom, I love you, no matter where I am, no matter who I’m with, no matter what situation I am given, you’re still my mother. Still the women who raised me, who loved me, who sheltered me . . . and I’ll be home soon, maybe soon enough that you’ll be sick of me and wishing I was goingback,” Ben teased, trying to lighten the mood.

“I’d never want to get rid of you. You’re right, I don’t want you leaving but I also know that you’re a strong boy . . . no, you’re a strong *man* and I know wherever you are, you’ll be safe. I just want you to know that in all my life, I’ve never been as proud of someone as I am of you. You have been my survival . . . there were so many times I wanted to give up, I never told you that . . . but I hung on because of you and because of you, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I have an wonderful husband, a beautiful baby daughter, and a son who just amazes me. You’re father would be so proud of you,” she smiled through her tearsm running her hands through Ben’s hair.

“Falconer sounds perfect . . .”

“He was. And you’re taking after him and after Lucky. The two most perfect men I know, rolled into my son. You know, I thought of giving you a present but then I figured all the men in the army would tease you for having soy milk before bed or for listening to Bedtime Beethoven,” she laughed. “So I tried thinking of what I could get you but I came up emptyhanded because everything you need is right here,” she said placing her hand over his heart. “Always remember how much we love you and how proud we are of you.”

A knock on the door interrupted them and Shawn peeked his head in. “Lad, if you want to get to that airport on time, we’ve got to get going.”

“I’ll be out in a sec,” Ben said softly. Shawn nodded and closed the door behind him, Ben turning back to face Marlena. “I guess this is it,” he said, tears sliding down his cheeks.

“Yeah,” she smiled, biting down on her lower lip. “I love you sweetheart. Never forgot that.”

“Never, never,” he whispered, pulling her into his arms. “I love you too mom. I love you too . . .”

All right, Sweetheart, just like I told ya!” Lucky encouraged his little angel, as he slid an oversized pair of boxing gloves on her petite hands and lifted her into the ring.

Three years had come and gone so quickly. Ben would come home as often as possible to check up on his little sister and they were as close as could be, even if he wasn’t there all the time. John took over the ring and helped to train the up and coming prized fighters, but most of all, he spent time adoring his baby girl and loving his incredible wife, the true gifts that kept him alive with good reason.

“Ah, come on Lucky, not again!” This is gettin’ embarrassing!” Jimmy protested, as he watched the smiling golden haired and blue eyed little girl move closer towards her in the ring.

“Well, Jimmy,” John smiled as he folded his arms over his chest, and walked towards the bell, “Maybe if you would win a fight, I wouldn’t embarass you like this. So shut up, and let the kidd have some fun.”

“But Lucky, man, she’s a pint size little thing, what can she do?”

“Hey!” Layla exclaimed, as she stomped her foot on the mat, “Are you tawking to me Mista?”

“What the hell is this? This ain’t a little kid, you got me in the friggin ring with Robert DeNiro!”

“Shut up and fight,” Lucky ordered, as he tapped the bell, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”

With the sound of the ding, Layla pranced around the ring, swinging her arms in the air wildly, as the other took a fit of laughter, watching the pint size pixie work so dilligently.

“What the hell is this? I feel like the guy in the Pepsi commercial for Christ sake!”

“Float lika buttafly, sting like a bee, those ahh the words of Mohammed Awi,” the little girl recited, just as her father told her, as she began taking jabs at Jimmy.

“Jesus! Can we stop this now?” Jimmy said as he jumped out of the way.

“What’s a matta? Are you scarda me, Mista?” Layla asked sadly, as she looked art him with puppy dog eyes and crocidile tears. “I sowwie.”

Shaking his head, Jimmy knelt down beside her and smiled. “It’s okay, Sweetheart, I’m n-“

Before he could finish, Layla brought her hand back and in one quick motion, struck a punch right at Jimmy’s jaw, which sent him sailing back to the mat, in complete and total shock.

“Sucker!” she laughed hysterically, as she moved to lean over his head, and then, ran towards John. “I won, Daddy, I weally won!”

“And in this corner, the winna, and still reigning Champion, Layla ‘Right Hook’ Black!” John screamed as he stepped into the ring, and held his little girls hand in the air, as the others cheered and whistled. “All that baby genius paid off. Not only brains and looks, but my baby girls got a right hook, too!”

“Yea, good thing she hits like her mother, I could take her if she hit like you!” Jimmy teased, as he got up, and headed for the showers.

“All right, kiddo. Where do you wanna go eat to celebrate, hmm?” John asked Layla, as he scooped her in his arms and the two headed home.

“Gwanpa Shawn’s, Daddy!”

“Sounds good, we’ll go get Mommy and be on our way!”

*************

“Mar, we’re home!” John called out, as he carried a sleeping Layla through the foyer.

“In here, Sweetie.”

Gently placing his daughter on the sofa, he headed towards the kitchen to speak with Marlena.

“Haha, what a day Honey! You shoulda seen Layla in the ring. We were gonna go out to celebrate, but she conked out as soon as I got her settled in the car.”

Waiting several moments for her to reply, he worried when he heard nothing coming from her, as she stood, her back towards him. Slowly, he walked towards her and placed and comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Marlena? What’s wrong?”

“Ben’s coming home this weekend,” she replied as she turned to face him and handed him the letter she had clutched to her chest and wiped the stray tears from her eyes.

“That’s great, Baby! Why would you cry over that?”

“Because,” she sobbed, as the tears sprung from her eyes once more. “He’s going off to war.”

Big brotha in the house,” Ben yelled as he walked through the front door, a duffel bag in one hand, a small box in the other. He heard pounding footsteps on the stairs and smiled knowing Layla was on her way down.

In the past three years, he came home as often as possible, amazed at how different his sister looked each time. She had started out a small baby with no hair with these bright blue eyes to a small girl, with flowing blonde hair and the same pair of eyes that always had a glimmer of light in them.

“Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeen,” Layla squealed, jumping into his arms, as she made her way down the steps. “I missed you,” she smiled wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I missed you too, Princess,” he replied kissing her forehead. “I missed my baby sister so much that I even got you a gift while I was supposed to be undercover,” he winked setting her down on the floor. He handed her the wrapped box and she smiled tearing into it. Seconds later, she pulled out a long silver chain with a heart attached in the center.

“It’s a neckwace,” she giggled, dangling the heart on the chain.

“Not just any necklace,” Ben said, sitting down next to her, “It’s a locket.” Ben opened the locket, revealing a picture of the two of them from the last time Ben was at home. “There’s a picture of you and me inside, so whenever you miss me, you just have mom or dad open it up and we’ll be together. And turn it over to the back, you see that writing?” Layla nodded her head and ran her fingers over the engraved letters. “Well that says ‘Wherever I am, I’ll always be in your heart. Ben.’ I love you Lay,” he smiled, placing his sister in his lap.

“I love you too.”

“So what’s been up babe? What have you been doing?”

“Daddy took me to the gym da oter day and I beat Jimmy at boxing. I weally won and then mommy and daddy took me to Gwampa Shawn’s for a victowy dinner. And mommy is teaching me all the words to that song that has my name!! Wanna hear?” Without anything from Ben, Layla started to say the words. “What’ll you do when you get lonely and nobody’s waiting by your side? You’ve been running and hiding much too long. You know it’s just your foolish pwide. Layla, you’ve got me on my knees. Layla, I’m begging, darling pwease. Layla, darling won’t you ease my worried mind.” She stopped for a second and looked back up at Ben, her blue eyes wide. “I don’t weally wemember the rest but mommy also makes me listen to the big dog with her, but it puts me to sleepy sometimes.”

“You mean Beethoven?” Ben laughed. “Yeah, mom used to make me listen to it too. Did she take you to the zoo yet?”

“Uh huh . . . I saw the gowillas and tigers and bears and mommy bought me a stuffed andimal. You wanna see it?” she squealed.

“Sure I do. Go get it okay?”

“Okay,” she yelled, running up the stairs.

<

**************

“Marlena, Ben just got here, what are you going to do, stay in here until he leaves just because you don’t agree with what he’s doing?” John asked as Marlena paced her father’s office. “If you let him leave like this, you’ll regret it. He’s not a baby Marlena, he’s 21, you have to let him grow up even if he is your first born.”

“You just don’t understand, he isn’t your son,” she snapped.

“Where the hell do you get off saying that,” he exclaimed grabbing her arm and spinning her to him. “Yes, I didn’t raise him and yes Ben is not biologically mine but damn it Marlena, you of all people should know how much I love that kid! Of course I don’t want him going to war but I also know I can’t stop him . . . neither of us can. Maybe it’s about time you let him grow up.”

“Why?” she yelled. “So I can have him die?”

“I’m not going to die mom,” Ben said walking into the room. “And I’d really like it if you two would stop fighting over a decision that has nothing to do with either of you! I’m sorry you don’t like the idea of me going to war but I don’t have much of a choice. When I enlisted in the army I knew there was a chance of me going to war and I took that chance. There’s nothing much else that can be done,” he said shrugging his shoulders and walking to the leather couch in the far right corner of the room.

“You can get out! Come on Ben, is all of this worth it? You can be shot, you can be beaten, do you want that? Do you really want to give up the rest of your life, seeing your sister grow up, marriage . . . is it all worth it?” Marlena asked curiously, rubbing her hands over her temples.

“Mom stop it,” he screamed, becoming frustrated. “Do you know how it feels when you tell me I’m going to die or I’m going to get shot? It makes me feel as if you have *no* confidence in me whatsoever! I’m sorry you hate this idea and I’m sorry I’m causing problems but I have to live my own life and you may not be supportive on it but try and help me here!”

“Help you with what? Do you know how dangerous wars are?”

“No mom, I was unaware why don’t you tell me,” Ben said sarcastically rolling his eyes.

“Don’t speak to your mother like that,” John said stepping in, not in the mood to hear anymore of this.

“Oh come on dad, you know I’m not wrong here! Yes war is dangerous but so is going to an ATM at midnight. So is taking a stroll in Salem Park at anytime of day! Life is dangerous, this *world* is dangerous. I don’t need to be sheltered anymore, I need to be on my own, to learn from my own mistakes . . .”

“Even being dead,” Marlena mumbled, loud enough so they all could hear it.

“Uuuuugh, I can’t deal with this anymore! I came home this weekend to say goodbye, to spend time with my family but for what? So I can hear more of this bullshit that I have heard ever since I joined the army? I don’t think so! So much for a weekend pass huh? I’m going back to New Mexico and going to war on Monday. Tell Layla I love her. Dad, I’m sorry about this . . .” John shook his head, understanding exactly where Ben was coming from. “Bye,” he said quietly, slamming the door behind him as Marlena broke down in tears.

“Marlena, go after him,” John said leaning down to her, gathering her in his arms.

“I can’t,” she whispered through her own tears. “Because if I do, I’ll be pained even more than I am right now because I know he’ll reject me and I can’t say anything that can change his feelings. I only hope he’s okay out there,” she whispered, staring out the picture window into the cruel world outside, praying for her son’s life.

Rise and shine, Pumpkin!” John called as he strolled into his daughter’s room, lifting up her shades, and then heading towards her bed to find her in a very deep and tranquil sleep. “Hey sleepyhead, wake up!” he called, as he knelt down beside her and tapped her gently. “Come on, precious. I’ll take you for strawberry pancakes! How’s that sound?”

“I tiwed, Daddy.” Layla whispered, as she blinked her eyes several times and then rolled on her other side.

“Tired?” John asked concerned “Pumpkin, you took a nap yesterday, and flel asleep at 8, how can you still be tired.”

“I sweepy,” she said groggily, as she slowly feel back into a quiet slumber.

“Marlena?” John called out as he walked into their bedroom to find her in her bathrobe, having just emerged from the tub.

“Yes, Honey?” she asked, as she dried her wet hair with a towel and walked towards him.

“It’s Layla,” he said worriedly, as he walked towards the phone. “I think she needs to go to a Doctor, now.”

*************

“Mr. and Mrs. Black?” The peditrician called out to the waiting room, as John and Marlena quickly jolted to their feet.

“That’s us!” they replied in unison, as they hurried to his side.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Gabe Sorenson,” he said as he extended his hand to each of them, Marlena first, and then John. “I was the one on call when your daugther was brought in and I just received her test results back from the lab.”

“Then you know what’s the matter with our baby girl?” Marlena asked worriedly, as she clutched to John for support.

“Yes I do, these tests confirm what I’d originally believed to be true.”

“What is it, Doc? Can it be fixed? Money isn’t an option, I’ll do anything to save my baby girl.”

“Money isn’t what’s needed to save her, Mr. Black. It’s the proper blood donor.”

“What are you saying?” Marlena asked, as tears brimmed her hazel orbs.

“What I am saying is, Layla is suffering from aplastic anemia. And the only cure is someone compatible with her blood type.”

“And what if we can’t find the right donor, then what?” John asked, as his voice took on a more firm tone, and he held on tightly to his beloved wife.

“Let’s not dwell on that, please. We need to concentrate on finding the appropriate donor. A realitive, a sibling, anyone you can think of that would match her blood and tissue type?”

“Ben..” Marlena whispered in a daze, only to be brought back to earth, by the ringing of her cell phone. “Excuse me for a moment,” Marlena asked, as she stepped aside to answer.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Black?”

“This is she?”

“This is Colonel Harris Sinclair, of Patillion 329. I have some news to report to you on your son, Private Benjamin Black.”

“Ben! Oh my God! Please, tell me he is okay?” she pleaded, as tears streamed down her face, as John rushed to her side to see what was wrong.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Black,” the officer replied solemnly, “But he’s been hurt pretty bad, and it doesn’t look good. We’re sending him home to your hospital to be with those he loves most. I really do apologize, he’s some kid, with a lotta heart. I’ll be praying that he sees this thing through. Godspeed, Mrs. Black.”

With that, Marlena dropped her cellphone, as she collapsed completely into John’s arms, not only with fear of losing one child, but both of whom she loved more than life itself.

Marlena paced the waiting room, checking her watch every few minutes. Ben had been brought into University Hospital earlier that morning, several stab and gunshot wounds inflicted on his body, as his body became more frail as the moments passed. He had been brought into the ER almost immediately as Layla’s body became weaker. A complete blood transfusion was in the works, as John and Marlena walked the halls of the hospital, nervous as every second passed.

“Mrs. and Mr. Black?” Gabe Sorenson walked out of the ER in a pair of teal scrubs on his body. He was a good looking doctor, maybe in his late 30’s, sandy blonde hair and piercing green eyes. He seemed like a family man, to some extent anyway . . . maybe one or two kids, of whom he never saw due to his busy schedule. The bags under his eyes, showed long nights at the hospital, his ragged scrubs proving he had slept there for maybe days in a row.

“Doc, how are our kids?” John asked gripping onto Marlena’s hand as their hands intertwined.

“Well, thank God Ben’s blood was a match to your daughter’s. We gave her a complete transfusion. You see her bone marrow stopped making enough healthy blood cells which caused her to be so tired all the time. With Ben’s blood, her bone marrow will become stronger. There is only an 80% chance that she will be rid of her anemia for good but regular anemia is easy to handle basically. Layla just needs to be given iron pills to keep her energy up and to keep the new bone marrow from having a relapse, but I am happy to say your daughter is out of the woods,” Sorenson smiled as both parents heaved a sign of relief.

“And Ben?” Marlena asked almost afraid to know the answer.

Dr. Sorenson’s face fell as he started to wring his hands, hating this part of his job. “Well, due to his accident in the war, he had already lost a lot of blood. We were skeptical at first to draw blood from him but he told us we had to if it meant saving his baby sister. Usually we won’t do it anyway, but your son . . . I’m sorry, he doesn’t have long to live . . . whether we drew the blood from him or not, the stab and puncture wounds were to serious, I’d go spend time with him now before . . .”

John shook his head and wrapped his arm tightly around his wife. “Thanks Doctor Sorenson,” John said shaking his hand as he guided Marlena into Ben’s room.

Marlena stopped short in his doorway for a second, gasping at the sight before her. It was really the first time she had seen Ben since he had brought in and the image of him lying there broke her heart. His normal rosy complexion was nothing more than a lighter shade of pale as he deteriorated before his parents eyes. John gave her a slight push into the room and she sat down next to his bed, running her hand through his blonde hair. He opened his eyes slowly as a smile formed on his face.

“So I guess you were right, Mom. I guess the war killed me huh?” he smiled weakly in attempt to put some humor into the current situation. Tears ran down both John and Marlena’s cheeks, as they gripped onto each other. “Oh come on, don’t cry. It hurts to much for me too and if you keep doing it, I might start too and it’ll just be a pain in the you know what.”

“How you can joke now is beyond me,” John whispered.

“Because it’s the only way to live life. Look I don’t have much time left, I know that, so I may as well just start my goodbyes, huh?” Ben turned to John as tears started to fall from both their eyes. “You know I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but Dad, just looking at you brings so much emotion to me. When we moved here and I found out some boxer was living in our house, I thought that would be so cool! I would always watch Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson on TV and thought they were such interesting people. Well, when I met you, you were not only interesting but someone I could totally confide in. Whether it was discussing how hot Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston were or just my own personal issues, you were always there for me, even though you didn’t have to be. There really aren’t enough words to say thanks. You made my mother happier than I ever could have imagined and you gave me a little sister, who means everything to me. Calling you dad, just felt so right because even if you weren’t my father by blood you were my father in my heart. I love you Dad and I was . . . I *am* so *lucky* to have had you in my life. And I know Layla will grow up having the most amazing father in this world. I love you dad, I can’t say it enough,” Ben said as he caught his breath, tears streaming down his eyes.

John leaned down and kissed his forehead. “You know you gave me everything I could have ever wanted Ben. You led me to your mother and to the life I always wanted. Truthfully when I heard you and your mother were moving in, I wasn’t thrilled. I hadn’t been around kids before and having a 16 year old invading my space was not exactly my idea of something fun. But from the moment you came here, I knew there was something special about you. You were a lot more grown up then I gave you credit for but what really amazed me was how connected you were with your mother because I was the same way with my own. Talking to you, sparring with you, we just instantly connected. The night I adopted you a part of me became stronger and complete. I only wish I was there for the first 16 years of your life, that is my one regret. I love you son, nothing can ever change that,” John said tearfully.

Marlena watched the two of them for a moment, not being able to handle the silence that had taken over the room. “Hey, do I get a turn,” she laughed, through her tears as her heart ached with agony. She ran her hand through Ben’s hair, tears plummeting down her angelic face. She stared into his green eyes, getting lost in them. She had given him life 21 years ago and now it was his turn to leave her, way to early in his life. “I could try saying goodbye to you, but how am I supposed to when I don’t believe it’s your time to go? You may say that I gave you life, but you’re what gave *me* life. No matter how upset I was, I would just look at that smiling face with the bright green eyes and blonde hair and I’d always manage to smile. You always took care of me, Ben. You always supported me, you always loved me . . . if someone told me I was allowed to change one thing about you, I would honestly say I wouldn’t chage a thing. Not even the fact that you went to war because I learned something . . . I learned that you fought to make this world safer and no matter what happened to you, you didn’t care as long as you helped others. You are the most caring, understanding, *amazing* person I have ever met and I don’t know how I’m supposed to live without you,” Marlena cried, as she gripped onto Ben’s hand.

“I’m so sorry,” Ben replied quietly as tears streaked his pale cheeks. “I wish I had listened to you and not gone away because even if I helped others, I caused more pain on you than I ever could have imagined. You can say you were blessed to have a son like me but the real truth is I was blessed to have a mother like you. I was always called a Mama’s Boy and you know what? I was damn proud to admit I was! You never criticized me or condemned me, you just spoke to me and we would talk about it and you just understood me so well. You are the most amazing mother, you are beyond amazing Mom. I can’t thank you for everything you have done for me, a simple thank you doesn’t cut it and I am so scared to leave you,” he cried as he gripped on Marlena’s hand as she moved up to sit next to him on the bed.

“Don’t be scared,” Marlena whispered, brushing her fingers over his tears, “Because I’ll always be here with you and I know you’ll always be here with me. You told me before you left for war that we couldn’t be afraid of life, we just had to live it. Don’t be afraid to die. You know I always believed we should live backwards. A famous writer once said ‘You should die first, get it out of the way. Then you should live twenty years in an old age home. You get kicked out when you’re too young, you get a gold watch, you go to work. You work for forty years until you’re young enough to enjoy your retirement. You go to college, you party until you’re ready for high school, you become a little kid, you play, you have no responsibilities. You become a little boy you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating. And you finish off as a gleam in someone’s eye.’ It would just make life so much easier, without all the pain and suffering. Ben, no matter where you are, you will always be in my thoughts, always in my mind and always *always* in my heart,” Marlena said, as her voice cracked with pure emotion.

“And you in mine,” he whispered. “Look, I can’t say good-bye to Layla, so I need you to do it for me. Tell her that her big brother loves her and I know that she won’t remember me all that much when she gets older but remind her *everyday* that she was the best thing besides Lucky to ever happen to me. That little girl was my life. And if she ever forgets me, tell her to . . . to look in the locket,” Ben said weakly as his eyes started to close.

“What locket?” Marlena asked gently.

“I . . . locket to Layla,” he muttered as his pulse became weaker by the second.

“Marlena,” John said quietly, “I think we should say goodbye.”

Marlena nodded and leaned down kissing her son’s lips. “I love you Ben. Give your father a kiss for me when you get to heaven.”

“I love you too kid, never forget that,” John spoke, grabbing onto his wife as an infamous amount of tears flowed down their cheeks.

“I love you . . .” Ben mouthed as the heart monitor made it known that Benjamin Black had descended to a far better place.

Benjamin Black was a lot of things to many people,” Marlena began as she stood before Ben’s coffin, the bright sun beating down on her. She always found it ironic how funeral’s could take place on such bright, beautiful days. It was supposed to be raining and dark as if the heavens above knew that remoursing would be in today’s schedule. “Whether he was a family member, a friend, or an aquatinace, everyone loved him and thought he was great. But no one knew what Ben was like as a son. He told me before he died that when people called him a ‘Mama’s Boy’ he said ‘Damn proud of it.’ A lot of people have problem’s with their kids growing up but with Ben . . . with Ben it was so different. He put me before everyone else, including himself and for that I will always be greatful. It’s weird, we live life believing that our children will take care of us when we’re older and we’ll leave them knowing they had good, complete lives growing up. But what are you supposed to do when God turns the tables on you and they leave you before their life barely began?” Marlena asked tearfully, biting down on her lower lip, looking up into the heavens. “Ben wasn’t seven but he also wasn’t 90. He was 21, the age when most kids are out having fun, drinking, partying, but not my son . . . he was out there saving the world. I don’t know what else to say, I can try and sum up Ben’s life in a few sentances but we all know that isn’t really possible because in reality words can’t make up who and what Ben was. I just hope he knows how much we all loved him,” Marlena cried as she stepped off the podium, nearly fainting in John’s arms.

John looked around at the people surrounding him and kissed his wife’s forehead, slowly getting up. He got up onto the podium and stared above into the heavens not speaking. Tears ran down his cheeks as he leaned down to the microphone. “I was going to start out with a hello, ask how everyone is, but I should figure that at a funeral, it’s basically just cut to the point and bury, right?” John asked. “When I was younger and I used to attend funerals, I would wish they would just end already, even when my own mother died, I just didn’t understand it all. I never understood why people would dress up their body in their finest suit or dress, order millions of flowers, but for what? They’re dead, they don’t care if they’re buried naked or in Armani! But maybe the loved ones do it as some sort of tribute. When people pay tribute to someone, they dress up in suits, fancy dresses, the works . . . and maybe that’s why Marlena and I suited up Ben today not because it’s a ritual at every funeral but because Ben sure as hell deserved some sort of tribute. I thought about telling everyone how amazing Ben was but his mother did that for me and I was going to speak about how Ben changed my life but again you heard that from Marlena. There’s nothing more to say excpet for the fact that Benjamin Black died way to early in his life. A part of him will always live within his sister as he saved her life by donating his blood and I know he’ll always be in our hearts. I love you Ben, we all do,” John whispered as he stepped off the podium, kissing the coffin.

He sat down next to his wife and daughter, wrapping his arms around them as Amazing Grace started playing on the bagpipes. Guns were sounded by the army as Marlena shuddered, her body shaking in the warm summer air as she watched her son being placed six feet under . . . way to early in life.

******

“Mar, everyone’s left,” John whispered as he wrapped his arms around his wife’s shoulders, and watched her gaze out of the window and on to the sunset falling into the horizon.

“First star’s out,” she uttered, as she leaned her head slowly back into his chest. “That’s our star, remember?”

“How could I forget,” he smiled, as he lightly nuzzled her hair. “Ya know what?”

“What?”

“I think Ben watches us from that star now,” he began, as he held her tighter, and rocked them back and forth, tears forming in both their eyes. “It looks brighter than ever before, I think it’s his way of telling us he watching over me, you and Layla, letting us know he’s okay. In a place where war can’t hurt him. In a place where has big heart can only reward him eternally.”

“John, you don’t have to say these things to make me feel better. Ben’s gone, he died. My son, he’s gone,” she wept, as tears streamed down her face. “In my mind ya know, I do understand and accept this, but in my heart and soul, something died along with him. Some part of me went to heaven with Ben, and I don’t think I could ever get over it.”

“Marlena, you’re not supposed to ever completely get over it. You gave Ben life, you raised him, you loved and adored him, it’s only natural to feel so empty and lost right now. I only knew Ben for five years and I am falling apart, you knew him for 21 years of life and 9 months of pre-existence. You carried him, nourished him, watched him grow, watched him live, and you also watched him die. That’s a pain that can never go away, but in time, it will begin to get a little easier. It won’t hurt as much, and you have me here, and Layla, if you need anything. Remember, there’s a part of Ben always in that bright eyed little girl in the next room. Without him, she wouldn’t be with us right now, Marlena. Why he went to war in the first place was to save others, and he did. He saved the the two women that he loved most in this world, his baby sister and his mother.”

“How did he save me, Lucky?” Marlena questioned, as she got up and pulled away from his embrace. “I’m falling apart here! I don’t know what to do! Sometimes I think I could forget how to *breathe* without him, because I don’t know what I am bothering to take in air for now that he’s gone!”

“Dammit, Marlena! Don’t you see? He saved Layla and that’s gives you a reason to live, to breathe! That little girl loves you so much and she loved Ben like you did. She needs you and you need her. And I know this is going to sound a little selfish, but I need you, too,” John broke down, as he spoke his last words, crying more so like a young child than a grown man. “I know Ben wasn’t mine by blood, Marlena. But I couldn’t have loved him more if he was. You and he came into my life at a time when I had *nothing* else and you two are the reason I am standing here today. I tried to hold back on this and I tried to be strong, but I can’t. I just can’t do it. The one thing that gets me up everyday is you and Layla. When I feel in love with you, and then you told me you were going to have my baby, something inside me came alive that I didn’t even know existed. I knew I had to learn to be a good father and a good husband. What I didn’t know is, that would all come naturally. Nine months went by, and suddenly, I had a complete family. Now my son is gone, a little piece of me died again, too. I know that feeling won’t come back, and I know that pain won’t go away. What I do know is, I can get through this, as long as I know I have Layla, and as long as I have you,” he admitted wholeheartedly, as he sniffed back tears and extended his hand to hers. Looking at him, she sobbed once more. Slowly, she lent her trembling hand to his, allowing her fingertips to graze his own, as he lifted her tear stained hazel orbs to his baby blues, she grabbed on to his hand tightly, and spoke almost incoherently as she continued to cry.

“You’ll…always…have me. I know I can’t show that right now, but I love you, Lucky. And I love Layla, and I know that Ben wanted us to move on and be happy. I know he watches over us, and I know time will pass, and I will be able to show my feelings again. I just can’t right now, I’m sad, and I’m scared….and I don’t even know what I feel anymore!” she broke down, as she threw herself into his arms and the two stood together, letting whatever emotions they were holding back pour out into that embrace.

“Shhhh, we’re gonna get through this, Marlena. I promise you,” he comforted, as he slowly stroked her golden hair, and placed a light kiss atop her forehead. “Together, we’ll get through it.”

“Mommy, Daddy?” a little voice called as Layla’s head poked through the living room corridor. Quickly, John and Marlena pulled from their hug, and wiped their tears as they turned to face their angelic little girl with that sparkle in her eye, and innocenct look planted upon her face.

“What is it, Sweetheart?” Marlena asked, trying her best to smile through the tears as she knelt down to look at her baby girl.

“Why are you cwying?” she asked concerned, as she wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck, showing her support, and warming both her parents hearts at her loving gesture, which reminded them so much of her beloved older brother.

“Mommy and I are just a little sad, that’s all, Pumpkin.” John intervened, as he walked over, and sat on the sofa beside them.

“Are you sad about Ben?”

John gazed over at Marlena, both unaware that their daughter knew so much about the current situation, and unsure how to respond.

“Well, Sweetheart, yes,” Marlena tried her best to explain, as she gently brushed several stray golden hairs from Layla’s face. “Daddy and I are sad because Ben had to go away. But, the truth is, he’s in a better place now, where nothing can hurt him.”

“I know that, Mommy.”

“You do?”

“Yes, Ben is in my heart,” the little girl smiled, as she carefully pulled the locket from inside her shirt, and showed it to Marlena.

“That’s what he was talking about during those last minutes,” Marlena sighed, as she slowly opened the the necklace, to reveal a picture of her beloved son and daugther, smiling and as happy as ever.

“Layla, did Ben give that to you?” John asked, as he moved to sit with them along the floor.

“Yes, Daddy. The last time he was here. I told him I missed him a whole lot, and he gave me this and said no matter if he was with me or not, he’d always be in my heart. So you see, Mommy, I’m not sad. Ben is always with me, even if he’s not in person, I just open up my locket, and I tell him I love him. And you know what?”

“What, precious?” Marlena asked as she smiled, and lightly caressed her daugther’s cheek, as she and John watched on, both touched and amazed at this little girl’s capacity of love for her brother.

“I know he hears me, cause I feel his love in my heart. And when I sleep, I see him. He tells me he is okay, Mommy. That I don’t have to be afraid, or scared, or anything cause he watches over me, and you and Daddy, too. Do you understand what I mean, Mommy? Did I make swense?”

“Yes, Sweetheart. I understand you very much. What you just told me makes more sense then you could ever know,” she wept, as she pulled her little girl into her arms, and the two of them embraced John, knowing now, for the first time that things were going to work out for the best. That in their hearts, Ben would always live on, and that, thanks to him, they were given a second fighting chance.