Here’s a little alternative to the New Year’s Eve the show gave us.
It’s sexy and romantic and ends very happily.
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Patient in Crisis\\Crisis of Patience
Marlena Evans, formerly Brady, hopefully someday soon to be Black…stood staring mournfully out the window of her office at Salem’s University Hospital. It was a few minutes before 3:00 in the afternoon and she was expecting a new client. Hilary had said the person who called seemed very distraught and needed to see the doctor right away. Marlena hated the idea of waiting around handling a crisis on New Year’s Eve…but then again, if she couldn’t be with John…why should it matter. They had seen so little of each other lately and her heart was aching to be near John, to have him hold her in his muscular loving arms…to have John make love to her the way only he could do.
Holding a picture out in front of her she spoke to John as if he were there with her. “Oh, John….this year certainly isn’t ending the way I hoped it would, with us together and happily married, celebrating our love and bringing in the new year together. I miss you so much, my love… and I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend Christmas together, I’m sorry for the tears I know you’ve cried for me, for the ones I’ve been crying too.”
Marlena turned toward the sound of someone clearing his voice. The visitor spoke softly. “I have cried for you, Doc….but no more…no more.”
Marlena was positively shocked and delighted to see John standing there. “John! Oh, John…I’m so glad to see you, but I can’t be with you right now, there’s a patient in crisis coming any minute.” she said, feeling very conflicted in her loyalties.
John spoke in a much higher pitched voice than normal, contrived anxiety in his tone. “Oh….please won’t you help me…I know it’s New Year’s Eve, but I’m desperate! I’m so depressed that I can’t…think straight. I think I might lose my job and I have children to support! Oh, please, you have to get me in to see Dr. Evans right away!”
Marlena started chuckling to hear it. “John! That was you?” she asked, a joyfully incredulous smile spreading across the features of her beautiful face at his creativity in finding a way for them to have some time together.
John nodded and took two steps closer to Marlena and then said. “Yep…and every word of it was true, Doctor Evans. I’ve been…terribly depressed for several weeks now, months actually. You see… I’m head over heels in love with this woman. She’s my fiance and sadly….we haven’t had much time together lately because of some..very complicated circumstances. I haven’t been able to concentrate on my work or much of anything else, except for her and how much I miss her.” John shut the door and locked it and then turned back toward her, advancing slowly closer to Marlena with a very sexy, seductive expression and suggestive body posture as he walked and talked. “My heart, mind, and soul long to spend time with her and my….body is…aching to make..sweet… tender… passionate love to her, but circumstances have been keeping us apart for soooo long! Can you please help me, doctor? Please!”
Marlena found herself becoming quickly aroused just to hear John’s sexy whispered love talk. “Oh…John …whew… honey… we promised we’d wait.” she said nervously, a part of her wishing he would throw her down on the couch and tear her clothes off.
John answered Marlena with a teasing challenge, “You mean to tell me that you’re not going to help a very distressed, paying client work things out with the woman he loves, on New Year’s Eve?” With a mock tone of disappointment, he said, “And they told me you were the best.” John turned toward the door again and said teasingly.”Oh, well, I better be going then, I guess I’ll just have to find someone else, someone who can help me.”
Anxiously, Marlena blurted out, “No, don’t go! I’ll…help you. You’re right, I can’t possibly turn down a patient in crisis on New Year’s Eve. It would be….unethical, in fact..downright immoral to send someone away like that.”
John smiled and continued the game. “Well, that’s kind of what I was counting on, Doctor. So, what do you think you might do to help a patient as depressed and heartbroken as me?”
Marlena smile widened and her hazel eyes lit up, twinkling like the lights on the tabletop Christmas tree in her office. She said, “Hmmm, there are any number of interventions I can think of right off…would it be allright if I tried one?”
John nodded and said, “Oh, please do, I’m open to anything…I’ve missed my woman so much! You know…I can’t sleep at night…I cry in my coffee in the morning.”
“Oh my….we simply can’t have that…now can we?” Marlena made a move toward John then suddenly seemed to remember something she needed to do. As her lips came close to his, she whispered softly, “Wait just one moment…would you please sir?”
“Of course..doctor, but please don’t be long.” John whispered in return, his temperature rising just to be standing that close to her. “The depression gets worse very quickly.”
Marlena stepped over to the desk and picked up her phone and said, “Hilary…please hold all my calls and cancel anything else that might be scheduled for early evening.” Marlena chuckled in response to whatever was said and then responded verbally. “Oh, he did….how thoughtful of him…thank you Hilary.”
John was smiling, he knew why she laughed.
“Well, Mr. Black, it seems the rest of my schedule has been cleared, it appears that you were in such a crisis that you paid for several hours of my time in advance. You have such insight into the depth of your problems.”
John nodded again and agreed. “Yep…it’s a very serious crisis I’m dealing with here Doctor Evans… so can we get back to your…first treatment?” John said with a wink and a sexy smile.
“Oh…yes, I was about to try something that usually helps in these cases.” Marlena moved in closer and brushed John’s lips with hers and then pulled away again. “Did that get…anything started?”
“Uh….yea…but…I think you better try again to make sure it’s really effective.” John’s breathing quickened and he felt his heart begin to race a little.
“Okay..I can do that..good idea.” Marlena moved in again and kissed John for just a second or two longer, then ran her fingertips over his lips. “How’s that…is it helping?”
John was becoming very quickly aroused with each little touch, each kiss, “No…it’s making the problem worse, you better increase the dosage… not to tell you what to do or anything.” he moaned softly.
Moving closer, she said with a sexy whisper. “Oh, I like my patients to tell me if the dosage doesn’t seem quite right, let’s go ahead and try that.” Marlena leaned in again and kissed John more powerfully, her tongue lingering in his mouth much longer that time.
Breathlessly, John said, “Ooh….yea…that’s much better, but I think…I need more..please. Would it be okay if I put my arms around you, that seems to make me feel better sometimes.”
“Well, I don’t usually encourage that, but you are in crisis.. allright go ahead.” she teased. John slipped his muscular arms around Marlena and they melted into a long embrace. “So…Mr. Black how are you feeling now?”
John sighed with growing desire and the pleasure of being close after so much time apart. “Mmm, that’s so nice…you really are quite good. Do you think we could go over to the couch, I’ve heard you head doctors like to have your patients sit down on the couch sometimes so they can relax.”
Marlena nodded and agreed. “Oh, yes… in some cases that can be very helpful. Are you feeling anxious right now, John? May I call you, John?” she asked teasingly as Marlena took John’s strong hand.
John’s breathing was noticeably changing as he answered. “Yes, please call me John…and yes, I must admit I am anxious, doctor. You see….my body is….well, it’s..reacting very well to your treatment and I feel the need to get closer to you.”
Marlena smiled, pleased with John’s powerful response to her. “Oh, well I’m glad the treatment is working so well, let’s bump that dose up again.” Marlena took John’s handsome face suddenly and kissed him intensely, taking his breath away again.
“Woah, Doc…that was…very effective!” John then pulled Marlena to him and kissed in that same way, his tongue dancing around hers, increasing their growing desire to meld their bodies into one blissful entity. John took off his coat and then gradually guided Marlena toward the couch and within a few more minutes they were in the throws of passion.
“So, how’s the depression now, Mr. Black?” Marlena asked, her own desire climbing steadily with the body contact.
“Oh…it’s still there…but you’re doing a great job of distracting me… all I can think of is the treatment…it’s wonderful, almost a miracle cure, Doc.” Marlena was making a trail of kisses down the length of John’s body while removing his shirt. In that voice he had used to make the appointment, he said, “Oh, yea……whew you’re even better than my friend said, doctor….ooh!”
Marlena laughed heartily at that one, his voice was completely different. Hilary had no idea it was him until he showed up at her office. “Oh, I do try… I do try.” They continued to kiss and touch, taking each other’s clothes off and enjoying every second of their teasing banter and smoldering sensuality.
A few minutes after moving their activity to the couch, they were in their birthday suits and loving each other magically. “Oh, Doc…I have missed you so much! I couldn’t stand to be apart anymore. I love you and I need you!”
“I know…..John. I have dreamed about making love to you, honey…so many times baby. I didn’t quite picture it like this, but it’ll do quite nicely.” With that Marlena kissed John powerfully and touched him at the same time, causing John’s reaction to heighten… and he moaned with passion in response to both moves.
“Marlena…ooh baby. I want you..now!” John positioned himself on top and began to intensify their lovemaking, touching all Marlena’s pleasure zones, so tenderly that she fully enjoyed every sensation she experienced. John’s strong touch was so gentle, so loving and so..stimulating. “Oh, John…I’ve missed your touch, I’ve missed your kisses. I love you so…” Marlena’s was breathing hard, wanting John more than she remembered before, her need so great she didn’t think she could wait another second. “Oh, honey…I need you within me, now…right now..baby” Marlena whispered breathlessly. John used his mouth and tongue to spark a blazing fire in Marlena’s body, leaving a trail of moisture from her lips down her creamy voluptuous chest to her abdomen and below. “Oh, John I need you…I want you so much honey…”
“Oh…Marlena….it’s so incredible to be with you…I’ve missed us so much!” Marlena returned the favor, running her tongue down John’s broad muscular chest, moving slowly lower until he thought he would die from his as yet unfulfilled desire to have her. Within a few more moments, John joined with Marlena and together they travelled to dizzying heights of love and desire, the likes of which they hadn’t experienced since the affair several years ago. The need was so great, the separation so frustrating that this release of sexual tension was necessary and every sensation in their bodies was intensified by the danger of being discovered. Afterward, they lay quietly, their bodies intertwined, their hearts beating in time, their breathing slowing down at the same pace.
Still breathless, Marlena asked jokingly. “Well, Mr. Black…how are you feeling right now?”
John smile was dazzling, “Oh…much better, but I think there’s one more thing you can do to help me, Doctor Evans.
They began to dress and Marlena asked him the question that begged to be asked. “Oh and what would that be, I really do want to cure your heartache John……please do tell.”
“Well, you can take a short little trip with me.” he said mysteriously.
She was intrigued….” A trip…what kind of trip?”
John continued to build Marlena’s curiosity as he said. “It’s a trip we were already planning, we just got interrupted before we could go…so will you do it?”
Marlena responded while pulling up her thigh-hi, “You haven’t told me any details, Mr.Black. How do I know you can be trusted? Please tell me more about it.”
John was zipping up his pants as he said. “Hmm, let’s see, it’s a trip that doesn’t take long in itself, but what happens afterward lasts a lifetime.”
Absolutely certain what John meant now, she said. “Ooh, sounds very interesting. Are you sure this is the right time?” Marlena asked, looking down at her empty ring finger.
“Yep…perfect time…all the arrangements are made and I assure you that it will be our little secret…what do you say?” John was finishing up with his socks and boots at this point.
“Oh…John….I don’t know….you better ask me directly.” Marlena said, while buttoning her blouse. She was fully dressed now. “I’m not completely convinced it’s the best way to go.”
John, who still had no shirt on and looked incredibly sexy in this moment, knelt down next to her and took the engagement ring out of his coat pocket. Holding it out in front of them, he said as John took Marlena’s left hand in both of his, “Allright then… Doctor Marlena Evans….I love you with every ounce of my soul and I ache to be joined with you in every sense of that word.” He gazed up at Marlena with the most amazing love-filled stare that she wanted to hold John and never let him go. Then he asked once again.
“So….Marlena…my love…my soulmate, my…Doc, will you please do me the honor of becoming my bride…tonight?” John held the ring poised to place it back on Marlena’s finger, something he had dreamed about a hundred times.
Marlena’s heart melted to look at the love in John’s deep blue eyes that were moist with love’s tears. How could she possibly turn him down…after everything they had been through to be together in love. All joking aside, she knew John had been desperately sad and lonely without her. Much of what he said was true, although slightly exaggerated. “Oh, John…..Yes…I’ll marry you.. tonight!”
Gently slipping the ring on Marlena’s finger, John replied gleefully. “Oh, Doc…thank you so much! I promise you it will all work out. Nobody has to know but us…and then after we tell Roman the truth we’ll have the church ceremony you want with all our friends and family around. Nobody will know we were already married.”
“Oh, John! I love you so much! You’ve been so wonderful through all of this madness. I can’t wait to be your bride!”
“And I can’t wait to be your husband! Let’s go…right now!” John put his shirt on, threw his coat over it and took Marlena’s hand. Together, they slipped out of her office, raced down the back staircase and on out to the parking garage to John’s Jeep. They jumped in and raced off to see the Justice of the Peace with whom the arrangements had been made earlier, both of them filled with the joy of anticipation. This was going to be the very best New Year’s Eve ever, at last Marlena was going to be married to the man she loved with all her heart and soul. John had given his greatest love a New Year Surprise and Marlena was happier in this moment than she ever remembered being in her entire life.
Stealing Away
John and Marlena only had eyes for each other as they reluctantly separated, just long enough to enter the awaiting vehicle that was parked a few blocks away from the hospital. John had thought of everything; his Jeep was to be parked out of sight on one of his private lots while a limousine took them to their destination. The limo driver looked on admiringly at the happy couple. ‘I remember when I loved that way, I hope it lasts for them,’ he thought as he made sure the privacy screen was closed all the way.
The groom to be pounced on her as soon as the door was shut, taking Marlena’s face in his hands and planting John’s anxious lips on hers. Marlena gave herself over to it, they were safe from any possibility of being detected and this was all she had dreamed of for weeks. “Oh, John… how I’ve missed you and your kisses. I love you so…”
“And I love you, Doc. You know.. I wasn’t kidding up there in your office, I’ve been so…lonely without you. I really can’t sleep, food doesn’t taste good to me anymore… I’ve been aching to be alone with you like this for so long baby. Thank you for going with me, I promise you won’t regret it, Marlena.”
Marlena smiled that brilliant sunlit smile that filled his heart and soul with joy and said. “I know I won’t because I love you and I’ve been aching to be with you too, I can’t wait to marry you, John. It’s all I’ve dreamed of for as long as I can remember.”
John took a deep breath, stared into the love and desire in Marlena’s hazel eyes and then pulled her close and kissed her again, his tongue swirling around hers in a way that sent shivers down her spine and made him burn with desire to take her instantly.
They continued to progress in their lovemaking and then suddenly Marlena said, “John…honey.. we’re here, wherever here is..” He didn’t respond to her, he just kept kissing Marlena and running his hands over her magnificent breasts, underneath her blouse. “John.. honey…. the limo has stopped… don’t you want to marry me?” Marlena asked, loving what John was doing, but also wanting to be wed.
John stopped instantly and sat up straight with a slightly embarrassed grin decorating his devastatingly handsome face. “Oh….yea, I do, baby sorry about that, but we’ve been apart *way* to long, Doc!”
Marlena pulled herself together, kissed John on the cheek and said with a wink. “Yes, we have..my love, now let’s go get married!” she added with excitement while tugging on John’s sleeve.
John straightened his clothes slightly and agreed, the joy of anticipation obvious in his voice and expression. “Yes… let’s finally go get married, Doc. And this time, it’s forever!”
“Oh, yes it is my love, yes it is!” she said with great vigor and conviction in her voice.
As they both climbed out of the limo, the driver was standing there waiting for them, a knowing smile gracing his face which made Marlena blush slightly and John smile with satisfaction. “Well, thank you for waiting so patiently, we’ll be back here in 25 minutes and then you can take us on to our next stop, allright?”
Yes sir, Mr. Black, I’ll be waiting around the corner just as we discussed.”
“Thank you, Jim.” John said, tipping the man early.
It was a very generous tip and the job wasn’t even finished. “No, thank you, Mr. Black!” he said with glee as he got back inside the vehicle. ‘That guy is loaded and very much in love with his lady, I wonder why all the secrecy,’ he thought. ‘Oh, well, no matter, I’m not paid to know that.’ He drove the limo to its hiding place and sat back listening to the CD player while he waited for the happy couple to return.
In five minutes, John and Marlena were inside the building; it was an old fashioned courthouse which looked so quaint and picturesque in the late afternoon sun. It was charming and Marlena was touched by John’s thoughtfulness. “John, you’ve really taken the time to make this wonderful for me, thank you baby.” With tears of joy filling her hazel eyes, she said. “I know that the only thing that matters is that we’re going to be married, but knowing that you did all this for me, it..just..makes it all so.. special. I love you so much, John and I am sorry that I ever made you doubt that with my concern for Roman.”
John cupped Marlena’s face in his hands and kissed her tenderly, saying, “Doc.. the fact that you care so much for the people in your life, the fact that you didn’t want to hurt him, is one of the things I love most about you. I just missed you so much and it seemed like maybe we would never have our chance at happiness, I didn’t want to lose you. I’m sorry for all the pressure I put on you.”
“Oh, honey..it’s okay… and thank you for saying all that. I do love you and I know it’s hard to be separated when we were supposed to marry months ago, but it’s for the best. For now… let’s try forget about everything else but us for a little while.”
John smiled with delight about the next few hours with his greatest love, and said. “Yes.. speaking of that, why don’t you step inside there and see if you can’t find something that’s a little more appropriate to wear for a wedding.” he said while ushering her into a room.
Once inside, Marlena was amazed by John’s preparations for her pleasure. There were flowers and a scented candle or two, quiet romantic music playing in the background. Then, she saw them, three different wedding dresses, different lengths and styles, so she could choose the one that suited her. Her heart melted at the sights and smells. “Oh, John… you are the most wonderful, sweet, romantic extraordinary man in the entire universe and I am so blessed to be loved by you.” With that Marlena placed her lips on John’s and the sensation threatened to remove the thin veneer of control he had over his body whenever she was nearby.
“Woah, Doc! I guess this means you like what you see, huh?”
“Oh, my love… yes, you could say that.” she said with a sunlit smile. Then suddenly, it occurred to her. “John, you have to leave now, you can’t be with me right before the wedding, now go on.. Shoo.” she said while wooshing him out the door.
“But, Doc.. we just.. Come on, you can’t be superstitious about this, Doc!” he pleaded as she kept nudging until they were at the doorframe.
Resigning himself to his fate, John decided to make one last move and stole another smoldering kiss from Marlena which made her dizzy with desire for him. “Oooh, John… honey… save some for our wedding night, won’t you baby?”
“Oh, there’s plenty more where that came from Doc.” John said.“but you’ll have to pay a price first.” he teased.
Marlena put on an expression of mock offense. “A price.. why John Black I am surprised at you, I thought you had freely given all your love to me, a price indeed!” she said indignantly, nudging him further toward the hallway.
“Well, aren’t you going to ask the price?” John asked Marlena, wanting to keep the teasing banter going for a moment longer.
“Oh, I suppose you might be worth a pittance. Okay.. what is it, John, what’s the price?” she asked, pretending to be exasperated with him.
Imagining the moment in which she uttered them, he said. “Two little words… that’s what it’ll cost you. Are you up for it?”
Marlena was positively loving it, and kept on teasing. “Oh, I guess so, depends on what those two little words are though, some are much harder to say than others, any hints?” John smiled and touched Marlena’s cheek with the knuckles of his right hand. Gazing into her dancing hazel eyes, he said very sweetly. “Uh.. let’s see, they rhyme quite nicely with I love you, does that help?”
Marlena smiled with peace and contentment, for this was where she wanted to be for the rest of her life, loving and teasing with this man who captured her heart and soul over a decade ago now. “Yes.. I think I’ve got it now, thanks for the hint. See you soon, lover.”
With that Marlena kissed John in a way that left him wanting much more and he said to her through the closed door. “Ooh.. I sure hope to be… your lover.. in about.. oh.. say an hour or so.”
“Oh, John.. you’re getting ahead of yourself… now, go on.. get out of here and leave a bride alone for a few minutes why don’t you?”
“Okay…but I can’t wait very much longer to hear those two little words. See you in a few minutes, Doc!”
John was nearly floating on air as he went into another room and changed into a tuxedo, with the traditional bow tie. While dressing and attempting to adjust the tie, he remembered one of those simple moments they shared. They weren’t even together then, not in the romantic sense, but the deep connection they felt was there all the same. It was the day of Bo and Hope’s wedding and he was struggling with the bow tie and Marlena heard John and came in the room to help him when she heard the frustration in his voice. Their eyes met and lingered, sparks flew and it could have ended in a kiss, if Kristen hadn’t come in when she did. That memory made him think about all the lost time, all the chances they had missed because someone or something had kept them from being in touch with their true emotions and expressing them to each other. John looked at the picture he carried with him all the time and said, “Never again, Doc.. this time nothing will come between us, I swear it. We are getting married and then as soon as Roman is well, we will spend every day for the rest of our lives together.”
Marlena was having similar thoughts, hoping that one day they could truly be happy, with no black cloud of guilt hanging over their heads. She wished with all her might that Roman would forgive them and give his blessing, but she had to admit to herself that it might never happen. She had to find it in herself to marry John and be happy about it, no matter what happened with Roman. John had done all this to please her and himself, he was trying so hard to be patient, but the waiting was wearing on him and so she agreed to marry him this very night. She was thrilled and touched by John’s thoughtful preparations, but there was that nagging sensation of doubt about whether it was right for them to sneak off this way and marry in secret. “Oh, Dear God… guide me, help me do what is right for all of us. I know how much John loves me and I do want to marry him more than anything in the world, but a part of me says this is wrong and that if Roman were to find out about it he would be so.. hurt and angry with us for lying to him.”
The next sound that was heard after her voice was the light knocking on the door and then that sweet smooth voice that was always music to her ears, “Marlena.. are you ready yet? I’m all set and they’re ready for us to begin now.” John said hopefully. Marlena didn’t answer. “Doc.. hey come on, I know you ladies need time to prepare, but you’re beautiful without any makeup or jewelry. Marlena!” Still there was no answer and John started to become worried and knocked louder. He felt a slight sensation of anxious adrenaline flowing into his gut and didn’t want to wait any longer. John slammed his broad shoulder into the old wooden door, causing it to swing open and he almost fell down with the momentum. Once John recovered his balance, he looked all around the room and Marlena was nowhere to be seen. Shaking his head, he denied what he was thinking. “Oh, Doc… no…don’t tell me you decided not to marry me tonight. No… it can’t be! She wouldn’t do that to me, she loves me, I know she loves me!” he cried, while looking frantically around the room, trying to keep the tears of anguish from forming. John peered anxiously out the window, fighting through the mist that clouded his vision, but didn’t see anything and he had already scanned the room for a note. ‘Where could she be?’
Shaking his head in disbelief, John denied what was in his mind even as a feeling of panic set into his heart. “No, Doc… you didn’t stand me up, you would never do that to me, would you? Oh God… please don’t let it be true!” he said out loud, fearing that was exactly what happened.
Appearances Sometimes Feed Insecurities
John glanced anxiously around the room, and it appeared everything was there; the dresses and the other items he left for Marlena were piled up on the desk, somewhat less neatly, but there. John was completely devastated to think that Marlena left without telling him. Tears were slowly beginning to leak out and slip silently down his cheeks as he cried out about it with quivering lips. “She.. did it, she.. stood me up, Oh, Doc! How could you do that to me?” John slumped dejectedly down on the old leather chair in the room where Marlena was supposed to be getting ready to marry him. “Oh, Doc!”
Immersed in the pain of believing he’d lost her, he didn’t hear the footsteps of someone approaching, but he heard the voice. “John? What are you doing here, why are you so upset?”
It was his best friend, Abe Carver, who had to come to the Courthouse for some police matters. Surprise registered in his wounded blue eyes and then John tried to say what was wrong with no attempt to hide his emotions. The pain was too raw for male bravado. “Oh, Abe… we were… she… Oh, God! I can’t talk about it!” John cried while shaking his head, not able to put two rational thoughts together.
Abe couldn’t help but notice that John was wearing a tuxedo, and his eyes fell upon the dresses. It was obvious that he was very distraught and the only thing that ever made John that upset usually involved Marlena. “Hey… John, come on buddy, tell me what happened here.” he implored, having already gathered a tentative conclusion from the appearance of the room. Shaking his head, not knowing where to start, John was silent, crying softly. He couldn’t seem to stop the moisture from forming behind his eyes, though he was still in shock over it. Finally, John wiped his eyes and tried to explain. “Doc and I came here, I… surprised her at the office by pretending to be a patient in crisis. We were.. together and then we were… going to be married before a Justice of the Peace. It was… going to be our little secret, you know… to help us get through this separation. I left Marlena here to get dressed and when I came back from putting on my tux, she was… gone.” John’s voice shaking, his lips trembling, he shared his conclusion. “Oh, Abe, I think she…stood me up, Marlena.. stood me up! I can’t believe it!” John was in agony, his heart shattered, and it broke Abe’s heart too, to see the pain in his friend’s face.
Abe wished there was something he could really do or say that would help, but he knew there wasn’t. “Oh, John….I don’t what to say, I’m so sorry. But.. hey, you have to know that it isn’t because Marlena doesn’t love you. She probably thought it wasn’t right to do this behind Roman’s back, you know how worried she’s been about him.”
Shaking his head and fighting back more tears, he said. “No, I DON’T know that! I don’t know anything anymore, Abe.” Thinking back only a few minutes in time, he said. “You should have seen her, Abe. She was so happy earlier, she seemed… so glad to be with me, and her eyes lit up when she saw the dresses, but now… Oh…. maybe… maybe she’s… falling for him again and she realized while she was sitting here that she just..couldn’t marry me. She didn’t even leave me a note, Abe!” John looked desperately into his friend’s eyes as if to plead for some better explanation of what might have happened. When he didn’t get one, John dropped his head and started to weep quietly for the loss of Marlena, thinking she might be gone from his life for good.
Abe was hurting terribly for his friend. Marlena was his very heart and soul and to think that she would walk out on John was absolutely devastating to him. Abe couldn’t believe that she would do it, it wasn’t like her at all. But then again, so many things she did lately weren’t like her. Being torn between two men did strange things to a woman; maybe she made her decision not to marry him this way and just didn’t think she could face John and tell him.
Abe leaned in to put his arm over John’s shoulders and sat with him for a minute or two. His buddy pulled it together rapidly, suddenly embarrassed at his open display of emotions. “I’m sorry, Abe.. That just really threw me, but I’ll be allright.. Thanks for listening, but I’m sure you have places to go. I’ll see you later, okay?” John said, standing up and wiping the remaining tears from his flushed cheeks with the backs of his closed hands. John hastily put on his trenchcoat and indicated that he was planning to leave the room.
Abe put a hand on John’s arm, slowing him down. “No way am I leaving you alone tonight! Not after something like this happened and I don’t want to hear any arguments about it. You’re coming with me and that’s all there is to it.” Abe finished forcefully.
John started to argue and then thought better of it; he didn’t want to be alone in a hotel room. All he would do was think about Marlena, so he nodded slightly and said quietly, still sniffling. “Okay, Abe.. thanks..you’re such a good friend to me. I hope I’m not..ruining any big plans for you and Lexie.”
“John.. don’t be silly, you are much more important to me than any plans I could have. You’re my best friend and I care about you very much. Now, come on, let’s get your stuff and get out of here.” Abe encouraged. Though he wanted to get John out quickly so he wouldn’t dwell the pain, the policeman in him was compelled to be thorough; Abe looked around the room for a minute, shuffling things around a little, and then asked a question based on his observation. “John, how many dresses did you say you had sitting in here for Marlena to choose from?”
“I didn’t, but it was three. Why does that matter, Abe?” John asked, sounding very discouraged; he didn’t really want to talk about it anymore.
Lifting up the dresses, veils and other accessories, he concluded. “Oh, because there are only two sitting here and there’s a bag of clothes on the floor.” he said with a cross between a smile and a frown. Either she was somewhere in the building putting on the finishing touches for the ceremony, or… something happened to her. The bag containing Marlena’s clothing was slightly hidden by the long dress draped over a desk.
“What?” John asked after letting Abe’s comments sink in. Feeling a small glimmer of hope returning to his wounded heart, John stepped across the room to see for himself and said with surprise. “Abe, I looked at the pile and it seemed like the dresses were all there and I didn’t see that bag.” John’s blue eyes gradually started to regain their luster, and a smile crept slowly across his face as he drew a new conclusion. “If that’s true then… it means she didn’t stand me up, she’s here someplace. She’s gotta be, Abe! We have to find Marlena before the Justice of the Peace leaves, thinking we didn’t show up. I gotta go tell him to wait!” he said excitedly as John practically sprinted out of the room, not even considering the other possibility.
“John…wait a minute! There’s something else to consider!” Abe called after him, to no avail. John was fixated on getting married tonight. So, Abe sat down to wait for John’s return, deciding there was no need to burst his bubble yet. After they did a thorough search of the building and called her home if they didn’t find Marlena, they would know the answer to the question of whether or not she left John standing at the altar, symbolically speaking. Abe prayed that wasn’t what it was, believing John would be a devastated wreck for quite some time, if that happened.
But, on the other hand, if Marlena were truly missing, how would John handle that again? They had been separated against their will so many times, mainly by Stefano Dimera. If she turned up missing and Stefano was still in Salem. Suffice it to say that if there were even a hint that Dimera was involved in Marlena’s disappearance, there would be no force on earth that could keep John from going after the evil man with a vengeance. “Oh, please, God.. don’t let that be the reason.” Abe pleaded with the air around him, willing Marlena to be in the building, safe and sound, applying makeup and fixing her hair in preparation for the ceremony.
In less than five minutes, John was back in the room, saying. “The Justice of the Peace said he saw her a little while ago; Marlena was looking for a restroom to freshen up, but he hasn’t seen her since. He said he’s willing to wait for another half hour. Come on, we have to go find her, Abe!” said, John, his voice full of enthusiasm and blue eyes sparkling with a renewed sense of anticipation. There was hope and high expectations now which was infinitely preferable to the devastation Abe saw when he first arrived.
John rushed back out of the room and began to do a thorough search of the building, thinking, ‘Marlena didn’t leave me, I should have known better than that. How could I be so insecure in her love for me?’ he asked himself as John bounded up the stairs to the second floor, where he had been told there was a nice ladies lounge. That was where she had to be; his mind wouldn’t allow him to consider any other alternative. ‘I’m coming Doc and in a few more minutes, we’ll be getting married, like we’ve always dreamed about. ‘I love you so much!’
A Sigh and a Couple of Tears
Before Abe could say a word to John about a strategy for searching the building, John raced expectantly up the creaky steps of the old county courthouse to the Ladies lounge, praying all the way. “Oh, Dear God.. please let Marlena be there, please God… don’t let her be gone!” he was saying anxiously, as he reached the door.
Breathless, John knocked and listened for the voice he longed to hear on the other side. There was nothing…his heart pounded against the walls of his broad chest. He knocked again, then was tempted, but didn’t poke his head in, instead deciding to call out her name, as calmly as he could manage. “Marlena.. are you in there?” he asked, fearful adrenaline shooting powerfully through his veins with each passing second.
Marlena replied sweetly, completely unaware of John’s panicked state of being. “Yes, honey…. I’m here… a lady has to look just right for the man she loves on their wedding day. You want me to look pretty, don’t you, John?”
John breathed a tremendous sigh of relief and almost fainted with the change in the adrenaline flow. He had to lean against the door for a minute to recover from his anxious reaction and steady himself. After catching his breath and swallowing the lump in his throat, John rushed into the room and immediately went to Marlena, anxiously enveloping her in his muscular arms, while saying. “Oh, Doc.. I’m just so glad you’re here and at this point I wouldn’t care if you had my torn up sweats on and your hair was a complete mess. I just want to stand up there next to you and say the wedding vows!”
Noticing how rapid and shallow John’s breathing was, and how quickly he spoke, she said with concern. “John…honey, you’re trembling…. what is it baby?”
Still working to settle himself down, he said. “Oh…Doc…when I finished changing into my tux, I… went back to check on you and you… weren’t there I… was so…” He stopped mid-explanation and went in a different direction. “Oh, never mind, it’s not important now.” John said, pulling out of the embrace to admire Marlena’s beauty. “I love you so much baby and I can’t wait to say I do!” Feeling guilty about it, he was trying to avoid telling her what he had mistakenly believed just ten minutes earlier.
John was obviously very anxious and Marlena had to know what was going on with him, to clear the air before exchanging wedding vows. “No, John… it is important. What did you think?” she asked, having a pretty good hunch what John was going to say from the way he wasn’t looking directly at her.
Seeing that Marlena wasn’t going to let it drop, he told her the truth. “Okay, I’ll tell you, Doc. I…thought that… maybe you…left, that you… stood me up.” When he finished, John averted his gaze again, feeling ashamed. Not wanting to see Marlena’s reaction, thinking she would be hurt and a little frustrated with his lack of confidence in her love, he apologized. “I’m sorry, Doc, I should never have doubted you like that.”
Instead, Marlena’s heart went out to him. Cupping John’s handsome face gently with both hands and tipping his chin up, she said softly. “Oh, honey… I would never do something like that to you. John, don’t you know by now that you are more important to me than anything else in this world? John… look at me.” she said firmly, when John still wasn’t quite meeting her gaze.
John nodded and replied quietly, feeling embarrassed about jumping to conclusions, yet not completely convinced. “Yea… I just… thought that maybe…you didn’t realize your true feelings until you sat down and started to get ready. I was… scared that you….decided you couldn’t marry me tonight because you were…having second thoughts about us.” When he said it, Marlena could see a glint of moisture behind his slightly hesitant blue eyes.
John seemed so uncertain of himself lately; it was so unlike him, but then again, she had to admit there was good reason for him to feel insecure with all the obstacles in their way. Taking John’s hands in hers, Marlena reassured John of her feelings for him. “No….John, please don’t doubt the strength of my love for you. I want to marry you more than ever, I just…didn’t want Roman to be hurt and I still wish there were some way that our happiness didn’t have to come at his expense. But, I know that we have the right to share our love, to share our lives in marriage.”
Staring into her reassuring hazel eyes, he smiled warmly and said. “Marlena… I am so glad to hear you say that and I’m sorry I doubted you, it’s just that lately.. everything seems to keep going wrong and when you weren’t there I just…” John stopped and looked at Marlena again, shaking his head slightly, he said intensely. “Oh, I don’t… I just… couldn’t handle losing you again, Doc. I love you so much!” he said, taking Marlena in his muscular arms and kissing her passionately, almost as if his life depended on it.
When the kiss ended, Marlena said convincingly. “Honey… you aren’t going to lose me, I promise. Now let’s go see that Justice of the Peace and make this official!” Marlena said while tugging on John’s muscular arm and looking at him with that sweet smile that had captivated him for as long as he could remember.
“You took the words right out of my mouth, pretty lady. Let’s go!” John said, the joy of anticipation returning to his voice. ‘Whew… for a minute there.. I thought my dreams were over,’ he said in his mind. ‘Thank you, God!’ he prayed, as they went down the stairs hand in hand. ‘Thank you so much!’
When they reached the first floor, Abe Carver was standing there and the surprise of seeing him registered in Marlena’s face. “Abe…what are you doing here?” she asked.
“Well, originally, I was here on business, but I ran into this friend of mine and he… needed me to carry out some best man type duties.. such as… reassuring the groom that the bride didn’t run off on him.” Abe shot John an ‘I told you so’ look and enjoyed the way it made his buddy wince.
“Oh…I see.” she said, also looking at John, admonishing him with her hazel eyes.
John held up his hands in a defensive move. “Allright, so I was nervous and I got… spooked for a minute… give a guy a break! This hasn’t exactly been the smoothest ride to matrimony… you know.” John said with a cross between a smile and a frown.
They all three chuckled about that understatement. “Marlena.. the guy’s got a good point.” Abe finally managed to say, as he leaned in for a quick hug of best wishes.
Marlena smiled too and agreed. “Yes, he does, Abe.” Putting her arms around both men, and pointing them toward the Judge’s chambers, she said. “So, what do you say we go in there and get this show on the road?”
John grinned from ear to ear and agreed wholeheartedly. “I say I can’t think of anything I want more right now! Can you stay and be our witness, Abe?” John asked his best friend hopefully.
He felt torn knowing that Roman was still in love with the beautiful woman standing next to him, but how could he turn his Best buddy down. He had known for years that John still loved Marlena, though he wouldn’t tell her because he thought she didn’t return those feelings. When John learned Marlena still loved him, he wasted no time in wooing her again and they were engaged, seemingly overnight. Abe smiled on the memory of his first conversation with John after he learned the truth about Marlena’s love for him and answered his best buddy’s question. “Yes, I’ll be your witness, John. You two deserve this happiness.” Seeing the acknowledgement of his hesitance in two pairs of eyes, he reassured them that he understood how they felt. “I know you both feel terrible about having to lie to Roman, but you shouldn’t feel guilty about loving each other and wanting to be married. I want to be your witness because I love both of you and I believe that you really do belong together.” As he changed positions and put his arms around the bride and groom, he said. “Now, my friends…let’s go have a wedding.” he said happily. The excitement John and Marlena were experiencing about finally getting married was fast becoming contagious.
John flashed them a boyish gleeful grin and said enthusiastically. “Allright!!” as the three of them stepped into the room where John would finally be given permission to return to the safest warmest place he had ever known. At last, finally this man without a past was going to be legally married. This was the very best day of his life, for he was once again going to be the husband of Marlena Evans, with whom he had been truly, madly and deeply in love for literally as long as he could remember.
And Finally Some Wedding Vows
They stood somewhat nervously in the Judges chambers, ready to exchange vows and John suddenly thought to ask Marlena one last time about her true desire. “Doc… are you sure about this? I mean I don’t want you to marry me like this if it makes you feel uncomfortable.” John searched Marlena’s hazel eyes for an answer before she gave one, but couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
John was being so sweet to her, so unselfish and it melted her heart. Taking his left hand in her right, Marlena said. “Oh, John… you are so thoughtful and I love you for it. It’s allright, I know how badly you want for us to be married and I want that too.”
John hated to say it, but he simply had to give her the chance to opt out. Most of all, he wanted to please Marlena and if this wouldn’t make her happy, then he would wait as long as she wanted him to. “But.. this isn’t….the wedding you deserve…the wedding you want, I don’t want you feel cheated, Marlena.”
Marlena looked right at John, to convince him, once and for all. “John…we’ll have that later on, just like you said. Honey… I really want to do this, okay my love?”
After looking deeply into her hazel eyes to make sure, he nodded. What he saw there was love and commitment.. not a doubt in sight. Marlena was finally freely choosing to go through with the ceremony, not just to please him, and yet he had to ask her one last time. “Okay, as long as you’re sure. I just don’t want you to have any regrets about this afterwards.”
This conversation reminded her of another similar one before their first ceremony took place. Both of them held back their true feelings, trying to please the other and spare their partner from any pain or uncertainty. Each had offered to wait for the other’s benefit. Marlena smiled at John warmly, in remembrance and then said calmly, but convincingly as she let her love shine in her glistening hazel eyes, “Honey, I am as certain about this as I was the first time. I won’t have any regrets, I promise. I want to spend my life with you and I *really* want to marry you, John…right here and right now.”
Marlena love started to say something else when they heard the sound of someone clearing his throat. They turned toward the front of the room to see that it was the Judge, who was eager to get on with the proceedings. “Are we ready?” he asked, somewhat impatiently.
Marlena and John took one last glance at each other to be absolutely certain and then nodded simultaneously, as John answered for both of them. “Yes, we’re ready now. Thank you for waiting.”
The man smiled pleasantly at them, glad to help unite a couple in love, yet also motivated to finish up his day, so he could carry on with his own New Year’s Eve plans. “Good.. I’m Judge Masters, and you are John Black and Marlena Evans, I presume. I see you have a witness as well, Mister….” he started.
“Carver, Abe Carver. I’m a good friend.” he said putting his hand out to shake.
After shaking hands all around, the Judge got right down to the matter at hand. “It’s good to meet all of you. Let’s begin then, shall we?” He started by speaking briefly about the meaning and history of marriage and the vows exchanged and then moved directly to the details of the ceremony.
“Having discussed the sanctity of marriage, I’ll get right to the matter at hand.” Turning to the bride, he asked. “Do you, Marlena, take John to be your husband, to live together in the bonds of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
Marlena smiled tenderly at John and squeezed his hand, then said firmly. “Yes I Do.”
John was feeling like he needed to pinch himself to believe it was real and missed part of the declaration. “….Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
“Oh, yes.. yes I will!” John said with so much enthusiasm that it made Abe chuckle. ‘Well, buddy…you finally did it,’ he thought. ‘I am SO happy for you!’ Outwardly, he just smiled winningly when John looked over at Abe.
The Judge couldn’t hold back his smile at John’s exuberance, but continued on. “Allright then, let’s proceed with the vows, John please face your bride and repeat after me, I, John take you, Marlena, to be my lawfully wedded wife….”
John took a deep breath and did so with a serious expression on his face, indicative of his steadfast commitment to her. “I John, take you, Marlena to be my lawfully wedded wife.” Then he took over for the Judge, as if to obtain permission to continue on his own. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”
The judge just smiled and winked when John stepped in and recited the vows from memory. Afterward he said simply. “Thank you, John.” Then he turned to Marlena and said. “Please face your groom and repeat after me. “I, Marlena take you, John to be my lawfully wedded husband….”
Marlena nodded to the man’s unspoken question about whether she was prepared to do the same as John had before her. “I Marlena, take you, John, to be my lawfully wedded husband.” Then, she too began to recite the vows from her memory. “From this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part.”
They were holding hands and staring lovingly at each other when it was time for the exchanging of rings. John had forgotten all about it, but had the rings in his coat pocket. “Uh…here they are,…uh.. sorry about that.” John said grinning nervously as he pulled them out, realizing that the Judge was waiting for him to present them. He was so completely immersed in the beautiful vision standing before him… admiring the details of Marlena’s face, the way her hazel eyes danced with delight, the way she wore her hair, the way she was smiling at him… the sound of her soft voice declaring her intention to spend the rest of her life with him… it was hard to concentrate on anything else but her.
Judge Masters remembered his own wedding day and was smiling at John’s nervous excitement when he started up again. “The exchanging and wearing of rings is an outward symbol of the everlasting love and commitment represented by the marriage bond, there is no beginning and there is no end.” The judge handed John the ring for Marlena.
John took the ring and then lightly grasped Marlena’s left hand in his. After forcing himself to pay attention and listen to the Judge make the statement, he said as he placed it gently on the tip of Marlena’s fourth finger with his right hand. “I give you this ring as a sign and a token of my vow, and with all that I am and all that I have, I honor you.”
Marlena couldn’t believe it was happening either, and she stared down at the ring as John slid it on her finger, in awe of the whole experience. She was marrying John Black, the man she loved with all her heart. It was hard to believe it was really happening. In the midst of so much turmoil, John was always there for her and now he would be there as her husband. With tears of joy, she whispered. “Oh, John.. I love you so…”
The Judge gave them their moment and then said. “Are you ready Marlena?”
“Yes..I’m sorry.” she apologized, as John wiped her tears in that characteristic gesture with the pads of his thumbs. Then Marlena looked at John and felt herself falling into the overwhelming love that she saw in his brilliant blue eyes. Taking his left hand in hers, she made her pledge to him.”I give you this ring as a sign and a token of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you.”
Her groom was definitely having the same reaction; it was so unreal to him. Staring down at the ring as Marlena slipped it on John’s finger, he was in awe as well. ‘I’m marrying Marlena, I’m actually marrying her, I can hardly believe it!’ he was thinking and then all of a sudden he felt someone touching him on the arm and heard a voice saying. “Uh…Mr. Black, I said you may kiss the bride.”
“Oh…uh..yea…thanks.” John said, grinning sheepishly, embarrassed that he had daydreamed right through the last part of the ceremony. John gazed at Marlena and she was smiling so sweetly in response to his boyishly charming grin. She looked radiantly beautiful to him in the gown she had chosen, her face was glowing with love and it touched him to his soul to see all that Marlena felt for him glimmering back when he gazed deeply into those tear-filled hazel eyes again. After pausing to say. “Marlena..you are so…beautiful in ways I can’t even describe in words, and I love you more in this moment than I ever have.” John kissed Marlena tenderly, but oh so stirringly, making her swoon.
“Oh, John!” Marlena exclaimed, her face flushing with the heat he ignited inside her. “I love you too, more than I can tell you with words, my love… my husband!” she added gleefully.
It shocked him to hear it. “Oh, Marlena…my wife…at last.. you are my wife! This feels incredible, Doc!” John cried with joy, barely resisting the urge to pick Marlena up off the ground and twirl her around in a circle.
“It is incredible, isn’t it?” Marlena agreed, sensing his desire.”I just love you so…” she cried joyfully.
The next sound they heard was that of the Judge, who was growing impatient, ready to excuse himself. He gave them the marriage license and said. “I really do have to leave now. Congratulations, and best wishes in your new life together. May your marriage be all that you hope and dream it will be.”
“Thank you very much, Judge Masters, for making the time today, it means a lot to us.” said John appreciatively, shaking the man’s hand, while pulling his bride close with the other.
“Yes, thank you so much. ” added Marlena with a sweet grateful smile, as she enjoyed the comfort and safety of John’s muscular arms around her. It had been so long… and it was still so unbelievable that they had made it to this point.
The older man smiled warmly at both of them and said. “My pleasure, really. Happy New Year to all of you. Goodnight.” With no further comment, he turned and left the building.
John lost himself in the love and elation he was feeling, kissing Marlena more passionately, forgetting for the moment about their friend, who had been standing quietly by, waiting for the right time to say something. Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of Abe’s voice clearing, then a question followed. “Well, aren’t you going to let me congratulate you and give a little kiss to the bride?”
Ending the embrace, John said apologetically. “Oh..yea..sure, sorry about that, Abe. I’m really glad you’re here.”
Abe let him off the hook, understanding that John was caught up in the thrill of it all. “It’s okay, John I know…you’re just so excited about finally marrying this pretty lady.” He leaned in to hug Marlena and then said. “Congratulations you two! You deserve this happiness. I just hope you don’t have to be apart for very much longer, I know how hard it is on you both.”
The couple sighed with the weariness of that experience and nodded their heads. Putting his muscular arms around his bride, pulling Marlena close, John agreed. “I hope not too, Abe..now that we’re married, it’s going to be…extremely tough for me to stay away from her.”
Marlena could tell from John’s tone that he wasn’t kidding about that. She was worried about that issue from the moment she first agreed to this impromptu wedding; it was something they would need to discuss after spending some time together. She acknowledged that she would have to be on her guard too; they just couldn’t hurt Roman by slipping up and being caught together in some compromising position. Somehow they would have to find a way to stay apart until he was ready to hear the truth about their love, and nobody but Abe Carver could know about their secret marriage.
Wanting to enjoy the bliss for at least a few more hours, Abe changed the direction of the conversation and said to John as he put a hand on the man’s shoulder, “So…you finally made it, buddy. I can’t tell you how happy I am for you. I’m glad that I could be here today, even if it was an accident and I’ll be thrilled to stand up for you at the church wedding. That will be a truly great day!” he added with excitement.
John sighed and smiled broadly at that thought, “Yes it will, partner, yes it will! The day we can love each other freely and openly is a day I will definitely celebrate. Having to pretend we’re only friends is killing me.” he finished, the frustration he had been feeling over the past few months starting to creep back into his heart.
Something in John’s blue eyes made Marlena wonder about his commitment to carry on with the pretense out of concern for her ex-husband’s health. “Me too, John…but it’s what we have to do for now, to protect Roman. You still agree with that, don’t you..honey?” she asked, imploring him to state it firmly.
Sighing with a combination of exasperation and understanding, he replied affirmatively, sensing what she wanted him to say, trying to mean it.”Yes, Doc.. I won’t pressure you to tell him anymore, not until you think he’s strong enough. I promise. Scout’s honor.” he added while putting his right hand up in the characteristic gesture used by members of that youth oriented organization.
That one made Abe laugh heartily. “Scout’s honor? Come on, John..You a boy scout…now that I would have to see in writing to believe.”
John pretended to be seriously offended. “Why not? I’m trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, brave, clean and reverent, aren’t I?” John finished with a big grin, thinking he had his buddy on the run.
Marlena was laughing at his ability to recite the desired characteristics, but Abe called him on his mistake. “John, I hate to burst your bubble, but you left two out, thrifty and obedient.”
John shrugged and frowned fractionally, thinking he was doing pretty good to get that many of them. “Oh…well, that’s not bad, huh?” After a moment’s pause he said. “Obedient… that was always the toughest one… and thrifty…well, I’m gonna spoil Doc for the rest of her life, so that one’s gotta go out the window too. I guess I can’t be a boy scout, after all.”
“Too bad, John and you were so close. ” Marlena said with a wink and a smile. Then she leaned in and whispered in his ear. “But.. since you don’t have to worry about all that.. what do you say to taking me to…wherever you planned on us spending the evening and…showing me how….naughty you can be.”
John grinned wickedly at that one. “I say you’ve got yourself a deal, Wife!” He tore his gaze from her for one second, in order to talk to his friend. “Abe, we hate to marry and run, but.. we gotta go. Please… don’t say anything about this to anyone, not even Lexie, okay?”
Their friend smiled and nodded knowingly, then replied with supportive assurance. “I won’t, don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. You two just go and… celebrate New Year’s together. I’ll see you in a couple of days.”
They gathered their belongings and rushed on out the back of the Courthouse to the awaiting limousine, so as not to be seen by anyone else they knew. Everything had gone according to plan. They were married in private; nobody except the Judge and Abraham Carver, a trusted friend knew of their wedding. Now, they were bound in marriage and the insecurities each of them had been feeling were quickly fading away. They would carry on the pretense of being friends, for Roman’s benefit, and when it was over they would have the church wedding and reception they had planned all along. Barring the unforeseen, no one would be the wiser.
A Pleasant Limousine Ride
Mr. and Mrs. John and Marlena Black made their way out to the awaiting limousine undetected and were soon on their way to a small country inn where they had spent one night of passion during their brief reunion in the summer.
Once inside the private confines of the limousine, John and Marlena began to explore territory they hadn’t seen much in awhile, except for earlier that very afternoon in Marlena’s office, of course. Remembering the scene, Marlena asked John a pertinent question. “Well, Mr. Black… however is that depression I treated you for this afternoon?”
John beamed in response. “Oh, well, I think you may have just cured me Dr. Evans…but we better make sure it’s going to have long lasting…no.. better yet.. permanent results.” John kissed Marlena lightly and then traced her lips with his right forefinger to bring on her desire. “So.. do you think you could… treat me again?” he asked with a sexy wink and smile, just like the one from the office when he was beginning his seduction.
“Whew… honey.. I love when you look at me like that.” Marlena swooned just to gaze at John and she wanted to disappear into the fiery desire in his blue eyes. Sighing with the pleasure of anticipation, Marlena replied with some more of the fun teasing banter. “Oh… I’m so glad the treatment seems to be working so well for you, but I’m sure you’re right, we need to try another… application, to make sure we have the right dosage and frequency.” Marlena was beginning to undo John’s tie and then proceeded to the shirt as she spoke sensuously in his ears; she knew it wouldn’t take long before John wanted her desperately as his breathing began to change.
Fighting the sensation of dizziness that often overtook his ability to speak rationally when Marlena was so close and touching John, he said. “Oh, yes about the frequency… I think we’re going to need to work that out… on a daily basis, don’t you think, Doctor?” he asked as he pulled Marlena closer to his body, kissing her with intensity.
Marlena responded to both the kiss and his words with surprise. “Daily… oh my! With everything else that’s happening, that might be quite a challenge.. “John. We’ll have to take it..one….dose at a time.” As John moved in to caress Marlena’s backside, his own physical responses were heightened, his body craving more intimacy.
“One dose at a time, huh… Well, let’s focus on this one right now.” John said, not wanting to think about the fact of having to separate and go back to pretending in front of Roman and everyone else to be only friends in only a few more hours. “I just want to think about you and me and this time together, nothing else… Marlena, but you and me…okay?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, John. But… you know.. this had better be a really strong dose… it has to hold us awhile, so we better make it a really good one..don’t you think?” she asked as Marlena nibbled on John’s ear lobes and then blew on the moistened areas, causing the result she wanted, his sharp intake of breath, and a shudder of desire. “Oh.. Doc.. I want…you, I can’t wait to be with you!” he whispered anxiously.
The way Marlena was touching John near the beltline was driving him wild. “Whew..yea… I agree, it’s gotta be a very… powerful dose.” he exclaimed as John proceeded to kiss her passionately. He wanted to see the same response to his moves, and concentrated on locking his lips with hers, then his tongue captured Marlena’s full attention as it wrapped itself enticingly around hers.
Marlena was breathless, but managed to tell John how he was doing. “Ooh, John… that was a great start… I think you’re getting very good at initiating this treatment. In fact, I’d say you were becoming an expert.”
John smiled widely at that comment and kissed Marlena again, more aggressively, taking her breath again. John was loving his effect on Marlena as much as he was aroused by her touch and her kisses. “Oh, I am.. well, there’s plenty more.. expertise where that came from, doctor. Would you like me to demonstrate it?” he asked, planning his next move.
It took a minute for Marlena to recover and then with dreamy hazel eyes and a voice to match, answered. “Oh yes.. most definitely, my… patient. Please do.” Marlena said with another wink. She tilted her head back, signaling John to kiss the hollow of her neck, a spot that always stimulated her desire greatly.
John smiled wickedly and ran his tongue all around that spot, moving away toward the breast line and back, loving the way her breathing changed and the way Marlena made quiet moans of mounting pleasure in response. “Oh… honey.. that feels so good.. I love you, John,” she was saying, her growing need for John obvious.
John was just about to reach under Marlena’s dress from below when the limousine came to a stop. It seemed like such a short trip, they were just getting to the good part, he was thinking. “Oh, well it looks like this will have to a split session, doctor.” he said with a sly smile, as he began to sit up and make himself ready to exit the limo.
Marlena couldn’t help but chuckle at John as she too began to straighten her dress. John was having a lot of fun with their love games and she decided Marlena too wanted to continue the sexy conversation. “Yes… you can pay me the bill all at one time though, Mr. Black. Although I actually prefer…in kind payments to cash.”
“Ooh, in kind payments… you mean, this type of inkind payments? ” he said as he pressed his body against hers, letting her feel how his body was responding to the foreplay in which they were engaged.
Marlena reacted with a gasp, and then grabbed John low at the same time as she said. “Uh.. yes.. that’s exactly what I mean… you are such a quick… starter, John.”
John nearly yelped with the sudden pressure Marlena exerted on a very sensitive area. “Woah, this is getting a little out of hand.. doctor, I think maybe we ought to take it inside…”
“Oh, I definitely want to take you..inside… my husband.”
“Wow.. husband! I’m your husband and you… are my wife! I can hardly believe it!” John cried out with a gleeful grin, completely missing Marlena latest double entendre. John pulled himself together and stepped out of the vehicle, taking Marlena hand to help her disembark carefully, so that she wouldn’t get the dress dirty or catch it on anything while climbing out of the limousine.
Marlena looked up to see the little country bed and breakfast where they had managed to sneak off for one night during the summer. She remembered telling John she would love to return in the winter when they could sit in front of a fire and snuggle up together to watch the snowfall. Marlena was about to get her wish and she was touched by John’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail. She sighed contentedly as she turned to him and said. “Oh, John… you remembered.”
“Yep…I’m glad you’re happy with my choice, Doc.” John said with a sweet smile that showed a hint of one that might be worn by little boy who had just worked very hard to please his parents.
“No… my love, I’m happy with *my* choice.. You.. I’m happy with you, John Black…my friend, my lover and now at last… my husband again. I feel so blessed to have you in my life, honey.”
Cupping Marlena’s face tenderly between his strong, yet gentle hands, John’s gazed lovingly into her glistening hazel eyes, shook his head slightly and said. “Oh no, Mrs Black… I am the lucky one in this relationship and I promise you I won’t forget that fact.. ever. I know that I am more than blessed to have you as my bride tonight and I will do whatever I can to bring you only joy from this moment forward.”
Marlena was literally amazed by the nearly overwhelming love this man had for her, by the maddening desire stimulated by the slightest touch of John’s strong hands, and by his willingness to do anything to please her. Marlena caressed John’s cheeks as well and began to tell him how all that made her feel. “Oh John… I have never been more in love than I am right now, I have never felt anything as strong as what we have together. You..complete me, you fill my heart with such joy and I…love y-“
They heard a sound behind them..and she stopped talking at his signal. Surveying the area swiftly, John didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but took it as a sign that they should move their celebration of love and marriage up to their room. As John placed his muscular arm over her shoulders, he said. “Well, pretty lady, what do you say we go light a fire in the fireplace and then see if we can’t start another one of our very own.” John said with another sexy wink.
“Sounds perfect, my love.. it sounds like a dream come true.” Marlena took a quick glance behind her, still wondering what had made the noise they heard. Not seeing much of anything, she dismissed it and refocused her attention on her groom, the man she loved with all of her heart, mind, body and soul. They were married now and nothing would ever separate them again, that was her solemn vow.
Love Among The Pines
Lyrics appearing in body of chapter taken from song entitled You and I written by Frank Myers, recorded by Eddie Rabbit and Crystal Gayle
John and Marlena walked slowly, arm in arm through the soft powdery snow toward the entrance to the rustic looking bed and breakfast nestled safely in the mountains. Surrounded by tall pines on three sides, it was a large log cabin style house which had five guest rooms. John had booked all five rooms and paid for the owners to have dinner at the restaurant nearby for that evening, just to make sure their time together would be completely private. By the time they arrived, it was early evening and Marlena had to be at the party at Titan by 10:00. John was supposed to be going too, but he wondered if he could handle going back to pretending he was married to Kristen, having to carry out the damn charade at an exclusive black tie New Year’s Eve party. She would probably try to kiss him at midnight and just the thought of it made him shudder. It was way too much of a stretch at this point. As much as he hated her now, he wouldn’t care if he never saw her again. John forced the mere thought of everything but the lovely woman walking at his side from his mind as they approached the door.
“Oh, John… I loved this place, it was so quiet and peaceful up here this summer and it’s so beautiful with the snowfall all around. Let’s go right in and start a…” Marlena looked up as she said it and realized that there was smoke coming out of the chimney as she spoke. Smiling with amazement at John’s preparations for her, she asked. “John…there’s a fire already burning, how did you manage that?”
John winked and smiled sweetly as he responded. “Planning, Doc.. I asked the owners to get one going and told them exactly when we’d be….” He stopped mid-sentence, recognizing that to have done that meant he was assuming exactly what she would say and do every step of the way and he tried to extricate himself from a potentially delicate situation with the woman he had just married. “I…uh, I mean I told them that I…hoped..” he said, scrambling to find the right words.
Marlena interrupted John with a kiss that left him speechless and then said while grinning at his sheepishness. “It’s okay, John. I think it’s terribly romantic of you. I suppose there is nobody else staying here.”
Feeling relieved that she wasn’t upset with him for assuming she would agree to marry him in secret, he smiled triumphantly and said. “Nope, I paid for all five rooms in advance and the owners should be sitting down to a very nice dinner about 15 miles down the road, just about now.” he finished, looking at his watch.
Shaking her head, Marlena sighed with the thought of spending a few glorious hours alone with her love. “Oh, John, you really do think of everything to please me. I love you so much…husband.”
John sighed with peace and contentment. “That is all I ever want to do is please you… wife. Oh, Doc…I can hardly believe we’re married. We did it, Marlena… we finally made it!” He said it gleefully as John picked Marlena up and twirled her around in a circle.
“Oh my, John… yes we did, my love… and I couldn’t be happier.”
“And the best part of it is… it’s our little secret until Roman is strong enough to know the truth about us. I hope you’re okay with that.”
“John.. I told you, I wanted to marry you all along, I just didn’t want to hurt him when he was so sick. This was a good compromise. I am very happy to be your wife, so… let’s go in there and celebrate it!” Marlena exclaimed, while tugging on John’s muscular arm.
“My sentiments exactly, my wife.” John agreed, lifting Marlena up and carrying her across the threshold. “Happy Wedding Day, Doc!” he said, excitedly, shutting the door with his foot, as soon as they were inside the sheltering warmth of the house in the woods.
“Oh, John… you’re so sweet to me. Happy wedding day to you too. I just love you so much. John ” she said, as Marlena pulled John closer for another kiss before they took off their coats and began to settle down near the fireplace.
Safe and warm inside the cabin, Marlena took a moment to peruse the interior and she realized that John’s planning did not stop with having the place all to themselves or with the fire burning when they arrived. There were flowers and candles strategically placed all around the living area. There was a bottle of fine champagne chilling in a bucket of ice, a few trays of fancy hors d’oeuvres with canapes, caviar, and petite fours, all her favorite gourmet foods. A stereo played soft romantic music, it was perfect for a night of love and romance. “John… I don’t know how you managed to do all this, it’s so…wonderful.”
With a trademark wink, John replied. “It’s all because I love you and I wanted to show you how much I’ve missed you.”
Marlena smiled in remembrance of John’s seduction earlier in the afternoon. “Uh… John, I believe I was convinced of that around… oh, say… 3:30 this afternoon.” she replied with sensuous chuckle.
John suddenly pulled Marlena close and pressed his body against hers, captured her expectant lips with his, then spoke between further kisses and nibbles on her neck and shoulders. “Oh.. yea, I guess I did. Well, then.. I’ll have to.. make sure.. you know…. exactly how.. ecstatic.. you’ve made me… by becoming my wife tonight. How does.. that sound?”
“Ooh.. John.. that.. sounds… wonderful, oh, and it feels good too. Oh, honey…” Marlena said, as her mind surrendered all thoughts in favor of the bodily sensations John was stimulating so very quickly with the deft touch of his hands and the trail of soft feathery kisses he was making from her lips, to her neck, and on down toward Marlena’s creamy voluptuous breasts. Her breath and heart rate quickened in time with his and she moaned softly.
Marlena returned the favor as she undressed her lover. The shirt was almost off, trapping his muscular arms in a position that left his broad chest completed exposed, his well chiseled frame nicely displayed and Marlena made a trail of moisture from neck to navel. John’s sharp intake of breathe made Marlena smile, pleasing John was high on her list of priorities as well. They had been apart for so long now. This early evening of love was going to have to last them for awhile, so it would be long and slow and very pleasurable for both of them.
As Marlena continued kissing him and biting John’s lightly on the broad chest, she could feel his desire heightening, and he moaned her name. “Oh… Marlena… Oh, how I want you.. how I’ve missed being with you like this. Doc, I don’t ever want this night to end.”
Marlena’s breathing was quickening too, and she whispered her response. “Oh, John.. don’t talk about endings, this is the beginning for us, only the beginning…” As Marlena worked on John’s belt buckle and then the zipper, she kissed him in various places between her words and he couldn’t do anything besides what she told him. “Don’t.. think about.. anything, but.. how.. you.. feel, John. I love you so much.”
Marlena’s next kiss was mouth to mouth and the taste was long and deep and left them both breathlesss. “Woah, Doc… Oh…either you’re getting better at this all the time or it’s been way too long between kisses like that.” John said when he finally recovered slightly.
“I think it’s both, John. Isn’t it great to know our lovemaking only gets better with the passage of time?” she teased.
“Yea.. and it’s gets better the more we practice too, so get over here and keep working on that technique, Doc.” John demanded, as he took Marlena in his arms and kissed her fiercely, while at the same time dipping her backwards slightly.
Marlena’s response was the one John wanted, she was essentially speechless. “Oh, John.. you are so good at that!” she cried with great pleasure.
John’s ears perked up for a second, thinking he heard something outside, but not able to identify what it might have been, he settled instead for a question. “Doc, could I have this dance… for the rest of my life?”
Marlena hesitated for fun, glancing around the room, as if to look for other dance partners and then said. “Ummm, I guess so. Sure why not. You only live once.”
With mock offense in his tone, he said. “Such enthusiasm there, my wife. “
Winking at John, she said. “Of course I want to dance with you, my love. Shall we?” she asked, feeling only a little silly. She was in her slip and John had only his Boxer-briefs on, but they were alone and loving this time, as they began to sway to the music in the background.
Just you and I
Sharing our love together
And I know in time
We’ll build the dreams we treasure
We’ll be alright
Just you and I
And I remember our first embrace
The smile that was on your face
The promises that we made
And now your love is my reward
And I love you even more
Than I ever did before……..
“It’s really true, you know that?” asked John with a wide smile of great pleasure.
“What’s really true, John?” she asked him, enjoying the sensation of being held so close to his body. Marlena felt so safe and secure and she too was wishing the night would never come to an end.
John’s voice was soft and tender, as he stopped dancing for a second to caress Marlena’s left cheek with his right hand. “Your love.. it’s like a reward for all the pain.. and I do love you more than ever before, just like the song says.”
“Oh, John.. you say the sweetest things to me. I love you even more than ever before too. You are my heart and soul, John and I will love you forever.”
Just you and I
We care and trust each other
With you in my life
There’ll never be another
We’ll be allright
Just you and I……..
Marlena loved the music and the dancing, everything John had done… and it all seemed slightly surreal to her yet. “I can hardly believe we have this time alone together. I’m so glad you arranged all this.”
John admitted to his hesitance to do so. “I was praying you’d agree to it, but I have to admit, I thought that maybe… you would want us to wait. I didn’t want to pressure you, but it’s been SO long.”
Marlena smiled warmly and cupped John’s face in her hands for a moment, and then said. “Well, I don’t feel pressured, John. As a matter of fact I feel.. liberated. I feel finally free to love you and that is the most glorious feeling in the world to me. I love you, John Black, you and only you for all the days of my life!” she exclaimed gleefully.
John was thrilled to hear her say it so strongly, so convincingly, and followed suit. “And I John Black love you… and only you, Marlena, for all the days of our lives. There is nothing in this universe that could make me as happy as the moment you said I do… and became my wife.”
“And you…have made me happier than I ever thought it was possible to feel, John. You have been so patient and understanding about this whole situation and it just makes me appreciate you so much more. I love you so…JB”
Their eyes met again, and were locked in a mesmerizing heated gaze of anticipation. The lovemaking was to begin soon. John moved slowly closer to his bride, gently taking her in his strong muscular arms and lifting Marlena effortlessly off the ground. John carried Marlena across the room and gently placed her on the rug in front of the glowing fireplace. Marlena tilted her head back and he ran John tongue in the hollow of her neck, while his strong and gentle hands worked to take off Marlena’s remaining items of clothing, her slip and panties. Marlena was lost in sensation as John removed his own brief, and the bride and groom were naked at last. They paused their activities for but a moment to admire the view of what was kept from each other for months because of the evil manipulative schemes of others, yet again.
Caressing Marlena creamy magnificent breasts with tender circular motions that had her breathing raggedly, John said almost worshipfully. “You are so..beautiful, Doc. You become more and more lovely with the passage of time, I love you so much!”
Marlena massaged John intimately and saying. “And you… are so incredibly handsome and sexy to me, John. It has been so difficult for me to stay away from you all these months. That is why I could hardly let you touch me, John. Your touch does such things to me.. whew.”
“It does? Oh, man I can’t wait to touch you some more then. Seriously, it was next to impossible for me to be near you and not be able to touch you. It’s been making me crazy for you… I don’t think I could have waited one more minute beyond what I did when I walked in to your office today. And… I don’t want to wait one more second to devour you right here and right now. ” John made a low growling sound as he leaned in to bite her shoulder slightly.
Marlena giggled slightly and then said in all seriousness. “Oh.. John… devour away.. I like the way you… just dig in.”
“Speaking of digging in.” John started and then began to make love in earnest, sucking on her lips for a moment and then moving his body over hers, preparing to take her.
The pressure of John’s weight on her already aroused body was enough to make Marlena ache with desire and Marlena wanted to join with John . Her voice sounding urgent, she said. “Ooh, John… please, honey I want you, now!” Her husband complied, entering her quickly, yet gently, and together they neared the highest heights and backed off several times before reaching the peak, their hearts racing, their breathing ragged and their pleasure intense.
As John began to move his body masterfully up and down over his new bride with driving passion, they both professed their undying love, John saying, “Marlena… I love you… always and forever…”
“Oh, and I you.. John.. I will love only you for the rest of our lives! Oh.. John!” Marlena cried out as John brought them to the precipice and held them there for an instant before making their pleasure complete. They peaked together and then slowly descended, their hearts beating in time, their rapid breathing gradually returning to normal, their bodies flushed with the afterglow of lovemaking. It was a singularly marvelous sensation to be in each other’s arms and sharing their love so intimately in the bonds of marriage, at long last. It was a wondrous celebration of married love and they wanted to savor every second of their time together.
Just you and I
Sharing our love together
And I know in time
We’ll build the dreams we treasure
We’ll be allright
Just you and I
We made it
You and I…..
The Jarlena Journal 