A Love Beyond Compare by Sandra Bondelier

Chapter 6 - Part 1
Welcome Home Marlena

Marlena looked down at Roman's left hand before taking it in hers and she stared at it, recalling a time when there was a ring there, a ring they picked out together to symbolize the love they shared. It seemed like a lifetime ago now and it was for him. His life with her had been over for five years and he was ready to start a new one, this night was meant to signify that new beginning and her return changed everything for him. She had to admit he was doing pretty well with it so far, managing to be honest, but shielding her from most of his pain and he was working at being sensitive to her feelings as much as he could. It was as good a homecoming as she had a right to expect after five years. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his concerned voice, "Doc...are you ready to go in now, we're at the door, honey." He said those words so tenderly, she thought she could melt into the softness in his voice.

"Uh...yes...but, it's going to be quite a shock for everyone, why don't you prepare them first before I just walk in there? Does that sound okay to you?"

"Sure, Marlena...whatever you want, that's what we'll do," he answered sweetly. Roman leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek then added, "Allright, I'll go in first and then after a few minutes, I'll bring you in too, okay?"

"Great...go ahead then," she agreed as she stepped back so as not to be seen when he opened the front door to the house. Roman glanced back for a moment and said quietly, "A few more minutes, Doc that's all." She smiled warmly and nodded in acknowledgement as he squeezed her hand for encouragement.

Roman took a deep breath and entered his home again, hoping at least this part would go smoothly. He ducked in and took off his leather coat nonchalantly, as if he were just popping in from work, but the effect didn't work and he was mobbed. "Roman..where were you all this time, where is Isabella, did you give her that surprise?" These and several other questions were thrown at him when he was barely inside the house. Roman put his hands in the air as if to defend himself from incoming missiles and said, "Wait a minute, just relax and I'll tell you everything."

When it was quiet, he took one more deep breath and then started into his explanation. "When I left earlier I was....drawn to the pier, I've had this strange feeling all day and I had to go there to check it out. That's where I was just now. I can't really explain it but the feeling I had related to... someone we all loved very much a long time ago and I just had to go and see for myself if that person was there. As it turned out, I was right, the person was alive after all and she came back to me, to us." He paused for one more second and then said, "The person I'm talking about is Marlena. She is alive and well and she's standing right outside that door."

Breaking the powerful silence, Alice Horton spoke for the entire group when she said, "Well, for heaven's sake bring her inside, Roman!" with great enthusiasm as she and several others rushed toward the door to open it and let her in.

Roman turned around and managed to make it to the door before all the others, saying, "Now, give her some breathing room, she's a little nervous about all of this." He opened the door and took her hand, gently guiding her to the center of the living room and then he said with a wide grin on his face, "Everyone, I present to you the lovely lady who is alive and well after five long years away from us. Welcome home, Marlena Evans!"

"Marlena Evans-Brady," said someone in the background and that addition registered on Marlena's face with happiness, but Roman's face appeared slightly stricken as if he were suddenly reminded of something he didn't want to think about at this particular time.

"Well, let the celebration begin everyone!" he said cheerfully, ignoring the whole issue. Marlena didn't miss his reaction and it hurt her, but she cared about his feelings too, so she approached him briefly before allowing herself to be greeted by everyone around the room. The others sensed their need and gave them a few moments alone by backing off slightly and resuming previous conversations while the couple spoke privately.

"Roman, that comment upset you didn't it?" she asked.

He smiled at her weakly and denied it, "No, it just caught me off guard that's all, kind of like this whole deal. Maybe it's just starting to catch up with me or something," he said, avoiding the issue again, wishing she would just let things go.

She reached up to touch his face and said softly, "Honey, you don't have to pretend for me, I understand. You were expecting that Isabella was going to share your last name soon and now..."

Marlena was being too good about it and it made him feel guilty. Roman pulled slightly away from her touch, saying, "And now....who knows, and besides...I know you don't understand so would you please just..stop saying you do." He said it with an angry edge to his voice that he didn't intend to put there, but that hurt her feelings nevertheless.

She reacted sharply to his tone, out of the jealousy she had been denying. Before she took time to think and before he could apologize, she said, "Well, I'm so sorry I complicated your life Roman. I'm sorry that I didn't stay dead for you!"

Her comments were loud enough to turn heads and both Roman and Marlena felt horrible about their heated exchange. Roman winced painfully for both of them, shut his eyes briefly, and then glanced down at a spot on the living room carpet. Marlena felt angry with herself and quite embarassed as well. She covered her mouth with her hand in that characteristic gesture of hers and ran back out of the house in tears, leaving everyone in the state of shock they were already experiencing because of her startling return.

After a few polite seconds of silence, Shawn stepped closer to Roman and asked a question in a way that didn't give the man room for anything but an affirmative response. "Well, aren't you going to go after her son?" he asked expectantly.

He sighed tiredly, then looked up and responded to the inquiry, "Of course I am. Listen, I'm sorry about that, but this is...a lot to handle...for both of us. Please stay everyone, I'll talk to her and she'll come back. I know she really wants to see all of you tonight."

Bo came over and put a hand on his brother's shoulder and said, "It's okay, bro...we know this all has to be pretty confusing for you and Marlena and.....Isabella too. You did tell her about this, didn't you?"

Roman nodded and answered quietly, "Yea...I did, she was great about it, but she said she had to leave." With a slightly trembling lip he added sadly, "She uh..gave me the ring back..." Roman shut his eyes to force back the pain he felt when she placed the ring in his hand and he was only partially successful in his efforts as a lone tear found its way out of his eye.

His mother could see the pain he was in and knew he was wishing the situation away. A part of her wished she could give him that option, but knowing it wasn't possible, she decided to help him face it. "I'm sorry, Roman. I know you love her very much, " said Caroline in a comforting tone. "And, I know this is so hard on you, but you have to think of Marlena too. She needs you right now, go to her Roman."

He nodded and turned away, walking slowly toward the door. He breathed in and out deeply and then stepped outside, his eyes swiftly scanning the area for Marlena. Seeing her sitting in the car, he walked hesitantly over to talk with her. "Hey..Doc, are you doing okay?" he asked with his concern evident.

Upon seeing him approach, she instantly began to apologize for her outburst. "I'm sorry, Roman that was uncalled for. I know it's only natural that you would feel torn and I shouldn't have said that to you, that. There was no way you could have known, Roman, and I wanted you to find happiness again."

His anguish seemed to be increasing by the moment as he said, "I can't help it, Doc...If I had waited...none of this would be happening. Isabella wouldn't be alone right now and crying over me and I wouldn't be hurting you by not being able to just...take you right back into my life, into my heart and accept you as my wife. You are the last two people I would ever want to hurt and there's no way around it, Doc. No matter what I do from now on, one of you is going to be hurt because of me."

Marlena's heart was breaking for him and wished she could help him with his dilemna. "Oh, sweety...I know it...and I'm sorry you are in a position like that. I wish there was something I could do to help you, but there just isn't Roman. You will eventually have to make a choice between us and one of us will have to let you go."

Roman pulled her body close to his in an intense clinch, as if by holding her tightly he could avoid that choice. He wanted to stay in this moment and not allow anything to penetrate the feeling of love and acceptance between them. "Oh, Doc!" he whispered with intensity. "I missed you and I needed you so much...I'm so glad you're back and I don't want to hurt you!"

The desperation in his tone and his embrace touched her heart and she indicated the longing she felt for him, "Oh Roman....I wish we could stay like this and not have to deal with any of it, I want to stay in your arms forever!"

"Me too, Doc!" he said in a passionate whisper. They continued to embrace for long minutes before he broke the contact and the silence this time. Wiping off the remainder of the moisture from his face with a shirtsleeve Roman sniffed and said, "Marlena, you know there's houseful of people in there who love you and missed you too and they're waiting for you to come back. Are you ready to go back inside?"

She wiped her tears with the back of her outstretched fingertips, nodded and smiled weakly, returning his hesitant one. Then once again, they went arm in arm toward the warm home in which they shared so much love and laughter in times past. As they walked slowly toward the front door once more, both Roman and Marlena were wondering whether they would be sharing their future in that house as a married couple. In light of that thought, they were contemplating the difficult decisions that had to be made in the weeks and months to follow, while at the same time trying very hard not to think about much more than the evening ahead of them.