John closed his bedroom door, listening to the silence in the house. He
missed the children's happy voices, that he had the pleasure of hearing
when Marlena and him were living at the penthouse. He was back at
Kristen's, all because of her stopping his wedding to Marlena, by
bringing back Roman. The man they all thought was dead. John still had
his doubts, that the man down the hall was indeed Roman, but he knew that
they had to help this man, to get him well and then it would be the time
to tell him the truth about everything, so John could be with Marlena.

Kristen had tried to get him to sleep on the same room as her, but he put
a stop to that. But he couldn't be with Marlena, they felt that it would
be better if they stayed in seperate rooms, but they promised to each
other they would try and steal some time, so they could be together.

John crossed the hall, and stood outside Marlena's room, wondering if she
was still asleep. He knocked quietly on the door, and then went inside.
She was laying on the bed, still dressed from the night before. He closed
the door and went over to the side of the bed. He looked down at her, she
was sleeping so peacefully, he didn't want to wake her. He watched as she
started to move, and then he saw her peaceful expression turn to fear.

  "No, oh John, please, don't leave me, come back John!"

John got on the bed with her, and wrapped his arms around her.

  "Doc, I'm here, I would never leave you, it's okay."

He felt Marlena relax in his arms, and she continued to sleep.

  "Oh Doc, I love you so. We will be together, I promise."

He felt his shirt was wet, and he knew that she had started to cry.

  "Doc, it's alright. Shhh."

  "John, oh John, your here with me."

  "Doc, I wouldn't be anywhere else."

  "What time is it?"

  "Almost ten. You were up late last night, weren't you?"

  "Yes, I didn't even get undressed. I was exhausted. Have you looked in
on Roman?"

  "No, I came right here. I wanted to be near you."

John brought Marlena closer to him.

  "Let's just have these few minutes together, before we have to open
that door, and face the reality on the other side," said John.

  "Yes, we need this time."

  "Doc, I want so badly to make love to you, right now."

  "Oh John, I want you also, but we just can't, at least not in this
house."

  "Well, I most definitly want to steal some time alone with you."

  "And you will, my love."

John kissed Marlena and held her close.

                    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kristen was pacing downstairs, wondering where John slept last night. She
picked up her coffee and took it over to the couch. Now that Roman was
back, would he be the wedge she needed to break John and Marlena up, or
will there love overcome this obstacle.

Okay, she covered her tracks, by lying to Roman, but the two of them,
very well could tell him the truth. She wondered if they could do that,
and hurt the man, but if they explained about her, before telling Roman
about their relationship, the man Roman is, he would understand, and
would be angry that he was duped by another DiMera.

There was a knock on the door, and Kristen went over to answer it. When
she opened it, she found Carrie standing outside.

  "Hi Carrie, did you come to see your Dad?"

  "Yes Kristen, may I come in?"

  "Oh, yes, please."

Carrie came into the house and Kristen closed the door.

  "I haven't looked in on him, but I'm sure he had a peaceful night. I
have some coffee, would you like some?"

Carrie looked at Kristen.

  "Look Kristen, don't try being the nice person, I know your not. You
could have come to one of us Brady's and told us. We would have gone down
ourselves to get my father. John and Marlena could have still married,
and we could have brought my father back, and not have to lie to him
about everything. You and John being together and Marlena being alone,
you are so cruel to do that to my Dad."

  "Well Carrie, like I told everyone, your father had pictures of you
kids and Marlena, and that's all he could talk about."

  Well,if one of us went down, he would know the truth. Look, I'm going
up to see him, so excuse me!"

Carrie went up the stairs while Kristen watched.

                   ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*

Marlena was combing her hair and saw John watching her.

  "Shall we have breakfast," he asked.

  "No, I'm not all that hungry. I thought I would go over to the
penthouse, and take the kids out for the morning, and have lunch with
them. I want to thank Susan also, for watching them with Chelsea. I miss
the both of them so."

There was a knock and John went to the door and opened it.

  "Hi John, Marlena awake?"

  "Yep, come on in."

Carrie went into the bedroom and Marlena got up, and went towards her.
She put her arms around her and them moved away from her.

  "How are you this morning,sweetie?"

  "I didn't sleep much last night, with everything that happened
yesterday. I can't believe that Dad's alive."

  "I know, I still am in shock. Have you seen Austin?"

  "No, he's been their for Sami, and Marlena, I am starting to think that
there's no hope for us."

  "I know how you want to be with him."

  "Yes, I do, but I am starting to believe that he is starting to really
care for Sami."

  "Oh Carrie, he loves you."

  "I don't know anymore Marlena."

John went over and put his hands on Carrie's shoulder.

  "Punkin, Austin will only love you, no one else."

Carrie turned around and looked at John.

  "John, I am really having a lot of doubts. Oh, I ran into Kristen
downstairs, acting like she's my best friend. I told her that she should
have come to one of us Brady's and we would have gone and got Dad, then
he would have come home knowing you two are together, and Kristen is pure
evil. But instead, he is here under the cloud of deception, and I think
that is wrong. He is so happy for Sami, and how can I tell him what she
is really like. I wish Eric was home. Has anyone called him to tell him?"

  "Yes, I phoned, but he wasn't home. I left a message for him to call."

  "I'm going to see dad, would you like to come with me Marlena?"

  "Yes, I have to cheek on him and see the nurse that John has hired."

  "Well ladies, shall we?"

The three of them left the room....

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~
                                     Chapter 2

As they aproached the bedroom, they could hear Kristen's voice.

  "What is she doing in there?" asked Marlena.

  "Probably telling more lies," said Carrie.

They walked in and witnessed Kristen showing Roman a photo album.

  "Kristen, what are you doing?" asked John.

  "Oh, good morning sweetheart. I was just showing Roman some pictures."

  "Of what may I ask?" said Marlena.

  "Oh, our trip to Paris, our Christmas's together, well our wonderful
memories."

  "I think you should take that out of here please, and let Roman get his
rest," said John.

  "No, it's okay, I have missed so much and I got to see pictures of Sami
and Austin's wedding. Carrie, I'm so glad you were your sister's maid of
honor."

  "Yes Dad, after all I am Sami's sister."

Carrie turned away.

  "She looked very beautiful."

  "Yes, she was," said Kristen. "Sweetheart, why don't we leave them
alone for awhile. Let's go down and have our breakfast."

  "No, I think I'll stay right here, why don't you go ahead. I want to
talk to the nurse."

Kristen looked at the three of them and then nodded her head. She gave
Roman a wave and left the room. Marlena went over to the nurse with John,
while Carrie sat down on the bed.

  "You have a good night dad? Sleep well?"

  "Not bad, but I wish Marlena stayed with me all night."

  "Dad, Marlena was exhausted, she needed to get her rest. You had the
nurse here all night."

  "Yes, I guess I shouldn't expect so much from her."

  "Hey all!"

Carrie turned and saw Mike coming in. She got off the bed and went over
to him.

  "Hi Mike."

  "I stopped off at your place to see if you needed a ride."

  "Sorry I wasn't home."

  "How are you this morning?"

  "A little tired. I didn't sleep much last night."

  "I was going to stop by last night, but it was late, but now I wish I
did."

  "I wish you did also. I'm so alone, since Austin has been spending all
his time with Sami."

  "Carrie, your not alone, I'll always be there."

  "Thanks Mike, your such a great friend."

  "Hi Mike," said Marlena. "The nurse wants to update you on Roman's
night."

  "Sure Marlena, excuse me Carrie."

  "Sure."

Mike went over to the nurse and Carrie, John and Marlena left the room.

                            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kristen was on the phone when John and Marlena came in. She stopped
talking and listened to Stefano at the other end.

  "Kristen, I can see what is going on in the house. Tell them I called
you."

Kristen looked at them both.

  "You are talking to the old man, aren't you?" asked John.

  "Yes, he called me. He wants to talk to you."

John went over to the phone and took it from Kristen.

  "Well, well, well, Stefano, you and your daughter, have don it again.
This man upstairs, the one Kristen claiming is Roman..."

  "John, it is Roman. Aren't you happy that he is home, of do you feel
threatened by his presence?"

  "No Stef, I don't feel that way at all. If things had been handled
properly, "Roman" would know the truth about everything going on around
here, instead of everyone having to pretend."

  "John, are you telling me, that you would tell Roman the truth, that
would kill him. He thinks that he has a chance with Marlena."

  "Stefano, the man needs to know, so when we think it is the right
time..."

  "John, it will never be the right time. Well, it was a pleasure talking
to you, but I must hang up. And John, tell my queen of the night, that I
count the days when we will be together."

  "You will never have her Stefano...Stefano? He hung up."

John put the phone down and turned towards Marlena.

  "You know, we have to tell him the truth."

  "I think we should give it a few days, once we know exactly what Roman
is sick with."

  "Doc, he need to know the whole truth, that includes Sami, he needs to
know what she has done in the past. It's the best, he might be able to
help her, especially with the fact when Austin does recieve th annulment,
he can help get through it."

  "Yes, I know."

John put his arms around Marlena.

  "Well sweetheart, shall we go over and see the children?"

  "I don't know why you don't bring them here?"

Marlena looked at Kristen with contempt in her eyes.

  "I would never bring those children here, in this evil home!"

Carrie came into the room.

  "Marlena, Dad's asking for you."

  "Okay, I'll be down in a minute John."

Marlena left and John went into the foyer with Carrie.

                        ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  "You sticking around Carrie?"

  "Yes, maybe I'll be able to see Austin."

  "You know the two of you will be together."

  "I don't know John, I'm really not counting on it."

The door bell rang and John went over and opened the door. Sami was
standing on the other side.

  "Hey Sami, come on in."

  "Thanks John. How's my father?"

  "He had a comfortable night, but there's no change."

  "Do you know what is making him so sick?"

  "Mike still waiting for the results, and they are sending your father's
hospital records to him."

  "Where's Will Sami?" asked Carrie.

  "Oh, he's with Austin. He sure loves his son. He's picking me up in a
little while, and we are going to look at new houses. The both of us
decided that we need to move into a house so Will will somewhere to play,
and Kate's going to help us, she's going to buy it."

Carrie looked at John, and he could see the pain on her face. Sami was
smiling inside, knowing this was hurting Carrie.

  "Well, I'm going up to see Daddy. Where's Mom?"

  "Upstairs," said John.

  "Oh, see you later."

John and Carrie watched Sami go upstairs.

  "Well someone is happy to see Roman," said Kristen.

They both turned and looked at her.

  "Kristen, I know that man looks like Roman, but until we have the proof
that he is, I will be skeptical."

  "And what about you Carrie?"

  "I won't let you DiMera's hurt me again, so I am going to call him Dad,
but I won't believe it fully, till I have the proof John was talking
about."

Marlena came down the stairs.

  "What did Dad want?"

  "He just wanted to know if I was going to be around today. I told him I
was going to see Belle. When I mentioned her name, the pain appeared on
his face."

  "Marlena, Dad forgave you and John, but remember he thought Belle was
his when she was first born."

  "Yes, I know. What are you going to do today Carrie?"

  "I'm going upstairs and spend sometime with Dad."

  "Okay, we will see you later. Oh! Sami told me about the house. What is
going on, and why is Kate doing this?"

  "I don't know Marlena. It has me puzzled."

The three of them noticed Kristen still standing in the hall with them.

  "Don't you have something to do?" asked John. "This has nothing to do
with you."

  "Oh, excuse me!" and Kristen left.

She thought for a minute on what she had just heard. She asked herself
the same question, why would Kate do something like that, especially when
she wants Austin and Carrie together. Unless Sami has something on Kate,
which means, she has her memory back and the conviving Sami was back.
 

                             ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~~*~*

Carrie stood outside her father's room, listening to Sami tell Roman
about her life with Austin. She saw Mike standing, listening to Sami
also, and then he saw her looking into the room. He walked towards her
and pulled her away from the doorway.

  "She's been telling Roman how happy she and Austin are, and your father
brought up your's and Austin's past."

  "What did she say?"

  "That things didn't work out between the two of you. I'm sorry Carrie,
I know this is really hurting you."

Carrie started to cry and Mike put his arms around her.

  "Look, I know I'm not Austin, but why don't we do something together. I
think you need a distraction right now. I've checked out your Dad, and
I'm waiting for the test results. The nurse is here and if the lab needs
to get in touch with me, they have my cell phone number. What do you
say?"

  "Sure Mike, I need something to make me feel like I am worth something,
so, let's do something today."

  "Okay, let me talk to the nurse and I have to make a call, then we will
leave."

  "Okay."

Mike moved away from her and they went into the bedroom.

  "Oh, hi Carrie," said Sami.

Carrie moved towards the bed.

  "Dad, I'm leaving for awhile, but I'll be back later."

  "Okay punkin."

  "Ready Carrie?" asked Mike.

  "Yep, see you later," and the two of them left.

                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*

Marlena and John went inside the penthouse.

  "HELLO! ANYONE HERE!" yelled Marlena.

They heard footsteps and saw the children come down the stairs, with
Susan holding Elvis, behind them.

  "MOMMY! DADDY!" they yelled.

They ran over to their parents and Marlena scooped up Belle as John
picked up Brady.

  "Have you two been good for Chelsea and Susan?" asked Marlena.

  "Dr Evans, they have been just little angels, we are getting along just
great."

Marlena looked at Susan with tears in her eyes.

  "That's wonderful Susan. How are you?"

  "Oh Dr Evans, I don't know how to thank you for letting me stay here
with Elvis and trusting me with your children. I feel so sad for you and
John, that mean, mean, mean, Kristen and her father disrupted your
wedding."

  "Well Susan, DiMera's have been disrupting our lives for years," said
John.

  "Well, it's just terrible. I hope you get married real soon."

Marlena smiled at her.

  "Thank you Susan, and thank you again for staying here and watching
Belle and Brady."

  "Oh, Dr Marlena Evans, it's my great pleasure."

Their was a knock on the door, and Marlena put down Belle.   "I better get that," and she walked over and opened the door.

She looked in shock and said;   "Oh, my word......"

                                To be continued....
 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
                                     Chapter 3

Mike drove Carrie down to the river and parked the car. He got out and
  went over to open the dooor for her.

    "What are we doing here?"

    "I have a surprise, come on."

  Mike took Carrie's hand, and they walked down to the pier. Carrie saw
  Laura standing there, smiling at the both of them.

    "Hello you two."

    "Hi Laura."

    "Mom, you haven't been waiting long, have you?"

    "Oh no, just got here and I have what you called me for."

    "What is going on here?"

  Laura went over to the bench and picked up the basket and brought it over
  to Mike.

    "Everything you asked for is in here, and you better hurry, the ferry
  will be leaving any minute now."

    "The ferry?"

    "Yep, we are off to the Horton cabin. We are going to spend the day,
  and forget about everything else."

    "Mike Horton, you are amazing. I most definitly need this."

    "Well get going, you two."

    "Thanks Mom."

    "Bye Laura," and the two of them walked down towards the walkway for
  the ferry.

  Laura watched them leave, and smiled.

    "No problem son, I hope this day brings the two of you closer."

                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

    "Well Mom, are you going to just stand there, staring at me, or are you
  going to give your son a hug?"

  Marlena put her arms around Eric.

    "Oh, I am so glad to see you, when did you get into Salem?"

    "A few hours ago. I was just walking around Salem, just visiting the
  places I used to love going to, and then I thought it was time to come
  over and see you and my new step-father."

    "Come in, John, look."

  Eric stepped inside and looked at John.

    "Hey Eric, welcome home," and John embraced him.

    "Hi John. Congrulations."

  John moved away and looked at him. Eric saw sadness in his eyes. Then he
  felt a tug on his pants. He looked down, to see a pint size little girl,
  with blonde hair and the most beautiful face.

    "Well, hello there. What's your name?"

    "My name is Belle."

  Eric bent down and put out his hand.

    "Hello Belle, I'm Eric, I'm your big brother."

  Belle looked at Marlena, with a puzzling look on her face.

    "Bwady is my big brother!"

  Eric looked at her and smiled.

    "Brady?"

    "Yes, Bwady come here."

  Brady walked over and put a protective arm around his sister.

    "I'm Brady."

  Eric could see the likeness of Isabella in the little boy's face, which
  brought tears in his eyes.

    "Well, hello Brady. I'm Eric, and if it's okay with you, I would like
  to be Belle's brother, and your's if you don't mind."

  Marlena wiped away a tear, watching this tender moment. Brady looked at
  Belle, then back at John and Marlena, then at Eric.

    "I guess it would be okay."

    "Great! Could I get a hug from you Belle?"

  Belle let go of Brady's hand, that she was holding, and moved towards
  Eric. She put her little arms around his neck and Eric put his strong
  arms around her. He gave her a little squeeze, then let her go. Brady
  looked at him, then went over and put his hand out. Eric looked and then
  shook it. Eric got up and looked at John and Marlena, who both were
  wiping tears away from their eyes. Then he saw Susan standing their, and
  she was smiling at him.

    "Hello, my name is Susan Banks, and this here is little Elvis. Your Dr
  Marlena Evans son, Eric. I have seen pictures of you. I saw some of yere
  baby pictures, and you were a cute little boy."

  Eric felt his face getting red, and then he cleared his throat.

    "Yes, that's me, nice to meet you."

    "Dr. Marlena Evans, I'll take the kids upstairs, so you can talk to
  your son about what is going on here."

    "Thanks Susan."

    "Come on kids, let's go upstairs and make that castle out of your lego
  blocks."

    "Bye Belle, Brady," said Eric.

  Belle went over to Eric, and he bent down. She kissed him on the cheek,
  and ran up the stairs, with Brady and Susan holding the baby, following
  behind her. Marlena waited till the children were no longer in the room.
  She looked at Eric, with pain on her face.

    "Mom, what's wrong? Is it Sami, Carrie, grandma, grandpa?"

    "No sweetheart, come on, let's sit down."

  They moved over to the couch, and sat. John took Marlena's hand and Eric
  noticed that their was no wedding band on her finger.

                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  Mike walked with Carrie, holding the basket, as they went towards the
  cabin. He took the key out where it was hidden, and went over and
  unlocked the door. They went inside and Mike closed the door.

    "I wish I knew we were coming here, I would have brought my bathing
  suit."

    "Oh, I'm sure there are some here. Let's take a look in the drawers."

  Mike opened one and found a swimsuit.

    "I think this belongs to Jenn of Hope. I'm sure they won't mind."

    "Okay, I'll go and change. I'll be right out."

  Mike looked through the other drawers and found some swimming trunks.
  Carrie came out and Mike went into the bathroom to change. He came out
  and went over to the basket.

    "I'll grab the basket, if you can grab that blanket, and some towels,
  which are probably in the trunk over there."

  Carrie went over and opened it, and took out two towels. She grabbed the
  blanket and looked at Mike.

    "Okay, let's go down to the beach," she said.

                          ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  Sami left her father's room. Roman was asleep, and she knew that Austin
  would be here in a few minutes to pick her up. She went downstairs, and
  went into the living room. Kristen was sitting on the couch, looking at
  bridal books.

    "Oh, sorry, I thought no on was home."

    "It's okay, come on in. You waiting for Austin?"

    "Yes, I'll go outside and wait."

    "No, you can wait here, it's okay."

  Sami sat down and saw what Kristen was looking at.

    "Are you getting married?"

    "I hope so, very soon in fact."

    "To whom?"

    "John! That's my dream."

    "He hates you, Kristen."

    "All that will change."

    "How do you know?"

    "Well, your Dad's back, and I'm sure fate will bring your parents
  together, as a couple."

    "That's what your hoping for Kristen, but my mother is in love with
  John. She cares about my Dad, but the feelings she had before for
  him,aren't there anymore."

    "Well Sami, maybe we can make those feelings change."

  Sami looked at Kristen, thinking to herself that the thought of John and
  her mother together, made her sick, but she had to make it look like
  that she is happy that they are.

    "No Kristen, that will never happen, and I know my mom is happy, and
  that's very important to me."

    "Oh Sami, you can't fool me. I think you have your memory back, and
  seeing your mother and John together, revolts you."

    "Kristen, I don't have my memory back, so you are mistaken."

    "But Sami, I think you do have it back, and that you have something on
  Kate, and you are blackmailing her. Why else would she be buying you and
  Austin a new house, because we all know that she really wants Carrie and
  Austin to be together, as you already know."

  Sami looked at Kristen, and she knew she had to put the best performance
  of her life.

    "Carrie! Why would Kate want Carrie and Austin together. He loves me.
  Carrie is my sister. She would never do anything to hurt me. So I want
  you to stop saying those things. My Mom is right, your evil."

  Sami got up to leave, as Kristen got up also.

    "Look who's calling the kettle black. Your just as bad."

  Sami looked at her, and started to cry.

    "YOU STOP SAYING THAT," and ran out of the room.

  Kristen stood there smiling.

    "Bravo performance Sami. Your good......"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~

                                    Chapter 4

 "Mom, what is going on? There's no wedding band on your finger."

Marlena looked down at her hand, and looked back at him.

  "Sweetie, I have some news, that will be a shock to you, as it was
to all of us, but the day of our wedding, Kristen showed up, and brought
a man in a wheelchair, which she claims is your daddy."

Eric looked at Marlena, with shock on his face.

  "What? No, Mom, Dad's dead!"

  "Yes, we all thought that, but he has been in a hospital in the
Caribbean, he's very sick."

  "Mom, have you confirmed it's dad?"

  "We did a finger print check, and it matches your daddy's, but
we are waiting for Shane to get in touch with us. But their is more,
Kristen has lied to him, telling him that she and John were happy,
and married, and I was alone, waiting for him to come home."

  "Oh Mom, how could she do something like that?"

  "Well Eric, it's because she want to hold onto John, and she
figures if she tells your daddy that, then John will have to go
along with the charade."

  "What are you going to do?"

  "Right now, we aren't telling him anything. He's so sick, but once
we know he's a little stronger, we both have decided to tell him the
truth. Also, he knows nothing of Sami's doings, he needs to know about
what she has done. Your sister and Austin will be together and
Sami is going to need him to get through  it."

  "Oh Mom, I wish I had come home months ago. After what Grandma told
me what has been going on here, with you being locked up in some
room, Stefano trying to take you, my sisters, their lives are such a
mess. And you two, what you have been through, and finally having
a chance to be together, and now this!"

  "Eric, your Mother and I are treating this man, as he is Roman, but we
aren't going to truly believe, until we get the verifacation, that
he is."

  "And how are you doing that?"

  "I have that call into Shane, and MIke took blood."

  "DNA," said Eric.

  "Yes."

  "Mom, where's Dad, he upstairs?"

  "No honey, he's at Kristen's."

  "Kristen's, why?"

  "She had the room, so we could stay there and she promised your daddy,
he wouldn't have to go to a hospital."

  "Can I go and see him?"

  "Of course. Here, I'll write the address down, and you go on
over there. John and I want to spend some time with Belle and
Brady. I refuse to let them live at Kristen's, so we will see
you later, okay?"

  "Sure Mom."

Marlena wrote down the address and gave it to Eric.

  "This is Uncle Shane's old address."

  "Yes, the DiMera's bought the house," said John.

  "Okay, I'll head over."

Eric go up, as did John and Marlena.

  "I'm so glad your home."

Marlena put her arms around Eric, and gave him a hug, then she
let go of him. John put his arms around Eric.

  "It's good to have you here Eric, we have missed you."

  "Thanks John. I better go. Carrie and Sami, will they be there?"

  "They might be," said Marlena. "Oh, won't they be happy to see you,
especially Sami."

  "Yeah, I bet she will."

Eric walked towards the door, and John and Marlena followed behind.
He opened it, and looked back at them.

  "I'll see you later," and walked out, and closed the door.

He stood in the hall, remembering the look on their faces, and he
knew that, they should be together, even if his father was back.
He got on the elevator.

                         ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*

Sami saw Austin coming up the walkway. She had to us this oppertunity
to her advantage. She ran towards him, crying.

  "Sami, what's the matter, is it your dad?"

  "No, oh Austin, Kristen has said some terrible things."

  "What Sami, tell me?"

  "She said that Kate wants Carrie and you to be together.
Why would she say that? She made it sound like you are in love
with Carrie."

Austin stood their, wondering what he should say to Sami. He knew
if he told her the truth, it might put her in such shock, that her
memory may never return, but if he lied, then he would be hurting
her when she found out the truth. After all, Mickey was working on
getting the annulment, and if he doesn't get it, he would be hurting
Sami.

  "I don't know why, she would say that. She probably just wanted
to hurt you, after all, she has hurt your family, so why not another."

  "Oh Austin, I am glad you told me the truth. I didn't want to
believe, that my sister and you where having an affair."

  "No Sami, there's nothing between us. Come on, let's get going,
and start looking at houses."

  "Oh Austin, I love you so much. Before we leave Austin, I need
to ask you something."

  "What's that Sami?"

  "Can we start thinking of having another baby?"

                         ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mike ran out of the water, with Carrie, running behind him. He fell
on the blanket, laughing, as Carrie joined him.

  "Oh, Mike Horton, you cheated."

  "Sorry, but you never said tickling wasn't aloud."

Carrie laughed again.

  "Are you hungry?"

  "Oh yes, I'm starving. I didn't have anything for breakfast."

  "Let's see what's in the basket."

Mike opened it, as Carrie wrapped the towel around herself.

  "We have," as Mike took out a container, "Some of my grandmother's
famous chicken, and it looks like some potatoe salad. Some raw
vegatables, and some fruit and cheese. And to drink, oh sorry
Carrie, my mother packed some champagne."

  "That's a great picnic basket."

Mike took out some plates and forks, and handed a plate to Carrie.
She took it, and opened the containers, and started to take some
food out of them. Mike looked into the basket, and saw his mother
had put in a single red rose. Mike was having mixed feelings
whether he should give it to  her.

  "Ah, what the heck," he thought.

He took it out and looked over at her.

  "And for you, this beautiful rose."

Carrie looked at Mike, and started to smile.

  "Mike Horton, you are such a wonderful person. I really needed
this today, thank you for everything."

Carrie got up and went over to him. She bent down and kissed him
on the cheek, then moved back, and started to eat

                      ~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Eric stood outside the DiMera mansion, wondering if he would
run into Kristen. He didn't know how he would react to her. He
rang the bell, and waited. The door opened, and he knew the woman
standing in front of him, was Kristen.

  "Yes, may I help you?"

  "I'm Eric Brady, and I came here, to see my father."

  "Oh, hi, please come in."

Eric walked into the house and waited for Kristen to close the door.
She turned around and smiled at him.

  "I'm Kristen Black."

  "Excuse me, but I know, that you never married John, so don't
you think you shouldn't be using a name, that doesn't belong to
you?"

Kristen shrugged her shoulders, as if she was saying she didn't
care.

  "I am so glad to meet you."

  "Well, I can't say the same to you. Look, I want to see my dad,
so if you will tell me, where he is, I'll go."

  "I'll show you, follow me."

Eric went up the stairs, behind Kristen.

  "It's the third door, on the right."

  "Thanks, and Kristen."

  "Yes Eric."

  "If that man in there, ends up not being my father, you will be
sorry, along with that demented father of yours."

Eric walked away, and Kristen's phone started to ring. She went
over, and picke it up.

  "Hello?"

  "Well, Eric Brady has returned, and he is as hot headed as his
father."

  "Stefano, will he be a problem with your plan?"

  "Oh no Kristen, not at all....."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

                                    Chapter 5

Marlena and John walked up to the house. They had spent a wonderful day
with the children, and it broke Marlena's heart, having to leave them.

  "Doc, why don't we have a quiet dinner in your room, and then take a
walk on the grounds."

  "Oh, I would like that, but I have to spend sometime with Roman."

  "Doc, I want to tell him everything, am I being selfish?"

Marlena put her hand up to his face.

  "Oh no my love, we should be together, and if Roman knew everything, he
would agree."

  "Doc, I want so much to make love to you all night."

  "John, I would like nothing more."

  "I have a great idea!"

  "What! Tell me?"

  "No, I think I will surprise you, but it won't be tonight, I have to
make some plans."

  "Tell me!"

  "Nope, I want it to be a surprise. Your just going to have to wait."

Marlena put her arm around him, and put her lips on his. Then they heard
the door being opened, and they stopped.

  "Oh, I thought I heard someone out here."

  "Can't you leave us alone," said Marlena.

  "My, aren't we testy tonight. If your interested, your son is
upstairs."

  "Yes, we know that Kristen," said John. "He came to see us first."

  "Well, why don't the both of you come in, I had cook make us dinner,
and had it set up in the garden. It's such a beautiful night."

Marlena and John looked at Kristen, stunned by what they heard.

  "You have got to be kidding Kristen," said John. "I wouldn't sit at any
table with you."

John and Marlena moved past her, and shook their heads.

  "I can't believe you," said Marlena. "John, I'm going up to see Roman."

  "Okay, I'm going to check to see if I have any messages."

  "No, you don't," said Kristen.

  "Kristen, I have my own message service, do you think I would leave
this number, I wouldn't get the messages if I did."

John went over to the phone, and dialed a number.

  "Yes, John Black here, any messages?"

  "Yes Mr Black, a Shane Donovan called, he'll call later this evening he
said."

  "Thank you," and John hung up.

                  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~**~

Marlena walked into Roman's room, and saw Eric sitting on Roman's bed.

  "How's Daddy?"

  "He just went to sleep. He was really happy to see me."

  "Yes, I guess he was. Where's the nurse?"

  "I told her to go get some dinner, that I would sit with Dad."

  "Have you seen your sisters?"

  "No, they weren't here. Dad said I just missed Sami."

  "Well, I'm sure they will be back tonight."

Marlena went over to Roman's chart, to check out what the nurse had
written. Marlena heard some footsteps coming down the hall, and looked
up, waiting to see who was coming. Then she smiled.

  "Hi Laura."

  "Hello sweetie, how are you doing?"

Marlena went over to Laura, and put her arms around her.

  "I'm doing better today, considering."

  "Considering that your not married to John and Kristen is claiming that
this man, is Roman."

Laura saw the young man sitting on the bed, and started to smile.

  "This can't be Eric?"

  "Yes it is," said Marlena. "He just came home today."

Eric got up and went over to Laura.

  "Hi Dr. Horton."

  "Oh please Eric, call me Laura. My you have grown up to be a fine
looking young man."

Eric blushed.

  "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

  "No, you didn't."

  "Did you see John downstairs?"

  "Yes, he's arguing with Kristen. The housekeeper let me in."

  "Well, she's trying to be the happy hostess."

  "Oh please, that is sickening."

  "Yes, I know."

John came into the room.

  "Hi Laura, I didn't know you were here."

  "The housekeeper let me in, and you were too busy arguing with
Kristen."

  "Oh, she tried to explain her reasons why she did what she did, but I
told her I didn't want to hear her reasons, because their all lies. What
she did, I could never forgive her."

  "Well, she thinks she did everything out of love for you John," said
Laura.

  "Yes, I know, but if she thinks that way, then what would she do if she
wasn't in love with me?"

  "Probably something much worse," said Marlena.

  "Doc, how's Roman?"

  "No change."

  "Shane's calling a little later."

  "Doc, are you here?"

The four of them turned around to see that Roman was awake.

  "Yes Roman, I'm here. Are you hungry?"

  "A little."

  "I'm having cook make something for him."

  "Thanks John."

  "Doc, come sit here with me."

John touched Marlena's back, and she looked at him, with such pain in her
eyes.

  "Okay Roman."

She went over to the bed, and sat down.

  "Did you like the surprise you had today?"

  "Yes, it was wonderful. I opened my eyes, and saw our son sitting
here."

  "Yes, it was such a surprise for me also."

  "He looks great, doesn't he?"

  "Hmmm, he does."

  "Has anyone else seen you Eric, from the family?"

  "No Dad, but I will catch up with everyone."

  "Good, make sure you go and see your grandparents, they will be
thrilled."

  "I will."

The nurse came into the room.

  "Dr Evans, I have Mr. Brady's dinner."

  "Oh, thank you. Let's get you sitting up."

Marlena helped Roman and then the nurse brought over the tray, and placed
it on front of him.

  "You eat your dinner, okay."

  "Are you staying?"

  "No, I have a few things to do, but I will be back, okay."

  "Fine."

  "Mom, I'll stay with Dad."

  "So will I Marlena," said Laura.

  "Thanks."

  "John, I guess you want to have dinner with that wife of yours."

  "Well Roman, Kristen I believe,has some other commitments for tonight."

  "Oh, well you and Doc should have dinner together, nothing worse than
eating alone."

  "Well, we might just do that Roman."

  "Okay, we are leaving so you can eat your dinner, and you eat
everything, you need to keep up your strength," said Marlena.

  "I will Doc, now go on, get out of here."

Marlena smiled at him, and left with John. She walked a little way, and
then leaned against the wall.

  "Oh John, I hate lying to him."

  "I do to Doc, but we will tell him the truth, when we know he can
handle it. Come on, dinner's waiting."

                ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~

Mike came back with a light jacket, that belonged to his grandfather, and
put it around Carrie's shoulder. She was sitting in front of the small
fire Mike had built.

  "Thanks for the jacket. It's so peaceful here. It's like all my
troubles don't even exsist. Mike, thank you again. Today was a perfect
day."

  "No problem Carrie. You need to feel like your important to, so if Dr.
Mike Horton can do that for you, he will."

Carrie looked at her watch.

  "What time does the last ferry leave?"

  "Around nine, we have lots of time."

  "I want to go see my Dad still tonight. Give Marlena sometime with
John. After all, I know exactly how they both feel."

  "I hve to go back there also, to check you Dad. Carrie, can I ask you
something?"

  "Sure Mike."

  "What if that man, isn't your Dad?"

  "Well, then I will have to go through the pain of losing him again. I
am not letting my real feelings into my heart, just in case he isn't."

  "Smart move."

Carrie started to shiver.

  "Cold?"

  "Hmmm, just a little"

  "Well,if you don't mind me putting these arms around you, to get you
warm, between friends of course."

  "Mike Horton, I know that we are friends, and yes, I don't mind you
putting them around me."

Carrie moved over by Mike, who then put his arms around her.

  "Warmer?"  "Yep, thanks. Look at those stars, they are so wonderful," said Carrie.

Mike looked up and agreed with her, then when they put their heads down,
their faces were close, close enough for Mike to do something he has
wanted to do for so long, and Mike put his lips on Carrie's.......
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*