Now dry those tears and don't cry. Thanks Abe. I think I will go to the
bridge and see if I can't get him to come down. Abe leaves for the bridge.
In the bridge:
 John what has you so upset ? you should be happy you just got Marlena
back. I know Bo and I love her more than my life but I don't know if I can
get passed Steffino's kids.
 I would never ask her to give them up and I wouldn't ask her to choose.
John didn't she say you had to talk? Yea but I am not ready yet. I want her
Bo I want her, I want to take her in my arms and make love to her.
 It's been so long and I thought it would be different. I still love her I
always will but I don't know if I can get passed the kids.
To have that kind of a connection with Steffino? I don't think so. John go
talk to her then, decide. Abe enters John that is just what I was going to
say John she is hurt, confused and crying.
Give her a chance go down, go to her. I know she loves you just like you
love her. John relents and goes down to talk to Doc. She is sitting on the
couch. She is dressed in a very alluring night gown. She didn't realize
what she was wearing until now. John is going to get the wrong idea. There
were no clothes  on board however.
 John enters and his heart melts all he wants to do is go over and hold her
but he sits down next to her. He sees what she is wearing and try's not to
let it affect him but it does.  Marlena, John I know what you think.
 Doc I saw the tape I know what that animal did to you. I can't imagine
what you have endured at his hands but it doesn't matter I love you. John
sh........................I need you to know something.
 The children are mine as you  know by now. But John, John puts his finger
up to her mouth. Marlena you don't have to say anything I know there father
is. Steffino and I don't know if I can get passed that.
 Him having that kind of a hold on our lives. I want to be honest Marlena.
I don't know if I can ever get passed it.
 John he doesn't. He doesn't what? The children are yours, yours and mine.
What? Marlena you have been gone for a long time. Yes John, they are our
children. I didn't know it but I was pregnant when Steffino took me.
 It must of happened when we made love that night. At first I wasn't sure I
was pregnant  then I didn't want Steffino to know. I tried to hide it but
he knew. I thought he would use the children to get to you.
 Because the children were born late he didn't think you would believe they
were yours. They are ours John ours. I was hoping I could use it to make
him let me go but he was happy.
Two children he could raise as DeMera's. I prayed so hard John I knew you
would come I knew you would find me. All of a sudden they hear gun fire.
John pushes Doc to the floor.

Chapter 47
Stay down and don't move. John sneaks up to the bridge to see what is going
on . how ya doing Bo? I am OK but Abe has been hit. It's superficial I am
OK. What is it? A helicopter, I guess Steffino found out there gone.
 Stay down the ship is on automatic pilot. Are there any guns on board? Yea
on the lower deck. I will go get them. John sneaks back to where Doc is and
finds her gone. Doc.
 Doc where are you. John I am here with the children. just stay down. It's
a helicopter. I am taking some guns up to Bo and Abe. I'll be back. John
goes back to the bridge.
The chopper fly's by again spraying them with bullets. John hears Marlena
scream and he and Abe take off running. Marlena has one of the children
down on the floor and there is blood everywhere.
 Doc what happened are you hit? No John it's the baby. I can't get the
bleeding to stop. John!! It won't stop!
The helicopter disappears as the ship comes into site of land. Abe runs to
the radio room. This is commander Abe Carver Salem PD we need an air
ambulance for a critical infant.
We are on the Deidra about 35 miles from land.  We are on the way. The
paramedics lower from the chopper to the deck of the ship. After
stabilizing the baby they bring them up and leave for University Hospital.
John calls his pilot and arranges to have a chopper flown in for them so
they can get to the hospital.
At the Hospital:
Mike how is she? She has some kidney damage but the bullet went right
through and didn't hit any other major organs. She is lucky. By the way
Marlena it's great to see you back.
Thanks Mike  John is trying to do the paper work and calls Marlena. Marlena
what is her name? The nurse looks at John and says you are her father. Yes
I am.
John her name is Jennie and here is Amanda.. As she hands the baby to John.
The nurse is totally confused. Doc I think Amanda wants to eat and I want
to check on Abe. I will take her in with Jennie and I can feed her there.
I'll find Abe and be right back Doc.
Two floors up
Hey partner how are you feeling? It's nothing John just grazed the surface.
How is the baby John? My daughter's name is Jenny and she was lucky. No
major organs were hit. Your daughter?
Yes Abe Doc told me the twins are mine. That's the greatest gift I could
get. Abe I love her so much. Well you and Marlena are home and safe. I am
being released today.

Chapter 48

 I'll see you later partner. John returns to Doc. how is she doing? She is
restless and cries allot. Mike comes in to check her. Marlena are the
children on the bottle or are they nursed.
 I was nursing them but I can give her a bottle. No I would rather not
upset her now. If she will find comfort and be quieter nurse her. can I
pick her up? Be very gentle but yes you can..
 I want her to stay quite so whatever it takes. OK thanks Mike. John will
you take Amanda?. Doc picks up the infant and sits in the rocking chair and
nurses the fitful baby. She sings to her and she settles down and falls
into a restful sleep. It is amazing how you do that Doc. Do what? Take a
very fitful child, calm them and put them in a restful sleep.
Three days later they can take Jennie home. John I will be happy just to
get the twins home and be able to have a somewhat normal life. Besides you
need time to spend with your two new babies. I still can't believe they are
mine. John Steffino didn't touch me. I am so sorry doc. I wish I could of
found you sooner. John, John don't go there you did all you could and I
only did what I had to do to survive. It is behind us let's leave it there.
Sounds like a good idea.
For the next three nights John sleeps in the children's room. John why are
you sleeping with the children? Oh Doc I just got up with one of them and I
fell asleep. Marlena wonders if there is a problem that John doesn't or
won't talk to her about.
At police headquarters:
Hi Abe. Hi John how is the family? There great. John why don't I believe
you and what are you doing here you should be home with Marlena. Abe
doesn't miss the tightened expression that John made at the sound of
Marlena's name. Hey buddy is there something wrong? No . John this is me
you are talking to. Tell me. Abe I know what happened to Doc was nothing
she had control over but I have a hard time at the thought of making love
to her. I love her Abe with all my heart but I can't touch her. The kids
too, I have a hard time with. Doc would never lie to me I know but the
timing is so close.
John I think you need to talk to her about it. I can't Abe. I don't want to
hurt her more. She has been hurt to many times. If she knows how I feel it
would distort her. I am the lifeline, the rock she depends on. I can't take
that away from her. John how long do you think you are going to be able to
make excuses? I think I have run out Marlena want's us to sleep together.
John how about talking to Laura? She is Doc's best friend how can I talk to
her about this. John she is a doctor.
At home,
Thanks for coming over Laura. Well Marlena you said it was important. Yes
it is. Well let's talk about it then. Laura John won't touch me. What do
you mean he won't touch you. He won't be intament with me he tries to avoid
coming in contact with me. Laura  John and I have always been so
passionate. I know something is terribly wrong. Have you tried to talk to
him about it? Laura he tries to duck it. Every time I try to talk to him he
changes the subject. Marlena John has a hard time with anyone touching you.
He saw the tape. He may have a hard time dealing with it. John mentioned
the tape too. What tape? .John found a tape on Steffino's plane. It was
about what he did to you and the children. Laura have you seen the tape? No
can we get it and look at it. I suppose so. Laura I didn't make a movie and
I am not in any I know of. Laura because I was pregnant Steffino didn't
touch me. He treated me with kid gloves he didn't want anything to happen
to the baby. He desperately wanted a baby so he could raise them to be a
true DeMera. It didn't matter that it wasn't his baby. But after their
birth? Still he didn't touch me he wanted what was best for the twins so I
had to nurse them no matter what I wanted. Do you think that this is what
John is troubled with?
Let me call Abe and see if we can see the tape. Abe Laura, I know this is a
little unusual but do you think Marlena and I could see the tape? Sure
Laura I will set it up. just come on over. John leaves the police station
moments before the girls arrive. I put it on this TV so you could have some
privacy. Thanks Abe. The girls start the vedio. They sat in silence not
knowing what to say. Marlena pulled the waste basket to her and threw up
into it. Oh my God Laura. How could one person do that to another? No
wonder John is having a hard time. Laura how do I make him understand that
that is not me? Marlena arrives home just after John. John hunny, yea Doc.
We need to talk. I am not in the mood to talk now. John you will sit here
and hear me out. John is startled at her direct tone and sits down. John I
know why you are having some difficulty handling all of this. Doc I don't
want to get into this with you now. John please sit and at least hear me
out. I saw the tape you found. You did? yes Laura and I went to the station
and watched it.
I couldn't believe that one person could do such horrible things to another
person. Don't you mean did to you? No John that was not me in that video.
Just the reverse was true. John he never touched me. He wanted to make sure
nothing would interfere with the pregnancy he wanted that baby and he
didn't care that it wasn't his child it would be brought up like a true
DeMera.. After the baby was born I had to nurse them. That is what I wanted
any way but he didn't know that. John I know the timing is very close and
maybe you don't believe me but the babies are yours. If you want to do a
paternity test I will not object. Marlena I do believe you I just had a
hard time dealing with everything that has happened in the last several
days. John sh.............................. she clames his mouth for a very
loving kiss. Her hand roams below his pants. John lifts her up and caries
her to the bed. oh Doc how I have missed you. Like I have missed you honny.
John kisses her and licks her ear his kiss soft and sweet Her tongue  runs
down his chest and is followed by kisses. His hands feel like she is on
fire. In  heat of passion, he is pleased to see her respond to him. There
love renewed, a new begging for both of them. It was like the first time.
The excitement and the fervor of new found love.. Doc I want to worship
your body to take in all of you. I love your nose and your arms. Your
breast oh how I love them they are very sensitive to his touch. I love your
waist. The way it curves and leads to her legs. Her girl parts. The place
he takes her to near oblivion. The depth of desire. He rubs his hands
between her legs searching for his desired location. Marlena by now has
just about reached her climax. She is on the ebb of being satisfied. Please
John please take me now. John could hold no more and granted her plee..
United in love .oh John that was incredible. Doc I have always loved you
and I always will.
The children start to fuss. John I will have to feed them they are probably
hungry. I'll get them for you. Marlena changes her clothes. She puts on
clothes that are more conducive to nursing. Here you go Doc. All nice and
clean. Babies always smell so good. John entertains  Amanda and Marlena
nurses Jennie.
At the police station Abe is trying to identify the woman on the video
Well Abe we got Doc back is it important that we finf out. Who is she? It
could be a way to find steffino. Abe
There has been three more fires and all Steffino's  property

Chapter 50
. Abe calls  John on his sell phone. John I have an idea let's go back to
the church something tells me that there is more there.
Meet you there in an hour. Doc I have to go with  Abe. Max's  will be with
you till I get back. Wait a minute John I am nursing the baby can't he wait
outside? Doc use a blanket I don't want you out of site for a second. Max
don't let her out of your site for a second. No exceptions.
 Yes sir. Doc there are also people on the grounds and in the house. Aren't
you going a little too far? Doc he will not get you or the kids again. John
you be careful. I will Doc now rest.
John meets Abe at the church. There is a different priest here now. Is that
normal to change so often?
Let's ask, father this church has had three priests in the last 4 months is
that normal? Well father Jansen  was going to Tibet on a pilgrimage, then
there was father Jorden he asked to be moved and I am here now
. Abe and John look at one another well that sounds plausible. John let's
check out that tapestry again. May we father?
 I don't see any harm in that. John and Abe remove the tapestry from the
wall and examine it. What are we looking for John? I am not sure Abe but
for some reason I think it is the clue we need.
 Look Abe there is a house and a name here and the garden out in the back
of the church. Each square has a different picture on it. Abe this is the
warehouse and the pier and the storage
 Abe this is a list of all of his holdings. Look there five are the ones
that were burned and here is the church. There are hundreds more John it
would take us for ever to track them all down.
 But look Abe look at were the burned places are. There locations form an O
and it says here, the morning light in pinken glow will mirror the kingdom
queen. What is that suppose to mean John?