Oh Roman, John pulls her into an embrace. Doc lets him comfort her.
John
this is why you made love to me?
You knew that Roman wouldn't be here to object? John this doesn't
change
anything. I am still married to Roman, we can't be together. I have
to find
him and try to work things out. No Doc you don't.
Roman made it perfectly clear he doesn't want you. Doc you can't
patch up
a marriage when one person in it leaves As hard as it is Doc
you are a
free woman, free to love me. We don't have to hide our feelings any
more.
Oh John if that were only true. The couple are sitting on the sofa,
John
holding Marlena and they fall asleep.
John wakes and leaves. Marlena wakes several hours later. What to do
about
Roman. That is all I can think about. I hurt him so bad and all of
our
friends and relatives.
No one will want to have anything to do with me. Oh John why didn't
we
stop. No one would have been hurt. She knew why, she could not denigh
her
love for John. Not any more.
If it means giving up on Roman, well he made that decision very clear
then
so be it. I have to face people and some how get through all the hurt.
The
door bell rings. Doc goes to answer it.
Hi Carrie, come on in. Marlena I wanted you to know about a conversation
I
had with John.
What was that? I don't blame you for anything, you love John. You always
have and I think that love is a bond that will never be broken.
I know you didn't mean to hurt Dad but the circumstances were very
difficult at the time. I think of John as my dad just as much as Roman.
Thank you Carrie for saying that.
I just hope other people will be so kind. Marlena it's going
to be
difficult for a while but you can get through it. People are not going
to
like to see you with John but after a wile they will accept you both.
Thanks for dropping by Carrie. I hope you are feeling better. Just
tired
but the DR said that was normal for a few days. Well Marlena if there
is
anything you or John need please call me. Thanks Carrie. Well I have
to
meet Mike for lunch so I will see you later. Carrie gives Marlena a
hug and
leaves.
Can this all be as simple as Carrie and John think it is? I am still
the
one that hurt Roman so bad. Mrs. Brady, yes Ellen what is it? Belle
needs
to be fed. Ill be right up. Thank goodness for Belle and the little
quiet
times we spend together.
I think that is all that keeps me going lately. The pain of what I
have
done is incredible. Roman why didn't you stay and try to work things
out?
Can I put all this behind us?
Chapter 18
John walks in the penthouse. Doc Doc. I am up in the bedroom John.
Hey how
are you feeling today? John goes up to her room. Oh I didn't know you
were
feeding Belle. I came at the right time. John! I am much better thanks
to
you.
Doc she is growing like a weed. Every time I see her she looks
bigger.
John I need to take her for her check up later today.
Oh no your not. Excuse me. Doc you know that DR Bader said you have
to rest
till your appointment in a few days.
I will take our daughter for her check up. As soon as you are finished
nursing her we will leave. Ill pack a diaper bag.
Are you sure you want to do this? She will be all right Doc.
I worry about you John not Belle. Very funny lady. John dresses the
baby
and leaves for the Doctors. Marlena lays down on the bed and falls
asleep.
Sleep my queen sleep. Soon you will be with me.
John senses someone following him and makes a note to increase security.
After the baby's check up John puts the baby in the nursery and then
cracks
Doc's door to see if she
is still sleeping. John is startled by what he sees and goes in the
room.
Lying on the bed next to Marlena is a small gold crown. Steffino!!
Every time I think we can be happy he raises his ugly head. You will
not
get her not this time. John hides the crown till he can get it to Abe
for
fingerprints. John leaves the room and calls his security people. I
want
the penthouse covered especially Doc and the baby.
Yes Mr. Black we understand. I will have the men on duty immediately.
John
then calls Abe.
Abe I just came over to the penthouse and found a gold crown lying
on the
bed next to Doc. Steffino!! That's my guess. OK John we will
want to check
the penthouse can you take Marlena out?
Sure Abe give me an hour. Doc wakes up. John, John I am here Doc. as
John
runs in the room and hugs her. I just had a bad dream. Well you are
safe
with me now.
How about we take a ride in the country? It will do you good to get
out and
you will be resting in the car. That sounds great John. Give me a few
minutes to get ready and Belle can go too.
Doc comes down the stairs with Belle. Doc you all set and ready to
go?
John, Marlena and Belle all pile into the car and off they go.
Abe and his
men move in and search the penthouse to no avail. Thanks guys
we tried.
Abe calls John on his cell phone.
John we didn't find anything. Are you sure? We will do another
sweep of
the penthouse before we leave but I think we will come up empty handed
again. John we did get another tip about the broken church window.
Any
leads? No.. OK thanks buddy
Chapter 19
John this was a wonderful idea. Are you enjoying yourself? This is
the best
day I have had in a long time.. Well good I aim to please. Who was
the
phone call from?
It was Abe I had him run down some leads I had but they didn't work
out.
John could we stop in the park? You read my mind Doc. I even brought
a
picnic basket. Oh John, how sweet.
The happy couple find a secluded spot to sit. The day is perfect for
a
picnic and the park has just been landscaped for spring
John spreads the blanket for Doc and Belle to sit. Thank you. Belle
is
hungry
I will have to nurse her John I didn't bring a bottle.
That's OK Doc why don't you lay down on the blanket. You can nurse
Belle
and I will set up our lunch. Oh, John what did you do? It's a surprise,
you
take your time there and you will see in a minute.
Marlena nurses Belle and they both fall asleep. Doc I knew you were
doing
too much. Your body is telling you need to rest. Well little lady you
can
sleep and I will sit here looking at my beautiful wife and daughter
lying
there. Doc I love you so much.
John lays down next to his sleeping family and looks at the sky finding
soft and fluffy clouds. There is a rustling of bushes near where they
are
lying. John hears it and is immediately responsive. John scans the
surrounding area and sees nothing. probably an animal.
John goes back to his family. Doc is just waking up. John I didn't
mean to
fall asleep. That's OK you needed to sleep remember doctors orders.
John
you have outdone yourself. This lunch is wonderful.
After lunch John packs his family back in the car. On the way
John sees
something he wants to investigate. Ill be along in a minute Doc. You
and
Belle get in the car .
John walks back to where they were and see's footprints in the dirt.
He
returns to the car. Did we forget something John? No just checking.
John
drives them home and tucks them into bed.
Doc is sleeping as soon as her head hits the pillow. I know Dr. Bader
said
you needed to rest but you seem to be sleeping more than you should
need
to. Your check up is tomorrow I will have to ask her.
Well Marlena everything looks good. I don't see any reason why you
can't
resume your normal activities just cut the stress. Thank you DR Bader.
John, Marlena is dressing and will be out in a minute.
DR can I talk to you before Doc gets out here? What is it John? Well
it may
be nothing but she seems to sleep allot. What do you mean John? Well
we
went on a picnic and as soon as we got out of the car and to the blanket
she was asleep.
Chapter 20
Then when we got home she fell asleep again. She can be in the middle
of
something and fall asleep. That's not right John. I will run a set
of blood
work and see what it turns up. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
John turned to go but Marlena hasn't come out of the room yet. DR Bader
where is Marlena?
She hasn't come out yet? No, John runs into the room fearing for her
safety
and finds her asleep. See Doctor Bader this is what I mean. Doc was
in the
middle of getting dressed and she fell asleep.
Can we wake her? Some times and other times it has to be when she is
ready
to wake up. John I want her admitted at once. This is allot more serious
than we thought. John lifts Doc off the table and dresses her.
Marlena is still asleep when he puts her in the car. John's cell
phone
rings. John here. Abe what's up? John the warehouse we had staked out
looking for Steffino burned to the ground about an hour ago.
Why is it that we get beaten at every turn? Every time we get
close the
old man covers his tracts. I don't know John oh by the way how is Marlena?
The Doctor wants to admit her.
Let me know if you need anything thanks John is on the way to the hospital
and Doc wakes up. John where are we going?
You don't remember? No I just have a headache. Well you were at the
doctors
office for your check up and you fell asleep.
Oh John that is terrible how could I have done that? Doc Dr. Bader
wants
you to be admitted to the hospital. No John, I don't want to be there,
I
want to be home with you and Belle.
This is only to run some tests. Everything is going to be fine and
I will
be taking you home soon.
John please don't do this. Doc it has to be done. We need to
know why you
are sleeping so much. John don't do this! Doc it's just for a day or
two.
John checks her into the hospital and gets her settled in a room.
Crying Doc talks to John I don't know how you can do this to me. Doc
it's
not a punishment it is just to take some tests
Marlena becomes very agitated and John calls for Laura. Hi John, Marlena,
what is it I hear you are not being a very good patient. Laura maybe
you
can talk some sense into him. He wont listen to me.
There is no reason for me to be here. So I sleep a little I feel fine.
Marlena sweetie you know I am your friend and I would do anything
in the
world for you but this time John is right.
You need to be here. Marlena becomes very agitated. Laura steps out
into
the hall to speak to John. John what happened I have never seen Marlena
act
like that? I don't know Laura she is terrified and doesn't want to
be here
for some reason.