Mike was in the hall, when he heard the screaming. He ran and started to
bang on the door.

  "CARRIE, IT'S ME, MIKE! ARE YOU ALRIGHT? CARRIE!"

Mike got scared, since she wasn't answering him, so he tried the door. It
was unlocked. He opened it and rushed inside. He saw Carrie sitting on
the couch, looking at him, dazed.

  "Mike, oh, I'm so glad your here."

  "I heard you screaming, what's going on?"

  "I had a nightmare. Austin told me it was over. It's an omen Mike,
there's no hope for us."

  "Carrie, it was only a dream."

Mike sat down beside her.

  "Come here," and Carrie fell into Mike's arms, sobbing.

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

Eric went inside the DiMera mansion. He had to see if Carrie was right
about Sami having her memory back. He walked into the room, and heard
voices coming from outside. He walked towards the door, and saw his
parents, with Sami and Will. He went out to join them.

  "Hey everybody!"

  "Hi son, look, the old man is out of bed."

  "That's great Dad."

Little Will looked at his uncle.

  "Will, that's your Uncle Eric. Want to go see him?"

Eric walked over to Will, and bent down.

  "Hey there big guy."

Will reached out and Eric picked him up.

  "You know Sami, I can't really tell who he looks like, not much of
Austin in him?"

  "Of course their is. He is his Daddy's son."

Eric looked again at Will, and then looked back at Sami. He noticed that
she was acting strangely now, nervous almost. Sami looked at her watch,
then gasped.

  "Is this the time? Oh Will, it's time for you to go home and have your
lunch and get that nap in. I didn't realize it was that late. I'm sorry
Daddy, but we have to go, but I'll see if Grandma can watch Will later,
and I will be back."

  "Okay peanut."

Sami went over to Roman, and kissed him, then took Will from Eric.

  "Will say goodbye to your Grandpa."

Will grunted, and everyone laughed.

  "I'll see everyone later."

  "Bye Sami," said Marlena, and she went over and kissed her and Will.

  "Goodbye my angel."

Sami left the garden.

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

  "Dad, you look a little tired, maybe we should get you back up to bed."

  "Just a few more minutes. I really love being out here."

  "Okay Roman, but only for a few more minutes."

Kristen walked out, into the garden, with some servants behind her.

  "Oh, good, you haven't gone in. I had the staff prepare a late lunch
for all of us, and I thought it would be nice to eat out here."

Marlena looked at her.
 

  "We were taking Roman in."

  "Doc, I would love to have lunch out here."

Marlena looked down at Roman, and smiled.

  "Okay, sure, but right after lunch, back to bed."

  "Okay, it's a deal."

  "Good. The staff will have everything ready in a minute. Oh, I do hope
John get's home soon, so then he can join us. He's probably out shopping,
buying me another present, he's such a generous man, and he loves me so."

Marlena turned her head away, so Roman couldn't see her expression.

  "Eric, you will join us, there's plenty of food."

  "Yes, he will," said Roman. "I have missed so much of your life, I want
to know what you have been doing."

  "Sure, for you Dad, I'll stay. Uh, Mom, could I talk to you for a
minute?"

  "Sure honey."

  "I'll take Roman over to the table, while you two chat."

Kristen pushed the wheelchair away from Eric and Marlena where standing.

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

  "What is it Eric?"

  "I'm really worried about Carrie. She's so upset with what's going on."

  "Yes, I know, but we can't do anything to jepordized Sami, not getting
her memory back."

  "She can't recall anything?"

  "Well, she had the memory of the affair between John and myself, and
giving birth to Will, but nothing else, well the important memories, like
what she was like before the accident, why?"

  "Carrie thinks she has it back, all of her memory. You haven't seen any
signs of it?"

  "No, but if she does, she's hiding it really well."

  "HEY YOU TWO, COME ON, LUNCH IS SERVED," yelled Kristen.

Marlena looked over in Kristen's direction.

  "Oh, something I really want to do, is sit and have a meal with her."

  "Just do it for Dad, Mom."

  "Yes, for your Dad, come on."

They went over towards the table."

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

  "Thanks Alice, I really appreicate it. Yes, I will. Bye."

John hung up the phone, and looked at some papers sitting on his desk. He
couldn't concentrate, his mind was reeling with all that had happened
these past months. Kristen being exposed, Marlena and him, telling how
they really felt about each other, the wedding, that didn't take place,
because of Kristen and Stefano. Roman was alive, and he was happy for the
Brady's, but wht would this do to his relationship with Marlena, since
Kristen lied to the man, and what if he's not Roman. It hasn't been ruled
out. Still now sign of Shane, and he was worried about that. He could
answer a lot of unanswered questions. They had to rely on whatever was
told to them by Kristen, and Roman. John put his head down, and took a
deep breath. He lifted his head to find Abe, standing there.

  "I knocked, but I guess you didn't hear me."

  "No, I was deep in thought."

  "About?"

  "Oh, everything, you know partner, right now, I would be on my
honeymoon, enjoying the time with the woman I love, but instead, I'm
resorted to put together something so we can spend some time alone. You
know, I would have told Roman right away, told him about what a lying
scheming person Kristen really is, and why she brought him here, but how
can I hurt him like that?"

  "John, aren't you going to hurt him anyways, when he finds out the
truth?"

John looked at Abe, and shook his head.

  "I came here to tell you that we have no news on Stefano's wereabouts,
and I checked in with the ISA, nothing on Shane. And they have contacted
Kim, to tell her."

John looked over at Abe.

  "They think he's dead, they have stopped the search, haven't they?"

  "Yes."

  "I know Stefano's has something to do with this, I just know it!"

  "We have no proof John."

  "I know. Marlena is going to be upset by this news. I should call Kim,
she's a sister to me."

  "I'll give you some privacy."

  "Thanks for coming over to tell me in person."

  "See you later John."

  "Bye Abe."

John picked up the phone and made his call to Kim.
 

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

  "I wonder where John got to, he usually calls when he's late," said
Kristen.

Marlena was poking the food around on the plate. She didn't have much of
an appiette.

  "Doc, your not eating."

  "Hmmm, oh, I'm not that hungry."

  "Marlena, cook made all your favorites. Marlena moved in here with us,
when I was pregnant. She was concerned for my baby's health, and mine.
But luck wasn't on my side, I lost my child in Paris, and my Mother,
thanks to Stefano. It was  a tramatic time for me, but my good friend
Marlena, helped me through it, she even stayed with us after we got back
from Paris."

  "I'm sorry to hear of your loss Kristen. Are you and John trying for
more children?"

  "It's complicated, but I hope that we will be blessed again."

Marlena looked at Eric, then got up from the table.

  "Doc, something wrong?"

  "I have this headache, Roman if you don't mind, I'm going inside to lay
down. Eric and Suzie can make sure you get back to bed."

  "Sure, that's no problem Mom."

  "Go in and lay down Marlena, when you feel better, come by and see me."

  "I will."

Marlena went over to Roman, and squeezed his shoulder. The she glared at
Kristen.

  "Oh look, wer ran out of iced tea, I'll go get some more."

  "No Kristen, don't bother," said Roman.

  "Oh, it's not, I'll be right back, beside's I want to check to see if
John's called."

Kristen got up and went inside the house.........
 
 

                                 To be continued.....

                                    Chapter 12

"Marlena, I think you should try and get along with me when your around
Roman. He's going to wonder why you and I don't seem like we are good
friends."

  "Kristen, I can take so much of this lying, but only to a point. Oh, I'm not
going to waste my breath with you, so, if you will excuse me, I'm going upstairs
to phone my children."

  "Oh, you mean Belle, don't you?"

  "Yes, and Brady."

  "Marlena, he's not your son, so why do you call him yours."

  "In my heart Kristen, that little boy is like my own. I am the only mother
figure he's had."

  "Now, that's a lie. I have been there for him."

  "And thank goodness you were found out before you had anymore exposure to him.
I could just imagine how he may have turned out, with your influence."

  "Oh Marlena, aren't you being a little dramatic?"

  "Kristen, I am not going to stand here, and argue with you."

Marlena left the room, and Kristen turned and went towards the kitchen.

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

  "Eric, have you notice that their is some tension between your Mother and
Kristen? It's like your Mother hates Kristen. Has your Mother gotten over John
or does she hold some kind of grudge, that John married Kristen?"

Eric sat, trying to figure what to say, without giving anything away.

  "Dad, I don't sense anything wrong. Why do you say that?"

  "Your Mother, the looks she gives Kristen. Her eyes, they show the look of
hate."

  "Dad, I think your reading something that's not their. You look a little
tired, why don't Suzie and I take you upstairs, so you can get some rest."

  "Okay, I am getting tired."

Kristen came out in the garden.

  "What's going on?"

  "My Dad's a little tired. We are taking him upstairs.Suzie, could you wheel
him in, I just want to talk to Kristen?"

  "Sure."

  "Before I go, thank you for the lunch."

  "Don't be silly, your our guests. We want you to feel that this is your home,
while you are  here."

  "Thank you Kristen. Doc and I appriecate this. Okay Suzie."

  "Suzie, just wait by the elevator, I'll be there in a minute."

She nodded her head, and left with Roman.

  "Eric, what's wrong?"

  "My Father has picked up on the tension between you and my Mother."

  "Well, talk to her about it."

  "Kristen, I think it would be wise if you stayed away from my Mother, when my
Father is in the room. Better still stay away from her completely."

  "Well, aren't we overprotective."

  "Why not, what you and your demented Father has done to my family, and are
trying to destroy us once again."

  "How can you say I am trying to destroy your family. I brought your Father back
to you, and not one of you Brady's are grateful. No thank you's, nothing. You just
think I have motives behind me bringing back Roman."

Eric started to get angry.

  "WELL YOU DO KRISTEN, YOUR TRYING TO SPLIT UP MY MOM AND JOHN. I LOVE MY DAD,
AND I WANT HIM WELL, AND YES, I AM HAPPY HE'S HOME, BUT MY MOM LOVES JOHN, AND
THEY SHOULD BE TOGETHER, AND HAPPY, AND MY FATHER SHOULD KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON,
SO HE WON'T BE HOLDING ON TO FALSE HOPES."

  "Hey! What the hell is going on out here?" said John.

  "Kristen and I are having a little disscusion."

  "It didn't sound like a disscusion to me."

  "I know John, he's screaming at me."

  "And, you probably deserved it."

  "I have to go inside, Suzie's waiting for me."

  "No Eric, when I got home, she was coming out here, to get you, but I helped
her. So I can find out what the hell is going on here."

  "Well, I'm not staying here and be attacked by the two of you."

Kristen stormed out of the garden.

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

  "Okay, she's gone, what is going on?"

John saw the table, and noticed the table settings, for four.

  "She didn't do this?"

  "Yes, and made Mom and me sit here, with Dad, and we had to listen to her
lie somemore to him. Mom couldn't take anymore of it, and excused herself.
And I think Kristen had a go at Mom inside after she left the garden. My Dad,
noticed the tension between them, but more from Mom. He thinks Mom is jealous
of you marrying Kristen. I had to lie to my father, and I hate doing that."

  "I know Eric, and if I had my way Roman would know the truth, but until
we know the nature of what is making him so sick, we can't tell him anything.
When is Mike going to get the results?"

  "They want to make sure everything is accurate, probably tomorrow," said Eric.

  "Listen, why don't you go back to Carrie's, and come back later."

  "Yeah, I think I will. Better still, I'll go over to see my Grandparents. I
haven't seen them yet."

  "Good idea."

  "I'll see you later John."

  "Bye Eric."

John watched Eric leave and went over and sat down.

 "Oh good, he's gone."

Kristen sat in the chair near him.

  "I saw all the packages, are they for me?"

John looked at her.

  "You know something, you are really pathetic. I wish you would leave me alone."

Kristen got up, and went over to John.

  "Please Kristen, don't even think about it. I'm leaving."

John got up and Kristen grabbed him, and put her arms around him.

  "Please Kristen, don't do this. I can't even stomach your arms being around me.
You can't seduce me anymore, cause I don't find you desirable, I find you disgusting,
and the thought of you... please, just leave me alone Kristen!"

John pulled her arms off him and shook his head.

  "I swear, by next week, we will all be out of  here, and you can take that to
the bank...."

                                 To be continued....
 
 

                                    Chapter 13

John went upstairs with the packages. He knocked on Marlena's door, and waited.

  "Doc, are you in there?"

He opened the door, and looked inside. She was laying on the bed, asleep. He
smiled and closed the door, and went into his room. He took the large box
out of the bag, and then reached in and took out the black velvet box. He removed
another box, much smaller and put it on the desk. He sat down at the desk, and
started to write a note. He then got up and took the boxes with him. He went
into Marlena's room, and put everything on the dresser.

  "Doc, your exhausted. Worrying about Roman, your children, and having to put
up with Kristen. Sleep my lady," and John leaned down and kissed her, softly on
the cheek, then left her room.

The housekeeper was coming down the hall and John stopped her.

  "Could you do me a favor?"

  "Yes Mr Black."

  "Can you make sure Dr Evans is awaken in about an hour."

  "Sure Mr Black."

  "Thank you."

She left and John went towards Roman's room. When he walked in Carrie and Mike
where in there, along with Eric.

  "Hey Carrie, you just get here?"

  "Yes, where's Marlena?"

  "Asleep! Are you sticking around?"

  "Yes, I haven't been here much."

  "Why don't you have dinner with Roman. I'll arrange everything."

  "That would be a great. He just nodded off, so I think I'll go downstairs, and
take a walk around the garden, it's such a beautiful night."

  "Sis, I'll join you. Suzie will be here with him. What time does the night nurse
come on Suzie?"

  "At 9:00," she said.

Mike finished looking over Roman's chart and went towards Carrie, Eric and John.

  "Mike, how's my Dad?" asked Carrie.

  "There's no change. I wish they would get that file to me."

  "Could it be possible that the reason is Stefano is forging the records?" asked
Carrie.

  "Possible," said John.

  "Mike, call them again," said Eric.

  "I did, they told me they were on  the way."

John looked at his watch.

  "Sorry everyone, but I have some plans for this evening, and I have to get
ready. I'll go and talk to cook, and arrange for dinner for all of you."

  "Thanks John. Enjoy your evening," said Carrie.

John nodded his head and left the room. Carrie looked at Mike and Eric, then spoke;

  "Let's go downstairs to the garden."

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

Sami and Austin were let into the house and were about to go upstairs, when they
Eric, Carrie and Mike coming down the stairs. Sami watched them, and decided it
was time to really put the punch, that would put Carrie right into Mike's arms,
and who knows, maybe his bed.

  "Hi everyone, where are you going?"

  "Into the garden Sami," said Eric.

  "Dad's sleeping," Carrie added.

  "Where's Mom, I have some great news to tell her."

  "She's sleeping also," said Carrie.

  "What's the news?" asked Eric.

Sami grabbed Austin's hand.

  "We found our house. It's close to Kate's, it's a nice little home for our
family. Isn't that right Austin?"

  "Yeah Sami, Will's going to love it, as much as we did."

  "We can't move in for a few months, but it's going to be great, I'll be able to
fix it up the way I want it to look like, make it feel like our home."

Carrie turned around, and started to walk away from them.

  "What's the matter with Carrie. I thought she would be happy for us?"

  "I'll go and check on her," said Eric.

  "No Eric, I'll do it," said Mike.

Austin watched as Mike went after Carrie.

  "I'm going to check and see if Daddy's still sleeping."

  "Sami, if he is, let him get his rest. Come back down, okay?"

  "Eric, I will."

Sami went up the stairs, and Eric turned and looked at Austin.

  "What the hell is going on here? You are setting up house with Sami now."

  "Look Eric, I don't know if I will ever get the annulment, and I have to
think of my son also. I think that Carrie can be happy with Mike."

  "She loves you man, can't you see how much that she was hurt by this news?"

  "I know, but it will go away, after awhile. Mike will get her through it."

  "Mike will get her through it, what are you talking about? They are friends,
that's all. And I don't think you are being fair to either of my sisters. Sami
should be told the truth, she is strong enough to take it, that's if she doen't
already know everything already."

  "She doesn't have her memory back Eric."

  "How do you know that. She could and is playing the sweet Sami to fool us all."

  "Look Eric, I don't want to discuss this anymore. Tell Sami I had to leave and
I will be back in awhile."

Austin turned and left the house. Eric shook his head and went into the living
room. Sami appeared at the top of the stairs, smiling.

  "Yes, this is working just great!"

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

  "Carrie, are you alright?"

  "Mike, I can't take anymore of this. They have a house, they are moving in there,
together. That's it Mike. I have lost Austin, and I have to go on with my life.
Start living for Carrie, and not for Carrie and Austin. And I think the first
thing is to give Austin back his ring."

  "Carrie, I think you should wait, and see if your suspicions about Sami are
true. Your upset, give yourself some time to get over this shock."

  "Mike Horton, thank you."

Carrie put her arms around Mike, and hugged him. She moved away a little, and
looked up at him. Then she looked deep into his blue eyes, and felt something
come over her. She moved close to him, and put her lips on his. She gave him a
short, tender kiss, that went from tender, to a more passionate one. Eric watched
from the living room, and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Sami came in, and
saw Eric looking at something, and walked up to him, and looked out. She smiled
at what she saw, only wishing Austin could have seen this.

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

Austin stood in the bushes, watching Mike and Carrie, kissing, and felt the
knife pierce his heart.

  "I've lost you Carrie, I have really lost you......"

                               To be continued.......
 
 

                                    Chapter 14

Marlena heard the knocking on her door.

  "Dr Evans, are you awake?"

  "Yes, thank you."

Marlena sat up, and looked at the time. She didn't even remember falling
asleep, she had such a headace after the fight with Kristen. She got up
off the bed, and ran her hands through her hair. She walked over towards
the dresser, and noticed the  boxes, and the envelope on top. She picked
it up and opened it. It was from John;

                      Hello, My Pretty Lady,

                  Open the boxes, and put on everything.
                  I'm sure you can find shoes to go with
                  what I have picked out. Then, when your
                  dressed, their will be a car waiting
                  for you, it will bring you to me.
                  Hurry!
                               I Love You,
                                  John

Marlena brought the letter up to her lips, and kissed it, then put it
down. She opened the first box. She removed the tissue paper, and found
the most stunning gown. She took it out, and put it up against her body.
It was a white, beaded, sleeveless gown, with a slit on the side. She put
the dress on the bed and then opened the smaller box. She gasped at the
sight of the necklace in it. Rubies with diamonds around each one, but
the color of the stones, they were so beautiful. She put the necklace
back into the case. She checked her watch, then smiled.

  "This must be part of my surprise. And I guess this evening is going to
be just full of them."

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

Carrie moved away from Mike, looking at him with embarssement, and
confusion on her face. Mike stood their, feeling his heart open and
taking in the love that he just felt this very moment, and he just didn't
want to lose that.

  "Oh Mike, I'm sorry. I don't know what....I have to....I'm sorry," and
Carrie ran out of the garden.

Austin watched her leave, and couldn't understand what was going on. Eric
watched Carrie run by him, and went  after her. Sami went out into the
garden.

  "Mike, do you know what's wrong with my sister? She's really upset."

  "Sami, it's personal."

  "You two have a fight?"

  "Sami, like I said, it's personal. I'm going to look for her."

Mike left and Austin came out from behind the bush.

  "Oh Austin! You gave me quite a fright."

  "What's wrong with Carrie?"

  "Lover's quarrel."

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

Stefano sat and watched what had just transpired in the garden. He sat in
his chair, chuckling out loud.

  "Now, that Sami Brady is unique.She has her players for her game, and
the way she is playing them, it's all going to her advantage. Bravo Sami,
I toast you. Now, the next thing you have to do is get Austin to renew
your vows in Church, and it will be a commitment, forever."

  "Stefano, what are you doing?"

  "Kristen, have you ever heard of knocking."

  "I did, but you didn't hear me. What's this nonsense I hear you
babbling about Sami. Who cares! It's John and Marlena we have to
concentrate on."

  "Kristen, I have been oberving her, and she knows what she wants, and
what she has to do to get it. Now, your are going to help her a little. I
want you to give her a gift, from me, her greatest admirer."

Stefano looked at the screen, then turned his head, but Kristen looked,
and gasped.

  "Why is he dressed like that?"

Stefano looked and saw John was dressed in a tux.

  "What the hell is going on over there Kristen?"

  "I haven't got a clue."

  "Well, don't you think you should go home and find out, instead of
being here!"

  "Oh, alright. What about Sami?"

  "I'll give you the details later. Go!"

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

John went into see Roman. Hope was sitting by the bed. She turned and saw
John, and got up.

  "My, don't you look wonderful."

John pulled at his sleeve of his jacket and laughed.

  "Thanks! I just came in to see how Roman was doing?"

  "He's sleeping, but don't you think that if he wakes up and sees you,
he might start to ask questions, about why you are so dressed up."

  "Don't worry Hope, I have everything covered."

Roman started to cough, and they both turned around. The nurse went over
to the bed and lifted Roman forward, as Hope ran on the other side to
help her. John went intot he bathroom, and came out with some water.
Roman stopped coughing, and John handed the nurse the glass. She brought
it up to Roman's lips. He drank fromt he glass, and she then put it down.

  "Are you alright Roman?" asked Hope.

  "Yes, the cough's just part of my illness. My Hope, you have grown more
beautiful since the last time I saw you."

  "Thank you Roman."

  "Give the old brother-in-law a hug."

Hope leaned over and embraced Roman.

  "Are you going to stay awhile?"

  "I sure am. As long as you want me to stay."

  "John, you and Kristen painting the town?"

  "No, actually, Marlena and I are spending the evening together."

Hope looked at John, shocked by what she had just heard  Roman looked at
him, in disbelief.

  "What do you mean?"

  "Oh, I'm sorry, that didn't come out right. Marlena and I are on the
board of this charity, and we have to attend this dinner, so we are going
together."

  "Kristen's not going with you?"

  "Oh, she hates these charity things. I think that she has made other
plans for tonight."

  "Are you waiting for Doc?"

  "No, I have to leave early, some last minute things I have to do. Hope,
tell Marlena I have a car waiting for her."

  "I will John, and have a wonderful evening."

  "Night Roman."

  "John."

John left the room, and Roman looked at Hope.

  "There's something going on here, and I don't think John is telling me
the truth about this evening. The cop in me is sensing that."

  "Roman, don't be silly, John told you everything. He was open about
where he was going with Marlena. So enough about that, and you have to
take all that postitive engry and get well."

  "Hope, I won't get well, no one know this yet, but, I'm dying."

Hope looked at Roman with shock.

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

Marlena was dressed and just had to put the finishing touch on, and that
was the necklace. She took it out of the box, and slipped it around her
neck, and fastened it. She went towards the mirror, and looked at her
reflection.

  "Well John Black, I'm ready and on my way."

Marlena grabbed her evening bag, and left the bedroom. She walked down
the hall, and was nearing Roman's room, when she heard something behind
her. She turned and saw Kristen, standing there.

  "Where the hell are you going, dressed like that?"

  "It's none of your business Kristen," and walked on down the hall.

She got to Roman's room, and saw Hope embracing Roman. She went inside.

  "Is their anything wrong?"

Hope moved away and wiped away the tears.

  "No Doc, Hope's just getting a little emotional. You look wonderful.
You are going to knock them out at the charity dinner."

  "John was here earlier, and told Roman the two of you had a dinner to
attend to."

  "Yes, I have to get going. You get some rest. I thought the children
were here?"

  "Oh, I'm sure their around here somewhere," said Roman.

  "Marlena, John said there's a car downstairs, waiting for you."

  "Thanks Hope."

Kristen came into the room.

  "Hello Roman."

  "Kristen, John told me that you were out for the evening."

  "Oh did he. Well, he was wrong. I forgot, where did he say he was
going?"

Hope spoke up.

  "A charity dinner, and Marlena, you better get going."

  "Yes, good night," and Marlena left.

Kristen turned and left the room also.

  "I'll be back in a minute Roman," said Hope.

Hope got up and left too...............

                               To be continued.......
 
 

                                    Chapter 15

Carrie was sitting in the front of the house, with her head down. Eric
came out, and sat beside her.

  "I think we should talk sis."

  "Okay, but let's go somewhere else, okay?"

  "Sure."

Eric and Carrie got up, and went back towards the garden.

  "Tell me what is going on Carrie. I saw you and Mike kissing."

Carrie looked at Eric, with tears in her eyes.

  "I don't know what came over me. Mike has feelings for me, and I
shouldn't have let him think, that maybe, we had a chance."

  "But Carrie, does he?"

  "What do you mean Eric? I love Austin."

  "Yes, I know you do, but this latest thing about them getting a
house together, it seems that they are moving towards being a family."

  "I know, and to me right now, it seems like this is the final step
to cementing the two of them together. I have to face it, that I
will never be with Austin. I know Sami has her memory back, and I
can't prove it, so, I think I have to start thinking about my life,
without Austin, and I think the first thing I have to do, is give
Austin back his ring."

  "Carrie, are you going to tell him, that your are giving up ?"

  "Eric, I can't go on waiting for him. It's time I start to live my
life."

Carrie started to cry, and Eric held her. Mike walked into the garden
and stopped. Eric saw him and let go of Carrie. She moved away and
turned around. Eric took her hand, and gave it a squeeze, then left
the two of them.

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

Marlena started to walk down the hall, when she felt a hand on her.
She was turned around, and Kristen was standing there.

  "What the hell do you think you and John are doing?"

  "Kristen, I haven't got a clue what your are talking about, so if you
will excuse me."

  "No, I won't have you sneaking off with my husband."

  "Kristen, John's not your husband, so why do you keep harping about
that."

Kristen started to move towards Marlena with clenched fists.

  "Kristen, stop right there," said Hope.

Kristen turned and looked at her.

  "This has nothing to do with you Hope, so why don't you go back in
with Roman."

Hope walked towards the two of them.

  "Yes, it does. Marlena and John are family, and good friends to me.
I won't have you disrupting their lives anymore, than you already have."

  "Please Hope, why don't you worry about your own life. Where's the
man you love, off to Rome, looking for an old love."

  "Bo is looking for Billie, yes, but I know where his heart is, and
that's with me."

  "Are you sure Hope?"

  "Kristen, nothing you say is going to make me doubt Bo's love. Now,
I'm going back to sit with Roman, and I suggest you go somewhere,
and leave us all alone."

  "Well Hope, I think you have forgotten that this is my home."

  "Yes, I know, but we wouldn't be all here, if you hadn't lied."

Marlena smiled at Hope and then continued down the hall. Then Hope
turned, and went down to Roman's room and went inside. Kristen looked
towards one of the hidden camera's.

  "Oh, why the hell am I getting all of this, while you sit there,
watching!"

Kristen stormed down to her room, and slammed the door.

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

Marlena went outside, and saw the limo waiting. The driver got out and
opened the door.

  "Dr Evans."

Marlena walked towards the car, and got in. The driver closed the door
and Marlena waited till he got in.

  "Do you know where we are going?"

  "I'm not at liberty to say."

  "Okay, I guess I'm just going to have to wait."

The car pulled away from the manison.

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

Mike went up to her, and took Carrie's hand.

  "Are you alright?"

  "I'm sorry Mike, the kiss. I am just so confused, at what is going
on in my life. I have just come to terms that Austin and I are never
going to be together. I am going to give back the ring for sure now.
I can't put my life on hold. What! It could be years. I need to have
a life."

  "Carrie, are you telling me, that you might think of giving us a
chance?"

  "Mike, I would really like it, if we just remained friends. I need
to find out who Carrie Brady is, alone, with no romantic connection."

  "Carrie, I can do that, but I will tell you right now, you will
not be alone. As long as I'm in your life, you will never be, friend!"

Carrie put her arms around Mike.

  "Thanks for understanding. We should go upstairs, and see my Dad."

  "Okay."

They left the garden and started to walk towards the doors to the living
room. When they got inside, Sami and Austin were sitting on the couch.

  "We are going up to see Dad," said Carrie.

  "We'll join you."

  "John is having dinner brought up to Dad's room, if you two want
to stay?"

  "Of course we would."

Mike took Carrie's hand and they left the room, with Sami and Austin
behind them. They were about to go upstairs, when the door bell rang.
Mike went over and answered it.

  "Dr Horton please!"

  "That's me."

  "This is for you."

  "Thanks."

Mike took the envelope, and closed the door. He opened it, and looked at
the file folder, then opened that. He looked through each sheet of
paper closely, studying it, re-reading some pages, then he closed it, and
looked over at them.

  "Mike, what's wrong?" said Carrie.

  "I think we should step back inside, in the other room. I'm not sure
Sami, that you will be able to handle this."

  "Just tell us Mike, it's about our Father, isn't it?" said Sami.

  "Yes!"

Sami moved closer to Austin.

  "Your father has a bacterial infection."

  "Oh, that's not so bad," said Sami.

  "Sami, this one is deadly. There is no cure."

  "Mike, are you telling us, our father, is dying?"

Mike looked at Carrie, hating to have to tell her more upsetting news,
after all she had been through so far today.

  "Yes, your Father is dying, and he doesn't have much time."

Mike heard Sami let out a pirecing scream, and dropped into Austin's
arms. Carrie felt the room start to spin, then everything went black.
Mike tried to catch Carrie, but she crumbled to the floor. Eric came
running into the room. Mike was down on the floor, with Carrie's
head in his lap.

  "What the heck is going on in here? What's wrong with Carrie?"

  "She fainted. Eric, my bag is in the hall."

  "I'll get it."

Eric ran out and came back with it. Mike checked Carrie's eyes.

  "She's in shock. I need something to keep her warm. There, grab
me that blanket."

Austin grabbed it and gave it to Mike. Hope came running down the
stairs.

  "What's happened? I heard a scream."

She saw Carrie on the ground, and Sami in Austin's arms. Then she knew
that they had found out the news. Mike picked up Carrie and put her
on the couch. He was rubbing her hand talking softly to her, then he
went into his bag, looking for something.

  "Mike, she's coming to," said Hope.

Carrie opened her eyes, and looked around. She looked at Mike, and
then sat up, and put her arms around him, holding him tightly, while
sobbing.

  "It's okay Carrie, I'm here."

Hope went over to Eric, and put her arms around him.

  "I'm sorry Eric."

  "About what? What is going on?"

  "Daddy's dying, Mike just said Daddy's dying."

Sami turned and looked at Mike.

  "This can't be true Mike. Their wrong! My Father is not dying."

  "I'm sorry Sami, but it's true."

Austin watched Carrie, as she held tightly on to Mike.  His heart was
breaking, he should be the one holding her, consoling her. He felt that
Carrie was slipping away from him, and there was nothing he could do.

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

The car stopped, and Marlena couldn't see where she had arrived. The
windows of the limo were darken, so she waited for the driver to
open the door. She opened her compact, to check her make-up, and then
put it back into her bag. The door opened and Marlena started to
get out of the car. She looked around, and saw she was down by the
river.

  "Do you know why we are here?"

  "No Dr Evans, but if you will take my arm, I will escort you to the
next mode of transportation you will be taking."

  "Okay," said Marlena, and took the driver's arm.

They walked down towards the water. Marlena saw a beautiful yachet,
docked on the water, and realized that they were walking towards it.
When  they reached the yachet, another man came towards them.

  "Good Evening Dr Evans, and welcome."

  "Thank you."

  "I will escort you on board."

Marlena let go of the driver's arm, and turned to him.

  "Thank you."

  "Good Night Dr Evans, and enjoy your evening."

Marlena took the other man's arm, and they boarded the yachet. Marlena
was wondering where John was. She thought she would have seen him
by now.

  "Excuse me, but is Mr Black on board?"

  "No Dr Evans, but we will be joining him. Here, you sit on deck, and
I was told to give you this."

Marlena sat and took the box. She opened it, and found the most
beautiful shawl. She wrapped it around her shoulders, and a steward
came out with a glass of champagne. He handed it to her, and she took
it. Marlena felt the boat gliding along the water, taking her to the
man she loved.

  "I'm on my way, my love......."