Chapter 1 - Eric's Secret

Marlena is in the living room at the DiMera Mansion anxiously awaiting John's return from the police station. She walks from one side of the room to the next. "Come on John call me." Marlena stops at the desk and picks up a picture of John and Belle. She clutches the picture to her heart. "Oh god please keep John safe." Suddenly there's a knock at the door. Marlena rushes to answer it. She opens to door to find a woman in her late twenties with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Hi my name is Jesse Hayes. I'm a friend of Eric's from Colorado. Is he here?" Marlena pauses for a moment. She has a strange feeling that she knows this girl. "Yes he is. Come on in." Jesse enters the foyer. Marlena extends her hand out to Jesse. "I'm Eric's mother Marlena. Eric's visiting with his father, but he should be down soon." Marlena guides Jesse to the living room and offers her a seat on the couch. Marlena sets the picture down on the coffee table. "So just how do you know my son?" "Well I'm…" Eric enters the room. "Jesse, what are you doing here?" Jesse gets up from the couch and hugs Eric. "Your grandmother told me what was going on here and I thought I would come here to see if you were okay." Eric turns to Marlena. "Mom, Dad's been asking for you. He wants to talk to you." "Sure I'll go up to him in a minute." Eric turns back to Jesse. "Why don't we go to my sister's apartment so we can talk?" Marlena is disappointed because she wanted to learn more about Jesse, but she could see that they needed to talk. The three of them move into the foyer. "Mom I'll be at Carrie's if you need me." "Sure. It was nice talking with you Jesse." "It was very nice to talk to you Dr. Evans." "Marlena, please." "Marlena, I hope that we'll be able to talk a little more next time." "I hope so too." "We'd better get going. Remember if you need anything mom call me." "I will." "Goodbye." Marlena closes the door.

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Eric opens the door to Carrie's apartment. Jesse enters the room and looks around. "So this is your sister Carrie's apartment?" "Yes now enough small talk Jesse. Do you want to tell me what the HELL you think you are doing here?" "Wait one minute Eric. You tell me that your going home for your mother's wedding and that you'll be gone for a week tops. Next I hear from your grandmother not you, that you are staying in Salem indefinitely." "Did she tell you why?" "Yes. Yes she did, your father's dying. I'm very sorry, but if we are going to be married major news like this should come from you not your grandmother." Eric reaches out to Jesse but she turns away. "I know. I'm sorry. It's just that I haven't told my parents about you yet." Jesse turns towards Eric. "Are you ashamed of me?" "No it's not that." "What is then? Is it the age thing? Do you think they're going to have a problem with the age difference? Or is because I have a little girl." "No it's not that." "What is it then?" Eric takes Jesse's hand and leads her to the couch. "Jesse, my father's dying. I just don't think right now is a good time to bring this up. I think we should be concentrating on him." "Eric, don't you see news like this could be just the medicine for your father? Bear with me. If he hears about our getting married then maybe that will inspire him to hold on until we're married." Eric takes Jesse into his arms. "You just may be right." "Of course I'm right. Don't you know by now that I'm always right." "Well since we're talking about getting married I think we should start thinking about setting a date." Jesse sits up. "Okay, how about the day after you graduate from college." "You're not going to budge on this are you?" "No. Eric you should finish school." "I will. I just don't know when I'll be going back. I want to be here for my dad." "I bet there are plenty of fine schools in Salem." "Yes there are but." "But what? Are you going to sit vigil next your father's bed until he fades away?" "No." "Well then you will go back to school." "I'll look into it." Jesse looks at Eric like she doesn't believe him. "I will." Eric takes Jesse back into his arms. "Now why don't we go over to the mansion tomorrow and tell my parents about our engagement?" "Are you sure you want to do this?" "I'm positive. How are things back home?" "Everyone's fine. Maddie really misses you." "I miss her too. Who's taking care of Maddie?" "Your grandparents." "Are you sure that they can handle her?" "They'll take care of each other. They're going to be fine. Now, why don't you show me to OUR ROOM?" "Maybe we should wait until we're married?" "Well I can abstain." Jesse moves closer to Eric. "Can you?" Eric thinks about it for a moment. A smile comes over him. "No, you know me so well."

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John finally comes home from questioning Stefano. John walks into the living room. Marlena jumps into his arms. John speaks. "I really need a kiss right now." Marlena obliges him with a very passionate kiss. "Has Stefano admitted that Peter is alive?" John paces back and forth. "No, he wouldn't budge. I couldn't take it any more. All I wanted to do was kill the bastard." John hits the wall. "He was so cocky. I will get him to talk. That's a fact!" John takes Marlena into his arms. "I just want to be with you Doc. I need to hold you, to kiss you, to make love to you." "I know I feel the same way." A smile rushes over Marlena's face. "Why don't we go to my penthouse?" "Susan's there remember." "No. Didn't I tell you? Susan and Little Elvis took a trip to Graceland. She heard about a candlelight vigil they were having at Graceland." John gives Marlena a confused look. "Doesn't she know that that is to commemorate his death? I mean doesn't she think he is still alive and the father of her child." "Yes, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that the penthouse is empty. We can be together the entire night without being interrupted. I'll call Laura to see if she can stay with Roman."

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John opens the door to the penthouse. Marlena tries to walk through the door but John stops her. He picks her up and carries her in. "John put me down!" "No way lady you are going directly to bed with me." Marlena laughs. "John like I'd do anything else." "You promise." "I promise." John puts Marlena down. Marlena reaches for the phone. "Now what did you just promise?" "I was just going to turn the ringer off." Marlena smiles and reaches for the answering machine. "What?" "Don't worry I'm just turning it off." John smiles. "Nothing is more important to me than being with you right now, nothing." John takes Marlena into his arms and they kiss. "Now why don't you go up stairs and get the bed ready while I get us a little something." "Don't be long." Marlena laughs. "I won't." John runs up the stairs. Marlena continues to laugh.

John takes off the comforter. He quickly takes off all his clothes except for his boxers. He jumps on the bed and waits for Marlena. Marlena walks through the doorway with a silver tray with two bowls on it. One contains strawberries and the other is overflowing with whipped cream. Marlena notices John on the bed and starts to laugh. "Well I see you're ready." A huge smile comes over John's face. He gets out of bed. Marlena puts the tray down on the dresser. John grabs for Marlena. "Wait John there's something I want to do first." John reluctantly lets go of Marlena. She goes over to her CD player and turns it on. The song is Rapture by Anita Baker. Memories of past strawberry sessions flash through both of their minds. Marlena moves closer to John. "Do you remember this song?" "How could I forget?" "Would you care to do a repeat performance sailor? "You bet I would Doc." Marlena grabs for a strawberry and she feeds it to John. He eats the strawberry and smiles. "Now if I remember correctly you had nothing but a sheet on the last time so I think if we want to get this right." With a boyish smile on his face John reaches for a sheet. Marlena smiles and nods her head. John drops the sheet to the floor to free his hands. He opens the zipper on her pink dress. She helps him take the dress off. Marlena steps out of the dress and puts her arms around John. "Well if I remember correctly you had nothing on at all so let me rid you of these boxers." Marlena removes John's boxers. John then takes off the rest of Marlena's clothes. They begin to kiss and they lower each other to the sheet on the floor. John and Marlena spend the entire night making love. Morning came too quickly for the both of them and they both longed to have just one more night alone in each other's arms. John runs his fingers through Marlena's hair. "Doc, are you awake? I wish we could just stay here and hold each other forever." Marlena turns to face John. They hold each other as they lie on the floor. "I know. I feel the same way. Unfortunately we do have to go back to the mansion. Eric is coming over to with Jesse this morning to tell us some very important news." "Jesse?" "Oh I forgot to tell you. She's a friend of Eric's. She stopped by the mansion yesterday. I think we are finally going to know what Eric has been up to all these years in Colorado." "Do you think she's Eric's girlfriend?" Marlena smiles. "Well they didn't say but I get the feeling that she is someone very special to Eric." "So what do you think about her." "I really didn't get a chance to talk to her. Eric rushed her out of there so fast I only got a few words in with her." John can tell that Marlena's holding something back. "What's up Doc?" "What do you mean?" "I know that you're holding back something now what is it?" Marlena smiles. "I don't know what it is but there's something very familiar about this girl." "What?" "I can't explain it but there's just something there. Don't get me wrong she seems like a lovely young lady. It's just…" "It's just?" "I don't know but soon enough we'll find out more about her." Marlena turns to the clock. "Hey they're going to be coming by the mansion this morning. We'd better get dressed." Marlena sits up but John pulls her back into his arms. "Where do you think you're going?" "John it's late we have to go." A wicked grin emerges on John's face. "We have a little bit of time." "No John we have to go." John starts to nibble on Marlena's neck. "We…have…to" Marlena's eyes roll to the back of her head. "Okay but we really have to leave after we're done." John smiles as he climbs on top of Marlena.

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Jesse and Eric arrive at the DiMera mansion. Eric goes to knock on the door. "Wait! Before you knock on the door. How do I look?" "For the millionth time you look FINE." "FINE!!! I want to look more than just FINE when I meet all of your parents for the first time." "Just be yourself and they will love you like I do. Well not exactly like I do, but you get the point." Jesse starts to laugh. Eric reaches for Jesse's face. "Now that's what I like to see, you smiling." "How does my hair look? Does it look all right?" "Oh man! I give up!" Just as Eric knocks on the door, Marlena opens it. "I thought I heard someone out here." "Hi Mom. You remember Jesse." "Of course, come in you two. John's in the living room." As they walk into the room Jesse extends her hand out to John. "John Black, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I really must thank you for the fine job you did of raising Eric." "Well thank you." Eric quickly changes the subject. "Mom, there is something we have to tell you and dad. Do you think he's up to having visitors?" Marlena grabs Eric's hand. "Let's go up there and find out." Marlena, Eric, and Jesse head upstairs. Jesse turns around and notices that John isn't coming so she goes back into the living room to get him. "Hey aren't you coming?!" "I don't think Eric wants me there." "I think you should be there. I want you there. Come on, please." Jesse grabs John's hand and they head for Roman's room.

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"Eric, Do I look alright?" "Not again! Take my hand and you'll be fine." They all walk into Roman's room. Laura is sitting on a chair by Roman's bed. Eric approaches Laura. "Hi Laura. How's my dad?" "He's resting comfortably." "Laura, I would like for you to meet Jesse Hayes. Jesse this is Laura Horton a very dear family friend." The two exchange nice to meet yous. Laura pulls Marlena aside. "How was last night?" Marlena gives her a huge smile. "You don't have to say any more. That smile says it all. I'll talk to you later."

"Dad, are you awake?" "Hi son. Who is this?" "That's why we're here dad. We have some very good news for you. Mom, why don't you sit next to dad?" Marlena doesn't like it, but she does as her son wishes. "Mom, Dad, this is Jesse Hayes. She's my fiancée." Both Roman and Marlena are surprised. Jesse begins to tell the story of how she and Eric met and fell in love. "I'm a neighbor of Marlena's parents' back in Colorado. Before Eric and Sami came to town I used to help Martha and Frank around the house. I helped your Frank cut the grass and every spring I would help Martha plant flowers at Samantha's grave. After Eric and Sami came I still helped out. Eric and I started to spend a lot of time together and from friendship grew love." Marlena interrupts. "Jesse how old are you?" "I'm 26. I know that 6 years is a lot. Believe me my mother pointed that out everyday we were together. We did back off for a while but about four years ago fate stepped in and brought us back together. I found out that I was pregnant. The father bolted as soon as I told him. It was Eric who saw me through the pregnancy. I don't think I could have gotten through it without him. My daughter adores him. He is always there for us. Last Christmas he asked me to marry him and I said yes." Marlena asks, "Do you have any pictures of your daughter?" "Yes, I do." Jesse grabs a picture from her wallet and hands it to Marlena. "Oh! She is absolutely precious!" "Her name is Madison. She just turned three this past June." "Are your parents taking care of her while you are out of town?" "No, actually your parents are taking care of her. Both of my parents are dead. I have no other family. Frank and Martha have become my surrogate grandparents. They're great with Maddie and she really adores them."

John speaks up "I hate to leave, but I have to go to the police station to question Stefano." Marlena turns to Roman. "I think that you should get some rest." "Maybe you're right. I am feeling a little bit tired." Marlena and John leave the room together. Eric and Jesse turn to leave. "Eric I am very happy for you both. I just hope that I'll live long enough to see your wedding day." "Dad don't worry you will. Remember what I said, miracles happen every day. One day you will be cured and you and mom will be together again." Jesse's confused by what Eric just said. "We should let you get some rest. It was very nice to meet you Mr. Brady." "Call me Roman, please." Jesse nods her head. "Goodbye Roman." "Dad, I'll see you later." Jesse turns to Eric. "Eric is there somewhere where we can talk?" "Let's go to the garden."

John and Marlena talk in the foyer of the mansion. John takes Marlena into his arms and kisses her. "Thank you for last night." "Just remember when Stefano is getting to you just think about last night or think about all the nights we are going to have once we're married." They kiss. "I love you so much John. I know Stefano's locked up and he can't hurt you but please be careful." "You know I will Doc. I love you!" They kiss one last time before John leaves.

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Jesse and Eric enter the garden. "Do you want to tell me what all that was about?" "What?" "You know all that stuff about Roman and Marlena being together again." "What?" "Come on Eric. How old are you?" "Don't start." "How old are you? I'll tell you. You are 20 years old and you're acting like a three-year-old child. Aren't you a little old to want MOMMY and DADDY together?" "Is it so horrible for me to want them to be back together?" "No, but there are other children involved. Do the names Belle and Brady mean anything to you? Don't they deserve to have both of their parents together? Didn't John and Marlena promise them that they would be a family again? John and Marlena love each other so much. They have a chance to be a real family. Do you want to deny Belle and Brady the chance to have a real family because you didn't?" "My mother still loves my father." "Yes, I think a part of her will always love Roman. You and your sister are a bond to him that never can be broken but Marlena's not in love with Roman. She is in love with John. You have to accept it. Do you want your mother to be happy?" "Yes of course I do." "John makes her happy. Promise me you will not encourage your father to pursue Marlena any more." "All right, I'll back off. Why don't we say goodbye to my mom and go back to Carrie's? We can see how Maddie and my grandparents are doing."

Eric and Jesse walk into the living room. "Mom, we're going to leave, but we'll be back later." Marlena falls to the floor. Eric and Jesse run to Marlena's side. "Mom! Mom can you hear me?" "Eric put her on to the couch. I'll get her some water." Eric lifts Marlena from the floor and lays her on the couch. "Mom!" "Eric, oh Eric what happened?" "You fainted." Jesse hands Marlena the glass of water. "Marlena how long has it been since you've eaten or slept?" "Too long I guess. I'll get something to eat and then I'll take a nap." "Are you sure you're going to be all right, Marlena? Eric, I don't think we should leave her." "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." "Are you sure?" "I'm positive, go! I'll call you if I need anything. John will be home soon." "Are you sure mom?" "Get out of here!" "Ok, we're going! Call if you need anything." "Goodbye already!"

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