Chapter 10 - Surprises

Jesse's frantically running around her apartment getting herself and Maddie ready. "Maddie come on out honey and finish your cereal." Maddie emerges from her room already dressed but her hair is very tangled. "Look mommy I bush my hair all by myself." "I can see that sweetheart but I think mommy should run the brush through one more time to make sure you got all of the knots out." "Ok Mommy." There's a knock at the door. "Maddie why don't you get the detangler spray for mommy and I'll answer the door." "Otay." Jesse opens the door. "Marlena? What are you doing here?" "I wanted to talk to you." Jesse is a little bit puzzled. "Couldn't it wait until I dropped Maddie off at the mansion?" "No…No it couldn't." "What's wrong? You look as white as a ghost." "I think I know what caused me to faint." There's a moment of silence. "Well out with it! What's the matter?" "I think I'm pregnant." "That's wonderful! Isn't it?" "Yes…and…no. On one hand I don't think Roman could take the news that John and I are back together or the fact that we are having another child together but on the other hand John will be able to be there for this baby from beginning to end."

"I brought along a home pregnancy test. I was afraid of doing it at the mansion for fear someone would find it. I was wondering if I could do it here?" "What am I going to do say no? Of course you can do it here." Marlena goes into the bathroom. Maddie walks over to her mother. Jesse starts to comb the knots out of Maddie's hair. "Mommy is there a baby in grandma's belly?" Marlena comes out of the bathroom. "Well sweetie we will find out in… How long does it take Marlena?" "Five minutes." Jesse sets the egg timer for 5 minutes. "In five minutes we will find out if there's going to be another baby in the family." Marlena and Jesse sit down on the couch. "This is going to be the longest five minutes ever you realize that." "Jesse what am I going to do?"

The phone rings. "Hold that thought." Jesse picks up the phone. "Hello, yes Dr. Evans is here. May I ask who's calling? Dr. Banning, sure here she is." Jesse hands Marlena the phone. "Hello Dr. Banning. I hope you're calling with good news." "Dr. Evans we think we have developed a medication which will cure Roman. The only problem is that I and the other doctors would like to talk to you in person to tell you how to administer the drugs. Would it be possible for you to come down here?" "I will leave as soon as possible. Thank You Dr. Banning." Marlena hangs up the phone.

The egg timer goes off. Marlena and Jesse stop dead in their tracks. Maddie runs into the bathroom and grabs the stick. Both of them yell at the same time. "No Maddie don't touch the stick!" But it is too late. Maddie comes out of the bathroom with the stick in her hand. Both Marlena and Jesse can't help but laugh. Jesse speaks. "Ok sweetheart is the stick blue?" "Yep. What does that mean?" Marlena goes over to Maddie and picks her up. "That means that grandma has a baby in her belly." "Come on Marlena we have to get you over to the mansion so you can pack for your trip. Would you want me to stay at the mansion while you and John are away? I could help keep an eye on Brady and Belle." "Are you sure you could handle being that close to Eric?" "Well we are family and we are going to have to get used to being together. Anyway Maddie would love to spend more time with Belle and Brady. Now let's get going."

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Jesse, Marlena, and Maddie enter the DiMera mansion. Jesse ushers Maddie upstairs to play with Belle and Brady. Marlena and Jesse enter the living room to join John. Marlena speaks. "Is Kristen home?" "No she's at the prison visiting Stefano." "Good then we have some time." "Time? Time for what?" "Dr. Banning called to say that they have developed a medication that will cure Roman. The problem is that we have to go down to the ISA Clinic and get it." "That's no problem I could have the plane gassed and ready to go in no time." "Jesse has volunteered to stay with the children. So all we have to do is get packed and out of here before Kristen comes home."

John and Marlena are all packed and ready to leave when Eric comes home. "What's gong on?" "John and I are going to the ISA clinic to get the medication that will cure your father. We should be back some time tomorrow." They start to say their good-byes. Jesse hugs Marlena and she gently pats her stomach. "You take care and hurry back." "We will." "John take care of my mom." "You know I will." Marlena gives Eric a hug and a kiss.

Jesse and Eric go into the living room. "Are you going to be staying here?" "Yes. I thought Belle and Brady needed someone other than the nanny to be with them." "So you don't think I could handle my little sister and brother?" "No…I'm just remembering a time when you watched Maddie all by yourself." Jesse laughs. "Do you remember that? My house still isn't the same." Eric starts to laugh. "We did make a mess didn't we." "You sure did."

Kristen walks into the mansion. She stays in the foyer so she can listen to Jesse and Eric's conversation. "Can I ask you something? When you were hugging my mother I saw you pat her stomach. What was that all about?" "Did I? It didn't mean anything." "Come on Jesse. I know you're hiding something. She's my mother I think I should know." "It's nothing that can't wait until she gets back." "Well I can't wait so tell me." "Promise me you aren't going to say anything to anyone. Promise." "I promise." "Your mom's pregnant." "Pregnant?! WOW I wasn't expecting that." "I don't think she was either but she's very happy. Why don't we go upstairs and check on the kids?" Kristen quickly hides as Jesse and Eric head upstairs.

Once Jesse and Eric are out of sight Kristen goes into the living room. "That BITCH! She kills my baby and then she has the nerve to get pregnant by my husband. That baby should be mine!" Kristen picks up a vase from the desk and throws it across the room. "I SHOULD BE HAVING JOHN'S BABY!" She picks up a glass and throws it across the room.

Eric and Jesse are up in the playroom and all three of the kids fell asleep on the floor. Suddenly they hear a crash from downstairs. "Did you hear that?" " It sounded like it came from the living room." Jesse and Eric run downstairs. "I'LL GET EVEN WITH YOU MARLENA! A CHILD FOR A CHILD!" Kristen throws some more glasses across the room. Eric and Jesse enter the living room. "Kristen…What the hell are you doing down here?" Kristen tries to compose herself and come up with an excuse for her behavior. "I was just a little upset that John and Marlena left." Jesse calls her on her explanation. "You're just a little bit upset? Why should you be upset at all? Roman being cured will help you with your plan right." "I just don't want John and Marlena alone anywhere. All right. I'm going to go run some errands. I'll have Aliana clean this mess up."

Kristen leaves the room but she stays close enough so she can hear if her cover up story worked. "What was all that about?" "Eric I think she has finally lost it. Did you hear her say something about a child for a child before we came into the room?" "No…I didn't hear that." "I think I had better take the kids to the penthouse. Between Chelsea, Susan, the alarm system and myself we should be able to keep the children safe." "I think you're right. I'll stay there too." "You can't. Someone has to stay here with your dad." "You're right. Why don't we take the kids out for the day and tonight we can take them back to the penthouse." "Sounds good to me. I'll go up and pack some things for Belle and Brady and you can wake the kids." Kristen goes back into the living room. Thank You Jesse! You made my plan a little bit easier! I hope you're happy now Doc because you aren't going to be happy for much longer.

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John and Marlena are on the plane as John looks around the plane he puts on a devilish grin. "Do you remember what we did the last time we were on this plane together?" Marlena flashes him a smile. "I think I vaguely remember." "Do you think we could have a repeat performance Doc? Maybe we could give Belle a baby brother or sister." Okay Marlena this is the moment you've been waiting for. "I can guarantee that Belle will have a baby brother or sister." "You're guaranteeing a baby. Well we had better get started then." John begins to kiss Marlena's neck. Marlena's eyes roll into the back of her head. "John…John there's something I have to tell you." "Tell me later I want to finish what we started here." Marlena pulls away from John. "There's something I have to tell you that can't wait." John goes back to kissing Marlena's neck. "In about seven months Belle is going to have a baby brother or sister. Did you hear me?" "Yes I heard you. You said in seven months Belle will have a baby brother or sister." John pauses for a moment, what Marlena said has finally registered in his brain. John looks at her with tears in his eyes. "Your pregnant with MY baby." Tears begin to fall from Marlena's eyes. "Yes, I'm pregnant with your baby. There is no doubt this time." John hugs Marlena. "That's the best news! When? How?" "Well I think it happened that first night we were together as for how I think you know that already." "You're a very funny lady." "I know. I try." "I love you Doc!" "I know that all ready. Tell me something I don't know." John and Marlena embrace. Just as they embrace there's some turbulence. They quickly put on their seat belts.

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Jesse and Eric spend the entire day with the children. It's getting late so they decide to go to the penthouse as they enter the penthouse Susan comes down the stairs with baby Elvis in her arms. "Hi Susan. Do you remember me?" "Why of course I do! You're Dr. Marlena Evans niece." "That's right. The kids and I will be staying here until John and Marlena get back from their trip." "What did that mean mean Kristen do?" "Let's just say that she is just acting a little meaner than usual. I thought it would be safer for the children here. Susan would you mind taking the children upstairs while I say good-bye to Eric." "Come on kids! I got a new Elvis CD we can listen to." "Are you sure you're going to be all right here?" "I'm positive. Go home and take care of your dad. Oh and make sure if John and Marlena call you tell them where we are." "I will." "Make sure you lock the door and put on the alarm when I leave." "I will." "I had a really nice time today." Eric gives Jesse a kiss on the cheek. Eric turns and leaves. Jesse locks the door and activates the alarm.

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The plane ride to the Caribbean doesn't go smoothly for John and Marlena. There's an unexpected storm off the East Coast. The plane must land in Miami for a few hours. When they finally get to the island it's late and they head for a hotel. Marlena heads straight for the bathroom to throw up. "Doc are you all right?" Marlena emerges from the bathroom. She is a very unflattering shade of green. "Doc can I get you anything?" "No. I just want to lie down for a while." "While you're laying down I am going to call the clinic and tell them we have arrived." John phones the clinic and they are to pick up the medication at 9 am the next morning. Both of them try to get some rest but they are both restless so they decide to take a walk along the beach.

As they stroll along the beach they start to talk about the future and what it will mean for them if this medicine cures Roman. Just as they seriously begin to talk a young girl comes running up to them. "My house is on fire! Can you please help me?" "Is there anyone still in the house?" "Yes…the people who raised me and my best friend." John wets himself down with some water and he tries to go into the house but the flames are too intense. All they can do is stand by and watch the house burn.

The girl is screaming, "THEY WERE AFTER ME! It should have been me in there!" Marlena succeeds in calming the girl down. The fire department finally arrives but it is too late. The girl continues to sob saying that this was all her fault. The police ask the girl to come down to the police station to give a statement while everything's still fresh in her mind. She is very frightened so John and Marlena decide to go with her to the police station. Marlena feels a connection to the girl and she seems to be the only one who can calm her down.

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Once they are at the station the three of them are taken to one of the interrogation rooms. While they are waiting to talk to a detective they find out that the girl's name is Megan and she is 10 years old. A detective Lanagan is assigned to the case. He tells them that the fire was deliberately set. The coroner has confirmed that the people inside the house were dead before the fire started. Megan is clearly shaken by the news. Detective Lanagan asks Megan to tell him what happened that night. " My friend Allison came over tonight to have dinner and she decided to stay over. Mary, the woman who raised me, sent me to the store to get some things she needed. Allison stayed behind to help her clean up. I went to the store and when I came back the house was on fire."

"At the scene of the fire you said that this was all your fault. What did you mean?" "What I am about to tell you is going to sound unbelievable but it is the truth. The man who wants me dead is Stefano DiMera." John and Marlena in shock but they allow the girl to finish her story. "This man is obsessed with my mother. He kidnapped my mother over 10 years ago when she was pregnant with me. Stefano put her into a drug-induced coma. She gave birth to me while she was in the coma. From what I've been told over the years, she has no idea that she even gave birth to me. I lived in the same house as my mother until I was almost 5 years old. One day Stefano gave me to two of his most loyal servants Mary and Joseph Summitt. Once a year he would send them large sums of money for keeping me safe and keeping me from contacting my real parents. Stefano would also make a yearly visit to our house to check up on me. About two years ago he visited, he told me that I was no longer of use to him and that his would be his last visit. I guess he was wrong because he sent his men here to kill me. He must be after my parents again."

Marlena and John are stunned. Marlena speaks. "Do you know what your parents names are?" "My parents names are Roman Brady and Marlena Evans." Tears start to flow from Marlena's eyes. "What's wrong?" "I think we should introduce ourselves. I'm Dr. Marlena Evans and this is your father John Black." "John Black?! So Stefano lied to be about who my father was." Marlena wipes the tears away from her eyes. "No…Not exactly. You see at one time we thought that John was Roman." Megan has a very confused look on her face. "It's a long story and one day we will tell it to you." John finally speaks. "Detective, could we leave now. I think the three of us have a lot to talk about." "Certainly, but we will need a number where you can be reached." John gives him the number to their hotel and the three of them head to John and Marlena's hotel room.

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Once they are back at the hotel room they begin to talk. They spend most of the night talking about why they are on the island and their situation back in Salem. Megan speaks up. "So why haven't you told Roman the truth? Is he going to burst into flames if you tell him the truth? I don't mean to sound cruel, but isn't the lie you're telling giving him false hope. He may actually think he has a chance with you Marlena. Won't it hurt more when he hears the actual truth? You're a psychiatrist; you can help him through this. If he doesn't want you help then he has a mother and a father, a brother, and three children to help him through this." John and Marlena just look at each other. What Megan said made sense to them. Marlena speaks. "Well it's getting late and we have to get up early tomorrow to go to the clinic." "Do you think they could run a blood test on me to make sure you are my parents? I just don't trust Stefano." "I don't see why not. We'll see about that tomorrow."

"Doc, why don't you and Megan take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch?" "Don't be silly dad! I mean John." "No it's ok you can call me dad. I want you and your mother to take the bedroom." Megan is in the bathroom changing. John loaned her a T-shirt and some shorts. Marlena and John talk while she's out of the room. "How could I not remember giving birth to our child John?" "Doc maybe it was the drugs. Maybe Stefano did something to you to make you forget the birth." Megan comes out of the bathroom. John and Marlena stop talking. "You don't have to stop on my account." "Megan I'll be honest with you I don't remember much from when I was in a coma. Could you possibly fill me in?" "I remember that twice every day Stefano would take me into your room to visit. I'd lie on the bed next to you and I'd snuggle up to you as close as I could. I spent hours just staring at your face. I memorized every feature. You haven't changed much. The hair do is a little different and the color has changed but you are still as beautiful as I remembered." "Why did Stefano send you away?" "One day you responded to me when I was talking to you. I guess that was when you were coming out of the coma. Stefano saw this and the very next day I was sent away. I thought I would never see you again. Do you know that I almost saw you about 4 years ago." Tears start to fall from Megan's eyes. "What do you mean?" Megan wipes the tears from her eyes. "Stefano came for a visit and he told me he was taking me to see my mother. He told me if I did as he wanted the three of us would live together on one of his islands." John says, "Do you know where he took you?" "He never told me where we were going. I think it was in the states. It was a huge white mansion." "It had to have been Maison Blanche." "He locked me away in one of the mansion rooms. I did manage to get out of the room for a few minutes. I ran into a woman named Gina. I guess he was holding her captive too. Unfortunately Stefano caught the both of us and I was sent home immediately." Marlena becomes uneasy. She doesn't want to relive the memories of Maison Blanche. "I think we should go to bed. Remember we have to get up early tomorrow."

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Next morning at the penthouse Jesse is fixing breakfast for the children. Brady and Maddie come barreling into the kitchen. "Mommy we can't find Belle!" "What do you mean you can't find Belle?" "We can't find her mommy." Jesse starts to frantically look through the penthouse for Belle. "Belle! Belle sweetie the game's over now please come out! Belle!" There's a knock at the front door. Jesse races to answer it. It's Eric. "Jesse what's wrong?" Jesse jumps into his arms. "I can't find Belle!" "What do you mean you can't find Belle?" "She's no where in the penthouse! What are we going to do Eric?" "I'll go call Abe and get him on this right away." Suddenly there's a crash from inside the broom closet. Jesse and Eric race to investigate.

To be continued…
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