Chapter 14 - Megan's Determination!

It's morning at the DiMera mansion and Megan comes downstairs for some breakfast as she passes through the living room she runs into John. "Hi dad. How's mom?" "She's fine." "When can she come home?" "Mike says in two weeks but we're hoping it will be sooner. I don't think your mother will be able to lie around for two weeks." John can tell that there's something on Megan's mind. "Is there something wrong?" "I was wondering where Stefano is." "He's in jail where he belongs and he is never going to get out." John walks over to the desk and picks up the morning paper. "Would it be possible for me to see him?" John puts the paper down and turns towards Megan. "Why would you want to see him?" "I want to know why he did what he did. I want some answers." John takes Megan into his arms. "Sweetheart, I understand why but I don't think he'll ever tell you the truth. It's against his nature. Besides I don't think he knows what the truth is. Now I'm going to go upstairs to get a shower. When I'm done I'm going back to the hospital, do you want to go with me?" Megan breaks away from her father's embrace. "I think I'll stay here and get to know my little brother and sister better if that's all right with you." "That's fine. I'll see you later." John gives Megan a kiss on the forehead before he leaves.

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Jesse's at the Horton Center working when Megan walks in. "Hey kiddo. What are you doing here? Did something happen to Marlena?" "No. My mom's fine. You left so early this morning I didn't get the chance to talk to you." "What's on your mind?" "Well I'm not sure how to say this. When I first came to town Maggie brought over some clothes for me. They're fine but there are certain pieces of clothing that you want to be yours and only yours." "I understand. You need some unmentionables. Am I right?" "Yes." "There's not much going on here. I'll go tell Alice that I'm leaving for a while." Jesse leaves the room for a minute then she comes right back. Jesse puts her arm around Megan and they walk towards the door. "Where's your dad?" Jesse and Megan walk towards Jesse's car. "He was over at the mansion when I left." Jesse opens the car door for Megan. Megan sits down. Jesse pauses. "Okay, what we'll do is go over there and get a credit card from your dad and then we'll head over to Salem Place for some serious shopping." Jesse closes Megan's door and she gets in her side of the car. "Are you ready?" "Sure, Jesse I want to thank you for doing this for me. I couldn't go to Eric or my dad about this. There's Sami but I don't think she likes me." "Did she say anything to you?" "No as a matter of fact she hasn't said two words to me since I've gotten here." "I'll have to have a little talk with her. Now lets get that credit card."

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Jesse and Megan enter the DiMera mansion as they enter the living room they can see that John's pacing back and forth. John finally sees Megan. "Megan! Where were you? I was worried sick." John hugs Megan. Megan can tell that John's angry. "I want to know right now where you were." Jesse can see that Megan is about to burst into tears. "Megan, why don't you go upstairs and check on the kids? I'll explain to your dad what happened." Megan hesitates. "No Jesse I want to hear from my daughter." "John. Megan go upstairs, please." Megan leaves the room.

"John, don't be so hard on her. Megan came over to the Horton Center to talk to me. She wants me to take her shopping for some clothes." "Megan was talking about wanting to go see Stefano this morning. When she was gone I just panicked. I'm just worried about her because Kristen is still out there. I feel like such a jerk." "John you have every right to worry as long as Kristen is still out on the loose. I think Megan knows what she did was wrong." "I hope you're right." "Of course I'm right. Now on the reason I'm here. I was wondering if I could borrow one of your credit cards for this shopping spree?" John reaches inside his wallet for a credit card. "I would put it on one of my cards but I don't think I could buy her a pair of undies on my card." John laughs and he hands Jesse the credit card. "A gold card. I never thought I would ever have one of these in my purse." "Remember Jesse I don't have an unlimited line of credit." "All right John I get the hint."

Megan comes into the room. "Dad is everything all right? I'm sorry for leaving without telling you but I didn't know how to tell you about what I needed. Plus I already made you mad by asking to go see Stefano. I'm sorry dad." "No. I'm the one who should be sorry." John hugs Megan and gives her a kiss. "Now I want you to get whatever you need." "John, are you going over to the hospital?" "I'm going to spend some time with the kids then I'll be over at the hospital later on. Why?" "Well I want to know where you'll be incase we need another card." "The two of you get out of here before I take my card back."

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Mike's in Marlena's room examining her. He removes the bandages to examine the wound. "How is it Mike?" "The wound seems to be healing quite nicely." "Am I going to have full range of motion in my shoulder." "I want to give your shoulder some time to heal before we try to move it. We'll get a better idea of what physical therapy you'll need then."

There's a knock at the door. Jesse and Megan enter the room. "Is it all right if we come in?" "Sure I just finished my examination." "So are you going to give your mother a hug and a kiss." Megan gladly obliges her mother. "What are the two of you doing here?" "Megan and I are going to go shopping for some clothes. Don't worry Marlena I'm only going to get her the bare necessities, that way the two of you can have a major shopping spree when you get out of here." Marlena takes Megan's hands. "That sounds like a very good idea."

Mike pulls Jesse aside. "I was wondering if we could go out to eat tonight." "I don't know. If John is staying here again tonight…" Marlena can't help but chime in. "Jesse you go out. Chelsea has agreed to stay around the clock so you can go out tonight." "I guess we can go out tonight after all. Do you mind if Maddie goes with us?" "No of course not." "It's just that I haven't been spending enough time with her lately and I think it's about time the two of you get to know each other." "Why don't we go to Johnny Angel's for burgers and then we could rent a movie and go back to your place." "That sounds fine." "I'll pick you up at six." "I'll see you then." Mike gives Jesse a kiss on the cheek before he leaves the room. "Come on Megan your dad's credit card is burning a hole in my purse. Marlena, I'll talk to you later." Megan gives her mother a kiss. "Goodbye mom." "Goodbye sweetheart."

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Jesse and Megan have finished shopping at Salem Place. They sit down on a bench with their packages. "So is there anything else you need?" "No, I think I have more than enough stuff to hold me over until I can go shopping with my mom. Thanks again Jesse for taking me." "It was my pleasure." "Jesse, is the police station anywhere around here?" "Yes, I think it's just a couple of blocks away. Why?" "I was just wondering." "Megan, Stefano can't get you. He's locked in a special cell which even he can't get out of besides your father will never allow anything to happen to you." "I know. It's just knowing he's so close scares me." "Don't worry. No one is going to let anything happen to you. Now enough about Stefano, are you thirsty?" "Yeah a little." "I'll go get us a drink. What do you want?" "A Sprite please." Jesse goes over to a soda machine. While Jesse's back is turned Megan takes off for the police station. When Jesse turns around she sees that Megan is gone. "Megan! Megan! Oh god please not again."

John decided to go to Salem Place to check up on the girls when he sees Jesse. "Jesse, where's Megan?" "She was sitting on that bench over there. I went over to that soda machine to get us some drinks and when I turned around she was gone." "Did she say anything to you as to where she might have gone?" "I don't think so. Wait she asked how far was it to the police station. Do you think she went there?" "I would bet my life on it. I'm going there. Can you handle the packages yourself?" "Don't worry about me. Just find Megan!"

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Megan gets to the police station. She manages to get to where Stefano is being held with out being seen. She's about to enter the cell area when she bumps into an officer. "May I help you?" "Yes. I'm here to see Stefano DiMera." "Children must be accompanied by an adult besides Stefano can only be seen by family members." "I am family." "How are you related to Stefano?" "I'm his daughter. Now let me in." "I don't know about this. The only daughters on my list are Kristen DiMera and Lexie Carver and I know that you aren't either of them." "You listen to me either you let me in or my father will have the cops on his payroll rough you up for not allowing me to see him. Now let me in!" The officer lets Megan in to see Stefano.

Stefano's staring at his chessboard. Megan bangs on the glass. "Guess who Stefano." Stefano looks as though he's seeing a ghost. "Don't worry Stefano you're not losing it. I'm really here." "They told me you were dead!" "You really should get smarter guys to work for you." "How did you get here?" "It's the darndest story. Do you have the time? Of course you do, you're going to be in jail for the rest of your life. Anyway I ran into my mother and father on a beach in the Caribbean. They were there to pick up the cure for Roman. But you knew that already. That's why you sent your men down there to kill me. Am I right?" "You are a very smart girl. Maybe a little too smart for your own good."

"I have some questions I want you to answer for me. Why did you tell me that my father was Roman Brady?" "Well that's who he was at the time." "I don't know Roman Brady from John Black or Forrest Alamain or whatever my father's real name is. Why did you lie to me?" "I couldn't reveal my plan. The help has big ears and big mouths. I couldn't risk them saying anything to anyone." "Okay I'll buy that for now. Why didn't you kill me years ago?" "You were a vital part of my plan. Do you remember a few years ago when I brought you to that big white mansion?" "Maison Blanche?" "Yes, Maison Blanche. My plan was to kill your father and then take Marlena to one of my islands so we could start our new life together." "My mother would never stay with you. She despises you." "That's why I needed you." " I don't understand." Marlena loves her children very much. The plan was that I would reunite the two of you once you were on my island. She would never leave because of you." "She didn't even know about me. How would I be able to keep her on that island with you?" "Marlena's love for her child would win out in the end. She'll always do what's best for her children. She always puts their happiness above her own. Once I proved to her that you were her child you see she would feel very guilty over the years she lost with you and that would keep her on my island. It was the perfect plan." "You are one twisted man. Why did you send me away? Did I see something at Maison Blanche that I wasn't supposed to? Is that why you sent me away? I want some answers Stefano!" "There are no answers. I just decided to change my plans." "I don't buy that. You said so yourself that it was the perfect plan. Tell me the truth Stefano!"

John rushes in. "Megan, I told you I didn't want you to come here." "I need some answers dad." "You're not going to find them here. Now let's go." "John, what do you think of your new daughter? She's beautiful isn't she? She looks just like her mother." "Shut up old man! You are never going to hurt my children or Doc ever again. Come on Megan let's get out of here." "You will never be rid of me John!"

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John and Megan go over to the hospital. They're outside Marlena's room talking. "Why did you bring me here?" "I was thinking that you would tell your mother what you did today. Maybe she could talk some sense into you. I certainly didn't get through to you." John opens the door for Megan.

"Hi sweetheart. " Megan goes over to Marlena's bed and gives her a kiss. "Hi mom." John sits on the bed next to Marlena. "Does someone want to tell me what's wrong or do I have to guess?" "Megan, I think you should do the honors." "No I think you should since this is your idea dad." "Will someone please tell me what happened." "Well our daughter paid a little visit to Stefano today. I told her earlier today that I didn't want her to go there but she's stubborn like her mother and she went anyway." "I need some answers." Marlena turns to John. "Now, who does she sound like. Megan, Stefano would never tell anyone the truth." "I spent enough years with him to know when he's lying and when he's telling the truth. If only you had come a few minutes later I think I could have learned more about Maison Blanche." "What about Maison Blanche?" "I think I saw something that I wasn't supposed to." "Do you remember anything from when you were at Maison Blanche?" " I remember getting out of my room and running into a woman named Gina. She tried to talk me into going back to my room but I refused. I wanted to find you, dad. The last thing I remember was going into one of the rooms." "What was in there?" "There was a lot of medical equipment. Stefano and another man were in there. I think Stefano caught us because the next thing I remember is waking up at home. I wish I could remember what I saw in that room. Maybe Gina would remember what happened. Do you know where she is?" "She's living in Salem. Her real name is Hope Williams." "Do you think she would help us?" "Right now she's in Rome but we'll talk to her when she gets back."

Marlena speaks up. "Okay I've had enough of talking about Stefano. Megan sit down here." Megan sits next to her mother on the bed. "Now I would like to know more about you." "Alright." "When's your birthday?" "I was born on August 22, 1987." Tears start to fall from Marlena's eyes. "What's wrong?" "August 22 is our anniversary. So do you know how much you weighed or how long you were?" "I know that I was 6 pounds. I don't know how long I was but I do know that I was about a month premature." "That makes it official all of my children were premature. I guess we could look for these babies to be born in March instead of April." "Doc, let's not tempt fate. Let's go for the full nine months if we can."

A nurse enters the room with a wheelchair. "Dr. Evans I have to take you for some tests." "Are the two of you going to leave?" "We'll go and get something to eat while your gone. Then we'll come back to visit some more." "That sounds good. Could you bring me something back?" "How about some Brady Chowder?" "Have I ever told you what a wonderful husband you are?" "No you haven't." "Well I'll tell you that after I get the chowder. Megan you make sure he doesn't sample it before I can get to it." "I promise mom he won't get near it." Megan gives her mother a kiss on the way out. John also goes over and gives Marlena a kiss.

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John and Megan spend the day at the hospital. They come home to the DiMera mansion to check up on the kids. As they enter the foyer they see Jesse's luggage. Both of them go into the living room to find out what's going on. "Hi you two." "Jesse are you leaving? You aren't leaving because of what I did today? Are you?" "No honey." "Since Chelsea is going to be here around the clock, I don't think it's necessary for me to stay here any longer. Besides I'm paying for an apartment I'm not staying at and that doesn't make any sense." John speaks. "Well I know that we hate to see you go. If you ever change your mind there is plenty of room here." "Thank you John."

There's a knock at the door. "That must be Mike." "Mike?" "Yes, Mike Horton and I have a date tonight." Megan runs to answer the door. "Hi Mike. Jesse's in the living room. I'll go up and get Maddie." Mike walks into the living room. "Are you ready to go?" "Yes. As you can see on your way in my bags are in the foyer. All I have to do is get Maddie." "Megan went up to get her." John speaks. "You know Megan could stay her while the two of you go out." "Thanks John but I think it's about time Mike and Maddie get to spend some time together." "Jesse, please don't be a stranger." "I won't."

Maddie comes running into the room. She jumps into her mother's arms. "Maddie, you remember Dr. Mike don't you?" "Yep!" "Hi Maddie. Would you like to go get a hamburger?" "Yes I would." "Ok let's go then." They go out to the foyer and Mike picks up Jesse's bags. "What in the heck do you have in here?" "Just the bare necessities." "It feels like you have everything in her but the kitchen sink." "You know if you quit your complaining and just moved your butt we would be out to the car by now." John opens the door for them. "Say goodbye to John, Maddie." "Bye John." "Goodbye sweetie." "I'll see you tomorrow." "Otay!" "Goodbye John."

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Mike, Jesse, and Maddie are at Johnny Angel's eating. Mike and Jesse are talking while Maddie sits on the ground playing with one of her dolls. "Maddie are you finished with your hamburger?" "Yep!" "So how's Marlena?" "Her shoulder seems to be healing beautifully. It's going to be rough at first but I think that she is going to have full use of her shoulder." "That's wonderful. How are the babies?" Jesse takes Mike's last french fry and puts it in her mouth. "They're fine. Her pregnancy is progressing normally." "I'm sorry. I should have asked if I could have a fry first. I'm sorry." "It's no problem. Are you ready to go?" "Sure, Maddie are you ready to leave?" "I duess so."

"There's a video store just around the corner. We could go rent a movie. Maddie is there a certain movie you would like to rent?" "THE LION KING!" "The Lion King it is." "I really have to have Martha pack up Maddie's Disney videos and send them here. I'll be spending a fortune to rent this movie every other night." Mike empties the trays and the three of them head for the video store. Jesse and Mike are walking together. Maddie's walking a little bit ahead of them. "Maddie don't walk too far ahead. " "Otay Mommy!" Maddie slows down so they can catch up. Mike turns to Jesse. "Would you mind if I held your hand?" Jesse and Mike stop walking. Jesse turns to Mike. "Mike, you don't have to ask." Mike kisses Jesse and for a moment they get lost in the kiss. Jesse then realizes that they stopped walking and Maddie didn't. Jesse breaks away from Mike. "Maddie!" Jesse and Mike can see Maddie in the distance and the two of them run to her. Just as they get to her they can see someone pick her up. "Hey squirt! Where's your mom?" "Maddie don't you ever do that again!" "Hi Eric…Jamie." "Duess what? We're going to see the Lion King!" "Maddie I don't think you have to rent the video you could just act the whole thing out for your mom and Mike." "You silly goose!" "So what are the two of you up to tonight?" "We're going to a movie." "Oh well we don't want to keep you." Eric puts Maddie down. "I hope the three of you have a good night." "You too. Goodnight."

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Back at Carrie's apartment the three of them finish watching the movie. Maddie has fallen asleep on Mike's lap. Mike's afraid to move for fear he will wake her. "What do you want me to do?" Jesse gets up and picks Maddie up from Mike's lap. "It takes a lot to wake her. I'll put her to bed. Why don't you rewind her movie and then put our movie in?" Jesse leaves the room. She's very careful so that she doesn't wake Maddie. Jesse makes sure that Maddie is covered completely and before she leaves the room she gives her a kiss on the cheek. Maddie stirs a bit but she stays asleep. Jesse closes the door to Maddie's room very carefully.

"Would you like some popcorn?" "Sure." Jesse grabs a bag of popcorn and sticks it in the microwave. She sits down on the couch. "So what movie did you rent for us?" "No, it's a surprise! You'll have to wait until it's rewound. So did you get Maddie to bed without waking her?" "She's sound asleep." "She's a great kid. Would you like more children?" "Sure I'd like Maddie to have a little brother or sister. I know how lonely it can be being an only child. Sisters and brothers may be a pain in the neck but when all is said and done they are always going to be there for you and I really want that for Maddie. What about you, do you want more children?" "Yes. I think it would be nice to be able to be a real father to a child. I want to be there for my child everyday." "It must be hard for you having Jeremy so far away. I couldn't imagine my life without Maddie in it everyday." "It's very hard for me but every chance I get I try to see him."

The timer on the microwave sounds. "I'll get that." Jesse gets up and gets the popcorn out of the microwave. She puts it into a large blue bowl. She sits down on the couch next to Mike. "Would you like some." Mike takes a handful of popcorn. "Where were we?" "We were talking about having children." "Correction we were talking about if we wanted more children in the future." "Jesse, I think that there's something happening between us and I was wondering if you feel the same way."
"Mike I do have feelings for you and I think that this could be the start of something but…" "But what? Is it Eric?" "No it's Carrie." "Carrie, what does Carrie have to do with this?" "You still haven't told her how you feel. I don't want you wondering what might have been for the rest of your life." "Jesse I'm right where I want to be. I want to be with you. Carrie and I just weren't meant to be." "Are you sure about this?" "I'm positive. I want to be with you." Mike and Jesse kiss.

Mike's beeper starts to go off. "Oh man!" Mike looks at his beeper. "It's the hospital. I have to call in." "Are you sure? It isn't some chick calling you to get you out of your date." Mike laughs as he dials the hospital. "This is Dr. Horton. Isn't there anyone else who can cover for me? I understand. I'll be right there." Mike hangs up the phone. "I have to go. I'm sorry." "I guess I have to get used to this if I'm going to be dating a doctor." Both of them walk to the door hand in hand. Jesse opens the door and Mike steps out. "I'll see you tomorrow." Mike and Jesse kiss. Jesse opens her eyes to see if Mike has his closed. Mike calls her on it. "Why do you have your eyes open?" "I was wondering if you had yours closed. Yours were open too." "Well I was wondering if you had your eyes closed!" Both of them laugh out loud. "We're quite a pair. Okay let's try it again only we'll both keep our eyes closed, deal." "Deal!" Mike and Jesse kiss once again. As they are kissing they can't help but feel someone is watching them. They break the kiss and they see Austin and Carrie in front of them. As Jesse speaks she wipes lipstick from Mike's lips. "Hi guys." "We don't want to interrupt the two of you. Please continue with what you're doing." Austin and Carrie continue to walk to his apartment door. "Isn't that great Mike has finally found someone." Carrie can't help but look back at them. She's surprised at how jealous she feels. "What? Yes it's great." Jesse's staring at Carrie and she notices that Carrie seems jealous. Mike breaks Jesse's stare. "Hey, I'll see you tomorrow." "You sure will." Jesse closes the door. "I was right Carrie does care for Mike. Now what do I do?"

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Jesse has a rough night sleeping. She doesn't know what to do about her situation with Mike so she decides to talk to Marlena before she leaves for work. "Hi Marlena." "Jesse, come in. I was just thinking about you. Tell me all bout your date with Mike." "There's not much to tell. We went to Johnny Angel's for burgers. Then we went back to my place to watch a movie. Things were about to get interesting when he got beeped and had to leave." "It sounds like a very nice evening. What's the problem?" "As Mike was leaving we were kissing in the hallway when Carrie and Austin came home. Let's just say that Carrie looked a little bit jealous." "Jesse you're wrong. Carrie loves Austin." "I don't know Marlena. I know that look. I definitely think she was jealous. I just don't know what to do." "What do you mean?" "Do I encourage Mike to tell Carrie how he feels or do I just leave it be."

Before Marlena can respond Mike comes into the room. "Hi you two! Marlena you have to go for some more tests." "You know Mike I'm really tired of being poked and prodded." "I know Marlena but the sooner you leave and get all these tests done the sooner you can get back here." Jesse speaks up. "I guess I'll say goodbye to you Marlena. Listen to your doctor, please." "Jesse if you don't mind I would like to talk to you before you leave." "Sure I guess I could stick around for a few minutes." A nurse walks into the room and takes Marlena away in a wheelchair.

Mike and Jesse sit down on Marlena's bed. "Are you all right?" "I'm fine why." "Did I say something wrong last night?" "It's not you. It's me. Mike I'm scared. I couldn't stand it if we got serious and I lost you. I have a daughter to think about. It was really hard on her to loose Eric. I don't want to do that to her again." "I'm in this till the end. You're worried about Carrie." Jesse shakes her head. "Like I told you last night I'm right where I want to be. I want to be with you." "You really mean that." "Yes, really mean it." Mike and Jesse kiss.

To be continued...

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