Chapter 19 The Wedding You'll Never Forget

It's morning at the DiMera mansion. Marlena wakes up in John's arms. She softly plants a kiss on his chest. "Good morning. It's time to get up." "Doc, we can sleep a little bit longer." "No we can't. We've slept longer than we should have." John's hands begin to wander under the covers. "John. Get your hand out from underneath my shirt." John puts on a devilish smile. "Is that your shirt? Is that my hand?" Marlena laughs. "John you should have done this last night." "You mean I could have taken advantage of you last night." "Yes you could have." John's hand doesn't move. "John, come on. I have to get up. The girls are going to be here any minute. Remember our deal. It's time for you to go." John gets on top of Marlena and pins her arms back. "Why don't you make me?" "Oh man! You don't play fair!"

There's a knock at the door but John and Marlena don't hear it. Jesse opens the door and peeks her head in. She sees John on top of Marlena so she quickly closes the door. "Hey guys lets go down stairs and set up mommy's breakfast there." Megan takes Maddie, Belle, and Brady downstairs. Laura and Carrie are curious. "Jesse, what's going on in there?" "Let's just say that John and Marlena have decided to start their honeymoon a little early." The three of them head downstairs to help the kids.

"Now you did it. Jesse saw us." "Doc she didn't see anything." "Okay John get off me. We have to get dressed." John kisses Marlena. "You are such a party pooper. Besides we're already married it is okay if we make love." Marlena gets out of bed and starts to get dressed. "Yes but not everybody knows that we're married." "Jesse does." "Oh, that's right. It doesn't matter anyway I have to finish getting dressed and you have to get out of here. Now move it." John lies on the bed for a minute then he starts to get dressed. Marlena combs her hair. John goes into the bathroom for a minute. "John." John comes back into the room and he sits on the bed to put his shoes on. "Yes." "I was thinking we could make an announcement at the reception that I'm pregnant." "Are you sure you want to do that today?" "Well everyone we want to know will be in the same room at once. It's the perfect time." "Whatever you want Doc. Well I'm ready. I'll see you later." John leaves the room. Marlena's disappointed because he didn't kiss her before he left.

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Jesse's getting juice for the kids when John comes into the living room. Jesse blushes when she sees John. "John, I'm sorry for interrupting you and Marlena. I didn't think the two of you were going to spend the night together." "Well we decided to go against tradition this time." "I hope it works this time." "So do I. Brady are you ready to go?" "Okay dad." "We'll see all of you at the church." John goes over to Belle and Megan. "I want the two of you to watch out for your mom today. Do you hear me?" "Otay daddy!" "Sure dad." John kisses both of his daughters before he leaves.

Marlena comes into the room. "Oh my! What have all of you done? Everything looks wonderful." Marlena sits down on the couch. Belle goes over to her mother with a plate of food. "Here mommy! Dis is for you!" Marlena takes the plate from Belle. "Thank you sweetheart." Carrie speaks up. "Well I'm done. I'll go up and get changed." "I'm done too. Come on Maddie we'll go and get changed." "Otay mommy! Can Belle tome too?" "Do you mind Marlena?" "No go ahead." "Well since everyone else is going I might as well go too." says Megan. "All of you get changed and I'll stay here with Marlena." "No, Laura you get changed too. I would like a few minutes alone." "Sure." Everyone leaves the room. Marlena's eating her breakfast when she sees that John has returned. "I just couldn't leave without giving you this." John leans over and gives Marlena a very passionate kiss, which lasts for a few minutes. John finally breaks the kiss and leaves. Marlena is breathless. Oh my how I love that man! After today John we will never be apart again!

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Roman is in his bedroom at the pub when there's a knock at the door. "Who is it?" There's another knock. "Come in!" Roman has his back turned to the door but when he turns around there is a very pleasant surprise for him standing there. It's Kimberly and Kayla. "It's so good to see the two of you!" Roman hugs Kayla and then Kim. "What are the two of you doing in town?" Kayla speaks up. "We're here for John and Marlena's wedding." The both of them can see the pain and anger in Roman's face. "You two are my sisters! How could you do this to me?" Kimberly speaks up. "Kayla, why don't you go leave us alone?" "Sure. It's good to see you again Roman." Kayla leaves and closes the door behind her.

"Why are you so mad?" "I know that Doc still loves me. I should be marrying her." "Roman a part of Marlena will always love you because of your children just like a part of me will always love Shane but Marlena is IN love with John." "Come on Kim. Marlena only fell in love with John because she thought he was me." "Oh brother dear how wrong you are! I don't want to hurt you but what you and Marlena had died when we thought you died on that beach in 84. Roman you have to face it Marlena moved on with her life after she thought you died and she fell in love with John. Roman, I was there when they were married they were so in love. You have to accept that what you and Marlena had is gone. If you do that I think you can finally move on with your life." "It's just so damn hard Kimmy. I just keep thinking that what if Stefano hadn't entered our lives…and what if I hadn't gone to that island to find Bo and the others." "Roman you can wonder what might have been all your life but that's not going to change what happened. You can't live in the past Roman. You have to work with the cards you're dealt and you have to do the best with what you got. You have to realize that it's over for you and Marlena." "I think I always knew in the back of my mind when I came back that what we had was gone but I was just too stubborn to admit it. I loved her so much and it killed me to think that she could love someone else as much as she loved me." "Do you love Marlena?" "Yes I do." "Then you have to let her go." "I don't know if I can do that." "Do you want her to be happy?" "Yes." "John makes her happy." "I know. I guess I always did know that. There's only one thing I can do now." "What's that?" "I'm going to go to the wedding to give them my blessing. Would you and Kayla wait for me to get ready?" "Sure we'll be down in the pub waiting." "Hey sis. Thanks." "Anytime."


Kayla is sitting at the bar drinking some tea. Kim comes down the stairs. "How's Roman?" "I convinced him to go to the wedding." "How on earth did you do that?" "Well I." "Aunt Kim…Aunt Kayla what are the two of you doing here?" Kim and Kayla turn around to see Sami standing there. Both of them hug her. Roman comes down the stairs in a navy pin stripped suit. "Well how do I look?" "Daddy, why are you all dressed up?" "I'm going to your mother's wedding." "No daddy you can't. " "No peanut, I have to do this. This will help me to move on with my life. Damn I forgot my watch. I'll be back in a minute." Roman dashes up the stairs.

Kim speaks. "Sami I think you should at the very least make an appearance at this wedding." "Oh you do do you? Well there is no way in hell I'm going to this wedding." "Listen young lady I'm sick of you treating your mother so badly. You have done plenty of things over the years that are ten times worse than the one affair your mother had. I suggest you go home and put on a nice dress and go to the church." Sami leaves the pub. Kayla speaks. "Do you think she's going to go to the wedding?" "I have no clue but I hope she goes for Marlena's sake." Roman comes down the stairs. "Where's ma and pop?" Kayla answers him. "They left already. They wanted to stop by the Penthouse Grill to make sure everything was ready for the reception." "Where did Sami go?" "She didn't say." Kim interrupts. "We should be going."

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The scene switches to the bride's room at St. Luke's. Marlena is about to get changed when there's a knock at the door. Laura answers it. "It's so good to see you come on in." Marlena has a stunned look on her face. "Liz Craig! I can't believe it." Liz's voice is hoarse. "It's so good to see you Marlena. There is someone I would like for you to meet this is my niece LeAnn." Marlena and LeAnn shake hands. Jesse speaks, "Are you going to be able to sing today Liz?" "That's why I brought my niece. I hope you don't mind. She is a wonderful singer." LeAnn speaks. "I would just like to say that I know the song that your brides maids asked me to sing and I must say it is a beautiful song." "What is it?" Jesse interrupts. "No Marlena it's a surprise." "I hate surprises. Oh please tell me." "All I'll tell you that from what I've heard about your relationship with John this song really covers your entire relationship. I guess we should get out there. I want to check things out before the wedding starts." Liz hugs Marlena. "We'll talk later." "We sure will. Bye."

"Are there any other surprise guests?" Carrie speaks. "Marlena there will be a lot of people here that you haven't seen in years." "Who? I want to know who?" Jesse interrupts. "Marlena go and get dressed. John will not be kept waiting this time around. You will see everyone soon enough." Marlena goes behind the screen and changes into her gown. Marlena comes out from behind the screen. "Okay Marlena let's work on your hair." Marlena sits in a chair while Carrie and Jesse pin her hair up. Jesse pins the last hair into place. "Okay there it is. Now for the headpiece." Laura hands Jesse the headpiece. Jesse acts as though it weighs a ton. "Jesse you stop that." Everyone in the room including Marlena begins to laugh. The headpiece is in place and Marlena just stares at herself in the mirror. "I can't believe it! This day is finally here! John and I are finally going to be together forever."


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John and Abe are at the front of the church waiting for the ceremony to begin. John watches people enter the church but he sees two faces that he hasn't seen for a while. He goes over to greet them. "Eugene…Calliope! It's so good to see you. Who is this with you?" "This is our daughter, Marlena Calliope Bradford." The little girl looks like Calliope for the most part but there is something about her that reminds John of Eugene. "You named your daughter after Marlena. She is going to be so touched." "I can't wait to see her again. I've missed her so much. When Jesse called to invite us well we couldn't refuse." "I'm glad the three of you could make it. I'll talk to the two of you later." Eugene and Calliope take their seats.

John goes back to the front of the church. When he turns around he sees Shane walking in. They give each other a nod as Shane takes his seat. Next Kimberly and Kayla walk in. They both give John a big smile as they sit down. Kimberly sees Shane. Kayla leans over toward Kimberly. "Did you know he was coming?" "No, I didn't but it's good to see him."

John looks at his watch. "Okay partner it's time. Why don't you go back and get the ladies out here?" "Sure thing." Abe leaves for the bride's room. Abe knocks on the door. "Okay ladies it's time." "We're coming Abe." Laura turns to Marlena. "Are you ready?" "Yes I am. Could I have a minute alone?" "I don't know if that's a good idea." "I'll be fine. Nothing is going to happen." "All right." Everyone very reluctantly leaves.

"Thank you god for finally letting this day happen. I promise that this is going to be my last wedding." There's a knock at the door. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" Marlena opens the door. "DON! Oh man! Not another ex-husband! What are you doing here?" Don barges his way into the room. "That's a fine way to treat you favorite ex-husband." "I'm sorry Don. It's just that I wasn't expecting you. Why are you here?" "I came back to wish you the very best. I see you don't have anyone to give you away. Would you mind if I did the honors?" "Oh Don that 's very sweet of you to offer but I don't need anyone to give me away." "Oh come on Baby it would make me so happy if I could do this for you." "I don't know Don. I don't think it would look right." "Please let me do this for you." "Don! John's waiting I have to go!" "You are not leaving until you agree to let me give you away." "Oh all right I'll let you give me away. Let's just get out of here." There's another knock at the door. Marlena opens the door and Roman's standing on the other side. "Roman what are you doing here?" Roman enters the room. "I'm here to say I'm sorry. I want you to be happy and if that means John then I will support you and to show you what a good sport I am I'm going to give you away." "Sorry pal but I beat you to it." "Don, what are you doing here?" "I'm going to give Marlena away." "Oh no you're not I'm going to give her away." "After what you've done to her over the past couple of months, pal. Hey you could take lessons from me on how to be a good ex-husband." "Oh really!" "Yes, really."

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John looks at his watch. "Abe where is she?" "I'll go check." Abe goes into the foyer he sees all of the wedding party is there waiting for Marlena. "Where's Marlena?" "She wanted a few minutes alone." Jesse speaks up. "I'll go back and get her." Jesse knocks on the door. She can hear yelling so she just walks in. "Marlena, what's going on in here?" "They're fighting over who is going to give me away. Jesse please do something." Don and Roman are in each other's faces. Jesse gets between the two of them. "Bevis…Butt-head knock it off! Okay Marlena it's your decision which one will it be?" "I don't know!"

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John is getting very nervous Abe has been gone a while. Eugene goes over to John. "Would you like for me to go check on Marlena?" "Eugene would you?" "It would be my pleasure." Eugene heads back to the bride's room. He's about to turn the knob when he suddenly stops. "Wow I'm getting really bad vibes from this room." He enters the room. Don and Roman stop fighting when they see him. They say in unison, "Oh great Eugene's here!" "Thanks guys it's great to see the two of you too." Marlena turns around. "Oh Eugene! It's wonderful to see you!" Marlena gives him a hug and a kiss. "It's great to see you too." Jesse interrupts. "I hate to break up the reunion of Marlena's ex's but everyone's waiting for the wedding to get started." Don speaks up. "Okay Marlena who is it going to be? Him or me!" Marlena looks at Roman then at Don and then at Roman. "I want Eugene to give me away." "Me?!" "Yes you. It would be perfect. I was the best person in your wedding so I think it's only fair that you give me away." Jesse ushers Don and Roman out of the room. "Okay the two of you go find a seat Preferably in the back of the church."

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Don and Roman enter the church together. Everyone in the church begins to whisper. John's surprised to see the two of them but he now knows why the ceremony was being held up. The organ begins to play and the bride's maids start to move down the aisle. The first to walk down is Megan. As she walks down the isle she give her father a smile. She meets up with Eric just before she gets to the altar. They both bow their heads and take their places. Next down the aisle is Jesse. Mike meets her at the altar. Mike whispers to her that she looks beautiful. They both bow their heads and take their places. Then it's Carrie's turn. She thinks to herself. The next time I walk down this aisle it will be at my wedding to Austin. Bo meets Carrie at the altar and they bow their heads. Now it's time for Maddie and Will to come down the aisle. Sami slips into a seat before they come down the aisle. She proudly watches him walk down the aisle. Will is holding his pillow as though it is sewn to his hands. Maddie on the other hand is very merrily throwing rose petals as she walks. Next it's Belle and Brady's turn. Brady holds his pillow very steady. Belle very daintily places the rose petals down the aisle. Finally Laura walks down the aisle to meet Abe and they both bow their heads and take their places.

The organ begins to play the bridal march. Everyone in the church springs to their feet. Calliope positions the baby so she can see. "Look sweetie. Daddy's giving the bride away." The baby smiles and claps her hands. Marlena is walking down the aisle and she can't believe that so many people came back to town for the wedding. Marlena finally looks at John. He gives her a wink and she starts to cry. Eugene and Marlena finally make it to the altar. Eugene gives Marlena a kiss. He places her hand in John's then he takes his seat. John turns to Marlena. "You look beautiful!" Marlena smiles as she wipes away her tears.

Father Jansen begins to speak. "Before we start the ceremony a young woman is going to sing a song for John and Marlena." LeAnn gets up from her seat. She picks up the microphone. The piano begins to play.


I've never been so certain
I've never been so sure
We're on the side of Angels
If we believe this love is pure
Is it so hard to trust it
Cuz we've been wrong before
There comes a time in every life
We find the heart we're waiting for
After all the might have beens
The close and distant calls
After all the try agains
Don't be afraid to fall
We're on the side of angels after all
Everytime you touch me
Don't you feel it too
The gentle hand that's guiding us
You to me, me to you
After all the might have beens
The close and distant calms
After all the try agains
Don't be afraid to fall
We're on the side of angels after all
Heaven only knows why this took so long
But only heaven knows if love is right or wrong
After all the might have beens
The close and distant calls
After all the try agains
Don't be afraid to fall
We're on the side of angels
On the side of angels!
After all!

LeAnn goes back to her seat. Marlena has tears streaming down her face. John wipes them away. Marlena hands Laura her bouquet. Marlena and John join hands.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered today to witness the joining of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Is there anyone here who can show just cause why these two may not be lawfully wed?" John and Marlena both hold their breath. There's total silence in the church. "Do you Marlena Evans take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" "I do." "Do you John Black take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" "I do." "The rings please." Abe hands John Marlena's ring and Laura hands Marlena John's ring. "Marlena, repeat after me. I Marlena give you John this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." "I Marlena give you John this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad." "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad." "I promise to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of our lives." "I promise to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of our lives." "John repeat after me. I John give you Marlena this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." "I John give you Marlena this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad." "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad." "I promise to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of our lives." "I promise to love, honor, and cherish you all the days of our lives."

"John and Marlena would now like to say something that they wrote themselves." Marlena goes first. "I have dreamed about this for so long I can't believe that we're actually here. It only took us 10 years but we're finally here. They say that good things come to those who wait and I hope that this holds true for us because we have done our fair share of waiting. You once said to me that I only loved you because I thought you were Roman. I'm going to tell you and this entire church that this is not true. John, I was in love with you when you didn't know who you were. I even loved you when I thought you were Stefano. Now that is love! I love YOU! It's that simple!"

"Marlena, finally after all of these years we are going to be together. There have been times that I thought that this would never happen but it has and I'm very grateful to god for finally allowing us to be together. I want you to know that I love you and if it's possible I love you even more now than I did before. Over the years the two of us have traveled down different roads but it seems that no matter what road I traveled down all my roads lead back to you. I hope that now we can travel down our roads side by side never to be parted again. I love you!" John and Marlena kiss.

"Now that you have signified your love with the exchanging of vows and the exchanging of rings, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." "It would be my pleasure!" John and Marlena kiss. The entire church begins to applaud. John and Marlena leave the church. They rush to their limo. "Okay Doc are you ready to start our honeymoon?" "John we can't. We have to go to the reception." "Oh come on Doc! I have a room reserved for us at the Salem Inn." "John, we have to get our pictures taken." "Oh all right. Driver go to the pier." "Yes Mr. Black." "John, why are we going to the pier?" "We are going to have our pictures taken there." The limo heads to the pier and the bridal party cars follow them.

All of the bridal party is down at the pier and they get their pictures taken. Everyone heads back to their cars when they are finished. John and Marlena lag behind to talk. "Okay Doc this is your last chance." John dangles the hotel room key in front of Marlena's face. "John we have to go to the reception." "Okay you leave me no choice." John gets ready to jump into the river. Marlena grabs his coat jacket. "No! John don't. All right! I'll go with you! Just please don't jump in there." John picks Marlena up and spins her around. "I knew that if I threatened to jump in the river again it would get me out of going to the reception." "We are going to the reception. We're just going to be fashionably late." John puts his arms around Marlena. "We won't be long." Marlena puts on a devilish smile. "No we shouldn't be too long, about four and a half minutes right?" "You're a mean mean woman." John and Marlena head for the limo in each other's arms.

To be continued...

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