Chapter 20 - Oh What a Night!

Everyone is at the Penthouse Grill dancing and having a good time. There is one thing on everyone's mind: Where's John and Marlena?

John and Marlena are in the elevator at the Penthouse Grill. Marlena's trying to get the wrinkles out of her dress. "John, how do I look?" John puts his arms around Marlena. "You look beautiful." "I'm a wrinkled mess! I don't know how I let you talk me into going to the Salem Inn." "Doc you have to admit that we did have a good time." Marlena smiles. "Yes we did but we are over an hour late. The both of us are a wrinkled mess and look at my hair! Thanks to you I had to let it down." "I like your hair down." "JOHN! Everyone is going to know what we were doing." "Doc, anyone who really knows us won't be surprised by this." "OOH you are so bad." "Doc, I don't care what anyone says or thinks as long as we're together that's all that matters."

The elevator doors open. John and Marlena step out to a round of applause. "Hey look who finally decided to show up!" The DJ stops the music. "Here they are making their first public appearance as husband and wife let's hear it for Mr. and Mrs. John Black." Everyone in the room applauds. John and Marlena head straight for the food. The DJ comes over to John. "When would you like for me to do the first dance?" "What do you think Doc? After we grab something to eat?" "That would be fine." "I'll give you a signal when to do it." "Sure thing Mr. Black."

Jesse and Mike go over to John and Marlena. "Do you want to tell us where the two of you were?" John and Marlena look at each other and smile. "On second thought we don't want to know." The song 'I Say a Little Prayer' starts to play. "I love this song! Mike, would you dance with me?" "I'm not a very good dancer." "Oh come on." Jesse drags Mike onto the dance floor. Jesse starts to dance. You can tell that she had years of dance lessons. Mike on the other hand has his body going in all directions. Jesse looks at Mike and starts to laugh. "How could such a good looking buy be such a bad dancer?" "I told you I wasn't a very good dancer." "You weren't kidding Would you mind if I helped you?" "I'll try anything!" Jesse slides her hands under Mike's coat. "I like this so far." Her hands very slowly move into Mike's back pockets. "I REALLY LIKE THIS!" "Settle down BEVIS! Now my hands are back there to try and get the lower part of your body to move with the music." Mike finally starts to dance with the music. Mike and Jesse are dancing as though they are the only ones in the room. They dace as though they are making love. Suddenly they begin to kiss. They continue to dance even though the music has stopped.

"Okay now we would like to clear the dance floor so we can have the first dace for the bride and the groom." Jesse and Mike finally stop dancing. Both of them are a bright shade of red as they leave the dance floor. John and Marlena take their place. John takes Marlena into his arms as the music begins to play.

Old friend here we are
After all the years and tears
And all that we've been through
It feels so good to see you
Lookin' back in time
There've been other friends and other lovers
But no other one like you
All my life no one has ever known me better

I must have traveled down a thousand roads
Been so many places seen so many faces
Always on my way to somethin' new whoah
But it doesn't matter cause no matter where I go
Every road leads back
Every road just seems to lead me back to you

Oh friend there were times
I didn't want to see your face or hear your name again
Now those times are far behind me
It's so good to see your smile
I'd forgotten how nobody else could make me smile the way you do
All this time
You're the one I still want beside me

I must have traveled down a thousand roads
Been so many places seen so many faces
Always on my way to somethin' new whoah
But it doesn't matter cause no matter where I go
Every road leads back
Every road just seems to lead me back to you

I must have traveled down a thousand roads
Been so many places seen so many faces
Always on my way to somethin' new whoah
But it doesn't matter cause no matter where I go
Every road leads back
Every road just seems to lead me back to you
Every road leads back
Every road just seems to lead me back to you


As the song ends John and Marlena kiss. The entire room applauds them. "Now here's a song that everyone can dance to." John and Marlena leave the dance floor to get something to drink. Don comes over to Marlena. "Could I talk to you?" "I'll go get us a drink." John kisses Marlena before he leaves. "I'm glad you came Don." "I wouldn't miss this for the world. I have to admit that I'm not only here for your wedding." "So you know about Jesse?" "Yes." "How did you find out?" "Sami called to invite me to your wedding and she just let it slip out." "Don, I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have been told by Sami." "Marlena, do you really think that she is Sam's and my daughter?" "She's definitely Sam's daughter. Her personality is very similar to Sam's and I even think I see a little bit of you in her." "Really?" "Yes really. She's a wonderful young woman. Go and talk to her." "I don't think she would speak to me. I was a little hard on her when I first talked to her." "Oh Don." "What can I say I was upset." "Go and talk to her. Straighten everything out, be the nice guy I know you are." "Thanks Baby I needed that."

Jesse and Mike are sitting at one of the tables when Don comes over to talk to Jesse. "Mike, would you mind if I stole your date for a while" "I don't mind if she doesn't. Jesse?" "I don't mind." "Lets try and find a quiet place to talk." "How about the balcony?" "That would be fine." Don and Jesse head for the balcony. There are two people already there but when they see Jesse and Don they head inside. Jesse speaks first. "I would like to apologize for calling you Butt-head earlier today." "You mean that was meant for me?! I though that was aimed at Roman." Jesse and Don laugh. "While we're apologizing I would like to apologize for how I treated you last night." "I understand. I didn't at the time but now that I've had time to think about it if I were in your shoes I would have been upset too." "That was no reason for me to take my anger out on you. You had nothing to do with what happened back then. I want you to know that if I am your father I would like to have some kind of a relationship with you if that's okay." Jesse begins to cry. "That would be fine with me." "Here's my business card." Jesse takes the card. "Call me some time maybe we can work something out." Don goes inside. "Mike, I think you should get out there." Mike goes out to the balcony. Jesse's back is turned to Mike. Mike comes up behind her and puts his arms around her waist. Jesse is startled. "Are you all right?" Jesse wipes away her tears. "I'm fine. You know he's not as bad as I originally thought." Jesse turns around. "Thank you for being there for me." "There's no other place I'd rather be." Jesse and Mike begin to kiss. Carrie some out to the balcony. She's a bit upset to see Jesse and Mike kissing. Carrie clears her throat to get their attention. "Excuse me but Marlena's about to throw the bouquet." "We'll be right in." Jesse wipes the tears away from her eyes. "Are you ready?" "Yes let's get in there."

Marlena's on the dance floor waiting for all of the eligible women to get out on the dance floor. Mike pushes Jesse on to the dance floor. Jesse very reluctantly goes out. "Is everyone ready?" "YES!" Marlena throws the bouquet over her shoulder. The bouquet goes right into Jesse's hand. Next is the tossing of the garter. The DJ brings a chair out to the center of the dance floor for Marlena to sit on. Marlena sits down and pulls her skirt up to reveal the garter. John puts on a devilish smile as the strip tease music starts to play. John very slowly removes the garter from Marlena's leg. Finally he has the garter off and he puts it on his finger and twirls it around. All of the eligible males come out onto the dance floor. John tosses the garter over his shoulder. The garter seems to move in slow motion. Both Eric and Mike jump to catch it when they come down to the floor Mike has it in his hands. The DJ speaks up. "Now we need Jesse out here." Jesse comes out onto the dance floor. "Jesse you sit here and Mike you get down on your knee. Okay Mike it's now time for you to put the garter on Jesse's leg. Jesse please put out your left leg." Jesse puts out her leg. "Now Mike the tradition is that for every inch you get the garter above her knee is another year of good luck for the bride and groom." John has a request for Mike. "Go up the one leg and come sown the other Mike!" " "You heard him Mike. Are you up for the challenge Mike?" Mike blushes and shakes his head. "All right! Let's start the music!" Jesse is blushing. The entire room is cheering Mike on especially John and Marlena. Mike gets the garter half way up Jesse's thigh when the DJ stops him. "Wait! Wait! Stop the music! Mike! You have it on the wrong leg! It's supposed to be on the right leg! Now we have to start all over again." Mike takes the garter off. Jesse shakes her head and puts out her other leg. Mike slips the garter on and moves it up Jesse's leg. He keeps going until you can no longer see his hand. Jesse finally stops him. "Let's have a round of applause for Jesse and Mike." John asks to use the microphone. "Everyone. Could I have your attention please? While we have your attention Marlena and I have a little announcement to make. This coming April Marlena and I are going to be the parents of twins." Everyone in the room is ecstatic. People one by one come over to the two of them to congratulate them. Sami is very angry. She can't believe they made the announcement right in front of the entire town especially her father. Sami tries to find Roman.

John and Marlena are ready to cut the cake. John feeds Marlena first. He has that grin on again. "Be nice!" John very nicely feeds Marlena. Now it's Marlena's turn to feed John. She very slowly moves the cake towards John's mouth. Just as the cake gets to John's mouth Marlena smashes it into his face. The entire room begins to laugh. "That was very uncool of you!" Marlena laughs. She helps John wipe the whipped cream icing off of his face. Eugene and Calliope go over to John and Marlena. Calliope is holding the baby. "Calliope, it's so good to see you. Who is this beautiful little girl?" Eugene speaks. "This is our daughter, Marlena Calliope Bradford." Tears start to flow from Marlena's eyes. "It was my idea." "Oh Gene!" Marlena hugs Gene. "It was the least I could do since named your daughter's middle name after me." "Can I hold her?" Calliope hands the baby over to Marlena. "Oh my. You look like your mommy. Oh yes you do!" Marlena gives the baby a hug and a kiss then she hands the baby back to Calliope. The baby lets out a yawn. "Well that's our cue Euge! We'd better get going." "Eugene…Calliope it was so good to see the two of you. Thank you for coming." They all hug and say their good-byes.

Sami goes over to John and Marlena. "How could you make your little announcement with daddy right here in the room?" "Sami your father gave us his blessing. Besides we couldn't keep this a secret for much longer. He would have found out about it sooner or later." "Yes but did you have to embarrass him in front of the entire town." "Sami stop this right now." "Does the truth hurt mom? You know as well as I do that this is killing him inside. I will never forgive you for hurting him AGAIN!" Sami walks away. Jesse stops her from leaving. "Why did you have to do that?" "I want her to know how much she's hurt my dad. I will never let her forget all the pain she caused when she had that affair with John." "Oh Sami grow up! I think it's about time you forgive your mother for the affair. Everyone else in town has. Why do you constantly have to hurt her? Sami she's your mother and she loves you so much." "She doesn't love me. What does she need me for when she has you." "What?" "You seem to be quite the mother daughter pair lately." "You know what Sami I would be honored if Marlena were my mother." Sami just leaves. "I still can't believe that that girl came out of Marlena. I really can't."

Sami's in front of the Penthouse Grill building. She isn't watching where she's going. She runs into another woman. "Oh I'm sorry!" Sami looks at the woman. "Sharon Swanson?" "Sami Brady?" "Sharon, what are you doing in Salem?" "My connecting flight to New York was cancelled. I've been looking all over town for a place to stay but all the hotels in town are completely booked. I hate to ask but could I stay at your place?" "I'm sorry but I'm living with my in-laws right now and I don't think they would like it if I brought someone home." Sami gets an idea. "Do you remember Jesse Hayes?" "Yes." "Well she has room at her apartment. She's right in there. I think she'll let you stay with her the night." "Didn't she just get married?" "She'll tell you all about it when you see her." "Thank you Sami." "It was my pleasure."

Mike and Jesse are slow dancing when Jesse sees Sharon walk into the room. She turns her back to the door. "Mike don't turn me around." "Why?" "I don't want a certain person to see me." "Who?" Jesse tries to hide her head but it's too late. Sharon comes over to Jesse. "Sharon Swanson what are you doing here?" "My flight to New York was cancelled. I ran into Sami Brady outside. She said that you might have room in your apartment for me to stay tonight. I'd stay at a hotel but they're all booked." "Well Sharon I don't know." Maddie comes over and tugs on Jesse's dress. "Mommy, can I stay with Belle and Brady tonight." "No honey Belle and Brady are leaving tonight." "No dey aren't! Grandma said I could." "I'll talk to grandma." Maddie runs back to dance with Belle and Brady. "That's your daughter?" "Yes she is. Her name is Madison." "I heard that you were getting married is this your husband?" Jesse gets a panicked look on her face. "Who would have ever thought that you of all people would get married?" Before Jesse can tell Sharon the truth Mike speaks up. "Well she did get married." Mike extends his hand out to Sharon. They shake hands. "I'm Mike Horton, Jesse's husband." "It's nice to meet you Mike." Mike puts his hand on Jesse's rear-end. "Would it be all right if I stayed at your apartment tonight?" "I don't know if we have the room." "Sure we have room sweetheart. We always have room for friends." "Oh thank you! Could you tell me where the ladies room is? I'd like to freshen up." "Sure, go out those doors and it's the second door to the right." As soon as she's gone Jesse lays into Mike. Jesse smacks Mike on the arm. "Now why did you do that?" "Come on Jesse, that woman is a real jerk. I didn't like the way she was talking to you." "Yes but now look what you've done." "Jesse we can pretend to be married for one night. Besides I wouldn't want you to have to tell her the story of how and why you and Eric didn't get married. She would get too much pleasure out of that." "You're right. I guess we could pretend for this one night. Let's go over and say good night to John and Marlena."

"Marlena…John we're going to go." "Who is that woman you were taking to?" "She's someone I knew from Colorado. She's going to be staying at my apartment tonight. Maddie mentioned something about staying with Belle and Brady tonight. Do you know anything about this?" "Yes it was our idea. We wanted the kids to have one last night together before we go since we'll be gone almost a month. We'll drop Maddie off on our way to the air port." "That sounds fine." Jesse hugs John and then Marlena. "I'm so happy for the two of you. I'll see you tomorrow." Jesse and Mike catch up with Sharon in the lobby. The three of them head for Jesse's apartment.

John turns to Marlena. "Would you care to dance Mrs. Black?" "I would love to Mr. Black." Susan goes over to the DJ and whispers something in his ear. John takes Marlena into his arms as they wait for the music to begin. "This song is going out to the bride and groom from Susan and baby Elvis. The music begins to play. The song is 'I Can't Help Falling In Love With You' by Elvis Presley. Marlena can't help but laugh. "I'm glad you find this funny Doc." "John just put a smile on your face. It's a beautiful song and Susan does mean well.

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay would it would it be a sin?
If I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darlin' so it goes some things were meant to be
Take my hand take my whole life too
For I can't help
Falling in love with you

Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darlin' so it goes some things were meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help
Falling in love with you!

The song finishes and John and Marlena leave the dance floor. They end up getting separated. John goes to talk to Abe. Marlena goes over to Shane. "Shane, it's so good to see you. I'm sorry we haven't been able to talk before this." "It's good to see you Marlena. I just wanted to say that I'm so happy that you and John are finally together and that I was here to see it happen." "Did you talk to Kim?" "Yes we did talk. We even danced. It was good to see her again." "I haven't had the chance to talk to her yet." "John's over there talking to her and Kayla now. Why don't you go and join them? I'm leaving anyway." "Thank you Shane for coming. Please don't be such a stranger." "I'll try." Marlena and Shane hug. Marlena goes over to join in the conversation between John, Kayla, and Kim. "Is this a private conversation or can anyone join?" Kim speaks up. "Marlena, it's so good to see you!" Marlena hugs both Kim and Kayla. "It's wonderful to see you both. I wish the two of you would come home more often." "The two of us were just talking about that. I guess we will have to try to get home more often." "Next time bring the kids. I'd love to see them." "Sure. So where are the two of you going on your honeymoon?" John puts his arms around Marlena's waist. "It's a surprise." "Isn't he bad? He knows how I hate surprises." "Come on John at least tell us." "No. It's a surprise and it's going to stay that way." "What am I going to do with you?" "Well Marlena we tried. Give me a call when you get back from your honeymoon." "All right. I'll do that Kim." "We're going to go. Take care you two and I'll talk to you when you get back." "You sure will." All four of them exchange hugs.

Don comes over to John and Marlena. John gives them a minute to talk. "Are you leaving too?" "Yes it's way past my bedtime." "How did your talk with Jesse go?" "I think it went okay. We're going to take it one step at a time. Is that little girl over there her daughter?" "Yes that's Maddie. Do you want to meet her?" Don just stares at the little girl. "No, not right now. Did I hear her calling you grandma?" "Yes she calls me grandma." "Why?" "Well before Jesse found out who her parents were she and Eric were engaged." "They were?" "Eric had Maddie calling me grandma. Afterwards I just kept letting her call me grandma." "You don't mind?" "Well I am a grandmother." "That's right Sami has a little boy. Marlena do you ever wonder what our son would have been like if he were here today?" "Yes from time to time I do. Oh how I wish things could have been different but we can't change that and we have to concentrate on right now. Don you have to concentrate on building a relationship with your new daughter and granddaughter." "I will. I'll talk to you soon." "You'd better." Don gives Marlena a hug and a kiss. Don says goodbye to John on his way out.

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Jesse, Mike, and Sharon enter the apartment. Sharon looks the place over. She sets her luggage by the side of the couch. "You can sleep on the couch Sharon." "What about your daughter's bed?" "She has one of those miniature beds. You would never fit. I would let you sleep with me but Mike's on call and he really needs his rest." Sharon sits down on the couch. "This will do." Mike goes into the bathroom and Jesse goes into her room. Jesse comes back out. "Here's a pillow and some blankets for you. Just let know if you need another blanket." "I will. Thank you for letting me stay here." "It's no problem." "So who's wedding were you in?" "It was my aunt's wedding." "I didn't think you had any family." "I found my biological mother's family. Do you remember the Evans family that lived next store to my family?" "Yes, Sami and Eric's grandparents." "Yes, my mother is their daughter Samantha." "So what does your husband Mike do?" "He's a doctor." "He's a doctor and you live in this small apartment." Jesse is getting angry. "Well we just got married and we're trying to save for a new house." Mike comes out of the bathroom. "Jesse are you coming to bed?" "Yes. I'm coming. We'll see you tomorrow Sharon."

Jesse goes into the bedroom. Mike is sitting on the bed smiling. Jesse whispers, "Man I hate her." Jesse continues to speak quietly. "I want to thank you for doing this." "It's no problem. Someone did something very similar for me one time." "Carrie?" "Yes." Jesse changes the subject. "Well I'm going to go get changed." Jesse picks up her nightgown and is heading for the bathroom. "Wait Jesse. Isn't it going to look strange if you go to the bathroom to get changed? I mean we're supposed to be married." "You do have a point there. I'll get changed here. Do you want something to wear? A T-shirt and sweat pants?" "If it's all right with you I'll just wear my underwear." Jesse blushes. "That's fine with me." Both of them turn around and start to get changed. Mike tries to fight the urge to turn around but he's unsuccessful. He turns around to see Jesse's bare back. He quickly turns back so he's not caught. Jesse is fighting the same urge. She turns around as well. She turns just in time to see Mike take off his pants. She quickly turns back so he doesn't see her. Mike speaks first. "Are you ready?" "Yes I'm dressed."

Jesse and Mike take the bed spread off. Jesse neatly folds it and puts it on a chair. Mike takes a pillow and a blanket and spreads it out on the floor. "What are you doing?" "I'm making my bed." "Mike I think it would be better if you sleep in bed with me. I wouldn't put it past Sharon to accidentally come into the room in the middle of the night to check on us." "Well if you don't mind I'll sleep in bed with you." "Which side of the bed do you sleep on?" "I usually sleep in the middle." Jesse smiles. "Well we have a problem because I sleep in the middle too." "I'll take the left." Mike slips under the covers. "Are you ready? I'm going to turn out the light." "Sure." Jesse turns out the light and slides under the covers. "Goodnight Mike." "Goodnight Jesse." Jesse turns towards Mike. "Mike would you mind if I lay my head on your chest?" "No." Mike puts his arm out and Jesse lays her head on Mike's chest. Jesse plants a very soft kiss on his bare chest. "Thank you." They lay like this for a while but eventually Mike's arm falls asleep. "Jesse, could you lift your head? My arm's asleep." "Sure. Would you like to lay your head on my chest?" "I don't know." "Come on Mike. I really want to cuddle some more. Please!" Jesse lays out her arm and Mike lays his head on her chest. Jesse plants a kiss on the top of Mike's head. "Goodnight Mike." "Goodnight Jesse." They both fall asleep in each other's arms.

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