Chapter 26

Marlena wakens to see Maddie sleeping soundly in her arms. She hates to get up but she has to go to the hospital. Marlena very gently slides Maddie head on to her pillow. She stirs a little but Marlena slides in her dinosaur within reach. Maddie grabs the dinosaur and goes back to sleep. She plants a kiss on the top of her head. Marlena tiptoes her way out the door. Marlena very quietly opens the door to the master bedroom. She looks over to see John sound asleep, cuddling her pillow. Marlena smiles then heads over to her closet to find something to wear. John comes up behind her. "Hey Pretty Lady!" "Oh John! You scared me." John kisses Marlena's neck. "How's Maddie?" John sits down on the bed. "She's sleeping right now. John it was so heartbreaking. All she wants is her mommy and I can't give her to her." "I know it's hard Doc but you being there for her is helping her." "I just feel so helpless." Marlena pulls out an outfit and heads for the bathroom. John can hear the water running in the shower. "Doc, what are you going to do today?" Marlena emerges for the bathroom. She heads to her dresser drawer and rifles through the drawer until she finds a pair of panty hose. "I thought I would go to the hospital to check on Jesse and some of my patients then I would come home and spend the rest of the day with the kids." "Doc, have you forgotten that you have a doctor's appointment today with doctor Baitor?" "Oh man! How could I forget something so important?" "It's all right." "NO! NO it's not all right! These babies I'm carrying should be the most important thing on my mind. I just don't understand what's wrong with me." John sits Marlena on the bed. "There is nothing wrong with you. Doc, you have a lot on your mind right now." "John, that's no excuse." "May be not, but I do know that you love your niece very much and everything that you're doing right now is for her and to make her better. Your appointment isn't until late this morning right?" Marlena thinks for a second. "Yes." "You wanted to go to the hospital?" "Yes." "Well I have to go to the police station this morning. I'll drop you off at the hospital on my way to the station. That way you can visit with Jesse and check on your patients and I'll meet up with you at Dr. Baitor's office." "What would I do without you?" John kisses Marlena on the forehead. "May you never ever find out." John helps Marlena up from the bed. "Now I want you to hurry and get changed. I have to be at the station by 9." " Why? What's going on at the station?" "It's nothing." "Why don't I believe you?" "Doc, you don't need to worry. Nothing's going to happen. Now go and get dressed."

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At the police station
John enters the area where Stefano's being held. He's sitting in his cell staring at a chessboard. John taps on the glass. "Okay old man, today's the day. You finally get a new home. It's not very spacious, but it has one hell of a security system." John's laughing. "I will have the last laugh, John." "Don't count on it. If you try anything while we're transporting you the officers have an order to shoot to kill so either way you are going to be out of my life f-o-r-e-v-e-r." "Don't count on it John." Abe enters the area with four of his men. "Is everything all right?" "Everything's fine Abe. If you don't mind I would like to stay around to make sure that he doesn't get away." "I wouldn't have it any other way partner." "Thanks Abe." Abe punches in the security code and the cell door opens. All of the officers enter the cell. Abe personally puts the cuffs on Stefano's ankles and wrists. Stefano slowly walks out of the cell with a smug look on his face. He walks over to John. "Remember John I'm the only one who knows who you really are. I hold all the cards." "You don't hold anything over me old man and as of today you are out of my life for good." "I will always be a thorn in your side John." Stefano begins to laugh. John lunges towards Stefano but Abe grabs him. "You lousy bastard." "Get him out of here." John struggles to get free from Able. "He's not worth it!" "He knows just what buttons to push Abe." "I know. Are you all right? Can I let go of you now?" "I'm fine."

John and Abe are about to leave the holding area when there's a loud explosion. The blast shakes the entire building. "What the hell was that?" An officer runs up to Abe. "Sgt. Green what the hell happened?" "There was an explosion Commander." "What about the prisoner?" "I don't know." Abe and John run outside. There are people running everywhere. Abe goes back inside to call the fire department. John goes over to one of the officers. "What happened?" "We were loading Mr. Dimera into the van when that car exploded." "Where's the van? Where's Stefano?" "I don't know. I was thrown by the explosion." Abe comes over to John. "He's gone Abe!" "What?" "Stefano did it again. He's escaped." "That's impossible." "It's not impossible. Abe he's done it. Some of your men must be on his payroll. Damn it. We had him. Marlena…I have to get to Marlena." "I'll pick up Megan from school and go over to your house to protect the kids." "Abe, we have to find him." "We will partner."

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"Get these damn cuff off me!" One of the officers pulls out some keys. He places the key into the lock. The cuffs fall to the floor of the van. Stefano rubs his wrists. "AHH! Thank You! I want to commend all of you for the fine job you did. This plan went off perfectly." The driver speaks. "Where are we going?" "To the Lafferty Farmhouse, I have to plan my next move very carefully." Stefano pulls out a picture of Marlena out from his pocket. Oh my Queen! I must let you go for now but I will be back for you.

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Marlena enters Jesse's room. There's a nurse taking Jesse's vital signs. "Hello Dr. Evans." Marlena smiles. "Hello Chris." "Dr. Evans I was going to start exercising Jesse's muscles today. I thought you might like to know." "Thank you. If you don't mind I would like to do it." "Certainly Dr. Evans, if you need anything just buzz me." "I will." Chris leaves the room. Marlena sits down next to Jesse's bed. "So how are you feeling today?" There's a moment of silence. "Oh that good huh? Come on Jesse open your eyes for me." Nothing happens. "I have something for you. I figured that you were probably sick of the hospital issue so I bought you a pair of pajamas. They're blue, your favorite color." Marlena changes Jesse's clothes. "They match the blue in your eyes. I don't know how you got such blue eyes. My guess is that you have momma's eyes. You're not the only one both Sami and Eric have momma's eyes." Marlena starts to message Jesse's calves. "Let's see what should we talk about. Oh yes, Mike. He spent yesterday with Maddie. She really likes him. She had a wonderful time despite the fact that she wasn't feeling well. It's nothing serious, just a tummy ache. She was asking for you. Of course as you know all kids want their mommy when they're sick. It was so hard for me to not to be able to give her what she wants. I sound like a grandmother don't I?" Marlena begins to move Jesse's leg as though she's riding a bike. "I know you're probably dying to see Maddie and I thought that once your bruises were healed I would bring her in for a little visit." Mike enters the room. Marlena continues to exercise Jesse's legs. "Hi Mike." "Hi Marlena. How's Maddie?" "She was up most of the night but I think she's finally starting to feel better. When I left she was still sleeping." "I was worried about her. Do you think she would mind if I visited her after I get off work." "I think she'd love it." Marlena looks at her watch. "Mike, would you mind finishing for me. I have a doctor's appointment." "Go, I'd be happy to do this." "Thanks Mike."

Mike starts to work on Jesse's other leg. "If you ask me I think you have it easy right now. People waiting on you hand and foot. You're getting a leg massage by the best looking doctor in Salem. You know that I'm going to want you to do the same for me when you get out of this place don't you. You do realize I'm only doing this because then you will owe me, right? You would think being the most eligible and handsome doctor in town you would think I would be able to keep a woman in my life. What's wrong with me Jesse? First there was Margo…then April…Carrie…and now you. I finally start falling in love again only to lose the woman I want but you know what this time I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to step aside like I did for Carrie. I'm going to fight for us and I want you to fight too. Do you hear me? I want you to come back to me." Mike stops exercising her leg. He turns to the nightstand and turns the radio on.

Every night in my dreams I see you I feel you,
That is how I know you go on,
Far across the distance and spaces between us you have come to show you go on.

Near far where ever you are
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more you open the door and you're here in my heart,
And my heart will go on and on.

Mike climbs into bed with Jesse. He's careful not to hurt her injuries. He cradles her in his arms and he starts to think about the night of their horrible dates, the night that started it all.

Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime,
And never let go til we're gone.
Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to.
In my life we'll always go on.

Near…Far where ever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more, you open the door
And you're here in my heart and my heart will go on and on.

Mike thinks about the first time he and Jesse made love.

You're here there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on.
We'll stay forever this way,
You are safe in my heart,
And my heart will go on and on!


"Don't give us on me Jesse. Don't give up on us."

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Marlena heads to the elevator where she runs into Lucas getting off. "Marlena, I was just on my way to see you. Do you have a minute?" Marlena looks at her watch. "Sure." Marlena looks around for a place to talk. "Why don't we go into the staff lounge?" Lucas opens the door for Marlena. "Thank you." "So what did you want to talk to me about?" "Marlena, I need your help. I've decided to sue for sole custody of Will and I want you to testify for me." "Oh Lucas. Do you know what you're asking me to do? I just don't know if I could do that to Sami." "I know that what I'm asking you to do is going to be hard for you but I'm asking you to do what's best for your grandson. Sami's still using Will to get to Austin and if I don't take him away from her he's only going to get hurt again." "But Lucas taking Will way from Sami. She loves him so much. This is going to kill her." "I think this is just what she needs to wake her up and make her see that she needs help." "I just don't know if I can do this." "If you won't do it for me then do it for Will. Last summer Will was kidnapped because of one of Sami's schemes to get Austin. She moved into that rat infested apartment so that Austin would have her move back with him but her plan backfired because Mary took Will before she could get her plan into motion. Marlena, she needs help. She's so obsessed with getting Austin back she doesn't care what she has to do to get him. I'm sorry but I'm not going to stand by and watcher her use my son in her sick and twisted games." "You're right she does need help. It's just the thought of her never seeing Will again." "Marlena this is the only way. If she gets some help then maybe I'll consider letting her have joint custody but that will only happen if I'm truly convinced that she's changed." "Alright, I'll testify for you." "Thank you Marlena." "Have you gotten a court date yet?" "No but I'll let you know."

John enters the room. Marlena see that there's something wrong. "Hi John." "Hi Lucas." "John, what's wrong?" "There's nothing wrong." "Yes there is I can see it in your face. Now tell me what's wrong. Did something happen at the police station?" Lucas interrupts. "I'm going to go. I'll let you know when we get a court date." "Yes please do." "Goodbye Marlena…John." "Good-bye Lucas." John looks at Marlena. "Court date?" "Lucas is suing Sami for full custody of Will and I agreed to testify on his behalf." "Doc are you sure you want to do that?" "Yes I'm sure and don't change the subject. I want to know what happened at the police station." "I can't hide anything from you Doc." "No you can't so tell me." "I will tell you." "Good." "After your doctor's appointment." "JOHN!" "Doc, I'll tell you but only after your appointment." John and Marlena leave the lounge and get on the elevator. Marlena pushes the button for the sixth floor. The elevator begins to move but Marlena hits the stop button. "Why did you do that?" "Do I have your attention?" "Yes, you do." "Then tell me what happened." "Doc, stop this." John reaches for the start button but Marlena stop him. "No! I know that there's something wrong and I want to know what it is." John reaches for the button again. "No! We're not moving until you tell me what happened." "Doc you're being ridiculous. Now let me start the elevator." "No I want to know what happened." "God you're stubborn!" "I know that's what you love most about me." "I do?" "Yes you do now tell me." "I don't want to upset you." "It's Stefano isn't it?" John shakes his head. "He's escaped hasn't he?" "Yes." John takes Marlena into his arms. "How did this happen John?" "I don't know." "The kids! John the kids. We have to get over to the mansion right away." "Doc, Abe went to pick up Megan from school and then he's heading over to the mansion to protect the kids." "I thought we were finally free from Stefano." "I know so did I but as long as I'm taking in breath he will never get near you or our children. You believe me don't you?" John cups Marlena's face. "Yes I do." John pushes the start button and the elevator starts to move.

Marlena and John enter the doctor's office. "Hello Dr. Evans, the doctor's ready to see you." The nurse gets up from behind the desk and shows Marlena and John to the examining room. "Here's a gown for you to change into." The nurse leaves. Marlena disappears behind the curtain. "Do you need any help Doc?" "I know the kind of help you're offering and the answer is no." John laughs. "You're pretty calm about this whole Stefano thing." "I decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to let him victimize me. I'm not going to let him get to me anymore. I'm not going to live my life in fear because of the all mighty Stefano DiMera." Marlena comes out from behind the screen. "You can even make a hospital gown look good." As John helps Marlena on to the table she gives him a kiss. Doctor Baitor enters the room. "Well it's nice to see that Marlena's pregnancy hasn't stopped the romance in your marriage." Both John and Marlena laugh.

"So Marlena, have you been having any problems with your pregnancy?" "No everything has been going pretty smoothly despite everything that's been going on in my life." "That's good. By the way, how is your niece?" "She's still the same." "I'm sorry to hear that but I want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family." "Thank you." "Now let's check out the two newest additions to your family." Marlena lifts up her gown so that her very round stomach is exposed. The doctor squeezes out the jelly on to her stomach. "Wow that's cold. I'd almost forgotten how cold that stuff is." John takes Marlena's hand. The doctor begins to run the device over Marlena's stomach. Both Marlena's and John's eyes are glued to the screen. Dr. Baitor points to the screen. "There is baby A and if I move a little to the left there is baby B." Tears are forming in both Marlena's and John's eyes. "Do you want to know the sex of the babies?" John and Marlena look at each other. "I don't know, John." "It's up to you Doc." "Yes, I hate surprises." "Baby A is a girl and baby B is a boy." The doctor hands Marlena a towel to wipe her stomach off. "I'll give you a minute to get changed and then I want to talk to the two of you about the rest of the pregnancy." "Thank you doctor."

John helps Marlena down from the table. She disappears behind the screen. "We're going to have to think of names soon. I mean we only have a little over two months left." "Doc we have plenty of time." "No we don't. These last two months are going to fly by and with my history of giving birth prematurely well there's a very good chance that we only have a little over a month instead of two months." Marlena comes out from behind the screen and she sits on the table again. Dr. Baitor enters the room. "I wanted to talk to the two of you about the babies birth. During the delivery I want to have a respiratory specialist on hand when the babies are born." Both Marlena and John appear concerned. "Is there something wrong?" "No John. It's just that most of Marlena's children have had respiratory problems after birth correct?" "Yes DJ, Eric, and Belle all had respiratory problems." "I'm just going to have the specialist there just in case something should happen. Now we're heading into the home stretch of your pregnancy Marlena and I want you to take it easy. I don't want you overdoing anything." "I'll try." "Marlena, I don't want you to just try. I want you to promise me that you will take it easy. Your babies lives depend on it." "I will. I promise I will take it easy." "Good then we agree." "Yes doctor." "I'll see the two of you in five weeks. Good-bye." "Good-bye doctor. Oh John, another son and daughter. Are you happy?" "Am I happy? Lady I'm happier than I've ever been in my life. I will always be happy as long as I have you in my life."

To be continued…

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