Post by Mimi on Aug 31, 2006 21:12:21 GMT -5
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1.2 The More You Make Me See
Caroline Brady held Isabella in the crook of her arms. She was the embodiment of a grandmotherly spirit, every inch of her small stature believed in the humanity of man, and holding her newest granddaughter preserved that ideal. She was happy to witness Roman and Marlena’s lives returning to a solidified place, that their marriage seemed to be stronger than it ever was, especially with the birth of Isabella. Her grandchildren also seemed happier than she’d seen them in ages. They seemed secure in their family, especially Sami. The changes in their family over the years had darkened her disposition. The sullen, awkward little girl was turning into a beautiful and grateful teenager. She was doing well academically, involving herself in normal teenage activities. She cherished her friendship with Jamie; and she adored her father. Her admiration for Roman reminded Caroline of the affection Kayla felt for Shawn. Roman hung the moon and stars where Sami was concerned, she believed him with no question. His word was the final line. Carrie on the other hand had always been a bright girl whose adaptability astounded Caroline. She learned and matured quickly. She loved her family; she deeply loved and admired Marlena. She loved Roman. They clashed heads often but she respected her father and his wishes. Caroline was saddened at the idea of Eric not being home to see his new sister. He had been away from Salem for far too long. Isabella completed the Brady family picture. Caroline smiled as the little girl stirred awake in her arms. She had snuck into Marlena’s hospital room and pried the baby from Marlena’s sleeping arms. Roman would be working at the station later than he expected. He asked Caroline to check on Marlena and the baby until he could get back to them. She was happy to do it. She smoothed gentle circles on Isabella’s back to settle her.
“Caroline,” Marlena said groggily, shifting in the bed. She winced at the sharp pain in her abdomen, remembering that Dr. Benson had examined her again to see how well she was healing.
“Still in pain dear?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I am. Dr. Benson assures me that we’re progressing just fine. The baby’s coming along very well, too. She’s healthy and has a great pair of lungs.” She informed Caroline happily. Marlena’s face defied her inner turmoil. She had tossed and turned all night after John left her and the baby alone. Dealing with a truth she wasn’t ready to handle. How could a precious miracle as innocent as Isabella be the source of a terrible pain she didn’t want to inflict on her family?
The baby was unaware of her mother’s plight. She looked kindly at Marlena, without judgment, in the arms of her spiritual grandmother.
“Well you take it easy Marlena. This little angel needs a mother who is healthy.”
“I will Caroline.”
Caroline handed the baby back to Marlena. “I promised Shawn I’d help him with the rush hour at the Pub. I better get going.” She kissed Marlena and the baby goodbye.
*****
Marlena thanked God for the quietness. It allowed her time to think about John and Roman; about the decisions that needed to be made regarding Isabella and her father. She wasn’t ready to make any decisions. She wanted instead to cherish the precious time she had with her newborn baby. With the twins, everything went by so quickly, the moments were fleeting and sad in recollection. She had lost Roman so soon after their birth and then gained John, only to lose him and regain Roman. It was all too complicated to be reasoned. She could blame her current situation on Stefano; blaming him was an easy solution to her problems. Stefano placed John in her life and took Roman away; he allowed not only Marlena and the children, but all of Salem to believe John was Roman. Yet she knew Stefano didn’t force her to fall in love with John. He also hadn’t led her to John’s plane that night, the night that Isabella had most assuredly been conceived… on her and Roman’s anniversary.
Marlena remembered the way she felt when she thought she would never see John again. The idea of losing him frightened her immensely. Her fear drove her to the plane… making love was a symptom of that fear. She was afraid that she would never see him again; she wanted to have him as close as possible if that were true. Marlena was unprepared for the unencumbered emotions running through her body when she sat beside John on the plane, so painstakingly close. Roman had called her distant in one of their latest arguments; he wasn’t mistaken. She felt distant from a life she didn’t recognize anymore. Autopilot. Marlena was existing on autopilot: working, parenting, and attempting to remain vital in her partnership with Roman. In John’s presence, those things did not exist. On the plane that night, she forgot—her choice—the things that tied her to Roman. Instead, she focused on saving John, maintaining whatever piece of friendship she could with him.
“What have I done?” Marlena asked herself, wiping her face with the back of her hand. Tears fell steadily, pooling on the white robe covering her. Her coat had been white that night; she remembered the sensation of John pulling it forcefully from her body. She couldn’t stop herself crying or trembling. She couldn’t stop herself from responding to John’s kisses. She shuddered remembering how he nearly dragged her toward the leather couch where they continued to undress each other frantically. Her heart battled silently, falling into two halves before her. On that night, she wanted John; in her life she needed Roman. John made the decision easy for her. He kissed her until she could not protest, not that she would. He touched her until she was unable to think of anything besides him making love to her.
“My baby and my love,” Roman said strolling into the room with a balloon and bouquet of roses, interrupting Marlena’s thoughts.
Marlena forced a smile, quickly wiping her face. “Hi honey. Awe so sweet… thank you.” She said allowing him to graze her lips.
“How is Ms. Brady today?” Roman asked lifting Isabella from Marlena’s chest. “Still sweet and pure?”
“Still sweet and pure.”
“Good. All of my girls are. Speaking of which, Sami and Carrie promised to stop by and visit with you girls later.” Roman sat beside Marlena in her hospital bed. “I’d forgotten how peaceful newborns can be.”
“We’ll see if you’re still saying that when we come home.”
“When will you be coming home? Doc Benson give you a release date yet?”
Marlena shook her head, noticing how much Roman’s face had changed over the years. Stress and anger had been the source of the lines creasing his forehead. Roman Brady’s reputation as a hothead was legend around Salem. He was also demanding and confrontational, more so since his return to Salem. The bitterness and anger over his stolen life was very much apart of their everyday lives. Marlena could sense his unspoken resentment towards her for allowing John into their lives. The Roman that Marlena fell in love with had been gentle and caring. He protected her when she was convinced she did not need any. He also helped her deal with losing Sam all those years ago.
“Doc, are you okay?”
Marlena turned to Roman, “Yes, of course.” She recovered quickly, trailing a finger down Isabella’s cheek. “I think we should call her Belle, honey. Isabella is such a strong name for a baby. Belle suits her.”
“Belle… has a nice ring to it,” he said, chuckling to himself.
“Very funny Roman,” Marlena said tapping him lightly on the chest. “Do you like that sweetie girl? Belle.”
Belle cooed softly at her mother’s voice. Her eyes traveled around the room, searching for something that wasn’t there. Marlena’s heart shattered. Belle knew what John and Marlena knew; she was looking for her father. Marlena looked closer, pulling her daughter’s hand to her lips. Belle responded to Marlena immediately, locking her indigo-blue gaze on her mother’s face. The more Marlena learned about Belle, the more she recognized that her secret would not always be so. She could already see John’s features taking shape in their daughter. Belle’s narrow nose and chin, her identical blue eyes, and round mouth.
“Thank you,” Roman said suddenly, kissing Marlena’s cheek. “You’ve given me the best gift a woman can offer a man… another piece of myself, of us Doc. I was worried about you and me. I wasn’t sure that we would make it Doc. But you’ve kept on like a trooper. I love you.”
“I love you,” Marlena said honestly. “I would never leave you Roman.”
“Promise?” He said tipping her chin.
“I promise.”
1.2 The More You Make Me See
Caroline Brady held Isabella in the crook of her arms. She was the embodiment of a grandmotherly spirit, every inch of her small stature believed in the humanity of man, and holding her newest granddaughter preserved that ideal. She was happy to witness Roman and Marlena’s lives returning to a solidified place, that their marriage seemed to be stronger than it ever was, especially with the birth of Isabella. Her grandchildren also seemed happier than she’d seen them in ages. They seemed secure in their family, especially Sami. The changes in their family over the years had darkened her disposition. The sullen, awkward little girl was turning into a beautiful and grateful teenager. She was doing well academically, involving herself in normal teenage activities. She cherished her friendship with Jamie; and she adored her father. Her admiration for Roman reminded Caroline of the affection Kayla felt for Shawn. Roman hung the moon and stars where Sami was concerned, she believed him with no question. His word was the final line. Carrie on the other hand had always been a bright girl whose adaptability astounded Caroline. She learned and matured quickly. She loved her family; she deeply loved and admired Marlena. She loved Roman. They clashed heads often but she respected her father and his wishes. Caroline was saddened at the idea of Eric not being home to see his new sister. He had been away from Salem for far too long. Isabella completed the Brady family picture. Caroline smiled as the little girl stirred awake in her arms. She had snuck into Marlena’s hospital room and pried the baby from Marlena’s sleeping arms. Roman would be working at the station later than he expected. He asked Caroline to check on Marlena and the baby until he could get back to them. She was happy to do it. She smoothed gentle circles on Isabella’s back to settle her.
“Caroline,” Marlena said groggily, shifting in the bed. She winced at the sharp pain in her abdomen, remembering that Dr. Benson had examined her again to see how well she was healing.
“Still in pain dear?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I am. Dr. Benson assures me that we’re progressing just fine. The baby’s coming along very well, too. She’s healthy and has a great pair of lungs.” She informed Caroline happily. Marlena’s face defied her inner turmoil. She had tossed and turned all night after John left her and the baby alone. Dealing with a truth she wasn’t ready to handle. How could a precious miracle as innocent as Isabella be the source of a terrible pain she didn’t want to inflict on her family?
The baby was unaware of her mother’s plight. She looked kindly at Marlena, without judgment, in the arms of her spiritual grandmother.
“Well you take it easy Marlena. This little angel needs a mother who is healthy.”
“I will Caroline.”
Caroline handed the baby back to Marlena. “I promised Shawn I’d help him with the rush hour at the Pub. I better get going.” She kissed Marlena and the baby goodbye.
*****
Marlena thanked God for the quietness. It allowed her time to think about John and Roman; about the decisions that needed to be made regarding Isabella and her father. She wasn’t ready to make any decisions. She wanted instead to cherish the precious time she had with her newborn baby. With the twins, everything went by so quickly, the moments were fleeting and sad in recollection. She had lost Roman so soon after their birth and then gained John, only to lose him and regain Roman. It was all too complicated to be reasoned. She could blame her current situation on Stefano; blaming him was an easy solution to her problems. Stefano placed John in her life and took Roman away; he allowed not only Marlena and the children, but all of Salem to believe John was Roman. Yet she knew Stefano didn’t force her to fall in love with John. He also hadn’t led her to John’s plane that night, the night that Isabella had most assuredly been conceived… on her and Roman’s anniversary.
Marlena remembered the way she felt when she thought she would never see John again. The idea of losing him frightened her immensely. Her fear drove her to the plane… making love was a symptom of that fear. She was afraid that she would never see him again; she wanted to have him as close as possible if that were true. Marlena was unprepared for the unencumbered emotions running through her body when she sat beside John on the plane, so painstakingly close. Roman had called her distant in one of their latest arguments; he wasn’t mistaken. She felt distant from a life she didn’t recognize anymore. Autopilot. Marlena was existing on autopilot: working, parenting, and attempting to remain vital in her partnership with Roman. In John’s presence, those things did not exist. On the plane that night, she forgot—her choice—the things that tied her to Roman. Instead, she focused on saving John, maintaining whatever piece of friendship she could with him.
“What have I done?” Marlena asked herself, wiping her face with the back of her hand. Tears fell steadily, pooling on the white robe covering her. Her coat had been white that night; she remembered the sensation of John pulling it forcefully from her body. She couldn’t stop herself crying or trembling. She couldn’t stop herself from responding to John’s kisses. She shuddered remembering how he nearly dragged her toward the leather couch where they continued to undress each other frantically. Her heart battled silently, falling into two halves before her. On that night, she wanted John; in her life she needed Roman. John made the decision easy for her. He kissed her until she could not protest, not that she would. He touched her until she was unable to think of anything besides him making love to her.
“My baby and my love,” Roman said strolling into the room with a balloon and bouquet of roses, interrupting Marlena’s thoughts.
Marlena forced a smile, quickly wiping her face. “Hi honey. Awe so sweet… thank you.” She said allowing him to graze her lips.
“How is Ms. Brady today?” Roman asked lifting Isabella from Marlena’s chest. “Still sweet and pure?”
“Still sweet and pure.”
“Good. All of my girls are. Speaking of which, Sami and Carrie promised to stop by and visit with you girls later.” Roman sat beside Marlena in her hospital bed. “I’d forgotten how peaceful newborns can be.”
“We’ll see if you’re still saying that when we come home.”
“When will you be coming home? Doc Benson give you a release date yet?”
Marlena shook her head, noticing how much Roman’s face had changed over the years. Stress and anger had been the source of the lines creasing his forehead. Roman Brady’s reputation as a hothead was legend around Salem. He was also demanding and confrontational, more so since his return to Salem. The bitterness and anger over his stolen life was very much apart of their everyday lives. Marlena could sense his unspoken resentment towards her for allowing John into their lives. The Roman that Marlena fell in love with had been gentle and caring. He protected her when she was convinced she did not need any. He also helped her deal with losing Sam all those years ago.
“Doc, are you okay?”
Marlena turned to Roman, “Yes, of course.” She recovered quickly, trailing a finger down Isabella’s cheek. “I think we should call her Belle, honey. Isabella is such a strong name for a baby. Belle suits her.”
“Belle… has a nice ring to it,” he said, chuckling to himself.
“Very funny Roman,” Marlena said tapping him lightly on the chest. “Do you like that sweetie girl? Belle.”
Belle cooed softly at her mother’s voice. Her eyes traveled around the room, searching for something that wasn’t there. Marlena’s heart shattered. Belle knew what John and Marlena knew; she was looking for her father. Marlena looked closer, pulling her daughter’s hand to her lips. Belle responded to Marlena immediately, locking her indigo-blue gaze on her mother’s face. The more Marlena learned about Belle, the more she recognized that her secret would not always be so. She could already see John’s features taking shape in their daughter. Belle’s narrow nose and chin, her identical blue eyes, and round mouth.
“Thank you,” Roman said suddenly, kissing Marlena’s cheek. “You’ve given me the best gift a woman can offer a man… another piece of myself, of us Doc. I was worried about you and me. I wasn’t sure that we would make it Doc. But you’ve kept on like a trooper. I love you.”
“I love you,” Marlena said honestly. “I would never leave you Roman.”
“Promise?” He said tipping her chin.
“I promise.”
