Post by Tammy on Aug 17, 2006 11:33:19 GMT -5
I can’t believe that John has a… daughter! John grabs his daughter off the ground and swings her in the air, which makes her giggle. I do believe that she is one of the most precious little girls that I have ever seen. She has long blonde flowing hair, and clear blue eyes that sparkle like crystals on freshly fallen snow…well she defiantly got her eyes from her daddy. I am stuck in my thoughts when I feel a small little tug on my jeans. I look down and John’s little girls is standing there looking up at me with wide eyes. I bend down to her level as she speaks to me. “Who you?” I had to laugh at her straight forward question. “Well… I am Marlena! Who might you be?” I say as I tap the tip of her nose. “I’m Ria!” She said excitedly. Just then John scooped her up. “Actually Marlena, this sweet little daughter of mine is Maria.” Maria just shook her head, “No I not…I Ria!” I laugh at her… she seems to be as stubborn as her father. I extend my hand to her, “Well Maria…it’s very nice to meet you. May I call you Maria?” She nodded her head excitedly and then wiggled out of John’s arms and headed over to the boys. John looked at me with shock on his face. “How did you do that?” I look at him with wonder, “Umm… do what?” John kept staring, “How did you get her to let you call her by her name? She won’t even let ME call her Maria!” I laughed a little, “I have a gift I guess.” John nodded at me, “You most definitely do.” With that he smiled and headed back over to everyone else. John grabbed his daughter, “Ria…give Grandma and Grandpa a kiss…it’s time to go home.” Ria shook her head, “I don’t wanna go home daddy! There’s no one to play with there!” John laughed, “Well see these two little guys here?” Maria nodded her head, “You can play with them. The are at grandma Caroline’s and Papa Shawn’s all the time.” I feel so bad for Maria I can tell she hasn’t made many friends in Salem. I walk over to the boys and wrap my arm around there shoulders. “That’s right Maria…JJ and Christian are over there all the time. You can play with them whenever you want okay?” Maria nods at me slightly. I walk over to her and extend my hand for her to shake, “Deal?” Her eyes light up, “Deal!” She shook my hand and then extended her arms for me to take her from John. I take her in my arms and she hugs me fiercely. I give her a tight squeeze back. She lifts her head from my shoulder and smiles at me and I smile in return. “Now why don’t you give your grandma and grandpa a kiss so we can get going home…Okay?” She nods at me and wriggles out of my arms. I set her down and look over at John who is smiling at me. “What?” I ask him honestly because I have no idea why he is looking at me like that. “Nothing… I just appreciate what you said. Thank you!” I shake my head, “No reason to thank me John…I meant every word I said!” John nodded at me, “I know you did… it just means a lot! So thanks…again!” After a few minutes we say all of our goodbyes. Maria runs to me and motions for me to pick her up and so I do. We all go to the limo and make the journey back to the airport!
~~~~
We are back in Salem and are walking into the Pub for dinner after our flight home. JJ, Christian and Maria all walk in first and start screaming “Grandma! Papa!” in unison. I see Shawn and Caroline come out from the kitchen. When they see the kids their faces light up like the fourth of July. John and I walk over to them and say hello. Caroline hugs me. “Hello dear heart… where’s Bo?” “Oh we dropped him off at home…He was having Hope withdrawals.” Caroline laughs, “I swear…those two are joined at the hip.” We both laugh. Caroline walks me a little away from the others, “So… how was your little trip today? Did you and the boys have a good time?” I look over at the kids and nod. “Yes the boys had a great time.” “And you?” She raises her eyebrow. I laugh a little and look over at Maria. “Well lets just say that… today was a day… full of surprises!” Caroline nods her head, “I can see that! I bet that little angel came as a bit of a shock!” I laugh faintly, “You could say that… yeah!” Just then the children come running over. “Mimi…we’re hungry!” Christian says holding his stomach. Maria looks at him, “Who’s Mimi?” I laugh, “That is what JJ and Christian call me sweetie!” Maria scrunches up her face, “I thought you name is Marwena!” Caroline and I laugh at how she said my name. “My name is Marlena sweetie. Mimi is just a nickname the boys gave me.” Maria nods her head, “Kinda how I like to be called Ria?” I nod my head and smile, “Exactly sweet pea!” I say and ruffle her hair, which makes her laugh. “So why don’t you three go get all of us a booth so we can have some dinner?” They all nod, “Okay…Mimi!” Maria says as she grabs the boys hands and runs off to get a table. Caroline smiles at me, “Well…Maria certainly took a shine to you. You defiantly have a way with kids.” I smile as I look at the three kids fondly, “Well Caroline…it’s not exactly hard. I mean look at those three little angels.” John walk over to us and puts his arm around Caroline. “So Caroline…did Marlena tell you that she can work miracles?” I look at him amused, “What ‘miracle’ did I perform exactly?” Caroline nodded, “Yeah John… I am curious as well. “Well…Caroline…the great Marlena Evans…actually called my daughter BY HER NAME!” Caroline’s jaw dropped, “And she didn’t scream bloody murder?” John shook his head no. Caroline looked over at me, “Wow…you have the magic touch!” John and Caroline laughed. I don’t understand what the big deal is. I was about ready to ask when we heard Maria yell, “DADDY…MIMI…come on! Ria HUNGRY!” I had to laugh at that, she had such a serious look on her face. I walk over to John and grab his hand, “Come on daddy! Let’s go eat…RIA HUNGRY!” John and I both laughed as I dragged him toward the table. I climbed into the booth next to Maria and she climbed up on my lap, and John sat in between JJ and Christian! John looked around the table, “Okay… who wants to say prayers?” Maria raised her hand, “I DO! I DO!” I wipe her hair out of her eyes, “Go ahead Maria, you can say prayers today.” Maria bowed her head and folded her tiny little hands in front of her mouth. “Dear God…thank you for our dinner, and thank you for me and daddy’s new friends, JJ, Christian…and Mimi! Amen!” Everyone said Amen in unison and began to eat. I gaze around the table for a moment and see all the happy faces. Everyone’s face is so full of joy and devoid of any worries. This is how life should always be happy…and carefree!
~~~~
John and I sat and visited with Shawn and Caroline for awhile while the children sat in the Brady living room watching a movie. I looked at my watch and noticed that it was 9:30. “John…I think we should get going. I need to get the kids to bed.” John looked at his watch, “Oh my…your right! It is way past Ria’s bedtime. What do you say I go round them up and we can head home.” I just nod at him and he walks away. I walk over to Caroline who is cleaning up a table. “Caroline…can I ask you something?” She stops her work and gives me her undivided attention, “Sure…you can ask me anything dear.” We sit down at the table. “Well…I know this is really none of my business… but… why doesn’t anyone call Maria by her name? I know that is a weird question… I guess it has just been bugging me.” Caroline let out a small laugh. “I guess your Psychiatrists instincts are kicking in.” I smile and let her continue. “Well Marlena…I really shouldn’t be the one to tell you this.” I nod at her, “I understand Caroline, I wouldn’t want you to betray a confidence.” “No dear it’s not that. It’s not exactly a secret I just think John should be the one to tell you if he wants to. I will tell you this much… Maria is named after her mother…whom she has only seen once since she was born. And lets just say that…their first meeting…wasn’t exactly a bonding experience. Ever since then…she would never let anyone call her Maria! That is why it was such a shock when she let you call her by her name. She must feel really comfortable with you.” I am at a loss as to what to say so I just nod my head. After a moment I look around and notice that John never came back with the kids. “Well… I better go see what is keeping John.” I walk back to the Brady living room and notice that John is just standing in the door way leaning against the door jam. I walk up beside him and see that he is staring straight ahead, “John…what are you staring at?” He doesn’t say a word he just nods toward the living room. My eyes follow his gaze, and they fall upon the cutest site. The three kids are laying on the floor sleeping. Maria is laying in the middle with JJ and Christian on either side of her. All of them snuggled up side by side. John looks over at me, “Have you ever seen anything so cute in your life?” I sighed, “They look like the best of friends.” I turn when I hear Caroline approaching. I put my finger to my mouth to let her know to be quiet. She peeks her head in and smiles. “Aww… how adorable!” I laugh quietly, “I know… I hate to wake them.” “Well then…why don’t you just leave them here!” John shakes his head, “That’s sweet Caroline, but I don’t want to impose.” “Neither do I.” Caroline shakes her head, “That is nonsense! You both come here for breakfast almost everyday anyways. You can just come a little earlier, bring their school clothes and you can all have breakfast together!” John and I look at each other and shrug our shoulders. John turns toward Caroline, “Are you sure Caroline? Three kids is a lot to handle.” Caroline smiles, “I am positive! Now you two get going… before you wake the babies up!” John and I shrug in defeat. John walks over to the children. He bends down and kisses Maria on the cheek…then he leans over and lays a kiss upon both of the boys heads. That sentiment touched my heart and brought a smile to my face. I walk over and kneel down in front of the children. I give each of the boys a kiss. I look at Maria for a moment and gently kiss her forehead and wipe the hair out of her eyes. Then I stand back up and walk over to Caroline and John as Shawn approaches them. “Eay… what’s goin on back here?” Caroline looks at Shawn, “Oh…we get to have the grandbabies for the night.” Shawn pats John on the back, “Well son…looks like the two of you get a free night! Better no let anymore of it go to waist.” John laughs. “Okay… well Marlena you heard Pop… we better get going before they through us out.” I smile at him, “I guess so. Thank you both for watching them. We’ll see you in the morning then.” I hug them both and John and I turn to leave. I turn back to waive and I see Shawn whisper in Caroline’s ear. “Ahe lass…are you tryin your hand at match makin?” Caroline, smiled at him, “Well someone has to push those two in the right direction!”
~~~
John and I are walking out of the Pub. He opens the door for me and follows me out. “So Marlena…need a ride home?” I look at him and his sparkling eyes make me feel as though I’m in a trance. “Actually John… I was wondering…If… I could by you a drink! It is the least I can do… after everything you did for the boys today.” John laughs. “First off… you don’t have to ‘repay’ me for anything. It was my pleasure… I think I had as much fun as they did. But other than that…how could I possible turn down a drink from such a gorgeous lady.” He extends his arm to me and I wrap my arm through his. He opens the car door for me then gets in the limo behind me. I smile at him, “Do you mind if we swing by my house first, I would like to change my close.” “Okay…” He says exaggeratedly and then laughs, “But only if I can change my close at your house. I have a spare outfit in the trunk.” I laugh at him and extend my hand for him to shake, “I believe you have a deal Mister Black!” He shakes my hands and we start off towards my house.
~~~~
We are back in Salem and are walking into the Pub for dinner after our flight home. JJ, Christian and Maria all walk in first and start screaming “Grandma! Papa!” in unison. I see Shawn and Caroline come out from the kitchen. When they see the kids their faces light up like the fourth of July. John and I walk over to them and say hello. Caroline hugs me. “Hello dear heart… where’s Bo?” “Oh we dropped him off at home…He was having Hope withdrawals.” Caroline laughs, “I swear…those two are joined at the hip.” We both laugh. Caroline walks me a little away from the others, “So… how was your little trip today? Did you and the boys have a good time?” I look over at the kids and nod. “Yes the boys had a great time.” “And you?” She raises her eyebrow. I laugh a little and look over at Maria. “Well lets just say that… today was a day… full of surprises!” Caroline nods her head, “I can see that! I bet that little angel came as a bit of a shock!” I laugh faintly, “You could say that… yeah!” Just then the children come running over. “Mimi…we’re hungry!” Christian says holding his stomach. Maria looks at him, “Who’s Mimi?” I laugh, “That is what JJ and Christian call me sweetie!” Maria scrunches up her face, “I thought you name is Marwena!” Caroline and I laugh at how she said my name. “My name is Marlena sweetie. Mimi is just a nickname the boys gave me.” Maria nods her head, “Kinda how I like to be called Ria?” I nod my head and smile, “Exactly sweet pea!” I say and ruffle her hair, which makes her laugh. “So why don’t you three go get all of us a booth so we can have some dinner?” They all nod, “Okay…Mimi!” Maria says as she grabs the boys hands and runs off to get a table. Caroline smiles at me, “Well…Maria certainly took a shine to you. You defiantly have a way with kids.” I smile as I look at the three kids fondly, “Well Caroline…it’s not exactly hard. I mean look at those three little angels.” John walk over to us and puts his arm around Caroline. “So Caroline…did Marlena tell you that she can work miracles?” I look at him amused, “What ‘miracle’ did I perform exactly?” Caroline nodded, “Yeah John… I am curious as well. “Well…Caroline…the great Marlena Evans…actually called my daughter BY HER NAME!” Caroline’s jaw dropped, “And she didn’t scream bloody murder?” John shook his head no. Caroline looked over at me, “Wow…you have the magic touch!” John and Caroline laughed. I don’t understand what the big deal is. I was about ready to ask when we heard Maria yell, “DADDY…MIMI…come on! Ria HUNGRY!” I had to laugh at that, she had such a serious look on her face. I walk over to John and grab his hand, “Come on daddy! Let’s go eat…RIA HUNGRY!” John and I both laughed as I dragged him toward the table. I climbed into the booth next to Maria and she climbed up on my lap, and John sat in between JJ and Christian! John looked around the table, “Okay… who wants to say prayers?” Maria raised her hand, “I DO! I DO!” I wipe her hair out of her eyes, “Go ahead Maria, you can say prayers today.” Maria bowed her head and folded her tiny little hands in front of her mouth. “Dear God…thank you for our dinner, and thank you for me and daddy’s new friends, JJ, Christian…and Mimi! Amen!” Everyone said Amen in unison and began to eat. I gaze around the table for a moment and see all the happy faces. Everyone’s face is so full of joy and devoid of any worries. This is how life should always be happy…and carefree!
~~~~
John and I sat and visited with Shawn and Caroline for awhile while the children sat in the Brady living room watching a movie. I looked at my watch and noticed that it was 9:30. “John…I think we should get going. I need to get the kids to bed.” John looked at his watch, “Oh my…your right! It is way past Ria’s bedtime. What do you say I go round them up and we can head home.” I just nod at him and he walks away. I walk over to Caroline who is cleaning up a table. “Caroline…can I ask you something?” She stops her work and gives me her undivided attention, “Sure…you can ask me anything dear.” We sit down at the table. “Well…I know this is really none of my business… but… why doesn’t anyone call Maria by her name? I know that is a weird question… I guess it has just been bugging me.” Caroline let out a small laugh. “I guess your Psychiatrists instincts are kicking in.” I smile and let her continue. “Well Marlena…I really shouldn’t be the one to tell you this.” I nod at her, “I understand Caroline, I wouldn’t want you to betray a confidence.” “No dear it’s not that. It’s not exactly a secret I just think John should be the one to tell you if he wants to. I will tell you this much… Maria is named after her mother…whom she has only seen once since she was born. And lets just say that…their first meeting…wasn’t exactly a bonding experience. Ever since then…she would never let anyone call her Maria! That is why it was such a shock when she let you call her by her name. She must feel really comfortable with you.” I am at a loss as to what to say so I just nod my head. After a moment I look around and notice that John never came back with the kids. “Well… I better go see what is keeping John.” I walk back to the Brady living room and notice that John is just standing in the door way leaning against the door jam. I walk up beside him and see that he is staring straight ahead, “John…what are you staring at?” He doesn’t say a word he just nods toward the living room. My eyes follow his gaze, and they fall upon the cutest site. The three kids are laying on the floor sleeping. Maria is laying in the middle with JJ and Christian on either side of her. All of them snuggled up side by side. John looks over at me, “Have you ever seen anything so cute in your life?” I sighed, “They look like the best of friends.” I turn when I hear Caroline approaching. I put my finger to my mouth to let her know to be quiet. She peeks her head in and smiles. “Aww… how adorable!” I laugh quietly, “I know… I hate to wake them.” “Well then…why don’t you just leave them here!” John shakes his head, “That’s sweet Caroline, but I don’t want to impose.” “Neither do I.” Caroline shakes her head, “That is nonsense! You both come here for breakfast almost everyday anyways. You can just come a little earlier, bring their school clothes and you can all have breakfast together!” John and I look at each other and shrug our shoulders. John turns toward Caroline, “Are you sure Caroline? Three kids is a lot to handle.” Caroline smiles, “I am positive! Now you two get going… before you wake the babies up!” John and I shrug in defeat. John walks over to the children. He bends down and kisses Maria on the cheek…then he leans over and lays a kiss upon both of the boys heads. That sentiment touched my heart and brought a smile to my face. I walk over and kneel down in front of the children. I give each of the boys a kiss. I look at Maria for a moment and gently kiss her forehead and wipe the hair out of her eyes. Then I stand back up and walk over to Caroline and John as Shawn approaches them. “Eay… what’s goin on back here?” Caroline looks at Shawn, “Oh…we get to have the grandbabies for the night.” Shawn pats John on the back, “Well son…looks like the two of you get a free night! Better no let anymore of it go to waist.” John laughs. “Okay… well Marlena you heard Pop… we better get going before they through us out.” I smile at him, “I guess so. Thank you both for watching them. We’ll see you in the morning then.” I hug them both and John and I turn to leave. I turn back to waive and I see Shawn whisper in Caroline’s ear. “Ahe lass…are you tryin your hand at match makin?” Caroline, smiled at him, “Well someone has to push those two in the right direction!”
~~~
John and I are walking out of the Pub. He opens the door for me and follows me out. “So Marlena…need a ride home?” I look at him and his sparkling eyes make me feel as though I’m in a trance. “Actually John… I was wondering…If… I could by you a drink! It is the least I can do… after everything you did for the boys today.” John laughs. “First off… you don’t have to ‘repay’ me for anything. It was my pleasure… I think I had as much fun as they did. But other than that…how could I possible turn down a drink from such a gorgeous lady.” He extends his arm to me and I wrap my arm through his. He opens the car door for me then gets in the limo behind me. I smile at him, “Do you mind if we swing by my house first, I would like to change my close.” “Okay…” He says exaggeratedly and then laughs, “But only if I can change my close at your house. I have a spare outfit in the trunk.” I laugh at him and extend my hand for him to shake, “I believe you have a deal Mister Black!” He shakes my hands and we start off towards my house.
