Post by Mimi on Oct 14, 2006 23:16:36 GMT -5
4.4 In The Morning Of The Night
“I believe that man will not merely endure. He will prevail.
He is immortal, not because he alone
Among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul,
A spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.”
-- William Faulkner
Beauty radiates from women in the most unspeakably natural manner: sleeping; pregnant; crying out in ecstasy; mothering; within the perimeters of their autonomy. It’s too simplistic to define a woman by beauty when referring to only aesthetic features. Beautiful encapsulates so little of a woman’s essence. John appreciated and was captivated by all components of her beauty. The incipient sun shone through slits in the sheers which held its full blare at bay. He stretched arms above his head, legs flattened against the bed, loosening the tightness in his muscles. He’d watched her fall asleep coiled beside his body. Sleep eluded him; holding Marlena was redeeming enough to replenish his spent energy. A thing of beauty lasts forever – Keats. He smiled in memory – she’d quoted those words to him, whispering them close to the base of his ear, pressed firmly against his skin during the marriage now deemed invalid. She called him Roman then; the twins were babies conjuring ill-formed words that elicited bursts of laughter when they were addressing each other. Tow-headed tufts of hair falling over their eyes as they crawled over his legs to find their rightful place in their mother’s arms. She’d welcomed each child, squeezing them close to her breast and kissed both – first on their forehead, Eric appreciated those kisses, Sami didn’t. She loved kisses on her cheeks, from Daddy, but Marlena kissed her there and Sami wrapped her arms around Marlena’s neck. John said how beautiful the mother and child moment was and it was then that Marlena quoted Keats. That memory was apart of their past. The twins were nearly adults, he was someone else. But the memory of being in their house, in bed surrounded by the family he’d never knew he wanted was sealed indelibly in his memory.
A beautiful remnant was his lady, still close, still touching skin-to-skin in her hallowed, half-lit bedroom. Her slender hands were splayed on the slight bulge beneath the cotton sheets shielding her body from the chill in the air. John covered her hand with his, as he leaned over her shoulder to kiss the hollowness of her throat.
“You’re still here.” She said opening her eyes slowly. Her smile was immediate. John kissed again, on her mouth gently before he shifted her around to fully face him.
“Where else would I be?”
She laid her head on his bare chest just below his chin, curling her arm around his back and closed her eyes.
“Doc,” John said interrupting the silence.
“Shh…we have a couple of minutes. Belle and Brady will be up; Chelsea will be here and Eric will be heading out to school. Don’t move…lay with me.”
John relaxed his body and she held on tighter. “I miss this.”
“Do you?”
“Sami and Eric hated wakeup call.” He told her bringing a hand to rest on her back.
“Wakeup call?”
“Me standing in the hallway outside their doors…yelling their names until they couldn’t stand it anymore.” He laughed in conjunction with his memory of Sami’s contorted face. “Eric’s more of a morning person than Sami ever was.”
“He gets that from me.”
“I suppose. And so Sami gets the morning grumpiness from me?”
“Yes,” she answered playfully, pondering the thought before saying, “I think she truly does.”
“Do you think our baby will be like Sami or Eric?” John questioned, bending her backwards into the crook of his arm.
She looked pensive. The light hit her face warmly. She considered the possibility of another blonde haired baby, but she felt strongly that this baby wouldn’t be like any of her children. “I think our son will be like his daddy. Handsome and sensitive … and I hope he has his daddy’s blue eyes.”
“What about Mama’s eyes? I love looking into these eyes.”
“I’d rather he have yours. I’ve seen him so many times … in my head. He’ll have dark hair like you with your incredible eyes.”
“Baby.”
“He will. I know that somehow. You know he’s not even fully formed yet but I can feel him inside me. I know Science doesn’t think it’s possible but he’s already alive somewhere. He’s already seen Sam and DJ and they’ve given him so much to wish for in us. He’s hopeful and expectant, like me. We have to make this work for him.”
“We will,” John said tilting her chin toward him. “I want our children to be safe and happy with us as parents. But I also want us to work because we want it to work, not only for the children. I’m here because I love you … and our kids.”
“Yes, you’re here breaking the law,” she gently reminded him as she dragged her fingertips across his back. She watched his face darken into an irreproachable glower that lowered his eyes to slits. “Relax honey, don’t get tense.” She said soothingly.
“No one is going to keep me away from you.
“I know.”
“Good … because I am serious about marrying you Doc. I meant every word I said last night.”
“I meant them too.”
“Let’s face it baby in a couple of weeks you won’t be able to hide the baby anymore. They’ll all know sooner or later. Isn’t the best thing to do is to be upfront with everyone – including Roman.”
“Absolutely … and I’m not hiding the baby John. I’ve told you, I’m not ashamed of our baby. There’s an appropriate time and place for everything.”
“I agree. Your marriage is over. You’re in love with me.”
She nodded in agreement.
“Well?”
“What John? I’m not sure what you want me to say?”
“I want you to say you’re going to marry me.”
“I’ve all ready told you that … but it’s not that easy to just disentangle myself from Roman. There are issues that we need to settle still. I’m not saying I don’t want to marry you, I’m simply saying it’ll take time.”
“I don’t want my baby born out of wedlock Doc. He’s not illegitimate.”
“Of course not … you don’t think I want that either, do you? It’s just Roman’s not going to give up so easily John.”
“Neither will I.”
“I’m well aware of that honey,” she said propping herself up on her elbows on his chest. “I know you want us to be a family. I want that too.”
“Say no more Doc.”
“I think I hear Brady.” She said turning toward the sound of Brady’s footfalls outside their door. She sat up beside John, adjusting the sheet over their legs to shield John’s nakedness. Brady burst into the door with his blanket in hand. He scurried toward his parents.
“Come here buddy.” John said reaching out for Brady. His legs carried him across the carpet into John’s waiting arms. John scooped him up and settled him on his lap.
“Da Da.”
“Good morning honey.” Marlena told Brady as she kissed him. “He’s been asking for you.”
“How are you? How’d you sleep buddy?” John questioned Brady as he pulled him closer. “Mama put you to sleep and sang to you.”
Brady smiled, kissed John’s chin and leaped roughly onto Marlena.
“Whoa Brady. You have to be gentle with Mama.” John said eyeing Marlena. “Mama’s having a baby,” he explained pointing to Marlena’s belly. “That’s your new baby brother in there.”
Brady brightened, letting go of his blanket to touch her belly. “Baby.”
“Yes honey, there’s a baby in there. Here.” She held Brady’s hand to her stomach. “Baby.”
Eric tapped on the door left ajar by Brady. “Mom?” He entered the room cautiously.
“Come in.” Marlena said pulling the blanket over her body self-consciously. She reached to turn on the lamp that showed her cheeks flushed in red.
“I thought I heard your voice.” Eric said coming to sit on the edge of his mother’s bed.
“It’s me.” John said slapping Eric on the back. They looked each other over before breaking out into a similar laughter. “I’m sorry.” John said seeing Marlena’s embarrassment. “Honey, its fine.”
“John.”
“Mom, I heard him come in last night. I’m not really surprised to see him.”
Marlena reached to smooth Eric’s wet hair with her hand. “I love you so much honey.”
“I know you do. I love you too. I was actually coming to check up on Brady. Chelsea’s here.”
Brady leapt from Marlena’s clutches toward Eric. “Okay. Piggyback.” Eric helped Brady onto his back. “I think Chelsea’s getting breakfast ready.”
“Honey, do you want me to take you too school?” Marlena asked.
“Sure.” He said smiling. He rose and headed toward the door but stopped and turned to look at his mother. “I’m happy Dad’s back.”
“Me too.” Marlena said. She watched Eric and Brady traipsing from the bedroom before burying her face in her hands.
“Doc, it’s not that bad.”
“He heard you last night … I hope he didn’t hear everything. I don’t think I want my son to know how well you do what you do to me.”
“It’s healthy for children to know that their parents have a healthy sexual appetite for each other.” John said convincingly. “Now, you go shower and get ready for work. I’ll handle them.”
“What’s there to handle? Chelsea’s there which I appreciate because you’re like a third child sometimes…” She said escaping the bed as quickly as her legs could manage.
``````````````````````````````
“Well don’t you look wonderful?” John commented watching Marlena come down the stairs with her briefcase.
“Thank you.” She said heading for the couch to sit beside John.
“Where are the children?”
”Belle’s still asleep. Brady’s with Chelsea and Eric’s still eating breakfast.” He leaned forward. His mouth found hers quickly and she fell against him as they kissed. “I missed you.”
“It was only thirty minutes.” She said pulling away.
“Thirty minutes too long.”
“I’m sorry.” She said with another kiss. He secured his hands along her neck. Kissing until the doorbell interrupted them. “I’ll get it.” She said as she broke away from him to answer the door. When Avery appeared on the other side, her smile faded.
“Dr. Evans, I’m sorry to barge in so early in the morning. I just thought you should know that the order’s been lifted,” Avery said handing her the paper work.
Marlena scanned it over quickly. “It’s lifted honey,” she said turning to John. He came to her side. “I’m glad that’s over.” She said momentarily forgetting Avery. She gave John a congratulatory kiss.
“There’s other news,” Avery said interrupting the mutual affection. “I’m afraid it’s about Belle.”
Marlena turned to steady herself, “What about my daughter?” She asked as she moved away from the doorway to allow Avery to come fully into the penthouse. Marlena and John walked together to the living room, where they sat and offered Avery a seat.
“Well, Roman Brady filed a suit against you Marlena. He wants a paternity test.” Avery explained. She handed Marlena the file in her hand. “He wants proof that John is Isabella’s father.”
“It’s already been established.” John said abruptly.
“He’s not aware of those paternity results John.”
Marlena was silently looking over the petition by Roman to have Belle’s paternity declared. “He wants to take her to his own doctor to have her paternity test completed?” Marlena said trying to understand the legal language of the paper.
“In a word, yes.”
“I’m not going to allow it.” Marlena said stoically. “He can’t do this.”
“Well he can, he’s legally her father.”
“You and I both know that’s not true.” Marlena said to Avery. “John is her father.”
“Well only you and 3 other people are aware of that Marlena. Roman doesn’t have the paperwork to prove that and even if he saw those results, I’m sure he wouldn’t believe them. He wants his own proof.”
“So, he hasn’t filed for divorce?” John asked.
“No.”
“I think Doc wants to file…will you handle it?”
Marlena turned to John, “John I don’t think it’s appropriate for Avery to do that.”
“I can handle this.” Avery told her confidently. “I know that it seems awkward but I really want to help you and John. I care about John. I want to see him happy. And apparently, he is happy with you.”
“Doc, she’s capable.”
“John.”
“There’s no turning back here … it’s time to make a decision.”
“I’ve already made my decision.” Marlena assured him with her hand finding his. “I’m ready,” she whispered.
“I believe that man will not merely endure. He will prevail.
He is immortal, not because he alone
Among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul,
A spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.”
-- William Faulkner
Beauty radiates from women in the most unspeakably natural manner: sleeping; pregnant; crying out in ecstasy; mothering; within the perimeters of their autonomy. It’s too simplistic to define a woman by beauty when referring to only aesthetic features. Beautiful encapsulates so little of a woman’s essence. John appreciated and was captivated by all components of her beauty. The incipient sun shone through slits in the sheers which held its full blare at bay. He stretched arms above his head, legs flattened against the bed, loosening the tightness in his muscles. He’d watched her fall asleep coiled beside his body. Sleep eluded him; holding Marlena was redeeming enough to replenish his spent energy. A thing of beauty lasts forever – Keats. He smiled in memory – she’d quoted those words to him, whispering them close to the base of his ear, pressed firmly against his skin during the marriage now deemed invalid. She called him Roman then; the twins were babies conjuring ill-formed words that elicited bursts of laughter when they were addressing each other. Tow-headed tufts of hair falling over their eyes as they crawled over his legs to find their rightful place in their mother’s arms. She’d welcomed each child, squeezing them close to her breast and kissed both – first on their forehead, Eric appreciated those kisses, Sami didn’t. She loved kisses on her cheeks, from Daddy, but Marlena kissed her there and Sami wrapped her arms around Marlena’s neck. John said how beautiful the mother and child moment was and it was then that Marlena quoted Keats. That memory was apart of their past. The twins were nearly adults, he was someone else. But the memory of being in their house, in bed surrounded by the family he’d never knew he wanted was sealed indelibly in his memory.
A beautiful remnant was his lady, still close, still touching skin-to-skin in her hallowed, half-lit bedroom. Her slender hands were splayed on the slight bulge beneath the cotton sheets shielding her body from the chill in the air. John covered her hand with his, as he leaned over her shoulder to kiss the hollowness of her throat.
“You’re still here.” She said opening her eyes slowly. Her smile was immediate. John kissed again, on her mouth gently before he shifted her around to fully face him.
“Where else would I be?”
She laid her head on his bare chest just below his chin, curling her arm around his back and closed her eyes.
“Doc,” John said interrupting the silence.
“Shh…we have a couple of minutes. Belle and Brady will be up; Chelsea will be here and Eric will be heading out to school. Don’t move…lay with me.”
John relaxed his body and she held on tighter. “I miss this.”
“Do you?”
“Sami and Eric hated wakeup call.” He told her bringing a hand to rest on her back.
“Wakeup call?”
“Me standing in the hallway outside their doors…yelling their names until they couldn’t stand it anymore.” He laughed in conjunction with his memory of Sami’s contorted face. “Eric’s more of a morning person than Sami ever was.”
“He gets that from me.”
“I suppose. And so Sami gets the morning grumpiness from me?”
“Yes,” she answered playfully, pondering the thought before saying, “I think she truly does.”
“Do you think our baby will be like Sami or Eric?” John questioned, bending her backwards into the crook of his arm.
She looked pensive. The light hit her face warmly. She considered the possibility of another blonde haired baby, but she felt strongly that this baby wouldn’t be like any of her children. “I think our son will be like his daddy. Handsome and sensitive … and I hope he has his daddy’s blue eyes.”
“What about Mama’s eyes? I love looking into these eyes.”
“I’d rather he have yours. I’ve seen him so many times … in my head. He’ll have dark hair like you with your incredible eyes.”
“Baby.”
“He will. I know that somehow. You know he’s not even fully formed yet but I can feel him inside me. I know Science doesn’t think it’s possible but he’s already alive somewhere. He’s already seen Sam and DJ and they’ve given him so much to wish for in us. He’s hopeful and expectant, like me. We have to make this work for him.”
“We will,” John said tilting her chin toward him. “I want our children to be safe and happy with us as parents. But I also want us to work because we want it to work, not only for the children. I’m here because I love you … and our kids.”
“Yes, you’re here breaking the law,” she gently reminded him as she dragged her fingertips across his back. She watched his face darken into an irreproachable glower that lowered his eyes to slits. “Relax honey, don’t get tense.” She said soothingly.
“No one is going to keep me away from you.
“I know.”
“Good … because I am serious about marrying you Doc. I meant every word I said last night.”
“I meant them too.”
“Let’s face it baby in a couple of weeks you won’t be able to hide the baby anymore. They’ll all know sooner or later. Isn’t the best thing to do is to be upfront with everyone – including Roman.”
“Absolutely … and I’m not hiding the baby John. I’ve told you, I’m not ashamed of our baby. There’s an appropriate time and place for everything.”
“I agree. Your marriage is over. You’re in love with me.”
She nodded in agreement.
“Well?”
“What John? I’m not sure what you want me to say?”
“I want you to say you’re going to marry me.”
“I’ve all ready told you that … but it’s not that easy to just disentangle myself from Roman. There are issues that we need to settle still. I’m not saying I don’t want to marry you, I’m simply saying it’ll take time.”
“I don’t want my baby born out of wedlock Doc. He’s not illegitimate.”
“Of course not … you don’t think I want that either, do you? It’s just Roman’s not going to give up so easily John.”
“Neither will I.”
“I’m well aware of that honey,” she said propping herself up on her elbows on his chest. “I know you want us to be a family. I want that too.”
“Say no more Doc.”
“I think I hear Brady.” She said turning toward the sound of Brady’s footfalls outside their door. She sat up beside John, adjusting the sheet over their legs to shield John’s nakedness. Brady burst into the door with his blanket in hand. He scurried toward his parents.
“Come here buddy.” John said reaching out for Brady. His legs carried him across the carpet into John’s waiting arms. John scooped him up and settled him on his lap.
“Da Da.”
“Good morning honey.” Marlena told Brady as she kissed him. “He’s been asking for you.”
“How are you? How’d you sleep buddy?” John questioned Brady as he pulled him closer. “Mama put you to sleep and sang to you.”
Brady smiled, kissed John’s chin and leaped roughly onto Marlena.
“Whoa Brady. You have to be gentle with Mama.” John said eyeing Marlena. “Mama’s having a baby,” he explained pointing to Marlena’s belly. “That’s your new baby brother in there.”
Brady brightened, letting go of his blanket to touch her belly. “Baby.”
“Yes honey, there’s a baby in there. Here.” She held Brady’s hand to her stomach. “Baby.”
Eric tapped on the door left ajar by Brady. “Mom?” He entered the room cautiously.
“Come in.” Marlena said pulling the blanket over her body self-consciously. She reached to turn on the lamp that showed her cheeks flushed in red.
“I thought I heard your voice.” Eric said coming to sit on the edge of his mother’s bed.
“It’s me.” John said slapping Eric on the back. They looked each other over before breaking out into a similar laughter. “I’m sorry.” John said seeing Marlena’s embarrassment. “Honey, its fine.”
“John.”
“Mom, I heard him come in last night. I’m not really surprised to see him.”
Marlena reached to smooth Eric’s wet hair with her hand. “I love you so much honey.”
“I know you do. I love you too. I was actually coming to check up on Brady. Chelsea’s here.”
Brady leapt from Marlena’s clutches toward Eric. “Okay. Piggyback.” Eric helped Brady onto his back. “I think Chelsea’s getting breakfast ready.”
“Honey, do you want me to take you too school?” Marlena asked.
“Sure.” He said smiling. He rose and headed toward the door but stopped and turned to look at his mother. “I’m happy Dad’s back.”
“Me too.” Marlena said. She watched Eric and Brady traipsing from the bedroom before burying her face in her hands.
“Doc, it’s not that bad.”
“He heard you last night … I hope he didn’t hear everything. I don’t think I want my son to know how well you do what you do to me.”
“It’s healthy for children to know that their parents have a healthy sexual appetite for each other.” John said convincingly. “Now, you go shower and get ready for work. I’ll handle them.”
“What’s there to handle? Chelsea’s there which I appreciate because you’re like a third child sometimes…” She said escaping the bed as quickly as her legs could manage.
``````````````````````````````
“Well don’t you look wonderful?” John commented watching Marlena come down the stairs with her briefcase.
“Thank you.” She said heading for the couch to sit beside John.
“Where are the children?”
”Belle’s still asleep. Brady’s with Chelsea and Eric’s still eating breakfast.” He leaned forward. His mouth found hers quickly and she fell against him as they kissed. “I missed you.”
“It was only thirty minutes.” She said pulling away.
“Thirty minutes too long.”
“I’m sorry.” She said with another kiss. He secured his hands along her neck. Kissing until the doorbell interrupted them. “I’ll get it.” She said as she broke away from him to answer the door. When Avery appeared on the other side, her smile faded.
“Dr. Evans, I’m sorry to barge in so early in the morning. I just thought you should know that the order’s been lifted,” Avery said handing her the paper work.
Marlena scanned it over quickly. “It’s lifted honey,” she said turning to John. He came to her side. “I’m glad that’s over.” She said momentarily forgetting Avery. She gave John a congratulatory kiss.
“There’s other news,” Avery said interrupting the mutual affection. “I’m afraid it’s about Belle.”
Marlena turned to steady herself, “What about my daughter?” She asked as she moved away from the doorway to allow Avery to come fully into the penthouse. Marlena and John walked together to the living room, where they sat and offered Avery a seat.
“Well, Roman Brady filed a suit against you Marlena. He wants a paternity test.” Avery explained. She handed Marlena the file in her hand. “He wants proof that John is Isabella’s father.”
“It’s already been established.” John said abruptly.
“He’s not aware of those paternity results John.”
Marlena was silently looking over the petition by Roman to have Belle’s paternity declared. “He wants to take her to his own doctor to have her paternity test completed?” Marlena said trying to understand the legal language of the paper.
“In a word, yes.”
“I’m not going to allow it.” Marlena said stoically. “He can’t do this.”
“Well he can, he’s legally her father.”
“You and I both know that’s not true.” Marlena said to Avery. “John is her father.”
“Well only you and 3 other people are aware of that Marlena. Roman doesn’t have the paperwork to prove that and even if he saw those results, I’m sure he wouldn’t believe them. He wants his own proof.”
“So, he hasn’t filed for divorce?” John asked.
“No.”
“I think Doc wants to file…will you handle it?”
Marlena turned to John, “John I don’t think it’s appropriate for Avery to do that.”
“I can handle this.” Avery told her confidently. “I know that it seems awkward but I really want to help you and John. I care about John. I want to see him happy. And apparently, he is happy with you.”
“Doc, she’s capable.”
“John.”
“There’s no turning back here … it’s time to make a decision.”
“I’ve already made my decision.” Marlena assured him with her hand finding his. “I’m ready,” she whispered.
