Chapter 3
Later that night, Greta arrived at Bo's home. She knocked on the door and within moments, Shawn-D answered it. "Hi. You're Greta, right?"
Greta nodded, "Yeah. You must be Shawn Douglas."
Shawn-D smiled, despite his solemn mood, "You can just call me Shawn-D." He moved aside to let her in. "Are you here to see Dad?"
Greta walked inside and Shawn-D closed the door behind her. "Is he here?"
"Yeah, c'mon." He led the way into the living room. Bo was seated on the couch. "Dad…Greta is here."
Bo was quickly on his feet and he turned to face Greta and Shawn-D. Greta quickly noted that he assumed it was Hope-mostly from his expression. "Hi."
"Hey, Greta." Bo motioned for her to join him on the couch. "On the phone earlier, you said you had something to tell me?"
"Yeah." She shifted to get comfortable and noticed Shawn-D took the armchair next to her. "I encountered…her…today in Salem Place."
"So did we." Shawn-D sadly revealed.
"Oh, so you know she is back in town." Greta surmised. "What did she say to you?" She looked at Bo.
"Not much." Bo exclaimed. Greta looked over to Shawn-D and Bo realized that she wondered about talking about the kids' mother in front of him. "It's ok; I explained everything to Shawn-D. Right, Sailor Man?"
"Yeah." Shawn-D lowered his head, apparently still dealing with what he learned. "But my Dad will get her back! You'll see!"
Bo gave a small grin. "Well I'm glad someone is optimistic."
"Bo." Greta waited until she had his attention. "She is planning on leaving town at the end of the week…and is planning to have me go with her."
He turned his head aside and grunted in anger. He then turned right back to Greta. "And she told you this?"
Greta nodded and then choked up. "She was really acting like my mother. It was hard to remember that she wasn't…that she is supposed to be Hope."
Bo jumped closer to her and hugged her for comfort. "I was so close on that pier. I had her…in my arms…wanting to come home to me…to our son…" Bo couldn't finish.
"It's ok, Dad." Shawn-D was on his feet and put a hand on his Dad's shoulder for assurance. "You'll save Mom." Bo looked up and saw the hopeful expression in his son's eyes. And that made him determined.
Marlena stood behind the couch in her Penthouse, watching John. He sat there, leaning forward with his hands covering a part of his face. "John?"
He straightened up and turned around in his seat to look at her, "I'm fine, Doc. Nothin to worry about."
"But I am worried." Marlena approached him. John gave her his infamous eye glance, urging her to explain. "That chance meeting, with Hope in Salem Place today-"
John stood up, "That's not Hope-at least not on the outside."
Marlena took a moment to let John's correction sink in. "I think she is going to try for you again."
John moved closer to her and embraced her, "Not gonna happen, Doc." He hugged her tightly, "My love for Gina wasn't even real. But my love for you…" He proceeded to kiss her-topping all of their past kisses.
As pleasant as it was, the kiss only slightly assured her. "I know. But things are different."
"What do you mean?" He leaned back to look at her.
"Bo had gotten through to her." Marlena began. "And from a psychiatrists point of view…when Gina's spirit captured her again, I think the hold will be stronger…making it harder to reach her again. For all we know, Hope could permanently be Gina now."
"I don't buy it." John quipped. When he saw that Marlena hadn't dropped her worried expression, he sighed. "Whatever she tries, I won't fall for it." Again he took her into his arms.
"Oh, John."
"Look, Doc, if it will ease you just a little…I promise to steer clear of her." He stepped away and took her by the hand. "Now, let's get to bed." There was a gleam in his eye that Marlena couldn't ignore-not that she wanted to.
The next morning, Gina awoke to find Stefano in her room. He was busy admiring her painting and hadn't noticed she was awake. "Steffy…" She sat up as he turned around.
"When did you paint this?" His tone was full of amazement.
"During the night." She replied as he sat next to her. Her silk top slid from her movement and revealed her shoulder and the surrounding flesh. Unlike last time, she didn't eagerly cover herself. "I got inspired." She had continued her answer for him. When she winked at him, he knew that he was the inspiration.
"So what are your plans for today?"
Gina tapped her chin in thought. "Perhaps I should relax, and save my energy for this party of yours." Her lips split into a sly grin.
"That might be a good idea." Again he gave her a brief stern look. "It would be bad for you to encounter the riff-raff here."
She mocked frowned, "Oh, come now, Steffy…" But quickly smiled again in memory, "I've already encountered the riff-raff."
"Did you know?" He tilted his head at her, prepared to smile or frown.
"Do not worry, I was not…as you say…outrageous." She flicked her wrist for effect as she talked. "In fact, I was a perfect lady." She narrowed her eyes but kept her grin, "I am a Princess after all."
"That you are, dear Gina." Stefano stood up to allow her to get out of bed. "I ordered a new wardrobe for you." He turned to the door and clapped loudly. The maid quickly entered and handed him an elegant blazer with a matching skirt. Gina eyed the outfit and found it to be perfect for her tastes.
She embraced Stefano from the side, glancing down at the outfit. "Steffy…you always take care of me."
"It's what I do." He handed it to her and stepped back. However, his cell rang, so he excused himself from the room before answering.
Once alone, Gina eagerly slipped into the new clothing. It felt at good as it looked. The feeling of being back on top and being in the favor of whom she wanted to be in had filled her. She twirled about the room in her new outfit, full of high spirits. "Everything is as it should be…well almost." She softly tilted her head as she gazed at herself in a full length mirror. "Soon, Gina…you will have it all!" She crooked a finger to her mouth coyly and beamed, "When my dear John sees this outfit, he definitely won't be able to resist."
