Chapter 25

John comes home a little later then usual to find Marlena sleeping peacefully on the couch. He gently places his keys down and kisses her awake. Marlena's eyes snap open to a grinning John with a huge bouquet of roses. Marlena smiles at the gift and takes them from John's hands. John helps her to her feet as she places the flowers in a nearby vase.

"Oh, John they are beautiful when did you have the time?"

"I always have time for my wife. I'm sorry it's so late. I hope you had some dinner and if you didn't do I have to lecture on how very important eating is?"

"No John, I had some supper Belle came by after she was done working we had take out. I can't believe our baby is married where did the time go?"

"You'd be surprised just how quickly they grown up. But now we have two more kids to look forward to and before we know it they will be married their selves. Then we'll be sitting in our rocking chairs waiting for our grandchildren to arrive."

"Let's not get ahead of our selves okay John we have seven more months until the twins are born. I'd like to keep it that way."

"Sure, so what did Dr. Bader say about your fever?"

"Oh nothing she thinks it was a reaction to the medication and she lowered the dosage."

"Lowered it? Is that safe I mean you still having two weeks left until you're out of your first trimester and past the fragile part?"

"I was concerned and she told me that if I have any problems with cramping or bleeding I should go back on the original dosage. She had them deliver the new amount I guess that it's a good think maybe I won't be so sick with the lower dosage."

"I hope you don't have any more morning sickness you worry me. Besides I think I can handle a few more weeks of that even if you can't."

"Oh I think I can handle a few more weeks I just hope that I won't remain sick until the end of my pregnancy."

"You aren't the only one."

"So what did you do today?"

"Oh just went through some of Belle's old clothes and toys. I can't believe I saved them after all these years. Do you have any idea why I did that?"

"Well if I remember you wanted to save them for when Belle has her first child. I guess now that she's married we can at least hope for them soon."

"I'm already a grandmother I don't want my baby girl to have a baby too. To me she's still a little baby I guess I won't ever get rid of that memory."

"Well I may be a step-grandfather to Will but I can't wait to have our very own grandchild. Does it know how incredibly spoiled it will be with me as its grandfather?"

"I'm sure that when and if Belle and Shawn decide to have a baby they will be blessed with both sides of the family. I know that Hope can't wait to be a grandmother. I guess once you are one you can't help but think how perfect life is with grandchildren."

Marlena gives John a quick kiss on the lips and walks with him to the kitchen. A sharp shooting pain catches Marlena off guard. She staggers on her feet and falls into John's open arms. He was worried when she let out a sharp gasp.

"Doc are you okay?"

"Yeah I think so I think I may have done too much today. I'm getting some cramping could you help me up the stairs to our bedroom?"

John doesn't need to think twice before he sweeps Marlena into his arms. Marlena continues to gasp as the pains in her stomach become more painful. By the time John reaches the bedroom Marlena is gasping for air between the pains.

"John something is wrong, the pain its worse then it has ever been. Oh my gosh do you think I'm loosing the babies?"

"I don't know you're not bleeding are you?"

"I don't think so. Oh John I'm so scared. Call the paramedics I need to get to the hospital before I loose the babies."

John races to the phone and quickly dials 911 while Marlena tries to deal with the pain she was feeling. In that moment John's whole life with Marlena flashed before his eyes. He wasn't going to loose her.

TBC…Chapter 26