~ Chapter 32 ~

The echo of the clock's eleventh chime hung in the air, before fading into silence. Marlena shivered. Despite Alex's reassurances, she was growing increasingly panicked about meeting Dr. Frank Kelly, the man Alex had chosen to be her new therapist.

Alex trusts him.

She kept repeating the statement to herself, to little effect. As she sat on the sofa nursing her second coffee of the morning, she inhaled slowly and deeply, trying to calm her ever more jittery nerves. She jumped at the sound of Alex's voice behind her.

"Maybe you should ease up on the caffeine," he suggested, a hint of teasing in his tone.

"I can't help it. I'm nervous. I know you've told me that Frank's a terrific guy, but he's still a stranger to me."

"So is most everyone around," he couldn't stop himself from pointing out.

"You're right. But I'm not expected to spill my guts to any of them, or to put my recovery in their hands."

"You honestly have nothing to fear. Frank may look like a bear, but he's as gentle as a lamb."

"Great! Now when he walks through that door, I'm going to have animal images in my brain," she grumbled.

He chuckled before sitting down beside her and taking her trembling hands in his. The warmth of his grasp flooded through her, calming her instantly.

"How do you do that?" she wondered, astonished as always at his ability to say or do exactly the right thing.

"We're connected, you and I. Soul mates. When it comes to sensing what you're feeling or what you need, I just know."

"As simple as that, huh?"

"Yep. Nothing complicated about it. You do the same for me."

She had to concede it was true. She somehow understood his every mood, even when he didn't always articulate his feelings. In spite of the amnesia, she couldn't deny the strength of their bond.

"Let's put that theory to the test, shall we?" she grinned. "What do I want from you right now?"

"This," he whispered, drawing her into a tender kiss.

Wrapping his arms around her, he settled them both comfortably on the sofa. They sat quietly, until Alex spoke.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Frank again. I've missed him."

She turned her face to his, curiosity shining from her eyes.

"He was a father figure to me. He never judged me. He listened, he sympathized, and, whether I wanted it or not, he gave me advice."

"Did you take it?"

"Not always. At least, not at first. I realized after a while that everything he said made sense, and his advice was born of great wisdom. I didn't fight him on it so often after that," he confessed, his tone rueful.

"I'm glad you had someone in your corner, all those years."

"It saved me. Literally. If I hadn't been able to confide in Frank, I never would have made it through the time we spent apart."

"So, is that what you meant when you said he had saved your life? He saved you emotionally, as opposed to physically?"

Before Alex could answer, they heard a knock. Giving Marlena a quick kiss for courage, he rose and headed to the foyer. After glancing through the small window, a huge grin split his face, and he eagerly tugged the door open.

"Frank!"

"Alex!"

The men pulled each other into a tight hug, giving Marlena the opportunity to observe the new arrival. He appeared to be in his late sixties. From what she could see, he was tall – several inches above six feet – with a shock of white hair and a full white beard. If it wasn't for his lanky frame, he would've made a perfect department store Santa, she thought to herself. Her anxieties eased marginally as she noted the kindness of his countenance. His laugh lines were firmly in place, and she detected a lilting Irish brogue in his speech.

After several seconds, Alex turned his attention to her.

"Forgive me, Marlena. I'm being rude, monopolizing Frank like this. Let me introduce you. Marlena, meet Frank Kelly. Frank, this is the woman you've heard so much about – Marlena Evans."

Marlena extended her hand, but Frank would have none of it. He enveloped her in a strong, warm hug, before looking down at her.

"So, you're the famous Marlena. Alex's descriptions of you hardly do you justice, my dear."

The colour rose in her cheeks, and she stammered in her embarrassment.

"Th-thank you."

"He's been wild about you for years, you know," the older man added, a delighted smile on his amazingly youthful-looking visage.

Marlena, realizing that she'd been staring, averted her gaze. In her nervousness, her manners seemed to have deserted her.

"Please, let me take your coat."

"Alex can find a place for it," Frank countered, as he turned slightly and handed his overcoat to the younger man.

When he faced her again, Marlena's jaw nearly fell to the floor as she noted the collar Frank sported.

"You're…"

"A priest. A man of the cloth. A cleric. Take your pick."

As Alex made his way back to her side, their eyes locked. His were twinkling mischievously.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded.

"What, and spoil the surprise? Your expression was priceless."

"I hope you can handle this joker, here. The lad always had a way of making people smile, no matter the circumstances," Frank divulged, his tone conspiratorial.

She attempted to direct an annoyed look Alex's way, but her face betrayed her. Giving up, she joined in their laughter.

"You caught me. I wanted to see your reaction," he confessed.

She swatted him playfully on the arm, her irritation having evaporated as quickly as it arose.

"In all seriousness, though, I didn't want you to prejudge Frank based on his vocation. Now, do you understand why I was able to trust him so completely?"

"Of course, I do. You could be open with him, even about top-secret matters, knowing that his vows required him to keep your confidence."

She turned to Frank and directed a grateful smile his way. He found himself dazzled by its brilliance, and he was immediately captivated by the lovely woman in front of him.

"It means so much to me that you were there for Alex during such a difficult time. He's told me that you're the reason he managed to stay sane during our years apart."

Frank leaned over and grinned, a gleam apparent in his eye.

"Well, now, I wouldn't be so sure about this sanity business. I always thought he was a wee bit daft… at least when it came to you."

Marlena shook her head in mock dismay. Both of them were clearly terrible teases.

"C'mon, Frank, the reason is obvious, isn't it? Wouldn't you agree she's the most beautiful woman you've ever seen?"

More embarrassed than ever, Marlena took Alex aside.

"Stop," she pleaded in a low voice. "You're making me uncomfortable."

He gave her a quick squeeze and a kiss on the forehead as he responded.

"I'm sorry. The two of us do tend to set each other off, and I've missed bantering with Frank so much. I'll be a good boy, I promise."

He offered her his very best contrite puppy look, and she melted instantly. Drawing her closer, he whispered in her ear.

"And when we're alone tonight, I'll be even better."

"You are so bad."

"Yes, I am. But you love me anyway."

"I do."

Her words came out as a sigh, and he held her even tighter. Her cheeks flamed crimson as she pulled away from his embrace, turning all the redder as she became aware of Frank's scrutiny.

"Don't mind me," he urged them.

"But I should be minding you," Marlena insisted. "You're a guest in my home and I haven't even offered you any refreshments. Would you like some coffee? Or maybe some tea?"

"A spot of tea would be lovely, thank you."

"How about I go make the tea, and you and Frank can get better acquainted," Alex proposed.

A wave of panic swept over her. She wasn't ready to be alone with her new therapist yet. Reaching out to keep Alex from leaving, she discovered that she was already too late. With a sigh of resignation, she pivoted towards the priest. He endeavoured to put her at ease.

"I know you're nervous, lassie, but don't be. I'm here to help you, not to harm you."

"I realize that. It's just…"

"It's just that you trust Alex, and you don't know me well enough to trust me yet, is that it?"

"Well, you seem like a decent person, you're a man of God, and Alex obviously thinks the world of you… but you're a stranger to me. A caring one, but still a stranger."

"Shall we sit? It might help us both be more comfortable," he suggested.

At her nod, he folded his lanky frame onto the sofa. She positioned herself on the chaise opposite him, looking at him expectantly.

"Marlena, may I ask you a few questions?"

"Of course."

"From what Alex has told me, you're getting bits and pieces of your memory back, but it's sporadic and not something you've been able to control. Would that be correct?"

"Yes, that's it exactly. I get flashes, and I'm not even sure what triggers them."

"Have you been consciously trying to retrieve more of these bits?"

Her lengthy pause prompted Frank's next question.

"Do you want to get your memory back?"

"Yes and no," she admitted honestly. "Alex and I have missed so much, and I want to be able to remember the wonderful times that he does…"

"But?"

"I've gathered from some of the things he's said, and from the way I've seen him react to his own memories, that there's a lot that's very painful buried in my past. I'm not sure I'm equipped to deal with it."

"Do you love him?"

She was unprepared for the question, but there was no hesitation in her reply.

"With all my heart. I may not remember much, but my feelings for him have come back to me as strong as ever."

"Then you must have courage enough to confront the darkness that you fear. You owe it to him. More importantly, you owe it to yourself. It's the only way you'll be whole again, able to live the life that you're dreaming of."

They lapsed into silence as Marlena considered Frank's words. In mere seconds, she came to her decision.

"I'm ready. How do we start?"