Chapter 1: The Stone – Monday, June 5th, 2017
Theo pushes the record button before sitting on a small wooden stool. He looks directly into the camera lens before clearing his throat. "I hope this works. I… I left Salem more than six months ago. I could do the math to be more concise, but that's not really important. This is day one of my… what do I want to call it… I guess my self-sessions? Does that sound weird? Maybe. It's a work in progress. Nothing is set in stone.
"Anyway, I now live outside of a small South American village in what I like to call a hut because it reminds me of a… well, a hut." Theo stops because he fears he's rambling. That thought leads to him questioning the purpose of this. "I came here due to the urging of my grandmother, Celeste, so I can better connect with my gift, but…"
A frustrated expression covers his face. He's not ready to finish that thought quite yet. "Anyway, I had to beg for this camera. I told them I wanted to record myself processing and practicing what I've been learning in my sessions with Tajana. She's the leader here, and I believe my grandma studied under her for a short time...
"I hope this works." Theo breathes deeply for half a minute as he looks down to the dirt under his feet. He is more focused now. "I do hope I'll be able to see what it looks like to others when I leave this plane and experience a vision, but that's not my sole purpose for this… Since I've been here, it's been hard to escape what I left behind in Salem. There have been times when I've been able to tap into something, but the experience is short because, well, it's discouraged at this time.
"I'm able to trigger visions… well, sometimes. It doesn't last long, but I know it's something because it reminds me of what I experienced while I was in a coma during the fall of 2016. There are moments when I am calm. I can breathe normally – without discomfort. But then it changes. It feels harsher. Harder. I feel everything in me. Things that aren't even a part of me become a part of me. I can see people. I know what they're feeling. Their joy. Their sadness. Their pain. My eyes close even though they remain open. This is my experience.
"I have a hypothesis. I believe if I focus my thoughts on someone or something that happened, I am able to connect with that person or situation involving others who aren't me."
Theo closes his eyes. He takes a few deep breaths before opening his eyes once more. "Nonno. What a tragedy. I know you're responsible for a lot of evil things, but I love you because that's what my parents taught me… and I know you loved me in your own way. You were always extra gentle with me. Perhaps I got to see a different side of the great Stefano DiMera because of my diagnosis.
"Alessandro." Theo tilts his head to the side. "I can hear the strumming of a guitar. I think I am close to connecting." Dropping his head, Theo suddenly sighs. He is annoyed now. "I just lost it. My focus. Maybe I shouldn't speak out my experience. Perhaps some things are just better left unsaid."
Ciara enters his mind. Theo shakes his head. He doesn't want to go there. "I need to refocus." Breathing deeply, he manages to relax his body once more. His eyes close. Everything is in sync. "Walking through a garden, the flowers are in bloom. Each curve, each angle is perfectly crisp to the touch. At the distant left, stands a growing willow tree. Its budding branches contain life. Life that hangs in the balance, and, sometimes, it falls.
"A glacial stone sits near the trunk. When life hits that piercing grey rock, things can change. Life starts to fade as death tries to conquer it. The flowers wilt; the colors in the leaves begin to fade. A pulse can still remain – its rhythm continually beats in time, but if something does not jolt life back into awareness, back into action, then what is honestly the point? Death is a given. It is life which is truly a gift."
Theo realizes he has tapped into his gift. He needs to start small to test his hypothesis. "In my coma, I saw Arianna and Marco decide to move to Spain. From what I heard, Marco and Arianna decided to visit Spain before I left Salem." He hears Christmas music begin to play...
Saturday, December 24th, 2016
"This is truly a sight to behold," Renée commented viewing all the gifts under the exquisitely decorated Christmas tree at the DiMera mansion. She shifted her body towards EJ and clasped her hands together. "Your children are fortunate to experience Christmas like this. Marco and I... we did not have anything like this."
Cutting in for his brother's sake, Chad questioned, "What was Christmas like for you and Marco?" He feared he would regret this question, but he wanted to know more about Renée while getting her off EJ's back for a moment.
When Renée began to answer, EJ turned his head towards the foyer because Sami entered the room. He needed to take advantage of this much needed break from his oldest sister. "Excuse me."
Sami poured herself a drink because she wasn't ready to rejoin the others. She needed some time after the attitude she received upstairs.
"Are you ready to call it a night?" EJ questioned his wife. A grin covered his face as he happily ran his hands around Samantha's waist.
Sami turned facing EJ. She gladly gave him a kiss on the lips before saying, "I'm more than ready, trust me, but you will have to wait for your Christmas present just a bit longer."
EJ didn't want to wait, but he knew he didn't have much of a choice by the look on his wife's face. "How are the children?"
After an eyeroll, Sami begrudgingly shared, "Jade tried to start a game of hide and seek, so she could join us down here. I put on a movie instead, and fortunately, Sydney pulled Jade to sit with her."
With a nod, EJ confirmed, "Well, Jade is Sydney's favorite aunt."
Unable to relax, Sami commented, "Well. Renée seems to be Jade's favorite step-sister."
EJ placed his hands on Sami's shoulders and tried to massage them to help her relax. "That's because Lexie isn't around," he countered hoping it would help as well.
Pulling away because she felt EJ wasn't taking her seriously, Sami argued, "We probably shouldn't talk about this now."
EJ didn't want to leave this. He followed Sami to assure her. "You don't need to worry about Jade or Renée."
Sami tried her best, but she couldn't let this go. "Have you thought about what Jade's going to do when we take our family vacation?"
Confused, EJ crossed his arms over his chest and answered, "I thought we agreed Jade would join us."
"That's not a good idea," Sami firmly stated. "…even if it keeps her from being alone in our home with Renée. Jade could visit her mother while we're gone."
EJ wished things were better between Sami and Jade, but he knew that was more on Jade's stubbornness. "I'll see what I can do."
After arriving, Will entered the living room and greeted his mom and EJ first. "Allie rushed upstairs to say hi to the others before we head over to hang ornaments." With enthusiasm, he released, "I'm excited for Chad to see his ornament!" His smile grew when he saw Chad standing with Renée and Dario. "How's that going?"
EJ looked to Sami, who did not want to answer. With reluctance, he decided, "We should head over and find out."
When the three joined the others, they quickly realized Chad, Dario, and Renée were discussing the fact that Dario was André's son. "So… will you turn out to be a serial killer as well?" Renée questioned.
"No," Dario immediately answered trying to be as respectful as possible.
Wishing Renée would stop asking Dario that question every time he came around, EJ swiftly assured, "André is dead. I even directed Rolf to burn all of his research."
"Sure," Renée released showing she was skeptical.
Eager to leave, Will grabbed Chad's arm and leaned into his husband's body. "Ready to go?"
One glance into Will's blue eyes almost caused Chad to agree immediately, but he knew he couldn't leave yet. He promised Dario he would stay. "I need a bit longer, Blue."
Overhearing Will and Chad, Dario looked towards the foyer wondering what was taking his sister and Marco so long to arrive.
Will pulled Chad away so they could talk in private. When they stood in the foyer, he urged, "We can't be late!"
Anxiously glancing behind his shoulder to make sure no one could overhear him, Chad turned to Will and explained, "Dario is here because of me. I also promised him I'd hang out until his sister arrived with Marco."
Realizing he missed something, Will questioned, "What is this about?" Even though Chad mentioned Arianna and Marco, he wondered if something happened with Sonny since he knew Sonny had a surprise planned for Dario.
Giving him a knowing look, Chad tilted his head slightly and said, "Remember the news Arianna and Manny shared with Dario yesterday? Renée has no idea. They haven't told her yet."
Concerned now, Will argued, "I'm not sure if Marco telling his mom the news on Christmas Eve is the best idea."
Disagreeing, Chad countered, "I think Renée won't make too much of a scene with everyone here. My sister's pride will get the best of her in this situation."
"You have a point," Will acknowledged deciding to push his desire to leave to the side for Dario's needs. "I'll send a text to Aunt Jen and ask her to stall. If you need me, I'll be upstairs with my brothers and sisters."
After Will headed up the stairs with his phone in his hand, Chad pulled out his phone to send Lexie a text. He missed her, Theo, and Celeste, and he knew she wouldn't get his text until she got into the small village where she worked. He wondered what they were doing for Christmas.
The doorbell rang. Arianna and Marco had finally arrived, and Chad gladly but also anxiously led them into the main room.
Surprised, Renée greeted Arianna with a hug. "I didn't expect a visit on Christmas Eve."
"Yeah… surprise…" Arianna nervously released knowing her relationship with Marco's mother was about to change.
"We aren't staying long," Marco quickly warned. "I'm heading back to Arianna's before we attend midnight mass with her family. I wanted to see you on Christmas Eve."
Marco's words caused Renée to hope her son would stand by her side once more. "I'm pleased."
Recognizing the look in his mother's eyes, Marco decided to come out with his news. "I'm moving to Spain with Arianna and Manny. We are moving after the new year."
Dario moved next to his sister to give her a hug while Renée remained silent for a moment. She needed to collect herself because she didn't want to lose it in front of everyone – especially EJ and Sami. Making eye contact with her son, she realized this was the exact reason Marco told her this news on Christmas Eve. She didn't appreciate this game he was playing with her. They were never supposed to play games with each other.
"Are you going to say something?" Marco questioned before sharing, "Ari and I know we need to get out of Salem – at least for some time. It's kind of like how you would leave on your international trips, but ours will probably be longer. You helped me adjust to the idea of living somewhere else."
Renée could feel her buttons being pushed. "I am upset you are leaving," she finally spoke up. "I wonder if your running away is truly the answer."
Marco knew his mother was trying to play this back to him. "I have nothing to run from." He moved towards her, hugged her, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight." He took Arianna's hand and led her out after telling Dario they would see him later at mass.
Renée turned to those left in the room. Dario didn't seem surprised by the news meaning he knew this entire time and didn't say anything. She couldn't do this. "I'm calling it a night." She headed for the stairs just as Jade came down.
Before a word could be shared between EJ's oldest and youngest sisters, Sami interceded the moment by telling Jade, "Renée is going to bed. You should probably do the same."
"The festivities have been completed?" Jade released clearly annoyed.
EJ grabbed Sami's hand because the anxiety had returned in her. "Things are winding down for our big day tomorrow," he confirmed.
After Renée was gone, Will led his brothers and sisters down the stairs since Chad had sent him a text. "Johnny wants us to take a family photo before I leave. Can we make it happen?"
Present: Monday, June 5th, 2017
Theo's body sinks into the stool as much as possible. He has exerted quite a bit of his energy. "I can't believe what I just saw… and so much. I saw a lot." His eyes begin to shift quickly as he processes what he saw, felt, and heard. "There were some small differences from the future I saw in my coma. Uncle EJ and Aunt Sami spent Christmas Eve at home instead of the Brady Pub. Renée was there as well – without Tony. Will came to pick up Chad. Sonny wasn't with Dario. Jade was still in Salem."
Theo gently rubs his right arm with his left hand. "Marco and Arianna. They still decided to move to Spain. Manny went as well." He pauses as he continues to process what he witnessed. "Though some things have shifted, it's possible the end result may be inevitable." He looks directly into the camera. He's curious. "What if I changed nothing?