This had to be one of the strangest things that had ever happened to him, and that was saying something. He had seen Marlena possessed by the devil and countless DiMera plans gone awry, but this was different. The last thing John remembered was a masked man coming into his hotel room. They had struggled and he had been shot, he definitely remembered that. Leaning over he checked again, but there was still no bullet wound. How the hell did that happen?
He walked out of the jungle area to find himself on the Salem docks. At least, that's where it looked like he was, what was happening? He saw an older woman with her back to him, bent over a crate searching for something.
"Excuse me, ma'am, can you tel..." but the question died on his lips as he looked into the smiling face of Caroline Brady.
He wanted to run to her, throw his arms around her, call her 'ma', and make sure she was real, but he was rooted to the ground. Luckily, Caroline wasn't, she ran over and hugged him like he had never been hugged before. John heard the questions come from his mouth, but he had no idea where his voice came from. He found himself being led to the Brady Pub, or at least a look alike pub.
He was ushered in the door to find Marlena chatting with Doug and Abe at the counter. She looked up at him, and with an "oh my gosh" flew into his arms. He held her tightly for a long moment. When they finally pulled away from each other the other occupants of the room came over to greet him.
Abe gave him a hug, and not one of those 'guy' hugs. They had been friends for a long time, it was an 'I am so happy to see you' thing. Maggie kissed both his cheeks and even Victor shook his hand like he was glad to see a new face. It was then that he noticed Sami, standing hesitantly in the background.
Breaking away from the group, he slowly approached the little girl that had haunted his dreams. John stopped about a foot from her, not sure if she'd let him come any closer. Then, as if a gift from God, she launched herself into his arms. Closing his eyes, he relished in the fact that she was letting him hold her, but the next moment was the most precious present he could ever hope for. Her tears were wetting his shirt and then his were falling, too, as she whispered "Daddy". He never thought he'd hear that term of endearment from her ever again. It was the most beautiful moment of his life. That is until he saw the face glowing with delight over Sami's shoulder.
Isabella had tears shining her eyes at the long awaited reunion and when Sami stepped aside to allow John to go to her, he wasted no time. Words failed as he held her face in his hands in amazement. She was here, his IzzyB was alive! Finding that every other method to convey his complete and utter bliss paled in comparison, he captured her lips in a joyous kiss.
They clung to each other, as if they'd never let go again. Neither noticed the romantic sighs escaping the women, in sheer awe of their captivating love, even Marlena. They finally pulled away from each other, but he didn't let go of her hand. John was afraid that if he didn't keep constant physical contact she would just disappear, and there was no way he would let that happen. He was led to a table where questions began to flow back and forth.
The whole mind-boggling incident was laid out in front of him, it was almost impossible to believe. Yet there was no alternative to explain how they got here, now they just needed the how and the why. A who would be nice, too, but there were already suspicions running around. After everyone was updated on Salem news, he finally realized the awkwardness of the situation. Here he sat clinging to Isabella when the woman he married after her 'death' was sitting across from them. Meeting Marlena's eyes, he asked if he could talk to her in private.