Chapter 3: Uncertainty
Marlena walked into the penthouse on John's arm, and Maggie followed them in. "Anything else I can do, Marlena?" she asked shyly.
Marlena turned, flashing her a grateful smile before shaking her head. "Nothing that I can think of offhand," she replied.
"Thanks for the ride home, Maggie," John chimed in.
Maggie smiled. "Anytime. Call me if you need anything," she said as she stepped toward the door.
"Will do," John and Marlena agreed in unison.
Maggie waved as she shut the door behind her.
Marlena sighed. " Oh, John, I feel so guilty," she told him. holding back the tears that she knew could fall at any moment.
Although John was hurt by Marlena's act of indiscretion with Roman, he hated to see her upset. Her pain cut him like 1,000 daggers. He wrapped her in a comforting embrace, hoping to cushion the crushing blows her guilt was landing. "It's OK, Doc. Shh," he soothed. "You made a mistake. It's OK."
"John, I never meant for that to happen," Marlena said through her now-falling tears, "Neither did Roman. We didn't even see it coming."
John nodded. "I understood, Doc. Kate and I didn't see what happened between us coming, either," he admitted honestly.
Marlena sniffled. "John?"
"Yeah?"
"What'll we do about the baby?"
"Well, I vote that we raise her as a Black and let Roman be a big part of her life. I mean, Kate's definitely gonna object to raising her in their home, considering that she's not her mother."
Marlena nodded in agreement. "Plus, Kate won't be able to meddle in her life as much if we do it that way," she said with a laugh.
John chuckled. "Now, Doc, you know Roman's gonna insist o her getting to know Kate."
Marlena laughed again. "I know, but we can always hope she won't meddle."
John wiped the remaining tears from Marlena's cheeks. "Keep your fingers crossed," he said, chuckling again.
Marlena stepped over to the couch and sat down slowly. John soon joined her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. They fell asleep there a few minutes later.
Next: Marlena talks to Roman.