Chapter 11

Bo went over Celeste's ominous prediction for the umpteenth time. While he wanted to grasp the opportunity to see Carly and thrash things out with her at last, could he in good conscience allow her walk back to the danger that awaited her? Someone wants to hurt her. An evil person... who hurt her before.

Bo sighed angrily. He didn't blame Frankie for being mad at him and the rest of the family, but if he hadn't been so unbending, the attack on Carly would've been thoroughly investigated. Whoever attacked her five years was in still in Salem...and wanted to hurt her again. Celeste didn't specifically say the attacker was going to succeed. I won't let him touch her again, whoever it is. I won't fail you again, princess, he vowed from the bottom of his heart.

He's filled with hate for her.

Bo could only think of one person who regarded Carly as his sworn enemy, but his depression, guilt and worry over Carly and their child had been so deep, he hadn't thought about confronting him. But on New Year's night, while talking with Melanie on Brady's roof, she'd told him about the scene in Victor's house and what Victor had said that provoked Marcus to hit him. Victor's never forgave Carly for defying him. But surely... surely his hatred for her didn't go to that extent. However... this was the same man who initially connived to harm Carly's secret child, until he found out the secret child was his son's bride- to-be.

Victor Kiriakis is capable of anything. He once tried to kill you, remember?

The sound of the shower door opening cut through his thoughts. 'Hey there.' Hope crooned, discarding her robe and tossing it aside. Pressing herself against his wet body, Hope moved her hands down his chest, planting kisses against the side of his neck. Rather than getting aroused, Bo froze as once again his mind went back to that fateful day. The whole time they were making love, in this very shower, Carly was being attacked... struggling and screaming under the vicious blows of her assailant, she and their unborn children left for dead. For a long time after Carly was taken away, Bo couldn't bring himself to be intimate with his wife. Marriage counselling somewhat helped with that but making love in the shower still revolted him, always remembering what he was doing the same moment some sick bastard was beating up his princess; her bruised, battered face vivid in his mind.

'Don't,' he snapped, pushing Hope's hands away. Startled by his attitude, Hope shrank back.

'Just... don't okay? I'm not in the mood right now.'

He could feel Hope's hurt eyes staring at his back but instead of the argument he was expecting, she left him alone, slamming the shower door behind her. Bo squeezed his eyes shut, angry tears mingling with the water raining on him.

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Chicago

After claiming her luggage, Carly stayed in the terminal. On receiving the invitation to attend the conference, she had emailed Marcus to ask if he was attending and he'd confirmed it, agreeing to meet at the airport.

Leaving the twins was hard on her, even though she knew they were in safe hands with Dr Harrow and his wife, Gloria. Their bright green eyes fell when she told them she was going away for a while, but they'd understood it had to do with her work, pleading with Mummy to come back home soon. She missed Ethan and Evangeline terribly already, the conference ahead of her feeling far more than just a week. And she felt like a fish out of water, returning to the States after all this time. Before the twins were born, Carly thought about returning to Tahiti or moving to Miami and live on the beach. But sheer paranoia over her assailant finding her there had nixed the idea. And Europe had never felt like home, not after her traumatic marriage, and she didn't want to run into old childhood playmates who would poke inquisitive noses into her business. Guam was a safe haven for her and her precious twins, no enemies lurking behind the bushes. And the last place Bo would think of looking for her, that is if he actually had the mind to.

The thought of Bo Brady brought backthe old aching bitterness in full force. Every word, kiss and caress... a lie, all lies. And how utterly naive and stupid she had been, believing they could finally have what they were cheated of in spite of his two decade marriage to Hope. But she'd truly believed Bo when he said he loved her. I fell all over again, his very words to her as he held her in his arms.

Fool... Fool! Carly thought angrily, refusing to give way to tears this time, but suddenly feeling so alone; missing Ethan and Evangeline more than ever and longing for Marcus' comforting presence.

Washington D.C, five years ago

'Goodness Carly, you should be putting your feet up, not running around with heavy dishes... give me those.' Piper exclaimed, taking them from her.

'Please take her away, man. Last thing we need is her collapsing on us.' Frankie said as Marcus firmly placed his hands on her shoulders and led her to the living room.

'I'm pregnant you guys, not an invalid,' she protested. Her doctor's most explicit order since she was discharged from the hospital was plenty of rest. But she didn't feel helping her sister -in-law with Thanksgiving dinner was doing too much.

'Adrienne and I got this, go!'

'Ugh...' she sank into the couch, smiling as Marcus placed a cushion behind her to rest her back and dragged an ottoman over to place her feet on. 'Thanks.'

Marcus grinned, settling down beside her. 'So... let's see what we've got here,' he said, picking up the remote to scroll through the channels. 'That looks good,' she said when he found a period movie.

'Damn it, it's some chick flick.' Marcus grumbled as the movie's opening credits appeared.

'"The Age of Innocence" is hardly a chick flick, Hunter.' She retorted, batting his arm.

'Why, you've seen it already?'

'I read the book in high school. Trust me, you'll love it.'

Marcus shrugged. 'At least Daniel Day-Lewis' in it, now that's a real actor.'

Five minutes into the movie, she pressed a hand to her mouth, suddenly feeling nauseous. 'You okay?' Marcus asked anxiously as she struggled to her feet.

'I'm fine, just need to go to the bathroom.'

Upstairs she threw up painfully, then washed her mouth and face. But as she was about to make her way downstairs, she clutched her enlarged stomach. Cramps. And her back felt really painful. She stumbled back into her bedroom, needing to lie down for a bit.

'Carly? Honey... are you okay in there?'Piper's voice was anxious. 'Can we come in?'

'Sure.' Carly sat up, rubbing her back.

'What's wrong?' Adrienne asked, following Piper into the bedroom.

Carly shook her head. 'I felt nauseous a while ago and my tummy and back felt funny. Oh no...' she gasped as a terrible pain came from her tummy.

'Oh my God... she's in labour! We have to get you to the hospital!'

Adrienne dashed down to inform the men while Piper soothed Carly, rubbing her back. 'Breathe... breath through the pain.'

Carly tried to but another pain hit and then another, suddenly feeling something gush between her legs. She gasped , clutching Piper's arm.

Marcus hurried into the room, followed by Frankie and Adrienne. 'How far apart are the contractions?' he demanded, feeling her stomach, which was rock hard already.

'Less than a minute... oh it hurts, help me!'

'Don't you worry sis... we'll get you to the hospital right now.'

But Marcus shook his head, immediately noticing her damp skirt. 'Her water's already broke, she's not going to make it. Piper... clean towels, Frankie, call the paramedics.'

'Is she having the babies right now?' In the middle of her great pain, Carly could hear the panic in her brother's voice.

'Yeah right now and I don't think you should be in here. Make the call and stay out.' Marcus ordered, hurrying into the bathroom to wash his hands.

Carly smiled faintly as her brother pressed a hasty kiss on her forehead before leaving the room. 'Oh my God.. this is happening now.'

'It sure is.' Piper beamed, placing the towels underneath her.

Carly patted Adrienne's hands which were rubbing her shoulders. 'I'm so glad you're here too, Adrienne.'

'Like I would miss this.' Adrienne laughed, her voice trembling.

Marcus came back and lifted her skirt, pushing her legs apart . 'Perfect... the baby's crowning already. Honey, now's the time to push.'

'Oh... you think?' Carly snapped, then screamed.

'Come on Carly... push that baby out!'

'I'm trying... I'm trying to...' She pushed with all her might, Piper and Marcus encouraging her while Adrienne kept an iron grip on her shoulders. Rivulets of sweat rained down her face as she pushed and pushed, feeling the baby come out of her, accompanied by a loud hearty wail. 'It's a boy... you have a son Carly.'

'Oh my God... he's so beautiful!' Piper sobbed. Carly raised her head to stared at the squirming baby, smiling through her tears.

'Okay, we're not done yet.' Marcus soothed. 'Let's bring out this little guy's twin now.'

Within moments, her baby girl emerged and then came the sound of the doorbell ringing. Frankie came in with the paramedics, rushing over to welcome his nephew and niece while Carly tearfully kissed Marcus, thanking him over and over.

The loudspeaker suddenly announced the arrival of Flight 47 arriving from California. Several minutes later, Marcus was hurrying towards her, wheeling his luggage behind him and the two old friends exchanged hugs.

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'I don't deny it. I did say it... because it's true. And it wouldn't have happened in the first place if that whore hadn't sunk her claws in you in the first place. She brought it all on herself.'

'She was carrying my child at the time, Victor.' Bo said, his voice trembling with anger. 'And don't you pretend she doesn't have a name. Or that I'm not capable of defending her the way she deserves if you call her a whore again.'

'You can knock out my teeth if you want to,' Victor said sullenly, hiding his shock about Carly's pregnancy- which was news to him. 'I'm not saying anything different.'

'Okay, since you have no trouble confessing how heartless you are when Carly's concerned, is there anything you want to tell me?'

'Like what?' Victor snapped.

'Did you have anything to do with Carly's attack?'

'Get out of my house, right now.'

'Why don't you just make me?' Bo snarled. 'You're always out to prove you're man enough. Did you put out a contract on Carly... yes or no?'

'You've got a lot of nerve accusing me...'

'You had no problem planning my death over twenty years ago, didn't you?'

'And after all this time you bring that up to rub in my face, kudos!'

'Did you or didn't you?'

Victor sneered. 'Carly Manning's not worth swinging for, trust me. I got better things to do with my time. Unlike you, standing there accusing me of attempted murder.'

'Well I'm not prepared to rule you out just yet, Victor. Eventually I'll find out. And when I find proof, I will make you pay for what you did to her. Count on that.'

Glaring at him, Bo left the Kiriakis mansion.

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'Dr. Manning's no longer with us, she resigned 5 years ago.'

'That long? Well, can you tell me where she's working now?'

'I have no idea young man, after she left her position she moved away. And you are...?' Maxine broke off when she saw Melanie walking up to them, overhearing the conversation. 'Mel here can probably tell you want you need to know. Excuse me.'

The first thing Melanie noticed about the tall, handsome young stranger was the pair of familiar green eyes, viewing her with suspicion. 'Who are you?' he demanded.

'You first.'

'I'm Nicholas Alamain.'

Silence.

'Well?' Nicholas demanded, wondering why the girl was looking at him that way, her face now very pale. 'Do you know where she is or not?'

Melanie swallowed. 'I don't know where she is.'

'Then it seems I'm merely wasting my time asking around! Why did that lady say you would know? Who are you anyway?'

'I'm Melanie Layton.' When the irritated expression on his face didn't clear, she added, 'I'm your sister... Nicky.'

Nicholas stared back at the girl, antagonism gone but was now at a loss for words.

Melanie added quietly, 'And obviously, we really need to talk.'