Chapter 12

'You're going to blow them away with this.' Marcus said, after reading Carly's carefully prepared speech. 'This is really great.'

She'd told Marcus not to pull any punches if he had anything to criticise, and he'd promised to. 'You're sure?' Carly asked hesitantly, not wanting him to be biased out of affection towards her.

'Would I lie to you, Manning?'

Smiling ruefully, Carly turned off the laptop. 'So, now what do we do?' An hour after their arrival at the hotel, they had attended the welcome lunch party, mingling with doctors of various fields and running into a few old acquaintances.

'The night's young, we could go down to the bar for drinks before dinner. Afterwards, what say we head down to the hotel's nightclub, shake a leg.'

'I haven't danced in lord knows when.'

'Don't mean you've forgotten how to.' Marcus winked, pinching her cheek. 'Maybe we could even do a number together, I hear they do karaoke on weekends.'

Carly made a face. 'I don't know about that, standing in front of several doctors tomorrow's bad enough, doing a cover of some seventies song in front of heckling strangers would be worse.'

'What would be worse is a dear friend of mine is too chicken to do "a cover of some seventies song in front of heckling strangers" when I know she's brave enough to do anything.'

Carly grinned, touched by the compliment. 'Fine. But if we go viral in a bad way, it's all on you.'

After Marcus left the room, Carly drew a hot bath and peeled off her clothes. She would rather stay in her room and read after dinner, but didn't want to disappoint Marcus. In Dededo, all her attention had been on work and the children; politely but firmly turning down dates. Marcus obviously didn't want her to keep remaining in her shell and he was right. Why should she keep hiding? Against her will, Carly remembered the last time she danced. Bo had taken her for dinner and afterwards, pulled her to her feet to the dance floor. She'd felt she was floating as she looked up at the warm brown eyes fixed on her face, feeling his hand caressing her lower back, the other hand clasped with hers; resting against his chest. And there was the other dance, that even in her darkest moments of bitterness she could never forget.

The night wind blowing against her hair as she sat on the roof. Then hearing a song playing, she turned round... smiling in delight as Bo walked up to her, the song coming from Isabella's boom box. Bo kissing her hand before drawing her into his arms, no one else in that moment but the two of them as they moved in time to the music. He'd loved her then.

Abruptly, she walked to the closet to pick out a dress.

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'After I found out my father abused Mum for years and what he did with you after you were born, my fiancée called me all sorts of a fool, that I could have at least heard Mum's side of the story.' Nicholas told Melanie over coffee. 'Which is what I am, because I was too ashamed and proud to come over here and ask for forgiveness. Classic case of refusing to admit you were wrong. I should've been here to protect Mum. I'm not proud of my actions, Melanie. I would give anything; do anything to make things right with our mother, if I only knew where she is.'

'It's not point asking Adrienne or Uncle Frankie, they won't tell you.' Melanie replied quietly, shaking her head. 'At least Rafe's reason is because of her safety after what happened. But Adrienne and Frankie can't forget how we all treated Mum. It'll probably take five more years before she decides to finally forgive me.'

'Perhaps I can meet with Mrs. Kiriakis, convince her to help us.'

'Sure... Lawrence Alamain's son asking her for help? She'll throw you out of her house.'

'Well I can't face Emma and tell her I failed to find Mum. It's not just about getting Mum to forgive me. We want her to be at our wedding.'

'Oh, Nicky...' Melanie saw the raw emotion on her brother's face.

'I want her to know how sorry I am and want to start over. So, if I have to face Adrienne's disdain and wrath, so be it. I want my mother back, understand?'

'Of course I understand, because it's what I want too.' Melanie reached out to tentatively take his hand and he immediately squeezed hers. 'And I hope... I hope we'll be able to have some sort of relationship from now on.'

Nicholas' face now wore a warm, softer look. 'I hope so too.'

Melanie smiled back. 'So, when's the wedding then?'

'Last day of the month.' Pulling out a wallet from his jacket pocket, he pulled out a photo, handing it over to Melanie. 'This is Emma. Emma Villiers. '

The smiling young woman in the picture was exotic; her sepia coloured complexion and intense blue eyes indicating she was biracial. 'She's French?'

'Half French. Her mother's Moroccan.'

'Oh.'

'She's a translator at the U.N. We've been together for two years now.'

Melanie handed the photograph back to him. 'She's very beautiful.'

'Thank you. What about you, anyone special?'

'Yeah. His name's Colin... he's a nurse at the hospital. He's been really wonderful these past five years. Speaking of who... hey!' she called, waving Colin, who just entered, over to their table. Colin hugged her tightly and planted a kiss on her mouth before turning to Nicholas.

'Baby, this is my brother Nicky.'

'Oh, really.'

'I know right? It was a surprise to me to me too.'

The two young men shook hands.

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'Håfa ådai Buenas, my loves. Here I am in Chicago and missing you both so much. I hope you're having a lovely time with Dr. Harrow and Gloria. Mind that Shadow doesn't get into trouble okay? Uncle Marcus's here with me.'

'Håfa ådai kids! How've you been? Don't worry about your Mama, I'm taking great care of her.' Carly laughed as Marcus kissed her on the cheek.

'I don't know yet when I'll be coming over to visit next but I promise... you and your Mum here are always in my thoughts. And that's because I love you guys, remember that. Take of yourselves now, I'll send you something great. See ya.'

'Ådios Esta Åsta, darlings. Hu guiaya hao... I love you both, very much.' Carly blew kisses before turning off her phone's camera, rounding off the video message she was sending to Harrow's Gmail account.

'You'll be back with them in no time, honey.' Marcus rubbed her shoulder consolingly, when he saw how pensive Carly looked.

'I know. I just can't help it... I miss them so much. You can understand that, considering I could have lost them that terrible day.'

'But you didn't. And they are growing up beautifully because of you. Nothing's going to stop you from being with them for many more years to come. It won't be like the first two times, okay?' He pulled her to her feet. 'Now come on and prepare to turn heads out there.'

Carly grinned, linking her arm with his as they left her suite and made their way to the elevator. 'I have a feeling you'll turn more heads than I do.'

'Oh, why's that?'

You do realise you're more than cute, right?' Carly's eyes skimmed down Marcus' outfit, a well cut black suit worn with a dark blue shirt, no tie. 'I've never asked you this old friend, but how did you get to be so cute?'

' I am not a fluffy bunny, lady. I prefer 'dashing' than cute.' Marcus squeezed her nose affectionately. One of the things he'd always loved about Carly Manning was her lack of vanity; she either blushed at compliments or lightly brushed them off. After her long hospital stay, Carly opted to cut off all her hair and wore it short from then on. Right now, she looked exceptionally lovely in her black dress and double stranded pearls, the elegant layered pixie hairstyle with its diagonal bangs suited her perfectly, as it drew more attention to her cheekbones, neck and slanting green eyes. And as Marcus surmised, several men's heads turned, eyeing her appreciatively and giving Marcus- to his amusement- the envious stink eye.

'Told you.' Marcus chuckled.

'Sure... like you're immune yourself.' True enough, the women present were also giving Marcus the full blast of their admiration via covet smiles and coy winks.

'Cheers,' Carly clinked her glass with his after receiving their pre dinner drinks.

'Right back at you.' Marcus watched her carefully, like he usually did. If she still held some bitterness from her humiliation and ordeal, she hid it well. And he knew from experience how hard it was for his friend to do that, but then again, when it came to him she always poured out her heart about what she was feeling or thinking about. All through her stay at the hospital during her recovery, she'd confided in him- giving him more details than what he and Frankie had read in her journals. He'd held her hand tight and listened, sad and very angry on her behalf, wishing over again Frankie had allowed him to physically punish Bo like he wanted to- her brother or not. And Lawrence...just as well he was dead because Marcus would have hunted him down to avenge Carly. Brushing back his dark thoughts, he focused back on Carly, determined to give her a great evening.

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' 'If Adrienne wouldn't talk to you, what makes you think she'll listen to Nick?' Colin asked, after Nicholas excused himself to take a business call outside. 'Especially who his old man was.'

'I pretty much said the same thing, but else can we do? Besides, why are you being so negative about this?'

Colin took her hand, squeezing it. 'If your Mom really wanted to be found and be a part of your life again, she would've at least let you guys know where she is; not hide behind Adrienne Kiriakis, Rafe Hernandez and your uncle. Five years, Melanie and she's still being cruel to you and your Dad and your brother. Don't you think you should give it a rest... and let her come back on her own?'

'I wish it was that simple, honey... but it's not. She's my mother and I want her back in my life as much as Nick does. We've got a lot of amends to make with her, please understand that. And if... if it's our turn to walk down the aisle,' flashing a loving look at Colin who grinned, 'I'd like Mom there too.'

'I do understand, honest.'

'Thanks. I love you Colin, so much. If it hadn't been for you all this time...'

Colin leaned forward to press a warm kiss on her mouth. 'We all make mistakes, Melanie.' He said, pulling away to brush a strand of reddish hair from her forehead. 'Unlike everyone else, I felt it wasn't fair you had to keep paying for it. There's nothing to thank me for.'

'All the same... I'm saying it. Thank you, Colin. Thank you for standing by me and loving me even though I was a really bad person.'

'You're not a bad person.' Colin held her tightly. 'And nothing will ever change how I feel about you.'

A polite cough behind them pulled them apart. 'All set, Melanie?'

Melanie got up, reaching for her purse. 'Yes, let's go see Adrienne.' She turned to Colin, who rose from his chair. 'Wish us luck.'

'You got it. Meet you back at the apartment.' Colin kissed her again and shook hands with Nicholas.

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Hope eyed the single red rose. 'Do you honestly think that this makes up for everything?' she asked, shoving it aside.

'Again, I'm sorry. I just haven't been myself lately.'

'Brady, you haven't been yourself for a very long time. Obviously the counselling's just a big waste of time because you've been either bottling up your emotions or taking it out on me. If you have something to say... just say it, damn it. In words, not flowers. A husband who doesn't find me repulsive.'

Bo winced at the raw hurt in his wife's tone. Since the shower incident, Hope shrank away from his touch. It was just as well. It was an attempt of making amends on his part but he knew he couldn't be intimate with Hope without thinking of Carly; he could no longer block the image of her bruised, battered face... her eyes looking at him with hate. 'I don't find you repulsive, Fancy Face. That's a rotten thing to say.'

'If it's not that, then what is it? Or should I say... who?' Hope glared at him. 'Carly and your child... that's who's really on your mind or you're going to say that I'm being ridiculous?'

'She could've died that day, don't you see? I have the right to know they are okay, that's all.'

'So that's it... you blame yourself! Why exactly, because you were with me ... because we were back together and she was alone? Hence, I'm to blame too right?'

'Of course not...'

'Say what you feel for once! Now it all makes sense, you blame yourself for being with me while it was happening... because you feel your real place was with her. Well guess what, you made your choice, you asked me to come home, you told me what happened with Carly was a mistake and that you loved me. What's the real truth here?'

'I do love you.' Bo said quietly.

'Maybe. But you're letting your guilt to affect our lives and I honestly don't know what to expect from you anymore. I just hope you eventually come to your senses and realise what you're doing.'

The bell rang and she moved to answer it, relieved at the unexpected distraction. 'Hi Hope.'

'Melanie, the next time you want to meet my husband, I'd rather you didn't do it in my house next time, got it?' Their alliance wasn't something she was thrilled about, knowing who their common interest was.

'Noted.' Melanie said coldly. 'Is Bo here?'

Hope made way for her and the tall handsome young man at her heels, who looked at her impassively. Although burning with curiosity, Hope refused to stick around, opting to go upstairs.

'Did we come at a bad time?'

'No, you didn't.' Pressing a kiss on Melanie's cheek, Bo turned to Nicholas, instantly recognising him, the resemblance to his father unmistakable now that he was an adult. 'Nicky. I wondered when you'll finally show up in Salem. A bit late in the day, don't you think?' he asked, ignoring Nicholas' extended hand.

Nicholas flushed and Melanie stepped between them. 'Bo, don't do this, please. Now's not the time to bring up what my brother did or didn't do. He came here to see Mom and I told him what happened. We're on our way to Adrienne's right now and we wondered if you could come along and help us get her to see reason for once.'

'Why exactly do you want to see Carly after all this time? You were perfectly okay leaving her at your sick father's mercy, weren't you?' Bo addressed Nicholas directly.

'Really... coming from you who made promises you absolutely had no intention of keeping?' Nicholas spat, angry at Bo's judgemental stance.

'I may have disappointed her, but at least I didn't hit her and hit her some more among other things.'

'Bo enough... ENOUGH! We're all guilty here okay? Just stop.' Melanie pleaded. Both men glared at each other, trying to hold back their tempers for Melanie's sake.

'Back to what I was talking about. Can you come with us to Adrienne and talk to her for us?'

' A waste of time, she won't listen; you should've known that by now. Besides, we don't have to ask her anything.'

Melanie and Nicholas' spirits lifted. 'Really?' Melanie grabbed his arm. 'You know where she is?'

'I don't. But I found out something about her and I was going to let you know about it. Sit down.'

The children listened carefully as Bo told them what Celeste foretold.

'So... Mom's coming back here soon...' Melanie whispered, her hands against her chest. 'And... Oh my God... we have a brother and a sister. They made it!'

Nicholas didn't believe in psychics but from what Bo said, this Celeste seemed the real deal and he didn't want to shatter Melanie's joyful mood.

'Then we have something more to look forward to,' he said, smiling faintly as his sister hugged him.

'Oh Nicky...' Melanie wept softly against his chest. 'She's coming back... at last!'

Bo clenched his fists, watching them. The only thing he left out was the rest of Celeste's prediction. Someone wants to hurt her. An evil person... who hurt her before. How can he tell Carly's kids their mother was walking back into danger? Just how?

Upstairs, Hope heard everything, her blood running cold. Carly Manning was returning to Salem. She had given Bo twins... a boy and a girl. What more was he hiding?

And where would she stand with him, once Carly came back into his life?

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The audience gave a thundering round of applause as Carly and Marcus rounded off their rendition of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye's 'You Are Everything.'

'Give us another song, another song!' was the general plea.

Grinning, Marcus turned to Carly. 'How about it?'

'I'm game if you are.'

'No... girl, you give a song.'

'Not by myself!'

'If you can stand in front of several doctors tomorrow, you can do this.'

Bewildered, Carly stared at the beaming crowd who were chanting: 'Sing! 'Sing! 'Sing!' Sing!'

When she saw the next song's lyrics, she wanted to bolt off the stage. She couldn't sing it, not this one. But for some reason, maybe pride, Carly Manning forced herself to.

There was a time

I thought you did everything right

No lies, no wrong

Boy I must have been out of my mind

So when I think of the time that I almost loved you

You showed your ass and I.. saw the real you!

Carly gripped the mic, feeling a pain in her chest but continued,

Thank God you blew it

I thank God I dodged a bullet...

I'm so over you, so baby good looking out...

I wanted you bad

I'm so through with that

Cause honestly you turned out to be the

BEST THING I NEVER HAD

You turned out to be the

BEST THING I NEVER HAD

And I'm going always be the BEST THING YOU NEVER HAD

Oh I bet it sucks to be you right now...

Like the talented singer who owned the song, Carly went through the painful lyrics to the final stanza:

I know you want me back...

It's time to face the facts that I'm one that's got away

Lord knows that it would take another place, another time, another world, another life... thank God I found the good in goodbye...

I'm so over you, so baby good looking out...

I so wanted you bad

I'm so through with that

Cause honestly you turned out to be the

BEST THING I NEVER HAD

You turned out to be the

BEST THING I NEVER HAD

And I'm going always be the BEST THING YOU NEVER HAD

Only Marcus saw the tears pouring down Carly's cheeks as the audience gave her a rousing ovation, cursing himself for egging her on. If only he'd known he would have had the damned song changed. Ducking her head, Carly left the stage and Marcus hurried after as she ran through the exit.

'Carly honey... I'm so sorry! I had no idea...'

'Don't... it's not your fault.' Carly clung to Marcus as he enfolded her in his arms. 'I'll be alright. Just... hold me.'

Marcus obeyed, pressing his cheek against the top of her head.

'People say Time will heal wounds but I honestly don't know when mine will.' Carly sobbed. 'I wish there was a way I can really leave him behind... never thinking of him at all.'

Marcus held her in silence, patting her back. More than ever he felt protective of Carly, wishing over again he could completely remove her pain. 'It's okay, honey.' He said softly, bringing out a hanky to wipe her cheeks. Looking down at the beautiful face, Marcus suddenly had a strange feeling, the feeling of seeing Carly with new eyes and a new type of affection.

Could it be... after all these years? Am I falling in love with Carly?