A/N: Lots going on in my life, so the next chapter - this story's penultimate one - will be posted in two weeks.
~ Chapter 65 ~
If anyone had asked Alex or Marlena what time of day it was, what the weather was like outside, whether the phone was ringing, or if there was someone at the door, neither of them could've answered. They didn't know, and they didn't care. No peripheral sounds, actions or events registered because, at that precise instant, they were both completely and unreservedly lost in each other.
Immediately upon waking, he'd reached for her, and she'd unhesitatingly curved into his embrace. Their lips met and clung, a physical connection that was merely the first step in their slow, deliberate coupling. Their bodies melded perfectly as they came together, with Marlena instinctively knowing exactly how Alex liked to be touched, and he intuitively recognizing what gave her the most pleasure. Their movements were unhurried. Despite the long absence they'd endured, and how much they'd ached to be reunited, neither felt compelled to rush. They immersed themselves fully in the moment – in order to savour it, and to make it last.
Once their passion was spent, they lay quietly, limbs entwined, as they waited for their wildly racing heartbeats to return to normal. Alex was the first to break the silence.
"That far surpassed even my most vivid dreams," he admitted, staring at the woman beside him with open adoration. "It was all I could have hoped for, and more. I love you, Marlena."
"And I love you, Alex. So very much."
Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him. With her cheeks flushed and her long blonde hair splayed across the pillow, he found her utterly captivating.
"You're breathtaking," he whispered reverently.
As if inspired by his words, she covered his mouth with hers and proceeded to literally take his breath away.
Alex emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming mugs of freshly brewed coffee. He set one on the table in front of Marlena just as she lowered the phone from her ear and disconnected the call. Settling beside her on the sofa, he took a sip of the hot beverage before moving to satisfy his curiosity.
"So, are they coming?"
"They'll be here within the next half hour."
"I'll make myself scarce, then."
"That's not necessary. I'm not ashamed of being with you," she insisted, a stubborn set to her jaw.
"This isn't about me," he countered evenly. "It's about your daughters getting their mother back. Divulging that you've remembered your past will go far more smoothly if I'm not around. My mere presence would antagonize them, you know that."
"But I don't want to hide our relationship anymore."
"You won't have to for much longer. You just need to get through this afternoon."
"I don't know if I can."
Her expression radiated helplessness, and her lower lip jutted forward in an adorable pout. He laughed outright at her blatant attempt to sway him.
"Of course, you can. I have the utmost faith in you. And, tonight, you can tell the whole world – if you're still interested in attending the event that we discussed earlier."
"Absolutely," she nodded enthusiastically.
The chiming of the doorbell echoed throughout the penthouse, and Marlena's face fell. Alex wrapped his arms around her, giving her a quick hug to bolster her courage.
"You've got this. I'll see you once they've left."
Grabbing his mug, he tiptoed up the stairs as Marlena padded at a snail's pace across the room. She was surprised, upon opening the door, to discover both of her daughters standing in the hall.
"Hi Mom," Belle greeted Marlena warmly. "Sami and I ran into each other in the parking lot. We're really curious as to why you wanted to see us."
"Yeah, Mom. I mean, I was just here yesterday. What was so urgent that you needed me to come back so soon?"
While Marlena didn't miss the slight petulance in her oldest daughter's tone, she chose to ignore it. Instead, she led the sisters to the living room, where she lowered herself onto the chaise and motioned for them to make themselves comfortable on the sofa. Once they'd helped themselves to coffee, the young women looked at their mother expectantly. Marlena cleared her throat and took several deep breaths in an attempt to steady her jittery nerves. Belle, more attuned to her mother's mood, gave voice to her concern.
"What is it, Mom? Do you have bad news for us?"
"No, no, nothing like that. It's good news, actually. As you both know, I've been working really hard to regain my memories. And…" Marlena paused, briefly overcome by the magnitude of what she was about to reveal. "It's happened. I remember."
"Everything?" Sami queried.
"Yes, everything. My childhood. My youth. My family. My friends. My relationships…"
"That's wonderful, Mom!" Belle enthused.
"Oh, yeah, it's terrific," Sami agreed, her seeming approval tinged with sarcasm.
"Aren't you pleased for me, Sami?"
"Of course, I am, Mom. But nothing's changed since yesterday, right? You're still not getting back together with Dad."
"I explained that to you. Roman and I are friends. That's all," Marlena stated firmly.
Belle's face took on a hopeful expression.
"Dad told me that you had him move out so that you could focus on your therapy. Now that you've remembered everything, will he be coming home soon?"
Marlena trained a sympathetic gaze on her younger daughter.
"I'm sorry, Belle, but the answer is no. In fact, your father asked me for a divorce. We've already signed the papers."
"Excuse me? I must have misheard you, Mom. Did you say that Dad asked you for a divorce?"
"He did."
"But that makes no sense! He loves you. He's been praying for you to get your memory back, so that you could resume your marriage. Why on earth would he ask for a divorce, much less agree to one so quickly?"
"Probably something to do with Mom's quack therapist," Sami interjected. "He's been plotting and scheming where she's concerned. Getting her to separate from John would certainly play into that charlatan's hands."
"What are you implying?"
"I saw them at the fair together, Belle. He was practically groping her. It's so obvious that his actions where Mom's concerned have crossed the line."
"That's enough!"
The harshness of Marlena's tone brought her daughters' speculation to an abrupt halt. The duo sat quietly, suitably chastened.
"This was supposed to be a cheerful occasion, getting to celebrate the return of my memory with both of you. I thought you'd be happy for me."
"We… are," Belle began, the faltering nature of her speech providing evidence of her conflicting emotions. "But you must realize that this isn't the way either of us expected it to play out."
"I know it isn't. You assumed that your father and I would reunite, and your sister hoped that her father had a chance with me, now that John was no longer living here. As you can see, one of you was bound to be disappointed."
"Well, congratulations, Mom. You've managed to make both of us miserable," Sami snapped bitterly. "You didn't even give me a minute to gloat at Belle's expense when you dropped the bombshell that you'd already divorced John."
"Sami! How could you?"
"You heard Mom, Belle. One of us would've lost the family reunification sweepstakes no matter what. And I can't pretend that I'm sorry that she finally kicked John to the curb. What I still can't wrap my brain around is him being the one to end it."
"Me either," Belle admitted, her brow marred by confusion.
"It's quite simple," Marlena explained. "John served me with divorce papers in the hopes that the shock would jog my memory."
"Is that what ultimately did the trick?" Sami probed.
"It is."
"I'm sorry, I still don't get it," Belle confessed. "Clearly, Dad didn't really want a divorce. It was just a ploy. And yet, you said that you've already signed the papers. What was the rush? And, more importantly, why did he agree?"
Marlena hesitated. She couldn't very well disclose that she no longer loved John, as that would merely raise innumerable questions and lead down a conversational path that she wanted to avoid at all costs. Her mind spun as she struggled to come up with an answer – any answer – that would deflect attention from the recent ending of her marriage. Just as her silence was threatening to become uncomfortable, the doorbell rang. Giddy with relief, Marlena practically leapt from the chaise and dashed across the room. A genuine smile lit her features at the shock of white hair she spotted the moment she opened the door.
"Frank, please come in. I wasn't expecting you, but I'm delighted you're here."
"I just wanted to check on you, after last night," the priest explained. He gave her a practiced once over. "How are you?"
"Much better, thanks. In fact, I have company."
She led the older man to the living room, where he calmly submitted to the blatantly curious stares being directed his way by both of Marlena's daughters. Recognition sparked in Sami's eyes almost immediately.
"You were here yesterday."
"I was," Frank acknowledged easily, extending his hand to the younger blonde that he'd yet to officially meet. "Father Frank Kelly. You must be Marlena's other daughter."
"Yes, I'm Belle."
"Enough with the meaningless chit chat," her sister interrupted. "Why are you back?"
If Frank was offended by Sami's rudeness, he kept his irritation in check.
"I'm a friend of a friend of your mother's. I was passing through Salem, so I thought I'd stop by and catch up."
While Sami appeared skeptical, Belle accepted the priest's explanation readily.
"In that case, my sister and I will leave you to it."
Correctly deducing that the prospect of extending their visit had become virtually impossible, Sami vacated her seat on the sofa and reluctantly followed her mother and Belle to the foyer. The latter threw her arms around Marlena and hugged her tightly.
"Although I'm extremely disappointed that you and Dad have split, I'm overjoyed that you have your memory back, Mom. Would you like me to bring Claire over one day soon, so that you could get to know her?"
"I'd love that, Belle. Call me later in the week, and we'll pick a date."
After a more subdued farewell from Sami, Marlena hastily returned to her latest guest. When he came into view, she was puzzled to note that he'd yet to remove his overcoat. She gestured to the heavy garment.
"May I hang that up for you? Would you like some tea?"
"That's not necessary, Marlena. I won't be staying. I really did just want to make sure that you were alright."
"I am, truly. You needn't worry." She gazed at him speculatively. "For someone who wasn't planning to linger, your timing was perfect. How could you possibly have guessed that I needed a distraction?"
Frank waved off her praise.
"I had no idea. That was all Alex's doing."
As if the mention of his name had conjured him into existence, the man in question strolled up beside them. After greeting his mentor, Alex slipped his arm around Marlena's waist, and she leaned into his side gratefully.
"Thanks for the save. How did you know?"
"While I didn't think it was wise for me to stick around, that didn't mean I was going to leave you twisting in the wind. I was listening. And, when it sounded as if you might need back up – or simply a way out – I roped Frank into my rescue plan."
"I was more than happy to help. But it's my understanding that the two of you have plans for the evening, so I should be going."
"Why don't you join us?"
There was an undercurrent of mischief in Alex's tone despite the apparent sincerity of his invitation. Ignoring his protégé's urging, Frank demurred.
"You wouldn't want a cleric around on a night like this. Someone might jump to the wrong conclusions, and there's no telling where such a faulty assumption might lead." Fully aware of what Frank was insinuating, both men laughed heartily. "Let me know how it goes, though."
"There'll likely be pictures splashed all over the local tabloids tomorrow," Alex noted wryly.
"You know I don't waste my time on rumour and supposition. I'll be expecting a factual report, not a bunch of gossip."
"And you shall have one – assuming that I'm in any shape to talk. There are plenty of folks in this town who'd gladly strangle me with their bare hands, and I suspect many of them will be in attendance."
"They wouldn't get far if they tried," Frank declared confidently. "And, on that note, I'm off."
Once they were alone, Marlena eyed Alex with mounting concern.
"You don't really think…"
He swallowed her objections with a deep, lingering kiss. When they finally broke apart, he moved to reassure her.
"We'll be in public. You'll be among friends, most of whom will be so ecstatic at the news that you've regained your memory that they'll barely notice me. And those that do… Let's just say that, while there may be hostility between us, it won't come to blows."
"If you're sure…"
"I'm absolutely positive." He laced his fingers with hers, and led her towards the stairs. "Now, my love, let's get ready to put on a show!"
