Chapter 10

Two weeks later…

John and Marlena lay cuddled together, legs entangled, in the queen-size bed in the master bedroom. They were alone in the house, and they were making the most of it. Marlena kissed John's chest and said in a low, post-coital voice, "Now that's the kind of gymnastics I love, Mr. Black. You get the highest scores."

John chuckled, "Thank you, Mrs. Black. We've still got it, Doc. No doubt about that. And you know what? I bet when we're twice as old as we are now, we'll still have it. Because we were meant to be together. That's a fact." He kissed the top of her head and pretty soon the fire of love started burning out of control again for them.

The next time they lay together satiated, Marlena observed, "You really are a fast healer, John. Your sprained fingers, your bullet wound, your mega bruises, including your black eyes have all healed. Even your hard head seems back to normal. Thank goodness."

"Yeah, I'm glad we didn't go renew our vows while I looked like a refugee from a war zone. Besides, the delay gave me the chance to buy you a new wedding ring." At the mention of "ring" both of them simultaneously held up their left hands and admired the gold on their fingers.

"It was very thoughtful of you to offer me a wedding ring that had been worn by a woman in your family. I would have been honored to do that."

John reached over with his left hand and raised hers again. There were the precious symbols of their marriage, together, the way they should be. This time the ring on her finger was not Roman Brady's. It was his. They both admired the shiny gold.

Marlena said, "I will always remember your words at the vow renewal, John."

Marlena, my wife, the days of my life are all in your hands. They always have been. Without you, I cannot be whole, I cannot be fully happy. I thank you with all my heart and soul for taking the first step of coming to me so we could reunite our family. Carrie, Eric, and Samantha are my own just as Tommy is. You are the center of my heart and my being, and I will do everything in my power to assure we're never separated again. I love you more than I can ever express in words or deeds. You are my soulmate, and I pledge to you everything I am and have. Even in eternity, I believe you and I will never be parted.

John responded, "Words are just so inadequate though. Even our passionate lovemaking can't capture everything we feel for each other. But I'll never forget what you said either."

John, when we were married in 1986, I called you "Roman." Since then so much has happened to us both, but you never left my heart. In fact, you have been my heart since we met ten years ago. It was love at first sight, and I've often wondered if even that meeting wasn't just a reunion. We are one. I am grateful beyond words that you are as eager as I am to reunite - not just with me but with Sami, Eric, and Carrie. I'm also thrilled that Tommy will be joining our family. I love him incredibly already. John, you are my life. I love you with my whole soul, mind, and body. I will never stop loving you.

Marlena took John's hand and kissed his wedding band. They had actually renewed their vows last Sunday. John hadn't been completely healed then, but enough so that he just couldn't wait any longer And they had shared the bed that night. But John's concussion had given him an especially splitting headache for being so active that day, and he and she had simply slept.

In the first days after the fight with Roman, John had delegated his work to his team, getting many reports from Evelyn and others who trooped or drove to the house to speak with him in person. Part of him felt he was letting the winery down by being laid up, but another part of him wasn't so concerned. Grafton Wineries had been the main feature of his life these last three years. Even when he and Grace married, they both still spent long hours at work. In that first week, having Marlena back, and looking forward to when he would see Sami, Eric, and Carrie again, the needs of his winery were not uppermost in his mind any longer.

"What are you thinking about, John?"

John came back to the present. "Oh, sorry, Doc. Didn't mean to fade out on you."

Tucking her head more closely into his side that hadn't been shot, she replied, "No worries. I'd really like to know."

"Well, I was just noticing that the winery isn't my whole life anymore. You've changed that." He kissed her hair. "I don't think I can give it the kind of attention that I used to."

"And you feel a little guilty about that?"

"Ah, Not sure 'guilty' is the right word. But I want to do the right thing to make sure this winery flourishes. A lot of people are employed in the winemaking industry. A lot of them here at Grafton. I need to make sure it's got the best leadership I can find. Somebody who will give it that full-time attention again."

"Do you have someone in mind?"

"There are a couple guys who might be really good candidates. One works for us already. The other one is a competitor."

"John, I don't want you to make a decision in haste that you might regret later."

"I know that. I don't feel any pressure from you, sweetheart. This is me, rearranging my priorities." He paused. "And you know, it's so wild. Just over two weeks ago, that Thursday, it was just another busy day at the winery. Then, Friday afternoon, you walked into my office, and, baby, it was a whole new ball game."

John looked at his watch. "I guess we should get up. The gang will probably be back pretty soon."

"Mm-hm." Marlena raised herself on her elbow so she could look at John's face. Laughing she said, "Little Tommy sure is getting a lot of attention and stimulation with all his new brothers and sisters. It's so sweet how he's taking to it."

Grinning, John raised his head and kissed her loudly. "At first he was so shy, peeking at people and then hiding his face when someone met his eyes. But it didn't take him long to start relaxing and going with the flow."

"Well, John, you're a people person. It's looking like he is too."

They started climbing out of bed...