Chapter 14

Marlena returned to her home after a few days in a Mercy's Hospital in Europe. John arranged for her to fly home on his own jet with much argument from the hospital staff. He also arranged that her children would be at home waiting with a surprise "Welcome Home Party." He even was able to convinced Eric to come home for a little while from New York. He was the only one who knew Marlena's news. He only knew it because he wasn't going to come home until he heard his mother was having twins. So Eric rearranged his schedule to be home with his mother until after the birth. For selfish reason of course, he wanted to make sure that he would have a baby brother after all besides Brady the women outranked the men in that family. He also wanted to see his father and spend some time with him. He wasn't thrilled that his father was married to Kate Roberts but he accepted that once he found out that Roman wouldn't change his mind and intended to stay married to Kate. With the lights turned down low at the Penthouse John reached in his pockets for the house key. Just as the key turned into the door and the lights went on everyone shouted…

"Surprise!"

Marlena gasped at the surprise it was the last thing she expected. But she never put it past John that he would do something like this. She was just happy to be back home and as far as was concerned the DiMera's were dead and gone and that's the way it should be.

"Oh my gosh when did you have to time to plan this John? You never left my side in the hospital?"

"Oh I left you side but AFTER you were sound asleep. I just made sure that I would be back before you woke up. Since I've been married to you all these years I learned what time you got up everyday. Like clock work I was right."

Marlena smiles at John and gives him a quick kiss on his lips. Then she exchanged hugs with all her children including Carrie who has always considered Marlena her step-mother. Eric had managed to stay in the shadows where Marlena couldn't see him. He was supposed to be the "big surprise" that John had been promising Marlena since she was released from the hospital a few days ago.

"Now Marlena are you ready for the biggest surprise I have for you?"

"A surprise I hate surprises aren't we a little too old to have surprises ourselves?"

"You are never too old for surprises Mom."

Belle said smiling at her mother and the rest of her family. It had been a long time since she had her entire family in the same room.

"Right and that's coming from a little girl who couldn't wait until Christmas to open her gifts."

"And where do you think I inherited that from mom?"

"Not me"

John said taking Marlena into his arms.

"I have no idea what you are talking about Belle."

The family laughs at the memory.

"Now for your surprise, I have to go get it. I want you to stay out here with the rest of the family. I'll be back before you know it."

Marlena nodded and John exited the living room and headed to the kitchen.

"Eric are you ready for your grand entrance?"

"Of course I am John. Mom has been pleading for me to come home I just didn't think I would be coming home because she was having another baby. "

"Now you are the only one who knows about the twins. We haven't told the others yet, but it was the only way I could think that you would be home. Do you regret coming home for the twins?"

"At first I was John but then I saw how happy you and mom were and I just had to be a part of that. We've missed so much in the last few years its time for a reunion. So are we ready?"

John nods and head out the kitchen followed closely by Eric. When they reached the living room Marlena's back was turned away from them as she was talking to Belle. Soon she turns around sensing John nearby. As Eric came from behind John Marlena was speechless and ran to her sons arms.

"Oh Eric you finally came home."

"Of course I did mom who can say no to John Black anyway?"

Marlena didn't answer as she continued to hug her son. It had been years since she'd last seen him and he hadn't change a bit. He was still that handsome young man that left years ago. Tears fell from her eyes as the rest of the family joined in with a group hug the first real family hug where they all were together.

A few hours later after lunch and reminiscing about the "good ole days" Marlena and John decided it was time to break the news to the family that she was pregnant again with not only one baby but twins. As they all took their seats in the living room Marlena exchanged looks.

"Well everyone we weren't going to say anything for a little while yet but we have some great news and we want to share it with you."

John said as Marlena took a deep breath in.

"What are you pregnant again Mom?"

Sami said with sarcastic tones as shock and disbelief was written all over their faces.

"That's not funny Sami."

Carrie said as she again looked at her parents. What she saw on their faces told her that what Sami said wasn't supposed to be funny it was true.

"Oh my god are you really pregnant Mom?"

Belle said with a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Um well yes…are you disappointed?"

"Are you kidding mom I've been begging you to have another baby since I was three years old I just can't believe it finally happened."

She ran to her mother's arms and gave her a tight squeeze. While Sami herself wasn't as excited as the others were.

"Aren't you to old to have a baby?"

Sami lashed out towards her mother. Her brother and sisters sent her the "how dare you" look her way which cause her to back up slightly.

"Apparently not"

John said disappointed with Sami's remark and her reaction to the news. After all it was supposed to be a pleasant announcement and Sami reacted badly to the news.

"Sami that was uncalled for."

Eric said to his sister throwing her a death glare. He couldn't' believe that even after all these years she still was angry with Marlena being with John again. On more then one occasion she tried to break up her mother and John. She even used her grandson to do her dirty work.

"But Eric, I don't think we need any more kids it this family it's screwed up already as it is.

"SAMI!"

Marlena said loudly.

"There is a difference between discussion and announcement and this was an announcement. End of discussion, I'm very happy about this pregnancy and I wish you would get over your hate for John. He is my husband now and there isn't anything you can do to change that. Roman and I won't get back together he is with Kate now and you have to accept that too."

Sami rolled her eyes as her mother finished her statement letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Now I want you to say sorry to the family especially your mother for treating her the way you have about the baby."

"Fine, I'm sorry."

"I want you to mean it Samantha Gene."

John said once again. John hadn't called her that for a long time but it was rightfully deserved.

"I'm sorry."

"Apology accepted…Marlena said…now there is more news about the baby."

"Well Mom tell us we're dying to know. How far along are you? When is the baby due? When did you find out?"

Belle said never taking a breath between the questions.

"Belle slow down we'll answer your questions one at a time."

"Sorry Dad I'm just so excited I'm going to have a new baby brother or sister next year. You must have been so excited when you found out."

"I was…stunned but once the shock wore off of course I was excited."

"We both were. I thought that I was pregnant while Tony held us captive it the castle. When we got to the hospital it was confirmed. Now to answer your questions, I'm about 10 weeks along and if all goes well the babies will come in July."

There was an awkward pause before their child said together…

"Babies?"

Marlena and John exchange loving glances and turned to their children.

"Twins."

"Oh my God, I only wanted one baby brother or sister and now I'm going to have two. That's fantastic news Brady isn't this great?"

"It's wonderful news Marlena, now dad maybe this time we could get a brother?"

"Well I did my best we'll have to wait a few months before we find out."

"It really is good news mom, I'm sorry I reacted the way I did I was just in shock can you forgive me?"

"Of course I forgive you Sami its shocking news to hear but I want you to know that just because we're having new babies in the family doesn't mean we'll neglect you. We'll always be there for you."

Sami smiled and gave her mother a hug then surprisingly she gave John one too.

"I know you will."

TBC…Chapter 15