Chapter 18

Belle comes to the loft door as her parents prepare to knock. She dressed in a soft terry bathrobe with silk pajamas underneath.

"Hi, I heard you coming come on in."

Marlena and John walk in together as Belle offers them something to drink. Both decline as they all take their seats on the couch and on a recliner nearby.

"How was your appointment?"

"Oh the babies are fine Dr. Baider wants to keep me on the medication I got in Europe for my entire pregnancy. She said with rest and proper care the babies will come on or near their due date."

"That's wonderful news mom. So dad you excited about the new babies?"

"Of course I am "Tink" probably more excited then you are."

"You're probably right about that. I can't believe I'm going to have two new babies in the family. I'm so excited now I can do all those "big sister" things with them. I wish they were here already."

"Well it's going to be a little while before they get here but I'm sure when they do arrive you'll be a great big sister to them."

John's cell phone rings just as he completes his sentence. Looking at the caller ID it's Basic Black.

"Oh its Basic Black's phone Kate might be having some issues with the new clothing that's come in. Do you mind if I take it in the hall honey?"

"No go ahead John business is business and if it's Basic Black it has to be important. Besides I want to catch up with Belle."

John nods and heads out the loft door closing it behind him.

"So daddy said you aren't feeling to well is there anything I can do?"

"Oh no mom it's just the flu Shawn just got over it I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days. How are you feeling?"

"I feel good now that I know the babies are okay. I was really worried about them while Tony held me captive but Dr. Baider said they look really good. She even said I can go back to my practice part time. We have so much to catch up on I don't even know where to begin."

"I know we do I wish you were able to come to my wedding and even though we thought you were dead I could feel your presence there with me. Dad did a really good job to he was able to control his tears long enough to walk me down the isle and give me away. Though I'm pretty sure he didn't want to give his baby girl away. Did you know that just weeks after he got back he was almost completely recovered from his spinal injury?"

"Yes Tony did show us your wedding I wish I could have been there for him the way I should have been there. I'm just so tired of Tony taking me away from my family to play his silly little games. I'm glad he's gone I don't care if I ever see his face in Salem again. Especially now with the twins on the way I hope he never finds out about them."

"Mom he's a DiMera he has men all over the place. I'm sure if he's alive he will find out about them sooner or later. But I don't want you to worry because dad will do anything to protect you."

"I know that he's a great man. Reminds me a little of Shawn with you. Shawn would do anything to protect you. I remember a time when you swore that you would never marry Shawn. I think you were about fourteen years old. Now look at you, a married woman gosh where does the time go?"

"I was young then Shawn was just my friend and then over the years it turned into a romantic relationship. I would never have guessed in a million years that I would have married him. Now I couldn't imagine my life without him. Sort of like you and dad I guess we are soul mates like our parents are."

"It isn't often that you marry your first love. You are Shawn are lucky in that way you both married your first loves."

Marlena strokes Belle's hair the way John strokes her hair. Soon after John comes back into the loft Marlena could tell he was upset about something.

"John what happened?"

"Kate just got the prints to our new line and there are some issues with them. I have to go to Basic Black and get everything straightened out. Do you mind staying with Belle a little bit longer?"

"No of course not how long do you think it will be?"

"I have no idea I'll call you as soon as I find out. If you get tired just have Shawn bring you home and let me know."

"Sure but really I feel fine."

"You heard Dr. Baider you need your rest try not to stay here to long. Belle make sure your mother eats something she didn't eat much for breakfast."

"Okay dad I'll see you later?"

"You bet you will and try and feel better."

John leans over and gives Marlena a soft kiss on the lips. Then he kisses Belle's forehead and heads out the door.

"I already feel better now that you and mom stopped by."

"That's good to hear I'll see you later and remember I love you both."

John closes the loft door as he exits Belle's home.

"So mom how is the morning sickness are you feeling any better?"

"That doesn't bother me to much I was worried about you when I found out you were sick. Are you sure you're okay you look a little flushed."

Marlena places the back of her hand on Belle's forehead the way she has always done since Belle was just a baby.

"You feel a little warm have you taken your temperature?"

"Mom really I'm just fine in a few days you won't even know I was sick. Do you want to here some good news?"

"Oh what is it?"

"Well Shawn and I are thinking about getting a new apartment. I have been working with Basic Black and he has been helping Mickey we have been saving our money."

"A new apartment?"

"Yeah it has 4 bedrooms for when Shawn and I decide to have a family."

"If I tell you something will you promise not to laugh at me?"

"Of course I would never laugh at you?"

"Oh I don't know I always wanted to experience a pregnancy with one of my daughters. Of course I knew better and thought it would never happen but then again your father and I didn't think we were going to have a baby again either and look what happened."

"I don't think that's a crazy thought. I think it would have been really neat."

"Really I mean you're not just saying that to make me happy?"

"No I really mean it and who knows you just might now that Austin and Carrie are together and even though Lucas and Sami are having issues they both really love each other you might just get your wish."

"That would be something wouldn't it?"

"Yeah anyway Shawn and I have been thinking about a new apartment for a long time now. We've even went hunting for one a few days ago and found this cute little apartment not far from Basic Black and Mickey office."

"That will be good for both of you now you can spend your lunch hour together."

"Well the loft is really great and I'm happy that dad gave it to me but well Shawn and I want something that is ours you know. This loft doesn't really have a lot of room in it so we decided that we would get our own place. Kate gave me a raise at Basic Black and so far we have just enough saved for the first and last months rent. We sign the papers in a few weeks dad already inspected the place and he loves it."

"Your father never told me that."

"Well I told him I wanted to tell you myself are you angry?"

"No, I'm not angry but I want to insist that your father and I help you out some how why don't we get some new furniture for it that way the furniture here can stay here incase someone wants to rent it out."

"I already talked to dad about it and he talked me into it. I can't wait for you to see it. Have you and dad ever thought about getting a house yourself?"

"Well no the Penthouse is our home. I guess I always thought we'd live there. You and Brady aren't living there anymore so there's room for the twins. That is if you don't mind giving up your old room?"

"No I don't mind my life is with Shawn now I'd be happy to give my room to my baby sister. You'll have to redecorate for her since it's very "teen" but I'm sure dad won't mind."

"Sister so you think you'll have a baby sister?"

"Oh no I didn't mean that I wouldn't mind what I had as long as it was okay. I guess unconsciously my mind wants a sister but really mom I don't care."

"Well I guess we'll find out in a few weeks if you'll have a baby brothers and sisters."

"You mean you want to find out the sex of the babies? You never wanted to know before what changed your mind?"

"Your father, he doesn't like surprises and well the twins will be my last babies so I guess I would like to call them "he" or "she" instead of "it" that way we can be prepared for them. Roman and I found out about Sami and Eric and we were both still surprised."

"I'm so excited about the twin's mom and I am going to be a great big sister to them. I'll even baby sit for you sometimes and get practice for when Shawn and I decide to have a family. He's really good with Zak and he is going to make a great dad someday."

"I know he will and you are going to be a great mom too Belle."

"Do you think so?"

"I know you will."

"Well dad wanted me to make you something for lunch and Shawn will be home soon he'll want something to eat. I'll go do that you can just relax on the couch for a while I'm sure you must be tired."

"I am"

Belle gets off the couch and Marlena rests a while closing her eyes. Belle takes the blanket off the back of the couch and covers her mother. It was a wonderful mother/daughter moment Belle would always remember.

TBC…Chapter 19