Chapter 9: Reign of Terror
{A/N: Back when Chad was indecisive I made him a real DiMera}
Marlena Evans had a terrible feeling all afternoon and she couldn't shake the chill of that previous night. When she confronted Stefano DiMera. She had heard that he had been shot but she didn't believe that he was dead until she saw EJ's face. Lexie had enough to deal with and now her father was murdered.
"EJ what's going on why is Lexie here?" she asked him.
EJ glared at her.
"Shouldn't you and the rest of Salem be out celebrating?" he asked bitterly.
"What are you talking about?" she asked caught off guard.
"Stefano DiMera is finally dead and now the world is a much better place for you Brady's again." replied the embittered EJ.
Marlena was confused.
"What do you mean?" she asked "How?"
"Apparently, he was shot to death." replied EJ. "Too bad for his children and grandchildren though, they'll be better off without the man they considered family."
"Wait." said Marlena trying to wrap her head around the news.
EJ couldn't stand the images of happy Bradys dancing around Salem that came into his mind. He was filled with a sudden unexplained rage.
"If you'll excuse me I have to explain to my children that their "NoNo" has passed away." he replied.
He walked away feeling his rage increase.
Marlena had wanted Stefano to stop terrorizing her family. She did not take into account how much he meant to members of his own. They had shared grandchildren who loved him just as much as they had loved her and he had felt the same about each and every one of them.
The lobby had been packed with people waiting to get a glimpse of the newly dead Stefano DiMera. Chad had expected as much since the man lived in a town that hated him and often wished death on him. Now they had finally gotten their wish. In light of recent events the one responsible for his father's murder had thought he did the town a service in killing him and would be seen as a hero in the eyes of The Bradys. Chad felt an unsettling anger build in him. He would not give these people the satisfaction.
Hope, Bo and John joined Marlena at the hospital where she told them the news.
"Is he really dead?" asked John.
"Yep, they have his body over there in that room." replied Marlena.
"What I wouldn't give to look at him." chimed Bo giddy.
Hope smiled leaning against him.
"That's not a bad idea." she replied equally elated.
"Good riddance to that old bastard!" said John.
"I'm not sorry to see him go." said Marlena expressing her own pleasure at seeing him gone.
"Are you kidding the nightmare is finally over!" replied Bo happily.
"We can finally get back to our lives." said Hope.
The four of them seemed to be quite happy with the results but secretly wondered who had actually pulled it off. None of them considered Stefano to be their favorite person and all had been ready to end his life that night. They didn't see Chad watching them.
"None of you are going anywhere near my father!" said an enraged Chad.
John tried to smooth things over about what he overheard.
"Kid, you gotta understand that man has caused people a lot of pain." he said trying to make nice.
"Is it people or just the Brady family?" asked Chad angry. "That's all I seem to be hearing from you people Stefano did this...Stefano did that…it doesn't change the fact that he does have family who loved him and you disrespect them when their grieving!"
"We didn't mean anything by it…" started Marlena trying to do damage control.
"The nightmare is finally over I doubt you said that as a joke." replied Chad.
"Chad we know that he was your father but…" started Hope.
"Why are you people even here? Leave and stay the hell away from my father or I'll have you arrested!" threatened Chad.
"Hey take it easy." said Bo.
"I meant what I said." replied Chad angry. "You stay the hell away from my father or I will press charges...come to think of it I consider each and every one of you suspect...I wonder if commissioner Brady is thinking the same thing."
He stormed off.