The Eyes Have It

Chapter Nineteen – The Benefit

"Marlena!" John yelled up the stairs. "We're going to be late."

"Patience, Dear," Marlena answered as she came out from the bedroom and headed down the stairs. "I wouldn't be running late, if you hadn't felt the need to join me in the shower."

John took her in his arms as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "Are you complaining?"

"No, definitely not complaining, just explaining." She kissed him softly.

John held her hands and pushed her away so that he could admire her dress. She was wearing a long gown in deep purple with a full skirt and sleeves that fell off of her shoulders. She looked like royalty. "You are absolutely breathtaking."

Marlena pulled John closer, "I think WE are absolutely breathtaking." She began to kiss him, softly sucking on his bottom lip.

John pushed her away. "And you say that it's my fault that we're running late." John helped her with her wrap and they headed out the door.

The Opening of the Children's Wing was probably the biggest event Salem had seen in years. They had set up a huge tent in the parking lot of the Hospital for the event. All the Big Wigs from the Hospital were there, along with almost every member of Salem Society. University Hospital was one of the top rated hospitals in the Midwest and the people of Salem were very proud of that fact.

By the time John & Marlena arrived, most of the guests were already there, milling around, eating hors d'oeuvres and drinking champagne. As Marlena excused herself to the ladies room, John headed to the bar to get some champagne. As he turned around with his drinks in hand, he came face to face with Victor Kiriakis and Kate.

Victor was very surprised to see John, but kept his usual composure. Kate, on the other hand, looked absolutely stunned.

Victor spoke first, "John, I didn't know you were coming tonight. I'd heard that you left town."

John had plenty of things he wanted to say to Victor and especially to Kate, but now was not the time. He didn't want anything to ruin this evening.

"I had a change of plans. Looks like I'll be staying here for awhile."

"Really? I'm surprised. It seems like it would be much easier to run a large company like Basic Black from a bigger city, like Chicago."

"Well, it turns out that there are some things here in Salem that I need to keep my eye on," John answered, staring straight at Victor. "By the way, congratulations on your marriage, you two really deserve each other." John raised his champagne glass and walked away, looking for Marlena.

"I thought you said he was gone." Victor said to Kate.

"He was...he gave up his apartment and all his things were shipped to Chicago. I don't know what happened."

"This is not good news. I can't have John Black nosing around in my business again. He already ruined everything in Dubai. I will not let him ruin my plans for Salem. We need to find a way to get rid of John Black."

Victor ordered a scotch at the bar and downed it in one gulp.

As everyone began to find their tables and take their seats, Dr. Tom Horton, the Chief of Staff, stood up on the small stage and began to speak. He thanked everyone for being there and spoke of all the hard work and dedication it took to make this evening possible. He especially wanted to acknowledge the two largest contributors to the Hospital... "for his very generous donations, Mr. Victor Kiriakis" (he was interrupted by polite applause) " ...and for the unbelievably generous donation of over ten million dollars, our thanks go to Mr. John Black of Basic Black Industries." The crowd burst into loud applause. Marlena's mouth dropped open as she placed her hand on John's arm.

Dr. Horton continued, "It's because of this donation that we are now starting work on the Dr. Marlena Evans Center for Abused and Abandoned Children." The room filled with cheers and applause.

Marlena sat absolutely stunned. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She finally managed to move her head and look over at John. "Are you kidding me?"

John laughed and kissed her on the cheek, "No, Baby, we're not kidding you. You've fought long and hard for your Center and now you're going to get it."

Marlena's eyes filled with tears as she grabbed John's face and held it next to hers, her mouth next to his ear. "Thank you," she whispered, so overcome with emotion that she didn't know what else to say.

As the crowd settled down, Dr. Horton introduced John and asked him to come up on stage. John stood and taking Marlena's hand, led her up to the stage.

"Thank you," John addressed the applauding crowd, "I would just like to say that the only reason that the Center for Abused Children is being built is because of this lady standing next to me. Her hard work and dedication to this project is what made it happen. I am very proud to be working with her. She is my inspiration. She is my friend. And very soon, she will be my wife." The room erupted in cheers and congratulations as John took Marlena in his arms. The noise from the room drowned out the sound of the champagne glass slipping out of Kate's hand and crashing to the floor.

All through dinner, John and Marlena were interrupted by well wishers congratulating them on their engagement and on the Children's Center. They didn't get any time to talk until John finally got Marlena alone on the dance floor.

"Happy, Baby?" he asked her as he twirled her around in his arms.

"So happy," she answered, "but John, I can't believe what you did."

"What? Donated to a worthy cause?"

"Yes, but 10 million dollars?" Marlena had a hard time just saying it.

"Giving the money is the easy part. What you'll be doing is the hard part. You'll be in charge of making sure this thing is done right. Are you sure you're up to it?"

Marlena smiled. "Just watch me."

"Oh Baby, I'm never gonna stop watching you." They held each other and twirled around the dance floor, smiling and laughing. They were having the time of their lives. Nothing and no one could spoil their night.

John and Marlena were having way too much fun to notice that Kate had been watching them all evening. She was sitting at the bar, drinking way too much and glaring at them. She didn't understand what John saw in Miss Goody Two Shoes. And she still couldn't get over the fact that he hadn't been interested in her. No man in Kate's life had ever turned her down. John Black had been the exception.

When Kate saw Marlena head to the ladies room, she followed her. She couldn't resist the chance to get under her skin. When Marlena came out of her stall, Kate was standing at the mirror fixing her makeup. There was no way that Marlena was going to let that woman get to her tonight, so she just ignored her as she washed her hands.

"Congratulations Marlena, that was some announcement tonight."

"Yes, it was. I can't wait to get started on the Children's Center," Marlena answered politely.

"Actually, that's not what I meant. I meant the fact that you and John are engaged."

"Oh, well I knew about that one."

"Funny, John never seemed like the marrying kind to me."

"I guess he just never found the right woman before." Marlena replied. "I think you could use some more blush, Kate….you look a little pale. Good night." Marlena breezed out of the ladies room with her head held high, proud of herself that she had remained calm and eager to return to John's arms.

Unfortunately for Marlena, she didn't get to be in John's arms for very long, because every man in the place wanted a chance to dance with her. She was the Belle of the Ball and she spent the entire evening twirling around on the dance floor. By the time things started winding down and people began leaving, Marlena was exhausted. She and John were finally sharing a slow dance and she was resting her head against his chest.

"Did you have fun tonight, Baby?" John asked her.

"Um-hmm," Marlena murmured, her eyes closed. "I felt like Cinderella at the ball."

"Well, it's after midnight, Cinderella. Maybe I better get you home."

"In just a minute, okay?" She wrapped her arm around John's neck and nuzzled her nose against him. She took a deep breath and let out a very contented sigh. John laughed and kissed her forehead. They kept dancing while the guests continued to clear out. They didn't notice the last jealous glare they got from Kate as she stumbled out of the tent.

On the drive home, Marlena was very quiet. John just assumed that she was exhausted, but when they walked into the penthouse, she looked very deep in thought.

"Are you okay, Baby?" he asked.

Marlena turned and looked at John. "John, there's something I've been wondering about. When did you make that donation to the hospital?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did you make it...while we were apart?"

"Yes, I did."

"John….I don't know what to say." Marlena was overwhelmed. "I can't believe you did that."

John took Marlena in his arms. "I simply made a donation to a very worthy cause. I've always believed in the Children's Center, Marlena and I've always believed in you. That never changed."

Marlena reached up and held John's face in her hands, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"

John chuckled, "I've been thinking the exact same thing about you all evening. I have never felt prouder than I did tonight just being by your side. The only thing that will make me prouder is when you become my wife." John kissed Marlena softly.

"I can't wait to become your wife." Marlena said as she kissed him back.

"Ok then, hang on," John said with a flourish as he scooped Marlena up in his arms and started to carry her upstairs. "We need to get to bed."

Marlena wrapped her arms around John's neck and held on tight. "What's your hurry?" she asked, giggling all the way up the stairs.

"Tomorrow, we have a wedding to plan."