The Eyes Have It

Chapter Twenty Two - A wedding, sort of...

The morning of the wedding rehearsal did not start well. John came upstairs to find Marlena sitting up in bed crying softly…..not what he expected to see the day before their wedding. He immediately sat down next to her and wiped the tears from her cheeks. He discovered that her mother had just called to tell her that her father had an accident. He was going to be okay, but he broke his hip falling off a ladder and wouldn't be able to travel, so they weren't going to make it to the wedding.

"I'm sorry I'm crying, John," Marlena began. "I know it's silly, at my age, to be so upset by this…."

"Shhhh…it's not silly at all." John pulled her into his arms and held her tight. "Of course, you wanted your parents here. I know how much you love them. I have an idea. How about we stop in Colorado on our way back from our Honeymoon for a few days?"

"Oh John, could we? That would be wonderful. I really want them to get to know you."

"And I want to know them….and I would love to see where you grew up. But now, I want you to cheer up. We have a wonderful day ahead of us and I'm making it my mission to see that you have the time of your life." He kissed her softly before he got her out of bed and sent her off to the bathroom to get ready for their day.

While Marlena was getting dressed, John called Eugene on the phone and explained about Marlena's parents. He asked Gene to help make this day fun for Marlena and keep her spirits up, which was something Eugene was very good at. Eugene told John not to worry, he would take care of everything.

John and Marlena spent the morning running some last minute errands and then John dropped Marlena off to get her nails done while he went to pick up the wedding rings and her wedding present….a necklace of perfectly matched pearls. He planned on giving them to her later tonight after the rehearsal dinner. He thought the necklace would go well with their "Somewhere in Time" theme and hoped it would match her wedding dress.

By the time, John and Marlena arrived at the hotel for the rehearsal; Eugene & Calliope were already there. They greeted Marlena with hugs and kisses and even a small bouquet of flowers. Eugene grabbed Marlena's hand and pulled her towards the reception room.

"Come on," he said excitedly, "You've got to see this."

Marlena was thrilled when she entered the small banquet room. It was decorated in soft pinks and greens and there were small round tables in a semi circle around a dance floor. One whole wall was nothing but windows looking out at the lake and there were small white lights draping the other walls and ceiling.

"It's absolutely beautiful." Marlena gushed.

"And the flowers aren't even here yet. They'll be delivered first thing in the morning." explained Calliope. "Then it will be spectacular."

"I love it." Marlena hugged Calliope.

"Shall we try it out?" John asked Marlena as he grabbed her hand.

"Huh?"

John pulled Marlena out onto the dance floor and began gracefully twirling her around.

"What do you think Gene?" John asked.

Eugene grabbed Calliope and joined them on the dance floor. The four of them laughed and twirled around the floor and then switched partners. Eugene spun Marlena in and out until she was laughing so hard she couldn't dance anymore.

"Ok, you clowns," she finally got out. "We need to get over to the chapel for the rehearsal."

"You go ahead….we'll be right there," said Eugene as he and Calliope ran off.

"Now what are they up to?" asked Marlena.

John just shrugged. "You never know with those two."

He took Marlena's arm in his and they walked outside, and along the gravel path to the chapel. Marlena could hear music coming from the chapel as they approached.

"There isn't a wedding going on now, is there?" asked Marlena. "I know this is when we were supposed to meet the minister."

"No I'm sure there isn't. Maybe the organist is just rehearsing too."

When they walked inside, Marlena was surprised to see several people she knew sitting in the church. They got up and greeted her…. Maggie and her husband Mickey, Julie and her husband Doug and Mrs. Bowman were all there.

"What's going on?" asked Marlena.

"Eugene called us," explained Maggie. "He said that the rehearsal dinner party was starting here."

Marlena looked at John. "Do you know anything about this?"

Before John could answer, Eugene and Calliope came bursting through the door in full wedding costume…..Calliope in a tux and top hat and Eugene in a floor length gown. Everyone just stared at them for a moment before bursting into hysterics. Much hilarity ensued as Eugene explained that since Marlena had been his Best Man, he naturally assumed that he was her Maid of Honor. He and Calliope ran around the church, instructing the guests on what they were supposed to do….stand up, sit down, oooh and ahhh, maybe even cry….which Marlena was already doing, she was laughing so hard.

As things began to calm down and she wiped the tears from her eyes, she said, "Thank God you're not doing this tomorrow." She looked at Eugene. "You're not, are you?"

Gene shrugged, "It's your wedding….if you want to go traditional…"

When the minister arrived, they started the rehearsal for real. The organist played the theme from Somewhere in Time as Calliope and then Marlena walked slowly down the aisle. As John watched Marlena walking towards him, he became overwhelmed with emotion and felt a lump forming in his throat. When Marlena reached him, he took her hand and kissed it. The minister then began to explain the service….we'll start with a prayer, then I'll ask you if you have something to say to each other, then I'll ask you to join hands and repeat the wedding vows after me…we don't have to do that now…"

"Yes, we do." John interrupted. "I mean, I'd like to say them now, if you don't mind….Marlena?"

Marlena smiled as she noticed the tears in the corners of John's eyes. "No, I don't mind. I think that's a lovely idea."

They faced each other as John took Marlena's hands in his. He repeated the words after the minister.

"I, John, take you, Marlena, to have and to hold from this day forward. I promise to love you, honor you, comfort and keep you, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times or in bad, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part."

Marlena reached up and wiped a tear off of John's cheek as he finished. Her eyes never left John's as she repeated the vows to him.

They stayed that way, as the minister explained the rest of the ceremony. They didn't even hear him. No one else in the world existed at that moment.

Finally, the minister cleared his throat and said, "Well, that's it. Now I just say, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride."

John heard that line and was more than happy to oblige. He wrapped his arms around Marlena and placed a soft, warm kiss on her mouth. Marlena placed her hand on the back of John's head as the kiss became more passionate. The minister cleared his throat again as he announced, "Um….yes, well….ladies and gentleman, may I now introduce Mr. & Mrs. John Black."

Eugene and Calliope began to hoot and holler as John and Marlena finally remembered that there were other people there. Marlena blushed as she and John walked back down the aisle while their closest friends cheered and applauded. As they walked out of the chapel they were doused with bird seed and confetti and then Eugene grabbed Marlena and dipped her while planting a rather large, noisy kiss. While Marlena was still laughing, Mickey & Doug joined in and gave her kisses too, until John broke it up.

"All right, all right...that's enough. Get your hands off my woman...that's my job." John swept Marlena into his arms and stopped her laughing by planting an earth shattering kiss on her mouth. As their kiss continued, their friends began whistling and pretending to look the other way.

"All righty then," began Eugene as he clapped his hands together. "Everyone to the cars! Back to Blondie's! We have some partying to do!"

Everyone followed Eugene & Calliope back to Blondie's, including John & Marlena in their car which had "Almost Married" written on the back window compliments of Eugene. Everyone had a wonderful time. They ate a delicious meal, drank champagne and even did some dancing. After dinner, Calliope brought out a little miniature wedding cake, so they could practice "the cutting of the cake" too. Marlena tried to not get too carried away as she fed a piece of cake to John. To no one's surprise, John was worse. He spread the frosting all over Marlena's lips before proceeding to lick it off. As he was finishing up his snack, Marlena's hand found the cake on the table, she scraped up some frosting and spread it on the side of John's face. As John pretended to be mad and Marlena laughed hysterically, Julie broke it up before a full on food fight ensued.

John and Marlena were the first to leave the party. John could tell that Marlena was getting tired and she had a very big day tomorrow. He was going to take her home and then spend the night at the Salem Inn. They hugged everyone and headed out the back door towards the parking lot. As they stepped outside, John took a moment to just stand with his arms around Marlena. He gave her a soft, warm kiss.

"I'm not going to get any sleep tonight, you know," he whispered into her hair as he held her tight.

"I know, me neither. But after tonight, we'll never be apart."

"Never," John agreed. "I have something for you."

"You do?" Marlena looked up and smiled as John pulled a small rectangular jewelry box out of his coat pocket.

"I want you to have this for tomorrow." John opened the box to reveal an exquisite strand of pearls.

Marlena sucked in her breath. "Oh John, they're beautiful."

"Will they go with your dress tomorrow?" John asked hopefully.

Marlena kissed him, "Yes, they will be absolutely perfect. I love you, John Black."

"And I love you, Dr. Evans." John placed his hand on the side of her face as he brought his mouth to hers. He kissed her thoroughly and deeply, holding her as tightly as possible. As they finally pulled apart, resting their foreheads together, John whispered, "I think I better get you home."

"Yes, I think you better." Marlena answered breathlessly.

John wrapped his arm around Marlena as he began to lead her across the alley to the parking lot. Neither one of them noticed the dark car with the tinted windows that had been sitting at the end of the alley watching them. Within an instant, the car revved its engine and headed straight for them at full speed. John had only a split second to react. He shoved Marlena off to the side just before the car hit him. John rolled on to the hood and then fell off the side as the car sped away.

Marlena was dazed. She had no idea what had just happened. She was lying in a pile of cardboard boxes. They had cushioned her fall, but she felt something warm on her forehead. When she touched her forehead, she got blood on her hand. One of the boxes must have scratched her she thought. She slowly climbed out of the pile and tried to get her bearings.

"John?" she called out as she began to look around. "John?" she called out again, a little more desperately.

As she turned towards the parking lot, she froze as she focused on the lifeless form lying in the street. "Oh my God…John!" she screamed as she ran over and collapsed on the street next to him.