Chapter 6

'Hi, beautiful.' Daniel Jonas closed the door behind him. Jennifer automatically turned to receive his kiss when he leaned over but her response lacked any warmth.

'Oh now, what's wrong?' he asked, stroking her blonde hair. She looked both angry and troubled.

'I went to see Carly this morning.'

'The visit didn't go well?'

She shrugged her shoulders in frustration, pushing back her chair and got up.

'Sweetie, what happened?' Daniel asked. For a minute, Jennifer didn't reply; instead she paced her office with her arms crossed as if hoping it would help work off whatever was boiling in her. Finally she stood facing him. 'I think I've lost Carly.'

'What do you mean you've lost Carly? You're best friends, for God sake.'

Jennifer shook her head, looking unhappy. 'That's just it, Dan; I don't feel like I have a best friend anymore. She's changed towards me.'

'What makes you say that?'

'Since she and Bo broke up, she's been distant; avoiding me. When she came back from her trip, I thought we were going to be back to being close again; like we've always been. But instead she's basically shut me out, won't even confide in me.'

'She's going through a very tough time, remember?'

'She spends more time with Adrienne these days; they're as thick as thieves. It's pretty obvious she shares all her secrets with her now and shutting me out!'

'She's not...'

'She is Daniel, she is and I know why. It's because Hope's my cousin and because of that I'm now officially pushed straight into the enemy camp. And let me tell you, it's not fair. I've always loved Carly like a sister; I can't believe she would treat me like this.'

'Just like Carly didn't believe the people she once regarded her family would treat her like dirt. If what you say is actually true, why don't you try putting yourself in her position, Jen? I know you love Carly but you didn't side with her and Bo.'

'Hope didn't really want the divorce, she loves Bo very much!' Jennifer argued. 'They've been married forever and always managed to get through their problems.'

Daniel silently wondered if Hope would've stayed married to Bo if Carly hadn't returned to Salem in the first place. The whole time she acted like the jilted wife after seeing Bo so enamoured with his ex-fiancée, conveniently forgetting she'd walked out on him, depriving him of his daughter. He still couldn't believe Bo chose that woman over Carly after the way she'd behaved, not to mention after almost burning him alive. But he knew very well if he pointed that out, it would lead to a big fight and the last thing he wanted was to lose Jennifer.

'Maybe Carly feels uncomfortable around you now because you're related to Hope; she probably doesn't want to put you in an awkward position. It would be a lot easier for you to remain friends if Bo hadn't started anything with her.' Daniel's voice was harsh. 'He had no right making promises to Carly if he knew he was still in love with Hope so if you look at it carefully, it's actually his fault!'

'Now wait, Dan...' Jennifer protested.

'Oh no; you want to defend Hope, that's your right. But don't excuse Bo, or what he did to Carly. Whether he meant to or not, he hurt her; hurt her very do you expect to keep Carly's friendship, along with your cousin's? How Jennifer?'

Jennifer looked so upset that he walked to her, drawing her into his arms. 'I'm sorry but you know it's the truth.'

Jennifer knew, only too well. Bo was back with Hope like everybody wanted but she was alienated from a friend she loved so dearly. Carly had welcomed her in and made her coffee but their conversation had been matter how she'd encouraged her, Carly wouldn't open up like she used to. And she hated seeing thatsad look in her eyes.

'What am I going to do?' she whispered, clinging to Daniel. 'I can't lose Carly.'

Daniel stroked her hair. 'Leave the door open. Before you know it she'll seek you out. Just have faith.'

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Each day of her sick leave, Carly slowly found more peace within herself. Besides regular appointments to the psychiatrist Adrienne recommended, she took meditative yoga classes and Melanie and Adrienne spent as much time as they could with her, eager to get her back to her old self.

One afternoon after two weeks had gone by; Carly was walking along the flagged path of the cemetery. The buried alive ordeal still made her petrified of being surrounded by dead people but she'd put off this visit long enough. She walked on until she was facing a particular headstone; staring down at the name written on the grey marble: Isabella Beatrice Black, the dates of her birth and death below Beloved Wife and Mother. She'd been far too young to die. It seemed like yesterday the family had gathered at the send-off party Victor had organised; because Isabella had decided to spend her last day on earth in Italy; the country of her birth and where John had taken her on their honeymoon.

Moving closer to her friend's grave Carly squatted, placing the yellow roses she'd brought; a reflective look in her eye as she straightened up.

'Please forgive me old friend for not visiting you before now.' She said softly. 'I hope you don't think I forgot you; like that's even possible. And I don't have to tell you how much I miss you... every day that I breathe, Izzy B!' she bit her lip. 'I've never needed your presence more than I do now. A lot of things have happened in my life and I'm trying to find myself again. And I keep wondering what would be your advice to me, if you were here right now.'

Sighing, Carly continued. 'The truth is, I need to let go of Bo completely. I don't want to keep wondering what might have been. If there was a way I could stop loving him the way I do...'

She jumped at the sound of dry leaves being crushed underfoot, heart hammering.

'Carly, it's okay; it's just me.'

Hand to her chest, Carly sighed with relief. 'Hi, Brady.' She said, again marvelling over how the little baby she'd left behind was now a fully grown man; handsome like John with Isabella's eyes. 'Fancy seeing you here.'

Brady shrugged. 'I visit her; every now and then.' He looked at the flowers Carly had placed against the headstone. 'You knew my Mum?'

'We were very close.' Carly replied, looking down as well. 'I was actually her maid of honour when she married your Dad. I even helped deliver you that day; Izzy chose me to be your godmother.'

'You don't say.' Brady said, surprised. He'd known Mel's mum was Bo's ex but other than that hadn't bothered finding out more about her. 'It must've been hard on you then, watching her losing her strength every day.'

'It was hard on all of us. But Isabella didn't want sad faces around her and we did our best to keep a brave front. But the real brave one was her, to the end.' Carly said sadly.

Brady scrutinised her carefully. 'Are you okay?'

'Sure; why?'

'I'm sorry but I couldn't help overhearing some of what you were saying.'

Carly turned away. 'Whatever you've heard about me...'

Brady waved his hand. 'I was too wrapped in my own problems to listen to gossip. But it sounds to me there's a lot going inside you right now, for you to actually want to go to that extreme.'

'There's nothing wrong with wanting to be free. And it's not your problem, Brady. Or your business.' She walked past him.

Brady followed her. 'Mel's like a sister to me and you're my godmother; you don't think it's karma that we finally get to share, Carly?'

'Why do you care?' Carly quickened her pace, furious he'd overheard at all.

Brady took her by the arm, turning her round. 'I just do. It's not every day you hear something like that and just forget about it.'

'You have no choice.'

' I chose not to; you've got me hooked. No woman ever wishes for something like that, no matter how much she's been hurt by the man she loves. Love isn't something you snap off like a bad tooth.'

'Love is painful and breaks the heart. And I'm done with hurting. Just leave me alone, Brady; I already told you it's not your problem.'

She turned her heel again but Brady's next words stopped her. 'What do you suppose Mum would say if she could answer you right now?'

Carly turned round to stare at him.

'You heard me.' Brady challenged, walking up to her. 'What would you expect her to say? You actually want to stop loving my uncle? And then what; freeze your heart from love all together? I'll tell you what she'd say; you don't mean it!'

'You don't know the first thing about me, Brady Victor Black!' Carly retorted. 'And stop pretending you care!'

'Oh, now I'm pretending to be concerned because I'm related to Bo... which makes me your enemy, is that it?'

'I would never think such a thing about you. '

'Then don't shut me out!' Brady snapped back.

'Look... Brady, I appreciate whatever you want to do or trying to do, but please; I don't want Victor or anybody insinuating...'

'I'm my own man; nobody tells me what to do or who I can or can't be friends with.'

'Why are you doing this at all?'

Brady was silent for a while before answered. 'Because I think this is what my Mum would've wanted. Don't you think, Carly?'

She said nothing.

'Mel told me you have a son but you don't get along. I can't replace him in your heart, but if you still regard me as your godson; let's make up for lost time. Maybe...' he added hesitatingly, 'since you were Mum's best friend, you can tell me a lot more about her.'

Deeply touched, Carly reached out and touched his cheek. 'I would like that... very much.'

Smiling, Brady took her arm. 'I'll buy you a cup of coffee at The Java.'

The rest of the day was spent at the coffee shop and then a long walk in the park together. Carly found herself momentarily forgetting her sadness ; laughing at her godson's dry wit and finding joy at talking to him about Isabella. By the time he escorted her back to her loft after exchanging phone numbers; Brady felt he'd known Carlyhis whole life. She'd handed out so many priceless memories that he easily saw why his mother must've loved her very much. He made a mental note to call his Dad and Marlena to get unbiased info on Carly's earlier relationship with Bo.

'It's definitely karma.' Brady thought to himself after kissing Carly goodbye. She was a beautiful and very warm hearted woman. The hell with Victor and the rest of the town. As of now, his godmother was an important part of his life.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Carly was curled up on the couch reading a magazine when the intercom buzzed.

'I'll get it.' Melanie walked across the room, shrugging on her jacket and pressed a button. 'Hello?'

'Melanie?'

'Who is this?'

'Tony Delfino.'

'Oh, hi. Come on up.' She buzzed him in.

Carly put down her magazine. 'You were expecting him?'

'He came by the hospital this morning looking for you so I gave him our address. You don't mind?'

'No... I've been meaning to get in touch anyway.'

In a few minutes the door bell rang. Melanie turned the key, sliding the door open. 'Hello again, come on in.'

Carly slowly got up,looking at him curiously. He was exactly like Mel described.

My God, she's beautiful! Tony thought, falling straight into her luminous green eyes. Only a guy out of his gourdwould let this angel-like woman out of his grasp.

Carly moved forward, hand outstretched. 'Hello. Carly Manning.'

Tony took her hand, planting a kiss on her knuckles. He hadn't planned on being so forward but she took his breath away. Uncomfortable by the sudden gesture, Carly withdrew her hand.

'I'm sorry; I don't mean to be so bold. You're a lot more beautiful than I thought.'

'Well I guess you couldn't see my face under the bruises.' She said wryly. 'Have a seat, Mr. Delfino.'

'Tony.' He corrected.

The intercom buzzed again as Carly waved him to a seat.

'That's Dario. I have to take off.' Melanie pressed a kiss on Carly's forehead. 'Handsome, isn't he?' she lowered her tone for her mum's ears only.

'Really, I didn't notice.' Carly said sarcastically. 'And don't even think about matchmaking, Melanie Kiriakis.'

Melanie shrugged, grinning innocently. 'See you later, Mum.'

'Bye honey.'

Taking a deep breath, Carly braced herself as she walked back to her visitor. 'Umm... would you like a drink Mr. Del... I'm sorry, Tony? I think I have a bottle of Chablis somewhere.'

'You don't have to go through any trouble, Doc.'

'It's the least I could do after walking in front of your car and getting you into trouble. I'm so sorry about that.'

Tony dismissed it with a wave of his hand. 'No need to apologise. You made it and that's what important.'

Carly smiled faintly. 'Well, if we're going to be informal; you might as well call me Carly. Let me go get that wine.'

'Sure.' Tony's eyes followed her as she walked away. Beautiful; along with a natural, unassuming grace. Who had initiated the breakup; she or the commissioner? And why?

Tony planned to be more than informal with Carly Manning. He was going to win her heart.