Chapter 8

Kristen is sitting on the couch in the living room of the DiMera mansion. She is reading a magazine and drinking some Perrier with lemon. She can't keep the smile off her face. She can't believe she was able to fool John the other day at the doctor's office. When John showed up for the appointment to see the baby, Kristen had a plan. She pretended like she had already seen the doctor and John had missed the appointment. He was disappointed as she knew he would be, but it was all part of the plan. What Kristen had done, was get herself artificially inseminated instead. She should know soon whether or not she is pregnant, and if she is; John will never be the wiser.

She doesn't know what she would do without Stefano. It was his idea for her to do the insemination. Just because John left her for Marlena, doesn't mean Kristen is giving up on getting him back. Marlena's nanny Kelly, may be a good nanny but she isn't very smart. She told Kristen exactly where Marlena was and Kristen told Stefano. He should already be on his way to get Marlena if he isn't already there. Now Marlena told Kelly not to tell John but she didn't say not to tell anyone else.

"I'm well on my way of becoming a true DiMera. Stefano would be proud of me. Of course, I can never let John see this side of me, or I will have no chance on getting him back. Good job, Kristen." She says to herself with a grin as picks up her glass of Perrier and does a pretend toast. She then takes a drink.

She is startled by the phone ringing and almost drops her glass as some water shoots out of her mouth. She jumps up from the couch to answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hello Kristen."

"Stefano!"

"Yes, I am just calling to thank you for letting me know where Marlena is. Good work."

"You're welcome, Stefano. Thank you for helping me get pregnant again. That artificial insemination idea was brilliant."

"You know I would do anything for you, Kristen. I told you to trust me and that everything would work out, didn't I?"
Kristen nods.
"Yes, you did. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You will never have to find out. I will always be here for you."

Kristen smiles.

"So is Marlena with you yet?"

"No not yet, Marco is keeping an eye on Belle and the nanny and is supposed to call me when the time is right. Marlena will be mine very soon, Kristen."

Kristen grins.

"I'm so happy for you Stefano. I hope you and Marlena will be very happy together and so will John and I, once I convince him he will never get Marlena back."

"Yes. Well Kristen, I have to go now. I will be in touch soon."

"Okay, goodbye Stefano."

The line goes dead as Kristen hangs up the phone. She turns around and starts dancing around the room like an idiot with a big smile on her face.

Kristen's celebrating may be coming just a bit too soon...

Meanwhile...

Marlena is at the airport waiting to see Kelly and Belle get off the plane. She wants her face to be the first one Belle sees as soon as she gets off the plane. Marlena is so excited to see her daughter. It has been an entire week and Marlena has missed her terribly. Her arms have felt so empty since Belle has been gone. It would be torture if Belle was gone for more than a week, it would break Marlena's heart to have to be without her daughter for that long. Marlena remembers the day she found out she was expecting Belle. She was worried and scared, not knowing who the father was. At the time, she wanted Roman to be the father but deep down was hoping John was her father. I know that is a terrible thing to want, since she was married to Roman at the time but Marlena couldn't help feeling that way. John is a wonderful father and is glad the truth came out, even if it did cause a lot of pain for so many people, Roman especially. Marlena can't change what has happened, she can only make the best of things the way they are now.

Marlena's thoughts are interrupted as she sees Kelly and Belle step off the plane. Marlena smiles with tears in her eyes. Her hand goes to her heart.

Kelly spots Marlena and waves. Marlena waves, one hand still on her heart. Belle looks up and sees her mother and smiles. Her arm goes up in a little wave to her mother. Now Marlena has both of her hands clasped under her chin as she waits for Kelly and Belle to approach.

They finally make it over to Marlena as she grabs Belle and squeezes her and kisses her all over her face.

"Oh, Belle! I have missed you so much!"

"Mommy!" Belle exclaims as she wraps her arms around her mother's neck.

Marlena gives Belle a few more kisses and a squeeze before putting her on her hip and looking at her and smiling.

Marlena looks over at Kelly.

"Hi, Kelly."
"Hello, Dr. Evans." Kelly answers with a smile on her face.

"How was the flight? Any problems?"

"Not a single one. The flight was quick and smooth, and Belle even had a little nap. It was a very nice flight."

Marlena smiles back at Kelly.
"I'm glad."

Marlena's expression gets somewhat serious for a moment.

"How was John?"

"He was fine, he was so happy to see his daughter. He really misses you and loves you, Dr. Evans. He told me as much while we were there."

Marlena is looking at Belle for a moment and then looks up at Kelly after she says that.

"Did you tell him where I was?"

Kelly nods.

"No, I didn't. You told me not to tell Mr. Black, so I kept my mouth shut."
"I really appreciate it, Kelly. I know it was a lot to ask, but I have my reasons."

"It's okay, Dr. Evans. I understand."
"Mommy, I go potty!"

Belle says as she squirms to get down.

Marlena starts to laugh as Kelly smiles.

"Okay sweet girl, Kelly and I will take you potty."

Marlena, Kelly and Belle head to the restrooms to take Belle potty.

Meanwhile..

Marco sits in a chair and watches Dr. Evans, Belle and the nanny head towards the restrooms. He hides behind a magazine as not to be seen. He decides to call Mr. DiMera and let him know what is going on. He pulls out his cell phone and dials Mr. DiMera's number.

He lets it ring and then he hears a click.

"Marco, please tell me you have arrived in San Francisco with Belle and the nanny."
"Yes, I have Mr. DiMera. We all arrived in San Francisco safely."

"Have you seen Marlena yet?"

"Yes, sir. She took her daughter to the restroom with the nanny."

"Good work. I don't want you to make a move yet. There are too many witnesses in the airport. Wait until they leave the airport and follow them. Once you all arrive at her home, make your move then and I don't want any harm to come to any of them, don't hurt them, understand?"

"Yes, Mr. DiMera."

"You will be hearing from me soon."

The line goes dead as Marco closes his phone and places it in his pocket.

He sees Dr. Evans, Belle and the nanny come out of the restroom and towards the baggage claim. He follows them, staying inconspicuous.

Once they have their luggage they head for the front entrance. He follows them out the door as he sees a car pull up and a man get out.

It must be her driver. I have to be very careful as not to be seen. I wasn't aware Dr. Evans had a driver. He thinks to himself.

Marco watches the driver help with the bags as he places them in the trunk as the three get in the car and shut the door. The driver finishes placing the luggage in the trunk as he gets back in the car and shuts the door. The car pulls away as he sees a car pull up behind. The window rolls down and the person inside looks right at him.

Marco knows what that means. It's the car that Mr. DiMera sent for him to follow Dr. Evans. Marco rushes to the car and gets in.

Once in the car he tells the driver where to go. The driver puts his hand up to stop him. Marco nods his head as the car pulls away. Marco sits back and looks out the window. The driver seems to know where he is going, so he keeps his mouth shut.

Meanwhile...

Marlena, Kelly and Belle are on the way to the townhouse. Belle talks about what she did with her daddy and Brady and how much fun she had. She even mentioned about how she Kelly and Brady went to the park.

Marlena just watches her daughter with a smile on her face and nods. She was so happy Belle got to spend that time with her father. Marlena then thinks about what Kelly told her about John missing her and loving her.

John still loves me? But what about Kristen? What about the baby? I will have to talk to Kelly about it more later when we have some time.

Before long, they pull into the driveway of the townhouse. The driver gets out and opens the door to let them out. Marlena lets Belle out of her car seat as Kelly gets out first. She joins the driver as she helps him with the luggage. Marlena and Belle join them as Belle grabs her bear from Kelly. The driver closes the trunk. Marlena puts Belle down so she can give the driver his tip. Belle grabs Kelly's hand as she watches her mother.

Marlena takes her wallet out of her purse as she hands her driver a big tip.

"Thank you, James." Marlena tells her driver.

"You're welcome, Dr. Evans." he replies as he places the tip in his pocket and tips his hat.

He gets back in the car and pulls away.

"Kelly, you go and take Belle in the house and I will grab the luggage." Marlena says as she hands Kelly the house key.
"Okay, Dr. Evans."

Kelly picks up Belle and takes her to the house. Marlena picks up two bags and places them on her shoulders and then grabs two suitcases. She double checks to make sure she has her purse and then she walks up the driveway and into the house.

Meanwhile...

The car that Marco is in pulls up across the street and parks. Marco gets out of the car and starts to walk up to the house. The driver gets out of the car and stops him. He hands Marco a bottle of ether and a rag. He has the same thing in his hand.

Marco looks at the driver.

"Mr. DiMera said he wants no harm to come to any of them."

The driver nods as he nudges Marco to move forward. Marco starts walking as the driver follows him.

They reach the house as the driver gets Marco's attention. His voice comes out as a grunt.

"You go in the front door and get Dr. Evans. I will get the little girl and the nanny."

Marco just stands there and stares at the driver for a moment.

The driver starts to get angry as he grabs Marco's neck and pushes him forward.

"Go!"

Marco nods as he rubs the spot where the driver grabbed him. The driver runs off towards the back of the house as Marco sneaks in through the front door as quietly as he can. He looks around and doesn't see anyone in the living room. The room is dark. He looks up and sees that Dr. Evans has an alarm system but doesn't have it activated.

Marco smirks.

Not a smart idea, Dr. Evans. You are going to wish you had your alarm activated. Too bad for you. He thinks to himself.

Marco sneaks through the living room as he spots Dr. Evans in the kitchen with her back towards the door. She is talking on the phone. Marco grabs the bottle of ether out of his pocket and squeezes some onto the rag in his hand. He puts the ether back in his pocket as he approaches Dr. Evans from behind. He starts to reach up but she turns her head slightly so sinks back into the shadows, keeping his eye on her. She finally turns her head back around as she finishes her call and starts to hang the phone up. Marco takes this as his opportunity. He jumps up, reaches around and places the rag over her nose. His other hand goes over her mouth to muffle her screams. Dr. Evans starts to put up a fight as she tries to pry his hands loose, her eyes full of fright. But her efforts are fruitless as she sinks to the ground like a sack of potatoes. The ether worked!

Marco looks at her motionless body lying there. He smiles.

To be continued...