Carrie Brady arrived at her stepmother Marlena's office at University Hospital. "Carrie, is there something bothering you?" Marlena asked after she had presuaded Carrie to have a seat across from her desk.

Carrie's face was pinched with worry. "Marlena, I just don't know what to do," Carrie said with tears gathering in her eyes. "It- it's Mike."

"Ohhh no, honey, is there someething wrong with Mike?" questioned Marlena with concern.

"I think so. I honestly don't know what's going on. I love him so much."

"Please try to tell me everything. Your father and I will do whatever we can to help."

"I- I caught Mike talking on the phone to another woman. He was trying to keep it a secret. He didn't know I overheard."

"Ohhh Carrie, that just doesn't sound like Mike. He cares for you - so very much."

"But does he love me?" Carrie murmured sadly.

XXooXX

Meanwhile, at University Park, Mike Horton was talking on the phone. "Hey, I am glad I caught you at home. I didn't want Carrie to overhear what we have planned. I think last night... well, that she may have overheard us. That's why I had to hang up so abruptly. If she ever heard..."

The person on the phone spoke and then Mike replied, "No, I really don't think she knows what's going on yet and I truly want to keep it that way. Can you meet me tonight right outside of the pub?"

After the person answered his question, Mike said, "Great! I can't wait to see you! I'll be there about 7 pm!"

XXooXX

Marlena sighed. "Of course he loves you, sweetie." She reached across the desk and took her stepdaughter's hand. "You just need to talk to him and find out what's going on. Everything will be okay; you'll see."

"Alright, Marlena. I'm going to find out what's going on. I hope he's honest with me. I just couldn't bear it if..."

"Ohhh honey, don't even say it. Not Mike. He wouldn't."

Carrie brushed away her tears. "I hope not either. Because I really love him, Marlena."

XXooXX

After a long shift at University Hospital, Mike came home to the apartment he shared with Carrie to find a note propped up at the table. "Mike, something came up and I won't be home unitl late. Love, Carrie," the message said. "P.S. I left you dinner in the fridge."

Mike set the note back down on the table and then strode into the kitchen to warm up the plate of food Carrie had thoughtfully left for him in the fridge.

He wondered where Carrie had run off to tonight. He still had his meeting to get to after his dinner. When the microwave dinged, he got up and walked to the stove and reached above it pulling open the door to the microwave. He took his plate out carefully and set it down, he closed the microwave and picked up his plate going to the table. He set his plate down and went and grabbed a soda from the fridge.

Carrie had cried her heart out to Marlena. She couldn't believe Mike was cheating on her. Just saying it caused her to want to cry again.

"You should go home and talk to him," Marlena said.

"I just can't. I can't face him right now, can I stay the night?" She asked Marlena.

"You are always welcome," she said. Marlena treated Carrie like one of her own, she loved her like a daughter.

"Thank you. I'm going to go out to eat, I'll be back," she said.

"Sure. Take your time," she said.

Mike met up with his accomplice outside the Brady Pub. She had curly hair and striking eyes,"Ready?" She asked him.

"Yup let's go," Mike said. He was suddenly feeling very nervous about his decision but he had already set his plan into motion. They left the pub and headed to the jewelry store where they began looking at rings.

"No not pretty enough," she said.

"This one?" Mike asked holding up a diamond and sapphire ring. There was a tray of exquisite rings in front of them on the counter.

"No," she said," The cut is all wrong."

Several minutes of no for this or that reasons, whichever they may be finally got them to settle on a ring. Mike was thrilled, he pulled out his wallet and paid the salesman who had been helping them.

"Do you remember what you're going to do now?" She asked him.

"Yes," he said.

Carrie had gotten to The Pub right after Mike had left and she had gone in and ordered the chowder to eat. She hadn't eaten at home because she had been so upset, so she had left a plate for Mike. Besides eating alone was depressing to her and she was doing just that right now.

After her meal, she paid and had gone for a walk. While she was walking through the main shopping area on Salem Square she froze. There directly in front of the store window was Mike and a woman she recognized. Mike was on his knees holding out a box, Carrie stormed towards the store and busted in.

"HOW DARE YOU TWO!" She yelled. Customers in the store and staff had stopped to stare at the outburst. She didn't care though, she was too upset to really care what they thought about her manners.

"Is there something wrong here, Miss?" the store owner asked Carrie.

"Yes. YES! There is definitely something wrong!" Carrie fairly screeched. "My boyfriend here..."

Carrie gestured toward Mike who was still kneeling on the ground. "...has been cheating on me! But not with just anyone -!"

Mike rose to his feet and attempted to calm Carrie down. "Carrie, this is not what you think..." he started, still holding the ring box in his hand.

"I know exactly what this is!" Carrie said. "You've been sleeping with HER!"

Everyone in the store was looking by now and gasps of shock came out of the crowd. Mike's blue eyes were filled with devastation and horror. But Carrie wasn't done. She had just got started.

"And YOU!" she cried out, turning to the other woman, the one Mike who had been speaking to in secret. "How could you do this to me... your own sister?!"

"Honestly, Carrie," said Cassie. "I would never-!"

"Well, it looks like you did!" Carrie cried out.

She ran out of the store, running towards the park as Mike chased after her. Finally he caught up to her as she stood near a park bench. "Carrie, please... you have to listen to me," Mike pleaded.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I- I..." Mike stumbled over the words. This isn't how he had rehursed it at all, not in his head and not in the jewelry store.

Carrie was staring at him as he tried again. Suddenly he knelt before her and pulled out the box with the ring. The jewels glinted in the evening sunlight. "Carrie, will you marry me?" he asked.

"Wait... hold on..." Carrie said, absolutely stunned. "That... that ring is for me?"

Mike rose to his feet and pulled her into his arms. "There is no other woman in this world I would want to propose to. Carrie Brady, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"But... I thought... What was going on with you and Cassie?"

"She was helping me get a ring you'd like. I didn't know your ring size and I wanted to get something beautiful for you."

"I heard her on the phone with you and I thought... Oh my gosh! Mike, I am so sorry. I can't believe that I thought that you..."

"That I was cheating on you?"

She nodded.

"I'd never do that, sweetheart. You and me forever. Let's try this again. Carrie, will you marry me?"

"Yes! YES! I will marry you, Mike. And I love the ring."

After holding her and kissing her tenderly, Mike placed the ring on Carrie's finger. "It looks even more beautiful on you. Let's get married!"

"When?"

"Soon. I want us to get married as soon as possible and make some beautiful little babies together."

"I hope we have twins!"

Mike chuckled. He couldn't wait to get started on the rest of his life with Carrie.

The End