After Maison Blanche

Chapter 10

Marlena lay with her eyes closed, content to feel the caress of John's palm over her skin, when she heard him murmur softly, "I haven't used condoms, Doc."

Her only response was a soft hum. She'd considered birth control once, briefly, when they were in the shower, and then she had pushed the thought out of her mind.

John waited for a response, and when he got none, he said, "Doc?"

Marlena rolled herself to face him, and said, "I thought about it...and then I decided it didn't matter."

"Even though there's a possibility that you could get pregnant again?"

"Would another baby with me be so bad?"

John traced his finger over her eyebrows, still fascinated by the fact that she was lying in the bed next to him. "I wouldn't mind another child with you, Doc," he told her in soft tones. "But you know, Belle is only eight months old."

"It's too early, I know," she said, brushing her fingers over his chest. "It's impulsive, and there's so much to deal with when we get home. This would be the worst time for another baby, but I don't care."

"This doesn't sound like you, Doc."

"It doesn't. You're right," she sighed. "And yet, it's true. I don't care anymore. I want you. I've decided that's what matters to me. My family will have to accept that. I will do everything I can to help Sami heal, and adjust. I'll give Roman the divorce he's been haranguing me about since February, but I refuse to be unhappy without you—because you're what I want, and John, I'm done pretending that you aren't."

"So, this new and improved, Marlena," John said. "She says to hell with expectations, and goes after what she wants, huh?"

Marlena chuckled, snuggling closer to him, "Yes, something like that. It's not how I normally do things, but this past month, it's changed me."

John kissed her lips softly, "I like this new you. It's better to stop pretending. We can try to rebuild that relationship with Sami, but Doc, you're right, we need to start on a foundation of honesty."

"Honesty," she said softly. "G-d, John, I've been lying to myself for so long."

"We start here, Doc. You and I, we're going to be honest with ourselves, our families, and our friends."

"I love you," she whispered.

John wrapped his arms around her snugly, "I love you, too, baby."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Roman entered the hotel suite where Bo was currently staying with the woman found at Maison Blanche, and he said, "So, this woman, is she Hope?"

Bo sighed, not feeling ready to deal with Roman's brand of communication, "I think so. The ISA took her DNA sample two days ago, and Ma said the ISA sent someone to the house to do a blood draw on Shawn-D yesterday. Shane's rushing the test, so we should know by the end of the week."

Roman sat on the couch, resting his arm along the back, "So, how does Billie fit into this?"

"I have no idea," Bo said, still standing awkwardly near the door. He felt lost. "I can't even think about it until this test comes back."

"Abe was saying she has amnesia."

"She does...but she knows things, Roman. Things only Hope could know," Bo told him, finally sitting on the other end of the couch. "She has dreams, and the things she's dreaming...its memories."

"So?"

"Roman! They're memories, and that's not all. There are paintings. Hundreds of them - all of me."