Anymore

Chapter 1

John sat there, shoulders slumped, feeling more dejected than he ever had. "How could she leave?" He rose from the sofa, the place where just thirty minutes ago he thought all of his dreams were coming true in that singular space. He paced back and forth in the cabin, pants slung low on his hips. He ran his fingers roughly through his tousled hair. "This can't be happening... I have to talk to her...NOW!' He grabbed his scattered clothing and dressed in haste. Grabbing his coat he headed towards the door of the cabin, taking one more glance back at the sofa with a sad smile before heading to the cockpit to tell the pilots of the change in plans.

...

Marlena took a tentative sip of her champagne, glancing around the room at all of her family and friends mingling in her living room. Her head began to throb instantly as the shame she felt was at war with the anger she felt at Roman for putting this anniversary party together thinking it would put to rest all of the problems that they were having and have been having for a long time now. She slipped away to the bathroom unnoticed, locking the door behind her. Her hands rested on the sink, feeling as though they were the only things holding her entire being upright. She bent and splashed cold water on her face, hoping that it would wash away the streaks of tears that fell as soon as the door locked behind her. She looked in the mirror. "Who are you? I don't know you anymore..." She was startled when someone knocked on the door. "Just a minute."

"I just wanted to let you know that Daddy is here..." Carrie whispered softly.

Marlena chuckled. "Well of course he is... he's the one hosting this shindig."

"No... I mean... John is here..."

Marlena's head snapped up almost violently, turning towards the door. "Umm... okay I will be there shortly sweetie." She drew deep breaths, trying to quell the nausea that was rapidly rising within her. "Oh God... oh God what is he doing here..." she whispered. She continued her deep breathing as her brain tried to make some sense out of her racing silent thoughts. "He could be telling Roman right NOW... no no Marlena come on, he wouldn't do that to you. Although I don't know why he wouldn't... I basically seduced him into staying... then walked out on him..." She drew one more deep breath as if that breath had covered her with a suit of armor enabling her to handle what waited for her on the other side of the door. She straightened her shoulders... "I can do this..."

...

John stood with Caroline. "I'm sorry Shawn is missing this... I can go get Brady so he can come here and celebrate with all of you. It's not a problem since my plans changed."

Caroline smiled. "Oh nonsense dear... Shawn loves his alone time with Brady. Besides, Roman threw this together pretty last minute." She patted his shoulder and headed to the kitchen.

John straightened immediately as the hair on the back of his neck stood up. He could swear she made the air in any room shift as soon as she entered it. He turned and saw her, noticing how tense she was... as she tried not to look at him. He pulled his eyes from her as Sami ran up to him and hugged him.

She squeezed him tightly and whispered, "Hi Daddy..."

John smiled and bent to kiss the top of her head, whispering back. "Hi peanut." Moving away slightly he looked down. "I swear you get taller every time I see you!"

Sami smiled, "Well I am a teenager now, we grow like every hour. I am so happy to see you, but what are you doing here, I thought you were leaving town?"

John glanced at Marlena who was off in a corner with Laura, then back to Sami. "Slight change in plans..." He shrugged.

...

Laura huffed, "What is wrong with you?"

Marlena sighed. "Nothing... why?"

"You come out of the bathroom, pull me off to the corner... and then you stand there saying nothing. What is wrong... you are wound so tight you look like you could explode."