John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 13: Love and Anger

Kristen surveyed the bedroom with satisfaction.  Everything had been installed in the DiMera Mansion with what she considered was minimum fuss and bother.  It had been mostly clothes and personal effects that had been moved but she had taken a liking to several pieces of furniture and had insisted that they would be shifted as well.  John hadn't been very keen but as usual, he had given in, knowing it was the easiest way to keep Kristen happy, and quiet.

It had taken most of the morning to get everything into the house and arranged just as she wanted it.  In fact, she had made sure it had taken that long on purpose.  Every minute John was helping her move, was a minute that he wasn't with, or thinking about, Marlena.  She smiled, thinking about his insistence that she not be allowed to carry any of the boxes, considering her 'delicate' state.  She was so glad that she had pulled off the second pregnancy, it was proving to be very useful.  And no one was any the wiser.  Her smile fell as she remembered Eugene's warning.  How the hell does he know about the mirror?  The only people that knew about that were Peter and herself.  And she knew she hadn't spilled it to anyone else.  She pursed her mouth as she made a mental note to talk to Peter about it.  When she could find him.

Thinking about her visitor the previous day, she eyed the chest of drawers in the corner and scowled.  Whatever he had done to the drawer, it seemed permanent.  She hadn't been able to open it after he had gone, or this morning, when she had tried while John was out of the room.  John didn't seem to have any problems with it, and he had packed the rest of the clothes.

She walked over to it and pulled on the handle.  It stuck fast and she cursed under her breath, knowing no amount of pulling was going to budge it.

"What are you doing Kristen?"  John's voice made Kristen jump and she whirled around, wildly looking for an excuse.  One that would make a feasible reason for opening John's drawer.  Her eyes settled on his sweater which was lying on the chair.  In one movement, she picked it up.

"I was just going to put away your sweater honey."  She hoped her smile was convincing.  "The drawer seems to be stuck."

"You don't need to put it away."  He looked at her strangely.  "I've been wearing it.  I was just coming up to put it on again."  He wasn't entirely sure that he believed Kristen, given what was hidden in the drawer.  And he wasn't about to open it for her so she could find it.  "Will you be all right here?  I've got to go and pick up Brady."

"Why don't I come with you, honey?"  She ran her fingers down his cheek.  "We haven't spent much time together in the last few days.  We could pick up Brady and go for a family outing.  After all, he's got to get used to having a step-mom sooner or later."

"It's probably not such a good idea."  He caught her hand in his.  "I'm going to have a word with Eugene and it's probably better if you aren't there."

"I could wait in the car."  Kristen's tone was practically begging.  She had to keep him away from Marlena.  Especially with that Bradford character hanging around.  God knows what might happen.

"I won't be long baby.  I'll bring Brady back and we can all go out for dinner somewhere."  John said firmly.  "There's no use you hanging around in the car.  I'd feel better if you were safe back here." 

Kristen nodded slowly.  It was obvious John was not going to give in over this.  Maybe she *would* just stay here.  And work on that damned drawer.  She had to get her hands on the picture of *Doc*.  And when she did, there wouldn't be any of it left to put back in the drawer.

"Okay, honey.  Just don't be long, will you?"  She planted a kiss on his lips, which he returned somewhat reluctantly. 

"Okay."  He nodded and squeezed her hand.  "You have a rest.  You've been very busy this morning."  He patted her stomach.  "We wouldn't want anything to happen."  Again.  He shook off the unspoken word and left the room, his sweater in his hand.