Avenoir

Avenoir - Marlena

Marlena

I follow John out of the office, and stand in front of Alice Horton, feeling like a guilty child as I smooth my free hand over my hair, trying to make sure I look at least a little presentable. I feel John squeeze my hand as a banging comes on the outer office door.

"John!? I know you're in there! I need to talk to you!"

Bang. Bang. Thump.

"Ow! Stop that!"

That was Hillary! I look from the door to Mrs. Horton, feeling my cheeks flaming with shame and embarrassment.

"Oh Alice," I say in a softly shaking voice. "I didn't mean... I forgot where..." I cover my mouth with my free hand and then slide it up to my eyes so that I can't see her soft, forgiving smile.

"Marlena, darling." I feel her hand pulling gently on my arm and I drop it and look into her sparkling blue eyes. There is no reproach there, only love and acceptance. "You don't need to apologize. I couldn't be happier to see the two of you together at long last. It's not before time."

"Marlena!? Can you hear me? I'm not leaving. I don't know what lies you've been feeding my husband, but I want to see him. He's my husband, and the father of my sick child, and I am not leaving without him."

Bang. Thump.

"Mmmph! Get off me! You crazy bitch! Doctor Evans doesn't answer to you, and she doesn't lie!"

I can't help smiling at Hillary's assessment of Kristen and her defense of me. Hillary is a very good secretary, if maybe a little blunt at times, but she is loyal, and I am incredibly lucky to have her in my corner. Even if I might die a little inside if I think of what she's probably heard in this office this afternoon. I think the girl probably deserves a raise and a bonus after this.

"I think perhaps you should go and take care of this?" Alice suggests, and this is aimed at John. "I don't think she heard you, I think you were... done before she arrived." She bites back a smile and her pale blue eyes glitter with amusement. I moan quietly and John squeezes my hand. "Ah, why shouldn't you enjoy yourself dear?" she asks conspiratorially. "It's about time you let go a little. One day, I will tell you about the time Tom and I got caught in OR2."

"Alice!" I am shocked but also deeply appreciative of her attempts to ease my mortification. "You are humoring me, aren't you?"

"Can I let you in on a little secret," Alice leans forward. "Tom and I were young once too." She winks at me. "You two remind me so much of the two of us. It fills me with happiness to see you find each other again after all these years."

"JOHN!" Bang, bang. Thump. Smash. "Get away from me you psycho little tramp! I am going in there and nobody is stopping me!"

There is a final thump, and the door swings open so hard that it slams against the bookcase behind it. In the doorway is a wild-looking Kristen with one hand buried in Hillary's hair, pulling her back.

"Hillary!" I gasp.

"Hi Doctor Evans," she says with a smile that looks as guilty as mine probably looked earlier. Her head is angled towards Kristen and the whole thing would look comical if it wasn't so outrageous. "Sorry 'bout this. Ms DiMera wouldn't take no for an answer."

"I can see that," I say caustically as I glare at Kristen. "Care to tell me why you're assaulting my secretary?"

"She said you weren't here!" Kristen practically spits the words at me as she yanks her fingers from Hillary's hair and then pushes her irritably, so that Hillary stumbles against the doorframe, hitting her upper arm. I wince and try and take a step forward to go and assist her but both John and Alice restrain me, John tightening his hand around mine and Alice with her hand on my arm.