Whisper My Name

Chapter 16

Charles Wright Cabin, Outside Telluride, Colorado

Give me the truth who is running my show

Tell them I'm sorry but I just had to go

~ Break ~ Heart ~

Carrie noticed at dinner that the dynamics had changed between John and Marlena. She wasn't surprised. She may be only thirteen, but she remembered that year when they were all a family. When everyone in Salem, including the Brady's believed that John was her father. He and Marlena were so in love, that it had left her young heart in awe. She'd dreamed that someday she would find someone who loved her that much. Watching them at dinner, Carrie noticed Marlena's shy sideways glances, or the way John's fingers would graze hers as he passed the dishes. Smiling to herself, Carrie scooped another forkful of rice into her mouth. This was what she wanted. It was what she'd always wanted, and then Marlena had died.

Before dinner, John had come into the kitchen, just as she was washing the rice. He'd explained the situation as best he could, trying hard not to scare her. She'd smiled, said she understood and put on a brave face, but truthfully she was scared. Why wouldn't she be? As angry as she was at Roman, he was still her father, and, even though Marlena wasn't her mother, Carrie sometimes thought she loved her more than Anna. How many times had the people she'd trusted walked in and out of her life, whether on purpose or by accident? Anna. Tony. Roman. Marlena. Diana. Yvette. All of them loved, and all of them gone. Even Anna, who wasn't truly gone, was emotionally unavailable. Carrie had learned at a young age that no one ever really stayed. Until John. His promises meant something. If he said this was temporary and it was for their safety, she didn't doubt him. She would have doubted anyone else, but not John. Not her Dad. She was scared, but she trusted John more than anyone in the world.

"Twinners," John said, clearing his throat. He was hoping that the twins would be excited. His conversation with Carrie had nearly broken his heart. He saw the immediate pain in her eyes, but as he'd talked, he also saw that she understood. For Carrie, the feelings of abandonment ran deep, and he'd spent a large part of their conversation reassuring her of how much he loved her. "I wanted to tell you that the name game is almost over...and I think you've won."

Sami dropped her fork mid-bite, and asked with huge blue eyes, "We won?"

"We get to go to Hawai'i?" Eric screamed, hopping from his chair in excitement.

John glanced at Marlena, and then back to the twins, "I think you have ...and, I've got some news I think you're going to be very excited about." Sami stared with wide blue eyes, and Eric looked as if he might explode from anticipation. He bounced from foot to foot trying to be patient.

"Daddy always has the best surprises!" Sami exclaimed, waving her fists, and squirming around in her seat with excitement. "What is it?"

John winked at Sami before he continued, "Well, Peanut, your mom and I spoke with your grandparents—"

"—We're going to Denver!" Eric squealed. He hadn't even allowed John to finish speaking before blurting it out. He hopped from one foot to the other, "Right, Daddy? We're going to Denver?"

"I love Denver!" Sami said, nearly falling out of her chair in an attempt to get to her feet. "Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!" Sami started jumping around chanting, "Den-ver! Den-ver! Den-ver!"

Eric joined her, grabbing her hands, and dancing in a circle, "Den-ver! Den-ver!"

Marlena started laughing, as she watched the twins join hands, and start dancing. They had no idea what sort of danger they were in. Everything over the last few days had been one big adventure for them, and for that Marlena was grateful. "Okay, you two. Come on...finish eating, and you can celebrate after dinner."