John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 80 - Realities

Kristen flinched as John slammed his keys down on the bench before he went to switch the kettle on. He hadn't talked to her the whole way home, and a part of her was exceedingly annoyed that Marlena's news should have this much of an effect on him. But mostly, she was just thrilled that Marlena would now be out of their lives for good. John had lost his claim on her with this latest happenstance, and nothing could please Kristen more.

"Honey?" she said carefully. "If you're making a cup of tea, I would just love one." She watched him lean over the sink and take a deep, calming breath, and somehow that one gesture broke the dam on her patience. "You know John," her voice became unintentionally snarky, "I would have thought that you would have been *pleased* for Marlena."

"*Pleased?*" John turned on her, his face darkly unambiguous.

"Yes, *pleased*." Kristen pulled off her gloves and laid them on the table. "At least she's getting on with her life now, she's not hanging around pining after you when she knows she can't have you. You have a *new* family to look after now, and she knows that." Pulling off her coat, she disregarded John's mutinous glare and carried on. "You should be glad that she's happy and making a new life for herself. If you weren't, I would have to wonder why."

She eyed him with the challenge hanging between them, and John was tempted to tell her to go to hell. He had never hated her more and he just wanted this responsibility to be at an end.

"Of course, I'm happy, if she's happy." John forced the foreign words from his mouth. "I'm just not sure that she's not being taken for a ride, that's all." He ran his fingers through the thick dark hair that was now lightly peppered with grey.

"John," Kristen raised her eyebrows, "Marlena's a big girl now. She knows how to look after herself and make her own decisions. You don't have to be her savior anymore." With a groan, she lowered herself onto the couch. This baby might not be growing as fast as it should, but she still felt the size of a house. She couldn't wait until the next couple of months were over. "You know she's known Eugene Bradford considerably longer than you have. I would think she knows what his motives are by now."

Kristen's words made sense, but John didn't care. He didn't want to believe any of them. He just wanted Marlena.

******

Marlena transferred Belle to the nanny's waiting arms and smiled at the young woman.

"Now you be a good girl and I'll be upstairs to tuck you in soon," she told her adored daughter. "Thanks Lucie." Lucie simply smiled brilliantly and walked upstairs with the giggling Belle.

Marlena leaned on the banister for a moment and watched them, glad that she had Lucie's help. This pregnancy was draining all her energy and every single moment of rest she could snatch was precious.

Q came out of the kitchen and saw her standing there, her face wan and drawn. He was becoming increasingly worried about her as the days progressed and she became even more withdrawn. He couldn't seem to reach her anymore since she had closed him off along with everything else in the world that had caused her pain.

"Come and sit down," he turned the lights down and then took her hand and led her to the sofa. "Now would you like to tell me what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Marlena, do we have to play this game every time something happens?" Q sighed. "I'm not stupid, I can see something is wrong, and you need someone to talk to. I'm here. How about you give it a go?" Marlena's eyes filled with exhausted tears as she shook her head. Gene saw her clenched fists and moved closer to her. "Come on Marlena. You can't carry this on your own, it's not healthy for you, *or* the baby."