John and Marlena (Finally) Get a Q!

Chapter 93 - Love

You brushed my eyes with angel's wings

Full of love, the kind that makes the devils cry.

-You Have Been Loved
George Michael

Time? John shakes his head sadly. Gabe is right. This is the hardest decision he will ever have to make.

I've missed you so much. Isabella smiles at him lovingly and envelopes him in her embrace. Part of John wants to hold her and never let her go.

But he knows that isn't possible now.

Regretfully he pushes her away from him and he steps back with an unreadable expression in his eyes. She looks at him in surprise. John?

IzzyB... he tries to smile at her, but he knows that the words he is about to say will hurt her and he hates that. He never wanted to hurt her.

When I was married to you, it was one of the happiest times of my life. I loved you with all my heart.

I loved you too John. She seems confused but he knows she is beginning to catch on and she doesn't like what she's hearing.

Isabella, I can't go with you now. He bites his lower lip and looks at her with sad eyes. You always knew that part of my heart still belonged to Marlena. It still does. Honey, I can't lie to you. She means everything to me. She's my soulmate, you must know that. He sees the hurt and betrayal in her eyes and he feels bad, but she deserves to know the truth.

And she needs me now.

As much as he has loved Isabella, he loves Marlena so much more. He always has, he has just never admitted it before this moment.

He watches as Isabella's face falls, but he glimpses in her eyes the recognition of the truth. She knows, maybe she has always known.

It doesn't make it any easier.

I'm *so* sorry. But I love her and she needs me. I can't walk away from her again. What kind of man would that make me?

Isabella smiles a sad smile. It always came down to that. He had to walk away from one of them eventually. Tears fill her eyes.

I hope she knows how lucky she is.

Not half as lucky as I am, John thinks to himself.

And then, suddenly Isabella is fading before his eyes. He reaches out to her, but she is already gone.

With searching eyes, he turns to Gabe. You didn't even let me say goodbye.

You said everything that was needed. Gabe reaches out his hand and lays it on John's shoulder once again. John, you will not take the memory of this time with you. It is up to you to make this decision count. Don't make the same mistakes again.

I won't remember? John is quick to reply. He is suddenly afraid that this will all be for nothing if he once again is oblivious to his mistakes. He can't bear the thought that he might hurt Marlena again, but silently he makes a vow that he will not let that happen. He will never allow her to be hurt again. Not by anyone.

He looks with searching eyes at Gabe, but the angelic guide is fading too, and all John is left with is the echo of his smile, and an unspoken message that John has made the right decision.

Suddenly, John narrows his eyes as light begins to spill into the smothering darkness and he feels his consciousness evaporating.