Whisper My Name

Chapter 42

San Cristobal, Galápagos Archipelago

March 25, 1992

Marlena rolled over in bed during the early morning reaching for John only to find the bed beside her cool. She smiled to herself. Every morning John woke early to trek around their bungalow looking for signs that someone might have been there. Since their time in Niagara Falls he was especially diligent about it. If he'd learned anything from being a trained mercenary for Stefano DiMera, it was to have a sharp eye, and after finding the muddy footprints outside of their cabin in Niagara Falls, John was checking around the bungalow three times a day.

She stretched languidly, and rolled to his side of the bed so she could bury her face in his pillow. Tugging the soft sheet up over her naked body, she took a deep breath. The cotton linen smelled like John. She wanted to wrap herself in his scent, and carry it around with her always.

Outside John took deep breaths of the salty ocean air. It was beautiful, and he found the type of serenity that he never wanted to lose. Returning to Salem would bring with it so many expectations, and he and Marlena would have to stay strong to make their way forward. Once the front of the bungalow was clear, John rounded the back. Checking the ground near the windows, he saw nothing remiss. He was due to check in with Shane at some point that morning. They had agreed to that when Dr. Castillo was reluctant to release John from the clinic. John had insisted on leaving, and Shane had insisted on a follow-up phone call to ensure that John was healthy. Coming around to the front of the building, he entered the bungalow, and was surprised to see Marlena already awake staring up at him with a sleepy smile from his side of the bed. The sheet had slipped down, revealing the curve of her hip, although her breasts were obscured by her arm, which was curled up in front of her. She was absolutely, fucking, gorgeous.

"And, what are you so happy about, Doc?" he asked her, stepping in through the veranda doors. She had a glow about her, a blush to her cheeks, and a light in her eyes. It was so different from how she'd been looking before everything started. When they were in Salem, Marlena had looked perpetually exhausted. She'd carried this air of sadness around her, even when she was smiling. But since they'd been together, even though it was one of the most stressful experiences of their lives, she'd changed. She'd brightened, she laughed, and she'd gained weight. Weight she'd needed to gain back after too many skipped meals because of forgetfulness or stress. Sitting up, the sheet fell from her naked body, and John could help but marvel at her beauty. The early morning light kissed her skin, and she was such a temptation.

"The other day," she started, "when you had your surgery... I took a pregnancy test. I waited to tell you, because I wanted you to be stable, and doing well." She glanced down at her hands where they tangled in the bed sheet that had fallen around her waist, and then she glanced back up at him again, and whispered, "It was positive. I'm pregnant."

"Pregnant?" was all he could think to say, because, of course she was. They had discussed the possibility. Afterall, they hadn't been using any protection, and they had been together nearly every day, sometimes several times a day, for weeks. Stepping closer, a smile began to take over his face, as he said, "A baby? Our baby?"

Even though she was happy, the guilt she had been pushing away seemed to come at her full force. What she'd done to Roman. What John had done to Isabella. While she and John had been living the last few weeks isolated in their own private world, the rest of Salem, including Roman and Isabella, would be shocked at this development. John could read the guilt etched on Marlena's face.

"Yes... but, John... I'm married, and then... there's Isabella," she whispered.

He didn't want her to feel guilt. He didn't want her to question this gift. "Hey, Doc... we'll figure this out, baby. We will." He fell onto the bed next to her, and pulled her into his arms. She could hear the humor in his voice when he said, "Besides, you won't be married for long."