Blurred Lines

Chapter 28 - Auld Lang Syne

December 31, 1992

Isabella and John Black Loft / Marlena's Lakehouse

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Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

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The phone rang several times before John heard someone pick up on the other end. Relief washed over him when he heard Marlena's soft voice come over the line, "Hello?"

He couldn't help it. He smiled. "Hey, Doc." Brady started to fuss in his arms, and he remembered the reason for his call. "I have a quick question for you. When the Twinner's were teething, did they get fevers?"

"Low grade fevers are normal, as well as pain in their gums... possibly even headaches," she said. "Is Brady not doing well?"

"I'm not sure, and Isabella is out of town with Carly. She won't be back until Monday." He knew he could have called Caroline, or Kim, or Kayla to answer his questions. Any of them would have been willing and happy to help him, but he'd called Marlena. "Maybe if you have some time you could come by the loft–"

"--I'm dropping the twins off with Shawn and Caroline for the night," she said quickly. She was too excited about the prospect of seeing him. They had continued to maintain their distance after their mistletoe, hallway kisses on Christmas day, and the prospect of spending time with John had her body trembling. It was dangerous to be alone with him, especially knowing that Isabella was out of town, but even still Marlena would go. Especially considering that John had other people in his life whom he could have called, but he'd called her. "I could come by afterwards. I have a party to attend at Wings later, but if I could get ready at the loft–"

"--that's fine. You can get ready here." He shifted Brady in his arms, thinking about Marlena drifting down his stairs in a gossamer gown, and he briefly closed his eyes. He was fucking torturing himself, and he knew it. He'd do it every day for the rest of his life if he could. The ache was that good.

"I'll be over in about an hour," she said softly. "In the meantime, get a washcloth wet, and place it in the freezer. You'll thank me for it later."

She stared at the phone nestled in the cradle for several beats before she could gather her thoughts together. She hadn't planned on seeing John, and suddenly, she felt like she needed to mentally go back over everything she had planned to wear to Wing's that night. When Mike had asked to meet her there, she'd said yes because she knew she needed to get out. She needed to spend time with friends, and find a way to get over the depression that seemed to have such a firm grasp on her mind, but she hadn't been overly excited. It was another year gone by when she couldn't remember most of it. The prospect of getting ready at the loft, where John would see her before she left... where she might get his assistance zipping up her dress... "Stop it, Marlena!" she told herself firmly. "Stop it! You can't think like that. He needs help with Brady. That's all. That's all."

It didn't change anything as she later stood in her closet, running her fingers over the fine fabrics of her evening gowns, and then pulled one out of the back. She didn't recognize it. It would have been purchased during what she had been mentally referring to as her dark period. Glancing down, she realized that she must have worn it at some point because the tags were removed. John would like it. Underneath her fingers, she could feel the hand-sewn beading, as her fingertips trailed along the plunging neckline. It was deep, much deeper than she might have normally selected on a dress to wear out to a party with Mike Horton. But her mind whispered, John will see you, and she pulled it out of the closet, laying it on her bed. Long sleeves, sheer back, and a skirt that would land at her ankles. It was as dark as midnight, and shined with a thousand stars. Softly, the fabric kissed her fingers, and Marlena was transported somewhere else.