Blurred Lines

Chapter 42 - The Best Day

Pumpkin Patch

October 31, 1998

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm five years old, it's getting cold, I've got my big coat on

I hear you laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now, the sky is gold

I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The cold October breeze blew Marlena's hair across her face, as she smiled at John. Reaching for his hand she looked over at Sami and Eric. They'd just had their fourteenth birthday, and she still couldn't fully fathom where the time had gone. Brady sat in Eric's lap with his sleepy eyes glancing around as the wagon rocked. Glancing over at Carrie, Marlena told her, "This was a great idea."

"I thought that Rowan and Finn would like it," she said. She smiled at Brady, and then said, "And I knew he would love it."

"We wouldn't have been able to manage without your help today," John said, adjusting Marlee's sleeping body in his arms. Her dark curls covered her face in a wild halo.

Finn looked up with wide blue eyes, saying loudly, "It was great! I got the biggest pumpkin! Bigger than Rowan, and Marlee, and Brady!"

Sami laughed, "Listen squirt, you may have gotten the biggest pumpkin, but I'm not carrying that thing for you."

Puffing up with indignation, Finn told her, "I can carry it myself!"

Rowan sat at her mothers feet, and wrapped her arms around her legs. Her Mommy laughed loudly, and she looked up at her. Happiness spread throughout her body making her feel warm and safe. She was the most beautiful woman Rowan had ever known. Resting her cheek against Marlena's leg, she closed her eyes.

John leaned close to Marlena, breathing in her soft floral scent, "The sky is beautiful right now, all those shades of pink and gold."

"It really was the perfect day," she said. "I'm so glad Abe gave you the day off. I was worried that he might not... you've been working so hard lately."

Smirking at his wife, he said, "I've got to keep the city of Salem safe, ma'am."

Marlena laughed again, watching as John tipped his imaginary hat towards her. "I love you so much."

Kissing her gently on her soft lips, he whispered, "I'm the luckiest man in the whole world, Doc. Life is pretty darn near perfect right now. I don't think anything could make it better."

Staring at him for a moment, Marlena glanced around at their children to make sure they weren't listening, and she whispered, "What if I told you I was pregnant?"

His eyes widened slightly as he stared into her hazel eyes. Rubbing his face against hers, he said quietly, "I'd say that my life just became fucking perfect."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I don't know why all the tree change in the fall

But I know you're not scared of anything at all

Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away

But I know I had the best day with you today

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~