It's Never Too Late

Chapter 6 - Keep Me Crazy

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I can hear a voice from the other side of the room

It says, yeah, I live a lie cause I like it more than the truth

I made my piece, I'm one with the war

But here you are without any warning

I'm out of breath but I got to say, say, say, say, say

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Marlena stared down at her pleated white skirt, and her soft beige cashmere sweater. John had gotten her that sweater. When she'd returned to Salem, after being presumed dead for almost five years, she'd found it tucked in a box in his closet, as if he could bear to part with it. Sami had told her once that he sometimes took it out and showed it to her, and that John said she could have it someday. When she'd exited the bathroom wearing it, he'd smiled and clicked his tongue in appreciation. She fingered the edge of the hem, smiling shyly to herself as she remembered it. It was now part of her wedding ensemble. She self consciously smoothed her hands over it as they reached the bottom of the stairs into the main room of the pub.

John lifted her wool wrap he was carrying. "Here, Doc. Put this on. It's cold out tonight."

He draped the warm fabric over her shoulders, and kissed her cheek, "Are you ready?"

"Yes," she whispered. And she was. She was more than ready. It was possible that when all of this was over, John would want to reconnect with Kristen, but while Marlena had him, she was going to love him with all her heart. She smiled up at him, "I'm ready."

"I told some people to meet us out front," he said, lacing his fingers through hers. "That way we'll have witnesses."

John was surprised to see that Bo and Hope had joined Abe, Lexie, Mickey, and Maggie out front. He glanced over, and Marlena's shy smile made it all worthwhile. He knew she'd only agreed to a hasty wedding because it was the best for the children, especially Brady, but he thought she looked beautiful, and she seemed happy.

Mickey patted John on the back, and leaned towards him as they started walking. In low tones, he said, "I think you've made the right choice here, John."

John glanced towards Marlena, realizing she was caught up in chatter with Lexie, and Hope, and he said, "I know I'm making the right choice."

"I'm not surprised," Hope said to Marlena.

"You're not?" Marlena asked her.

"He watches you," Hope told her. "He's constantly got his eyes on you."

Lexie smiled when Marlena's eyes widened in surprise. "Even when he should have been focused on Kristen... Marlena, John always knows where you are in a room."

Marlena glanced over at John, watching as he conversed with Mickey. Was that true? Her chest fluttered when he looked at her, and winked. The realization that she was about to become his wife caused a tremble to start in her muscles, and she knew John could feel it, when he squeezed her hand and leaned towards her, "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," she replied. "No... just... nerves. I'm nervous."

He grinned at her, pulling her close, and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "No need to be nervous, baby. We've done this before."

Baby. She shivered against him, and buried her face in his shoulder for a short moment. He'd called her baby, and that one word opened her heart wide. How badly she wanted their life together. Her, John, Brady, Belle... the twins - if they would forgive her. It was all she wanted.