I've Loved You Before

Chapter 24 - It's Just a Cup of Coffee

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It's just a cup of coffee

He's only passin' through

There is nothin' more between us

Than a memory or two

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Marlena stared at her reflection in the mirror, and adjusted her sweater. It was a soft beige cashmere cardigan that held a million memories. John had given her the sweater. It was one of the items she'd found in a box at the back of his closet when she'd first returned to Salem. She'd tried not to read too much into it initially. Sure, he'd saved some things, probably so Sami could have them. But that seemed wrong, because he'd saved her old, pink robe. There hadn't been any value in that, except that she'd worn it nearly every night they were married. It was worn, with snags in the fabric. Certainly not worth saving. Marlena could imagine John in the quiet at the back of the closet, holding the silky fabric between his fingers. Did he miss her that much? Had her death affected him so deeply he couldn't part with it? She thought about her first night back in their home.

She opened the bedroom door, intent on going downstairs for a cup of tea. Stepping into the hallway, she stopped short watching Roman pull his t-shirt over his head just before he started to step inside the guest bedroom. He was beautiful, and often people considered men handsome, but Roman was absolutely beautiful. Marlena was struck again by how differently she remembered his body. Softly, she said, "Oh... hi..."

"Hi," he whispered, turning around. He held his t-shirt in his hand limply as he stared at her. His eyes scanned over her as if he would memorize every line of her body.

Marlena's hand fluttered to her chest, "I found my old robe in–in a box in the back of the closet." He took her breath away. Her eyes roamed over his bare chest, and she felt her lungs constrict. Five years she'd been gone, but it felt like nothing. Her last memories were of her falling asleep with her cheek pressed against his warm skin, and their bare legs tangled together.

"Yeah, I, uh..." He stared at her as if he couldn't find his words. His eyes wandered over her, and his lips parted. He seemed nervous, and Marlena found it endearing. He leaned against the doorframe, propping himself up on his hand, as he leaned in slightly. "I forgot to, uh, have Goodwill come and pick that up I guess."

She had a feeling it was intentional. The items in the box seemed to hold sentimental value. Her wedding dress, a beige cashmere cardigan he'd gotten for her as a gift when they were married, a white bandana that she'd used to hold her hair in place when they were driving in a convertible on their honeymoon, a white, black, and yellow sweater she used to wear all of the time, a cotton nightgown with lace and cap sleeves, and the robe she was wearing. A pink, satin robe with snags along the seam. None of it held any value to him other than memories.

She smiled at him, "Lucky for me."

He gave her a crooked grin, that had her blushing slightly. His eyes went serious as he continued to stare at her in awe. She knew he was still in shock about her return. She was in shock when she realised how long she'd been gone. There was no way to prepare for a dead spouse coming back into your life, alive and well.

"Are you okay?" she whispered. She worried about him. He'd been so quiet since they arrived at the house.

"Okay?" he asked in confusion.