Unspoken

Chapter 27

November 13, 1992

Marlena rocked Ryan slowly back and forth as her hand softly caressed his spine. When the cabin was quiet, and she was alone, she often had memories come to her unbidden. It was no different then. She took a deep breath, and allowed herself to be in the moment. She had to feel them, live them. It was the only way she could move forward.

"What did you do to me?" she whispered, glancing around the room. She wasn't at Maison Blanche anymore. She didn't know where she was, but the air was humid, and the smell of dense vegetation was coming in the nearby open window. Mosquito netting surrounded her bed. "Where am I?"

Stefano smiled down at her. "That was a dangerous stunt you pulled at Maison Blanche, Marlena. Very dangerous. The dogs could have gotten you."

"Those dogs love me more than you," she said. "Where's Alais?"

"Alais is safe... for now. I need to ensure that you do not do something foolish again, like trying to escape." He came closer, attempted to touch her face.

Marlena jerked her head away from him. "Don't touch me!" she hissed with narrowed eyes. She closed them briefly when a wave of dizziness came over her. She'd moved too fast. Reaching for the blanket that covered her, she flipped it to the side, and started to get up. "Where is my daughter?"

"You cannot get up!" someone cried from the doorway. "You must rest for at least twenty four hours! Stefano, I told you this! She cannot get up!"

Marlena turned to face a slender man in a white doctor's coat. Turning her eyes to Stefano, she whispered in growing fear, "What did you do to me?"

Ryan laid his cheek against her chest, and his chubby hand played with the button on her flannel shirt as he babbled, "Ma-ma... ma-ma..."

"That's right, my little dumpling, I'm your mama." She kissed the top of his head, and continued rocking. Carrie had gotten Brady down for his nap nearly forty minutes earlier, but since Ryan was older and more stubborn, he was fighting it. Without thinking about it, Marlena started to sing softly, "The screen door slammed. Mary's dress swayed. Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio played. Roy Orbison singing for the lonely. Hey, that's me and I want you only..."

John smiled to himself as he approached the bedroom they were using for Alais, Brady, and Ryan. Carrie had Alais and Brady at the main house. He'd checked on them a few minutes earlier. Brady was sound asleep boxed in with pillows in the middle of the king sized bed in Marlena's old bedroom. Alais was in the kitchen with Martha making something called no bake cookies. He'd been confused about what those were until Carrie explained that it was basically a chocolate peanut butter fudge with oatmeal in it dropped onto a baking tray to cool. He wasn't picky. He'd eat it.

He peeked around the door, trying to gauge if Ryan was asleep yet. His son's eyes were heavy, and his hand absently tugged at a lock of Marlena's soft, blonde hair. He stepped back, heading towards the kitchen to prepare the vegetables for dinner. Marlena's gentle voice trailed after him, "Show a little faith, there's magic in the night..."

Marlena closed her eyes again, as she remembered realizing she was pregnant with Ryan.

She stared down at her hands on her abdomen. No. How? She felt Stefano's feral gaze on her. For two months she'd been confused about what was done to her in that surgical room on the other side of the compound, and suddenly... she knew. She was pregnant. Her gut twisted. No! "Why would you do this to me?" she cried.

"I needed reassurance, Marlena. Your failed attempt at escape was risky. A pregnancy ensures you will not attempt it again. It is quite difficult to escape with two children in tow." He reached for his glass of sherry, and lifted it to her. "I have plans for you, Marlena. Important plans."