Well my baby's wearin' a permanent smile
A satisfied look I ain't seen for a while
I ain't had no raise, fulfilled any dreams
But somethin's come over my baby it seems
It had been two months since they had made the divorce final. Those days were sheer hell for both of them. But lately, Marlena had been seen at more and more social functions. Her visage had started to gain back some of that vigor and sparkle it once had painted all across it. If possible, she looked more radiant and beautiful than ever.
John, on the other hand, had not faired as well. He hardly ever made the town scene and had become something of a hermit. This night on the other hand, was one he wasn't about to miss. This night held so many memories, and maybe, just maybe, they would spark the match that would set his life back aflame. Titan's fundraiser/ ball was quite the social event, and it was where John and Marlena had finally conceded that they were in deed in love with each other. John straightened his bow tie and smoothed his tux coat out. Tonight would be the night, and all of the dreams would become a reality again.
Marlena ran her hands down the front of her skirt, letting the silken material run through her fingers. She had tried to go on with her life, even dating a few men, but none of them were John. None of them could ever hold a candle to him. There was not one soul in this world that could love her like he did or be loved by her like he was. But it was that same love that had almost ruined her. Never again was she going to let a man do that to her, never. She still needed to have a life and be as alive as she could, so tonight would be the rebuilding of her soul and her dreams.
John entered the Penthouse Grill to find the party going full steam. His eyes wandered the place looking for some sign of his heart's desire. His head nodded towards the floor. "Maybe she's not coming. She'd know I would be here." John turned to go when a noise that he knew all to well caught his ears. She was here, she was happy. Turning on his heel, his eyes sought her form like a homing beacon. The target finally came into sight.
She looked radiant. Her dress a bright fuchsia that hung to just above her ankles, hugging every curve. The dress paled in comparison to her face, it was beaming and youthful. She seemed so at peace, so... over John. The men around her were dazzled by her charm and elegance.
John put his hand to his heart when he heard her laugh. It was a sound that drove daggers into his soul when that laugh wasn't put there by him. That laugh that so many times made his day. He hadn't put that giggle there with anything he'd done recently, or further back in time for that matter. He didn't know what had put that smile there, but he was going to find out. And then he was going to punch his lights out.
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my honey
Lord, I love that child love to see her smile
But these circumstances ain't funny
Where lies the danger, is he a stranger or a pal
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my gal
John walked over to where Marlena stood, a Scarlett surrounded by her beaus. With each laugh that bubbled from her lungs, John became even more incensed. Fist began to form at his sides. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, relishing her giggle, wishing he'd been the one to put it there. Standing just feet from her, he watched her. The smile that painted her face made his heart fill with love and devotion to her. John wondered who had healed her heart so well. She was becoming the old Marlena, the one he fell so hard in love with, and standing here so close to her, he remembered why.
"Who is it?" His mind kept asking the same question over and over again. The mixture of her perfume, her beauty and her laughter overwhelmed him and he turned to leave. Looking back over his shoulder at her, he vowed to find whoever was putting that smile on her face. Be it stranger or someone that he knew, they were going to lose and he would be the victor of fair Marlena's heart once again.
If I came home early Lord what would I find
Maybe I'd rather just walk around blind
I know baby loves me Lord I understand
I know how emotions can get out of hand
The night had ended and all the partygoers had drifted home. Marlena had hoped that John would be there, not knowing how close he actually was. She had once sensed his presence, catching a whiff of what she thought was his smell, sending a shiver up her spine. Turning, she passed it off as a dream when he was nowhere to be found. Opening the door to the penthouse, she paused before stepping in. A sigh escaped her lips. She slid the wrap off of her shoulders and threw it over the desk chair.
"Well, Marlena, here you are again. Alone and home early." She ran her hands up and down her arms, trying to shake some imaginary shiver. She didn't know why she thought maybe John would be there, that maybe something would come of the night. She shook her head to rid it of those thoughts and started up the stairs, sorry Brady and Belle had given her space and the night to herself.
John looked up at the ceiling. His heart beat fast and his hands gripped into fists. He wanted to go to Marlena's and talk to her, find out what was going on. He had kept his distance for too long and was at risk of ever trying to get her back. This divorce was never meant to happen and it was the wrong thing for both of them. John pulled his tie off, throwing it on the cabinet. Pulling his hands through his hair, he blew out a breath. His heart told him to go to Marlena and settle all of this now, while there was still a tiny flame burning. His head told him different, maybe he would find her in a situation that he wasn't ready to handle at the moment. He knew there was still that love they shared, but she had apparently moved on with her life. John's fists curled up at his sides. His emotions had taken the best out of him before and gotten him nowhere.
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my honey
Lord, I love that child love to see her smile
But these circumstances ain't funny
Where lies the danger, is he a stranger or a pal
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my gal
Marlena retreated back down the stairs, her nightgown kissing the floor. She didn't like to sleep in her bedroom anymore; there were too many memories, too many passion filled nights. She piled up on the couch and pulled the light blanket over her tired body.
For months now, she'd tried to convince herself she was over John, that she could get on with her life. The old Marlena could, but the old Marlena didn't have John Black in her life. He'd put so many new facets into her life and thrown out many of the old ones. She still had that fierce determination, that independence that she so cherished. But with John, it had mixed so well with his own traits that somehow, what she felt was what he felt. They were so in tune, but his search for his past and that all consuming desire to find out what happened to him, began to eat away at the strands that held them so tightly together.
Her eyes fought the sleep that pulled them close, and the dreams of a happier John and Marlena that was sure to follow. Finally succumbing to the dance that the sandman flitted on her lids, she smiled as the memories came back and sweetened her dreams. He would probably never know that these dreams are what kept her going and put the laughter back in her heart and the smile to her lips. These dreams of them happy and in love were healing her heart, even if it were only in her imagination. They were once real, and maybe after all was said and done they could be real again.
Wherever he is well, I'm callin' his bluff
I'm gonna start wearin' that good smellin' stuff
And I'll be the lover that I used to be
Whatever she's missin', she'll get it from me
John paced the floor, his hands wringing each other with great vigor. His mind played out so many variations of her and her new life. Each one played out the same, she told him to get lost and that she didn't need him any more. Each time, John felt a kick to his stomach and the pain in his head increased with a greater intensity. Finally, his pacing ceased. He rested his head on his hands, wondering what he could do to rectify they situation.
Snapping his fingers, he realized that two could play this game and it might even be fun. This was a fight to the finish, whomever was bringing that smile, that sparkle back to Marlena's face, was about to meet his match. He was tired of walking on the proverbial eggshells, now was the time to crack that egg and what came out.
Jumping the railing on the stairway, he jubilantly headed toward his room to get some much-needed sleep. Tomorrow was the beginning of the end of this mess he'd caused. Now, it was only a question of how to woo the love of his life back. Falling into the bed, dress shirt and all, he smiled and clapped his hands together. He'd be the man she first fell in love with. He pumped his fists in excitement, knowing just how to get her to remember. From his smell to the small things that meant so much to her, he was going to inhabit her life again, and make her long for the old days. This was gonna be fun!
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my honey
Lord, I love that child love to see her smile
But these circumstances ain't funny
Where lies the danger, is he a stranger or a pal
I've got a funny feelin' somebody's stealin' my gal
I've got a funny feelin', somebody's stealin' my gal