The Christmas Wish

Written by Sandra H. Bondelier, December 1997

The Time: Christmas Eve in the year 2012

The Place: Salem's Exclusive Assisted Living Facility: The River's Edge

Story Synopsis: John Black and Marlena Evans, though they clearly love each other deeply, have been kept apart for almost three decades by the presumption of death, the plotting of evil schemers, possession, kidnappings, the return of old lovers, and any other lame excuse the writers could think of to keep the fans holding out some distant hope for a reunion and wedding and a happily ever after scenario that they never planned to deliver.

We always said our love was meant to last a lifetime

But somehow we lost our way and you are no longer mine

On this Christmas Eve, if I could have just one wish come true

It would be the one where I spend the rest of my days with you....

John Black is recovering from yet another surgery on the knee he injured back in 1992. It has just never been the same since he fell through the first floor of that warehouse and was trapped in the basement with Marlena Evans. He hates the agonizing pain he feels in the knee, but he is thankful nonetheless because that experience was what eventually led them to admit the love they still felt for each other. Shortly afterward came *the affair* which he still looked back upon with bittersweet memories. The love they made was not cheap and tawdry as some had made it sound in the circles of gossip that circulated at St. Lukes or as it would seem if one read about it in one of those dime store romance novels. No, it was ethereal, almost metaphysical, the lovemaking they shared during their brief liason. It was born out of a most rare form of love and desire, which precious few have the privilege to experience in their lives, and John had never encountered anything like it before or since. Those memories were forever etched in his mind as were the ones from their brief reunion and engagement period in 1997, which had sadly ended before the New Year with the fallout from the return of Roman Brady.

Between the manipulative scheming of Kristen Blake and Stefano Dimera and the relentless pressure of the Brady twins, Sami and Eric, they never did get married, much to their dismay. Marlena ended up marrying Roman early in the following year to avoid hurting the man again and to please everyone else, thereby sacrificing her own happiness, which was all she seemed to know how to do.

Since that time, John had been in and out of a series of disastrous romances, none of which could ever compare to the love he felt for his Doc. It left him alone and somewhat bitter and here he was at age 59, staying in this *damn* nursing home recuperating, all alone for yet another Christmas. He had tried to hold off on the surgery so he could spend the holidays with Belle and her boyfriend, but the pain had become so bad lately that he couldn't even make it across a room without falling down in sheer agony. Dr. Mike Horton and his wife of nearly ten years, Carrie, who still thought of John as a father figure, Marlena and several others had convinced John that he desperately needed to have the knee replacement surgery. After much resistance, he finally relented, albiet grudgingly because it made him feel like an old man. He became convinced it was his only option when a week or so before the procedure was scheduled, the knee gave out and he slipped and fell on some ice outside Titan Publishing. It was after a board meeting and thankfully Marlena was there with him, and eased him down or he could have seriously damaged more than the knee. When Marlena saw how much pain he was suffering, she started to cry for him; they embraced and he looked longingly into her eyes and caught a glimpse of the abiding love he felt and still wanted to see from her.

Despite the painful breakup and angry hurtful words they had exchanged when she broke off their engagement, they maintained a strange sort of friendship which had always been a cross between the platonic and the romantic, and he still loved her with every ounce of who he was. John was resigned, however, to spending his life alone after a couple years of trying to find someone else to love. He had been living alone now for nearly 15 years and he despised it, but he knew he could never really settle for less after the calamitous results that came out of his ill-fated relationship with Kristen Blake.

So, there he was on Christmas Eve...sitting in a wheelchair looking out the window at the Salem River, watching the snow fall and wishing he was with Marlena as her husband, lying by a fire in the house they always dreamed of sharing. Fifteen years later, the holidays were still a difficult, unhappy time for him because they reminded him of the breakup; it had happened just before Christmas. Tears of regret and loss came to his eyes and began to stream silently down his cheeks as he thought of what once was and what might have been. Holding out her picture in front of him, he spoke as if she were there, "Oh, Marlena...how did you slip away from me? I wish... Oh, how I wish we could be together. I still love you so much, my life has never been the same without you. I'll always love you, Doc!"

Suddenly, he saw her hazy reflection in the foggy glass; she appeared in his doorway like an angel of mercy and an answer to prayer, looking as beautiful as any 65 year old woman ever had a right to. In his eyes, her beauty was ageless and she was the most gorgeous creature his Lord had ever made. Tearfully, she said, "Oh, John...after all these years, you do still love me."

He was positively shocked to see her standing there and thought for a minute to backpeddle, but decided there was no point in denying it any longer, so he answered honestly as he wiped away his tears, "Yes... I told you that our love was meant to last forever when we let each other go that day at the pond and I meant it, Doc. My life has been so empty without you, I've missed you so much!"

She sighed in sad commiseration as she stepped into the room and sat down in a chair, "Oh, and I you... I'm so sorry I made the wrong choice again! Roman and I are through, John. It took us much too long, but we finally admitted the truth, the marriage is finished. The final papers were filed last month." There was a long awkward silence that followed and neither knew quite how to fill the empty space that stretched between them. Marlena decided not to waste another second pretending and said, "John... I love you, honey. I still love you, I never stopped. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me for leaving you again?

He was in shock, "Doc.....what are you saying? Do you mean you still want me after all this time?" Gesturing to himself, he said, "Look at me, Marlena, I'm a mess, my knee's all busted up, I'm in lousy shape... but not you. You're as beautiful as the day I first laid eyes on you."

She blushed slightly and whispered a thank you for his sweet comment and then said, "John....stop that, you are still the most gorgeous man in the world to me, and you always will be. I love everything about you and I always have. Don't you ever put yourself down like that."

He nodded and said, "Okay..I won't, I guess I'm just having a rough night," then paused before continuing, "Marlena...do you really think we could...have a chance to be happy together, after everything that's happened? I don't think I could take it if we tried and..you...left." He shut his eyes, remembering the agony he felt when she told him she was going to remarry Roman instead of him. "It almost killed me the last time, Doc," he whispered.

The pain in his eyes and in his voice when he said it was so profound and she hated to know she had put it there, "Oh...John, I know it did. I'm so sorry. I should never have given in to the pressure from the family; I should never have sacrificed our happiness again. I don't know how you can even stand to look at me after how much I've hurt you. Maybe I should..go." She rose from the chair where she was sitting and made a slight move toward the door, reconsidering what she should do.

John stood up awkwardly with the crutches and tried to hold her, but lost his balance and she had to catch him and ease him back down into the chair again. "So much for playing the romantic lead...huh? I can't even stand up to hold you, Doc. What I was going to tell you was that I will always want to look at you and I will always love you." His voice softened and he suddenly seemed so vulnerable as he told her the truth, "But, I won't lie to you, Marlena. You hurt me like I've never been hurt before or since when you broke it off with me and married him again. I wanted to die, it hurt so bad. But, I knew the kids needed me, so I found a way to survive it."

She nodded tearfully, her heart full of remorse, remembering the first two years; she couldn't bear to even look at him then, he was suffering so much. "You nearly killed yourself with work if I recall, burying yourself at Titan and the Toscano Foundation, and all your other business ventures. That heart attack almost did you in, but you managed to beat that too, didn't you?" With a slight smile she said, "I think you must be indestructible, John Black."

He laughed harshly, "Yea...just call me Superman...except of course for this bum leg of mine. It's never been the same since...." his voice trailed off, not wanting to take them on another painful trip down memory lane.

She couldn't stop crying for his pain, "Since...the warehouse... yet another example of your...goodness, bravery and heroism. You were always there for me when I needed you, John. And I kept hurting you, pushing you away. Oh, John...I'm sorry...honey, I'm so sorry!" She stopped as she saw the tears welling up in his eyes and had to look away. There was a lifetime of pain behind those sad blue eyes, much of it because of the unfulfilled love he felt for her and it was so difficult to face the fact that she caused the bulk of it. Her eyes then landed on a image of him. Glad for the momentary diversion, she picked up the financial magazine with his picture on the cover and reported on it. "Entrepreneur of the Year...again. You've built quite an empire for yourself, John. I must say I am very impressed with everything you've done. With all your business success, and your generosity you have kept virtually every legitimate charity in Salem going with your donations and even the hospital would be operating in the red if it weren't for you. You've become a highly respected and very successful man, John."

He sighed with immense weariness, "A lonely man, Doc. A very lonely man. Aside from helping people through the charities, all that is nothing more than a distraction. It doesn't mean a thing to me."

"Gee, just think what you could have done if you were really trying, John," she said, working to find something to make him smile; she missed that gleeful grin of his, she hadn't seen it in years.

He saw a chance to change the subject and took it, "You know, the only thing that made me feel good about having all the money was being able to send the kids to the private schools they wanted to attend. That made me happy. They're doing so well, aren't they?" he asked as he looked over at their high school graduation pictures. He brought them with him while he was recuperating, it helped to see them smiling proudly. It reminded him of his main purpose in life, being a loving responsible father to his children, Belle and Brady.

Marlena followed his eyes and reached out to pick up the photos off the bedside table and agreed. Smiling with pride, she said, "Yes, they are. Speaking of which, can you believe Brady decided on the Priesthood?" His face bore an odd unreadable expression. Was it regret for himself and the life that was stolen and never really recovered, displeasure about his son's choice, or something else. Marlena couldn't tell and she had to ask. "John....are you okay with that or does it upset you?"

He sighed heavily and answered uncertainly, "Oh, I don't know what I think about it, Marlena. I guess it makes me wonder how my life would have turned out if I had never crossed paths with Stefano. He caused me so much pain and sometimes I find myself wishing I could have just stayed a priest and lived a simple life in some parish helping people get to know God. And then...I feel so...strange because that would mean I would never have known you and I could never regret that, no matter how much I've suffered for loving you. Marlena, you have to know that the time I had with you...was the best I ever was, the best I ever felt about myself, about my life, everything!" Despite his intensive efforts to hold the feelings of grief inside, he began to cry.

She leaned down to hold him, and then released him when she felt him stiffen in her arms. "Oh, God, John! We should never have let guilt rule our lives, what a mistake it was to do that! We both gave up our happiness, why did we do that, John?" she cried.

Shaking his head sadly, he sighed heavily and said, "I don't know, Doc. I've spent almost 20 years trying to make sense out of what happened between us. You know that was what I tried to tell you that day when you...ended it." He became suddenly angry, "I told you that it was a mistake to marry him again! I knew you didn't feel for him what you did for me, but you wouldn't listen, Marlena. You threw our love away and you...ripped my heart out! I gave you everything I had inside and you chose Him, again! I couldn't believe it; for so long I kept telling myself that you'd figure it out and you'd come back to me, but you didn't." He repeated it softly, forlornly, "You didn't." After a long pause he said with a sardonic smile, "You want to hear something funny, Doc... pathetic, really…I kept the ring....all these years..I've kept the ring."

"Oh, my God, John!" was all she could manage through the river of tears that poured out for the pain she had caused him. Marlena believed he had more to say and waited patiently, it was the least she could do to hear him out again. He was quiet for a few minutes and then said as the tears continued trickling out, "You know....I'm getting pretty tired, I think we better call it a night. Thanks for stopping by, but it hurts too much to see you....tonight of all nights, it's just too painful. Could you please go now, Doc?" he asked, his voice a throaty tearful whisper. She felt her heart breaking for him even more when he winced while making an awkward move to climb into the bed. John always hid his physical pain so well, he must be hurting very much if he let her see it now.

She reached out a restraining hand and argued quietly, "No, John, I don't want to leave you. It's Christmas Eve for goodness sake, nobody wants to be alone on Christmas Eve."

"I've spent a dozen Christmases alone, why should this year be any different, Marlena?" he said bitterly. Then more pleasantly, he said, "Please, go on home. Besides, weren't you supposed to spend the weekend with Belle and her new boyfriend, since I...can't?"

"No, I'm not, they decided to spend the day at his parents and then come back to town the next morning. I hope that I'm going to spend it with you. John, I came here to do something and I'm not leaving until I get an answer to my question." In her mind, she wondered briefly if it was just too late, but she didn't let that thought stop her. She took his left hand and knelt down next to his wheelchair.

"What are you doing, Doc?" he asked, completely curious.

"I'm reversing the tradition." She took a small black velvet covered box out of her coat and he gasped. Next, she spoke the words of love he had longed to hear. "John Black, I know that I have hurt you…immeasurably..and I have no right to even be here with you now. But, I also know that I still love you with all my heart, all my soul and all my mind. So, would you please do me the honor of becoming my husband? Will you please marry me, John?"

He was awestruck and totally speechless, overcome by a myriad of emotions. All he could do was stare at her incredulously, his mouth wide open.

“Aren't you going to answer me?"

Tears filled his eyes again and started to spill out a few at a time. She reached up to wipe them away and he captured her hand and kissed it softly. Finally, he found his tongue. "Do you mean that, you really want to marry me, now....after all this time?"

She was crying too and nodded, and then said, "Yes, I do mean that, John. I was a complete fool to let you go. So, will you please say yes, John? I promise you, right here and right now, that I will NEVER leave you and I will NEVER hurt you like that again! Will you please marry me?"

John broke down in tears, "Oh, Marlena....yes, yes! I love you so much! I didn't think we.. would....ever get....another chance...Oh, Doc.." He was completely overwhelmed with emotion and she pulled him into a firm embrace that lasted a long time. Then he spoke again, still crying. "I've been so...lonely without you! I've missed you so much, but I have to be sure of something." Wiping a few tears off his cheeks with the knuckles of his closed hand, and sniffing slightly, he asked painfully, "You aren't.. doing this out of guilt for hurting me or because you feel sorry for me somehow, are you?"

She was sobbing for how hard it must have been for him to ask that question, but managed to tell him how she still felt about him and her choices, "Oh, John, no..that's not the reason at all, honey. I asked you to marry me because I love you and I have never stopped loving you and I know that I should never have left you. It was the worst mistake of my life and I will regret hurting you for as long as I live, but I really want to spend the rest of that life as your wife, John, if you'll have me."

His heart filled with joy and he replied positively, "Oh, Baby, you know I will. And, you've got me too! You've always had my heart, but now you've got every part of me from this moment on." John took her into his arms and kissed her with the fire of decades of pent-up desire and she was astonished at his unfailing ability to take her breath away. He paused afterward as if trying to recall something and then said, "You know I'm pretty sure there's a minister here tonight."

Her eyes danced with delight, "There is? Then, let's get married tonight and we can go before a justice of the peace to make it legal later on. What do say, John, will you marry me, tonight?"

He answered with a joyful shout, "YES! YES! " John stood up again and this time he didn't fall over. He stood up straight and tall, ignoring the pain in his leg so he could hold his forever love. "I love you, so much Marlena. I always have and I always will!" His eyes were finally sparkling brilliantly the way she'd remembered them from happier days.

"I love you too, John, and that's a fact!" she said to tease him, and the sounds of their blissful laughter echoed down the hallways. Finally, they were going to be together in every sense of the word, there was no one left to interfere with their love. Their chance at genuine happiness had arrived at long last. They were both smiling through their tears and they looked lovingly at each other and said at the exact same time, "God, I've missed that smile!" and then they held each other in silence for the longest time, content to embrace with the knowledge that their love had never died.

The story of a wedding and the history of the couple circulated around the facility grapevine at lightning speed and within an hour there were flowers and a cake, and decorations in the dining room and a stereo set up with romantic music to play for the reception. A marriage license had even been procured through the maneuvering of one resident's son, and the minister was ready. A recently retired cop, who was also recovering from knee surgery, happened to hear about the situation and took it upon himself to call Abe and Lexie Carver, who immediately called Laura, Mike and Carrie and they all arrived secretly and hid in one of the offices, waiting for the right moment to surprise their friends.

Even Belle, who was slightly less than an hour away and Brady, who stopped through to spend a few hours at her new place were on their way to The River's Edge. Brady had planned to come by and see his father in the morning anyway and was only too happy to come for this reason. It was too late for him to have the happy childhood he had always dreamed of with two parents, but he knew his father had secretly lived his life in a constant state of mourning and was thrilled to see Marlena come to her senses and decide to marry him.

For her part, Belle had been encouraging her mother to choose her own happiness before it was too late, so she knew it might happen and had rented Brady a tux and bought herself a dress. Both Belle (18) and Brady(20) were thrilled to get the news from the owner/administrator of the facility and jumped in Brady's Jeep and rushed to get there in time, though the adminstrator assured them that the ceremony would be held until they arrived. The boyfriend stayed behind, because he didn't know either parent very well and opted out.

An hour and a half later, the minister, who agreed to a shortened version of the wedding ceremony, was ready for the exchanging of vows. John was dressed in a mock turtleneck and black jeans, with one leg cut to accommodate the large brace on his knee, Marlena wore a tea length dress with a Christmas theme. Abe Carver was at John's side, Laura at Marlena's and in the first row of chairs were Belle and Brady, Lexie, Mike and Carrie and they shared smiles of great joy for John and Marlena, still in shock that the couple had finally found their way back together.

"Do you, John Black take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"You better believe I do!" he said enthusiastically.

"And do you Marlena Evans take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold...." Even at this age, they could hardly wait until it was time for the pronouncement.

"Oh, I do, I DO!" Marlena responded excitedly.

The minister guided them through a shortened version of the exchanging of rings ritual and went right to the final words, "Then, by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

John looked up and said politely, "Thank you." Then he pulled her down onto his wheelchair and kissed her with great passion and they were both breathless afterward. All the guests looked on with wide smiles of admiration gracing their aging faces. Weddings were such wonderful occasions and it made a lonely holiday for some of the residents so much brighter. John and Marlena's friends and children were thrilled that the couple finally made it to the altar undeterred, even if it was fifteen years later than expected.

Once the ceremony was over, John and Marlena had a chance to ask all the questions about how Belle and Brady, the Carvers and the Horton's found out and arrived in time for their wedding. They were ecstatic to have some of the people they loved share in their happiness. Abe was standing next to John, who was now holding himself upright with crutches. Abe leaned in close, put his arm over John's shoulders and said, teasingly, "Uh, John, I have just one thing to say...I told you so."

John tilted his head back and laughed heartily and when he finally recovered he turned to his best friend and said, "Yep...you did, partner. I don't mind hearing that at all, it just would have been a lot nicer if you could have said it about 15 years ago. But, as the saying goes, it's better late than never, I guess."

Hugging his friend firmly, he said, "Yes it is, buddy. I am SO happy for you, John! Enjoy every second of your life with her." Abe Carver was one of the close confidantes who knew how truly lonely John's life had been. On the surface John Black was the picture of success and glamor; he was extremely wealthy, he had homes all over the world and his handsome smiling face had graced the cover of every major business magazine and the center of every high society page, a beautiful woman always on his arm at some fancy event. Abe knew the truth, that was all for outward appearances. In all reality John was a sad and lonely man and now he was finally with his one and only true love.

Grinning gleefully from ear to ear, John said, "Oh, I will, partner, believe me I will. We're going to do everything together from this moment on. I'm going to ask her to go around the world with me, after this gimpy knee heals up, that is."

Abe remembered all the problems and obstacles that stood in the way of this couple's happiness and he silently prayed that nothing else would ever come between them. "Great, that sounds like just the way to start your new life, John. I hope everything works out well and that you have a wonderful trip."

"It will, nothing will ever...." Realizing that making that kind of sweeping generalization was the kiss of death for a love relationship in Salem, he corrected himself and said, "I'm sure we'll have a great trip and our life together will always be interesting, to say the least."

In the next moment, Marlena came over with Belle and Brady in tow, saying, "Would you look at these two, they were more prepared for a wedding than I was and I was the one doing the asking."

"Yea, well we've been pulling for you two for a very long time, Belle just knew he wouldn't turn you down," said Brady while moving in for a big bear hug from his father. "I love you, Dad and I'm so happy for you. I know how much you've always loved Marlena. Congratulations!"

After enjoying the embrace from his only son, he said, "Thanks, Brady. You know, your support has helped me get through some of the roughest nights of my life." The tears returned to his eyes as he recalled that there had been so many of those nights he couldn't count them, "Even when you were just a baby and your mother died. When my...heart was breaking and I thought I couldn't survive the pain, all I had to do was look at you and somehow I found a way to make it through till morning. And then, I'd wake up to your sweet face and good morning hugs and kisses. It was like that after Marlena broke off our engagement, I couldn't have made it through that without you."

Brady sadly remembered all the times he had heard his father crying in the night when he thought nobody could hear him and it brought tears to his eyes even now to recall how he wished as a little boy that he could find a way to ease the pain. "Oh, Dad..I'm so glad I could be there when you needed me! I want you to know that you have been the best father to me I could ever ask for. You always listened and you made it to every ball game, every important occasion. No matter what else was happening with your life or your work, you were always there for me and I'll never forget that. I love you so much and I'm gonna miss you when I'm off at Seminary."

"Me too, Slugger. Sometimes I still can't believe that you're all grown up and you don't need me like you used to, but you've become such a terrific young man. I'm so proud of you, son." John hugged Brady again, relishing the closeness they had developed and nurtured over the years. Neither man was afraid to show the affection between them in public.

Belle decided that it was her turn and leaned in close and asked sweetly, "Can we ladies get in on this mutual admiration society too?"

John's heart melted to look at her, she was the youthful image of her mother's beauty and he said, "Of course you can, Belle sweety."

She kissed her father on the cheek and said, "Oh, Daddy, I am so..happy...for you!" Her tears were flowing heavily already, she knew how much he wanted to be with her mother for all the years she could fully remember. "I'm so glad you get to have your dream, Daddy....I've prayed every day for all these years that you would find each other again someday and now it's finally happened!" She covered her mouth with her right hand in that same characteristic gesture her mother used when overcome by emotion. "I love you both so much!"

John was crying again too, his daughter loved him so much it literally amazed him. So many children end up siding with one parent or the other in situations like these, but not Belle, she loved them both equally and wanted them both to be happy. She realized at a very young age that neither was truly happy without the other and even though her mother seemed fulfilled in some ways with Roman Brady, she knew that in her heart of hearts, her mother loved her father. It became very clear to her by the time she became a pre-teenager, she could tell by the way her mother looked at him when she thought nobody was watching and by the way her father always found some reason to leave within a short period of time whenever he saw Marlena with Roman. "Oh, Belle baby...you can't know how much that means to me. I prayed for the same thing, but I...gave up on my dream a long time ago. You amaze me with your faith young lady. I love you so much!"

Still weepng she said, "Oh, Daddy.. You go out there and make her happy, and you take her on the most wonderful romantic honeymoon that ever was, will you please?"

He nodded and said excitedly, "You bet I will! What's a little money for if you can't spoil somebody with it? Believe me, sweety, I'm going to spoil your mother rotten for the rest of her days on this planet."

Marlena had been standing back, knowing how important this moment was for John and his children. She was amazed herself that they had never blamed her for his pain. They just understood it and comforted him when he needed it and continued to encourage her to follow her heart and do what made her happy, rather than what pleased everyone else. It took her long enough, but she had finally listened and decided to take their advice. "Well, I do like the sound of that, John...any hints about what you have in mind?" she asked, pulling him away from the small crowd, her eyes saying to their children, 'We'll be right back.'

When they were in a slightly more secluded spot, he answered, "Nope.... none at all, Doc. You'll have to trust me," he said it with that old familiar mischievious glint in his eye. "I guarantee you'll love it and that's all I'm going to say about it," he finished firmly, smiling at her determined look.

Marlena approached him and took his mouth in a hungry kiss and then asked, "What were you saying, my...irresistable husband?"

He cocked his head in that characteristic manner of his and repeated her last word, "Husband....are you sure about that, you better pinch me, I must be dreaming." She did so immediately and he said, "Ow, oh...boy, I'm not dreaming, you are my wife....wow!, I can hardly believe it!"

Marlena stared into his ecstatic eyes and said, "Oh, yes I am, and I couldn't be happier unless...I knew where we were going on the honeymoon." Then she captured his mouth again and kissed him intensely.

"I'm not telling, Doc." John was resolute, or so he thought.

She kissed him again, even more powerfully, and she believed he might weaken, "I'm still not.....telling," he said, breathlessly, sounding a little less convincing that time.

Once more, she kissed him with fiery passion and he swooned. "Woah, Doc.....well, maybe just one little hint." John took her in his arms and returned her kisses with that fierce desire he always had for her, pleased to find that it was there for them both, as if they were never parted.

As they made their way back into the dining room that had been set up for their impromptu wedding and reception, a beautiful song came on the stereo that was set up for them, one that played frequently during that short engagement period back in 1997. In the intervening years it had become a classic romantic tune played by lovers everywhere at Christmas and they gazed deeply into each other's eyes and John asked sweetly, "Care to dance Mrs. Black?" and she smiled that dazzling smile she saved only for this man and said, "I can't think of a thing I'd like more.... Well.... maybe just one thing." she added with a seductive smile and tone of voice.

He laughed and then winked and looked at her with that glorious charming smile she had missed for all those years. "Later, Doc...just a little later. I promise you it will be worth the wait," he whispered softly in her ear, as he guided her out onto the dance floor. Marlena laughed and he felt his heart fill with joy and he was at peace in his soul. At long last his wish was being granted.

Abe and Lexie, Mike and Carrie, Laura, Belle and Brady stood back and watched, feeling the moisture of joyful tears fill their eyes as they watched this bride and groom become lost in the dance, knowing they had waited such a very long time to find their true happiness in each other. Even with John on crutches, the newly married couple managed to sway to the music in a way that made them seem as though they were floating on air.......

Winter snow is falling down

Children laughing all around

Lights are turning on

Like a fairytale come true

Sitting by the fire we made

You're the answer when I prayed

I would find someone

And baby I found you

All I want is to hold you forever

All I need is you more every day

You saved my heart from being broken apart

You gave your love away

And I'm thankful every day

For the gift............

After listening and enjoying the feeling of being in each other's loving arms again for a minute or so, John silently thanked his Lord for making his wish come true and said quietly, "I'm so in love with you, Doc...I always have been and I always will be. And, now I am yours, pretty lady for the rest of your life," he finished, as a few of those blissful tears slid slowly down his cheeks.

"Oh, John...and I am yours, my brave, handsome, hero... I am yours...forever. I love you so..." she said passionately in return as some of those same tears moistened her cheeks. They both reached up instinctively and John wiped a few tears from her face with the pads of his thumbs and she used the tips of her fingers to return the favor. They gazed intently at each other and immersed themselves in the deep and abiding love they saw and then embraced again in silence as the music played on, their hearts and souls relishing in this moment, so very long awaited.

Watching as you softly sleep

What I'd give if I could keep just this moment

If only time stood still

But the colors fade away and the years will make us gray

But baby in my eyes you'll still be beautiful

All I want is to hold you forever

All I need is you more every day

You saved my heart from being broken apart

You gave your love away

I can't find the words to say

I'm thankful every day

For the gift....

John and Marlena were finally on their way down the right path once again. It had been a very long, very strange and tortuous trip, but their hearts were home at last and they could be happy together in love. For once in their lives there were no dark clouds above their heads, there were only blue skies and bright sunshine ahead for this loving couple. And, believe it or not, they really did live happily ever after.....

The moral of the story is:

True Love does indeed win out in the end like Alice Horton always said, God rest her soul. But sometimes, it sure does take an awfully long time.

Why, now, after all this time, you say?

Well, it is Christmas Eve, you know and the entire writing staff is off on vacation, so I say let's sneak one in there on em.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!!

(FYI---Stefano Dimera is long dead, killed by his adopted son Peter Blake while he suffered from Jungle madness. Peter subsequently died of that disease himself. Kristen Blake finally gave up on John after several attempts to seduce him had failed miserably. Humiliated by the rejection she faced from him and everyone else in Salem, she decided that he was too much of a downer anyway and left town after receiving a slap on the wrist from the justice system for all her crimes. Sami and Eric are very involved in their own nasty love triangles and are just too darn busy to bother with them anymore.)

Opening poem written by Sandra H. Bondelier, 1997

Lyrics appearing in body of story taken from song entitled "The Gift" from Jim Brickman CD of the same title, vocals performed by Collin Raye and Susan Ashton (1997)