You're Still The One

When I first saw you, I saw love.......

He was lying in bed at the Salem Inn. It was the last night he would ever spend as a single man and he couldn't wait for it to end. As he imagined what was to come, he thought of what once was, a lifetime ago. He thought of that first uncertain encounter when he was as lost and alone as a person could ever be. She was the first person who cared, the one who reached out to him in his time of need, the one who showed him love, the one who taught him *how* to love. It was Marlena who reached inside and touched his heart and soothed his tortured soul, all those years ago. Now... well over a decade later, she was still the one. His Doc was still the one who made his heart swell with love, who made his insides turn to mush when she smiled that brilliant sunlit smile of hers. She was all he ever needed and wanted, and he knew beyond all doubt that it was nothing short of a miracle that he had gotten a second chance at sharing a life with her. He made a solemn vow not to screw it up. No matter what happened, no matter what he learned about his past, they were going to stay together.

And the first time you touched me, I felt love.........

Marlena was thinking of him too. She was alone in her bedroom at the Penthouse and he was alone at the Inn, but only for one night. As she sought the escape of sleep, she wondered if he were missing her touch as much as she was missing the strength and comfort of his arms around her body deep in the night, wondering if he were wishing he were kissing her. John moved her like no other lover, his touch and his kisses stirring sensations she couldn't even begin to describe with the words provided by the English language. All she knew was that she could never live without him, and she made a vow that nothing would ever come between them again. Not Stefano's machinations, not his offspring, not an old love. Nothing and no one would ever be permitted to cause a separation again. She chuckled as she heard John's husky voice uttering that trademark emphatic phrase, "And that's a fact!"

And after all this time, you're still the one I love.......

"I, John, take you Marlena...to be my lawfully wedded wife.. to have and to hold, from this day forward..." He was imagining the moment in which they held each other's hands and uttered those solemn words. Eager and excited did not begin to describe how he felt as he thought about speaking the centuries old vows to the golden haired, hazel eyed beauty named Marlena Evans, whom he affectionately called Doc. He was literally beside himself with anticipation for the next day to begin. Abe and Bo had joked with Mike earlier in the evening about getting the man a Valium to calm him down, but Mike said it wouldn't do any good because it was a natural high John was on and there wasn't a pill for that, not that there should be. The intended groom laughed right along with them. All the good-natured teasing about giving up the bachelor's life, the jokes about losing his freedom; it was all inconsequential to him. There was nothing more he wanted to do than say goodbye to that lonely existence. Marrying Marlena and settling down into a normal family life with his two beautiful children was all he'd dreamed of for so long, he was half tempted to run off in the night with her and elope. It had been all he could do to go along with planning a real wedding and then waiting as the days passed with agonizing slowness, until that one special day was upon them at last.

Looks like we made it

Look how far we've come my baby......

She was doing the same thing. "I give you this ring as a symbol of our everlasting love and a token of my vow and with all that I am.. and all that I have I honor you..." Her heart was full of joy and there was a sense of peace in her soul that hadn't been there in years. Finally, tomorrow afternoon she would be married once again and forevermore, to the man she had loved from almost the first moment she laid eyes upon him.

We might of took the long way

We knew we'd get there someday.......

"Oh... John, we're going to have our dream," she said tearfully, as she gazed adoringly at his contented countenance in a recent photograph; it was one taken of the four of them while on a picnic. They had asked a passerby to snap it and it turned out as if it were done by a professional photographer. Actually, it was and they ended up deciding to hire the man to photograph their wedding. Even that made her smile. "I love you so very much... and I can't wait to walk down that aisle to you... to look into those bright blue eyes and see the love you feel for me... the love that will never again be hidden or denied. You've made me so happy, I feel so lucky to have you honey... I love you so...."

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong.........

It was very quiet in her room and she could swear she heard his soft reply. 'I love you too, Doc... and I'm the lucky one... I know that I'm blessed to have your love... and I promise I won't let you down, not ever again... Our love is forever...’

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life........

Maybe she was just remembering a combination of his words in recent days. Whatever the case, she believed with all her heart that they were going to be wed and that nothing would ever come between them again. It was a love that was written in the stars and the ceremony tomorrow would put the official seal on the bond that began to form that very first day in Salem's University Hospital, more than twelve years ago. As she drifted off to sleep, she saw his handsome smiling face leaning in for a goodnight kiss, the kind of kiss that moved her beyond description. "Mmm..." she sighed, wishing he were there to give her one in person, recalling the one from several months back when they were separated as a result of Roman's unexpected return to Salem. "Oh... what a kiss that was.." she said with a wistful smile. It had left her positively breathless.

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss goodnight......

John was remembering too. There were so many nights he'd spent wishing and hoping and praying for a miracle, for God to remove all the obstacles, to lift the heavy burden of guilt for hurting Roman and the Brady family and restore their love relationship. He remembered when the affair ended and he was so alone, grieving for the fact that it was over for good, yet a tiny part of his heart believing there would be a chance for them someday. Now, after so long, that time had arrived. It was almost like a dream that would come to an end, just like a thousand others he had through all the years they were apart.

Ain't nothing better

We beat the odds together

I'm glad we didn't listen

Look at what we would be missin'........

John gazed admiringly at her image in the family portrait they'd had taken recently. He smiled in fond remembrance of the day he asked her about it. She was quite pleased that he thought of it, but he didn't tell her that one of the reasons he wanted to do it was to make their reunion seem real. The photograph was visible proof of the love they still shared, the love that remained steadfast throughout the years, despite the outward appearance of sharing only a friendship. She was gazing at him with the most amazing expression on her face. It was much like the look she had on the day she came running up the hill in the wilds of West Virginia. For years he thought it was all about him being Roman, but that wasn't it.. He knew it now. All she really wanted in that moment was for him *not* to be Stefano, because she was already deeply in love with him. John smiled on the memory of seeing her joyful tears, and the wondrous sensation of her arms around him, and finally the freedom to tell her how he truly felt about her, "I love you, Doc."

They said, "I bet they'll never make it"

But just look at us holding on

We're still together, still going strong....

As the images from the past faded away, John too spoke to his love as if she were there with him, "Marlena.... I love you, now more than ever and I promise to be the best husband there ever was... I won't hurt you... not *ever* again... and I won't let anyone else hurt you either... This love, this family.. is going to last for all of time. "

You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life........

At last, the day was dawning, the sun shining brightly in an azure sky with a few wispy clouds for effect. It was perfect. The day she had waited for, the day she longed for had finally arrived. August 22, 1999, thirteen years to the day after their first wedding, she and John Black were to be married. It was a day that would legally bind them together, although they were in many ways united for all of those years, at least in spirit. A special soul deep bond was formed that first day and there was nothing on earth that could truly sever it, although that sick, twisted version of a family called Dimera had surely tried. Not today.Tony and Kristen were dead, Peter was in jail, and Stefano had for all intents and purposes been neutralized. John and Marlena were going to marry on the lawn of their new home, surrounded by all of their friends and family. It was to be symbolic of their new beginning. Nothing was going to spoil it for them, not this time!

You're still the one.......

The intended groom was wandering around aimlessly watching the clock. By the time there was an hour left, he was pacing steadily and his friends couldn't take it any longer. Bo and Abe were standing a few feet away observing when Bo said, "That's it! I can't take it... Let's get him to the house, let him wear a path in the grass for a change."

"Sounds like a plan to me, Bo...." Turning to his best friend, he said, "Hey buddy... let's go on over to the house now... I'm sure there's something you can do to work off this nervous energy of yours."

"Who me.... nervous? I'm not nervous... I just want to get this show on the road... " His buddies groaned simultaneously and he looked up innocently and said, "What?"

"How many times has he said that one, Abe?" asked Bo teasingly. Abe pulled out the calculator and pretended to check something, then said, "Oh.. about a dozen now..."

"Well, it's got the other one beat by about two I'd guess, but they've been running neck and neck," said Bo with a wide smile, seeing that his strategy was working very well.

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of

You're still the one I kiss goodnight....

Thoroughly confused, John asked, "What other one?"

"You know... " I wonder if she's thinkin' about me... I can't wait to see her... Oh, and we can't forget this one... "I can hardly wait to start the honeymoon. That one's right up there too," he joked.

You're still the one.......

He was embarrassed and not altogether sure they were joking, so he said, "You're kidding right.. I haven't said those things that much... have I?" Looking at the smiling faces of his best friends gave him the answer. John was anxious and talking a mile a minute. He shrugged and said, "Okay... so I'm a little worked up, but you gotta admit... it hasn't exactly been a smooth ride to matrimony for Doc and me. I've got a right to be nervous."

You're still the one I run to.......

"He's got a point, Abe..." Bo said agreeably.

Remembering a few of the setbacks and countless conversations with John about his hidden feelings for Marlena, Abe sighed with relief that those days were over, and said, "Yes... I guess he does...alright, we'll cut you some slack So, you ready buddy?" Abe asked, looking at John and then glancing over at Bo to see if he caught the cue.

The one that I belong to

You're still the one I want for life.........

Before John could answer, the other two looked at each other, making him wonder as he began to reply, "I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life!" All three men said the words at the exact same moment and then they broke into a round of laughter, John the heartiest of them all. When he recovered he said, "I uh... I've said that one a few times too, huh?"

"Uh huh!" they said, laughing at his sheepish grin.

You're still the one.......

Marlena looked at herself in the mirror, one last time and they all gasped at how stunningly beautiful she looked in the gown she'd chosen... a longer cut this time. It was flowing, more like a typical first bride wore. With her were Lexie, Laura, Maggie, Carrie, and even Sami... though it had taken a miracle to heal the rift between them after the young woman's last stunt. "Oh... Marlena... you look so beautiful and so full of joy. I am SO happy to share this day with you... my dear friend." That was Maggie and her sentiments echoed all the others. It was the most special of days and so long in coming.

You're still the one that I love

The only one I dream of.......

"You deserve this joy... you and John have waited a very long time, " said Lexie as she felt moisture forming, despite her efforts to keep it at bay for Marlena's sake." Abe and I are thrilled to be a part of this wedding."

Carrie couldn't stop the flow of tears, and decided to stop trying. She knew how difficult all the years apart were for Marlena... as she had been kept from the man she loved as well. "I am so... excited for you. You should see John out there... he's grinning from ear to ear... I've never seen him so happy, Marlena... This is.... the best day... I love you both.. so much! Thank you for letting me share in your joy."

Marlena was having great difficulty stemming the flow of tears as well.. It was such an emotional day. It was almost unreal to be so filled with love and joy and peace. "Oh... Carrie... everyone... I'm so happy to be here.. with all of you.. to share my day with you... I'm so in love and SO very happy! I can't wait to go out there! Finally, we're going to be married!" she cried, dabbing at the everpresent moisture with the borrowed handkerchief. They shared one last round of tears and then engaged in a group hug before the ladies walked her out to the spot where she was to begin her graceful stroll down the grassy aisle to the man she loved and with whom she was to spend the rest of her life in love and marriage.

You're still the one I kiss goodnight.......

John stood up front at the specially built altar; he was fidgeting, messing with his cuff links and the little bow tie, trying hard not to chew on his right thumbnail. Abe was working hard at distracting him with talk of baseball, but it wasn't working at all. John just kept staring at the place where his bride was soon to appear and muttering about his love for Marlena and his desire to begin the ceremony that would officially bind them together for the rest of their days on earth.

Then, all of a sudden, she appeared, looking like an angel sent down from the heavens, the sun shining down, casting glimmering highlights in her hair and soft shadows on her face. John swooned and Abe and Bo instinctively reached out a hand to steady him as he reacted powerfully to her radiant beauty. "Oh.. Abe, Bo.. look at her... just look at her! She's SO beautiful!" he whispered with intensity, louder than he thought. Shawn and Caroline were within earshot and had to smile at his youthful jubilance. After all that had come to pass, it was so very clear that this man loved Marlena more than one could truly describe and the couple deserved to be happy together. Their love simply could not be denied. It was a true and honest love that was meant to be. Anyone could see it, if they looked at John as he gazed hypnotically toward his bride while she glided ever so gracefully down the aisle to him.

Marlena had the same dreamy expression on her face, but what was most striking about her appearance was the peace and serenity that shone forth from her glistening hazel eyes. It was as if she were finally allowing herself to be truly happy in every sense of the word, to let go of the past and fully embrace her love for John. She was walking down that aisle into her future without reservation. That was a sight for sore eyes to see, even for the parents of the other man to whom she had once pledged her heart.

The ceremony began and then seemingly before they even knew it, came the moment so long awaited and they heard the words they longed to hear, "I now pronounce you, husband and wife... Ladies and Gentlemen... I present to you... Mr and Mrs. John Black." A healthy round of applause and a chorus of 'Oohs and Ahhs' was heard throughout the outdoor sanctuary. When they reached the end of the aisle, they glanced back toward the altar, at all the people who wanted to share in their happiness and then looked at each other, wearing twin expressions which were the embodiment of pure joy and a slightly stunned amazement that their dream had actually become a reality.

Tears streaming untouched down his slightly flushed cheeks, John flashed that gleeful grin and exclaimed ecstatically, "We did it, Doc... We made it!"

As he swept her into his arms, and kissed her with urgent passion, Marlena was weeping with joy as well. She stared into his brilliant blue eyes and replied elatedly, "Oh... yes we did, my love....Yes we did!"

I'm so glad we made it

Look how far we've come my baby.......