“Do it again,” John said, watching me. “Do what again? ”
“That little breath you take, that little smile. It’s been a long time.
I’ve missed seeing you happy. ”
I laughed, lighter than I had in weeks. “I feel like I’ve gotten my life back. It’s a wonderful life, you know.
I’ve got the most wonderful man to share it with. ”
Then I saw it. The brand on his chest, the mark Stefano had left on him. My smile faded.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. ”
“Hey, it’s all right,” he said, covering it. “I’m going to have it taken off.
The last thing I need is a constant reminder of my connection to DiMera. ”
“I wish it were that easy to get rid of Stefano. ”
He put his hands on my shoulders. “No more thinking about Stefano.
From here on out, we’re going to concentrate on Sami’s freedom and our future. Got that? ”
“That reminds me,” I said, stepping toward the door. “Whoa.
Where do you think you’re going? ”
“I thought I’d go get a newspaper. Wouldn’t it be great to read something positive about Sami? ”
“Yes, that will be great, and you’re going to do that.
But right now, I have a surprise for you. ”
“A surprise? Haven’t we had enough surprises in the last few days? ”
“Just close your eyes.
”
I heard him step away, then come back. When I opened my eyes, he was holding out a leather date book. “A date book? ”
“Now we can officially set our wedding date,” he said.
“And on the pages before that—appointments. Caterers, florists, bands, stealth fighters. You get the idea. ”
“I do.
I love you so. Have I told you that in the last five minutes? ”
“I never get tired of hearing it. ”
Across town, Vivian was at the townhouse, rearranging a flower arrangement with sharp, impatient hands.
“Can’t you put a little more pizzazz in that? ” she snapped at the florist. “Some wisteria or orchids. I adore orchids.
”
Nicholas came in, surveying the setup. “You’re really going all out for this party. ”
“Why not? Stefano’s footing the bill.
He’s certainly not going to refuse me one of my last dying wishes. ”
“Well, he certainly tried his best to talk you out of it. ”
“Yes, but his guilty conscience over nearly killing me forced him to acquiesce. Thank heavens.
”
“There’s one problem with that theory, Auntie Viv. That man doesn’t have a conscience. ”
“Alas, I know that. But I have every intention of making him regret trying to control somebody like me.
”
Bo arrived, looking around the townhouse with intense purpose. “This is it, Hope. This townhouse holds all the answers. I’m going to find out what the hell happened to you… to us.
”
Stefano was at his own house when Eliana announced a visitor. Gina came striding in, all confidence. “Good morning, Steffy. ”
“Have you figured out how to get compensated for all of your efforts?
” she asked, circling him. “What must Marlena do to pay you back for all of those phone calls you made—the pleading, the begging, the stomping of the feet? ”
“Marlena does not have to know I’m not the one who helped Sami,” he said. “No, of course not.
She certainly won’t hear it from me. ”
“Should I assume you’re dropping by to tell me the paintings are all completed? ”
“I can’t tell a lie. Not quite.
”
“Not quite? Then what are you doing here? Those paintings have to be completed before that stupid party tonight at the townhouse. ”
“At the townhouse?
”
“Yes. Vivian is giving a dinner party at the townhouse tonight. Did I not tell you? ”
“Steffy, you can’t let her do it.
You’ve got to stop her. ”
“Why do you object? Is it because the paintings aren’t completed? And whose fault is that?
”
“Oh, Steffy, fear not,” she purred. “I just have a few finishing touches to put on the last painting. That’s all. Don’t worry.
I’ll take care of it. ”
“How could I not worry? I cannot risk having one of those masterpieces up on that wall. ”
She tried to soothe him, but I knew her too well.
She hadn’t even started copying the last original. And I saw the idea flash in her eyes—she needed to get Stefano’s mind off his precious paintings, and she knew exactly how to do it. “Your feelings for Marlena have not changed,” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. “They’ve just been put on hold.
That’s all. Bring back Father John. He’ll be completely loyal to you, which will leave poor Marlena alone and vulnerable… and you, my dear, will be right there to comfort her. Not such a bad plan after all, is it, Steffy?
”
Stefano watched her, considering. “I am not going to change my mind and bring back your old partner,” he said. “I’m not asking for myself. It would be good for you.
”
“What exactly would I gain by bringing back the old John? ”
“Everything. ”
After she left, Stefano’s thoughts turned darker. He remembered the way I had been hypnotizing John to remember his past.
The two of us planning to marry. If John became his old loyal self again, he wouldn’t have to deal with this threat to his power—or his obsession with me. The idea was taking root. At the townhouse, Bo was examining a painting on the wall.
“It was hanging a bit crooked,” he said when Vivian caught him. “I thought it might be hanging over something. ”
“Like what, a safe? ”
“Obviously, it’s not.
”
Nicholas watched him. “I thought you were convinced the real treasures were hanging on the walls, not behind them. ”
“We can’t rule anything out,” Bo said. “It’s not a coincidence that Princess Gina was a gifted painter and that DiMera gave Hope that talent when he transformed her into Princess Gina.
”
“Oh, God,” Vivian said. “The idea of that man transforming people, giving them talents, driving them insane. He just loves to control people. He’s going to have a big shock tonight because I’m the one who’s going to be in control.
”
She raised her glass. “A toast. To my imminent rise and Kate’s fatal fall from Victor’s grace tonight. ”
After Bo left, Nicholas pulled her aside.
“What is all this business about bringing down Kate? I thought this party was about getting back at Stefano. ”
“Oh, Nicholas,” she said. “Stefano’s downfall is just an added bonus.
My real motive for the evening, of course, is to get Victor back into my life and Kate out of his forever. ”
“And what if your plan backfires, Vivian? ”
“It’s not possible. It can’t happen.
”
“No one has ever brought Stefano down before. ”
“But that’s why our success tonight is going to be so sweet. ”
“I’m just afraid you’re underestimating him. ”
“Darling, I can handle Stefano.
Look how I convinced him I was dying. ”
“Auntie Viv, maybe you shouldn’t keep that secret any longer. ”
“Why would you suggest something like that? ”
“Because I’m afraid that if you anger Stefano enough tonight, he’s going to kill you for real.
”
That same morning, John had his own plans. He walked straight past Eliana into Stefano’s office. “We’ve got a little business to take care of, DiMera. ”
Stefano waved Eliana away.
“So, John, what brings you by? What kind of business exactly do you and I have together? ”
“I’m putting you on notice, pal. You have manipulated Marlena’s life for the last time!
”
Stefano just watched him. If he granted Gina’s request and turned John back into the old John, the one loyal to him and only him, he wouldn’t have to deal with this… ever again. Meanwhile, I was back home, humming, when the doorbell rang. I opened it to find Gina standing on my doorstep.
“Good morning, Marlena. ”
“Hope. If you’re looking for John—”
“No, actually, I’m not,” she said. “I’m here to talk to you.
You see, I think it’s time that we cleared the air… don’t you? ”
I felt a chill run down my spine. The woman who wore Hope’s face—the woman DiMera had created—was standing in my doorway, and I knew with absolute certainty that nothing good was about to come from this conversation.
