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Date Posted: 19:03:28 03/05/01 Mon
Author: Kate
Subject: Repost: Homecoming Parts 1-5


Thursday, 28-Dec-00 16:46:14

205.188.199.22 writes:

It was an ordinary day in Salem, USA. The sun was shining. Stefano was plotting. Hope and Bo were worrying over
‘their’ son. John was wondering what to tell Marlena. The teens were running around town, wrapped up in their own
problems. Roman Brady was annoying his son Eric by pointing out Nicole was no longer his problem and trying to
help his daughter Sami prove that the father of her child was actually a murderer.

All in all, things were as they normally were. Or so it appeared…

“Trouble’s on its way.” Alice Horton sighed, and shook her head, moving around the kitchen of her home.

“What do you mean, Mom?” Laura Horton frowned.

“Thing’s are too quiet. Trouble’s coming.” Alice prophesied.

“Now, mom.” Laura started.

“Don’t.” Alice cried. “Don’t try to pacify me. I have had just about enough of everyone thinking I’m old and feeble.
Maybe I’m not as young as I once was, but my mind is still clear. And I’m telling you, something terrible is about to
happen.”

Laura was shaken. “How do you know?”

“You get to my age, you just know.” Alice sighed. “It’s something in the air.”

“Do you have a feeling of whom?” Laura frowned.

“Everyone.” Alice, sighed, took a deep breath. “Everyone in this town is going to feel the effects.”

“Everyone?” Laura was startled.

“Everyone.” Alice sighed, almost gloomily. “Bo, Hope and Shawn-Douglas will be among the first to feel the effects.”

“Does it have something to do with the baby?” Laura leaned forward.

“Yes. No. Maybe.” Alice frowned. “We’ll have to wait and see, but I am glad I have the house all nice and clean.
There’ll be room enough for half of Salem to stay here, if need be.”

Laura frowned again. She had never known her former mother-in-law to be wrong about something like this but
still…




Roman Brady brought the newspaper in from where it had landed on his front step. He opened it up, examining the
headlines. He sipped his coffee, and skimmed the news, as was his habit. He got all the way to international affairs
before he saw it.

Spitting out his coffee, Roman read the article, once, twice, three times. Every time it said the same thing. Every time
Roman knew it had to be lying.

“Fourteen clinics bombed in Israel.” He repeated out loud. “Oh, God, that’s all in the same area as Carrie.” His mind
clouded with panic as he thought of his oldest child, living in a dangerous foreign country.

He pressed a hand to his face. “God.” He breathed a prayer upwards. “Don’t let my daughter be hurt. Keep her safe
and bring her back to me. Please. Amen.”

He left the paper on the table, stood up and dumped the rest of his coffee in the sink. “Please.” He prayed again.

The phone rang. “Brady.” He grabbed it.

“Ah, Roman. Always a pleasure to hear from you.” It was Shane’s voice, English accent thick.

“Shane.” Roman smiled as he heard his former brother in law’s voice. “What’s up?”

“Did you see the paper yet?”

“Yes.” Roman felt a fist of dread squeeze his heart. “Oh no.” He whispered.

“I’m sorry Roman.” Shane’s voice was slow and ragged. “Her clinic was one of the one’s that was hit hardest.”

“Is she-,” Roman couldn’t get the word out.

“As far as we know.” Shane hated doing this to his old friend. He didn’t want to be the one to break this kind of
news. “We got her fiancé and his son out. They should be coming into Salem any day now.”

“Mike?” Roman’s voice was distant. “How could he be all right when my baby- my baby-,” Roman couldn’t force
himself to finish the sentence.

Shane couldn’t bring himself to say what he had to next. It was too cruel. But his superiors had ordered it… “We
didn’t actually find a body.” He knew Roman, knew the hope it would inspire in the other man. “But that doesn’t
mean anything-,”

Roman cut him off. “Doesn’t mean anything?” He cried. “It’s everything. Be honest Shane. If you were in my shoes- if
Jeannie was in a building that got hit, but they didn’t find her body what would you do?”

“Search the damn wreckage myself, just to be sure.” Shane’s voice was tired. “But you can’t do it.”

“Damn it, why not?” Roman growled.

“You hung up your badge with the ISA, remember?” Shane reminded him. “And the area around that building has
been locked down tight.”

“Why?” Roman choked. Now was not the time for tears, for grieving. That would come later. Right now anger was
safer. Much much safer.

“We were,” Shane sighed. “I asked Carrie if we could store some supplies in her clinic. She agreed, it should’ve been
that simple.”

“What kind of supplies?” Oh lord, Roman’s head ached.

“We told her they were medical supplies.” Shane said.

“But they weren’t.”

“No. They weren’t.” Shane agreed. “Anyway, a terrorist group learned of it.”

“Learned of what?”

“The supplies.” Shane sighed. “They broke in, hoping to rob the place. Figured they were after guns. But they
weren’t. They torched Carrie’s place first, then a whole series of clinics throughout the country.” He paused, letting
that sink in. “It’s hell Roman. They need a place to care for the wounded now more than ever. But there isn’t a single
place left, besides the hospitals. The hospitals are overcrowded. It’s just hell Roman.” Shane sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“What should I- How do I- What can I tell the family?”

“Tell them Carrie’s clinic, and a few others in Israel were bombed. Tell them she was killed.”

“But there wasn’t a body.” Roman protested feebly.

“The place was set on fire Roman. It’s ashes.” Shane sighed. “When Mike and Jeremy get in, tell them we didn’t find
her among the refugees. Tell them she’s gone. Get them to stay in the States, if you can. For now that’s the safest
place for them. And whatever you do, don’t let them connect the supplies back to us.”

Roman began to swear violently. “No, damn it, that’s not good enough.” He growled. “That’s why I left the ISA, too
many damn secrets. Cloak and blade, no one really knowing anything.”

“Roman, I broke a lot of rules just telling you this much.” Shane sighed. “I swear to you, I will find out who is
responsible for this.”

“And?”

“And I will make him pay.” Shane promised. “But you have to do your part.”

“You’ll keep me apprised.”

“Everything I know, you know.” Shane swore.

Roman laughed humorlessly. “That’s not saying a lot Shane.”

“I know old boy. But for now it’s the best I can give you.”

“I won’t tell anyone.” Roman promised.

“That’s good to know.” Shane’s teeth glinted in a quick smile.

“When are Mike and Jeremy getting in?”

“Any moment now. I expect they’ll go to the Horton’s.”

“Of course.” Roman’s emotions swirled like a violent sea. “How long have you known about-,” He was unable to
actually say ‘Carrie’s death.’ So he settled for, “this.”

“Three days.” Shane said, in a low voice. “I will find out who did it Roman.”

“I know.” Roman grumbled. ‘Not if I do first.’ He thought savagely.

“Stay in Salem. You’re getting to be an old man, and you’re out of practice. Out here, you could make mistakes.”

“Mistakes.” Roman repeated coolly.

“I’m sending my Jeannie to you. Take care of her.” Shane commanded. “She needs a father figure in her life.”

“And I need a daughter, is that it?” Roman asked angrily. “You can’t just replace Carrie.”

“No, I can’t.” Shane sighed heavily. “But I would rest easier knowing she was with you.”

“Why me?”

“You’re family.” He sighed. “If it’s too much of a burden to you I can send her to Bo.”

“No.” Roman protested instantly. “No, don’t do that.”

“She’ll be on the next flight into Salem. I’ll have the information to you shortly.”

“Goodbye.” Roman hung up the phone. He sagged into a chair, suddenly feeling ancient. His child was dead. How
was it possible? How could it have happened? His Carrie was so young. Roman did the only thing he could at that
moment. He cried.




Mike staggered off the plane. The ISA agent gave him a look that could almost be called sympathetic. “Good luck.”
The woman said softly. Jeremy staggered off the plane a few seconds later. The boy was 16, with his father’s sandy
hair and his mother’s dark brown eyes. “Is this it?” He asked softly.

“Yes.” Mike looked around Salem’s small, but international airport. “Yes, Jeremy this is Salem.” He felt no pleasure
at being home. The pleasure would’ve been if Carrie were there with him, to show his son the sights. But Carrie
would never come back home to Salem. The thought was almost enough to break him.

Jeremy looked around, evidently understanding his father’s feelings. “I wish Carrie was here.” He whispered. “I wish
Mom was here.”

“So do I.” Mike whispered. ‘Oh God, Robin, Carrie, how could you do this to me? Leave me all alone with him.
He’s a teenager. I don’t know how to raise a teenager. Robin, you knew him all his life, Carrie, he loved you. He
doesn’t love me. How can I take care of him? I barely know him.’

“Where are we going?” Jeremy asked dully. He didn’t really care.

“Home.” Mike answered. “We’re going home.”




“Oh, good she’s waking up.” The words seemed to be coming from such a far distance. She could almost see the
speaker…

The young woman’s eyes drifted open. “Ah, good.” A man said in brisk English. “How do you feel?”

“Bad.” It was an honest answer that spoke volumes.

The doctor’s eyebrows raised. “I’m not surprised.”

“What happened?” The girl’s voice was garbled, so the question came out “Wa hawend?”

“We were hoping you could tell us.” The doctor was evidently used to dealing with incoherent patients. “You were
found on the side of the road, and Mr. Donald here brought you in to the hospital. It is very fortunate for you that he
did. If he hadn’t you would have died.” The doctor spoke briskly, but there was an undertone to the words that the
young woman didn’t understand.

The young woman turned her head slightly, and caught a glimpse of her savior. “Thank you.” She tried to smile, but
found she couldn’t. Thank you came out sounding like “Ta coo.”

Her savior stepped forward. “It was nothing, Miss Fredricks.”

‘Fredricks.’ The young woman frowned as she wondered. ‘Is that my name?’ She was shaken as she took a deep
breath. ‘Why don’t I remember?’ “Who?” It came out as “Oo?”

“I’m a friend of your father’s. Shawn Donalds.” The man smiled, and the amnesiac young woman tried to smile back.
He seemed very familiar.

“Do you remember anything at all?” The doctor checked her chart.

“No.” The single word spoke volumes.

“Mmm, well, that’s no great surprise. Does make this a little sticky however.” The doctor sighed. “You don’t have
any identification, so we can’t really release you.”

The young woman looked troubled. “But you know me.” It came out closer to “Uh, oo oe ee.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem. I can gather Miss Frederick’s identification, doctor. May I have a moment alone
with her?”

“Certainly.” The doctor seemed relieved. “Let me get rid of that for you. Open up.” She opened her mouth and he
pulled out the gauze, the reason for her difficulty in communicating. “A nurse will be in shortly.” He lumbered away.

“Sorry about the lies, Carrie me girl, but they were necessary. You were a bonny lass not to contradict me.” Shane
Donovan beamed down at his niece. “Aye, it was a piece of work to find ye. But how in God’s name did you get so
far from the clinic?”

“Do I know you?” It was the first sentence that came out clearly.

The man froze. “You really haven’t an idea of who I am?”

“No.” She sighed. “I don’t know who I am either. Can you tell me?”

The man, who was a trained ISA just barely kept his composure. The daughter of the legend Roman Brady didn’t
know who she was. It was almost too sad. But maybe the agency could use this… Yes, they probably could. His
mind spun as he stared at her.

The young woman shifted uncomfortably. “Excuse me?” She croaked.

“Sorry Callie.” The man snapped to attention. “You’re Carol Fredricks. Family calls you Callie.”

“Who are you? Really?” She asked feeling very frightened.

“I’m your Uncle Shane. Don’t you remember me little one? You were a flower girl when I married your auntie.” He
answered. ‘Well, not a total lie.’ “Do you remember anything at all?”

“No.” She sighed. “I mean, you seem familiar but I just don’t know.”

“Sleep now little girl.” Shane was enormously troubled. “When you wake all will be well.”

She had more questions, but her body took over. Carrie Brady’s eyes fluttered close.

Shane Donovan frowned at the figure in the bed. ‘I can’t tell Roman. Not yet.’ He decided. ‘Not till we can pin down
who bombed the clinic. I’ll send her home, to Salem. Tell her she is ISA. Now that’s good.’ He frowned again. ‘I can
pull out the agent I have in there now, assign her to keep an eye on Stefano, John and Hope.’ He frowned.

‘Why not just tell them she is Carrie? No, I can’t do that. Someone arranged the hit on her clinic for a reason. Before
I can let her go back to her life I have to know why. It’s for her own protection. Time to get together some
identification on Callie Fredericks.’

‘Maybe in Salem, with so many familiar things around she’ll remember something. Oh, my head is all a jumble. I’ll
start by getting a birth certificate. I’ll tell her she works for the ISA, and send her to Salem. Order her to keep a low
profile.’

‘She’ll scout around for a bit, see what Dimera’s doing with himself lately. That will give the agency time to organize
what to do about those supplies. Oh, Carrie girl I shouldn’t have involved you. You’re so young.’ A wave of regret
poured over Shane at the thought of what this was doing to his old friend.

‘I can’t even tell Roman the girl’s alive. He’ll go mad for sure, when he does learn the truth.’ Shane sighed. ‘Once we
shut down whatever ring Dimera has going in Israel I’ll tell them everything. She’ll be mad enough to spit, but by then
it’ll all be over and done. She can go back to her young man, and they’ll live happily ever after. I hope.’ Shane sighed
deeply, touched his niece’s hair. “You’re going home darling.” He whispered to her. “You’re going home, you just
don’t know it.”




Jeremy crawled out of the car, followed by his father. They were both dead tired. Mike walked up the short driveway
with an air of weary cynicism. He knocked on the Horton’s front door, once, twice.

It flew open, and he saw his mother standing there. “Mom.” He cried.

“Mike?” She threw her arms around him, holding her son tight. “Oh, Mike, it’s so good to see you. Why didn’t you
tell us you were coming?” Laura, scolded, chattering. She rushed outside, and wrapped her arms around her
grandson. “Oh, Jeremy, my goodness, you have grown.” Laura beamed at him. He didn’t smile back.

“Mike, what’s wrong?” She picked up on his air of grief.

Alice ran out. “Michael.” She enfolded him in a gentle hug. “Michael, darling, come in the house.” She took his hand,
and reached out for Jeremy. “Both of you come in and tell me.”

They sat on the couch, half-stunned to finally be sitting still. “She’s gone Grandma.” Mike whispered, as if by saying it
softly it was less real. “They’re both gone.”

Jeremy looked bitterly at his grandmother and great-grandmother. He hadn’t seen either of them in years. “There was
a bomb.” He said slowly, as if speaking was difficult.

“Oh my God.” Laura’s face turned ashy.

“Carrie was killed.” Mike mumbled. “Robin too.”

Jeremy made a choked noise that almost sounded like a sob. “You don’t know that!” He howled. “They didn’t find
their bodies.”

Alice saw the wild grief on their faces, recognized it. It pulled at her heart. “Jeremy, come sit by me.” She called him
over, pulled him down to sit beside her. Alice didn’t try reason or logic. She just held her great-grandson and let him
cry, as her daughter-in-law gathered her grandson.

Alice’s heart ached as she realized that Salem’s quiet spell had been shattered.




Roman dialed the number slowly, carefully, with trepidation. “Allo?”

He heard the perfectly accented French voice answer the telephone. Before he could lose his nerve, he blurted out,
“Anna.”

“Roman?” Her voice held traces of shock and pleasure. “Is that you.”

“It’s me.” His throat was dry. “Anna, did they call you yet?”

“Call me?” He could hear the puzzlement in her cultured voice. “Who? About what?”

“Are you sitting down?” Roman hadn’t seen his ex-wife in fifteen years. This wasn’t the sort of news one should give
over the phone, but as Carrie’s mother she deserved to know.

“Now I am. What’s wrong Roman?” Her voice was shaky and fearful.

“It’s Carrie.”

“Oh God.” She whispered.

“She’s been killed.”

“No.” Anna whispered. “No!” She repeated, more loudly. “No!” She wailed. “No, it couldn’t happen.”

“I’m so sorry.” Roman told her.

The sound of her tears was his only answer.

“Come to Salem for the funeral.” He pleaded softly.

“When is it?” She choked, trying hard to control herself.

“Soon. I don’t know. I haven’t decided yet. I just thought you should know.”

Her voice was quiet, and tear-filled. “Thank you. I’ll be there tomorrow, then we’ll talk.”

“Of course.” He felt helpless as he hung up the phone.




Across the world Anna Dimera pressed a hand to her lips and began to sob. “My baby.” She whispered. “How could
this happen?”

She grabbed the phone and dialed Shane Donovan’s number rapidly. “Shane?” Her voice still had tears, but it was
cooler now.

“Mrs. Dimera.” He said, respect in his tone. Anna had become a feared ISA agent since her disappearance from
Salem in 1986.

“What the hell happened?” She snapped. “I just got a phone call that my daughter is dead.”

Shane looked at Carrie’s sleeping form. Anna would never be able to allow Carrie to do the kind of work Shane
needed her to do. “I’m sorry Anna.” His voice was soft.

“Then it’s true?”

“Yes. I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry? You’re sorry? My daughter’s been killed and you’re sorry?” Anna was edging on hysterical. “What
happened?”

“As you know she’s been living in Israel, running a clinic with her doctor boyfriend.”

“Mike Horton, yes. Go on.”

“The clinic was bombed.”

“Clinic.” Anna whispered. “Why?”

“We don’t really know.”

“What’s your working hypothesis?” She shot at him.

“Some rebels, after the ISA supplies the clinic was storing for us.” Shane hated to admit it.

“What were those supplies doing in her clinic?” Anna’s cool voice housed a deadly anger.

“We asked her to store them.” Shane mumbled, even though technically he was Anna’s superior.

“After I specifically asked you NOT to involve my daughter.” Anna sounded ready to kill someone.

“Yes, Agent Fredricks.” Shane tried to bring the conversation to a professional level.

“Don’t.” She snapped. “I quit. I quit the ISA.”

“You can’t do that.” Shane said, an edge of anxiety in his voice.

“I just did.” She hung up.

Shane sighed. ‘Oh wonderful. Both your parents are out for blood now little girl. As if we didn’t have enough
problems.” He thought.




Roman dragged his feet. He had asked Marlena and John Black to come to his house. They had something that
needed to be discussed. He also called Sami and Eric. They needed to know about their sister. After some
deliberation he had invited Austin Reed. These were all people who had been important to Carrie.

‘Oh, pumpkin.’ He thought, miserable. ‘Why did it end like this? I was supposed to go first. Not you. Never you.’

Roman had seen Mike and Jeremy arrive yesterday. He’d gone over to the Horton’s, and discussed it with them.
They had agreed to tell their part of the family tree.

Everyone would come to Carrie’s memorial service Roman knew that. He was still upset, angry that Mike had
survived and Carrie hadn’t. He supposed a part of him always would be.

The doorbell rang. Roman opened it with a heavy heart. Belle Black and Shawn Brady were standing on his
doorstep. “Daddy Roman, you haven’t been out all day.” Belle scolded. “You were supposed to come to my house
and drive me to Salem Place for some shopping.”

“Sorry sweet pea.” He mumbled. “I forgot.”

“Daddy Roman?” Belle frowned, and her eyes grew wide as she realized he hadn’t shaved and he was still wearing
his pajamas. “What’s wrong?”

“I should wait until everyone gets here.” Roman sighed. “You’ll have to hear it sooner or later. Come in.” He offered,
holding open the door.

Shawn and Belle traded concerned glances. Neither of them had ever seen Roman this depressed before.

He led them into the kitchen. Bottles were strewn across the counter. Lots of bottles. All of alcohol. None were
empty, but many were close to it.

“Uncle Roman?” Shawn frowned.

“I’m not drunk.’ Roman sighed. “I wish I were.”

“Who are we waiting for?”

“Your parents.” Roman winced. It still hurt to think of Marlena and John as Belle’s parents, though it had subsided to
a dull ache from a shooting pain. “Sami and Eric.”

Belle hugged Roman. He acted like a second father to her, and she loved him dearly. “Don’t be sad.” She pleaded.
“Please don’t be sad.”

He sighed, and pressed her little body close to his. “I miss my little girls.” He sighed. “You all got so big.”

Sami walked into the kitchen. “Not so big.” She pouted. “Daddy?” Her eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”

“He won’t say till everyone’s here.” Austin wandered in.

Eric came in. He was evidently in a foul mood. “Can we keep this quick? I have an important appointment.” He said,
obviously not considering anything Roman had to say as important.

Sami looked distressed. “Eric.” She exclaimed.

Marlena and John joined them. “Your door’s open Roman.” John smiled. “What happened?”

Roman released Belle. “I thought all of you deserved to hear this in person and at the same time.” He took a ragged
breath. “Carrie died.”

“What?” Disbelief, shock, anger, grief, sadness and anger flowed through that one word.

“Her clinic in Israel was bombed. Carrie was killed.”

“What about-,” Sami started, but couldn’t continue.

Roman’s eyes were bright with pain. “Mike and Jeremy were not hurt. They got into Salem yesterday.”

“I don’t believe it.” Marlena gasped. “She was so young.”

Tears started then. Belle, Sami and Marlena, grouped together. Austin stood there, unable to respond. Shawn turned
around and kicked the wall. Eric felt as miserable as if he’d dismissed Carrie himself. “Dad I’m sorry.” He began. “If
I’d known that was what this was about I never would’ve-,”

“It’s ok Eric. I forgive you.” Roman sighed.

John stood there in stony silence. “How did this happen?” He growled.

Roman looked at him, almost sympathetically. “I don’t know.” He answered. “I want to have a memorial service for
her- her body was already buried there.” He lied, knowing that he couldn’t tell the family that Carrie’s body had not
been found. It would’ve been false hope for them.

“That’s a good idea.” Marlena’s eyes were swimming with tears.

“Anna’s coming in for it.” Roman looked down at his hands. They were rough. “I wish I could’ve said good-bye.” He
voiced the wish they all felt.

Weeping started again. “I can’t take this.” Austin declared loudly. He resembled a three-year-old as he stomped
away.

Sami watched him go. Her eyes looked hurt. “Austin wait.” She trotted after him.

“You’re the first people I’ve told.” Roman sighed. “I couldn’t handle making that phone call.”

“I’ll do it.” Eric offered. “When did it happen?”

“Five days ago. You might’ve read about it in the paper. Fourteen Israeli clinics were bombed.”

“But why?” Marlena cried.

“I don’t know.” Roman answered. “No one does, really. Probably not even the people who did it.”

“I’ll miss her.” Belle sniffled.

“We all will.” Eric said simply, looking like he wanted to hit something again.

Roman opened his arms to her. Suddenly he needed to hold a child, or if not a child someone he looked at like a
daughter in his arms. Eric added himself to the family circle, then Marlena joined. It was a tragic picture of a family.

It disturbed John more than he could admit. He averted his eyes. But Marlena noticed. She disentangled herself from
her children and threw her arms around her husband. “Oh John, it’s so awful.” She sobbed.

“I know Doc. I know.” John patted her hair, but a murderous rage was building inside of him.

Shawn looked uncomfortable. “I’m sorry Uncle Roman.” He said.

“Shawn, you’re a good boy.” Roman sighed. “You’ve been through a lot.”

“I wish I’d been here to say good-bye to her.” Shawn was angry at Gina for sending him to boarding school.

Sami came back. “Austin needed some time to cool down.” She explained softly. She flew in to her father’s arms.
“Thank you Daddy.” She wept. “Thank you for getting us to make up. I couldn’t have lived with it if the last things I
ever said to her were hateful.”

“I know.” Roman said simply. He looked around at his family. “She’s not gone you know.” He said confidently. “We
still have her here.” He lightly touched his head. “And here. Whenever we want we can just think about her,
remember what she would’ve said. We can just keep on doing what we’ve been doing while she’s been away.”

“It won’t be the same.” Belle sniffled.

Shawn wrapped an arm around her slim shoulders. “No.” He agreed. “But it’s something.”

“Poor Jeremy.” Belle looked at the house next door through the window. “He not only lost Carrie, he’s in a foreign
country now.”

“He lost his mom too.” Roman said softly. “He seemed lost to me.”

“You saw him?” Marlena asked.

“Yes.” Roman winced. “I went to see him and his father when they got into town.”

“How was Mike?” Marlena lifted a tear-stained face.

“In shock, I think. He didn’t say much. Couldn’t even meet my eyes.” Roman said scornfully.

Marlena sighed, recognizing the hostility. “Surely you don’t blame him for Carrie-,” She stopped abruptly.

“No.” Roman said, not altogether truthfully. “I don’t blame him. It just doesn’t seem right.” Roman’s breathing was
ragged. “He got out and away. She didn’t.”

Eric put a hand on his father’s shoulder. “I’m sorry dad.” He whispered.

“I know you are.” Roman put a hand on top of his son’s. “Thank you all.”

“We’re family Roman.” John said. “We help each other through the bad times.”

“Thanks man.” Roman sighed. “I’m going to go shower before I pick up Jeannie from the airport.”

“Jeannie?” Marlena’s eyebrow’s raised. “I haven’t seen her since she was a baby.”

“Shane’s sending her here for school. She’ll stay with me for a bit.” Roman explained.

“I remember Jeannie.” Belle said timidly. “She’s your cousin.” She looked at Shawn, Eric and Sami.

“Right.” Eric agreed. “She used to pull my hair.”

“I like her already.” Sami joked weakly.

They stared at the stairs Roman had ascended. “Think he’ll be okay?” Eric asked weakly.

“I think so.” Marlena sighed. “It’ll help him to have a little girl around full time, one he can take care, one who’ll need
him.”

“She won’t be little any more.” Eric pointed out.

“I know.” Sami shrugged. “But mom’s right too. He needs someone to take care of. Someone to fuss over.”

“You mean he needs to act like a mother hen.” Eric snorted at the idea.

(Continued)

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