Episode 3

The Church Garden –

Roman was taking a break from the pre-wedding festivities to walk in the garden. He was a loner by nature and this was a nice place to be alone.

But he wasn’t alone. He heard someone weeping around the corner. It sounded like a man. Then he knew for sure because the man spoke.

“Dammit, dammit, dammit. How can this happen to us?”

Roman recognized the voice. It was Bo.

Roman quickly turned the corner and found his brother banging his fist on a tree. “Don’t you know it’s blasphemous to curse at church?” He said, “After all this is the Lord’s house.” He was joking.

“I don’t care. Right now I am cursing God – or Fate – or whoever is in charge of our destinies.”

“What’s bothering you, little brother?”

“Just leave me alone, Roman.”

“You know I can’t do that. I’m a cop. I investigate things until I find out the truth.”

Bo didn’t reply.

“Is it your new baby? Is she okay?”

“She’s fine,” Bo said. “But I don’t know how long it will last.”

“Are you still upset about Shawn and Belle leaving town with Claire?”

“That will always bother me,” Bo said. “But they did what they thought was necessary.”

“There is only one other thing that could make you this upset,” Roman said. “Something’s wrong with Hope, right?”

Bo grunted but didn’t answer him.

“I take that grunt to mean I hit on the truth. What’s wrong with Hope?” Roman asked.

“She doesn’t want anyone to know,” Bo said.

“Is she sick?”

Bo nodded his head. “Yeah, she is,” he said. “She has malignant cancer and the doctor said she only has three months left.”

“What does that mean?” Roman asked. “You know death is relative in Salem.”

“No it’s true. Hope says she feels awful all the time. That’s why we went to see the doctor. She didn’t want to go but I insisted,” Bo said. “The cancer is eating her up inside. All of her organs are affected. What’s worse is that she doesn’t want to go through chemotherapy even though it could help her somehow – you never know.”

“I imagine she doesn’t want the family to know she’s ill because she doesn’t want them to mourn her before she’s gone to the other side,” Roman said.

“Yeah that’s basically what she said. My wife is dying and I can’t help her.” Bo began to weep again.

Roman put his hand on Bo’s shoulder. It was all he could think of to do. He wasn’t generally a demonstrative person.

“Just remind her of Jack ‘dying’ from his illness and how it affected the family not to be able to say goodbye,” Roman said.

“But this tale ends differently because there isn’t going to be a miracle cure that will save Hope at the last minute.”

“Bo, I don’t know the right thing to say in this situation but just know that I’ll be there for you and Hope.”

“Thanks.”

“Now clean yourself up and we’ll go back inside.”

“Okay,” Bo said. He wiped his tear stained face and followed Roman back to the church.

***

Inside the Church –

Hope was sitting in a pew resting while she fed her baby a bottle.

“Looks like everything’s done,” Maggie announced. “Let’s get the rehearsal started. Where is Father Thomas?”

“He’ll be here soon,” Sami said.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Lucas said.

“I’ve got to change Doodlebug’s diaper. I’ll be right back,” Hope said, standing up.

Maggie was standing beside her. “Take the baby,” Hope said to Maggie.

“Hope, what’s wrong?” Maggie asked. “You’re so pale.”

“Just take her – quick!”

Maggie took the baby.

Hope started to say she didn’t feel well but didn’t get the chance. She slumped to the floor, unconscious.

***

Some motel –

Belle Black was feeding Claire carrots when Shawn came out of the bathroom. He was fresh out of the shower, his lower body wrapped in a towel. Belle tried not to look but he was so gorgeous she couldn’t turn her eyes away.

Shawn felt her eyes on him. “Do you mind? I’m trying to get dressed here.”

“Sorry,” she said, smiling in what seemed like ages.

Shawn finished dressing. He came over to Claire and gave her a kiss. He found a map on the TV stand and sat down to peruse it.

“Are we moving again?” Belle asked.

“I’m afraid so. We’ve got to stay one step ahead of Philip and his goons.”

“Where are we going?”

“I was thinking of California,” Shawn said.

“That sounds nice.”

“It’s very populated so we wouldn’t be noticed at all.”

“What part of California are you thinking of?” Belle asked.

“I think Los Angeles is the perfect place to blend into the scenery. I am sure Philip would never find us there.”

“I hope you’re right,” Belle said.

***

Salem University Hospital –

Carrie asked a nurse to point her in the direction of John’s room. She found it and went inside.

Marlena was sitting at his bedside, holding his hand, and talking to him in a low voice.

“Marlena, hi,” Carrie greeted her.

“Carrie! What a nice surprise,” Marlena said, getting up and enveloping her former step-daughter in a hug.

“You look tired, Marlena,” Carrie observed. There were dark circles around Marlena’s eyes.

“I am. I can’t wait until he wakes up,” Marlena said. “I believe with all my heart that he will.”

“I hope you are right,” Carrie said. “You two belong together.”

“Thank you for saying that.” Marlena smiled thinly. “So, enough about me. How are you?”

“I’m good for the most part,” Carrie said.

“Oh I don’t like the sound of that. Are you and Austin having problems?”

Carrie nodded. “He went to Paris for business but I think he was glad to get away from me.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. We just aren’t communicating like we used to.” Carrie looked down at her lap. “I feel like we got back together too quickly. We didn’t realize how much we both had changed over the years we were apart.”

Marlena nodded sympathetically. “Have you considered seeing a marriage counselor?”

“Briefly. But we dropped the idea for whatever reason.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Marlena asked.

“Well I do need some advice about something if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

***

The Horton House –

Chelsea climbed the steps and knocked on the door impatiently.

Nick Fallon opened the door in his boxer shorts and a wife beater under-shirt.

“Nice outfit,” Chelsea said. “What are you doing walking around half naked?”

“I was just about to change when I heard you knock on the door.”

“I bet old Maggie gets a thrill seeing you like that,” Chelsea said.

“She’s not here. I would never walk around like this in front of her.”

“Is Abby here?” Chelsea asked, changing the subject.

“Yeah I think she’s getting ready to go to work,” Nick said. He was disappointed that she hadn’t come to see him but why would she? He thought.

“Yeah, I just bet she is,” Chelsea said, and pushing past him she went up the stairs. She pounded on the door. “Open up, Abby, it’s Chelsea. We need to talk.”

Abby opened her door. “Hey, Chels,” she said.

She was wearing a cute pink and white dress. “Looking good. I bet Max would agree.”

“Huh?”

“I mean, that’s why you put it on, right? To make Max notice you.”

“No, I put it on because my mom sent it to me in the mail and I want to get some use out of it.”

“So are you saying you don’t have feelings for Max?”

“I never said that.”

“So you do?”

“What’s it to you?” Abby asked, becoming defensive. “You and Max are over as far as I know.”

“Just tell me, Abby – do you have feelings for Max?”

“Yeah, I guess I do,” Abby said. “Are you jealous? Because you shouldn’t be. Nothing has happened between us.”

“But you wish something would, right?”

“Chelsea, I need to go, so if you would kindly leave I’d appreciate it.”

Chelsea ignored her. “I really thought you were my friend. You have really stabbed me in the back.”

“I never stabbed you in the back,” Abby said, upset about the accusation.

“You probably liked Max the whole time we were together. You were just waiting for the chance to steal him from me.”

“Max is not your property and I never wanted you two to break up.”

“Then can you promise me something?” Chelsea asked.

Abby sighed. “What?”

“Promise me you won’t go out with Max.”

Abby’s mouth fell open in shock. It took a minute for her to catch her bearings. “Are you kidding me? Why should I promise you anything?”

“Because we’re friends that’s why. Friends should never date their friends’ boyfriends.”

“Are you forgetting that you and Max aren’t together anymore?” Abby asked. “And when you broke up with him, you rarely thought of him for even a moment.”

“Abby, I love Max. I didn’t realize how much I cared about him until now, but I do,” Chelsea said. “So if you are as good a friend as you pretend to be, you will stay away from him.”

“Chelsea, you need to leave now,” Abby said, opening the door and forcefully shoving Chelsea out of the room. “Goodbye.”

Chelsea just stood there for a moment, looking at the closed door. How could her so-called “best friend” treat her so badly?

She marched down the stairs. Nick was sitting in the living room, eating cereal and watching cartoons. He was fully dressed now.

“You look upset,” he said, jumping up to stand closer to her.

“I am,” Chelsea said. “Why don’t you ask Abby, the backstabber, to tell you all about it?”

She opened the door and then slammed it shut behind her.

Nick watched from the window as she got into her car and drove away.

***

Salem University Hospital –

“Wow. I wasn’t expecting that,” Marlena said after Carrie had told her the secret she was carrying around.

“Me either,” Carrie said. “The phone call shocked me.”

“What do you think I should do, Marlena?”

“All you can do – tell the truth.”

“But it will really hurt Lucas and Sami –especially Sami. And Will too because I’m sure he’s happy his parents are finally back together.”

“Just think about how much it would hurt them if they found out later,” Marlena said. “You have to be honest, Carrie. It will be hard but it’s not the end of the world.”

“I hope you’re right,” Carrie said. “I’d better go.”

“Where are you staying?” Marlena asked.

“At that new hotel on across town.”

“Why don’t you come and stay with me at the penthouse? I could use the company.”

“Oh, Marlena, I couldn’t impose on you like that.”

“You won’t be imposing. I would love to have you around. It gets lonely there.”

“Okay, if you’re sure,” Carrie said.

“I’m sure.” Marlena opened her purse. “I have a spare key.”

Carrie took it from her hand. “Thanks so much for everything,” she said, kissing Marlena on the cheek.

“You’re welcome.”

Carrie went over and placed a kiss on John’s cheek. “Wake up soon, John, we need you,” she said.

She hugged Marlena one more time and walked out.

Marlena sat by John’s bedside once again, holding his hand, and silently willing him to wake up.”

***

The Church –

Bo was walking into the chapel with Roman when he saw Hope pass out. “Fancy Face!” he yelled, rushing over to her unconscious form.

He sat her up against the pew’s side. “Don’t go, Hope, I need you. Don’t leave me,” he begged.

She opened her eyes slowly. “Brady,” she whispered.

“Yes, it’s me, Fancy Face.”

The group of concerned onlookers had gathered around her. “Hope, are you okay?” They all seemed to ask.

“Give her room dammit,” Bo shouted.

“I’m going to call an ambulance,” Lucas said, taking his cell phone out of his pocket.

“No!” Hope yelled. “Don’t call – I’m fine.”

“You passed out,” Sami said. “People don’t pass out for no reason.”

“I think I’m just dehydrated and I got up too fast,” Hope said. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll get her some water,” Caroline said.

Hope tried to get up but Bo gently pushed her back down. “I think you should go to the hospital, Hope,” he said.

“No. I’m fine. I just wish you would all stop looking at me like I’m on death’s door.”

“Here’s the water, Hope,” Caroline said, handing her a paper cup.

Hope drank it as they all pretended not to watch. Each person was very concerned about her, even Kate who had tried to ruin her marriage to Bo many times.

“There I’m fine,” Hope said. “I’m ready to go, Brady.”

Bo helped her up. “Steady, steady,” he encouraged her.

“Don’t forget little Doodlebug,” Hope said to him.

“I never could,” Bo replied. He took the sleeping baby from Maggie and put her in the car seat.

“I’m taking Hope home now,” he said. “We’ll try to be here tomorrow.”

Bo was holding the car seat with baby Brady in one hand and leading Hope with the other as they walked out of the church.

“Well that was odd,” Maggie said.

“Very,” Caroline agreed.

On the next episode of “Salem Fantasies”:

• Chelsea joins Billie at AA

• Abby tells Max about Chelsea’s accusations

• Carrie goes to see Lucas

• Shawn attempts to steal a car and is caught