Richie’s mind was whirling in a sea of alcohol and Wall Street overload.
“She’s more than that, ‘Dad,’” Charley said. “She’s my biological mother.”
Richie just stared. Slowly, it started to sink in. “Marlena Evans and John Black. Evans and Black…Oh my God,” he said as his knees buckled, and he grabbed on to the railing.
“To quote my friend, ‘DNA does not lie,’ and we have the proof,” John said. “So now we need to know how, what, when, where, and, what’s more, why?”
“I love you, Charley,” Richie said. “Your mum and I loved all of you more than you know.”
“Are we your sons, Dad?” Chance asked.
“Or is that another lie too?” Jackson asked as he moved to join his brother.
“You are my sons!” Richie insisted. “We loved all of you!”
“But why this?” Charley implored.
“Your mother always wanted a daughter, and she had three miscarriages after these two,” he said, tossing his head at the boys. “She wanted a daughter.”
“Your daughter deserves an explanation, Richie,” John continued. “We all do.”
Richie snapped. “It was Stefano DiMera’s idea,” he spouted. John reeled back. “Stefano?”
“You know him?” Jackson asked.
“Know him and revile him,” John said, his eyes blazing. Of all the explanations he had thought of, this was one John wasn’t expecting.
“Olivia desperately wanted another child, a daughter, and Stefano owed me a favor,” Richie railed as the story spilled out. “We’d met in Paris, and he invested his entire fortune in my company. He was a powerful man, a devious man, and still is. We drank together, laughed together, and he became my confidant and my friend—”
“Stefano has no friends, just—” John interrupted.
Richie overrode him. “Let me finish! When I realized Stefano would lose everything if he stayed with me, I realized I could use him.”
“Go on,” John said as he saw the Richie’s glazed eyes.
Chance, Jackson, and Charley were all spellbound.
“Did he ever tell you about those twins he created?” Richie asked.
“Rex and Cassie,” John answered. Stefano had indeed at one time used a surrogate to carry two children created from sperm he’d harvested from one of his enemies.
“You and your wife were captured by DiMera at one time, remember?” Richie offered.
“And he harvested specimens from us,” John said, realizing the diabolical truth.
“He thinks you are both perfect. You do know that, don’t you? He wanted to give me the perfect child as a gift, and he did. Look at her, John. Isn’t she perfect?”
The truth was out. And as preposterous as it seemed, John knew. “She is perfect, Richie.”
“I always wanted only the best for her,” Richie said, trying to defend him. “For her and the boys and Olivia. Dear God. Olivia’s gone now too.”
He started to cry. He was drunk, emotional, and spinning out of control.
“I never wanted to hurt her, John. I didn’t even deserve her, and when she wanted a little girl I couldn’t give her, what was I supposed to do?”
“Cheat on her, lie, and steal?” Charley interrupted. “Can we go, please?” she pleaded.
“No,” Richie demanded.
“Dad, this is enough for tonight,” Chance said, stepping in. Richie’s dignity had been stripped away.
“That’s probably best,” John agreed. “We got what we needed here.”
But Richie’s world was crumbling further around him.
“No, please…we need to talk, Charley. I love you.” Richie bit back tears.
Charley was torn. The man she’d loved for so many years had disappeared before her eyes.
“Like you loved Mummy? No, thank you,” Charley said, trying to regain her composure. She could barely breathe. “I’d like to stay at the hotel with you, if I can,” she said to John. “I can’t be here anymore.”
John smiled warmly to the girl who was now integral in his life. “We have a lot to go over. With Marlena.”
Chance and Jackson nodded in agreement.
“Let me get a few things,” Charley choked back as she headed to her room.
Richie was frozen as he watched his only daughter head up the winding staircase. “Charley, please,” Richie pleaded. “Just stay until I leave for London.”
She stopped in her tracks. “I’m sorry…Daddy,” she stated. “Truly. But…it’s not about you anymore.”
To keep from breaking, she quickened her steps and dashed to her bedroom.
Before anyone could stop him, Richie bolted up the stairs behind her. As he stumbled to her room, Charley slammed the door in anguish. From below, John, Chance, and Jackson watched Richie recoil.
He was in pure agony. Unable to face them, he slunk down the upstairs hallway.
The house was eerily quiet, except for the sounds of Charley’s packing coming from her bedroom.
John turned to Charley’s brothers. “You don’t know DiMera, but I’m sure what your father said is true. That man is capable of anything.”
“As bizarre as it sounds, I believe you,” Chance added.
“Gotta say. I’m glad it’s you two,” Jackson offered. “What a coincidence.”
“Coincidence or fate,” John said. “Not sure anymore the difference between the two.”
Again, the room was quiet.
“Why don’t we give her some time,” John offered.
“Good idea,” Jackson answered. “We can have a drink while we wait.”
But before they could do that, Charley’s door opened, and she appeared with a small carry-on.
“Let me get that, Sis,” Chance said as he headed up the stairs.
“Thanks,” she answered softly.
Charley headed down to the man she’d just learned is her biological father. She nodded in Chance’s direction. “They spoil me, you know,”
“A spoiled brat, I see that.” John smiled wryly. “But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
“Something tells me this is going to be an interesting new chapter for us all,” Chance remarked.
“Any chance you like to ride?” Jackson asked, making small talk as they headed for the door.
“Bikes and horses,” John answered. Both boys were impressed as they began to learn more about these new people now forever in their lives.
Charley led the way, John resting his hand on Jackson’s back, the comfort level apparent as they continued to get to know one another.
After the four of them had exited to the front courtyard, the house was quieter than ever. Until Richie appeared from the direction of the screening room, another bottle of scotch in his hand.
“Charley?” he mumbled through tears.
But there was no answer.
“Chance? Jackson?” he continued.
No response. Only the sound of John’s car starting in the driveway.
“No.” Richie gasped. “Not yet…”
Desperate to say good-bye to his daughter, Richie bolted down the steep incline. At least, he attempted to.
In his drunken state, he stumbled down the entire eighteen stairs. All the while, he tried to catch his footing but clumsily plummeted nonetheless. Reaching the last step, he pitched forward and was catapulted toward the antique coffee table. His head hit the corner of the marble top with a loud bang.
He lay on the floor, bleeding profusely.
The left side of Richie’s face was caved in. He was dead on impact.
Just like Olivia.
THE FUNERAL FOR RICHARD GAINES WAS THREE DAYS LATER AND was only attended by a few. There were no press, no hangers-on, no Gemma and Serge Kasagian. They were all going about their extraordinarily glamorous but empty lives.
Dressed in simple black, Marlena and John were there for Charley, as was her newfound big sister Belle. Claire was with Shawn on the boat as she packed up before the trip to John and Marlena’s
. This was no place for a nearly four-year-old.
Willy, who’d connected with Chance once again over a dead parent, was by Chance’s side as they listened to the brief nondenominational service that was held graveside. Jackson was alone, and when Richie was lowered into the plot next to Olivia’s, he sidled up to Belle.
“If you hear from Chelsea and Abby, let them know I said hi,” he said. “Is that tacky, considering?” he added, indicating the cemetery.
“Life goes on,” Belle reminded him. “And give her a call.”
“Who?” Jackson asked knowingly.
“For what it’s worth, Abby’s a great girl. Don’t hold her profession against her.”
“I think I can give her another exclusive. What do you think?”
“That’s totally up to you.” Belle smiled.
John approached.
“We’re heading to lunch, baby girl. You joining us, Jackson?” he asked.
“Thanks, but I’ve got a lot to do at the house before heading back to London. And you might need to change Belle’s nickname.” Jackson smiled.
“Nah,” John said. “She’ll always be my baby girl.” And he hugged Belle tightly.
Lunch at Le Jardin Côté was simple and beautiful. Charley sat between John and Marlena and listened to their love story, which had started so many years ago on the docks of Salem.
“There’s so much to know.” She smiled.
“You have no idea,” Shawn chimed in as Claire tossed a pommes frites at Charley.
“Claire!” Belle scolded.
“It’s fine.” Charley laughed. “I’ve never had a little niece before.”
The pain of losing the mother and father who had raised her, both beautifully and badly, was salved by the love she felt around the table. This was a new family, an adjunct family, and for now, it was no one’s business but their own. John and Marlena, along with Charley and her brothers, had decided that the Stefano connection died with Richie. Until it ever came out, if it ever did, for now, it was their secret.
“Dr. Masters!” Charley called as she saw Blake take a nearby table.
“Hi, all,” he said as he realized it was Marlena, John, and family.
“Would you like to join us?” John asked.
“Meeting a client, but thanks,” Blake said. “We’ve got some unfinished business, though,” he said to Marlena.
“It’s fine now,” Marlena answered. The tattoo she had thought was killing John was obviously her grasping at straws. He was the old John again, only stronger and better.
“Good to see you,” Blake said. As he nodded to each person, he stopped as he noticed something.
“What?” Marlena asked.
“Do you realize you and Charley have the exact same nose?”
They began to laugh.
“And smiley eyes,” John added.
Blake took his table as Miss Plasticized from Gemma’s luncheon joined him.
“Good luck with that one.” John grinned as the rest of the table laughed. It was comfortable, settled, and secure.
“When can you join us in Lausanne?” Marlena asked Charley.
“Soon, I hope,” Charley said. “But I have to help Chance and Jackson wrap up things here and in London.”
“They’re still your brothers, you know,” Marlena said.
“I know, Dr.—”
“No, not Doctor. How about Marlena for now?”
“Okay. And I know, Marlena. I know they will always be my brothers.”
A cloud crossed Charley’s face.
“But?” John asked.
“They’re going to suffer the most fallout from what Richie did, how he destroyed all those people,” Charley said. “We’re going to carry that guilt forever.”
John saw the pain she felt. His mind began to turn.
DESIREE WAS AT THE WHEEL OF THE BLACK V-8 RANGE ROVER that picked up John, Marlena, and the kids from Geneva International Airport.
John and Marlena each only had hand luggage, while Shawn and Belle had backpacks—plus a huge duffel bag with toys, clothes, and snacks for the nearly four-year-old.
“I’m Claire,” she piped up as Desiree helped her into the V-8. “Who’re you?
“A former nurse, who at the moment is very thankful to know your grandparents.”
“Grandparents.” John grinned. “You know, I’m beginning to like that title,” he said as he patted Belle’s tummy.
“Dad!” she said, shoving his hand away.
“I like that title too,” John added as he helped Marlena into the passenger seat. “I’ll drive.”
Desiree climbed into the backseat while Shawn and Belle settled Claire into her car seat.
“You look splendide, Monsieur Black,” Desiree said from behind him.
“Did you know he was getting better?” Marlena said, tilting her head and glaring at the girl who’d nursed him for nearly a year.
“They all did, Doc,” John answered for her. “Haven’t you heard of confidentially agreements?”
“Shut up and drive.” Marlena sneered as she kissed him on the cheek, then snapped her seat belt.
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted and gunned the supercharged engine.
“Wow,” Shawn said as the Rover pulled through the winding drive toward Maison du Noir.
“What’re those?” Claire asked as she pointed to the fields.
“Grapes,” Marlena told her. “We sell them to the local wineries and have a very nice wine cellar because of it.”
“Wine.” Belle sighed. “No more for me for a while.”
They pulled into the drive and piled out of the car.
“The guesthouse is by the pool, but we’d love you to stay in the house with us,” Marlena offered.
“There’s a state-of-the-art gym and a game room inside,” John said to Shawn.
“I like games.” Claire giggled as she started her jiggly dance.
“Let’s find the loo.” Belle grimaced, her hand going to her lips.
“Puke time!” Claire laughed as she ran to the front door.
Marlena and John entered behind them, and Marlena stood looking at the home they’d shared for two years.
“I’d forgotten how beautiful it is, John,” she said. “Do I thank you often enough?”
“Save it for later,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
“Your room’s that way, Shawn,” Marlena said.
Shawn hauled his, Belle’s, and Claire’s gear toward their quarters.
“Thank you for picking us up, Desiree,” John said.
“Thank you for keeping me on.” She sighed.
“I know you were part of that Ponzi rip-off.”
“My friends, my father,” she said and started to choke up. “How that man could ruin so many lives is unconscionable. Especially to people whose lifework is to help others.” She tried to steel herself. “I’m sorry.”
“See you in the morning, Desiree,” Marlena said soothingly. “We’re all fine.”
“Good night,” Desiree said and exited.
“Well,” Marlena said.
“Well,” John answered. “Time to go up?”
“I am exhausted,” she said. “We can clean up and then get dinner for the kids.”
“One question,” he said as they started up the winding staircase. “Where do we sleep?”
Marlena punched him playfully. “Wherever we want.”
John smiled to himself. Little did she know what was in store for her.
At the top of the stairs, Marlena stopped in her tracks and gasped as she’d never gasped before.
The hall that had separated John’s and Marlena’s bedrooms was gone. In front of her, covering the entire second floor, was a huge master suite. It looked right out of the pages of Architectural Digest, with one floor-to-ceiling window the length of the room that overlooked the valley across to Lake Geneva.
“Welcome home.” He smiled.
SHAWN AND BELLE SPENT A FEW GLORIOUS WEEKS AT MAISON du Noir, savoring
their time with John and Marlena before they continued their worldwide journey on the Fancy Face IV.
The purpose of the trip had been to recement their relationship, and it had done it in spades. They had learned about life with each other in the most intimate setting and given their daughter memories her formulating mind would remember.
Marlena had taken Belle in to see the top ob-gyn in Geneva before they left, and she was right on track with her pregnancy. He’d given Belle referrals in all the cities they planned to dock in, and assured Belle she should be fine for Shawn’s coveted deep sea fishing trip in Trinidad in January.
Charley was planning on taking an extended trip to Lausanne as soon as she could. Marlena and John were waiting for the right time to introduce her to the rest of the family.
In the meantime, Charley, Jackson, and Chance were still working on cleaning up Richie’s mess. They were closer than ever to being done with the whole scandal. The investigation had proved they were indeed innocent, and John promised to help them with referrals for new jobs if they needed them.
And then, an odd thing happened. One afternoon, Desiree flew into the house, absolutely elated.
“Monsieur Black, Docteuer Evans!” she squealed as if she’d learned how from Claire. “You won’t believe this!”
Marlena took an envelope from her hand. Inside was a cashier’s check for thirty-two thousand euros. “Exactly what I lost in that scam!” Desiree proclaimed. “And I called my father. He received a check too!”
Marlena was thrilled for her. “From who?”
“No idea,” Desiree said, snatching the check and fanning herself to keep from fainting. “An angel, it has to be an angel!”
Marlena drank it in and then decided to call Charley with the news. But Charley had heard already.
Not about Desiree, but Dr. Roisten’s family, the nurse at Princess Grace Hospital, and hundreds of the victims on her father’s list whose lives had been ruined. Now, someone, somewhere was coming to their aid.
It was a miracle.
Marlena had a bottle of their finest white wine chilling when she heard the Range Rover in the driveway. John had been out all day, and she hadn’t been able to reach him on his new phone.
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