Breaking the powerful silence which seemed much longer than the few seconds that passed, Alice Horton spoke for the entire group when she said, “Well, for heaven’s sake bring her inside, Roman!” with great enthusiasm as she and several others rushed toward the door to open it and let her in.
Roman turned around and managed to make it to the door before all the others, saying, “Now, give her some breathing room, she’s a little nervous about all of this.” He opened the door and took her hand, gently guiding her to the center of the living room and then he said with a wide grin on his face, “Everyone, I present to you the lovely lady who is alive and well after five long years away from us. Welcome home, Marlena Evans!”
“Marlena Evans-Brady, you mean!” said someone in the background and that addition registered on Marlena’s face with happiness, but Roman’s face appeared slightly stricken as if he were suddenly reminded of something he didn’t want to think about at this particular point in time.
“Well, let the celebration begin everyone!” he said cheerfully, ignoring the whole issue. Marlena didn’t miss his reaction and it hurt her, but she cared about his feelings too, so she approached him briefly before allowing herself to be greeted by everyone around the room. The others sensed their need and gave them a few moments alone by backing off slightly and resuming previous conversations, while the couple spoke privately.
“Roman, that comment upset you didn’t it?” she asked.
He smiled at her weakly and denied it, “No, it just caught me off guard that’s all, kind of like this whole deal. Maybe it’s just starting to catch up with me or something,” he said, avoiding the issue again, wishing she would just let it go.
She reached up to touch his face and said softly, “Honey, you don’t have to pretend for me, I understand. You were expecting that Isabella was going to share your last name soon and now…”
Marlena was being too good, too kind about it and it made him feel guilty. Roman pulled slightly away from her touch, saying, “And now….who knows, and besides…I know you don’t understand so would you please just.. stop saying you do.” He said it with an angry edge to his voice that he didn’t intend to put there, but that hurt her feelings nevertheless.
Related Articles