Thursday - 6/3
SALEM UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Philip stood up.
PHILIP: I take it you heard the news.
DANIEL: Addie told me. I was about to go on break when she let me know.
PHILIP: It happened so fast, man. One minute, we were having an appointment, next thing sirens are going off, we’re being told to go downstairs, Melanie was mid-ultrasound and tried to get up but she fell.
Daniel nodded.
DANIEL: Addie said...she told me that it’s a placental abruption.
PHILIP: A minor one, according to her and Dr. Tanaka. But even a minor one could be bad.
DANIEL: That is a possibility. But you know, Philip, you know how strong Melanie is-
PHILIP: That’s what everyone keeps saying! And yeah, I know that she’s a strong woman, and that she’s not gonna give up! But when we first found out that she was pregnant, she was terrified of losing this baby like she did with the last one.
DANIEL: I understand that. However, the situation is completely different. And she has not, she has not lost the baby. She’ll need extra medical care for a while, and might have to deliver earlier than expected but she will, Philip, she will deliver this baby. Addie, Dr. Tanaka and everybody else are doing everything they can to ensure that she and the baby are healthy.
PHILIP: Yeah, I know. I just can’t help worrying, man. I’ve just lost so many chances at being a father. The first time it happened, years ago, I wasn’t ready and I let that chance get away from me. Then when I finally was ready, I came so close a few times only to...well, you know. Now, I have a real chance with a woman that I love. And there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her or our baby.
DANIEL: I feel the same way about Melanie. There isn’t anything, nothing in this world, that I wouldn’t do for her.
PHILIP: Well, no matter what our differences are, at least we agree on something.
DANIEL: That we do. This baby, it’s gonna connect us forever.
PHILIP: Yeah. I suppose maybe we should try to get along. For Melanie and the baby’s sake, if nothing else.
DANIEL: I agree.
Daniel put out his hand. Philip hesitantly took it, and the two shook hands.
DANIEL: She’ll be okay. It will take time, maybe a lot of time, but she’ll be okay. I should get back to work.
PHILIP: When she wakes up, I’ll tell her you stopped by. By the way, does Carly know?
DANIEL: I don’t know. As you can see, everything’s a little crazy right now. If she doesn’t already, I’m sure she will soon.
Philip nodded.
PHILIP: Good luck out there.
DANIEL: Thanks.
Daniel squeezed Melanie’s hand, then left the room. Philip sat down again. Meanwhile, Tony walked out of a hospital room and was joined by Anna, who had been in the waiting room.
TONY: All cleared. There’ll be some bruising, but nothing serious.
ANNA: Thank goodness! After that fall you took, naturally I was concerned.
TONY: Not to worry, my dear. It’ll take a lot more than a fall to take me out. If André and Stefano couldn’t after years of trying, I should hope I wasn’t taken out by an act of nature.
ANNA: As do we both. Let’s go home.
TONY: That sounds like a wonderful idea.
Tony and Anna kissed, then walked out together. Marlena, John and Kayla walked out of another room.
MARLENA: Thank you again for checking us both out.
KAYLA: You’re quite welcome. Drive safe.
JOHN: Thanks.
JETT: John! Kayla!
All three turned to see Jett running towards them.
JOHN: What’s going on?
JETT: It’s Johnson.
KAYLA: Steve? What about him?
JETT: We were in the middle of a mission when the tornado hit, and there was a bit of an incident.
KAYLA: What kind of incident?
Two EMTs rolled Steve in on a stretcher. Sarah walked over. One of the EMTs, with the last name Webb, began talking to her.
WEBB: Male, early 60s. His co-worker here found him under a pile of rubble. He got it cleared off as best he could, but the patient is still unresponsive and appears to have sustained a head injury.
KAYLA: Steve!
SARAH: Get him into the OR.
Webb nodded, and he and the other EMT pushed the stretcher away.
KAYLA: Take good care of him!
SARAH: I will. I’ll let you know as soon as I know anything.
Sarah followed the EMTs. Kayla turned back to Jett.
KAYLA: What exactly happened? What kind of incident are you talking about? And what did Webb mean about rubble?
JETT: We were in the DiMera tunnels, investigating the recent spread of video tapes. We ran into someone on the ISA’s most wanted list, Steve tried to detain him, but a fight ensued. We had overpowered him, but just as we were about to leave, the tornado hit and part of the ceiling fell on him.
THE LOFT
Claire was sitting in the lobby of the apartment complex. Chase walked in, and Claire got up and hugged him.
CLAIRE: I’m so glad to see you!
CHASE: You too! Man, that was a crazy storm!
Claire nodded.
CLAIRE: How are you? And how’s your dad?
CHASE: Dad’s fine, we’re both fine.
CLAIRE: You’re wearing bandages.
CHASE: I got a few scrapes. One of the windows in the office broke, and even though we were hiding under desks, I got a couple of scratches. But, Dad and I both got checked out at the hospital. We’re okay, I promise.
CLAIRE: You better be.
CHASE: I am. What about you?
CLAIRE: I’m fine. I was in the basement here with a bunch of other people, including Jade and her daughter.
CHASE: How’d that go?
CLAIRE: Not bad, actually. As you can see, I have my guitar with me. Jade’s daughter was scared because of the storm, so I played some music, and that seemed to help.
CHASE: That’s good.
CLAIRE: Though, to be honest, it was just as much for me as it was her. Playing music and helping Jade keep her daughter entertained kept my mind off of the situation.
CHASE: I’m glad. How’s the loft?
CLAIRE: I don’t know. I started to venture up, but figured I’d wait so we could see it together.
CHASE: Well, let’s go.
Chase and Claire walked up the stairs, as the elevator was still down due to the storm. Eventually, they got to the top and opened the door.
CLAIRE: Whoa.
Their belongings were strewn everywhere. A tree branch had fallen through one of the windows and was now in the middle of the room. Chase put a hand on Claire’s shoulder.
CHASE: Thank god you weren’t up here when it happened.
Claire nodded.
