The Melaswen Paradox (Read 318,960 times)

[André DiMera]

Tuesday - 7/16

SONNY & WILL’S APARTMENT
SONNY: Will, are you serious about this?
WILL: I am absolutely serious about this! Like I just said, I smell potential. As wrong as what the girls did, they have a point. It is weird that a family would just leave all of their possessions and their home to rot.
Sonny sighed.
WILL: What? Come on, I’ve taken on stories that are way more dangerous than this. What’s wrong?
SONNY: You’re right, you have. I’m not worried about it being dangerous. I just don’t want to send Ari mixed signals, you know? I don’t want her to think that what she did was okay.
WILL: I’m pretty sure she knows by now that it’s not. Besides, it’s not like I’m gonna break into the house or anything. I’m gonna look up the family, see if any of them are still living in Walden, maybe talk to some of the locals, see what they know, if anything.
SONNY: Okay.
WILL: Okay?
SONNY: Yeah. If you really think this is something, I’ll support you. I just don’t want Ari to get the wrong idea.
WILL: Thanks. And she won’t.
SONNY: Alright.
Will and Sonny kissed.
WILL: Now to see if I can find out anything about this Merritt family.
SONNY: Good luck.
Will nodded and went back to typing in his laptop.

SIDE-BY-SIDE: DIMERA MANSION/SUSAN & EDMUND’S HOUSE
E.J.: I have not fled the country, dear sister.
MEGAN: Really? Then what do you call it when you’re supposed to stay in town while you’re under investigation, but then you just happen to pay a visit to your dear mother back in the old country?
E.J.: I never intended to come here!
MEGAN: Ooh, that’s a little harsh. I hope your mother doesn’t know that. If my children ever came to visit me, I would hope it would be because they wanted to.
E.J.: I didn’t mean…would you stop putting words in my mouth and interrupting?! Please?
MEGAN: Well, if you wouldn’t insist on taking such long, dramatic pauses between sentences, I might not think you were done talking.
E.J.: Just, just stop talking and listen for a moment. Okay? Can you do that?
Megan smirked.
E.J.: Are you still there?
MEGAN: I’m sorry, you told me to stop talking and listen, I was listening.
E.J. let out a small growl of anger.
E.J.: God, you are so-
MEGAN: Infuriating? Yes, I know. Go on, then, tell me what you were going to tell me.
E.J. took a deep breath.
E.J.: Thank you. As I was saying, I wasn’t intending to come here, and I have not purposely fled the country. The other night, I was attacked and kidnapped, and woke up here in England. While I don’t recall the exact details of either man, I recall one of them saying the name Kiriakis. I don’t know what that little brat Philip thinks he’s playing at by ordering my kidnapping, but he shall pay. As I am without my phone and clearly can’t remember his number, I need you to pass a message along to André for me.
Megan blinked. There was a long silence.
E.J.: Megan?
MEGAN: Oh, I’m sorry. Am I allowed to speak now?
E.J. (through gritted teeth): Yes.
Megan smiled and chuckled darkly.
MEGAN: Alright, Elvis, I shall pass a message along to André. What exactly would you like me to say?
E.J.: Tell him that I will be away for a while. I am laying low until the heat from the investigation into Johnny’s accident has cooled down. In the meantime, I’d like him to help me by getting back at Philip Kiriakis. I’m sure André won’t need much of a reason to go after Philip.
MEGAN: Very well. I shall indeed pass along the message. But, Elvis, don’t think I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart.
E.J.: No, I wouldn’t dream of it, we all know you don’t have one.
MEGAN: What I mean to say is that I expect to be repaid handsomely. And I hope you’re ready, because you never know when I’ll come to collect.
E.J.: Right. Good day to you.
E.J. hung up.

DIMERA MANSION
Megan hung up and looked at her phone, smiling darkly, before setting it down.
MEGAN (thinking): Oh, I’ll pass along the message, Elvis, when it’s convenient to do so. Until then, I think it’s time for a little fun.

[heroicmuse]

I knew Megan was not to be trusted.

Her conversation with EJ was hilarious, though. I especially liked her telling him to stop taking such dramatic pauses.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[tghca]

So infuriating when you have an older sister EJ...but now that you are in Megan's pocket, she's going to collect on that favor but what is the favor Megan wants EJ to do?

[Kpatch]

And the Dimera-Kiriakis war begins. Sami didn't know how dangerous her request was.

[André DiMera]

Wednesday - 7/17

BRADY PUB
CHELSEA: So, you want to see Georgia.
JOHNNY: That is what I said, yes. I want to see my daughter.
Chelsea’s brow furrowed.
CHELSEA: Okay…be right back.
JOHNNY: Excellent.
Chelsea walked upstairs. Johnny waited for her to come back, which she did a few minutes later, with Georgia in her arms.
CHELSEA: Here she is!
JOHNNY: Great.
CHELSEA: So, how’s it going? Have you gotten much of your memory back?
JOHNNY: Some, not all. So…
Johnny looked expectantly from Georgia to Chelsea.
CHELSEA: Right, you wanna hold her. Sorry, I’m a little all over the place lately.
JOHNNY: Right.
CHELSEA: Here we go.
Chelsea gently handed Georgia over to Johnny. He looked her in the eyes.
CHELSEA: Isn’t she adorable?
JOHNNY: Yeah. She is. I…

DIMERA MANSION - FLASHBACK
JOHNNY: After weighing all of our options, and despite the fact that you tried to trick us at first…
E.J. went to say something.
JOHNNY: Please, don’t argue. We all know what you had Taylor do. If nothing else, she confessed to it.
MEADOW: Anyway, after a lot of discussion, Johnny and I have decided to move forward with the adoption. We’ve found a couple who we know will take great care of the baby.
E.J. blinked furiously.
E.J.: And you’re quite sure this is the direction you both wish to go in? Quite sure?
JOHNNY: Yes.
MEADOW: Absolutely.
E.J. took a deep breath and went to pour himself a glass of water.
E.J.: Meadow, if you don’t mind, I would like to speak to my son in private.
JOHNNY: Hey, anything you’re about to say, you can say in front of-
E.J.: In private.
Meadow put a hand on Johnny’s shoulder.
MEADOW: It’s fine. I’m actually kinda tired, I’m gonna go rest in the car for a bit.
JOHNNY: Okay.
Johnny and Meadow kissed, then Meadow left the room. E.J. rounded on Johnny suddenly.
E.J.: How dare you?
JOHNNY: Father, I know that you’re upset-
E.J.: You’re damn right I’m upset! How can you do this, Giovanni? How can you dishonour your family in this way?
JOHNNY: Okay, first of all, I’m not trying to dishonor the family.
E.J.: Well, you’re doing a bloody good job of it!
JOHNNY: Secondly, since when have you ever called me Giovanni? One of the only people who does that is Uncle André.
E.J.: It is a good, strong Italian name, it is the name my Father, your grandfather, gave you. You remember your grandfather, the great Stefano DiMera?
JOHNNY: Of course I remember Nonno.
E.J.: Well, if he were here, he’d be telling you exactly what I’m telling you now. Whether it is your intent or not, you are dishonouring this family! You are cutting off a DiMera heir from his or her rightful place! Do you have any idea of the magnitude of the situation? This child stands to have everything! He or she will be Stefano’s first great-grandchild! To simply toss all that aside and have the baby raised by total strangers-
JOHNNY: The baby won’t be raised by total strangers, Father. Meadow and I, after talking a lot and weighing our options, we found a nice couple who we know on a personal level, and we know will take care of the baby. They even said we could still be part of his or her life, if we want to be.

[tghca]

So Johnny is starting to remember everything...his memories are coming back and it is all because of him holding his daughter Georgia. Georgia I knew would be the catalyst for Johnny getting his memory back and if and when he does get it back, I wonder if that will change things for Johnny? Will he want his daughter back?

[heroicmuse]

I'm so glad Johnny is getting his memory back! I hope he realizes it is in Georgia's best interests to stay with Max and Chelsea.

Great chapter André DiMera.

[Kpatch]

Wow. That's a big memory to get back.

I have a feeling he will want to raise Georgia though. I don't blame Chelsea for being rattled. Wish Max was there too.

[mae00]

Wow! That's a massive step in getting his memory back. I hope that things that led up to that decision are remembered soon too. That's got to be a huge hole of confusion for him. I hope that it also means he doesn't do something stupid in regards to the adoption. Hopefully this means he regains the memory of what EJ did to both him and Allie soon.

[André DiMera]

Thursday - 7/18

DIMERA MANSION - FLASHBACK
E.J.: But it doesn’t have to be that way! We shouldn’t be part of his or her life, we should be the ones raising it! Preserving the DiMera legacy! I understand if you and Meadow don’t feel ready to assume the responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw this child’s entire life, his or her birthright, away! The baby could be raised here! There are any number of people who would be only too happy to assist in raising the baby! Good lord, son, what has happened to you? Only a few years ago, you would have done anything for this family! It’s that Meadow girl, isn’t it? She’s changed you.
JOHNNY: If I have changed, it’s not because of Meadow. I am capable of making up my own mind about things, believe it or not. If I have changed, it’s because I’ve examined the situation from multiple angles.
E.J.: It’s like I hardly recognize you. My own son. My boy. Well, I’ll tell you this - you will regret the day you decided to abandon this family!
JOHNNY: Oh, here we go. Now you really do sound like Nonno. (in Italian accent) “you will regret the day!”
E.J.: I take that as a compliment. I thought you loved your Nonno.
JOHNNY: Of course I do! More than I can say! But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he said or did!
E.J.: Well, he would be ashamed of you if he could see the situation you’re getting yourself into now!
JOHNNY: So, what, are you gonna disown me? That’s what Nonno would have done, right? I may have been a preteen when he died, Father, but I still remember him kicking out various members of the family when they didn’t follow his orders.
E.J.: What happens now is your own doing, that’s all I have to say. Now get out.
E.J. turned back to the drink cart. Johnny went to leave, but turned back when he got to the doorway.
JOHNNY: I’m sorry you can’t see my side of things, Father. I’m not doing this to hurt you, no matter what you may think.
Seeing that he would get no response, Johnny turned and left.

BRADY PUB
Chelsea looked concerned. Johnny had frozen in place when he looked Georgia in the eyes.
CHELSEA: Hey, are you okay?
Genly, Chelsea put a hand on Johnny’s arm. He snapped out of it.
JOHNNY: What? Yeah, I’m fine, I’m just…seeing her again, it’s like it’s for the first time all over.
CHELSEA: Yeah, I totally get that. It can be kind of overwhelming. She’s so beautiful.
JOHNNY: She is.
Johnny took a shallow breath.
JOHNNY: Thank you. You and Max, what you’ve done for Meadow and I…thank you.
CHELSEA: You’re more than welcome, we were happy to.
JOHNNY: Speaking of which…I need to go and see Meadow. I’ve gotta talk to her.
CHELSEA: Okay. Are you sure you’re okay?
JOHNNY: Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Like you said, it’s a little overwhelming. But, thank you…for letting me see her.
CHELSEA: Of course. I don’t know if you’re still missing this part of your memory or not, Johnny, but Max and I have told both you and Meadow that you’re welcome to see her whenever you’d like.
JOHNNY: I do remember that, yes.
Johnny handed Georgia back over to Chelsea.
JOHNNY: I’ll, uh, I’ll see you later.
CHELSEA: Sounds good.
Johnny wiped his face and walked out.
CHELSEA: Now what was all that about?
Georgia made a babbling noise.
CHELSEA: No, you don’t know either, do you?
She chuckled.
CHELSEA: Come on, baby, let’s get you ready for your nap.

Outside of the Pub, Johnny wiped his face again and took a deep breath.
JOHNNY: My god, Meadow was right. And my Father, how could he…I’ve gotta see Meadow, gotta sort this out.
Hurriedly, he set off to find Meadow.

APARTMENT
Liz had been showing Rex and Noelle around her apartment.
NOELLE: Wow, this is really nice, Mom!
LIZ: Thank you. I’ll be here most of the time, unless I’m on tour, but I thought this would make a nice home base.
REX: Very nice.
LIZ: I’m glad you both like it. Now tell me, how is the wedding planning going?
NOELLE: There’s not much to say, really. It’ll be fairly small. You, me and Sarah, Rex, his parents and all of his brothers and sisters.
REX: Which sounds like a lot, but it’s really not. It’ll be just the immediate family for this, then we’ll have a party at the end of the summer for everyone.
LIZ: Lovely.
NOELLE: And, Mom, we know this is pretty short notice, but we would love it if you would sing.
LIZ: Oh, I was so hoping you would say that! Of course I’ll sing at your wedding, darling! I’ve already got the perfect song picked out!
REX: Great!

CAMP WALDEN
Will was dropping off Ari back at camp. As the camp leader had told her that she would, Ari was put into a new cabin with a different group. After they had gotten everything set up, Will got ready to leave.
WILL: Well, have a fun time.
ARI: Thanks.
One of the counselors, Short Stack, the one who had caught the girls sneaking away from camp, called out with a megaphone.
SHORT STACK: Okay, Willow girls line up here. Oak girls line up by Badger. Olive girls, by Frogger.
ARI: I should go. See you in a few weeks.
WILL: I’m sure you’ll have a good time, sweetheart.
Will and Ari hugged, then Will left. Ari joined the group of girls in front of Short Stack. She looked over at one of the other lines of girls, where Liv was standing. They looked longingly at each other.

CAR
Will got into his car and started it up.
WILL: And now to go into town and see if this story has the legs that I think it does.

[tghca]

Will is going to go poking around trying to investigate this Merritt family...well he's doing what Ari and the girls wanted to do but can't. Will is more equipped to handle this because he's a reporter but also Will is a father first and he doesn't want his daughter or her friends in harm's way. At least with Will, he can handle himself.

Ari is back at camp but Liv and Sapphy are too but they all have to stay away from one another but only for a few weeks

Johnny has most of his memories back and now that he does, it is only a matter of time before he remembers the accident itself and once he does, then what? Will Johnny want to make his father EJ pay? I know he will want to confront EJ but EJ isn't even in Salem, he's all the way in England.

Rex and Noelle getting married next month actually in only a couple of weeks they are set to get married...love that Liz will sing at their wedding but what song will she sing?

[heroicmuse]

I have a feeling this plan to keep Liv and Ari away from each other isn't going to work as intended.

I wonder what Will will find out.

Can't wait for the wedding and for Liz to sing!

I'm glad Johnny is getting his memories back. I wonder what he wants to say to Meadow.

Great chapter @andrediemra.

[Kpatch]

Wonder why Johnny kept wiping his face.

Rex and Noelle's wedding is shaping up to be quite an event. I'm glad they asked Liz to sing.

[mae00]

I'm glad Liz is supportive of Rex and Noelle's wedding and has agreed to sing.

Poor Johnny. I'm glad that he got such a big chunk of his memory back even if it does leave more questions than answers right now. At least maybe he won't shut Meadow completely out or be angry at her for how things currently are.

[André DiMera]

Friday - 7/19

PARK
Allie and Meadow walked through the park together.
ALLIE: Feeling any better?
MEADOW: I am, yeah. Thanks for talking to me, and taking me to get ice cream.
ALLIE: Yeah, of course. I really do hope you and Johnny can fix things.
MEADOW: I do, too. But he has to want to first.
Allie nodded.
ALLIE: I’m sure he will, once his memory comes back properly. From what it sounds like, there’s still some pretty big holes there, even though most of it seems to have come back.
MEADOW: You can say that again.
Johnny came running up.
JOHNNY: Meadow! There you are!
MEADOW: Hi.
JOHNNY: We need to talk! We really need to talk!

SUSAN & EDMUND’S HOUSE - ENGLAND
E.J. was in his room, hanging shirts in the closet. Edmund had taken him out shopping, as when he arrived, it was with only the clothes he had been wearing the night he was kidnapped. There was a knock at the door.
E.J.: Come in.
The door opened and Penelope walked in.
PENELOPE: Getting all settled in?
E.J.: Oh, yes. I must say, it’s an odd feeling being back here. I spent much of my early childhood in this house, until Father gained sole custody of me. I’m sure it’s much the same for you.
PENELOPE: It isn’t. I never grew up in this house. Never lived in it until I moved back to England to spend time with my sister and brother-in-law.
E.J.: Ah, yes, of course.
Penelope looked around the room.
E.J.: You seem rather frosty, Auntie. Ever since I arrived, Mother and Edmund have been nothing but welcoming, but you…it’s as if you don’t want me here at all.
PENELOPE: Whatever gave you that idea?
She rolled her eyes.
E.J.: Is there a problem here, Auntie?
PENELOPE: You’re bloody well right there’s a problem! And that problem is you!

STREET - WALDEN
Before going into town, Will wanted to stop and see the house, just to get a look at the outside of it. He had found it on a map app, based on Ari’s description of where it was in relation to the camp.
WILL (to himself): Here we are.
He pulled the car over and got out. He looked around. The house was, as Ari had said, very old and worn-looking. Several of the windows had been broken, but only a few of them were boarded up. Will walked up to the house and looked in the window that he assumed was the one Ari and Liv had used to get in. He sighed, then went back to the car. Just as he was about to get in, he heard a voice call out to him.
MAN: Excuse me, can I help you?
Will looked up and around. At last, he saw where the voice had come from. An elderly man and woman were sitting on the front porch of the house across the street from the Merritt house. It was the same old man who had scared the girls away from the house the last time they had gone there.