Thursday - 11/7
BUDDY’S BURGER BARN
NICOLE: E.J. is extremely creepy, and quite nearly as bad as his father. I know you never knew Stefano DiMera, but you don’t need to. Trust me, it’s better that you never get involved with them.
JADE: Look, it’s not like I want to, alright? I can’t help that Shawn thinks E.J. had Dirk killed.
NICOLE: Why would he do that? What does Dirk have to do with the DiMeras?
JADE: As far as I know, nothing. When I dated him, he was a creep, though I couldn’t see that at the time. I don’t think he had anything to do with the DiMeras, but…
Jade sighed.
JADE: I don’t know.
NICOLE: Well, it’s time to do some digging, then.
JADE: Wait, what?
NICOLE: I’m gonna find out what’s what with this.
JADE: You’re sure about this?
NICOLE: Yep. Nobody messes with my little sister and gets away with it. Especially not a DiMera.
JADE: Just, please, be careful!
NICOLE: I’m always careful.
PENTHOUSE
After the will reading was over, most of the family and friends stuck around to talk amongst themselves.
TATE: Too bad Kat and Em had to go back before this.
ALLIE: Yeah, how are they gonna get their stuff?
CLAIRE: I think Aiden’s gonna have it sent to them.
ALLIE: That makes sense.
TATE: Hey, this is kinda weird, but has anyone ever noticed that Katalin and Emmaline look eerily similar to you and Ciara?
Claire chuckled slightly.
CLAIRE: More people than you know. That’s actually how we found out that Katalin and Emmaline existed, and that Greta is for sure our aunt.
TATE: What do you mean?
CLAIRE: So, a few years ago, this mad scientist who works for the DiMeras, Dr. Rolf, he kidnapped Ciara and brainwashed her. Made her think she was a European princess, Katalin von Amberg. But, like, if she was evil. As you saw when you met her, the real Katalin is super nice, but the version that Rolf made Ciara think she was was evil. You know how Stefano made Grandma Hope think she was Princess Gina a long time ago?
TATE: Yeah, I’ve heard about that.
CLAIRE: Turns out, she and Grandpa John had an affair, back when he was working for Stefano as the Pawn. And Princess Gina had a set of twins from that affair. One she kept, that was Greta. The other, Michael, she gave away to one of her closest friends to raise.
TATE: So that’s the Michael that Father James mentioned at the funeral?
Claire nodded.
CLAIRE: Michael grew up, got married, and had daughters, Katalin and Emmaline. Shortly after they were born, Michael and his wife got into a boating accident. His wife died, and he was disfigured beyond resemblance. After reconstructive surgery, he came back and worked as his sister’s servant, only nobody but him knew who he really was. Anyway, while Ciara was brainwashed, Grandpa John and Uncle Steve tracked down the real Katalin, and her twin sister, Emmaline, and things eventually got worked out. Ciara got over the brainwashing, and it was revealed that Greta was Grandpa John’s daughter. As for why we look so similar, that’s anyone’s guess. Princess Gina was identical to Grandma Hope, just like Kat and Em are to Ciara and I.
TATE: Got it. Wow, that’s…bizarre.
CLAIRE: You’re telling me.
MARLENA: Aiden.
Aiden stood up and turned to Marlena.
MARLENA: Thank you so much for everything.
AIDEN: Of course. If there’s anything more that I can do to help, please let me know.
MARLENA: I will.
Nicholas put a hand on Vivian’s shoulder.
NICHOLAS (quietly): We should probably be going, Aunt Viv.
Vivian nodded and got up. They started heading for the door.
BRADY: Vivian.
Vivian and Nicholas turned back.
BRADY: I know we don’t know each other that well or anything, but thanks for what you said at the funeral, and for coming today.
Vivian patted Brady’s hand.
VIVIAN: Take care, darling. Despite the fact that our ideals didn’t always line up, your father was a wonderful man. You look so much like him.
BRADY: Thank you.
Vivian squeezed Brady’s hand. Brady and Nicholas nodded to each other, then Nicholas and Vivian left. Philip walked over.
PHILIP: Don’t get too close, alright?
BRADY: How’s that?
PHILIP: Look, I get she’s technically your great-aunt, but take it from someone who’s been there, don’t get too close to Vivian Alamain.
BRADY: Philip, I wasn’t getting close to her. I was thanking her for what she said at the funeral, that’s all.
PHILIP: I hope that’s the truth, especially after what she and the other…sorry, the fake Brady went through.
Brady folded his arms.
BRADY: What does that mean? What did she do to the other guy?
PHILIP: Now’s not the time or place. Stop by the mansion sometime and I’ll fill you in.
BRADY: I just might do that, you’ve got me intrigued now.
CARLY: Philip.
Philip turned.
CARLY: Sorry to interrupt. We should talk sometime, you, Nicholas and I, about what we’re going to do with EcoSystems.
PHILIP: I agree. In fact, I was thinking about that myself. I’ll set something up and have Nicholas informed.
CARLY: Thank you.
Philip nodded.
SHAWN-D: How are you holding up?
Belle shrugged.
BELLE: The last few weeks have been hard. I’m just glad I’ve got you with me.
SHAWN-D: Always
Belle and Shawn-D hugged.
BELLE: I love you.
SHAWN-D: I love you, too.
MAX: We need to get back, but we wanted to thank you for having us.
MARLENA: Well thank you for everything these last few weeks. Hosting the reception, coming to this today, making sure Sam, Brady and I are well fed…I’m so thankful for the two of you.
CHELSEA: You and John helped us a lot through the years.
MARLENA: He cared about you two a lot.
MAX: We feel the same.
MARLENA: Give Isaac and Georgia a hug from me.
CHELSEA: We will.
Chelsea and Max hugged Marlena.
