Chapter 10
BRADY PUB
ROMAN: As I was saying, Alex North came back to town. And, he threatened me that if I didn't let him pretend to be me, that he will kill Marlena and then come after me.
REX: So, you let him pretend to be you?
ROMAN: It was only supposed to be a temporary thing. I did it to protect Marlena. I had heard things about North before, and I knew what he had done to Marlena. So, I would never leave them alone if I could help it. And, yes, I had a relationship with Kristen Blake, but it meant nothing. I still had my eyes on Doc.
KAYLA: That explains why you were so willing to step down when Roman...sorry, I mean, the man we thought was Roman...came to town.
ROMAN: Like I said, it was only supposed to be a temporary thing. And, eventually, North left. But, he was replaced by our dear friend Chris Kositchek over here.
CASSIE: So he's not really mine and Rex's dad?
ROMAN: No, Cassie. But, I am. Chris, would you like to explain this part, or should I?
CHRIS: I came back to town, hoping to get with Marlena. So, Roman and I made a deal that I would pretend to be him, and if I didn't succeed in winning Marlena, then he would get to be himself again.
KIMBERLY: Well, it's taken a while for you to make good on that bet, hasn't it, Chris?
CHRIS: Yeah...I guess I just didn't want it to be true.
FRANKIE: Let me see if I have this right: The original Roman was you. The second Roman, the one who was Stefano's pawn, was you. The third Roman was some guy named Alex North. The fourth Roman was Chris Kositchek. And now you're the real Roman. The original Roman. Am I right?
ROMAN: Yep. You've got it, Frankie.
MAX: Wow! I'm a genius, and even I had trouble following that.
SHANE: So, Roman, where do we go from here?
ROMAN: Well, I'd like us all to be a family. However, I know that it will take a while for some of you, and some longer than others, to accept that this is the truth. But, Ma, I'm you're son. Bo, Kimber, Kay, Frankie, Max, I'm you're brother. Carrie, Eric, Rex, Cass, Brady, IzzyB, I'm your father. Everybody, I'm Roman Brady.
Caroline walked up to Roman and hugged him.
CAROLINE: I'm so glad to have you back!
Each of Roman's brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters (except, of course, Sami, who was being as stubborn as ever) came up and hugged him. All were glad to have their brother and father back.
ROMAN: And, I have one more special announcement to make. Well, really, it's more of a question. Doc, will you come up here, please?
Marlena had been sitting in a chair. But, she got up and walked over to Roman.
ROMAN: We've been through a lot all our lives, Doc. But, one thing has never changed. And that's my love for you. So, will you do me the great honor...
Roman pulled a box out of his pocket, he opened it. There was a ring in it. Roman got down on one knee.
ROMAN: ...of making me the happiest man in the world? Will you marry me again, Doc?
MARLENA: I would love to!
Roman stood up, put the ring on Marlena's finger, and the two kissed.
NICHOLAS' HOUSE
MELANIE: Nikki, as much as I would love to see Philip die a horribly painful death...you can't kill him.
NICHOLAS: Why not? Come on, Mel. After what he did to you, he deserves it.
MELANIE: I know. But...I still love him. I think a part of me will always love him.
SHAWN-D & JAN'S APARTMENT
It was the middle of the night. Shawn-D was out of town for the weekend. Jan was sleeping. A man had snuck in to the apartment. This man had a gun in his hand. He went into the room where Jan was sleeping and he pulled the trigger. Jan woke up just before the bullet hit. But, as soon as it did, everything just went white...
