Growing Up Brady And Johnson (Read 5,464 times)

[misfit]

Jan 22, 2023 11:07:09 GMT -5 wildheartashley said:

Chapter 40

Oh man, what a great update! Jennie finally opening up to Carrie was so bittersweet. So awful that she's been bullied and doesn't think people care much about her, but I love how she's so eager to teach sign language and that the girls are befriending each other now. You keep melting my heart with little Sami, too.

[misfit]

Jan 29, 2023 6:27:55 GMT -5 wildheartashley said:

Chapter 41

Carrie is such a sweetheart. Love the beauty salon game at the beginning. I'm such a sucker for Steve in papa mode, loved him paying for Jennie's dinner because she was so good with Benjy. Her hugging Carrie at the end was such a great moment but I worry about her being so nervous about getting home. So sorry for the delayed reviewage on my part with this update. I can't wait for more! 

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 42

Carrie got ready for bed that night. As she cuddled under her
blankets, Roman came into her room to tuck her in. He sat on the edge
of her bed. “You okay, pumpkin? You seemed awfully quiet tonight once
we dropped off Jennie.”
Carrie was quiet for a moment. “Yeah,” she said. “I’ve just been
thinking that’s all.”
“About what?”
“Jennie,” Carrie said. “She told me some things today, and it just
has me thinking about how lucky I am.”
“What sort of things?” Roman smoothed his daughter’s hair on her pillow.
“Jennie told me that she lives in a group home. Her mom had given her
up when she was a baby.”
Roman nodded. “I thought that was the case.”
“How did you know?” Carrie asked in dismay.
“When Jennie had given me her address, I thought that it sounded
familiar, and then when we dropped her off, I recognized the
location.”
Carrie’s heart jumped in her chest. She knew what her father’s job
entailed at times with him being a cop. “Daddy, is Jennie safe in her
home?”
Roman rubbed his daughter’s arm soothingly. “Hey pumpkin, Jennie is
just fine. I had come to her group home quite some time ago due to
girls getting in a fight. Those girls had been removed from the home
after that incident. Jennie is safe.”
Carrie breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, kiddo. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No,” Carrie said. “I’m glad that you did. Jennie told me today that
she hates living at the group home, that the girls are mean to her.
Daddy, I feel so bad for her. Jennie really is nice.”
Roman nodded in understanding. “She is nice. She sure has a way with
Benjy. Watching those two tonight was nice.”
Carrie smiled. “Yeah, she was so good with him. It was kind of like
watching Max and Benjy together. Jennie told me that she’s really
interested in the ear and deafness,and sign language.”
“That’s really great.”
“Yeah, it is,” Carrie agreed. “I’m going to be her friend. I just wish
that she had a family. She seems like she has such a low self
esteem,and she really gets down on herself.”
“All you can do is be there for her,” Roman said. “Be her friend, and
be her friend because you want to, not because you feel bad for her.”
Carrie nodded. She understood what her father was saying. “Yeah, I
know what you mean. I did decide that tonight. Guess that’s why I was
so quiet when we were getting ice cream. I just wonder if Jennie would
feel differently about herself if she had a place where she felt like
she belonged.”
Roman kissed Carrie on the forehead. “You can give her that just by
being her friend.”
“You’re right,” Carrie said. “I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, pumpkin. Sweet dreams.”
Roman kissed Carrie again before leaving her room.
****
“Alright, little man, time for bed,” Steve said as Benjy continued to
sign about how much fun he had had that night.
“Benjy want to see Jennie again,” he signed. “When?”
Kayla turned down Benjy’s bed. She patted his blankets. “Come on,”
Kayla said gently. “Time for bed. I’m glad you had fun tonight.”
Benjy crawled into bed. “Jennie signs like Max, and Steve and Kayla,”
Benjy signed.
Kayla nodded. “Jennie seems very nice.”
“Jennie come to play with Benjy?” Benjy signed.
“We’ll see,” Steve said. “Kayla is right though. It is time for bed.”
Benjy nodded. He snuggled into his blankets,and cuddled with his teddy bear.
“Sweet dreams,” Kayla said as she kissed Benjy’s forehead.
“Night night, Benjamin,” Steve said as he ruffled Benjy’s hair.
Kayla and Steve quietly tiptoed out of Benjy’s room. They went back
downstairs,and went into the living room. They sat on the couch.
“Benjy really likes Jennie,” Kayla said.
“Yeah, she seems like a sweet girl,” Steve agreed.
“She seems quiet though,” Kayla observed.
Steve nodded. “Maybe she’s just shy around new people.”
Kayla nodded. “I’ll have to ask Carrie if she and Jennie would like to
come over maybe on a Saturday for a little bit.”
Steve nodded.
Kayla then got a glimmer in her eye.
Steve grinned. “Sweetness, I know that look. What are you thinking?”
Kayla grinned. “Well, I thought of an idea. Maybe Jennie could
baby-sit for us every so often.”
“Don’t you think she’s a little young?”
“No,” Kayla said. “I was around Jennie and Carrie’s ages when I began
to baby-sit. We could have a date night. You know, maybe go out for a
little bit, just the two of us.”
Steve smiled. “Oh baby, I do like your thinking.”
Kayla smiled. “Jennie can sign, so we wouldn’t have to worry about
anything as far as Benjy communicating.”
“What about Carrie?” Steve asked. “Wouldn’t she be upset that you
asked her friend to sit and not her?”
Kayla was quiet for a moment. “Oh, yeah. Maybe you’re right. I can
talk to Carrie about it. See what she thinks. If she is fine with
it,and she thinks that Jennie might go for it, then I say we ask.”
“I won’t object,” Steve said. “Now how about that alone time.”
Kayla snuggled closer to Steve. He began kissing her neck. She moaned
lightly. “Oh Steve,” Kayla said breathlessly.
Kayla began to unbutton Steve’s shirt as he continued to kiss her up her neck.
“We should go upstairs,” Kayla said.
Without another word, Steve gently picked Kayla up,and carried her up
to their bedroom.

[misfit]

Oh, such a sweet scene between Roman and Carrie. I could totally hear DH in all the dialogue! And the S/K scene warmed my heart and also turned me to mush. Looking forward to the next chapter!

[André DiMera]

Roman and Carrie’s scene was so sweet!

Glad Steve and Kayla are planning to ask Jennie to babysit.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 43

The next Monday was a busy day at the Riverfront Clinic. Everyone, including staff and patients were happy to have Kayla back to work full time. Kayla too was happy to be back at work. She had called Jo that morning to go over everything for when Benjy got home from school that afternoon. Jo assured Kayla that things would be fine,and that she should focus on work. Kayla knew that her mother-in-law was right. Once getting to the clinic, Kayla quickly fell back into her routine of caring for patients.

The day had gone quickly, and before Kayla knew it, it was almost time for her to leave. Robin and Adrienne were staying that night to close up the clinic. Kayla was cleaning up her space,and getting her purse to leave for the day when Adrienne appeared in the door. “Hey, Kayla,” Adrienne said. “Someone is here to see you.”
“Oh,” Kayla said in surprise. “I’m just about to head home. I’m done with patients for the day.”
Adrienne nodded. “That’s what I told her, but she insisted on seeing you.”
“Okay. I’ll see her.”
Kayla walked out to the reception area with Adrienne,and saw Ellen standing at the front desk. Ellen smiled meekly at Kayla.
Kayla greeted Ellen with a smile. “Ellen, it’s nice to see you.”
“Can we talk?” Ellen asked quietly. “In private?”
Kayla nodded. She motioned for Ellen to follow her. The women went back to the staff lounge. Kayla shut the door behind her. She motioned for Ellen to sit on the couch.
“We have all the privacy in here,” Kayla said as she joined Ellen on the couch. “Dr. Jacobs and Adrienne are closing up for the day, but I’m all yours. What can I do for you?”
Ellen was quiet for a long moment. Kayla took in Ellen’s appearance. Her faced was bruised,and her eyes were puffy. “I need to talk to you about my son,” Ellen finally said.
Kayla rubbed Ellen’s arm assuredly. “Sure. Is he okay?”
“He is now,” Ellen said.
Kayla looked puzzled. “Oh?”
Ellen nodded. “Yes. You and your husband have him.”
Kayla looked in dismay. “Benjy? Benjy is your son?”
“Yes,” Ellen said quietly. “I gave him up for adoption because of the abuse. I didn’t want him to be hurt.” Ellen began to cry softly.
“Oh Ellen,” Kayla said just as softly. “I’m so sorry.”
Ellen hung her head in shame. “No, don’t be. My husband, Bart never wanted a child with a disability. He always wanted a boy,and when I got pregnant with Benjy, we were both so happy. But when we had him,and,” her voice trailed off.
“When you found out that Benjy was deaf,” Kayla continued.
“Yeah,” Ellen said sadly. “When Bart and I found out that Benjamin was deaf, he couldn’t stand it. He wanted nothing to do with Benjy. Benjy was less of a person to Bart because of his deafness. He ignored him. It was like Benjy didn’t exist to Bart. I tried to be a loving mother to Benjy. A protective and caring mother, but the abuse towards me got too bad. I thought things would be different, better once I had Bart’s child, but things just got worse.”
Kayla was quiet. She didn’t know what to say. Her heart broke for Ellen,and Benjy. She finally spoke. “How did you find out that my husband and I had Benjy?”
“His case worker told me. I call her every so often to ask how Benjy is doing. She never really tells me anything, besides that he is fine. But when I called this last time, her answer was different. She told me that Benjy was in a loving foster home,and that he was doing good. That the family could sign with him.”
Kayla nodded. ‘Yes, my husband and I both know sign language,and there’s a program at the hospital that we’re going to get Benjy involved in, so that he can meet other kids who are deaf.”
“Thank you,” Ellen said. “Thank you for loving and caring for my boy. Thank you for giving him what I can’t.”
“I can tell that you love him,” Kayla said.
“I do,” Ellen said. “But Bart’s hold is too great on me. I can’t leave him.”
“Ellen,” Kayla said gently, “there’s help for you. I can get you to a battered women’s shelter. Janet Banning and I can get you help. We can get it so that you can be with Benjy again. So that you can be his mother. Please let me help you.”
Ellen shook her head in defeat. “No. I can’t leave Bart. I know that he loves me despite the abuse. Besides, I don’t deserve to be a mother.”
Kayla rubbed Ellen’s arm soothingly. “That’s not true. I can tell how much you love Benjy. You’re here telling me all this because you love him.”
“No,” Ellen said. “I’m telling you this because of guilt. Yes, I do love Benjy, but I don’t deserve to be his mother. I don’t deserve to be anyone’s mother.”
“I don’t understand,” Kayla said almost pleading to Ellen. “I can help you. I want you to be a mother. As much as I love Benjy, he should be with you, if you love him, and if we and get you help and in a safe place. I know that my husband would say the same thing.”
“No,” Ellen said a little louder than she had intended. “I don’t deserve to be a mother because Benjy isn’t the only child whom I’ve abandoned.”

[André DiMera]

This is a really sad situation that Ellen’s in. I wonder if Jennie’s the other child she’s referring to.

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 44

Kayla’s face was washed with sympathy and puzzlement at Ellen’s last comment. “You abandoned another child?”
Ellen nodded yes. “I had a daughter a long time ago. She was a beautiful baby girl. My little dolly, that’s what I called her. Her name was Jennie, but I gave her up. I was a single parent,and I was struggling to care for Jennie on my own.”
“What about her father? Did he help you at all?”
Ellen blushed in shame. “Her father never knew I was pregnant. It was a one night stand. I was living in California at the time. I was a waitress at a bar. He had come in quite a few times. I used to serve him drinks. He was so kind. He always gave me generous tips. I think he knew that I didn’t have much. Then one night, he had a little too much to drink. I offered to give him a ride home. Well, he ended up at my apartment that night, and,” Ellen’s voice trailed off.
Ellen began to cry softly. Kayla rubbed Ellen’s arm. Ellen finally continued. “We slep together that night. It was gentle. He was so soft and sweet. The next morning, he left. Six weeks later, I found out that I was pregnant. I never saw him again.”
“He never came back into the bar?” Kayla’s heart broke for Ellen.
Ellen shook her head sadly. “No. When I found out that I was pregnant, I had asked around, and some guys told me that he had joined The Merchant Marines. He had left the country. I never saw him again. He never knew that I was pregnant, or that I had a baby girl.”
“I’m so sorry,” Kayla said.
“Like I said, I tried to care for Jennie,” Ellen said. “But I struggled so much. I ended up giving her up when she was a year old. I wanted better for her. I wanted her to have a two parent family. I couldn’t give her that. I felt so guilty. So much so that I left California,and then came to Salem. I needed to start over. I needed a new life.”
“You met Bart after coming to Salem?”
Ellen nodded. “Yeah. I got a waitressing job at the Cheatin Heart bar,and I met Bart there. He swept me off my feet. I thought I needed him to help me get over having to let Jennie go. And once we got married,and then had Benjy, I thought things would be better.”
“How old is Jennie now?”
Ellen thought for a moment. “She’s probably twelve now. I just hope that she has been adopted. I think I feel more guilty about her then Benjy. That probably sounds really bad, right?”
Kayla shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. You know what has happened to Benjy. I’m sure that has to be some kind of closure, but with Jennie, you never had that. You left her in the California state system, trusting that they would care for her. That had to be hard.”
“It was hard,’ Ellen agreed. “More then anything, I just want to know that my girl is loved and okay.”
Kayla’s mind was racing. Her heart went out to Ellen. She wanted to help her so badly. If she couldn’t help her get away from her abusive husband, then she had to help in another way. Kayla then had a thought. She opened her purse,and retrieved a business card from her purse. She handed it to Ellen. “Here,” Kayla said.
Ellen glanced down at the card. “What’s this?”
Kayla smiled warmly. “My husband Steve is a private investigator. Maybe he could help you find out what happened to Jennie.”
Ellen’s hand began to shake as she looked at the card again. Her face turned white. “Oh, no, I couldn’t. If Bart found out i was going to a PI. I just can’t. Besides, I don’t have the money to pay for this.”
“My husband might be able to help you,” Kayla offered. “He’s a very giving guy. He might be willing to work out a payment plan for you. You deserve to know what happened to Jennie. You deserve closure.”
“I don’t know,” Ellen said feeling unsure.
“At least think about it,” Kayla said.
Ellen looked at the card again. She traced Steve’s name with her finger. “You and your husband are already doing so much for me by caring for my Benjy.”
“Please,” Kayla said. “I want to help.”
Ellen put the card in her purse. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good,” Kayla said.
“Thank you,” Ellen said. She then gave Kayla a hug. “Thank you for understanding,and not judging me.”
Kayla embraced Ellen, lightly rubbing her back as they hugged. “Of course. You are safe here. Please know that.”
Ellen broke away from Kayla. “Thank you. I must go now. I don’t want Bart missing me.”
The women got up from the couch. Kayla walked Ellen to the front door. Ellen thanked Kayla again,and quickly walked out. Kayla said bye to Robin and Adrienne, gathered her things,and left to go home. She just hoped that Ellen would consider going to Steve. She felt that possibly he might be able to help her. If nothing else, maybe Ellen could find closure as far as her daughter was concerned.

[André DiMera]

Hopefully Ellen will go to Steve.

[misfit]

Oh man, finally had a chance to catch up on this fic. The backstory you've given Ellen is so heartbreaking but I love that you were able to flesh out the character this way, and twine Jennie in with her and Benjy. So happy Kayla was there for her and recommended that she reach out to Steve, I could picture her SO well in this scene. Great job, I can't wait for more!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 45

Carrie finished up cheerleading practice for the day. Half way through practice, Carrie noticed that Jennie had come into the gym,and took a seat on the bleachers. She contently watched the practice as she waited for Carrie. Carrie smiled at Jennie throughout practice to acknowledge that she had seen her come into the gym. Once practice was over, Lisa called the cheerleaders over into a group. “Before we leave I have something to tell you guys,” Lisa said.
Rachel and Megan waited in anticipation.
“Saturday is the homecoming dance. Since we’re only in junior high school, I thought that we could have our own little party,” Lisa explained.
“A sleepover?” Tori asked.
“Of course,” Lisa said.
“Lisa’s sleepovers are the best,” Jessie echoed.
“A sleepover for cheerleaders only,” Lisa emphasized a little louder.
Carrie glanced over at Jennie at Lisa’s last comment. She noticed how Jennie shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Sounds like fun,” Sarah said.
“You all have to come,” Nikki said.
“It does sound like fun,” Carrie said.
“Excellent,” Lisa said as she clapped her hands together excitedly. “Everyone come to my house. Saturday night at seven.”
The girls then parted ways to go home for the day. Carrie walked over to the bleachers to meet Jennie.
“You did great,” Jennie said. “You’re so good at cheer.”
“Thanks,” Carrie said as she grabbed her purse and school books from the bleachers. “Ready to go?”
Jennie nodded. Carrie and Jennie were walking out of the gym when Lisa stopped them. “Hey Jennie,” Lisa said. “I don’t appreciate strays watching our practice. If you have to do school work with Carrie, you can wait out in the hall till practice is over.”
“Sorry,” Jennie stammered quietly. “I just,” Jennie’s voice trailed off.
“Hey,” Carrie piped up. “Cut her a break. She just wanted to watch practice. It’s not a big deal.”
“Seriously,” Lisa scoffed. “Rachel and Megan have told me all about Jennie.”
“Really,” Carrie countered. “They know nothing about Jennie.”
“Oh and you do?” Lisa countered back.
“I do,” Carrie said confidently. “Jennie is my friend. She’s nice and caring. That’s all you need to know. Whatever else you’ve heard is not true.”
Before Lisa could say another word Carrie swiftly walked out of the gym, Jennie following behind her.
“She’s a loser,” Lisa called after Carrie.
Tori and Nikki snickered after Carrie and Jennie. “Brady is just a big loser as Jennie,” Tori said.
“It’s gonna be some sleepover Saturday isn’t it?” Nikki asked.
“Oh yeah,” Lisa said. “Brady needs to loosen up,and stop being such a goodie goodie. I’ll make sure of that.”
****
Carrie and Jennie walked back to Carrie’s house. “Thank you,” Jennie said. “No one has ever stuck up for me like that before.”
“Yeah, well, I meant what I said,” Carrie said. “You are my friend. Just because I’m on the cheer squad, I’m not going to let my friends talk to you like that.”
“Uh,” Jennie said. She opened her mouth to say something, but then stopped herself.
“What?”
“It’s nothing,” Jennie said.
The girls walked in silence till they got to Carrie’s house. Carrie opened the front door,and found Sami waiting at the front window. “Hi,” Sami said. “I’m ready to learn how to sign.”
Jennie smiled. “Hi Sami.”
“Eric,” Sami yelled. “Carrie and Jennie are home.”
Just then Eric appeared in the living room. He was holding a cookie in one hand. He shoved the cookie in his mouth, and chewed quickly. “I’m ready,” Eric said with a mouthful of cookie.
Just then Jennifer came into the living room with Frankie behind her. Jennifer and Frankie took in the foursome. “We’re going upstairs to work on signing,” Carrie said.
Jennifer nodded. “Have fun.”
Sami and Eric ran up to Carrie’s room. Carrie went after them. Jennie lingered in the living room staring at Frankie.
“Come on Jennie,” Carrie called.
Jennie blushed slightly,and quickly ran up the stairs and into Carrie’s room.
Before Jennie began teaching sign language, she asked if they could run through their project for that Friday’s presentation. Carrie happily obliged,and the girls ran through their presentation of the ear. Eric and Sami were their audience. Once the practice presentation was through, Carrie and Jennie seemed pleased with their presentation. The twins said that they had done a good job.

Jennie then took a sign language book out of her backpack. She opened the book,and began teaching sign to Carrie and the twins. She first taught them basic words; hi, bye, my name is,and how are you. Jennie was patient as she went through each sign with Carrie and the twins. Carrie flipped through the book as Jennie taught them each sign. They worked on the signs, repeating as many times as they needed to. As they worked, time got away from the group. A while later, Carrie glanced at her clock. “Wow, Dad should be home soon.”
“I didn’t realize it was that late,” Jennie said. “I should go.”
Jennie gathered up her things. “I’ll come back tomorrow, if that’s okay?”
Carrie nodded eagerly. “Yeah, that’d be great. We could run through our presentation again,and then more signing.”
Jennie nodded. “I should go.”
Carrie nodded. Carrie walked Jennie downstairs. Carrie could hear her father talking to Jennifer and Frankie in the kitchen. Just then Jennifer and Frankie walked into the living room with Roman. Carrie explained that Jennie was leaving. Carrie then noticed that Frankie winked at Jennie.
“Why don’t we give Jennie a ride home,” Frankie offered.
“Yeah,” Jennifer said. “It would be no trouble.”
“I can walk,” Jennie interrupted.
“It’s no problem,” Frankie said He winked at her again.
Jennie nodded. “Thanks.”
Carrie said bye to Jennie,and watched as she left with Frankie and Jennifer. Carrie thought that the exchange between Frankie and Jennie was a bit strange, and she thought about asking Jennie about it tomorrow.

[André DiMera]

Ugh. Those girls are horrible! Glad Carrie stood up for Jennie.

Interesting encounter between Frankie and Jennie.

[misfit]

"I don't appreciate strays watching our practice." God, that line hurt me to even read but I loved Carrie coming to her defense. So cute that Eric and Sami were the test audience and ooh, the Frankie/Jennie encounter. Color me intrigued. Looking forward to more!

[wildheartashley]

Chapter 46

Kayla got home from work that evening. She walked into the house, and was greeted with the aroma of spaghetti sauce and garlic. She smiled to herself as she walked into the kitchen. “Hey Sweetness,” Steve greeted from the stove. “How was your first day back?”
“Good,” Kayla said as she walked over to Steve. She kissed him on the cheek. “How about your’s?”
“Good,” he said. “Spaghetti for dinner tonight. It was Benjy’s idea.”
Just then Benjy appeared in the kitchen. “Kayla home,” he signed. “Benjy done with homework.”
Benjy came over to Kayla and hugged her. She held Benjy in an embrace for a little longer, remembering her conversation with Ellen from earlier that day.
Kayla finally broke free,and signed to Benjy. “Did you have a good day?”
Benjy signed that he had a good day,and he quickly went to wash his hands for dinner.
Kayla went upstairs,and changed her clothes. She went back down to the kitchen,and helped Steve finish up dinner. Once the spaghetti, garlic bread,and salad were done, the family of three sat down to eat. Once dinner was over, Kayla cleaned up the kitchen, while Steve played with Benjy in the living room.
Kayla joined Steve and Benjy in the living room after the kitchen was clean. “What’s going on?” Kayla signed.
“Steve and Benjy play game,” Benjy signed. “Grandma Jo brought Benjy game today.” Benjy motioned to the game board on the living room floor.
Steve grinned. “Mama brought over Shoots and Ladders. I was just teaching Benjamin here the finer rules of the game.”
Kayla grinned. “I love a good board game.”
The family spent the rest of the evening playing Shoots and Ladders. Kayla then got Benjy ready for bed,and she and Steve then tucked him in.
Once they left Benjy’s room, Kayla and Steve went into their bedroom,and got ready for bed. Kayla snuggled into Steve’s embrace as they laid together. “Ellen came back into the clinic today,” Kayla said.
“Oh,” Steve said with peaked interest in his voice.
Kayla nodded. “She told me some things.”
“What things, baby?”
Kayla was quiet for a moment. “Um, Ellen is Benjy’s mother.”
Steve propped up on one elbow. “What? She is?”
Kayla nodded. “Ellen gave him up because she is being abused by her husband, Bart. She wanted to keep him safe.”
Steve was quiet for a long time. Tears began to glisten in his eyes. “What else did she say?”
Kayla rubbed her husband’s arm comfortingly. “That she loved Benjy very much,and how sorry that she was to give him up. She did seemed relieved that he was safe and well cared for though.”
“Yeah,” Steve said in a choked voice. “We’re giving Benjy something that I never had. I lived in that orphanage from the time that I was five till I left upon turning eighteen. I never had a family during that time. I never felt loved, not really. I’m glad that we can give Benjamin that. Love and safety,and acceptance.”
“Yeah,” Kayla said as her voice trailed off.
“What Sweetness? What is it?”
“There’s more.”
Steve looked at Kayla with a questioning look. “What?”
“Ellen told me that she had another child. Benjy has an older sister,” Kayla explained. “Apparently, Ellen had had another child, a little girl, years ago,and gave her up because she was a single mom,and it was too hard to raise her alone.”
“What about the girl’s father?”
Kayla shook her head sadly. “He wasn’t in the picture. It was a one night stand. That’s what Ellen told me today. She was living in California when she slept with a guy. Once she gave her daughter up, she left California and came to Salem to start over.”
“And then she met her current husband?” Steve asked.
Kayla nodded yes. “Steve, Ellen wants to find her daughter. She wants to know that she is loved and cared for, like Benjy. She wants that closure like she has for Benjy.”
“She could get her boy back,” Steve countered. “She just needs to leave that jerk.”
Kayla rubbed Steve’s arm. “I tried telling her that, but she’s too scared.”
“Benjamin has a sister,” Steve said.
“Her name is Jennie,” Kayla said. “Um, I kind of mentioned you to Ellen.”
Steve shot Kayla a look. “What did you say?”
“I might have told Ellen that you could possibly help her find Jennie. You know, at least tell her if Jennie was adopted or not. That might give her some closure.”
“Kayla,” Steve said in a warning tone. “Why? Why did you tell her that?”
“Steve,” Kayla said slightly annoyed with his response. “I want to help her. If I can’t get Ellen to leave her husband, then I thought at least I could help her find her daughter. Help her get the closure that she wants.”
“Baby, I hate cases like those,” Steve quietly confessed. “They can be hard.”
“Please,” Kayla pleaded. “Can you at least talk to her, if she comes to see you? I gave her your business card.”
Steve sighed heavily. “Alright, baby. I’ll at least talk to her, for you, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said gratefully.
Steve kissed Kayla on the head as he pulled her back into an embrace. “You are a good nurse, Mrs. Johnson.”
Kayla giggled slightly as she kissed Steve back. With that Steve turned the light off on the nightstand,and they fell asleep in one another’s arms.

[André DiMera]

Glad Kayla told Steve, and that Steve agreed to help.