Widow's Weeds

Jennifer sits at a table and remembers making love with Frankie. Maggie meets her. She's sorry to be late, but there was a little trouble in paradise over at Chez Rouge. Maggie had to straighten out a little spat between the head chef and the sous chef, but it was nothing. Gram is at a quilting bee with Caroline. Jennifer thinks it's better that they are there alone. She wants to talk about Frankie and her.

The brat meets Frankie as he heads into Bo and Hope's house, or Bo and Billie's house, whatever. She got a message to come over and talk about the trial. She wonders what's up. "It would be best if they filled you in," says Frankie.

Bo and Billie discuss the court date. Bo thinks the brat will feel better having it moved up, so she can get it over with. He feels guilty keeping this from Hope. He doesn't understand why it comes down to him making a decision between Hope and his daughter, "Hope deserves to be here for the trial."

Frankie and the brat walk in as Billie rants, "Yeah, so she could send our daughter to jail! But you're right, Bo. It is your choice."

Carrie throws a hissy fit. She tells Lucas they have to talk in private. They go into the bedroom. Austin asks Sami, "What's going on? I've never seen Carrie act like that before."

Sami whispers, "I'll kill her."

Carrie tells Lucas, "After you hear this, there might not be a wedding."

Debonair John walks through the casino, "Where are you Doc? When I find him, Alex North is a dead man."

Hope asks Marlena if she feels all right, "You just don't seem yourself."

Marlena drones, "I'm in the most beautiful place in the world with the man I love. What could I possibly want?"

Alex tells Patrick, "John Black will go through hell to find Marlena. I made it easier for him by leaving a trail. When he shows up, you will help kill him. Understand?"

John steps out on the terrace and sees Alex, Marlena, Patrick and Hope sitting together. "Well," he says, "This is interesting. What are Hope and Patrick doing with him?" He saunters up to the table, "Hello fellow Salemites."

"What are you doing here," asks Marlena.

John does his best James Bond... or is it his best Jacques Clouseau... "Your husband would best answer that, since he wanted me here."

Sami and Austin wonder what Lucas and Carrie are talking about in the other room. Austin thinks maybe they are postponing the wedding. Sami doesn't think so. She doesn't want Austin to get his hopes up again about Carrie. He agrees; it's time for him to move on.

Lucas is stunned. He asks if she is sure. Positive.

"Call me antisocial," says Alex, "But I don't believe I'd invite John to join us on our honeymoon."

John says, "I've been trying to track her down. I put a tracking device on the jet. But he jammed the transmission."

"Your stalking us has upset Marlena and I," says Alex.

John continues, "He had his real estate agent call me knowing I could track him through her. He wanted me to find you."

Alex throws up his hands, "All right John, you've got me. I guess I did want you to find us."

Jennifer tells Maggie she and Frankie took their relationship 'further.' Maggie isn't surprised. Jennifer says that was a huge step for her and she may be getting cold feet.

Bo tells Chelsea the trial date has been moved up. The brat panics, "So it's finally happening. Hope is coming back and I will be sent away."

"This is a difficult case," says Frankie, "But we will build a strong defense."

The brat whines, "All the judge will hear from Hope is that I am a heartless murderer."

"We aren't going to tell Hope the date has been moved up," says Bo.

"Bo, you are making a huge mistake," says Frankie.

Alex says he called the Salem police to talk to Roman, but John answered. He wanted Roman to keep John at bay. Alex claims he was working with the real estate broker to sell his cabin. The broker called saying John had made an offer to buy the penthouse, "It wasn't a serious offer. He was just trying to track us down. That's how he found out where we were."

John does a slow burn, "You didn't call Roman. You called me on my cell phone. I just happened to be at the cop shop when I answered it. I didn't make that bid out of the blue. His agent called and said he had put the penthouse on the market. He was going to sell it and all of your belongings right out from under you."

"It was Marlena's idea to sell it," says Alex, "I merely concurred."

"That's interesting," says John, "Kate said Marlena told her she was coming back to Salem right after the honeymoon. Where was she supposed to live?"

"We haven't decided yet," says Alex, "She has amnesia. She can't remember these things."

Marlena says, "Alex is right. I don't remember the conversation. But Alex would never do the things you are accusing him of." John goes off the deep end. Hope takes him aside. Patrick stares.

Hope tries to get John to calm down. That isn't John's style. He asks what's going on with Hope, "Why are you here with Patrick?"

"We met once we got down here. I don't want Bo to know anything."

"He's going out of his mind," says John.

"He's made that trip before," says Hope, "If you go after Alex, it will only make things worse between you and Marlena."

John says, "Yeah-yeah, I know."

Alex tells Marlena he's sorry John tracked them down. Marlena won't let John ruin the honeymoon. She excuses herself. Alex tells Patrick, "We're going to have to step up our plan. Things are moving too quickly. John Black needs to die tonight."

"This is a beautiful place," says John, "But I'm not here on a pleasure trip."

Hope thinks he did the right thing coming here, "Marlena admitted Alex is controlling her. The next time we spoke, she had no memory of it."

Lucas paces. Carrie asks if he is going to say something. He doesn't know what to say. It's the last thing he expected. It's not her fault. They are in this together.

Sami wonders if they should go. Austin agrees. As they start to leave, Lucas and Carrie come out of the bedroom. Austin says they were just leaving, but Lucas asks them to stay. Austin asks if everything is OK. Lucas asks Carrie to make the big announcement.

"Lucas and I are having a baby," says Carrie.

Sami asks, "What?"

Carrie says, "I'm pregnant."

Maggie tells Jennifer her feelings are perfectly normal. Jennifer misses Jack so much. She feels like this thing with Frankie is moving too fast. Then she tells Jennifer about Abby walking in on them.

"Oh, dear," says Maggie, "That must've been quite a shock. But these things happen. And Abby isn't a child any more."

"I talked to her and she seemed to handle it well," says Jennifer.

"Jack and Abby had a special relationship," says Maggie, "It's hard for her to see her mom with another man, but she wants you to be happy."

"I feel guilty," says Jennifer, "I feel like I'm letting Jack down."

Maggie says, "I know exactly how you feel. I... had a similar experience."

"That figures," says Jennifer, "Recycling storylines is par for the course on this show"

Frankie hauls Bo outside, "What the hell was that? She is my client."

"You told me this was in Chelsea's best interest," says Bo.

Frankie says, "Bo, you belong with Hope."

"She is with Lockhart now," says Bo, "She slept with him."

"You don't know that for sure," says Frankie.

"If she hadn't, she would have told me," says Bo, "She wants the divorce."

Frankie urges, "Bo, don't give up."

"Do you think I want to," asks Bo, "I would give anything for this to be a big mistake, but obviously it's not." Frankie remembers the brat's confession. Bo goes on, "It kills me to say this, but it's over between Hope and me. I have to concentrate on what I can do something about."

The brat tells Billie she can't believe she and Bo are going to bat for her, but she is concerned the DA will contact Hope and tell her the trial date has changed. Billie reassures her, "No one can find Hope. Frankie knows where she is, but he is obligated not to say anything."

"My God," says the brat, "This means I might stay out of prison. Thank you." Hugs.

Hope talks about Marlena's mood swings. John is having a hard time with this, "Marlena has been distant to everyone. I don't know what North is doing to her. But he is responsible for her behavior."

Marlena comes up to them and says, "You're right, Alex is responsible."

Patrick says, "I don't think killing John is going to solve your problems."

"I'm not paying you to think," says Alex.

"And you're getting your money's worth," says Patrick.

The group is ecstatic. Carrie says, "I really overreacted didn't I? Now I'm not going to be able to wear those gowns."

Sami chimes in with a suggestion, "You could get married right away."

"No," says Carrie, "I want everyone to be there. People need time to make travel arrangements, and Chloe needs more time for her face to heal completely."

Sami says, "That's a total cop out. Why are you stalling?"

Maggie says, "When Mickey and I were married the first time, he went to Venezuela. I received word that he had been killed in a plane crash. We didn't know the DiMera's were behind it. I had lost my husband and I was alone to raise my two daughters. I was grieving so much but I had to pick up the pieces. The thought of dating other men, I didn't know if I could face that. Then along came Don Craig. He was someone I could talk to. He was Mickey's partner. We started spending time together. It felt awkward at first. I felt like I was cheating on Mickey. And when things got serious between us, my feelings of guilt became stronger. But Don and I fell in love."

"And then uncle Mickey came back," says Jennifer.

"Yes," says Maggie, "And it wasn't easy sailing for any of us."

"I wish I had your strength," says Jennifer.

"You do," says Maggie, "You are a Horton. I had a lot of support from a very wise woman, who gave me the same advice I just gave you."

"Who was that," asks Maggie.

Maggie nods to a booth across the pub where Alice is sitting.

Billie cautions against overconfidence. Bo swears he isn't calling Hope. "She should be there," insists Frankie.

"She will make Chelsea out to be a monster," says Bo.

"We don't need Hope for that," says Frankie, "But I'll put you on the stand."

"That will hurt our relationship," says Bo.

"No problem," says Frankie, "Your relationship is already in the toilet. Have you even thought about the consequences when Hope finds out you have kept the trial date from her?"

Bo says, "I'm hoping she doesn't find out."

Frankie says, "She's going to. You're going to lose her forever."

Maggie and Jennifer have moved over to Alice's table. They are happy her quilting bee ended early. Alice seems a little distraught. Maggie asks what is wrong. Alice looks up and asks with tears in her eyes, "Is this the best we can do for May sweeps?"

Maggie tells her she remembers her words of wisdom, "You said, 'Maggie you are too young to wear widow's weeds.'"

Alice agrees. She says Jennifer can't let Jack's memory stop her. Jennifer is thankful for both of them. Jennifer leaves.

"You did forget one thing," says Alice, "You may have followed your heart and taken up with don Craig..."


"Yes," says Maggie, "But in my case Mickey came back from the dead. But we both know Jennifer isn't going to have to worry about that." Start worrying, Jennifer. Pan to a hospital room full of whirring and buzzing machines. A limp hand holds an open locket with Jennifer's picture inside. A nurse walks into the room and examines the patient. JACK!

Bo tells Frankie, "Hope wouldn't listen, even if I told her. I'm just following her request not to talk to her ever again." The brat comes out of the house. Bo goes back inside.

Frankie sees the little snot smirking, "You seem happy. Can I ask you something as your uncle, not as your attorney? If you were in Hope's shoes and lost a child, wouldn't you want to be at the trial? She needs closure."

The brat says, "I know she's in a lot of pain, but if she was thinking about Zack she should know the little guy wouldn't want his big sister to go to jail. Just think about that, Frankie."

Marlena insists she is a new person because of Alex. John works on her, "If you don't know what your life was like before, how can you say you are happier now? We had a great life together."

"I'm sorry," says Marlena, "It can't compare to the way I feel now."

"Dammit, Doc," he whines, "I love you more. Can't you see that?"

Patrick says to Alex, "I hear you. You have a problem I'll take care of it."

"I was beginning to wonder whose side you were on," says Alex.

"The side with the money," says Patrick.

Marlena says, "John, remember I'm a psychiatrist. You are a borderline psychotic. You need help."

Alex walks up, "I agree with that excellent diagnosis. There you are, John. You just got a second opinion free of charge. It's time you let Marlena go."

John goes bonkers and attacks Alex. Marlena asks, "Did I say borderline?"

Lucas assures everyone there will be a wedding. Sami suggests a dinner celebration. Lucas doesn't like that idea but Carrie does. Lucas wimps out. He knows just the place to go.

Austin says, "Well, Carrie, I know how much you wanted a child. I'm really happy for you."

"I'm happy for all of us," says Sami.

"God bless us, every one," says Tiny Tim.


Previews
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John says, "I should just call Bo and tell him where you are right now." Hope says, "No, you will not do that. I won't let you." Pan in on Patrick.

Jennifer tells Frankie, "I don't want to be just lovers. I want to be husband and wife." The blood drains from Frankie's face.

Austin says, "That's why I have to ask you something in private." Sami says, "OMG, Austin. Are you asking me to marry you?"