“Hi Austin,” she replied. “How are you doing?”
“Fine, thanks. How about you?" I heard about the twins. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I’m doing pretty good. Mike and I are counting down the days until their birth. We’re real excited.”
“That’s great. So, how’s everything in Israel?”
“Fantastic. Mike and I bought a new house and opened up a clinic.”
“That’s terrific.”
“Carrie,” Sami interrupted as she walked up to them. “Oh, sorry. Hi Austin.”
“Hi Sami,” Austin said as he looked down.
“Carrie, mom wants to know where you put the wedding pictures.”
“They’re on the kitchen table.”
“Thanks,” Sami said as she walked off.
“Wedding pictures?” Austin asked.
“Yeah. Mike and I got married this past Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh, I had no idea,” he stammered out. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Carrie could tell that he was upset. “It was actually pretty ironic.”
“Why?”
“Well, it was the same day I discovered I was pregnant.”
“That’s really amazing.”
“Yeah, it was very exhilarating. But, what about you? Are you still boxing?”
“I’ve been in the ring a few times. But, uh, nothing serious. I’ve been working back at Titan. And, uh, I finally moved out of my mom’s and back into our – I mean, my apartment.”
“Yeah, Sami told me what happened between the two of you,” Carrie mentioned, careful to say she also told her about his feelings.
“She did?”
“Yes, she did. She feels really bad about it. Her and Brandon don’t have feelings for each other.”
“And you actually believe her?”
“Well, yes. Why shouldn’t I believe her?”
“Well, it’s just that you never believed anything Sami’s ever said before.”
“Yeah, but I’ve changed. I mean, living in Israel with Mike and seeing different people in the clinic has helped me see that family is very important.”
“Well, that’s great. But, I still don’t believe Sami.”
“But, Aust-“
“Hey Princess,” Mike interrupted as he walked up to Carrie and handed her a plate.
“Hi honey,” she replied.
“Hey Austin,” Mike said.
“Hi.”
“How are you?”
“Fine, thanks. Congratulations on the twins.”
“Thanks.” Mike could tell that he was uncomfortable. “Carrie and I are counting down the days.”
Nicole and Lucas, who was holding Will, walked up to them.
“Hi!” Mike and Carrie said simultaneously.
“Hi,” Lucas said. “Look who it is Will. It’s Aunt Carrie and Uncle Mike. Can you say hi?”
“Hi,” Will whispered.
“Hi Will,” Mike said as he grabbed him from Lucas’ arms. “How are you?”
“Okay.”
“You know, Carrie and I missed you. We thought about you everyday.”
“Hi everyone,” Sami interrupted.
“Hey Sami,” Lucas replied. “Hey Will look, it’s mommy!”
“Mommy!” Will exclaimed as Sami took him from Mike’s arms.
“Wow!” Mike said. “He is really getting big.”
“Yeah he is,” Austin said.
“Well,” Sami started, “I think we are going to get something to eat. See you later.” She walked off with Will.
“You know that sounds like a good idea,” Lucas mentioned. “Nicole and I are going to get something too.” They left towards Mickey and Alice.
“Well,” Austin replied, “I’m going to get a beer.”
“Bye,” Carrie said.
“So,” Mike said as he leaned over and gave her a kiss, “you and Austin looked pretty serious earlier. What were you talking about?”
“We were talking about Sami. He was sur4prised that I believed her.”
“He seemed pretty uncomfortable while we were talking.”
“Yeah, he was. Maybe Sami was right about him.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when I left for Israel, Austin said that he forgave me for what happened. But, I still remember all those months that he was so angry and bitter.”
“Me too. But Carrie, I don’t really understand your point.”
“My points is that he never stopped loving me during those months. And now that he’s calmed down about the affair, maybe he realized that he’s still in love with me.”
“But Carrie, that’s insane! We’re married and expecting twins!”
“I know. Which is why I need to talk to him about this. There is no way we will ever get back together, and he needs to move on.”
“I agree. That’s exactly why I love you so much Carrie Horton. You are the most caring, unselfish person I know.” He leaned down and gently gave Carrie a kiss.
“I love you, too,” she replied.
“Hey Cuz!” a voice interrupted. Carrie and Mike turned around.
“Bo! Hope!!” Carrie and Mike exclaimed. They joyfully gave them a hug.
“And who’s this sweet angel?” Carrie asked, referring to the little girl in Hope’s arms.”
“This is the newest addition to our family, Katelyn Addie Brady,” Bo explained.
“Congratulations, man. She’s beautiful,” Mike said.
“John and Marlena filled us in on everything,” Carrie mentioned. “You guys are truly amazing and inspiring. After everything that you’ve been through, it’s so wonderful that you’ve managed to stay together! Your love is magical!”
“Yours is too,” Bo added as he hugged Carrie again. “I always knew you and Mike would win in the end.”
“Congratulations. It won’t be long before the two of you are holding your children,” Hope added.
“Thank you, Hope,” Carrie said.
“So, how has everything been since you two returned to Salem?” Mike asked.
“Perfectly smooth,” Bo answered.
“We’ve been really busy with Kate,” Hope added.
“Hey sweetie,” Mike said as he took Katelyn from Hope’s arms.
“Hi Kate,” Carrie said as she touched her head. Katelyn cooed at the attention.
“Look at that,” Bo said. “You two are going to be wonderful parents.”
“Thanks,” Carrie and Mike said as Mike handed Katelyn to Bo.
“Here’s daddy,” he said.
“Well, I’m starving! Let’s get something to eat!” Bo said.
“I’m with you!” Hope added. “See you later!”
“Bye!” Carrie and Mike said. Mike leaned over and kissed Carrie.
“Sorry to interrupt,” another voice said. Carrie and Mike turned around.
“Belle!” Carrie exclaimed as she gave her a hug. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing pretty good,” Belle answered. “Hey Mike,” she added as she gave him a hug. “I heard you two were back in town.”
“Yes we are,” Carrie said.
“And I also heard about the twins. Congratulations!”
“Thanks!” Carrie and Mike both replied.
“You two are going to be great parents,” Belle added. “Well, I’m going to find Shawn. But, I will talk to you later.”
“Bye!” they both said.
“Carrie, what’s up with Belle and Shawn?”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you! They’ve been dating for a couple of months.”
“They have?”
“Yes, they have.”
“Wow! That’s terrific.”
********************************************************
“Excuse me,” Alice shouted over everyone a little while later. “Can I have your attention please? I would like to thank everyone for coming today to celebrate with us. And I would also like to propose a toast to Carrie and Mike. May they have everything they’ve dreamed of, and so much more.”
“To Carrie and Mike!” everyone exclaimed. Carrie and Mike walked up in front of everyone.
“Thank you all for everything,” Mike replied. “Since my beautiful wife is an expert public relations spokeswoman, I’m going to let her give the speech!”
“Thanks,” Carrie said as she kissed Mike. “Well, Mike and I would like to thank all of our family and friends for welcoming us back. Especially for this event. You know, it was two years ago at this barbecue that Mike and I shared our first kiss. We’ve missed all of you. It’s great to be back, and it’s great to celebrate everything with the ones we love. Thank you for all your support. And I’ll let Mike announce our surprise!”
“Well,” Mike started. “As all of you know by now, Carrie and I are expecting our first children, a boy and a girl anytime soon. Anyway, we were talking earlier. And we decided that we are going to stay in Salem until after the twins are born.”
“That’s terrific!” they heard Maggie yell. Everybody else started applauding and cheering. “Great!!!”
“Well,” Alice interrupted, “I’m so happy! And I have a surprise for you two!”
“A surprise for us?” Mike asked.
“Yes, a surprise dear. If everyone would please clear the middle of the yard, and you and Carrie go out there."
“Okay, grandma. You’re the boss!” Mike replied as he grabbed Carrie’s hand and led her to the middle of the crowd.
“Carrie and Mike” Alice continued, “you two have been through so much to be together. But, your love is so strong that you’ve gotten through everything without letting go of one another. I know you two have true love, just like Tom and I have. You two remind me so much of us. I hope your life together is as happy as ours was. So, I would be honored if you would share this dance, the first dance of the first Brady/Horton picnic of the Millenium.”
Everyone clapped as Mike took Carrie into his arms. “Of course grandma,” he added. Then ‘How Do I Live’ started playing. When the song was over, Mike and Carrie bowed to the crowd. Then, everyone joined them to dance.
Mike and Carrie walked off from everyone and secretly shared a kiss.
When the song ended, everyone clapped. Suddenly, there was a scream.
“Oh my God, CARRIE!” they heard Mike yell. Everyone ran over to the table where Carrie was laying on the ground in pain.
That's it! Sorry for the wicked ending! I just wanted to keep you in suspense!
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