Who’s Your Momma, Part 3 — the conclusion.
Wayne-Daniel Berard
Welcome to the first fan fiction story for Days of our Lives. We come to the close of Wayne-Daniel’s story. Last time, we left off with Jack and Gwen visiting one of Tiffany’s old friends. Jack was shown a photo of a woman he knows and loathes! We knew our readers haven’t been exactly on board with the entire Gwen vs. The Deverauxs storyline since the beginning. Soaps Spoilers’ Wayne-Daniel came up with a solution to how this story could have gone. This twist and finale will include a memorable, emotional outcome, we know you’re going to want to read the surprising ending.
Scene: The Brady Pub
Jack is sitting at the bar having lunch and a beer. Gwen comes in and stands beside him.
“Hey, stranger! Buy you a drink?” Jack laughs.
“Don’t even joke like that in this town!” Gwen says, but she does smile a bit, “That’s how rumors get started.” She takes a seat on the stool next to him.
“Haven’t seen you much lately,” Jack adds. “Was about to call — but figured you needed some space? Didn’t want to be one of those helicopter-not-your-parents!”
“Thanks,” Gwen laughs. “I took the bus to Chicago. Wanted to let Cheri know the story. Thought I’d visit my Mum’s” — she hesitates — “I mean, Tiffany’s grave. Got as far as the cemetery gate. But couldn’t step inside.”
“I understand,” Jack replies. “And I’m sorry. But the bus? I’d have gladly loaned you one of our cars.”
Gwen smiles and nods.
“And I’ve been looking for work. Not very successfully, I might add. Seems like nobody wants to hire ‘The Intruder Tramp.’ Can’t say as I blame them.”
“Sorry to keep you waitin’” Roman steps up and smiles wanly. “I’m out-straight. It’s the third day this week my new waitress has called out. Just can’t find decent help these days.”
“Gwen here’s looking for work?” Jack adds glibly.
“Oh, I’m sure Mr. Brady would not want to hire me,” Gwen says, looking embarrassed.
“Why don’t you just let Mr. Brady decide that for himself?” Roman flashes that garrulous smile. “Ever waited table?”
“Are you kidding?” Gwen says. “Before I got here, that’s pretty much all l did. But . . . do you know who I am?”
“Yeah, I know,” Roman replies. “You’re the one whose life was hijacked by Eve Donovan, which led you to try to do the same for Jack here and for his family.” Gwen looks away, shamefacedly.
“Look,” Roman goes on. “A week or two ago, I wouldn’t have let you in the place, let alone hire you! But Jack explained it all to me. You’re not the first person Eve’s done a number on in this town, including my own granddaughter. Plus, I’ve learned a few things lately about passing judgement.”
“Tripp?” Jack asks.
“Let’s just say I’m tryin’ to pay it forward,” Roman nods. “So, if you want the job, it’s yours. The room upstairs is included.”
Gwen is genuinely overwhelmed.
“Thank you, Mr. Brady!” she says.
“It’s Roman, and when can you start?”
“Why, right — “and Gwen begins to rise up.
“— at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning!” Jack jumps in, patting Gwen’s arm. “But today — remember that meeting you asked me to schedule? That’s why I was going to call you. It’s today. At 3:00.”
Scene change: Devereaux living room.
Various characters are seated or standing. Jennifer and Jack stand beside each other. So do Abby and Chad, though her body language points away from him. Julie is seated on the divan. Jake and Kate linger near the doorway, as if anticipating the need for a quick escape. Gabi stands off to herself, tapping her toe and looking at her watch while shooting daggers at everyone. She’s dressed more for a night on the town (or on a street corner!) than an afternoon meeting.
Oddly enough, Justin is present as well, briefcase in hand. He sits beside Julie.
A knock on the door is followed by Gwen entering. The room hushes immediately. All eyes are on her.
“Well, now I know how facing a firing squad feels,” she says. “Good afternoon, everybody. Jack, Jennifer, thank you for arranging this meeting. I’m sorry I’m late; my first therapy session with Dr. Evans ran overtime.”
“I bet it did!” Julie says in a not-so-aside remark.
“I wanted to speak with each of you individually, but I thought logistically this made the most sense,” Gwen begins. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the story by now. First off, I want to say that I offer no excuse or justification for what I did. I’m a grown woman, and I take full responsibility for my actions.”
“Then why aren’t you in jail!” Gabi interrupts sharply.
“All in due time,” Gwen shudders a little. “As I said, there’s no excuse for what I did to you all. But there are reasons. And I’d like you to hear them for me.
“I was bitten by a snake — when I was a girl and then over and over again as I got older. That snake was named Eve Donovan — someone well known to everyone in this room, I think? That snake was poisonous, and her venom flowed into my veins and permeated my entire being. I became poisoned, mind, body, and spirit. And I acted poisonously toward others, people who had done me no harm, even though I thought they had.
“My understanding is that the only thing to do for a poisonous snake bite is to slice the wound open and let the poison bleed out. That’s why you’re here today, each of you.”
She takes a step toward the divan.
“Julie, I violated the safety and security of your place of business. I entered it with evil intent and I drugged Abigail’s drink under your roof. I am sincerely, dreadfully sorry. I wouldn’t blame you I’d you never let me step foot there again. But please know, if there’s anything I can do to make this up to you, I will. Roman graciously gave me a job at the Brady Pub, but after hours I will gladly scrub the floor at Julie’s Place on my hands and knees; I’ll wash dishes, anything! I’m at your disposal — which, after all, is what garbage deserves.”
She turns toward the back of the room.
“Gabi, you were unjustly accused of something I did. I know you hate me. But not as much as I hate myself. If I’m not mistaken, an attorney is here. I will immediately turn myself over to him as an officer of the court and confess what I did to Abigail and to you. I’ll accept any consequences.”
“Great!” Gabi snaps right to attention. “Let’s go to the station!”
“Actually,” Justin joins in, “if any charges were to be filed, Abigail would need to file them.”
Abby, her arms crossed over her chest, just glares at Gwen, shifting her stance from one hip to the other. She says nothing.
“We can revisit that in a moment,” Gwen continues. “But first I’d like to say” and she turns toward her ex-boyfriend and his current partner.
“Jake, you were right not to love me. The closer I got to injecting my own venom into this family, I’d have had to reject you, anyway. You’re a good man, Jake; you would have never stood for any of it. Take good care of him, Kate. It’s what he deserves.”
“Oh, I will,” Kate says, curling her arm through Jake’s and smiling at Gabi.
“Jack and Jennifer,” Gwen continues. “The more I got to know you, the more I should have seen I’d been fed a pack of lies. You are truly THE most exceptional couple, the most caring parents. But you know Eve; the first thing her poison destroys is the eyes. No excuses! But Jack, when I learned you weren’t my dad, I truly was disappointed — not because I’d lost the chance to destroy you, but because I’d lost the best father I could have possibly had.”
Finally, Gwen looks to Abby and Chad.
“Abigail — what can I say to you? You know, I never had a friend, not one, let alone a sister. So many times during this whole nasty mess I was THIS close to backing off, to just allowing us to actually be as close as I pretended we were. But I’d been poisoned — not just once, as you were, but over and over for years. Eve controlled me just as surely as she’d controlled your father when he came back to Salem. Still, I can’t expect you to forgive me, and if you want to press charges, I’m ready. But before you do, you need to know that Chad never did sleep with me. In the end, he stopped himself, just crying on about much he loved you, before he passed out drunk.” Chad twitches, embarrassedly.
“Abigail, just please know this: I understand what it’s like to be all alone, to feel abandoned by the ones you thought loved you. You can hate me for the rest of your life; I wouldn’t blame you. But FOR the rest of that life, I WILL have your back! No matter who doesn’t believe you, no matter what the circumstances, I will take your word and your part. If anyone wants to get to you, they’ll have to go through me first. And I can be pretty formidable, as you all know.
“We may not be related after all, but I WILL be a sister to you, near or far. You can count on it.”
Gwen stops speaking. The entire room is silent. Then Gabi pipes up:
“Come on, Abigail! Do it! Put this lying witch in jail! I still know some people there who’ll be glad to give her a warm welcome!”
“Mr. Attorney?” Gwen looks to Justin, extends her hands and crosses them at the wrists.
“Actually, I do have paperwork here,” Justin snaps open his briefcase. And hands a folder to Jack.
“Gwen, Jennifer and I have been talking,” Jack begins. “I feel like I’ve gotten to know you pretty well recently. My heart just aches for the lousy way you were brought up, for what Eve did to you. Jennifer and I, we can relate to that.” Jennifer nods, knowingly. “Luckily, I had a family that forgave me everything, and took me in, despite all the horrible acts I’d committed. To me, that’s the only way to cure a poison. You can bleed yourself to death otherwise. So, that being said . . . “
Jack is clearly choked with emotion. He hands the folder to Gwen. She opens it, and her eyes seem to triple in size.
“Adult adoption?!” she reads aloud. “Can you mean this?”
“I can and I do!” Jack says. “I want you to be my daughter, Gwen. If you’ll have me, that is?”
“And you’re alright with this, Jennifer?” Julie sounds aghast.
“Yes, yes I am,” Jen nods. “You know, Jack was adopted. Frankie, too, for that matter. And if I’m being completely honest, I keep thinking about when when Eve hears this, and it goes right up her . . . “
“Jennifer Rose!!” Julie exclaims.
Justin leans in toward Julie. “She’s been hanging out with Bonnie lately,” he grins.
“Now, nothing’s settled,” Jack explains. “I talked with JJ at length over the phone last night. I told him that if the family wasn’t ok with this, that would be it. He’s on board. So, Abigail, sweetheart, what do you say?”
The entire room holds its breath.
“NO WAY IN HELL!!” Abigail leans forward as she shoots out those words, eyes bulging in anger. Then she runs out the door, slamming it behind her.
“Abigail!” Jack starts after her.
“Let me talk to her,” Julie says and exits the scene.
Scene change: Salem Park. Abigail is sitting on a bench, looking bereft. Julie approaches her.
“Are you ok, dear?” she asks.
“No, I’m not ok!” Abigail answers. “I mean, I know my dad’s a sweet, forgiving guy. But adopt GWEN?! After everything she’s done?”
“He’s a smart guy, too,” Julie comments.
“What do you mean?” Abby asks her.
“Oh, come on, darling!” Julie responds. “You’ve been a DiMera long enough to figure this out by now. Keep your friends close . . . “
“And your enemies closer? And if that enemy becomes family?”
“All the closer to watch her with, my dear!” Julie laughs sardonically. “Besides, I read people pretty well. And I think Gwen is sincere. The one you need to watch out for is that Gabrrriela Hernandez!” Julie exaggerates the roll of the r’s.
“But she didn’t drug me. Gwen did!”
“This time!” Julie insists. “Did you notice that Gabi was the only one in that room that showed not a shred of empathy toward that girl? I’m telling you; Gabi is ALWAYS the real threat. You know, you Hortons are all too nice; that’s your problem! Wouldn’t hurt to have someone like Gwen watching your back.”
“I suppose,” Abby says.
“And don’t you worry — I’ll be watching HERS! And that Latin lap dancer’s, too!” She takes Abigail’s hands in hers. “I know this is town, darling. It seems everyone is always working an an angle. We put the ‘con’ in ‘conflict!’ But you know, even in Salem, we need a happy ending every now and then. Don’t you agree, dear?”
Scene change: the Visitors’ Room at Statesville Prison.
Eve is sitting at the table. Gwen enters with a bouquet of flowers.
“Come to make amends, have you?” Eve sneers. “That didn’t take long!”
“Oh, this won’t either. Just something I wanted you to know — in person.”
And in come Jeniffer and Jack.
“What’s this, the censure committee?” Eve laughs. “I’m not sorry for a single thing I did to Ms. Rizczech here!”
“Devereaux,” Gwen corrects her.
“What?!” Eve asks.
“It’s Gwendolyn Devereaux now.” Jack plunks a folder on the table. Eve opens it.
“Is this some kinda JOKE?” she steams.
“The only joke here is you, Eve!” Jennifer is enjoying herself royally. “You wanted to use your own daughter to destroy our family — and now she’s one of us!”
Abigail enters the room. “Sorry! I was on the phone with JJ in Johannesburg. He wishes he could be here. He sends his disdain, Eve. You okay — Sis?” Abby grins at Eve as she gives Gwen’s shoulder a pat.
“What?!” Eve is sputtering. “How?!”
“Nice flowers, by the way?” Abby says.
“Thanks,” Gwen smiles right back. “Thought we could place them on my sister’s grave on the way home, if you don’t mind stopping?”
“Don’t you go NEAR . . !” Eve is imploding.
“I think we’re done here,” Jack says. The four of them —Jack, Jennifer, Abigail, and Gwen — hold hands as they turn their backs on the prisoner and head for the door.
“And oh, by the way, Eve,” Jen tosses the words over her shoulder, “despite what the film is called, it’s NOT all about YOU!”
The door slams shut. The Devereaux’s hear a wailing “NOOOOOO!” as they walk away.
“Sounds like a witch is melting,” Jack smiles triumphantly.
The End
(Thank you to Judith Cassidy for listening as I edit these aloud, and for all her encouragement and support!💚💚💚)
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