Friends and Family Lovingly Remember John Black While Bo Learns Of His Death

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Part Two

At John’s funeral, Chanel and Tate talk about John before she asks how the adoption’s going. He says they haven’t found anyone yet, noting there’s not much time left. Across the garden, Johnny tells Marlena the livestream is set up for anyone who couldn’t make it. She asks about the strain between him and his father, but Johnny would rather not talk about that. “Today’s about a good man. An honorable man.” Steve wanders over to Abe near John’s photos. They recall the adventures they’ve both had with him and that there’s no one they trusted more to have their back.

The Funeral Begins

Eric announces it’s time to begin, but Rachel cries that she’s not ready to say goodbye. Marlena gives her Grandpa John’s Mickey Mantle card, so anytime she starts to miss him and feel sad, it will help her to remember. When Rachel can’t be comforted, Brady prepares to take her home, but Tate and Ari step in to do it instead. An emotional Brady takes a breath and joins Marlena, Belle and Carrie in the front row of seats.

Eric welcomes everyone who is there physically, in spirit and virtually. He says a prayer before stating that John is going to his eternal home, welcomed by Shawn and Caroline, and all those who loved him. Kate joins Roman in the back as Eric reads a passage about courage, devotion and love. All of which John had in abundance. Shawn slips in to take the final available seat. Belle dabs her tear-stained face and glances back at him. He offers a soft, supportive smile.

Everyone joins in through tears as Brady sings Amazing Grace. Next, Abe, Steve and Shane stand at the lectern together, representing different phases of John’s professional life. Steve notes how fitting it is that John’s final act of courage was saving the life of a man he considered a brother. Abe says if you were in John’s circle, you never left. Shane states they’ll remember him as a loyal friend and a true hero. Marlena does her best to keep her composure as a tear runs down her face.

Hope Tells Bo

Hope pushes Bo in his wheelchair to an outdoor picnic. What’s all this, she wonders. Still in his hospital gown and robe, Bo just wanted to show her how much he appreciates her, noting he got a little help from Ciara and Chelsea. She loves it but grows solemn. She tries to deflect, but he wants to know what’s going on. She delicately tells him John is gone.

Bo reels, learning that John risked his life to save him. When he also learns the funeral is today, he stands ready to go. Hope protests, but Bo needs to be there for John. For his family. “Hope, I gotta be there!”

In his hospital room, the doctor tells Bo he can’t leave. He points out there’s nothing technically wrong with him, but she reminds him he’s still recovering. After the doctor leaves, Bo appeals to Hope, but she won’t risk losing him again. They need to be smart and safe about this. She urges him to listen to his doctors. He shakes his fists in frustration.

John’s Family

Kayla and Roman stand at the lectern, representing their family. Roman recalls how gracefully John handled the Roman switch. He wonders if he ever really told him how much he loved him for raising his children and taking care of his family. “Which became [John’s] family.” Kayla says that while not a brother by blood, John became a brother by heart. “John Black was one of the best men I have ever known.”

When it’s Belle’s turn, she chokes up, saying she always knew she was safest when she was with her dad. Everyone chuckles upon her recalling John taking off to Paris to save Eric when he was poking the hornet’s nest, a.k.a. Stefano. But in addition to his epic moments, her dad was really powerful and present when she just needed advice or a shoulder to cry on. Or a laugh, she says, pointing out how funny John was. She will try not to cry all day and will find time to laugh because that’s how John would want it.

Paul gets up, recalling how baseball gave them a way to bond when they discovered they were father and son. He elicits laughs, recounting how he beamed John in the eye right before his wedding. With John’s mad skills, he wouldn’t be surprised if he were a professional ballplayer in a past life. Tears stream as he wishes he could have spent more time with his dad and that he’d be at his and Andrew’s wedding. But in the short time they did have, John made him feel loved and accepted. Paul looks at John’s portrait and says, “I love you, Dad. I can’t wait to play another game of baseball with you again.”

To be continued…