A Mother and Child DisUnion
EJ and Samantha know a part of their lives is missing with the children that Tony took from them in the most diabolical way. They have Justin and Jessica, and that is their happiness. but they cannot help but wonder what is happening with the boy and girl out there somewhere..are they happy? safe? And what will Tony use their son for? They must live each day, but the search will go on.
Also have included some chapters reliving the wonderful moments of EJ and Sami .
(Chapter I
The gentle swaying of the houseboat made Lexie roll over in bed. Looking out the window she could see the Seattle skyline through the morning mist. The clock said it was 6:30, so she knew she had to get up and get moving. The nursing home had strict standards about punctuality, and she needed the job, not for the money, but for something to assuage the loneliness and boredom. It had been almost two years since she had packed a bag, and left Theo sleeping in the hotel room. After having dinner together with Abe, and promising him she would go back to Salem to face all charges, she had left in a cab, paying in cash for a train ticket, and simply looking on a map for the farthest point from New York or Salem. Seattle had seemed a good choice.
Lucas was sitting at his laptop composing an email to his mother. Hana saw him sitting alone, his face with that worried look it often had, and took hot tea to him. He looked up at her face, and smiled. She had been a source of comfort to him, and he had been gentle and kind to her. He could not say he was in love with her, the pain of Nabila was still strong in his heart, but he did love her. She warmed his bed, and she was grateful to him for accepting her after all of her dishonor.
Lucas did not really know why he kept the information regarding Katie Maries parentage to himself. He had no desire to save Austin or Carrie from suffering..in fact once he would have enjoyed making them suffer as he once had. It was not out of any wish for revenge on EJ or Sami. He knew it had been Lexie that caused the death of Nabila..and it was probably not even of her own free will. Tony DiMera had once controlled him, so he knew what the man was capable of. What had finally convinced him to keep silent was his own mother, Kate.
"Think of that poor baby..Sami would think nothing of dragging her through the courts for years, you know EJ would too! Carrie and Austin are the only parents she knows, and even if she is just a baby..she will feel that being torn apart! Biology is not what makes a parent! Think of your father! He was not a parent! Sami and EJ have children, Carrie can't and Sami hurt her so badly with having Lexie lie to her! You would not have married Carrie and been hurt too if Sami had not done such a horrible thing..please, don't make this baby suffer too!"
"Mom! Mom! I can't find my purple socks...they aren't in my drawer!" Jessica was in purple mode this week, refusing to wear anything that wasn't purple or at least lavender.
Nanny came to the rescue, having found the run away socks rolled under the bed after Justin had taken a flying leap onto his sisters bed.
Sami was flying about, this was soccer practice day for Justin, and she had to make sure all his gear was loaded, Inky was due for the vet, Jessica had dance lessons at three, and they still had not made it down to breakfast! Morning at the Wells house was often a lesson in organized confusion!
"Dad, are you coming to the game Saturday?" Justin asked as he spread the marmite on his buttered toast. Jessica looked at it and shuddered per her usual reaction. She used the strawberry jam quickly to try and cover up the marmite odor.
"Wouldn't miss it, and I am going to help coach with practice today..you know I was a pretty mean football player in my day".
"Daddy, this is soccer..not football" Jessica corrected as she put her foot up for him to once again show her how to tie her shoes. She almost had it down, but the knots seemed to end up backwards for her.
"Only in America, Troub uh Jessica" he corrected quickly, forgetting how she hated that nickname! "In every other country it is football, and the game you call football is American Football!".
"Well Daddy, this is America!" Jessica ended the argument with her precise logic. Sami appeared and saw that EJ had breakfast well in hand.
"Oh thank you honey, this is going to be tight, but can you drop the kids off, I have to meet with Mildred, and Harris is driving me". Sami bent to kiss the lips of the man who looked at her in adoration, he could still make her blush with a look after six years of marriage. His hand reached round to pat her bottom and pull her in closer. The twins both giggled with embarrassment.
"I like that dress" he commented. Sami was wearing a Trey garment, one that she had wondered about, but EJ's comment made her feel more at ease.
"That is the same emerald green color you wore the night I taught you the tango..remember?"
The memory of that night rushed back into Samis mind..it had been a magical experience. EJ had been her Prince Charming, leading her in the intricate steps with an ease that made her feel she had been born to the dance.
EJ stood up from the breakfast table, and to the twins astonishment, he had taken their mother in his arms and began humming and leading her in that dance once again. The music existed only in their heads, but the magic came back. Sami was once again the bedazzled woman EJ had come to town to romance however he could. EJ was the commanding male who dominated her..at least that was how it was back then! His Samantha was not a woman to be dominated now..she was a fiery Tangoing goddess!
The dance ended, but this time the kiss that had almost happened that night was not interrupted by anything other than Justin going "Ewwwww...Mom, Dad, I just had breakfast!"
"I think it's beyoootiful dancing Daddy, dance with me now!"
EJ twirled Sami around, and whispered "we shall dance later, I think I have some moves you will like more than these!"
"I will look forward to those lessons..now, we need to get back on schedule!"
Chapter II
"Goodbye Justin..have a good day..Hey princess, where's my kiss?" EJ smiled at both the kids as they unloaded their gear for school and the activities afterward. "Get your tights Jessica, purple again I see! Lovely, great color on you! Justin, your guards, and shoes..tell coach I will be here sharp at 3:00..bye now..hurry, the bell is about to go off". EJ sat in the van and waited until they were both inside the building. Then his phone rang.
"Wells here, yes..what have you got?" As patient as he could be with the children was as sharp as he could be with his underlings, and he had a great many underlings.
"Are you sure? It won't do for me to go threatening some little look alike now will it?" EJ glanced at his watch, trying to figure out just where Samantha might be on her morning run.
"I will be in the office in about fifteen minutes Matt, meet me there with everything..photos, tapes, whatever you have. I will see if Harris can make it too."EJ figured if Harris could slip out from the meeting Sami was having with Mildred, then he could meet up and look over the information with him and Matt.
"Child, you look prettier everytime I see you! Green is your color..oh hell..so is red, and blue, and black..orange..maybe you should never wear orange!" Mildred laughed as she reached to give Sami an air peck each cheek side.
They both sat down at a booth, looking around at the festive decorations in the pub. It was going to be a great Saint Patricks day and night there as always! Harris was going to sing, and that was not to be missed. He had made it a tradition for the past three years, and it had been a poignant moment when Chandler had wheeled him in that one year after he had been shot. His voice had been a bit weak, but he still had regaled the crowd with an emotional "Danny Boy".
He sat across from Sami and Mildred now, drinking his coffee and admiring the gold band on his left hand. He had never thought to be able to marry, it was not in the cards for what he did for a living..but somehow they were making it work. Chandler was three months away from delivering their baby, and he had reconciled himself to the fact that she accepted him in all things. He did not have to hide or pretend, but he did it anyway as she had no need to know the underside of things he did for EJ Wells, or the DiMera empire.
The cell phone gave out his ring tone that was set for EJ only, and he walked outside to listen.
"Harris, if Samantha is with Mildred, tell her you need to see Chandler for something..I need you straight away..we may have found something here..I can't say on the phone. You know those two..you could probably walk out and stay gone three hours, but play it safe..give Samantha some plausible denialbility ok?"
Harris understood, and did his duty.
EJ was right, when Sami and Mildred were together, whether it was to discuss business, fashion, or the latest dish on Salem or Hollywood, they were at it for hours!
"So Trey and Eric have decided that Austin Texas is a great place to be..surprising don't you think?"
"No, Austin is a great fashion mecca nowadays, and the town is very open minded..it is not a hard right sort of city." Sami was happy for Eric, he was busy with several photographic layouts for Treys designs. They had a very synergistic relationship both personally and professionally.
"And you should see Treys collection, the man is a genius!"
"I know..and he used to be my genius..oh well, can't stand in the way of anothers dreams now can we...speaking of dreams..are you going to finish your book now? I think it is time, don't you?"
Mildred had struck a nerve. Sami had finally started on the book she thought would probably define all her other works. This was to be the story of the on and off again relationship with her mother. This was the book that she had written and re written in her mind so many times, and still could not find the exact way of conveying what it was. It was a story of tragedy, separation, reconciling, and the whole saga repeating itself again and again. For now her relationship with Marlena was cordial, not close, but cordial. She feared once the book was written, even though it was nothing more than truth on paper, the fragile relationship would once again crumble.
"Mil..I don't want to come off as one of those whiny little my parents ruined my life wimps..which is what I was for a lot of my life. But I do have deep feelings on what my childhood was like, why I was always so jealous of Belle, and Carrie for that matter. The only one who truly understands my feelings believe it or not is John! Then again, if I write the story the way I have to, John may hate me for hurting my mother...this is a tough one for me Mildred..
I also can't stop thinking about Tony DiMera and two little souls out there who may have no one who cares about them..they may just be pawns in a game that should be ended..should never have gone on. I don't know how to describe this feeling, but it must be the same as when a child is kidnapped and the family never learns their fate..I don't even know anything about them, what they look like, are they ok, are they loved.? It hurts so much to think about them I kind of wall it off so I can cope."
Caroline came over to offer more coffee and seeing the tears well in Sami's eyes, offered her a hanky.
"Sami, darling..quit worrying about the consequences..Marlena is a psychologist, and if she were offering advice to a patient, she would tell them to do what they had to do to clear their heads.
" Write the book, I cannot wait to read it!" Caroline had talked about this with Mildred before Sami came in. Her take was that Marlena was a big enough person she should be able to read about her own child and the consequences of some of her actions. Lord knows she counseled Sami often enough on accepting responsibility for hers.
Chapter III
Bart walked alongside the toddler, amused as ever at the childs never ending curiosity. He would walk a few steps then bend down to examine some shell or piece of wood left by the tide, before he continued on.
"Tar fishie" he looked up and pointed for Bart to see also, then his chubby arm reached down to pick up his treasure. Little Stef loved the beach, and walking along it with his Bat-man as he called Bart was the highlight of his day.
He was an intelligent two year old, good natured most times, but a little hellion when he was thwarted in getting his way. Bart had pointed out to "The Boss" the fact that he was just going through the "terrible twos", which to The Boss, meant absolutely nothing. He had no interest in the child, other than a means to an end. The tests had proved that his DNA did not reside in the child, but to him that mattered little now. As the boys mother had often proved, tests were made to be withheld or changed...if you were the master of your own fate!
So for Stefan, his source of affection and nurturing had been his Bat-man. He loved the child like his own, and as the baby had grown into a creeper, then a walker, then the blonde haired and blue eyed toddler he was today, the affection and bond between them had been stronger each day.
Bart remembered the day Tony had faced the fact he had been duped by the lab. Argus had wanted an independent lab to do the tests. "in the interest of making sure everything goes according to plan" and Tony had no choice except to comply.
Argus had come back in a week, and when Tony had come down to greet him, he had seen the look on Argus face which told him everything.
"I am sorry Mr. DiMera, I am sure there is a logical explanation, but we have run the same tests three times and it comes up always the same..you are not the biological father of little Stefan.."
Jules had moved to stand behind Argus, this had been planned for. With a seconds hesitation, his hands had gone round the neck of Argus..and the eyedropper was poised over his face.
"Argus, have you read about the Russian KGB agent, and his recent fate? Tragic, just tragic...are you sure about those tests? Certain beyond a shadow of a doubt?" Argus could see the pin point of silver material being squeezed down the dropper towards his mouth, or nose, or eyes. He knew about the poison, in fact Stefano DiMera had perfected it in one of his own labs.
In the end, Argus had decided that a small matter of DNA was not the only criteria. After all, there was the theory of "nurture over nature!".
Austin was pushing the stroller through the city streets. Katie Marie was looking around in her solemn way, taking in everything. Her wavy brown hair, and deep milk chocolate eyes that had lashes leaving shadows on her cheeks made her a beautiful child to behold. Strangers would stop and coo, trying to make her say something. She was not a child that spoke to just anyone though. Then she saw her mother and Nana heading towards them, shopping bags loaded up.
"My darling...come to Nana Kate! " and before Carrie could reach her daughter, Kate had picked her up, and held her close against her. Katie Marie was reaching for her mother, but Kate kept her hold on the child until the toddlers squirming made her let Carrie take her.
"See what I got you..look darling" and Kate shook out the fur lined bonnet, with the matching muffs. "It is still cold enough for these at the park, but they will still fit next season".
Austin looked at Carrie over the head of Kate and just shrugged a "what can we do?" When it came to indulging a child, Kate had never heard the word moderation.
"Look at you, you are the spitting image of Billie at that age, amazing isn't it, how and adopted child can start to look like a real member of the family?" Kate never had a clue how awkward that sounded, but Carrie chose not to make an issue of it, and just ignored the remark as she hugged her daughter.
Austin reached out to hold Carries hand, before he asked about the pediatricians visit scheduled for the following morning.
"I thought we had the annual checkup already..has she been sick or something?"
Carrie shook her head no, "but she got this bruise on her leg last week, and it does not seem to be fading, I just want to be sure she didn't hurt herself worse than I thought. She fell off the kiddie slide".
"Really, Carrie, you need to learn to keep a closer eye on her!" Kate harrumphed!
Matt pushed the envelope across the desk to EJ who opened it, then spread the photos around. Harris looked them over one by one, and had to agree with Max. Even though her hair was now blonde, and cut short, her fine features identified her as Lexie DiMera Carver.
"She did pretty good staying under this long..no contact with Theo, or her Mother." Harris was duly impressed.
"I wonder if she knows her mother married her ex husband, and that is why she has made no contact with them?"
"Good guess, Harris, my thoughts exactly", EJ thumbed through the rest of the evidence before he gave Harris his instructions.
Then he had called in Chelsea to bring coffee. Chelsea had been hoping for just such and instruction as Matt was in the office, and she always got goose bumps when he was around. He had never asked her out, but she was going to angle it out of him today if it took her falling into his lap!
EJ always took his coffee black, Harris liked it cream no sugar, and Chelsea knew Matt was a cream, two sugar guy. Handing off the two cups to EJ and Harris, she whirled around to pour his when the size twelve shoe of EJ seemed to materialize out of nowhere and she found herself in Matts lap, looking up at his green eyes! She lingered a little before uprighting herself, smoothing his lapel before going back to her desk. EJ and Harris smirked, and EJ took his foot back out of the path.
'Umm Chelsea, I have to go out of town for a few days, but when I get back, can I call you..maybe see a movie or something with you?" Matt was bending over Chelseas desk asking the question she had been dying to hear from him for at least two years! She wished she had dove into his lap ages ago!
"I don't want her dead, you understand that Harris? I just want to know where my child is, and I know she knows. Other than that, do what you must". EJ gave the order, and Harris began to formulate his plan to fufill that order.
Sami rushed over to the car, she had been waiting for twenty minutes!
"There you are! How is Chandler doing? I have to drop by and see her, um..need to get Inky, he is at the vet now, Tippin took him. Also it is Jessicas' dance class today, so we better get moving..I can't believe what we have to get accomplished every day, can you Harris?."
Chapter IV
EJ looked up the stairway, waiting for Samantha. She was sure taking a long time to dress, he thought, and this was the Saint Patricks Day celebration at the Brady Pub. Sean and Caroline always saved a great booth for them, where they could see the band, and hold hands while listening to Harris and his ballads.
"Daddy! Come read us a story, and tuck us in!" Jessica was leaning over the banister holding her favorite book out as it was her turn to choose. It was a funny little book called "Skippy John Jones" the story of a little Siamese kitten that thought it was really a chiuahua. Jessica and Justin never tired of hearing their daddy imitate the little voice of the kitten saying "yes..seenooor...I love mice and beans!"
His cell phone rang..it was Harris with more information. "Ok, but wait until later, I have to read to the kids!" EJ never let business interfere with promises to his children, and this was a nightly ritual. The story never failed to amuse them, and as he tucked each one in, and kissed them goodnight, their eyelids were already drooping. He inhaled the scent of Samanthas perfume, and turned to see she was standing beside him. She also kissed each forehead, and pulled the covers a bit snugger on each child. By that time, each was fast asleep.
"I thought if you were going to show me some more tango moves, this dress might make it easier!" Sami was wearing the same dress she had worn that night, the Kelly green halter dress with the swirling skirt. Her hair hung down her back, in waves that he could not help but stroke as he pulled her closer to him. She could still surprise him, and he found that to be the most intoxicating thing about her still.
"You are going to freeze your tail off, it is only March, you know!"
"I am counting on you to see that I am kept warm!" She then slipped her hands inside his jacket and pulled closer to him. For a brief moment EJ's lips touched the top of her head, before lifting her chin to bring her lips up to his.
"mmmm. Yes, you do know how to warm me up, now we better get going!"
"Yes, I suppose we must..damn!"
As he opened the car door, he signaled to his security drivers to follow. This was old hat to Samantha now, part of everyday life. There was always another car following if the Wells were together in one vehicle.
"Now, this is a pleasure to drive, every day in the mini van is making me lose my touch!" and EJ roared off out of the driveway, barely waiting for the gates to open up.
Sami looked at him as he drove, admiring always the skillful way he seemed to make the car and road a single unit. Smooth, but commanding. He felt her eyes on him and turned.
"Remember the first night I took you for a drive?"
"As if I could forget..thought I took my life in my hands that night!"
"You loved it! Admit it! You were not thinking about Austin then at all..like they say, I had you at hello!"EJ placed a hand on her knee to emphasize his claim.
"EJ, you saved me, that is how I feel about you..in every way a person can be saved, you did that for me." Her hand covered his, but not before he saw the small glimmer of the tear that had dropped from her eyes. EJ quickly pulled off the road, unbuckled her from her seat, and pulled her onto his lap.
"Don't do this to yourself, I said we would find them and we will! Now dry up.this is going to be a very special night, I promise!"
Marlena and John walked into the pub about the same time as Shawn and Belle. Bo and Hope were already seated, and they made room at their table for the four.
. By the time Sami and EJ walked in, the place was alive with noise and the strains of some Irish ballads being played by the band. They walked over to sit with Chandler and Harris, at the booth next to the official Brady table.
"Green beer all around?" Lisa asked.
"Why not?, now is this real beer or the bastardized stuff you Yanks drink?" EJ examined the pint glass, peering through the liquid at Bo.
"Well, Limey, you can drink the green stuff at $1.25 a glass on special, or we can bring out the imported stuff at $3.00 per...so wanna put your money where your mouth is?"
EJ held up his hands.."Why not, can't be any worse than the scotch I have to tolerate here!"
A few beers into the evening, Harris took his place on the stage.
His song was a bawdy, and by the time the chorus was being repeated, the laughter was ringing through the pub!
"and what's it to any man whether or no
Whether I'm easy or whether I'm true
As I lifted her petticoat, easy and slow."
Harris drug out the lyric here for maximum effect while slyly winking at Chandler...
"and I tied up my sleeve for to buckle her shoe!"
Harris laughed aloud at that "You all really need to get yur minds outa the gutter!"
Chapter V
"Wait here just a second, I want something from the car" EJ tightened Samis coat around her then sprinted for the lot. When he returned he was carrying a portable CD player, and had a disc in his hand. "Let's take a walk on the pier, it's not really too cold do you think?"
The pier was deserted, most revelers were still in the bars, and as they reached the spot where they had danced years ago, EJ put down the player and loaded the music on it. Sami put her hand to her mouth as she recognized the music from that night. EJ smiled down on her in the same rakish way he had done that early summers eve and held out his arms for her to continue the dance of that morning.
Her head tilted to one side in that manner he remembered from that evening, and she fit into his arms once again like a glove. Years of familiarity with each others bodies and rhythms came into play now. She could easily tell where he led her, and a dance of sensual exchange became a lovemaking session of their arms, their legs, and the interplay of their eyes with each other. His hand slid down the bare area of her back to caress and mold her to him, as she drew closer, one of her legs slid teasingly up and down his thigh.
The music came faster and faster toward the end, and he sent her to the end of his arms in a throwaway movement, then rolled her up again to cling breathlessly against him. His lips found hers before dipping her low, and draping her around his legs as her head rested against his thigh in the last movement of the dance.
It would have ended so beautifully if only Samis heel had not caught in a loose board on the pier as she rose up to stand. The flash of green and blonde hair flying back was all he saw before he heard the splash!
EJ stood for just a second, not believing what had happened once again, before he dove into the river and grabbed hold of her to help her up onto the pier.
"Omigod! Omigod! It's freezing, EJ, please, lets get to the car!"
EJ started the heater up, then tried his cell phone..no use..the Salem River had done that in. He wanted to let his security know what had happened so they could follow them home.
"We need to get out of these wet things..take them off Samantha, then the heater will do us some good, underthings too..they will dry by the heater..and I will try to get us home as soon as possible!" He undressed quickly and roared the engine to life
"EJ..you, we.. can't drive home naked."
"I most certainly can, being naked has never impaired my driving ability! And you are not driving at all..so what is the problem?"
The dress was so clingy and wet, cold and uncomfortable Sami decided it might not be such a bad idea. There was a small blanket in the back seat, so she spread that over the two of them as best she could. It covered the bare minimum on him, and a bit less for her, but the small amount of warmth it lent was heaven sent.
It did not take long for EJ's eyes to wander over to her again, and the look he gave her was unmistakable. Just before the turn to the drive, EJ pulled over and reached for her.
"Oh..no..EJ, what are you doing.?
"You don't know?" he laughed into her ear.."I thought I was making my intentions perfectly clear!"
"We are almost home..can't you wait?"
"Can you?"
"No..no..I can't" and she was eagerly kissing his lips and entwining her limbs with his.
"Damn!" EJ was aware of the red light flooding the car, and he groaned as he turned around to see the Salem P.D. patrol car pulled up behind them.
"Oh God EJ, give me the blanket..get out and talk to them.."
"Samantha..take the blanket, my shirt is almost dry now.."EJ struggled to put on his trousers, and had almost succeeded when the rap on the window came, and he found himself looking into the amused eyes of one of Salems finest.
"License and registration please.." But when EJ reached into his trousers he saw another thing that was given up to the Salem River.
"I am so sorry officer, but as you can see, my wife and I were just on our way home from a party, and I must have left my wallet at the Pub.."
"Pub huh? At the Saint Patricks day party..have anything to drink there?"
"Really officer..just a couple of beers, and American beer at that, ..to an Englishman that is hardly even worth being called beer".
"Please blow into this sir, and I am afraid I will have to ask you and the lady to sit in my patrol car..I am going to have to have this vehicle towed in."
Chapter VI
"This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of..when was the last time you calibrated that breathalyzer? And just why did you pull over, what law do you think I was breaking?" EJ was indignant, as he fished around for his suit coat to put over Samantha.
Then as he saw the tow truck maneuvering into positions he yelled out as he saw the driver was too close...crunch!
"You careless son of a bi—" but Samantha had come and grabbed onto him to calm him down.
"Sir, you are to get in that patrol car now! Do not make me ask you and the ..uh..lady..again!"
"Just what are you insinuating officer..I know you do not know who I am, but this is Samantha Brady.Wells, .your former commanders daughter, and my wife. I am EJ Wells, and you better believe you are going to hear about this"..
"I would not know the former commander if I tripped over him..as far as I know the last one was Tek Kramer..then Abe Carver..now, .well the position is open as far as I know. Salem has these budget issues you understand! So you better come up with something else buddy, ..or get in the car! For all I know you are who you say you are..but I asked you for I.D, and your license which you are required by law to present when asked for. ".
"Just what are you charging us with?"EJ was helping Samantha into the patrol car, giving her cover where he could.
"Maybe driving under the influence..but definitely indecent exposure!"
The station had very few personnel working this shift..any an all who could be spared were out on the roads trying to keep drunks off the road. When Sami saw the cell she was being led to and the two women in there who were shades of the past.
"Wowo! Crystal..look who is here with us again?"
"I don't believe it..what a co-winky-dinky! Girlfriend! " Jonesey was coming over to hug on Sami like an old friend!
"Guess the marriage thing didn't work out huh?"Crystal was totally sympathetic.
Sami did not feel like explaining, but she also did not want to have the two working girls getting upset with her. It could be a bit of time until someone came to get them out.
"They snuck up on you in the car? That is so low!"
"He is my husband.."
"No..sorry..they never believe that one! No matter how many times I tried it. Guess we three just don't look like the marrying kind..we're the fun kind!" Jonesey giggled.
Sami walked over to the bars, and yelled out "Does anyone have any aspirin?"
John walked up to the bars of the jail, looked at Sami hanging her head as she sat between the two working girls.
"I really thought you had grown out of things like this Samantha..I mean you are a successful writer, beloved wife, mother of two great kids..you just like walking on the wild side don't you"? The eyebrow was in full register, and the grin was telling.
Crystal and Jonesey smiled their greeting at John! "You still look good. Mr. Black . .Sami, this is a John we would die for!"
"He is not a John..not my John..he's my stepfather" Sami was exasperated, but grateful to see him.
"Stepfather..ooh girl that is too kinky to touch!"Crystal cooed, and John winked back at her as he led Sami up the stairs.
Marlena also waited at the top of the stairs, and Sami was grateful to see she had a full set of clothes for her to wear. They had also brought something for EJ out of Johns closet. When he emerged from the mens room he was wearing a black turtle neck with gray trousers, a favorite combination on him for Sami.
"Bail is set, you can appear later, so you are free to go..take my keys, Marlena has her car here so you can drive yourself home. Be careful..you still have no license on you!" John was rather circumspect and rather amused by the shenanigans of his step daughter and son in law. His was was not in the same frame of mind.
Marlena pulled Sami over to the side to give some motherly advice. "You two do have a home to go to and have these little interludes don't you. Why would you take a chance like this..it is so unseemly Sami..but then you.."Marlena quit talking at that point, but it was too late as Samis' eyes flashed.
"Like mother like daughter..right mom?..We both have a hard time controlling ourselves, but EJ is my husband, so that counts for something right?"
Chapter VII
Sami sat huddled in a corner of the SUV John had lent them. Her eyes followed the road, not looking at EJ.
"What is it? Samantha, I am sorry if you were embarrassed..I should not have acted like a teenager overcome by hormones" EJ was genuinely contrite.
"Hey..we both got a little steamy there..I'm not mad at you..it was something Mom said tonight."Sami examined her fingernails to keep from looking directly at EJ.
"You know my next book is examining our whole relationship..you know like one of those "Ya Ya Sisterhood" book things"
"Ya Ya what?" EJ had never heard of it, and it did not sound like he wanted to.
"Yeah..it is a chick flick book. Mother and daughter angst relationship type thing..Mom knows I am in the middle of the manuscript and I think it has her worried how she looks in it. She just made a comment tonight that got under my skin, and I got under hers back. That is what makes this dynamic so interesting though..I love her, but I do not understand her, and even though she is a psychiatrist, she has never got me either!"
"I look forward to it..umm are you going to put our adventure of tonight in somewhere..I always like the juicy parts!"
"Well, only if you help me finish it off later!" Sami finally smiled at him, it was good to be with someone who could always be counted on to make her laugh.
EJ had made a detour on the route without letting Sami know, and she saw him pulling onto Maple Street. He stopped in front of a drive, then peered to check the address before pulling into the driveway. Sami looked at the house, then back at EJ who was again smiling in a way she knew was going to be trouble.
"Come with me," he said, as he opened her side of the car.
"EJ, this is that house! What are we doing here?"
"Just want to check out something is all..come on..hurry before the neighbors notice!"
Sami pulled back, shaking her head no, but she was not strong enough to resist him as he pulled her along with him.
"God EJ..isn't getting arrested once tonight for indecent exposure enough for you? Now you want to add trespassing and breaking and entering again to it?" She was now hissing at him in her anger.
He fished for something in the planter, and brought forth a key and opened the door.
"This is not breaking and entering Samantha..this is the key!" EJ held it forth triumphantly!
"Tresspassing is still on the table big guy!" He had finally loosened his grip on her. She looked about the room..it was amazing! The house was exactly as she remembered it, the dust covers over the furnishings, the old ham radio in the corner..then she saw it..the very same trunk that had captivated her interest that day. Drawn to it like it was a magnet, she was kneeling next to it in an instant, running her hands over the top.
"Go on, open it! See if everything is still there!" EJ was as curious as her, but he had headed over to the radio. It was still in working order, and in no time he had contact with a station that was playing swing music. "Lovely.." EJ was lovingly stroking the radio, then he looked over at Sami.
The old ivory colored wedding dress was still in the trunk and as Sami dug deeper, the Navy Commanders Jacket was lying, once again neatly folded in its resting place. EJ came over, and Sami held it out to help him put it on. Once on, he twirled, once again the vain and proud young Navy Commander coming to claim his bride.
EJ looked at the dress, and pointed to it, "Put it on..I want to see you in it..but go into the other room, you know it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding!"
Sami came out, spun the dress around so the skirt of the gown flared a bit. She smiled up at EJ.."How do I look?"
EJ simply said "You take my breath away Samantha..you always did you know, and you always will. When we are old, and sitting in our rockers watching our grandchildren, you will still take my breath away..hope the oxygen canister is close by!" His kiss sealed his approval of her in the gown..then the song began..
"someday, when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold..I will get a thrill just thinking of you..and the way you look tonight"
EJ was humming and once in awhile getting a lyric and a note right.
They were once again dancing to a magic that had happened back in that abandoned house. Looking into each others eyes, hers sparkled now, just as they had that day. She remembered how comforting he had been to her..taking her tantrums in stride and humor.
"Did you know I loved you even then, Samantha..could you not sense how I felt about you?" EJ was whispering into her ear.
"I sensed something, but you know me, I was blinded by what I thought was my true love..that was always a problem with me. At one time I thought Lucas was it, that elusive true love..I never realized I deserved what you said..a man who loves me for me..for who and what I am! Thank you EJ, as I said earlier tonight..you saved me."
The song ended, but their embrace did not. EJ kissed her until she was dizzy, and hanging on him for support. He did not let her down, he never did.
"How did you know that key was there?" Sami asked as she was getting dressed again.
"Oh that..well seems Harris and Chandler have purchased this abode, I had sent over a small housewarming gift, and just wanted to make sure it had arrived..aaaw..I see it has! "EJ was walking towards it as he buckled his belt.
On another corner table, the basket was placed and EJ examined the contents. It was a European custom to give this gift to a new household, a loaf of break, a beaker of salt, and wine.
"Did you plan all this?"Sami was incredulous..but she knew EJ rarely left anything to chance.
"Mostly..you kind of blew it when you so clumsily made the header into the Salem River..that put a spanner in the works!"
"This has been special EJ...wouldn't even care if we do get arrested again! You do love a romance don't you?"
"Yes..yes I do!"