It's been four months since the wedding, things have gotten better for Sami and EJ and their family. Of course a big surprise makes life never dull.
EJ walked into the house carrying yet another bag of shopping. Between Sami and her family and his mother this house was overrun with shopping bags. He didn't mind since he wanted Sami to have everything she wanted and then some. His phone rang and it was Will asking what time to be at the house to watch the kids. After relaying when he was needed EJ hung up and called his wife, she should have been home by now. "Yes EJ, I am on my but your mom ran into me and wanted to take me shopping for a few things. I promise we will be there soon, I love you." "I love you too, Darling can't wait to see you."
It felt like hours instead of minutes before she walked through the front door followed by his mother. "Looks like you too had a blast today", he said as he kissed his wife and took the bags from them both. "We went all over and got pretty much one of everything, I forgot how much fun shopping can be!" He just smiled between the two of them, so glad his mother decided to extend her trip and excited for when his stepfather came too. Will walked through the door carrying about five more bags. "These are not from me Shawn said Belle had bought stuff for you." Sami just smiled as she took the bags and glanced inside. "We have got to get going, we will see you all later."
With that he escorted his wife out the door and into his car. "Are you excited?", he asked while they drove to their appointment. "Nervous is more like it, after last time I don't know what is going to happen." He just took her hand and they chatted happily the whole trip. Once they arrived at the office, EJ opened the door for her and held her arm the whole way inside. Sami noticed the jealous looks she got whenever her and EJ we together. Of course her husband seemed oblivious to the women who vied for his attention and anytime she said something he would just remind her that he only had eyes for her.
"Mr. and Mrs. DiMera come right in the doctor is waiting for you." The nurse led them back to the exam room where indeed Dr. Rosa was waiting. "Please sit down we need to talk before we do the exam." Worriedly they both say down, Sami held her husband's hand as if it were her only lifeline. Noticing her reaction the doctor instantly reassured her that there was nothing wrong, just a surprise. "When I was looking at your test results I noticed that your numbers were showing signs that you may be pregnant with more than one baby." She let that sink in while she began setting up the ultrasound machine.
Sami climbed up on the table still in shock over what her doctor just said. Another set of twins? Could they handle that? I guess they would find out before long. It took a few minutes before the doctor was able to get a clear picture and then she turned the monitor towards them. "Does that show if we are having twins?" "Mrs. DiMera, it does not show you are having twins." Before she could breath a sigh of relief her doctor finished, "It's triplets, see? Strong heartbeats all of them. Did you want to know gender?" They looked at each other for a moment before decided yes. "Okay, so if they behave we can check that today", after a minute she managed to tell them they were having two girls and a boy.
While Sami wiped the goop off her stomach she listened to her doctor tell her all facts. "Just remember to take it easy, little stress as possible." Sami just laughed reminding Dr Rosa how many children were at home waiting for her. After being told to do her best, Sami and EJ walked out and set up their next appointment before leaving to head home. They drove the whole way in silence neither sure what to say until they pulled in the driveway. "Wow there are more cars here than I had expected." "Well, they knew we were finding out today. I guess we should have expected this to happen." Sitting for a few extra minutes to catch her bearings Sami let EJ escort her into their home.
Marlena was the first to greet them since she was playing hide and seek with all the kids and was it. After hugging her mother Sami wandered into the kitchen to get some water and a snack. Will was standing there eager to hear the news about his newest sibling. "We will tell everyone together apparently", EJ chuckled as he called everyone to gather in the living room. Surrounded by all of their family, they began to tell them what happened at the appointment. When they had finished speaking, the room was silent, wow Sami thought I never thought I could make the entire family speechless.
The silence didn't last long though before everyone was laughing and congratulating them. Of course then they all started offering advice on anything and everything and it was wearing her out. "Okay everyone, I think Mom needs some rest so why doesn't everyone go home now so she can take a nap? I promise she will talk to you all later after she rests." Sami loved how Will had become such an amazing man, he stepped right up and made sure no one stressed her out anymore. After everyone had finally left, Sami hugged her children before following Will's advice to actually go take a nap.
While she lay there in her bed, Sami began to wonder if maybe it was time to reach out to Stefano again. He had respected their wishes and kept his distance, only sending presents for his grandchildren on special occasions and via messenger service. After all the help he had given them with everything Sami felt he should know she was at least pregnant with his grandchildren again. Before she could change her mind Sami called him, he answered on the third ring. "I am surprised to get your call Samantha. Is everything alright with the children?" "Stefano, calm down everyone is fine. I wanted to let you know some news that is going on with us all right now. EJ and I are expecting triplets, due in about 14 weeks, two girls and a boy." There was silence on the other for a long time. "Does this change anything?" He didn't sound angry just a mixture of curious and hopeful.
"I'm not sure Stefano, I do have to talk to EJ about it. He doesn't know that I decided to call you he is downstairs with the children I was taking a rest. I know you have helped us no questions asked and respected our wishes and maybe things might change but like I said it's something that we need to discuss." "I understand but thank you Samantha for thinking about me. I am overjoyed at the thought of three more beautiful grandchildren running around." After saying goodbye, she hung up only to see EJ standing in the doorway. Instead of being angry in any way he simply walked to the bed and sat down wrapping his arms around her. "Thank you for thinking of him I am sure he is happy to have heard it from us and not some stranger on the street."
Snuggling into her husband Sami told him where her mind was where Stefano was concerned. They spent a good portion of the afternoon discussing options and finally making their decision. Crawling out of bed they wandered downstairs to find Will and Sonny had made dinner for everyone and the children were all eating already. Sami kissed each of her children on the head and hugged her oldest, "This all smells so amazing, thank you both." Will gestured for them to sit and began filling them in on ideas for the nursery. "I figure they will obviously all share a room until they were older and we would have plenty of time to get the other rooms done up. Neutral is kind of where I was going for color, I mean I know it is fully up to you but we want you to relax so let us do it."
Agreeing with her son she told him he had complete command about the nursery it was all him. Sami's cell phone started ringing, seeing it was Stefano Sami hesitated before answering. He wanted to let them know that his daughter Kristen was coming to town for a visit and was hoping they would let her see the children. "When she comes to town call me and we will bring them to the mansion to see you both. I have to go though eating dinner, goodbye Stefano." She hung up to his silence as well as Will's, "I thought we were done with him?" EJ stepped in, "After he helped up to learn the truth about Allie and then finding her, we decided to give him a chance." Understanding what they were saying he only asked that he not me made to go. "No one who doesn't want to go has to. Kristen is coming to town though so it seems like a good opportunity."
The doorbell rang and before Sami could try to get it Sonny got up to see who was there. Chad was on the other side of the door with his pretty new girlfriend on his arm. Melanie Jonas was not one of EJ's favorite people but she seemed to make his brother happy. Sami told them both to sit down and join them for dinner, there was plenty to go around. Once seated, Chad began to fill EJ in on why he was there, telling him about their father's request. "A good thing to keep in mind is don't automatically dismiss anything he offers but don't accept right away. Years of experience has taught me that sometimes Father is genuine but other times there is a price. More than likely he wants you to move in to the mansion because he is alone now. That house can be pretty lonely unless it's filled with people. Just lay down your ground rules and if you like the idea do it."
They finished their meal with happy chatter about things going on at the children's school and upcoming renovations on the house. With four children and three more on the way they planned to make the kitchen a little bigger so everyone can fit together, plus whatever Will planned for the nursery. After dinner Sami took Sydney and Allie up for their baths and let Johnny have his guy time with Daddy. Allie all sweetly looked up at her mom and asked her if she could help name one of the new babies. Thinking it was a great idea she said okay and then helped her get cleaned up. Once they were in the pajamas Sami took them downstairs for their bedtime story so they could all read together. EJ came down with Johnny all cleaned up and ready for bed a few minutes later, and they all climbed on the couch together. Four stories later, Sydney was out and Johnny and Allie were drifting off. With Will and Sonny's help they took all three upstairs and tucked them into their beds, kissed them goodnight and shut the doors.
"Well we are going to go out and see a movie or something not sure just yet." "Have fun and thank you both again for all your help today." Hugging them both, Sami watched her son walk out the front door laughing and trying to decide what they should do. EJ led his wife to the couch where they curled up and just held on to each other and talked about anything and everything. Sami couldn't believe where he life had gone for once everything was going great and she was happy. She knew she was lucky to have EJ after everything that had happened between them, but they were still able to just chat about anything and still not be bored. He said it was because there was nothing boring about either of them and all he had to do was look into her eyes and he would fall in love again and again.
"So Allie asked if she could help name one of the babies and I told her sure." Chuckling, EJ told her Johnny had asked the same thing. "We do need to come up with some names though at least some idea on some." "I will pick up a baby book of names tomorrow so we have ideas. Now how about we go to sleep ourselves I for one am exhausted my dear." Kissing her gently he helped her up off the couch and walked up the stairs never letting go of her arm. Sami almost fell asleep walking to their room, being pregnant really makes a woman tired. It wasn't long after she hit the pillow before she was out and slept soundly the entire night.
The sun was very bright when Sami woke up the next morning, she heard laughing and the sounds of construction. Crawling out of bed, she put on her robe before peeking out into the hallway. She could smell the fresh coffee and something cooking downstairs, but could hear her husband joking with someone at the end of the hall. After going back and getting dressed before venturing out to see what all was going on, Sami found EJ standing outside what would be the nursery. "Darling, I was hoping you would sleep a little longer, you need your rest." "I know but also you remember I have done this before EJ" she just chuckled as she headed downstairs. There she grabbed a mug and filled it with coffee, reminding herself only allowed one cup now. Grabbing the newspaper and some fruit she went to sit and relax for a bit.
Fifteen minutes later she heard the crash and a lot of cursing. Walking as quickly and carefully as she could Sami hurried towards the sound. She found EJ in a heap at the bottom of the stairs, "Loose floorboard, glad it was me and not you. MIKE! Can you fix that floorboard right near the top of the stairs? Nearly broke my neck trying to get downstairs, thanks." Seeing his wife's frantic and anxious face her quickly went to work on assuring her that he was perfectly fine. He led her back towards the kitchen where he decided to make her an omelet and some toast. After eating everything in sight, Sami asked EJ if he wanted to go visit his mother today. Debating it for a few minutes he decided that it would be something fun to do and left the construction crew to their work under Will's supervision.
Susan had found a quaint apartment to stay in for a short time while she stayed in Salem visiting family. Sami had tried to convince her she could move in above the family pub but Susan liked the idea of an apartment, felt a bit more permanent she said. EJ personally liked that she wanted to be in a place that might make her decide to stay for good, he missed her so much over the years. "I have a surprise for you Elvis, Edmund is coming for a visit tomorrow he might stay a few weeks." This news just made EJ even happier, he loved his stepfather so much and couldn't wait for him to meet his family. They stayed a bit longer before they headed to pick the children up from school.
Allie ran up to the car crying, "Honey what is wrong? Where is your brother?" Without looking up from her lap she said, "He is in the principal's office they want to talk to you Mommy." Sami climbed out of the car and walked the long walk inside to find out why her child was in trouble. Inside she found Johnny sitting talking to the principal, "Oh good, Mrs. DiMera please have a seat. I was just talking to Johnny about why it is not okay to fight for any reason." Looking at Johnny as she spoke Sami asked what had happened. "Some kids were being mean to Allie, they called her a mean word and told her you and Daddy were stupid for not knowing the truth. So I punched the bigger one and he fell and started crying." Suppressing the urge to smile at her son, Sami faced the principal and told him that they would punish him properly. "That may be so, however he is suspended for five days for the fight."
They walked out to the car and Sami told EJ she would fill him in when they got home and away from little ears. Once home Allie ran straight to her room and Sami followed close behind. "Sweetie, can I come in? Please I just want to talk to you." After hearing a timid okay she slowly opened the door to see her daughter laying facedown on her bed crying silent tears. Instinctively she walked to her daughter and held her until the tears stopped , then wiped them away from her eyes. "Allie, can you tell me what happened today? What did that boy call you?" "It wasn't a boy who was picking on me it was his sister, but she is little and her brother was telling her to call me it. So Johnny hit him and now he is in big trouble and it's all because of stupid me." "Hold on now, first and foremost you are not stupid. You happen to be one of the smartest nine year olds I know and those kids are just bullies. Can you tell me the word they used? I promise as long as you only say it this once you can't get into any trouble."
Fury spread throughout Sami's body as she heard her sweet little girl repeat the hateful and hurtful words that she had endured that day. All she could do was hold her little girl for as long as she let her. Allie told her mom she was hungry so Sami decided they needed a night out for dinner as a family and after calling Will they agreed to meet up at the Pub. She asked Allie to wash up and they would be leaving in about five minutes, then she went to find her husband. As she approached EJ opened his arms to hold her seeing she was upset, but when he asked her what had been said she shook her head. "It's too awful to repeat, and to think that children knew those words and would say them to her. It broke my heart to hear those words come out of her little mouth, for her to hear them. Johnny of course can't go to school all next week, but I can't punish him for hitting that boy, I just can't." EJ desperately wanted to know what had hurt his family so much so he convinced her to write it out later after the children were in bed.
As his wife lay sleeping in their bed, EJ reread the words on the page in front of him. Tears were in his eyes as he read them for what had to be the hundredth time since Sami wrote it all down. Now he understood why she refused to say the words, how could a child say all these things to another child? He had been debating going into the school and finding out who the other child's parents were and sitting them down for a chat. This child who hurt his daughter and got his son in trouble, had to have learned this hate from the parents. Sami stirred and woke up a little bit, "Honey come to bed, the words won't change and nothing can be done tonight. Please I just want to be next to you, first thing in the morning we can do whatever you want." Hesitantly, he crossed the room and climbed in next to her, after wrapping his arms around her he fell into a restless sleep.
Will was up before everyone the next morning, he wanted to know what had gotten everyone so upset yesterday. He knew Johnny got in trouble in school and it had something to do with Allie but he didn't know details, his mother promised to tell him this morning. EJ stirred first and came downstairs carrying a piece of paper and reading it for what was obviously not the first time. The frown on his face told Will that whatever happened yesterday was on that paper and it was bad. Without a word EJ handed the paper to Will as he grabbed his coffee, as Will read he felt the tears prick his eyes. "What the hell is this? This is what happened yesterday, why everyone was so heartbroken and angry?" "Yes, those words were spoken to your sister by a girl at school, her big brother told her to say it all so Johnny hit him. Apparently enough to cause the bigger boy to be on the ground and crying. After reading this your mother and I agree we won't punish Johnny, but he can't go to school all next week."
Sami came down the stairs holding Sydney and talking on her phone to her mother. "Yes Mom, I understand that there is no good reason to punch anyone but you don't know the circumstances. Oh, his parents called you? Well then tell them to call me, we want a word with them after the words out of their children's mouths yesterday which caused all of this mess. I know…..yes but, listen to me, I am his mother and while I don't approve of violence I can't be anything but proud of him for punching that boy. Can we talk later I have to get the kids few before we go over to Belle's new house. We promised to come help her paint and get Claire's new room done. Bye mom!" She hung up and then glanced at her husband and son. "She called me I didn't call her, and since I am sure you both heard I won't repeat what we discussed."
Settling Sydney into her chair, Sami went to get her some yogurt for breakfast. Pulling the granola out of the cupboard she poured some into a small bowl and gave that and the yogurt to Sydney with a spoon so she could mix it herself. Ah the joys of being little and very few concerns, as she thought that Sami realized Sydney was starting school in the fall that was only a few months off. Seeing the looking come across her face, EJ walked over and whispered to her asking if she was okay. "I'm fine, well as fine as can be, EJ with Sydney starting school in the fall, and the problems we just had, I've been thinking…Maybe we should switch the schools for them all, maybe that private school I'm sure bullying is not as bad there." EJ realized his wife was truly concerned and told her he was fine with the idea if Allie and Johnny were fine with it.
When they came downstairs, Will helped them get their breakfast and once seated EJ and Sami brought up the subject. "Does this mean we don't have to deal with those mean kids anymore?" Allie seemed happy with the idea even if that meant leaving her friends. With it decided that in the fall all three would go to the new school together they finished their breakfasts before deciding what to do for the day. Will stayed at the house working on the nursery, with Sonny's help he hoped to have it ready for the furniture to go in before the end of the weekend. Sami and EJ took the children to Belle's new house where they started instantly chasing Claire around. Smiling at their children, Sami and Belle hugged while EJ went to go help Shawn. Belle handed Sami some fabric that she had sewn for curtains in the rooms already painted and they went to hang them up. "So Mom called me this morning….she told me about Johnny's fight yesterday at school. Also how you weren't going to punish him, I told her that I am sure you have a good reason for it and it was your business so she isn't talking to me at the moment."
"Yeah, she wasn't happy with me either this morning. She probably only called you to try to convince you to get me to do something to Johnny about it but it backfired." After they got the curtains all up Sami and Belle went to check on the men. As they came up the stairs Sami overheard EJ telling Shawn what had been said. Belle froze in her tracks as she heard the details, "I can't believe this, poor Allie, and Johnny. He did the right thing standing up for his sister and family." EJ and Sami told Belle how they planned to switch to the private school starting next school year. "Probably a good idea with Sydney starting then too and of course the new babies will be here by then too, or not long after. The less stress you all have to endure the better, do either of them know what those words mean?" Sami explained that the brother made sure they both knew what it all meant.
When they all got home, the children were so tired they went straight to bed. EJ told Sami he had a proposition for her, the day school let out they take the children and Belle and Shawn and Claire and go to the island for a while. Shawn could use the jet to get back and forth when needed but mainly gone for the whole summer. Loving the idea Sami agreed to call Belle in the morning and pitch the idea. Since the kids were all in bed, Sami and EJ decided to head that way themselves and it wasn't long before the entire house was silent. Will walked into a dark and quiet house, knowing everyone was home but must be sleeping he crept quietly upstairs and into the nursery to see if he could put the carpet in. Sure enough the walls were dry and it was set to put in the brand new carpet he had bought. Sonny helped Will bring it up the stairs and put it in the room after they installed the carpet they stepped back grinning, they were going to love this.
To be continued….