Chapter Three
"EJ?" He was the last person Abby had expected to find on the other side of the door.
"Abigail!"
Abby looked down and for the first time realized that in addition to Allie, who she'd been expecting, Theo, Johnny & Sydney were all standing there, grinning up at her.
"We brought pizza!" Johnny announced proudly.
Abby looked at the stack of boxes that EJ was holding and nodded. "I see that! Looks like you brought enough to feed the whole neighborhood."
"Well they all wanted different toppings and I didn't know what you and JJ would like. And I figured if Parker's anything like Sydney and Johnny at that age, then he'll just want cheese."
"Good guess." She gave EJ a quizzical look. "But I thought Sami was bringing Allie over?"
"Oh she had to go out of town for a sudden business meeting."
"Really? She didn't say anything when I ran into her."
Abby felt a sudden tugging on her pant leg. She looked down into Sydney's big blue eyes and smiled. "Yes honey?"
"Where's Parker?"
"Parker is in the living room with JJ. And Ciara's here too. She's been whipping poor JJ at poker. Why don't you guys go find them?"
The kids took off, leaving EJ & Abby alone in the foyer. "I don't mean to be rude, but is there somewhere I can put the pizzas?"
Abby snapped out of her momentary trance, a happening she took for granted whenever she was around EJ. "Of course. We'll put them in the kitchen. Here let me help you." She reached out her hands only to be met by EJ's shaking head.
"I don't think so sweetheart."
Abby sighed and then whispered. "I'm pregnant, not an invalid."
"Doesn't matter. I'll carry all of them. Just lead the way."
Abby led him into the spacious kitchen. "We can set them up on the island and everyone can pick whatever kinds they want. You didn't have to bring all of these. We were just about to order in."
"Nonsense. I added 3 children and 1 adult to the guest list. The least I could do was bring dinner."
Abby poured herself a big glass of ice water from the pitcher she'd already brought out to put on the dinner table. She nodded to EJ to ask if he wanted one. He shook his head. She took a sip from her glass before asking him. "So Sami had a business trip?"
"Yes. To New York City."
Abby started coughing, nearly choking, and causing EJ to rush to her side with concern.
"Abigail! Sweetheart, are you okay? Can you breathe?"
Abby coughed a couple more times. "I'm fine. Apparently I've forgotten how to drink water." She paused and caught her breath. "So New York City?"
"Yes. One of our European clients asked her to meet him for a breakfast meeting tomorrow. Sami felt it was better to get there tonight rather than risk the timing of a redeye flight."
"I'll bet she did." Abby muttered under her breath.
"Pardon me?"
"I mean, that was smart thinking. You never know what kind of delays you'll face when flying. She obviously cares a great deal about that New York meeting."
"Samantha works very hard for CW."
"Mmm-mmm." Abby decided to let the subject drop and went to the cupboard to get the plates for everyone for the pizza. She remembered the promise of non-interference that she'd made and kept the remainder of her thoughts about Sami's sudden New York City trip to herself. She did feel a bit bad for her uncle and his co-worker/aspiring girlfriend Sheryl though. Lucas was certainly well accustomed to Sami's ways, but it would be an eye opening experience for poor Sheryl.
New York City
"Can I start you off with some drinks?"
Lucas smiled across the table at his dinner companion before lifting his head to the waiter. "A glass of your best champagne for the lady and a glass of your best sparkling cider for me."
"Lucas, I don't have to have alcohol." Sheryl started to protest.
"I insist."
"I'll be back with your drinks in a moment and to take your order if you're ready."
"We will be."
Lucas turned back to face the pretty brunette. "After the miracle that you pulled off in that presentation, you deserve that champagne and more."
"Well thank you." Sheryl said sincerely. "I couldn't have done it without you. We make a fantastic team."
"That we do." Lucas agreed. "And I'm hoping that you're open to that team being not just in the boardroom." He slid his hand across the table to cover hers. It was a bold move on his part, and he hoped it wouldn't backfire. He'd been trying to keep things strictly professional between them, but the more they worked together the more he enjoyed it and enjoyed being with her. It was the first time since the great Sami fiasco of 2012 that he felt that maybe he wasn't doomed to spend eternity alone. Sheryl was nothing like Sami. She was easygoing, low maintenance and emotionally stable. It was a refreshing change, one that was long overdue in his life.
Sheryl glanced down and then up to meet his deep brown eyes. Her blue eyes sparkled as she flirted back. "What exactly are you getting at?"
Lucas leaned forward and lifted her hand to his lips. He brushed a soft kiss across her palm. "Well, I was hoping that you'd be open to seeing just how far our teamwork takes us."
"Oh I'm definitely open to that." Sheryl winked
After giving the driver the name of the hotel, Sami glanced at her watch and swore under her breath. The direct flight from Salem to New York City that she'd planned to take, the one that would have put her in the city hours earlier, had been cancelled due to mechanical problems. She'd just managed to catch a flight to New York via Chicago, but it had added hours to her travel time. This was all Stefano's fault. If only he hadn't taken the DiMera jet to Europe with him. If only Stefano and EJ weren't too cheap to buy a second plane. She'd suggested it months earlier but EJ had shushed her on the topic, citing it as a frivolous expense during a time when the company couldn't afford to throw away money. She recalled a time when he would have not only bought a second plane, but decked it out in her favorite colours, just to win her approval. Since the Eric/Kristen fiasco, those days were long gone. Although she wouldn't ever dare speak the thought aloud, especially around her all-seeing mother, more often than not these days, she wondered if she'd made a huge mistake.
She sighed and leaned back against the seat. One good thing about the lateness of the time was that she'd be able to call her client in Paris tonight before she went to bed. She's outright lied to EJ about her meeting tomorrow, so he'd be expecting results. She just hoped he didn't press her for too many details.
Her thoughts turned to the real reason she'd come to New York City: Lucas. He's going to kill me when he finds out I followed himand he's going to demand to know why. Sami wasn't sure she even knew what had compelled her to do this. All she knew was that the moment sweet little Abigail Deveraux had innocently let it slip that Lucas was going on a trip with his hot brunette co-worker she'd felt a burning need to stop him, at any cost. She just hoped she made it in time to the hotel to stop him before things got too far.
After hearing about his trip she'd called in a favor from Lucas' assistant Heather at Mad World. A promise of a fully paid weekend at a Colorado spa had yielded Sami not only the name of Lucas' hotel, but also his full itinerary. His meeting would have wrapped up and hour earlier and if he stayed true to form, he'd be dining with Sheryl in the hotel's fanciest restaurant right now. All she had to do was get there before they headed upstairs. She had no idea what she was going to do once she saw him, but she trusted in her ability to plan on the fly.
"EJ!" Abby squealed as she felt his arms slide around her from behind. His right hand swiftly traveled upwards, until his thumb found what it was looking for. She shuddered with desire and leaned against him as he stroked her sensitive nipple. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing sweetheart?" EJ murmured in her ear before gently nipping at her lobe.
"It looks like you're trying to get us caught. The kids and JJ are in the living room."
"I know." EJ chuckled. "I just sent them there."
"Yeah, with the promise that you'll call them back in here to make cupcakes after we put away the leftover pizza and clean up the dishes."
"Exactly. Believe me. You won't see a single one of them coming back a second sooner and offering to help."
Abby couldn't really dispute that point. They'd practically run out of the room when they saw EJ get up from the table, and start putting things away. She made a mental note that their child, would grow up with better manners.
"But still. You're still engaged to Johnny's, Sydney's and Allie's mother. What if they walk in and see us? They'll be confused and upset."
EJ released her with a kiss on the top of her head and a regretful sigh. "I can't argue with that. At some point though, the truth will come out."
"It will. But we'll do everything we can to make sure that the impact on them is minimized." Abby couldn't help but continue to feel guilty though. She loved Johnny and Sydney just as much as she loved her cousin Allie and she knew that no matter how things played out, their lives would be forever impacted by the existence of the baby she was carrying. She could only hope that everyone involved would do their best to make them all feel loved and secure.
They continued working side by side until all of the dishes had been loaded into the dishwasher and the left over slices of pizza had been stowed away in the fridge.
"I guess it's safe to call the kids back in now." Abby said as she walked into the pantry and started organizing all of the ingredients that they'd need. "Do you want to go get them?"
"Already on it." EJ called back.
A minute later Abby emerged and found an excited Johnny and Theo waiting for her. "Where are the rest of them?"
"Ciara says that she doesn't do baking and Allie says she already knows how to bake. JJ said he was going to teach them how to play blackjack since they're so good at poker already."
"Oh that should be interesting. What about your dad? And Sydney and Parker?"
"We're right here. We just have to make a couple of pit stops first. Abigail, would you mind helping Sydney?"
"I don't need help Daddy." Sydney frowned.
"Daddy knows that. You're a big girl. It's just to show you where to go. That's all, sweetheart."
Abby glanced at Parker nodded at EJ. "You know where the bathroom is by the front door?"
"I do. We'll meet you back here in a few minutes."
"Come on Sydney. I'll take you upstairs."
"Was that the doorbell I heard?" Abby asked as she followed Sydney back down the staircase.
"It was. You know that guy that Mom was dating a couple of months ago?"
"Liam?"
"Yeah, Liam."
"What was he doing here?"
"I don't know." JJ shrugged. I heard the door. I answered it. He started telling me something about his phone charger and then suddenly stopped when EJ and Parker came out of the bathroom. He looked, like, really surprised to see EJ, and then he mumbled something about remembering where he'd left his charger after all and hightailed it out of here.
"That's weird."
"I know, right?"
"Abigail, he works at the hospital, correct?"
"Sort of. He's a pharmaceutical salesman."
"Oh I know that. Believe me, I know that."
Abby giggled and her cheeks turned red as she remembered where and why EJ had encountered Liam before. "Oh that's right."
"What?" JJ looked back and forth between them with confusion.
"Sorry. It's an inside joke." Abby explained.
"I didn't know you two knew each other well enough to share inside jokes."
"Of course we do." Abby did her best to allay his suspicions. "I used to date Chad, EJ's little brother, remember? We spent time together. We're friends."
"If you say so. Just don't go reminding mom of that fact. She'll go ballistic."
"I know. So you're sure you don't want to help us bake cupcakes JJ?"
"I'd love to help, believe me, but I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because if I don't stay and beat Ciara in blackjack, she will never let me live it down."
"JJ Deveraux, are you telling me that you're afraid of a ten year old girl?"
EJ, who'd been watching and listening to the siblings interact, couldn't help but come to JJ's defense. "Pardon me for saying this, but Ciara Brady isn't exactly a typical ten year old girl."
"Well she's always been precocious."
"There's precocious and then there's Ciara. One day that lovely young lady will rule Salem."
"I think she already does." JJ quipped. "Anyhow, have fun baking the cupcakes. Call us when you want them eaten."
"We will."
Sami sent a quick text off to Heather as she waited to check in at the front desk. She glanced at the reply a few seconds later. "Hi, you should have received an email from Heather at Mad World a little while ago? I'm Lucas Horton's wife."
"Ah yes, you were able to join your husband after all. I've got your key card here. It's room 2329. Enjoy your stay Mrs. Horton. I'm sure Mr. Horton will be happy you're here."
"Thank you. I'm not sure that happy is the word he'll use, but it'll definitely be something he never forgets" She smiled as the wheels started spinning in her head. On her way in she'd poked her head into the restaurant and as expected, saw Lucas and Sheryl dining. They were still on the main course, so she knew she had a little time to prepare. There were certain advantages to knowing Lucas so well. For example, she knew that if he intended to spend the night with Sheryl, he'd do it in his own hotel room where he could properly hang up his suit jacket and tie. All Sami had to do was get dressed, or rather, undressed and wait.
"I can't believe they're all gone. We made two dozen cupcakes and the only evidence left is the dirty bowls from the batter and the icing."
"They were good!"
"Johnny's right." JJ piped in. "You make the world's best cupcakes Abigail."
"Well thank you, but you know I can't take credit. I had wonderful helpers." Abigail said as she went around to Theo, Johnny, Parker and Sydney and gave them each a big kiss on the cheek. "I couldn't have done it without you guys."
"You forgot to kiss Daddy. He helped too."
Abby bit her lip and looked from the small blue eyed child over to EJ. Her look said it all. What do I do now?
"Yeah. Daddy helped." Johnny agreed. " He says that he can't bake, but he sure does like your cupcakes Abigail."
"I'm sure your daddy is just being polite. Surely your staff at home make cupcakes that are just as good?"
"Mary doesn't make us cupcakes. She makes us pies and cookies and tira – how do you say that again?"
"Tiramisu." EJ automatically corrected. "And Johnny's right. Mary doesn't do cupcakes. We've asked but she says that she can't possibly compete with your pretty ones."
"Pretty? She thinks my cupcakes are pretty?"
"They are pretty." Sydney insisted. "Especially when we put sprinkles on them, like the ones we had tonight. Now kiss Daddy."
Abby's brown eyes pled with EJ's.
"You heard her. " He smirked.
In the back of her mind, Abby replayed the time when she reminded him that they were known friends and how it would be suspicious if they suddenly started avoiding each other. She supposed the same thing applied here. She walked over to him and leaned down to kiss his cheek. At the last second he turned his head, causing their lips to meet instead.
