The brownstone office with tinted windows and Parkman's sign hung low over the door, brought a smile to her face. Marcus Parkman private investigator wasn't the hardest man to work for. He had given her a chance when no one would and had allowed her to learn on the job and as she grew in skill, he assigned her more difficult cases. He was, however, a man she could never trust, the bottom dollar mattered more than people and Sami knew he would sell her out in a heartbeat if offered enough.

As she entered, she waved to Stacy, an older brunette who had been with Marcus from the beginning. Knocking on his door, she went in as soon as he answered in order to give notice.

"Marcus," Sami began, as she sat across from him, "I appreciate…"

"Don't bother," he cut her off. "Your fiancé called to let me know. Such as nice and powerful man, that Dimera is. He even paid for the inconvenience of not giving your two weeks notice."

"What? I…"

"I took the liberty of clearing out your things and I wanted to know if there was anything I should know about any of your cases." He watched her shrewdly.

"No, all the notes are complete. The Henderson case I put to bed two days ago, you know that." Sami answered inwardly fuming at the high–handed way her fiancé had gone behind her back. What if she had wanted to continue working?

Marcus studied her, an obviously disbelieving look on his face and Sami was glad she had the foresight to hide her evidence on 'Lucky Skids' in a safe place. With the way he was ushering her out the door, EJ's apology must have been something nice.

"Very well then, kid. Have a good one and remember me when you're in the glitzy mansion."

Sami nodded her head, grabbing her box of very impersonal items she moved to shake his hand before leaving. Taking a few minutes, she stayed to tell Stacy goodbye. By the time she finished and got into her car she was furious.

EJ had no right and she was going to tell him just that.


"EJ? EJ are you in here because I need to… Oh! Oh!" Her eyes widened in shock as she took in her best friend and the man she was going to marry.

Sami had every intention of wringing his arrogant neck, but there he stood in the room filled with white lotus flowers. Harold had directed her to what he called a 'conservatory' to find EJ, where she was bound and determined to rip him a new one, but then there was this, a room full of her favorite flowers. She didn't know how he had pulled this off or why, but it was amazing, the sea of white calling to her.

"Whatever it is, don't be too hard on him, he went to a lot of trouble," Melanie kissed her cheeks as she walked out.

"I… I…" Sami glanced at her friend's retreating back and then to EJ.

"Melanie said there are your favorite flowers," he said, shrugging in an almost bashful way, "and while this room had been designed as a conservatory, it's never really been used and I'm sure now there's a shortage of white lotus because I may or may not have bought every water lily in the city, but…" and he paused, "this isn't a traditional marriage, but there is nothing wrong with a little romance. So Samantha Brady before you cut me off on whatever tirade sent you barreling in here, I hope you'll wear this ring."

Sami gasped again as he lifted a single flower in his hand and stepped to her. In the middle was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It wasn't the traditional engagement ring, but it was perfect. At its center a cushion cut ruby, held in the petals of diamonds that looked far too close to her favorite flower to be coincidence.

"I must confess, Melanie chose this one, but had I known about your predilection for both the lotus and rubies, I'd have picked it too. Dimeras also favor rubies," he grinned, motioning to his cufflinks, "so it's a match made in heaven."

He lifted her hand to slip it on.

"I… "Sami cleared her throat and tried to blink away the tears she could feel welling in her eyes.

Who was EJ Dimera that he cared about picking the perfect ring and proposing so romantically? Hadn't they just agreed this was a business arrangement?

"Thank you, EJ." Sami whispered, "No one's ever given me anything as beautiful as this."

It was a reflex born of gratitude and the warm feeling in her chest that led her to lean up to kiss him, but something happened as her lips touched his, some spark, some unknown force seemed to drag them together and the kiss turned into something far more heated.

Sami's fingers came up to grip the back of his neck, tugging his head down to hers, willingly, willfully opening her mouth for a taste, a glimpse of the heat between them from before. EJ pulled her body into his, pressing up against her and Sami felt the stirrings of her arousal skyrocket, but this time she was ready and waiting, averse to let it go.

The clearing of a throat behind them made her gasp and pull away burying her head against.

"Yes, Harold," she could hear the tension in EJ's voice as he spoke.

"I apologize, Sir, Miss, but Mr. Harker has just arrived to see you."

"Harker?" Sami looked up, questioningly.

"Thank you, Harold," he dismissed the man before speaking to her. "My father's solicitor. He is handling all of Stefano's affairs. We should meet him."

"You want me to meet him?"

"Yes, present a united front so to speak and Philip thinks he will be less rigid with you there."

"I wonder why?"

"No, one can resist a beautiful woman," he smirked as his thumb came up to wipe away her ruined lipstick.

Unconsciously her tongue darted out to catch the tip of his finger and EJ's eyes flared as he leaned in, forehead touching hers.

"None of that now," he chided breathlessly, panting against her lips.

Swooping down, he kissed her roughly once more before extending his hand, "Shall we?"

As they entered the study, Mr. Harker was already seated, papers at the ready. He looked slightly startled when EJ introduced them, but as they settled in, he assumed the authority of a man who knew his work.

"Elvis, I was glad to hear of your nuptials…" He addressed EJ familiarly and she wondered if her fiance had known the man as a boy. "Not surprised?" EJ answered, a sardonic smirk falling over his lips.

Sami watched the interplay with some interest.

"No, I always knew you would make your father proud," he smiled.

It was obviously the wrong thing to say as she watched as the Dimera heir's eyes tightened around the corners.

"My father's pride had little do to with my decision, Mr. Harker as I've learned to live without it all these years, but Dimera Enterprises' employees don't deserve to suffer because Stefano was an awful father."

Sami immediately grasped EJ's hand in support. She knew a little bit about those types of parents.

"Elvis…"

"It doesn't matter. We have business to attend to."

Sami watched as the man across from them sighed, but he held his tongue. She kept her fingers interlaced with EJ's.

"Alright, you've been to the reading of the Will and all stipulations therein contained will remain the same, but there are just a few things. Once you are married, sixty-five percent of the shares of Dimera Enterprises will become yours and all associated holdings and companies under the Dimera banner. Your appointment as C.E.O has already been approved verbally and will be in writing tomorrow at the board meeting. It will be stipulated that as soon as you have acquired controlling interest you will assume the position." He paused, waiting until EJ nodded. "These are to be shared with your wife and offspring as per your discretion. A trust has already been set in place independent of Dimera Enterprises for your future heirs. Your own companies are yours to do with as you see fit. The Dimera mansion, family jewels and all other properties will be deeded to you as soon as you sign your marriage certificate. Of note, you will also own forty percent of the shares of Titan Industries, which…"

"What?" EJ stood immediately and Sami found herself sitting shell-shocked.

"I thought you knew," Mr. Harker shook his head in consternation. "A number of years ago, Titan Industries found itself in trouble, Mr. Dimera took the opportunity to acquire the faltering stock under numerous shell companies for he knew Mr. Kiriakis would rally."

Sami was shocked, to say the least. EJ owned nearly half of Philip's company.

"I want those stock sold to Philip Kiriakis," EJ said without hesitation. Sami's head swiveled in his direction so fast she almost got whiplash.

"Elvis…"

"I will not stab my friend in the back," he stated definitively, authoritatively and Sami watched in some awe at the character of the man she was to marry. "I will deal with Philip directly and let you know what the terms are."

Mr. Harker, recognizing a battle, he was not about to win, conceded, "Very well."

Sami leaned forward to kiss his cheek as he sat back down. His eyes immediately found hers as though he had forgotten she was there for a moment and she… well, she was all the more in awe of him because of it. EJ hadn't hesitated to stand by his friend. He was extraordinary.

"Alright, the final stipulation, Elvis, is that you are in good standing, a part of society and…"

"We are well aware of what the means. Dimera Enterprises, as does Mythic Corporation, have numerous charities and I'm sure my wife will have causes of her own to support. We also are in full support of the Hospital Charity Gala and will be attending to see the political tide of the candidates who are vying for Mayor." He spoke easily and as Harker nodded and turned back to his papers, Sami mouthed a question.

"Mythic?"

"My own company." He mouthed back to her before kissing the hand that had his ring on it.

"You seem to have this well in hand, Elvis." Mr. Harker spoke, drawing their attention back to him.

"I do Mr. Harker," EJ responded, standing, pulling Sami up with him, "and from now on you may call me Mr. Dimera."

The man known as Harker grinned and with a small bow stood, "Very well sir. It's been a pleasure working with your father and I'm sure it will be working with you."

Seemingly appearing out of nowhere, Harold came to escort the older gentleman out. When Sami turned back to EJ he was looking at her with a small smile on his face.

"Do you think that you can pull together a wedding in two weeks?"

Sami barely kept her eyes from rolling. What the hell was it with the universe and that timeline?