The man tossed some papers and a few pens on the small table.
"Here, entertain yourself with this".
Sami was pacing around the living room for what seemed to be the hundredth time.
"He'll come, Darling" said EJ, starting to get annoyed by his wife's nervousness. "He met Lucas yesterday, he'll meet the kids now, ok?"
"Well, he has met them before, I think" she said. "Ugh, I just know it's gonna be so awkward!"
"Meeting someone for the second time? Yes, it might be" he mused.
"Not that" said Sami. "Just the fact that we'll see him in another light now".
"You'll get through it" said EJ, kissing her forehead as there was knock on the door. "I'll go get the kids".
Sami shook her hands, accomodated her clothes, breathed deeply, and went to open the door. "Hey!"
Malcolm was at the door. "Hey. Am I in a good time?"
"Of course!" she replied. "Please, come on in, we've been waiting for you".
Malcolm got in and sat on the couch. "I spent all morning thinking of good ways to present myself to Allie, but seeing that I've already done that, I resolved to simply say hi like it is a normal visit. Not too much's gonna change, right?"
"Right" she said, as Allie, followed by her siblings, entered the living room. They approached Malcolm with their hands behind their backs.
"Hi" they said at unison.
Sami rolled her eyes. "Oh my God".
Malcolm chuckled. "Hey, kids. You know my name, and I know your names, so we can skip the whole awkward part and just... Well, be cool with our new roles, right?"
"Are you our new brother?" asled Sydney.
"Yeah, of course" he said.
"But you're only Allie's biological brother" said Johnny.
Allie rolled her eyes, and turned to Malcolm.
He looked at her, and somehow understood her silent plead. "Well, screw biology! I sucked at that in school anyway. It's simple, she's my sister, you two are her siblings, ergo, you're my siblings".
Johnny turned to Sami. "I like him".
Sami was too busy tearing up with a wide smile to care about anything.
But suddenly, a sound of glass breaking, followed by a muffled swear, was heard from the kitchen.
Malcolm, not knowing about EJ being alive yet, got on alert immediatly. "Someone else here?"
Sami got a little nervous. "Well..."
The kids didn't know EJ planned to introduce himself, and thinking that he still had to hide (for whatever reason he had), Allie spoke up. "Must have been a mouse. I saw some weird gray hair once".
"No, that sound was definitely human" said Malcolm. To everyone's surprise, he took out his gun and went to the kitchen.
Sami, too late, tried to stop him. "Whoa, wait..."
Malcolm got into the kitchen, and aimed the gun at a very surprised EJ's face, who had been leaning down, picking up the pieces of the broken glass.
With a strong voice, to Sami's horror, and to the children's amusement and excitement, he yelled to him. "Hands where I see them! You're under arrest for trespassing..."
"What... What the hell?!" EJ exclaimed.
With amazing force, Malcolm made EJ stand up and and put his hands behind his back.
Sami finally got out of her shock and managed to react. "Malcolm no! Wait! He's my husband!"
"...you say can and will be used..." He looked at Sami with a frown on his face. "Wait, what?"
EJ pulled his arms, breaking free from Malcolm's grip, and glared at him. "That's right, you little brat. Get your hands off me. What do you think you're doing, playing cop? How dare you?"
Malcolm stared at him. "Sami never mentioned having a hus..." He looked at him better. "Wait, I've seen you before. You're EJ DiMera! Aren't you supposed to be dead or something?"
"Um, he's not dead" said Sami. "He never was. I never said anything because we must be prepared. Stefano doesn't know yet".
"Oh" he said. He sheepishly passed his hand on EJ's shoulder, like he was removing dust from it. "Sorry".
The girls were giggling, and Johnny was amazed. "That's so cool! I want a gun too!"
Malcolm realized he still had the gun on his hand, so he put it on the sheath on his hip.
"You're a cop?" Allie asked excitedly, as she and her siblings ran to and assaulted him with innumerable questions.
EJ sighed as Sami patted his back. "So much for smooth sailing".
Sami chuckled. "He'll explain that gun later. As for now, I believe we'll all laugh of this one day".
Halloween 2017
The Horton Town Square had never looked so festive. It was amazing how everyone overcame themselves to make the square look so pretty for any occasion every year.
Kids, men, women, even pets were in costumes, and everyone was having a great time.
Well, everyone, except a very pissed off Chad DiMera. The reason? He was wearing the biggest, fluffiest and pinkiest bunny costume anyone had ever seen, courtesy of none other than Abigail, who stood by his side with a proud look on her face and a cat costume on her own. Holding her hand, Thomas made the cutest little pug.
Yes, the family had gone for a theme. Next to them, Andre stood with a mocking smirk on his face as he took Stefano's wheelchair. Both men were wearing their usual suits, like they meant to disobey the universal rule of a Halloween party just for the sake of it. They disappeared between the crowd God knows for what.
"Ha!"
Malcolm had approached them, noticing Chad's costume, of course, hoping to make some fun of him and chat.
"Oh my God!" he laughed. "This is awesome. For some reason I'm getting a dèja vu, but I must take a picture".
As Malcolm's cellphone flashed and flashed, Chad rolled his eyes, ignoring the giggles of his son and Abigail snickering beside him. "Yeah, yeah, laugh as you want". He leaned in to low his voice. "But at least I'm not cheating by using my work outfit".
And that was because Malcolm was wearing what would be his CIA combat uniform, which was entirely blue, with the name of the agency on the left side of his chest in white letters, and his gloves and boots were also blue, but in a darker tone. He had a black belt with different sheaths for whatever he carried.
He smirked. "Doesn't count as cheating if no one knows it is".
"What are you two whispering about?" Abigail asked.
Before Chad could answer, Malcolm spoke. "Oh, nothing. I'm just trying to figure out whether I've seen this rabbit in Whinny The Pooh or the show of the Easter Bunnies".
Thomas, being only a little less than two years old, laughed along his mother when he saw her cracking up.
Chad sighed and turned to his wife. "Listen, I appreciate you getting me the costume..."
"Oh, you did this to him?" Malcolm interrupted, grinning.
"I thought he'd love it!" Abby exclaimed. "His favorite kid's book was The Velveteen Rabbit!"
"The Velveteen Rabbit was brown and white!" Chad protested.
Abby crossed her arms. "Well, it was either a pink bunny or no bunny at all".
"No bunny at all! Always no bunny at all!" he yelled.*
"Guys, cool it" said Malcolm. "I think I get what you're trying to do dressed as animals".
"Not just animals" said Abby enthusiastically. "We're going as pets". She also leaned in and lowered her voice. "I came up with that idea after we got the pink costume this morning so Chad wouldn't feel too mortified".
"I can hear you!" groaned Chad.
"I'll let you guys have fun" said Malcolm. "I'll see if I find Lucas".
"Are you guys getting along?" Abby asked.
Malcolm shrugged as he walked away. "So far, it's not that bad".
He left the couple and went to the candy table, where he found his siblings and Lucas. "Hey".
"Oh, hey man!" Lucas greeted, watching him high fiving the kids. "You know, last time I checked, wearing your work outfit doesn't count as a costume".
"I'll tell you what I told gay Bugs Bunny over there" he replied, pointing with his thumb in Chad's direction. "As long as they don't know it is, it doesn't count as cheating".
Lucas shook his head, as the kids went to join their friends. "So how's everything going?"
"Great, actually" said Malcolm. "It's been going smoothly these days, and I get pretty bored oftenly. So, I just go out, take walks. Other days I just stay at home, watch Netflix and stuff".
"Oh, that's cool" he replied.
"And you, Lucas?" he asked. "Anything interesting going on with your life?"
"Not too much" he said. He rubbed the back of his head. "Hey, um. I don't know if it's too soon, but... Maybe you could try calling me 'dad'?"
Malcolm gave him a nervous face. Bad sign. "Look, um, even though it's been great these past few days, don't get me wrong but, I honestly don't see that happening".
Lucas failed at trying to hide his disappointment.
But before he could say anything else, they heard someone tripping and a few gasps. They turned around.
A man had fell and lost his Batman mask. Everyone was surprised to see EJ's face.
Thanksgiving 2017
EJ being alive had been a big revelation. Stefano, of course was furious, and almost disowned Chad (again) and almost killed Sami for not telling him.
But the scandal died after a week. EJ refused to work for his father again, so he decided to get back his job as a lawyer.
A little tension had been built between Malcolm and Lucas. But in a way, Lucas understood. Malcolm wouldn't call him "dad" for not being used to it, and if he ever did, it wouldn't happen anytime soon. But Malcolm would still acknoledge him as his father, and that was all that mattered.
And so, the Bradys and the Hortons were having their usual Thanksgiving dinner at the Pub. Sure, not everyone could come, for they had their own families, but still people came.
As Lucas helped Marlena set the table, Caroline rushed out of the kitchen, and headed towards him.
"Lucas, Lucas!" she said, with a worried look on her face.
"Caroline" said Marlena, as they both turned to her. "Is something wrong?"
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"I had the dream again" she said.
"Dream? What dream?" Lucas asked.
"I-I didn't mention it to you?" she asked.
Lucas shook his head. "No, what's going on?"
"Caroline, are you feeling ok?" asked Marlena, putting her hand on her arm. "I'll get you a glass of water, ok?"
She went to the kitchen.
"Here" said Lucas, helping her sit on a chair. "What happened?"
Caroline sighed. "Remember when you were in the hospital? You had had a dream of Alice, and Tom, and Bo. You felt it was so real".
"Yes, I did" he replied. "But what does that have to do with your dream?"
"I didn't tell you, I must have forgotten" she said. "I've been having the same dream these past few weeks. At first I had it once in a while, but these past few weeks it has become more and more constant".
"What was it about?"
"I'm always in front of a door. It has a window, but it looks foggy inside whatever room's behind it. And I just look at it, until a hand hits the window and I always wince and wake up". She sighed. "I'm starting to think it means something. I think the dream you had meant something. I'm telling you this because the last time I talked about this kind of experience no one believed me except Steve, but this time I can tell you because you've been through something similar. I just thought you'd understand".
"Believe it or not, I do" admitted Lucas. "Maybe we could investigate. I think they mean something too. Something's not right".
"What's not right?" asked a voice behind him.
Lucas turned around to see Malcolm behind his chair. "Hi!"
"Hey, Lucas. Mrs Brady" he greeted. "What's up?"
"Oh, not too much" said Caroline, faking a smile. "I'm so glad you came. I hope you enjoy this evening".
"Well, it's been quite a long time since I've been in a Thanksgiving dinner..." He looked around. "This crowded, so I'm actually looking forward to it".
"Oh" Caroline nodded, this time smiling at him genuinely.
"Did you spend your holidays all alone before?" Lucas asked, a little puzzled.
"Neh" Malcolm shrugged. "Just the first year after my mother died. I spent the following ones with friends, you know?"
"And now you will spend them with your family" said Caroline.
Malcolm smiled at her and nodded. "Like I said, I'm looking forward to it".
Malcolm spent more and more time with the Hortons, especially with Lucas and the kids, getting to know them better and getting closer with them.
He never felt like an outsider, like he thought he would, and he liked that feeling. He never felt like he was a replacement either. In fact, he felt like he was filling an empty place that had always been there.
Of course, not everyone was very fond of him.
"Freaking Sonny".
Yeah, maybe he shouldn't have had him kidnapped, and maybe Sonny shouldn't have hired someone to stalk him, but hey, they were even. At least he thought so.
Not that they crossed paths too often. But when they did, Sonny always gave him dirty looks. Malcolm avoided eye-contact, for he preferred not to have any problems.
With Paul was another story. Being practically colleages, they got along pretty well, and they usually got out with John and Steve, talking about past experiences. For being so young and not too experienced as them, he would listen more than he talked.
As for Lucas, well, a little, just a little tension had been built between them. In a way, Lucas understood. Malcolm would never call him 'dad' because he wasn't used to it, and if he ever did, even though he'd like it, it wouldn't be the same. Lucas decided that it wouldn't be a big deal. Things hadn't changed.
Christmas Eve 2017
The Horton family gathered at the family house once again to celebrate Christmas, the birth of the Savior. The tree was in a corner, the decorations were abundant, the traditional food and sweets were on a table and everyone was arriving just in time.
The door was opened by Lucas, and Sami was there, holding a few wrapped boxes and she squealed a "Merry Christmas!" before letting herself in.
"Oh, thanks Sami" he said. "You shouldn't have".
Sami gave him a knowing look. "Is that your way of telling me you didn't get me anything?"
Lucas pretended to be offended. "Of course not! Here". He went to take out some boxes from under the tree as she greeted the other members of the family. He gave them to her.
"For the kids, and for you... I would have gotten something for your husband..."
"But you have never liked him and you never will and that's fine" she said. "He would have returned anything that came from your hands shattered in pieces anyway".
"Oh really?"
"Ok, maybe not. But he'd still feel a little uneasy, considering your 'rivalry" or whatever has gone on between you two all these years".
Lucas chuckled as the bell rang. He went to get it. "Fine, whatever".
He opened the door and got happy to see Malcolm outside, who carried a few small wrapped boxes. "Hey, merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas" he said, as he shook his hand, and received a hug from Sami.
"How's everything?" asked Lucas.
"Not so bad" he replied. "I went to the Kiriakis Mansion yesterday, had a talk with Victor, and Deimos, the usual. I'm pretty sure there's something going on with them, like they're up to something. The way they talked... It was weird".
"Well, you gotta be careful, ok?" said Sami. "God only knows the bloodshed that can be done when Victor Kiriakis is pissed off. And God, do we know how it is when hell breaks loose. Not only with the Kiriakises but with the DiMeras too".
"Hey" said Doug as he got out of the living room. "What are you doing here? The party's inside!"
"We'll be there in a second" Lucas replied.
"Alright" said Doug, and went back inside.
"The DiMeras aren't much of a threat right now. Victor, and hell, Deimos on the other hand are something to be cautious with" said Malcolm. "I'll handle them".
"Really? Because the great Malcolm Cooper is unstoppable?" Lucas joked.
"Sort of" he replied. "Though there are some mistakes in that sentence, but oh well".
"Mistakes?" Sami asked.
"Yeah, you see". Malcolm turned to Lucas. "You know I can't call you 'dad', and you know why. I just thought that there could be something I could do to seal our father/son bonding".
Lucas frowned. "I don't understand".
Malcolm raised his eyebrows. "I changed my name".
Seeing they were speechless, Malcolm just patted his father's arm. "Merry Christmas, Lucas" he said, and entered the living room.
Lucas just stared at him, and turned to Sami, who rubbed his arm and gave him an excited grin. He sighed happily, and they followed him.
January 2018
Paul entered the Kiriakis living room after Henderson let him in.
"Mr Kiriakis will be downstairs in a minute" he said.
"Which one?" Paul joked.
Henderson just chuckled and closed the door behind him. He looked around, and remembered something Malcolm had told him during one of their usual meetings at the Pub.
The four men were laughing at some joke Steve had said about his youth.
"...and that's how I ended up in the hospital with a pen embedded in my hand!" he was saying.
"So funny!" laughed John. Suddenly, his phone beeped. He checked it and got up. "Ok, I gotta get back to work now".
"Yeah, me too" said Steve. "You guys don't worry, we'll see you at the office".
"Fine by me" said Malcolm.
"Oh" John took out his wallet and out some bills on the table.
"Oh, it's ok, dad" said Paul.
"No worries, son" John replied. He winked. "I got this".
"Hey, you sure you don't wanna pay for my lunch too?" Steve joked.
"Get out of here" he laughed. They left.
Paul chuckled and returned to his meal. Malcolm, on the other hand, put his plate aside. "Cool, they're gone".
Paul, with some fries still in his mouth, glanced at him. "What?"
Malcolm leaned down on the table and lowered his voice. "Here's the thing: the Kiriakises are hiding something, and I got to know what it is".
Paul gulped. "What?"
"The Kiriakises" he insisted. "Deimos has been acting really weird lately. He already tried to pull a gun on me, so I'm sure he and Victor are planning to... Take me out".
Paul frowned. "Are you sure? I mean, really sure?"
"I am" he replied. "Look, I can't just go and eavesdrop or look through their things. I'll be dead if they catch me. That's why I want you to do it for me".
Paul raised an eyebrow. "You want me to go and look through drawers and that? And if I get caught?"
"Oh please" he waved his hand dismissively. "You're with Jackson. If you get caught the worst thing that could happen to you would be a break-up".
Paul looked at him indignantly.
Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "You know you hate Deimos as much as your precious boyfriend does".
Paul sighed. "Fine, I'll do it".
"Cool" he replied. "Now set up a date".
"Wait, you mean now?"
"Of course! Or do you think he's sitting on his ass, enjoying fries as we do right now?"
Paul sighed. "The career I had to choose" he mumbled. "I should have sticked as a baseball coach or whatever".
He glanced at the door, to make sure no one was coming, but it was silent. So, he started opening the drawers and looking under and between papers, trying to find anything incriminating. Suddenly, he opened another one, and saw a paper. With his first look, he saw it was a handwritten letter.
He was about not to give it much importance, until he saw some words that caught his attention. He took out the letter, looked to the door to make sure no one was close, and read it.
To Deimos Kiriakis
Anywhere, any day, any year
By the time you read this I'll be either dead or still alive. I guess that depends on you. I should say, everything has depended on you lately. I'm writing this to tell you, I don't care anymore. You've taken everything from me, you took my life with no apparent reason. But I'm fighting. I won't let you keep doing this to me. I'm coming for you. I'll take my life back. I admit, I never knew, and I'll never know why you've kept me here. I don't want to know either. At first I did wonder why, what I had done, what you wanted. In my fuzzy state of mind that day, I remember you saying something about revenge. And the moment I knew your name, I knew something bad was in for me. In a way, I'm glad you hadn't tortured me. I've kept my sanity. But beware, Deimos. I'll escape from this hellhole soon. And i promise you, you will never see it coming.
Bill Robin.
Paul frowned. "What the hell?" he muttered.
Suddenly, he heard the door of the living room open, and he, in a reflex action, turned around, hiding the letter behind his back, as Sonny walked in.
"Hey. Sorry for keeping you waiting".
Paul faked a smile. "Eh, don't worry about it". He hid the letter in his backpocket. "So, ready to go?"
"Yeah".
A little while later that evening, Paul was sitting on the bench at the park, constantly looking at his watch and clutching the letter in his hand. So Deimos had someone deprived of freedom. Interesting. The year had just started, and it looked like they finally were making progress in their plan to bring him down.
He didn't mention anything to Sonny, for he feared he wouldn't believe him, or try to solve it himself by attacking his uncle with questions and threats, and he couldn't risk any lives.
"Waiting for me?" asked someone behind him.
Paul turned around to see Malcolm standing there.
"Hey, thanks for meeting me".
Malcolm nodded. "I assume you did as I asked you".
"I did".
"And judging by that grin on your face, I assume you found something".
"That's right".
"Well, thank you very much" he replied, sitting next to Paul. "So, what'you got?"
Paul looked at the letter in his hands, and gave it to Malcolm.
Malcolm took the paper. "What's this?"
"Just..." Paul sighed. "Read it".
Malcolm obliged. As he read, his frown grew bigger and bigger. Finally, he looked at Paul.
"Who the hell is Bill Robin?"
"No idea" he admitted. "But, Malcolm, this could be the chance we've been lookimg for! Sonny won't be stressed anymore, and you will accomplish your mission!"
Malcolm nodded, and put the paper in front of Paul's face. "I can't deny that. But even if we cormer Deimos, he won't talk. He'll play dumb with us, and we can't waste time".
"What do we do?" asked Paul.
"You make sure the Kiriakises don't suspect a thing, and that includes Jackson, and return to your normal activities".
"And what are you gonna do?"
Malcolm smirked, and lifted the letter in his hand. "I'll find out who this "Bill Robin" is".
*This dialogue is from a Friends episode. I saw the chance to put it, and didn't miss it.
And here we start the big adventure!
Please review and thanks for reading!