Disclaimer: Days of our Lives is not mine, the actors are not mine, although I can think of one tall dark handsome one with an accent that I would love to have be mine but that's beside the point.
The invisible thread part twenty six
After Tony and Anna left, EJ awkwardly managed to roll over on his side. He grabbed his extra pillow and wrapped his arms tightly around it.
He closed his eyes tightly and attempted to fall sleep but sleep evaded him.
His mind was jumbled with thoughts of Samantha, his son, his father and his paralysis.
Tony awoke the next morning and reluctantly moved away from the warm blonde in his bed. He paused for a moment looking at Anna and felt a surge of love wash over him. He leaned over and softly placed a kiss on her shoulder. "Merry Christmas, love." She mumbled something sleepily. He smiled and quietly got up and headed into the shower.
Anna was still asleep when he finished so he got dressed and headed into the kitchen. He noticed EJ wasn't awake yet either so he busied himself preparing breakfast. He peeked in on Anna again and noted she was still sleeping, he chuckled softly, he had worn her out.
He then made his way to EJ's room and quietly opened the door expecting to find his brother fast asleep. He was surprised to find him sitting up in bed.
"Merry Christmas, EJ!"
EJ looked exhausted. He wearily attempted a smile. "Happy Christmas to you too."
"Did you get any sleep?"
The younger man shook his head. "No."
"Stay in bed, let me get you breakfast. It is Christmas morning after all."
Much to his surprise EJ didn't argue, he just looked up at him and nodded. With a heavy heart, Tony headed back into the kitchen. The happiness he had felt waking up with Anna by his side faded as he realized how much his brother was quietly suffering. He put a lot of thought into EJ's breakfast, he knew his favourite was bangers and mash, he freshly squeezed some juice for him and made a large mug of coffee. When he brought it in EJ still sat in bed but had put his robe on.
He gave a small laugh when he saw the plate of bangers and mash. "Thank you I think I needed that.'
"You need to keep your strength up for the big Christmas dinner at Lexie's today. I'm sure Theo will want you to play with him and all his new presents."
"I'm not going today."
Tony sat down on the side of the bed. "Are you not feeling well?"
"No no, I'm fine but I'm just not in the mood. I'm exhausted. I couldn't fall back asleep last night."
Tony stayed silent for a moment feeling guilty. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have upset you."
"It isn't your fault. I just had too much on my mind. I really just want to spend some time on my own, do the exercises that mark left for me to do."
"I see. Lexie will be disappointed but I'll bring back a doggie bag for you and maybe we can spend some family time tonight? I've been told I can be relatively good company."
EJ laughed and Tony was relieved to see him relax.
"That would be great, thank you."
"You know I care about you, right?"
EJ looked down at his plate for a moment and sheepishly remarked. "I figured anyone who makes me bangers and mash must have a soft spot for me."
Tony laughed. "You worry me sometimes. Joking aside I am here for you."
EJ looked at him, nodded and replied. "I know, and it goes both ways."
"Good. Now I'm going to make Anna breakfast. Yell if you need anything."
After savoring his breakfast and feeling the adrenaline rush from the coffee, EJ got himself out of bed and headed to the washroom. After he got dressed he headed to the living room. He was surprised to find presents under the tree.
"Go ahead and open them, they are for you." Tony suggested as he entered the room.
EJ looked guilty. "I don't have any for you."
"Well you've hardly been in a position to go out shopping. Go ahead, Anna and I exchanged gifts last night."
"I could have ordered sometime over the web. I'm really sorry I've been so preoccupied and I guess selfish." EJ confessed.
"Oh just shut up and open your presents. Open mine first!" Anna said excitedly as she reached down and handed him a brightly colored one.
He opened it to find a dark green sweater.
"I thought it would really set off of your eyes." Anna purred as she peered into them.
"Playing dress up with my brother are you, my dear?"
"Oh Tony, you have no reason to be jealous. The poor boy has been in hospital gowns and robes for so long I thought he could use something comfortable and attractive. Eye candy needs to be packaged just right. Wait till Sami sees you in that."
EJ rolled his eyes. "Who knows if that will ever happen." He leaned over and picked up one from Tony. Inside he found a monogrammed black briefcase.
"I thought as you begin your career as a lawyer you could use a nice new one."
"It's perfect. Thank you. And thank you Anna I'll wear this today."
Anna beamed.
After EJ had changed into his sweater so Anna could see him in it, Anna and Tony left to head out to have dinner with Lexie and Abe.
EJ found himself holding the snow globe in his hands and remembering the tango.
Anna and Tony stopped by the Brady pub to wish everyone a Merry Christmas on their way to the carvers. While Anna chatted with Caroline, Sami discreetly pulled Tony to the side.
"Where's EJ? Surely you're taking him to Lexie's for Christmas dinner?"
Tony glanced over at Lucas who was with the twins and was glowering in their direction.
"Shouldn't you be with your husband Samantha? Rather than worrying about EJ?"
Her eyes narrowed. "He is the father of my son, of course I want to ensure that he is okay."
"Well he had a nightmare last night, didn't sleep a wink, and was too exhausted to come with us. So to answer your question, no."
"He's alone?"
"Mmmhmmm"
"I see. Well then, Merry Christmas, Tony." She turned and headed back to Lucas. He noted that Lucas seemed displeased with her and they seemed to be arguing. He and Anna said their goodbyes and left shortly after.
Later in the afternoon, after a wonderful Christmas dinner, Samantha strapped Johnny into his car seat.
She and Lucas had had another fight when she insisted on taking Johnny over to see EJ. He had wanted to come with her but she insisted it would be better if she went by herself. He accused her of wanting to spend time with her rapist. It infuriated her that he continued to say that when she had told him that she and EJ had put it to rest and that she had forgiven him for that night.
She pulled out the keys to the house that she still had while she was helping Tony with the renovations. With one arm around Johnny she turned the key with her free hand.
She called out EJ but heard no response.
She found him sitting on the sofa with a headset on staring dreamily up at the ceiling with a soft smile on his face. He jumped slightly, startled when he caught site of her.
"Samantha what are you doing here?" His eyes wandered from her face down to his son.
"I wanted you and Johnny to spend some time on Christmas day together."
She noticed how tired he looked, there were dark shadows under his eyes. He obviously needed some sleep. She had to admit despite looking so exhausted he looked very sexy in the green sweater he was wearing. It really set off his dark hair and brought out the green in his eyes.
He held out his arms for Johnny and gently held him while softly smiling at him. "He's so beautiful."
Sami opened her mouth but caught herself just in time. She had almost said "just like his daddy."
"You look tired."
His eyes met her hers. "I couldn't seem to sleep last night."
"Did you have that nightmare again?" She noted how his body stiffened but his voice stayed even.
"I can't remember."
"Why don't you go to bed for a little while? Johnny is due for a nap I could tuck him in with you?"
He winked at her. "Will you be joining us?"
She rolled her eyes. "In your dreams."
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep." He admitted
"Well why don't we give it a try?'
"I'm too tired to argue. He got back into his wheelchair and moved to the bedroom. He turned down her request to help him and he maneuvered himself onto the bed. She pulled a light blanket over him and settled Johnny in the crook of his arm.