Chapter 35

"Here is your new standard contract you'll be giving to EJ. I did what you asked and hid it best I could but don't be surprised if he's smart enough to let his legal team rip it apart", Marie handed a folder to Sami.

"Thanks", Sami said skimming through the text, "He wont hand this over, he'll be too busy trying to get me to leave the room."

"But if he does forward it?" Marie nailed her eyes to Sami.

"I don't want to think about that. But if he does, he really loves the twig more than he loves me."

"Might be the best thing that's happened to you since your divorce", Marie said grabbing another envelope.

"Why did you brought up my divorce now? Please, don't tell me there's something wrong!" Sami looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"No, nothings wrong. Things are actually better than they were yesterday", Marie said flipping the envelope in her hands.

"I still don't understand what you are saying", Sami was perplexed.

"I had to visit Lucas few days ago and he finally signed all his rights away yesterday. His trial will start tomorrow. Did you know that?" Marie explained nibbling her lips from time to time.

"No I didn't know. But-"

"He has agreed to testify against the rest of the gang and they all are going to jail for a very long time for multiple rapes, murders as well as for drugs."

"What about Lucas? Will he end up in jail or does he-"

"He wont walk", Marie put Sami's mind at ease, "I just happened to overhear some things he's gone through and I just have to say that I'm not at all surprised that he pulled that knife and cut Kath."

"I don't care what he's gone through. I wont ever be able to forgive him for hurting my little girl", Sami said sounding hostile.

"I'm not expecting you to forgive him. I'm just warning you that", Marie paused to change her tactic, "Lucas is not the father of the twins but he is Wills father. Will is going to find out what's going on in his fathers trial. And when he does, he'll need you. Sami, you might not forgive Lucas but you'll understand. The change in his character wont be as drastic as it has seemed."

"Thank you for the warning", Sami nodded slightly wanting to move on, "I hope you weren't talking about this when you said that things are better today than they were yesterday." Marie shook her head:

"No, I wasn't talking about the trial", she handed Sami the envelope, "As of today, EJ is legally Kath's and Johnny's father and you two share their custody. And as of today, the twins are very wealthy children."

"The house? Did EJ finally sign it over to them?" Sami asked taking the envelope.

"The house and the trust founded to fund the maintenance the house. As well as the individual trusts for their education", Marie kept talking and dropping numbers big enough to give Sami a heart attack.

"Do I dare to ask how much in total has he invested in the twins?" Sami asked and saw Marie shake her head.

"But you might want to know that he has also set up a college fund for Will. The money is his, but you will decide, if and when he knows about the money and how it's used. When Will turns twenty five he'll take control of the money."

"Why would he do that? Will isn't his son", Sami said taking the papers out of the envelope and skimming through them.

"Equality. I think EJ doesn't want Will to hold a grudge against his siblings nor does he want you to beg money from Kate Roberts for Wills education. Don't misunderstand me, you still can do that, beg for money, but you just don't have to. Besides", Marie hastened to add, "the money would be coming from Mythic even if you did ask Kate for it."

"Please don't remind me. I want to forget the possibility of running into her when I'm on my way to meet EJ."

"When are you surprising him?" Marie asked with a concerned voice. Sami had to snort:

"Tomorrow, at noon I think. But first EJs going to accompany John when he comes to pick up the twins for a visit."

"Did you set it up?" Marie asked and Sami nodded.

"The twins are hardly ever home. Someone is always asking to take care of them and since John had to stop working while he's recuperating, he's been wanting to spent as much time as he possibly can with the twins."

"Sami, I didn't ask that."

"I know you didn't and the answer is still yes. I want EJ to think that he's successfully avoided my webs until it's too late. If he that he has outsmarted me for the day I'll have better chance to get under his skin later in the office."

"That is if your plan doesn't backfire."

"Believe me, it wont."

Sami was going through the bag she had packed for the twins one more time though she knew she didn't really have to. Kath and Jonny spent most of their time visiting various relations and all their things were in the bag already. Sami glanced at her watched and to the door. She was just in time to open it before John had a chance to knock.

"Good morning", Sami whispered and welcomed John in.

"Good morning. Why are we whispering?" John asked.

"I don't know", Sami replied and burst out laughing. She went to hug her stepfather gently.

"I'm not made of glass", John said and squeezed Sami properly.

"I don't want to hurt you", Sami whispered.

"The only way you could hurt me Samantha Gene, is to deny me to visit my grandchildren", John said slowly as they finally ended the embrace, "Or for you to turn on me again."

"John, I'm so sorry."

"Don't cry. I know you are but everything is forgiven and forgotten. Now where are the precious bundles?" John asked with a widening smirk on his face.

"They are waiting for you."

"I'm sorry to interrupt", John and Sami turned to look at the door where EJ was standing.

"You didn't interrupt. Good morning", Sami answered and turned to leer at John.

"I'll go and get the twins and-" John started but EJ cut in.

"Please let me. They are in the bedroom aren't they?" EJ asked and walked across the apartment without waiting for an answer. This had happened before. Sami pressed her lips together and handed John the bag. He took it, glanced at the bedroom door with one brow arched and leaned to give a little kiss to Sami. Then John walked out of the apartment and closed the door behind him.

"Samantha, where are the twins?" EJ came out of the bedroom and saw Sami turning to face him. He had been ambushed.

"They are in the car with John on their way to where ever they are going today."

"Samantha."

"You have been avoiding me", Sami said sounding virtuous, "I never took you for an coward before."

"This isn't the time or the place to have this discussion Samantha", EJ wriggled, "I'm on my way to work."

"Problems? Incompetent employees?" Sami asked innocently still blocking his exit.

"Something like that", EJ replied glancing at the windows.

"Like it or not, this is the place and this is the time for this discussion", Sami said stubbornly, "You've been avoiding me because you do still love me and you are afraid that I'm still playing my games with your heart. I'm not. Why wont you stop fighting me and give in?"

"Samantha, I've made my choice and it's not you", EJ said finally facing her calmly.

"You made that choice when you were hurt. You've had time to heal and it's time for us to make this work", Sami said taking one step towards EJ.

"There's no us. You made that choice long ago", EJ pointed out trying to calculate how long it would take him to get to the door and would Sami had time to stop him.

"And I've changed my mind. I finally learnt my lesson", Sami smiled again, "EJ, I love you and I don't care whether you believe in it or not, we do belong together."

"Please Samantha, not this again", EJ replied grimacing, "People are what they make themselves to be. There aren't such things as karma and predestined fate."

"Am I supposed to stand by and let you make yourself unhappy then?" Sami asked incredulously and shaking her head, "You can't seriously believe that I would let you do that."

"As you yourself pointed out only moments ago, you don't care what I believe", EJ replied quickly.

"Touché", Sami nodded slightly, "But I do believe in karma and reincarnation. I do believe that our souls are connected and that neither of us can be truly happy without the other. And I'm going to act based on that belief. I will fight for our happiness even if I have to fight you."

"Samantha stop. I don't want to fight you, not now, not later. I really am late for an important meeting", EJ took one step sideways and Sami mirrored his movement.

"I'm not finished yet. Why would you give that money to Will? He's not your son and he is old enough to understand the difference in his and his siblings situations."

"I want to help him to be the best possible big brother to our twins. That's all", EJ said still hesitating to make a move to the door.

"I don't think that's all", Sami said, "I think you knew how much it would mean to me."

"Samantha dear, the world doesn't revolve around you."

"I don't want the world to revolve around me, I just want your world to revolve around me and our twins." As Sami spoke she walked to EJ and put her arms around him. For two seconds he stared at her with blank eyes then he took her hands and disentangled himself from her.

"I can't", he said and walked to the door, "Goodbye Samantha."