Chapter Nine
Sami awakened to the faint scent of bacon sizzling in the distance, but as the thought to being in the cabin, she wondered if perhaps cabin fever had set in as she perked up from her slumber. Much to her surprise she let her nose do the leading as she blinked back in surprise seeing Brandon standing in the center of the small kitching working eagerly over the stove. A soft smile swept over her features as she slid in behind him wrapping her arms around his muscled waist as she pressed a kiss onto his shoulder.
"I must've died and gone to heaven," she murmured hugging his body gently as she held him, "because last I recalled this place didn't come equipped with a full service kitchen."
"Actually," Brandon glanced over his shoulder at her, "I did a little digging after you went back to sleep and I found some soy bacon in the freezer under the bar."
"Soy bacon," Sami wrinkled her nose slightly, "and here I thought it smelled pretty good."
"Considering we haven't had much around here for the last twenty four hours or more, I'd say it was a step up," Brandon offered seeing her unconvinced as he turned around to draw her into his arms, "oh come on Samantha, would I lead you astray?"
"In general," she shook her head decidedly, "no, but on breakfast, maybe. Besides, we don't know how old this stuff is."
"Hey I checked the date and I'll have you know that the bacon is still fresh," Brandon offered, "it almost looks like someone was here shortly before the storm kicked in.
"Still no sign of it clearing up?" Sami questioned turning her eyes towards the window noticing the white pile up before her, "okay so I spoke too soon here."
"I'm sure they'll be plowing things shortly," Brandon offered up, "I mean hey eventually someone's going to be itching to get back home again, right?"
"I suppose so," Sami nodded in response, "though I must confess I don't know if I'm willing to share you now after everything."
"Samantha, I'm all yours," he leaned down to kiss her tenderly, "from here on out, it's going to be us for eternity."
"Oh Brandon," she murmured into the kiss, "for so long I'd thought that we'd never have that because I messed up and then…" she stopped as he placed his finger over her lips in an attempt to silence her.
"No looking back," he whispered gently, "only forward."
She nodded, "Alright," she agreed with a soft smile, "so tell me where would you like me to start on this new journey of ours?"
"How about right here?" he suggested kissing her quickly, "or maybe here," his lips tapered off over her cheek bone moving up towards her forehead as he pressed feathery light kisses over her soft features, "or maybe this," he pressed a teasing kiss over the tip of her nose causing her to let out a tiny giggle before he captured her mouth again in a full ravenous kiss as she tumbled forward into his arms. Holding her securely he kissed her slowly working his hands over her soft curves before they parted breathlessly still so very lost in one another as the very distinct smell rose up from behind them.
"Brandon, the bacon," Sami gasped as he released her turning to find the food he'd been making for her going up in flames.
"No," Brandon cursed reaching for the pan, taking it off the burner as the smoke rose through the tiny cabin, "this is not happening."
Sami couldn't help herself as a fit of laughter overtook her. Watching Brandon battling the flames that threatened to destroy his new find for breakfast had sparked a playful streak in her, "Well Brandon, perhaps that is an omen."
"An omen?" Brandon blinked back at her as the flames began to die down.
"You didn't really want to test your limits on soy bacon, now did you?" she raised a curious brow.
"Samantha, you know I like to go to the extreme when we're with one another," Brandon tugged her into his arms once again, "and besides with the workout you've been giving me lately, well I can't help but confess that I felt we might need some protein if I'm expected to keep up with your ravenous appetite," he teased nipping at her neck as he hoisted her up into his arms.
"Oh Brandon," she kissed him delighted by the streak of luck that had come her way. Somehow even without breakfast to tide them over, she was more certain than ever she had all she needed to complete the rest of her day feeling satisfied.
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Lucas set the phone down a frown washing over his features as he looked over at Greta, who'd just returned from taking Will to school. She noticed the tension in his features and a frown settled in over her features as well.
"No sign of Sami?" she half questioned as she set her purse down.
"She never checked into the hotel," Lucas admitted with a slight frown, "This just isn't like her, Greta."
"I know," Greta began, "but you'd think she'd make a call soon to let you know where she was. Then again you were the one who'd encouraged her to take time off to be with herself and to get her thoughts together."
"I realize that, but when she gave me a number for Will to reach her at, the last thing I expected was her to walk out on her son and ignore him," Lucas shook his head firmly, "something's not right. This isn't like her at all."
"Maybe she made a stop along the way," Greta shrugged hoping to alleviate some of his concerns, "you know Sami does like to make people wonder every now and then."
"No, this is different," Lucas insisted, "this time I just have a bad feeling about things."
"Okay, so what do you want to do," Greta questioned after a moment, "should we call Roman or John and see if they can look into it?"
"Maybe that is jumping the gun a bit," Lucas thought it over, "though if Sami did slip away and go somewhere other than where she'd talked about going off to, then she would think to call her father. That would be like her."
"Then give Roman a call," Greta urged, "I mean at least you might get some answers."
"That's a good idea," Lucas agreed picking up the phone again as there was a knock on the door. With a slight frown, he hung up the phone wondering if Sami was home again as he opened the door to find Kate standing there, "mom, hey what are you doing here?"
"Well that's some greeting coming from my son," she stepped inside to kiss him, "here I was worried about you because you're all by your lonesome and…" she stopped herself as she looked over his shoulder to find Greta standing inside the room, "Greta? What are you doing here?"
"Kate, hello," Greta smiled at her suddenly feeling a bit nervous as she looked over at Lucas, "you know Lucas, maybe I should give you and your mother some time alone together because I had a few things I was going to take care of."
"Greta, you don't have to leave," Lucas stepped in towards her wrapping his arms around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her gently, "In fact I wish you wouldn't go right now."
"As much as I'd love to stay," Greta kissed him lightly before her eyes drifted back over to Kate, "I promised Alice that I'd stop by at the hospital and see her. She has a few children she wanted me to meet."
"Alright, but only if you tell grandma that we're going to join her for dinner tonight," Lucas decided, "let her know that you, Will and I are going to treat her to dinner."
"She'll love hearing that," Greta smiled in response, "though I'm telling you now she has been working on some of her cookies that she said are your favorite."
"That's Alice for you," Lucas grinned thinking it over, "let her know I love her."
"I will," Greta kissed him once more, "and maybe I'll check in with Roman for you if I see him."
"Thanks Greta," Lucas offered as he gave her one last look.
"Nice to see you again, Kate," Greta smiled uneasily before leaving the apartment.
Kate exchanged looks with Lucas for a moment before shaking her head, "Greta? How did this come about?"
"What?" Lucas shrugged his shoulder noticing the look on his mother's face, "mom, don't give me that look. It's not what you think."
"Then do tell," Kate inquired taking her jacket off, "what was Princess Von Amburg doing at your apartment at this time in the morning?"
"She's staying with me," Lucas took in a breath, "and before you say anything about how wrong for her I am, how a girl like that belongs with someone like Austin, well, I just don't want to hear it."
"I wasn't going to say that," Kate confessed, "I was just surprised to see her here that's all."
"Mom, I know that look and I'll have you know that Greta and I are very happy together."
"How did this come about?" Kate questioned making her way over to the sofa as Lucas gave her a look. "What can't I ask about my son and the special woman in his life?"
"Greta and I caught up with one another in Africa," Lucas confessed after a moment.
"Does Sami know about this?"
"It's not Sami's concern, but as a matter of fact, she does," Lucas nodded.
"And she's just accepted it?"
"She knows Greta and I are in love and despite what you think about Sami, she and I made peace with one another."
"What?" Kate gasped in surprise, "since when?"
"Since I thought it would be best for Will. He doesn't need to have the two of us tearing one another apart, and besides Greta feels it would be something that would work in all of our favors."
"So Greta twisted your arm with her little Pollyanna attitude," Kate shook her head, "Lucas, I thought you were smarter than that. You know Sami is never going to change. She'll take this piece of generosity and turn it against you. Just you watch."
"I'm not in the mood to hear it," Lucas argued with her, "if you came to fight, then leave because I'm not up for it."
"Lucas, this just isn't like you," Kate eyed him intently, "unless of course there is some ulterior motive like the time you showed up and ruined Sami and Austin's wedding and if there is, I strongly suggest you let your mother in on it."
"Mom, could you just let it go? I've given up on fighting with Sami over this and I wish you would as well. It's gone on far too long and I'm making the change for my son."
"Right," Kate eyed him closely, "you're holding something from me and when I find out what it is."
"Mom, this is none of your business, now you can accept my decisions or you can just learn to shut your mouth," Lucas huffed at her rubbing his tense shoulders, "Look I'm not upset with you mom. Really I'm not. I'm just concerned because I haven't heard from Sami."
"Gee, how did I know she was going to still be the thorn in your side? What did the little witch do now?"
"She left town for a little while only she didn't make it to her hotel," Lucas frowned, "Will tried calling her, but they'd said she hadn't checked in."
"That's just like her," Kate shook her head disapproving, "leave it to Sami Brady to ruin a perfectly good morning. Then again, maybe she was in an accident," Kate smiled wickedly, "which would explain why you're so calm about her. Perhaps you think she's dead."
"I don't think she is dead and I don't want her to be either," Lucas glared at her.
"Fine, fine, but when she drives you crazy and makes your life miserable again, then don't say I didn't warn you," Kate shrugged making her way across the room, "having any kind of alliance with her is a mistake. Mark my words on that."
"Mom, trust me on this one. This time I'm really worried," Lucas confessed wondering where on Earth Sami had disappeared to.
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"Ha, I found something," Sami boasted excitedly popping her head out from behind the kitchen counter.
"What might that be," Brandon asked lazily resting his head back on the sofa as she stood up, the blanket still wrapped around her as a proud smile swept over her features.
"I found peaches and that beats your soy bacon any day," she answered proudly, "and look there are even two cans."
"Looks like you found the prize after all," he patted the sofa beside him, "come here Samantha."
"Just a second," she reached into one of the drawers pulling out a can opener and she carried it over with her to the living area once again. Settling herself in against his warm, welcoming body, she started to open one of the cans, "see I knew I could salvage the idea of breakfast."
"I think you more than salvaged it," Brandon kissed her shoulder offering up a teasing nip, "though I think you're so much sweeter than the peaches could ever be."
"Brandon," she gave him a stern look over her shoulder as she finished opening one of the cans, "you're driving me to distraction again."
"Isn't that what your fiancée is supposed to do?" he questioned with a teasing wink.
"My fiancée," she repeated with a smile, "you know I love the sound of that. Say it again."
"Your fiancée," he placed another light kiss against her neck causing her to let out a tiny giggle, "and I'm going to enjoy being your fiancée until the day I'm able to become your husband and make you Mrs. Brandon Walker."
"Mrs. Brandon Walker," she mused with a smile snuggling back into him, "I love the sound of that. It sounds so right."
"That's because it is right for us, Samantha," he whispered in her ear as she dipped her fingers into the can of peaches withdrawing a sliced peach with her finger tips before raising it to his lips. He accepted the bite savoring it's sweetness while kissing her finger tips, "we've both waited so long for this and now that we're together nothing can take that from us."
"Brandon, you don't know how long I've wanted for us to have this happiness together," she turned in his arms gazing into his dark eyes, "I've waited so long to find someone who loved me, someone who wanted to be with me for me. For so long I was so afraid that I would wind up alone after the horrible things I did to Carrie. I know I haven't been anywhere near a saint as everyone wished I could be, but…"
"Samantha, I love you just the way you are," Brandon cut her off with another kiss, "that's why I fell in love with you. It had nothing to do with what you believe you were supposed to be. You're perfect in my eyes and all of those things that you experienced on the pathway to this moment, they defined you as the woman you are today. Right now I see a beautiful woman in my arms who is a wonderful mother to her son and who is going to be an amazing mother to our children as well. Will is going to be so happy with us Samantha. I promise you that."
"He already cares so much about you," Sami confessed, "when Austin walked out on me, it was so hard for him to understand what was going on, but he really enjoys being with you and having you in his life."
"I love having Will around and I was thinking," Brandon admitted as he accepted another piece of fruit, "I was thinking about what's going to happen when we return to Salem."
"You were," she questioned nervously, "what about?"
"About us," he shrugged, "about the future."
"And?"
"And I was thinking that maybe we shouldn't wait. Maybe we should take our relationship to the next level as soon as possible," Brandon continued, "Samantha, I don't want to wait to make you my wife. I want us to be together from here on out. I say let's go home when this storm clears up, find Will and go get married."
"Just like that," her eyes widened as he reached for the can of fruit taking it from her.
"Just like that," he nodded dipping his fingers into the syrup and pulling out a piece of fruit raising it to her soft lips, "what do you say?"
"I say," she accepted the bite a smile sweeping over her features, "it sounds like everything I've ever dreamt about."
"Then tell me that's what you want and it's yours," Brandon promised her, "by this time next week you can be my wife and we can have that family we've always dreamt about having together."
"But what about everything else? What about your place? And mine? How will we be able to work all that out in less than a week?"
"Samantha, just trust me," Brandon shook his head a laugh sweeping over him.
"What's so funny?"
"You're sounding like the practical one here," Brandon confessed, "that is a bit surprising."
"Well, it's just that I know you were talking about establishing ourselves in our careers and building up some kind of nest egg…"
"Samantha, there's something I haven't told you," Brandon began taking in a breath as he handed over the can of peaches once again.
"Why don't I like the sound of this," she frowned slightly feeling him tense up beside her.
"I didn't think now was the time, but perhaps I should get it out in the open," he took in another breath before meeting her concerned eyes, "Samantha, remember when we were in Italy and Angela died?"
"How could I forget," she shuddered at the memory, "so many things happened during that time we were out there."
"I know it did," he touched her cheek, "and it was then when I realized that I'd do anything to be with you, to make you happy…"
"And I'm grateful," she kissed the center of his palm, "I love you so much for all you've done for me Brandon."
"Samantha, I know in my marrying Angela it was a risk that we took in order to get Will back, but also in doing it I'd put myself in the Moroni family," he took in a breath, "and along with that came responsibilities."
"You mean like her father trying to have me killed," she shuddered at the thought, "that was something I don't think I'll ever forget."
"I didn't love her like she deserved to be loved," Brandon closed his eyes thinking back, "and she died saving me."
"Brandon, I know you were upset and Angela was a good person," she touched his hand, "I don't deny that as she helped me get my son back."
"I know she did, but the way we deceived her," Brandon opened his eyes once again, "Samantha, when she died and her father was gone as well, there was only one member of the Moroni family remaining and that was a person who'd stepped into it by marriage," he touched her cheek, "it was me, Samantha."
"I realize that, but Brandon what does that have to do with us right now," she questioned in confusion.
"The Moroni Empire became mine and with it came the millions he had," Brandon confessed, "about a month after the massacre, I got some papers in the mail alerting me to my newfound fortune. Because of the situation I'd experienced with Angela, I felt too guilty to do anything with it other than let it sit in a bank, but as it stands the man you're about to marry is well, he's a multi-millionaire and I couldn't let you go into this marriage thinking that I had next to nothing."
"Brandon, you're telling me that your big secret is that you have a fortune that you haven't told me about," she blinked back at him, "that's what you were so worried about?"
"Well considering how I got the fortune," he sighed, "there was blood on my hands.."
"Brandon, I know you weren't looking for that money when you married Angela. You were looking for a way to help me and Will," Sami thought it over, "while it killed me to have you with Angela, I know why you were doing it and it helped me get my son back. For that I am grateful to you and to Angela. I know when she died all she wanted was for you to find happiness and we have that together."
"She always knew that you were the only woman in my heart," he touched her cheek, "I could never hide the way I felt about you from her. I can't hide from myself as you're all that I could ever want in this world Samantha."
"You're all I ever need," she leaned in to kiss him, "and millionaire or not I love you Brandon Walker and you're my dream come true."
"And you're mine Samantha," he promised wrapping her up in his arms, "and from this day on, I'm going to do everything in my power to give you and Will the world as you've given it to me."
"Your love is all I need," Sami hugged him tightly lost in the moments of happiness they had together away from Salem. Being with him like this only reaffirmed her beliefs that maybe just maybe this time she would be able to have her happily ever after without all the scheming and plotting to make the man she wanted hers. Brandon loved her and that was never going to change. That much she was certain of.
Sami awakened to the faint scent of bacon sizzling in the distance, but as the thought to being in the cabin, she wondered if perhaps cabin fever had set in as she perked up from her slumber. Much to her surprise she let her nose do the leading as she blinked back in surprise seeing Brandon standing in the center of the small kitching working eagerly over the stove. A soft smile swept over her features as she slid in behind him wrapping her arms around his muscled waist as she pressed a kiss onto his shoulder.
"I must've died and gone to heaven," she murmured hugging his body gently as she held him, "because last I recalled this place didn't come equipped with a full service kitchen."
"Actually," Brandon glanced over his shoulder at her, "I did a little digging after you went back to sleep and I found some soy bacon in the freezer under the bar."
"Soy bacon," Sami wrinkled her nose slightly, "and here I thought it smelled pretty good."
"Considering we haven't had much around here for the last twenty four hours or more, I'd say it was a step up," Brandon offered seeing her unconvinced as he turned around to draw her into his arms, "oh come on Samantha, would I lead you astray?"
"In general," she shook her head decidedly, "no, but on breakfast, maybe. Besides, we don't know how old this stuff is."
"Hey I checked the date and I'll have you know that the bacon is still fresh," Brandon offered, "it almost looks like someone was here shortly before the storm kicked in.
"Still no sign of it clearing up?" Sami questioned turning her eyes towards the window noticing the white pile up before her, "okay so I spoke too soon here."
"I'm sure they'll be plowing things shortly," Brandon offered up, "I mean hey eventually someone's going to be itching to get back home again, right?"
"I suppose so," Sami nodded in response, "though I must confess I don't know if I'm willing to share you now after everything."
"Samantha, I'm all yours," he leaned down to kiss her tenderly, "from here on out, it's going to be us for eternity."
"Oh Brandon," she murmured into the kiss, "for so long I'd thought that we'd never have that because I messed up and then…" she stopped as he placed his finger over her lips in an attempt to silence her.
"No looking back," he whispered gently, "only forward."
She nodded, "Alright," she agreed with a soft smile, "so tell me where would you like me to start on this new journey of ours?"
"How about right here?" he suggested kissing her quickly, "or maybe here," his lips tapered off over her cheek bone moving up towards her forehead as he pressed feathery light kisses over her soft features, "or maybe this," he pressed a teasing kiss over the tip of her nose causing her to let out a tiny giggle before he captured her mouth again in a full ravenous kiss as she tumbled forward into his arms. Holding her securely he kissed her slowly working his hands over her soft curves before they parted breathlessly still so very lost in one another as the very distinct smell rose up from behind them.
"Brandon, the bacon," Sami gasped as he released her turning to find the food he'd been making for her going up in flames.
"No," Brandon cursed reaching for the pan, taking it off the burner as the smoke rose through the tiny cabin, "this is not happening."
Sami couldn't help herself as a fit of laughter overtook her. Watching Brandon battling the flames that threatened to destroy his new find for breakfast had sparked a playful streak in her, "Well Brandon, perhaps that is an omen."
"An omen?" Brandon blinked back at her as the flames began to die down.
"You didn't really want to test your limits on soy bacon, now did you?" she raised a curious brow.
"Samantha, you know I like to go to the extreme when we're with one another," Brandon tugged her into his arms once again, "and besides with the workout you've been giving me lately, well I can't help but confess that I felt we might need some protein if I'm expected to keep up with your ravenous appetite," he teased nipping at her neck as he hoisted her up into his arms.
"Oh Brandon," she kissed him delighted by the streak of luck that had come her way. Somehow even without breakfast to tide them over, she was more certain than ever she had all she needed to complete the rest of her day feeling satisfied.
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Lucas set the phone down a frown washing over his features as he looked over at Greta, who'd just returned from taking Will to school. She noticed the tension in his features and a frown settled in over her features as well.
"No sign of Sami?" she half questioned as she set her purse down.
"She never checked into the hotel," Lucas admitted with a slight frown, "This just isn't like her, Greta."
"I know," Greta began, "but you'd think she'd make a call soon to let you know where she was. Then again you were the one who'd encouraged her to take time off to be with herself and to get her thoughts together."
"I realize that, but when she gave me a number for Will to reach her at, the last thing I expected was her to walk out on her son and ignore him," Lucas shook his head firmly, "something's not right. This isn't like her at all."
"Maybe she made a stop along the way," Greta shrugged hoping to alleviate some of his concerns, "you know Sami does like to make people wonder every now and then."
"No, this is different," Lucas insisted, "this time I just have a bad feeling about things."
"Okay, so what do you want to do," Greta questioned after a moment, "should we call Roman or John and see if they can look into it?"
"Maybe that is jumping the gun a bit," Lucas thought it over, "though if Sami did slip away and go somewhere other than where she'd talked about going off to, then she would think to call her father. That would be like her."
"Then give Roman a call," Greta urged, "I mean at least you might get some answers."
"That's a good idea," Lucas agreed picking up the phone again as there was a knock on the door. With a slight frown, he hung up the phone wondering if Sami was home again as he opened the door to find Kate standing there, "mom, hey what are you doing here?"
"Well that's some greeting coming from my son," she stepped inside to kiss him, "here I was worried about you because you're all by your lonesome and…" she stopped herself as she looked over his shoulder to find Greta standing inside the room, "Greta? What are you doing here?"
"Kate, hello," Greta smiled at her suddenly feeling a bit nervous as she looked over at Lucas, "you know Lucas, maybe I should give you and your mother some time alone together because I had a few things I was going to take care of."
"Greta, you don't have to leave," Lucas stepped in towards her wrapping his arms around her waist as he leaned in to kiss her gently, "In fact I wish you wouldn't go right now."
"As much as I'd love to stay," Greta kissed him lightly before her eyes drifted back over to Kate, "I promised Alice that I'd stop by at the hospital and see her. She has a few children she wanted me to meet."
"Alright, but only if you tell grandma that we're going to join her for dinner tonight," Lucas decided, "let her know that you, Will and I are going to treat her to dinner."
"She'll love hearing that," Greta smiled in response, "though I'm telling you now she has been working on some of her cookies that she said are your favorite."
"That's Alice for you," Lucas grinned thinking it over, "let her know I love her."
"I will," Greta kissed him once more, "and maybe I'll check in with Roman for you if I see him."
"Thanks Greta," Lucas offered as he gave her one last look.
"Nice to see you again, Kate," Greta smiled uneasily before leaving the apartment.
Kate exchanged looks with Lucas for a moment before shaking her head, "Greta? How did this come about?"
"What?" Lucas shrugged his shoulder noticing the look on his mother's face, "mom, don't give me that look. It's not what you think."
"Then do tell," Kate inquired taking her jacket off, "what was Princess Von Amburg doing at your apartment at this time in the morning?"
"She's staying with me," Lucas took in a breath, "and before you say anything about how wrong for her I am, how a girl like that belongs with someone like Austin, well, I just don't want to hear it."
"I wasn't going to say that," Kate confessed, "I was just surprised to see her here that's all."
"Mom, I know that look and I'll have you know that Greta and I are very happy together."
"How did this come about?" Kate questioned making her way over to the sofa as Lucas gave her a look. "What can't I ask about my son and the special woman in his life?"
"Greta and I caught up with one another in Africa," Lucas confessed after a moment.
"Does Sami know about this?"
"It's not Sami's concern, but as a matter of fact, she does," Lucas nodded.
"And she's just accepted it?"
"She knows Greta and I are in love and despite what you think about Sami, she and I made peace with one another."
"What?" Kate gasped in surprise, "since when?"
"Since I thought it would be best for Will. He doesn't need to have the two of us tearing one another apart, and besides Greta feels it would be something that would work in all of our favors."
"So Greta twisted your arm with her little Pollyanna attitude," Kate shook her head, "Lucas, I thought you were smarter than that. You know Sami is never going to change. She'll take this piece of generosity and turn it against you. Just you watch."
"I'm not in the mood to hear it," Lucas argued with her, "if you came to fight, then leave because I'm not up for it."
"Lucas, this just isn't like you," Kate eyed him intently, "unless of course there is some ulterior motive like the time you showed up and ruined Sami and Austin's wedding and if there is, I strongly suggest you let your mother in on it."
"Mom, could you just let it go? I've given up on fighting with Sami over this and I wish you would as well. It's gone on far too long and I'm making the change for my son."
"Right," Kate eyed him closely, "you're holding something from me and when I find out what it is."
"Mom, this is none of your business, now you can accept my decisions or you can just learn to shut your mouth," Lucas huffed at her rubbing his tense shoulders, "Look I'm not upset with you mom. Really I'm not. I'm just concerned because I haven't heard from Sami."
"Gee, how did I know she was going to still be the thorn in your side? What did the little witch do now?"
"She left town for a little while only she didn't make it to her hotel," Lucas frowned, "Will tried calling her, but they'd said she hadn't checked in."
"That's just like her," Kate shook her head disapproving, "leave it to Sami Brady to ruin a perfectly good morning. Then again, maybe she was in an accident," Kate smiled wickedly, "which would explain why you're so calm about her. Perhaps you think she's dead."
"I don't think she is dead and I don't want her to be either," Lucas glared at her.
"Fine, fine, but when she drives you crazy and makes your life miserable again, then don't say I didn't warn you," Kate shrugged making her way across the room, "having any kind of alliance with her is a mistake. Mark my words on that."
"Mom, trust me on this one. This time I'm really worried," Lucas confessed wondering where on Earth Sami had disappeared to.
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"Ha, I found something," Sami boasted excitedly popping her head out from behind the kitchen counter.
"What might that be," Brandon asked lazily resting his head back on the sofa as she stood up, the blanket still wrapped around her as a proud smile swept over her features.
"I found peaches and that beats your soy bacon any day," she answered proudly, "and look there are even two cans."
"Looks like you found the prize after all," he patted the sofa beside him, "come here Samantha."
"Just a second," she reached into one of the drawers pulling out a can opener and she carried it over with her to the living area once again. Settling herself in against his warm, welcoming body, she started to open one of the cans, "see I knew I could salvage the idea of breakfast."
"I think you more than salvaged it," Brandon kissed her shoulder offering up a teasing nip, "though I think you're so much sweeter than the peaches could ever be."
"Brandon," she gave him a stern look over her shoulder as she finished opening one of the cans, "you're driving me to distraction again."
"Isn't that what your fiancée is supposed to do?" he questioned with a teasing wink.
"My fiancée," she repeated with a smile, "you know I love the sound of that. Say it again."
"Your fiancée," he placed another light kiss against her neck causing her to let out a tiny giggle, "and I'm going to enjoy being your fiancée until the day I'm able to become your husband and make you Mrs. Brandon Walker."
"Mrs. Brandon Walker," she mused with a smile snuggling back into him, "I love the sound of that. It sounds so right."
"That's because it is right for us, Samantha," he whispered in her ear as she dipped her fingers into the can of peaches withdrawing a sliced peach with her finger tips before raising it to his lips. He accepted the bite savoring it's sweetness while kissing her finger tips, "we've both waited so long for this and now that we're together nothing can take that from us."
"Brandon, you don't know how long I've wanted for us to have this happiness together," she turned in his arms gazing into his dark eyes, "I've waited so long to find someone who loved me, someone who wanted to be with me for me. For so long I was so afraid that I would wind up alone after the horrible things I did to Carrie. I know I haven't been anywhere near a saint as everyone wished I could be, but…"
"Samantha, I love you just the way you are," Brandon cut her off with another kiss, "that's why I fell in love with you. It had nothing to do with what you believe you were supposed to be. You're perfect in my eyes and all of those things that you experienced on the pathway to this moment, they defined you as the woman you are today. Right now I see a beautiful woman in my arms who is a wonderful mother to her son and who is going to be an amazing mother to our children as well. Will is going to be so happy with us Samantha. I promise you that."
"He already cares so much about you," Sami confessed, "when Austin walked out on me, it was so hard for him to understand what was going on, but he really enjoys being with you and having you in his life."
"I love having Will around and I was thinking," Brandon admitted as he accepted another piece of fruit, "I was thinking about what's going to happen when we return to Salem."
"You were," she questioned nervously, "what about?"
"About us," he shrugged, "about the future."
"And?"
"And I was thinking that maybe we shouldn't wait. Maybe we should take our relationship to the next level as soon as possible," Brandon continued, "Samantha, I don't want to wait to make you my wife. I want us to be together from here on out. I say let's go home when this storm clears up, find Will and go get married."
"Just like that," her eyes widened as he reached for the can of fruit taking it from her.
"Just like that," he nodded dipping his fingers into the syrup and pulling out a piece of fruit raising it to her soft lips, "what do you say?"
"I say," she accepted the bite a smile sweeping over her features, "it sounds like everything I've ever dreamt about."
"Then tell me that's what you want and it's yours," Brandon promised her, "by this time next week you can be my wife and we can have that family we've always dreamt about having together."
"But what about everything else? What about your place? And mine? How will we be able to work all that out in less than a week?"
"Samantha, just trust me," Brandon shook his head a laugh sweeping over him.
"What's so funny?"
"You're sounding like the practical one here," Brandon confessed, "that is a bit surprising."
"Well, it's just that I know you were talking about establishing ourselves in our careers and building up some kind of nest egg…"
"Samantha, there's something I haven't told you," Brandon began taking in a breath as he handed over the can of peaches once again.
"Why don't I like the sound of this," she frowned slightly feeling him tense up beside her.
"I didn't think now was the time, but perhaps I should get it out in the open," he took in another breath before meeting her concerned eyes, "Samantha, remember when we were in Italy and Angela died?"
"How could I forget," she shuddered at the memory, "so many things happened during that time we were out there."
"I know it did," he touched her cheek, "and it was then when I realized that I'd do anything to be with you, to make you happy…"
"And I'm grateful," she kissed the center of his palm, "I love you so much for all you've done for me Brandon."
"Samantha, I know in my marrying Angela it was a risk that we took in order to get Will back, but also in doing it I'd put myself in the Moroni family," he took in a breath, "and along with that came responsibilities."
"You mean like her father trying to have me killed," she shuddered at the thought, "that was something I don't think I'll ever forget."
"I didn't love her like she deserved to be loved," Brandon closed his eyes thinking back, "and she died saving me."
"Brandon, I know you were upset and Angela was a good person," she touched his hand, "I don't deny that as she helped me get my son back."
"I know she did, but the way we deceived her," Brandon opened his eyes once again, "Samantha, when she died and her father was gone as well, there was only one member of the Moroni family remaining and that was a person who'd stepped into it by marriage," he touched her cheek, "it was me, Samantha."
"I realize that, but Brandon what does that have to do with us right now," she questioned in confusion.
"The Moroni Empire became mine and with it came the millions he had," Brandon confessed, "about a month after the massacre, I got some papers in the mail alerting me to my newfound fortune. Because of the situation I'd experienced with Angela, I felt too guilty to do anything with it other than let it sit in a bank, but as it stands the man you're about to marry is well, he's a multi-millionaire and I couldn't let you go into this marriage thinking that I had next to nothing."
"Brandon, you're telling me that your big secret is that you have a fortune that you haven't told me about," she blinked back at him, "that's what you were so worried about?"
"Well considering how I got the fortune," he sighed, "there was blood on my hands.."
"Brandon, I know you weren't looking for that money when you married Angela. You were looking for a way to help me and Will," Sami thought it over, "while it killed me to have you with Angela, I know why you were doing it and it helped me get my son back. For that I am grateful to you and to Angela. I know when she died all she wanted was for you to find happiness and we have that together."
"She always knew that you were the only woman in my heart," he touched her cheek, "I could never hide the way I felt about you from her. I can't hide from myself as you're all that I could ever want in this world Samantha."
"You're all I ever need," she leaned in to kiss him, "and millionaire or not I love you Brandon Walker and you're my dream come true."
"And you're mine Samantha," he promised wrapping her up in his arms, "and from this day on, I'm going to do everything in my power to give you and Will the world as you've given it to me."
"Your love is all I need," Sami hugged him tightly lost in the moments of happiness they had together away from Salem. Being with him like this only reaffirmed her beliefs that maybe just maybe this time she would be able to have her happily ever after without all the scheming and plotting to make the man she wanted hers. Brandon loved her and that was never going to change. That much she was certain of.