Let's just pretend Jack made it back to New Salem by himself. He's perfectly fine now. The suprise I mentioned last time comes next chapter.

It was all so overwhelming. One minute she's trying not to think about Lucas, the next thing Sami knew she was on some weird tropical island. Even stranger, her mother was here hugging her, and wearing a very unflattering Hawaiian shirt. Maybe she fell asleep; yeah it was just a dream. Even if it was just a dream, it felt good to be safe in her mother's warm embrace, so she'd enjoy it while she could.

"I'm going to hate waking up from this." She murmured to herself, but her mom caught it.

"Oh, no, my poor Sami. Honey, this isn't a dream."

"Of course it's a dream, Mom, your dead. Unless, oh my God, did I fall asleep in the tub? Am I dead, too?" she asked in horror.

"Sweetie-girl, we have a lot to talk about, but you are definitely not dead. Neither am I, for that matter. Come on, I'll explain at the pub."

"The pub?" If her mother wasn't dead she had obviously gone crazy.

"You'll see, just follow me."

She was led through a jungle path, asking questions the whole way. Unfortunately, the only response she could get out of her mother was an "I'll explain when we get there." or a "You'll see soon enough." They finally reached a clearing and what she saw made her stop short. Right in front of her was an exact replica of the Brady Pub, right down to the sign above the door. The only difference was the plants surrounding it. Her mother ushered her inside, and once again the sight stopped all movement in her body.

Sitting in a booth, chatting like it was an ordinary day were her grandmother, Victor, Maggie, Jack and Mrs. Horton. They hadn't noticed Sami yet, but just at that moment Caroline looked up and caught the eye of her second eldest granddaughter. In shock the older woman brought a hand up to her open mouth and tears shone in her eyes. Sami stood stock still as the sight finally registered in her brain. As if broken from a trance both women rushed forward, meeting in the middle. The guilt she had felt upon her grandmother's death all tumbled out in a rush of words.

"Grandma, oh God, it's really you! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean any of the nasty things I said before you died. Why aren't you dead? It doesn't matter, I'm just glad you're here. I missed you so much."

"Sami, my darling Sami, I never thought I'd see you again. It's alright dear. I know you didn't mean anything by what you said. You were upset. I'm just so happy to see you."

She heard the door open, but didn't turn around until the voice registered.

"Ma, do you have any... what da hell, Sami?"

Slowly she turned to the entrance to find her father and Uncle Abe standing at the door. It was really him. The way his mouth hung open in shock would have been comical, had the situation been different.

"Daddy!" she flew into his arms, relishing in the warm, solid feel of his body. He was real, it wasn't her imagination, it wasn't a dream, and he was really there. Her daddy was alive and well and right next to her.

"Peanut, my little peanut."

"Daddy, I'm so sorry. I love you so much; I could never hate you, even if I tried. I'm so glad you're here. You're alive, you're really alive."

The moisture on her neck told her that her father was crying, too. She had never seen him cry before, but this was okay. They were tears of happiness, an emotional release.

Behind them, Victor cleared his throat. "I don't mean to interrupt this moment for you. It was a touching reunion, really, but we have a lot of questions to answer. And probably more to ask, I think we'd all like to hear about home."

Realizing that he was right, the group quickly conducted Sami to a table and they all gathered around. Before she could ask any questions herself, she was bombarded with inquiries about Salem.

Everything was going wonderfully, at first. She told Jack about Jen, Abby, and the baby. Her mom was told about John, Belle, Brady, and Eric. Her dad wanted to know about Rex and Kate. There was hardly any face making on Sami's part she was so happy. Victor wanted to know about Philip. Abe was informed about Lexie, Theo, and Celeste. Bo, Hope, and the boys were mentioned, and everyone wanted to know about Will. Every family member in Salem was mentioned.

The problem came when Maggie asked about Lucas. She had successfully avoided thinking about him for hours now, but he always had to find a way to invade her thoughts. She'd give anything to be with Lucas and Will right now, sharing this moment with them. Maybe he'd realize how much he still loved her when he realized she was gone. Still, there was the nurse Manda problem. And now Will was probably devastated.

That was how they got on the topic of getting home. She was told everything about the island, including how each found themselves there. Apparently, her dad and Abe had some sort of plan to get them home, there was a device rigged up in the 'penthouse' sending out a signal. Hopefully, soon she'd be back in her family's loving embrace, specifically two very special Horton men's.