I'm sorry it's been so long, but break tends to make me lazy. It happened during winter break, too. There's something about sleeping in that takes away all ambition. I've just realized that my timeline may be completely off, because I can't remember if the island storyline ended before Thanksgiving. If it didn't then I guess you just have to suspend your disbelief.
"Gosh, it sure was nice of ya to invite me to tag along on your Christmas Eve."
"Anything for a friend," Sami sighed as she rang the doorbell to Alice's house. Bart was endearing sometimes, but he could grate on her nerves like no one else.
"Well, it was real great of you guys. Makes me feel bad about the whole keeping-your-family-captive-on-an-island thing."
"You know, Bart, maybe you should avoid mentioning that. It's a sensitive issue."
"Right, right," Bart turned from Lucas as the door opened.
Alice Horton opened her front door to welcome her family and found a little extra. She barely had time to absorb the shock as she was engulfed in an enthusiastic hug. Bart pulled back to kiss both her cheeks, "Mrs. Horton, Alice, Gran, so great to see ya."
As Bart moved further into the house, Will darted forward to hug his surprised great grandmother, "Hey, Gran. Bart's a character isn't he?"
Before she could answer Will went off to help the subject of their conversation hang up his coat and Lucas stepped forward, "Sorry about that. He was all alone for the holidays, so we invited him along. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not, dear. You have a good heart."
"Yes, I do, and her name is Sami. It was her idea, as much as I'd like to take the credit."
"She's a good girl you got there."
"I know it," Lucas smirked as Sami raised her hand jokingly.
"I can hear you talking about me."
"All good things," he defended as she ignored him to hug Alice.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Horton. Thank you for understanding about Bart."
"I have no problem with extra company, Sami dear, but I do have a problem with this 'Mrs. Horton' business. I thought we'd already settled on you calling me 'Gran'."
"Sorry. I forgot, Gran."
Alice winked at Lucas before guiding them both to hang their coats. While she was temporarily distracted he leaned toward Alice.
"Thanks."
"She's a lovely girl. I want her to feel welcome."
Lucas pulled her into another hug, "That's why I love you."
………………………………………..
"Did you have to bring him here?" Julie sighed and sent a not-so-subtle glare in Bart's direction, "He helped Tony DiMera keep Grandma, Aunt Maggie, Doug, and Jack on an island prison!"
"Julie, he can hear you," Jennifer tried to soothe her unsuccessfully.
"Let him hear," she turned to meet Bart square in the eyes, "You are a horrible, horrible man."
Bart held up his hands defensively, "Hey, listen toots, I'm sorry 'bout that, but I was just followin' orders. Besides, you really should have the whole story before you start with the slander, or is it liable? I always get those two mixed up."
Julie drew herself up to full height, ready to face him down, "Slander is spoken, liable is print, everyone should know that. Now, just what is the full story?"
"Well, umm…I…y-you see…"
"What Bart means is that in the end he helped us escape, so all in all, he isn't that bad."
All eyes turned to the impossibly familiar voice in the doorway. Lucas caught onto his sister's arm incase she was a fainter, like Sami. Jennifer felt the comforting grip, it felt so real in the midst of what had to be a dream, "Oh my gosh, Jack?"
Being that he was the only one not completely surprised by the appearance of a supposedly dead man, Bart walked over and clapped him on the back, "Jackie boy, I tell ya, you've got timing down to a science. I was afraid that one over there was gonna start a lynch mob."
"Don't worry, Bart ol' buddy. Julie's harmless." Not knowing what else to do, Jack opened his arms, "Don't I get a welcome home hug?"
Dragged out of her daze, Jen practically threw herself into his arms with Abby not far behind. The solidity of his frame finally proved that he was, indeed, real.
Lucas moved behind Sami, slipping his arms around her waist and kissing the top of her head. She turned slightly to smile at him before they both went back to watching the tearful reunion.
Farther into the evening, after the bulk of the emotion had passed into blissful acceptance, it was time for explanation. Every Horton, in-law, and soon-to-be Horton sat in silence as Jack cradled his young son in his arms and spoke to his rapt audience.
"The short version is, Tony didn't die. Obviously, neither did I, or Cassie, Caroline, Marlena, and Roman."
He was interrupted by Sami's gasp, "Y-you mean?"
"They're alive, too. Caroline went to the pub and Marlena and Roman went to the penthouse to see John and Kate."
"I-I have to go," Sami stood to rush out the door without another thought, but Lucas grabbed her hand.
"Wait, hun. Why don't we let Jack finish explaining and then we can go."
Reluctantly, she sank back down on the couch, "Okay. I can wait, but maybe we shouldn't leave right away. I don't want you to miss the ball hanging. I sure I can hold back until Midnight Mass."
Sami really wanted to run to her parents right now, butpart of her was afraid of what she would find.They'd just be back with John and Kate. She so did not want to see her parents reuniting with them. The time to leave for Mass was only about an hour off, plus she could probably convince Lucas to leave early, "I'm sorry, Jack. Please keep going."
"Well, the five of us were being held in this castle in Europe. We'd been there for months, but we didn't know about each other. I got Bart alone this one time and, without Tony around, I managed to convince him to help me escape. I found the others, but Victor really is gone."
"How did you get past Tony?"
"Let's just say, the phoenix definitely will not be rising again."
"You're sure about that?"
Gently, he gave Jennifer'shand a comforting squeeze, "I am completely positive. Nothing will ever keep us and our children apart again."
Lucas turned to Bart as a new thought came to him, "Why didn't you tell me about this when I first hired you?"
Bart blushed slightly and looked down shyly at being caught doing something good, "And ruin the surprise?"
Lucas shook his head, but brushed it off as Bart being Bart.
………………………………………………
Bart sat back on the couch munching on Alice's famous donuts while the Horton's hung their Christmas balls. He would have attempted to make conversation with Sami, but she was busy getting teary eyed over her men, besides she wasn't the most congenial person.
He was distracted from his contemplations on the mystery of Sami Brady, soon-to-be Roberts, by the appearance of the most glorious curves and bounces he had ever seen. He was momentarily stupefied by the sight of her plentiful cleavage, but he managed to finally meet the mystery woman's eyes.
"That was a real nice thing you did there, Sugar."
He felt like his throat had turned to sandpaper, why couldn't he be smooth around women like those guys on TV, especially incredible women like her, "W-what?"
The woman sat down next to him, making sure that their thighs touched and Bart thought his heart was going to beat out of his chest. He felt like his eyes were going to bug out and music should start playing.
"Those Deveraux kids, you did somethin' real nice for them. I know I always wanted my Patrick to get with Jen, but I guess I'm just a romantic at heart," she leaned in closer and crooked a finger at him, giving him a generous view down her dress, "Lets keep that between us, 'kay?"
He vigorously nodded his head. He was at a loss for words, which was quite a feat for Bart Biederbech. She was simply staggering.
Bonnie watched the new guy check her out and smiled at her conquest. The poor thing could barely speak. He seemed sweet, too bad Micks had gotten to her first, "I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Bonnie Horton, used to be Lockhart. That one over there's my husband."
Following her finger, Bart forgot his nerves for a moment, "Mickey Horton? Isn't he married to Lucas's Aunt Maggie?"
"It's a long story. No worries, he'll pick me eventually."
He felt a stab of disappointment as he couldn't help but agree, "Can't see why he wouldn't. You've got amazing brea… um… I mean… nice… uh… a very…um…uh… nicely shaped… um… head."
Bart turned an astonishing shade of red as he tried to hide what he had originally almost said. Of course, it was hard to miss the way he was distracted by her ample chest.
Bonnie laughed it off and pinched his cheek, "You're cute."
Across the room Sami turned Lucas to look at the pair, "Things are coming along nicely."
He smiled at her and spotted Mickey and Maggie laughing over her shoulder, "Yes, they are."