Sleeping Beauty

She had a talent. Samantha had fallen asleep the moment she had closed her eyes and EJ couldn't stop looking at her. She had charmed him and was still holding him tightly in her grasp. John had known what he was talking about. Samantha was always in such a hurry. She had made her mind up about him and it was nice to be the target of her schemes this time. The timing was just worst possible, EJ thought to himself. And he still had to make things right with John. Making Samantha happy might be enough for John for now but EJ knew it wouldn't be enough for him himself in the long run. There were other things he had to turn around too. EJ stood up with Samantha in his arms and he carried her to bed. He covered her with a blanket and brushed her hair away from her face. EJ walked out of the room, closed the door behind him and picked up the phone. He dialled a number and waited until he heard a familiar voice in the other end:

"Oi, mate. Do you remember me?"

Roman was standing in the shadows waiting for the door to open. He had knocked on the door few times before but she hadn't come to open it yet.

"Come on now. What's taking so long?" he mumbled to himself. Then there was light. She opened the door and the light coming from behind her was blinding him, but he already knew what a beauty was waiting for him. He had been here with her earlier. Each morning he had been late for work or for some family event, he had been here with her. Most of the times he had been watching her sleep and wondering how different she looked while sleeping. She was about to say something but Roman stopped her with a kiss. He knocked the door shut behind him.

"Where are you sneaking off to?"

"Samantha, I thought you were still sleeping", EJ was caught off guard.

"I'll bet. What are you planning to do with those?" she asked pointing to the deck of cards he was holding.

"These? These are a gift."

"EJ? What's going on?" Samantha saw right through him and he knew nothing less than the truth would do. He turned back from the door and walked to Samantha:

"I need to right few wrongs and I need help to do it. These cards are a bribe. Samantha, I forgot to ask. Did you see Sophia that night on the pier?"

"No, I did not and don't try to change the subject. All you need to do is to be a father to our children", her tone was stern.

"That too but Samantha you know that's not enough. We still need to convince our families to end the feud for once and for all and I need to atone my past mistakes and prevent few new ones too", EJ pleaded with her but Samantha wasn't really listening:

"EJ, please don't go. What ever you are planning, I know it's going to be dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt." He wrapped her arms around her and said:

"I have to do this. Nothing is going to happen to."

"You can't promise that."

"I can because I have another promise to keep. I have to be there at the altar waiting for you." EJ watched as a smile lit Samantha's face. She said:

"I was afraid you were going to make me wait longer than a nap."

"I thought about it but it didn't make that much sense. Besides you'll have to wait long enough until the wedding is planned", EJ pointed out and again Samantha surprised him:

"How about next Monday? At the beach? You, me, the children, a priest and a nanny or two."

"I thought you wanted a big wedding. Don't all girls dream about big weddings?" he asked.

"I've planned big weddings and look where it got me? Always a bride never a wife. All I need is you."

"Samantha, this will be the last time you have to do this. I want our families to be there even if you don't. Just take time and everything will work out for the best", he used his most convincing tone.

"That's what I always say and-"

"This time I say it. Samantha, you have nothing to fear. Haven't I proven you that you can't do anything to scare me away? That wont change. Only you can call off this wedding", EJ said and kissed her head, "But now I have to go. I'll call you as soon as I can." Sami watched as EJ walked out but the panic didn't hit her this time. She knew he would keep his promise.

"John! Hope just called. She and Bo want to meet us at the pub. She finally got those letters back from the university. John! Are you listening to me?" Marlena walked into the kitchen and found a surprise her husband had been trying to hide from her, "Oh John, you shouldn't have."

"I didn't. The cake is not for you. It's for the kids", John said and closed the fridge door.

"The twins? They are too small for cake", Marlena protested.

"But we aren't. I want us to throw a party for them. We shall invite everyone related to us and-"

"But John, be reasonable", Marlena said, "That cake wont be enough for everyone in Salem and those twins are related pretty much to everyone in town."

"So there are few flaws in my plan but we have time to fix those", John admitted, "What else did Hope want?"

"She wants us to call Roman and make sure he knows about the gathering."

"You've better call him them", John said as he was searching for a plate and something to cut the cake with.

Someone knocked on the door and Sami rushed to open it. Dante and Sarah were still sleeping and Sami was hoping that EJ would be back before they would wake up. She opened the door and as surprised to see a delivery man with a big package. Sami signed and took the package but before she could close the door she had another guest.

"Benji? What are you doing here?"

EJ stood waiting in the shadows. He was having trouble staying calm since he didn't know in what mood his accomplice was going be in. Few shady characters walked pass him but he didn't move. The man he was waiting would be easy enough to recognize and he also was the only man EJ trusted enough to help him to do what he had to do. EJ just hoped that his accomplice would feel the same way about him. He turned his gaze and saw the man he was waiting for. EJ made sure no one else was there to see this meeting before stepping out from the shadows.

"Steve?"