Chapter SEVENTEEN
It was about seven o'clock at night the next day and EJ was sitting up in bed, more or less and eating his dinner. John was with him keeping him company as Sami had finally been convinced to go home earlier that morning after EJ had played the 'twin' card.
"Did Samantha get some sleep today?" asked EJ, pushing the uninspiring food around on his plate.
"Blondie said she made her go to bed for a few hours after getting the twins organised," replied John, coming to stand by his nephews bed, "But I think she is planning to come and stay the night here with you, I saw her packing an overnight bag."
Then John seemed to think about that for a moment.
"That or she's leaving you," he mused with a shrug, "She didn't say which."
"I thought we agreed," said EJ straight faced, "You weren't going to try and cheer me up anymore remember Uncle? I find it depresses me."
"As you wish Nephew," said John unblinkingly.
"I heard there was a bit of a commotion last night," said EJ, no one had been particularly forthcoming with details but he'd overheard some nurses talking.
He assumed everyone was keeping whatever had happened from him because of his 'condition' but EJ didn't like being out of the loop and he knew he could rely on his Uncle to tell it how it was.
"Your wife tried to kill someone with her bare hands," John informed him and then gave the barest of smiles, "It was very entertaining. She's quite the hellion isn't she?"
"Who did Samantha try to kill?" asked EJ with a perplexed frown.
"Her ex," said John.
"Lucas?" repeated EJ.
"Yeah, apparently she took umbrage with him wishing you dead and all," supplied John, "That and he was the one who actually tried to kill you."
"Wait," said EJ, trying to keep up, "Lucas admitted to running me down?"
"The wild cat seems to think he got someone else to do it because he had an alibi that's easy enough to check out," mused John.
"But did he admit to it?" asked EJ, keenly interested now.
"Didn't have a chance because the wild cat had tackled him to the ground and was trying to claw his eyes out," said John.
"I'd have liked to see that," said EJ wistfully.
"It was great," his Uncle confirmed sagely, "But I can see why you have that cat allergy problem though."
EJ looked at him a little askew but let that one slide.
So Samantha had let rip with Lucas because she thought he was the one who'd run him down or at least was behind it? A smile came to his lips imagining her doing it, having been on the receiving end of one of her punches he sure would have liked to see Lucas have his turn. This woman was beyond magnificent.
"It will be hard to prove," his Uncle warned him seeing his happy face, "Lucas is not going to confess to it anytime soon from what I saw and I'm sure he would have been careful covering his tracks. He has a lot to lose if it ends up being traced back to him."
"He had a lot to lose the first time he tried to kill me and that didn't stop him from being found out," scoffed EJ with a self satisfied smile, "Trust me Uncle John, if brains were dynamite that guy couldn't blow his nose."
It was all unravelling for Lucas and the beauty of it all was that he had no one else to blame but himself. Everything was coming up EJ at last! A thought occurred to him and he grimaced.
"What?" asked John, seeing his sudden mood change.
"I was just thinking about Ali," said EJ a bit sadly, "Trust me, I'll be one happy man when Lucas is back in prison but I just wish it didn't mean that Ali's father is a jail bird."
EJ gave a shake of his head.
"It just seems like a terrible shame that the father of that beautiful little girl couldn't put her first above his petty need for revenge," said EJ resignedly, "She deserves far better than that, she's such a special little creature."
"She's got better than that," shrugged John, "She's got you. Ali's father isn't in jail he's sitting right here. Blood can only take you so far, the rest you have to earn."
"Thank you Uncle John," said EJ sincerely, moved by his words.
"I did better that time didn't I?" asked John smugly, "With the comforting."
"Much better," agreed EJ with a smile.
"I knew it," said John, "Tell the truth often enough and something is bound to not suck."
"You're a wonderfully strange freak of nature aren't you Uncle?" said EJ reflected with great affection.
"I like to think so, yes," said John flatly, his face totally impassive.
EJ shook his head again and looked back down at his plate of still very unappetising looking food. He took a mouthful and grimaced.
"Tastes like blue right?" said John knowingly, nodding at his food, when he saw the other man's expression.
EJ looked down at his plate and then back at his Uncle, having to admit that the food did in fact have a certain… blue after note to the flavour. Maybe it was only something that you became aware of after you'd been hit by on coming traffic.
"Told you," said John smugly with a little bit of a smirk.
EJ shook his head, maybe he should have that second CT scan that they were all pushing him to have after all because Uncle John was starting to make sense and EJ had to admit, it was worrying.
He looked at John as he stood there and felt a sudden wave of kinship with the man.
"You know Uncle John," he began hesitantly, "I never really thanked you for taking Samantha and I and the twins in when you did. I know it was an imposition."
"We're family," shrugged John, "That's what families do for each other - at least that's what Blondie told me."
"Yes, well, some families," said EJ with a poignant little smile, "I just wanted to say though that you know… if… or rather when you get your memories back…"
EJ trailed off and tried to find the right way to say this. John just stood their, watching him impassively, EJ recognised the look - it was blank expression No.5 which meant he was interested to hear where this was going.
"What I'm trying to say is Uncle," EJ began again, "That when you get your memory back, if there are certain things that you might remember happening between us… you know harsh words, misunderstandings… one of us shooting the other just for arguments sake. Well I'd like to think that we've manage to outgrow some of our ugly history shall we say."
"You shot me?" asked John flatly, quirking an eyebrow.
"I didn't say that!" said EJ quickly, "What I was saying that if I had shot you out of… I don't know… some misguided loyalty to my father for example, that I'd like to believe that we could both find a way to move past that, that's all. What do you say?"
"Hmm," said John, thinking deeply - blank expression No.2, "Firstly I guess I'd say I was happy that you are obviously a better lawyer than you are a shot, if you had shot me of course…"
EJ gave a little grimace at the dig but let him continue.
"And then I'd say that what's in the past stays in the past," finished John, "Can't change it so we just have to go forward."
"Thank you Uncle," smiled EJ, "That means a lot to hear you say that."
"I don't know why," said John impassively, "It's not like you actually shot me now is it Nephew?"
"Quite," said EJ with a rueful smile, "I see your point."
"Are we having another moment?" asked John suddenly.
"Yes Uncle," said EJ with a little laugh, "We're having another moment."
"I'm getting good at those," said John with a self satisfied look, "Tell Blondie."
"I'll be happy to put a good word in for you with Marlena Uncle," smiled EJ, "Although I'm not sure if my word means that much to her."
"Blondie likes you," said John impassively.
"Well, I can be quite charming when I put my mind to it," conceded EJ.
"Really?" quizzed his Uncle sceptically, "Because that wasn't the vibe I was getting from people when we first met."
"You remember that moment we were having Uncle John?" asked EJ straight faced, "Well your killing it - just to let you know."
Sami walked in the room there and EJ's face lit up, feeling like it had been forever since he'd seen her last.
"Hi," she smiled, feeling a tingle go through her at the way he was looking at her, as though all his Christmas' had come at once.
"Hi," he returned, grinning like a loon but not being able to help it.
Sometimes he had to pinch himself to remind himself that this wasn't all some wonderful drug induced dream. Samantha was here because she loved him, wanted him as much as he did her. They were finally going to be together the way he'd always dreamed - unreservedly and completely.
"Well I don't think my services are required any longer," said John, doubting that the two of them even remembered he was still in the room with the way they were looking at each other.
Sami and EJ were just looking at each other with such a look of intense devotion John knew that they probably hadn't even heard him.
"Right," said John impassively.
"Thanks Uncle," said EJ distractedly, not taking his eyes off Sami, "Bye."
John rolled his eyes and left the kids to it.
"You're here," EJ smiled at her, never knowing someone could feel this happy and live.
"I'm here," Sami agreed, unable to stop smiling herself as well.
"I'm so glad," he told her.
"Me too," she answered, biting her lip.
"You're too far away," he complained, holding out his hand to her.
Sami walked over to him and took his hand and he pulled on it sharply, bringing her closer to steal a kiss. She gave a breathless laugh, hardly able to believe how much she'd missed him since seeing him earlier today.
"I missed you," he said, seeming to be able to read her thoughts effortlessly, "How are the twins?"
"Missing you but fine," said Sami, "Mom is going to look after them tonight for me."
"So I have you all to myself then?" grinned EJ, kissing her hand and looking at her over the top of it at her, "Life doesn't get much better than this."
"I'm hoping it will get a bit better than this when you get out of hospital," grimaced Sami, "I don't particularly want to be seeing you in here for much longer."
"I won't be," he said confidently, "I've got too much waiting for me on the outside of this hospital."
"I'm holding you to that," said Sami with a little half smile and then held up the overnight bag she had in her other hand, "So sleep over it is then?"
"Most definitely," grinned EJ, "But only if we can braid each others hair and talk about boys."
"You've been spending too much time with your Uncle," commented Sami dryly, taking back her hand and walking over to the cupboard on the other side of his bed.
"The thought had occurred," said EJ with a sigh, thinking back to his 'blue' food.
"You know there is one good thing about all this," said Sami as she stowed her overnight bag away in the little cupboard.
"And what is that sweetheart?" smiled EJ absently, lost in admiring how beautiful she was.
"Well with you being in hospital and all the rehab in front of you," said Sami with a smug smile, "You're going to have to tell that bottom feeder Nicole to find a new lawyer."
"Not necessarily," said EJ.
"What!" scowled Sami and EJ had an almost overwhelming urge to kiss away that ever so cute pout of hers, "Are you kidding me?!"
"I don't need my legs to be a lawyer," he pointed out reasonably, knowing it was wrong but still loving how territorial she was about him nowadays, "There is nothing wrong with my brain Samantha, I'll easily be able to do the stuff I need to do to get better and handle Nicole's divorce case at the same time."
"But I thought we'd agreed?" said Sami getting upset.
"When did we do that?" asked EJ perplexed
.
"When I came to your office, you know, on the day of your accident," said Sami in exasperation, "And we… umm… talked about it."
"Oh right," said EJ his eyes widening with realisation, "That's right I remember now. You came to my office with some rather persuasive arguments about dropping Nicole as a client."
EJ gave a regretful click then and shook his head sadly.
"But you know sweetheart," he said with mock regret, "I was then hit by a car so I'm afraid my recall about that… conversation is a bit hazy. I tell you what, why don't you jot down the main points of your argument so I can go over them later and think about it… or…."
EJ looked at her with an earnest expression as though he really was only trying to help.
"… or if you think that might be too much effort you could always just give me an oral summary of the highlights."
A cheeky grin broke out on EJ's face then and Sami was left in no doubt as to what kind of oral report he was hoping for.
"You are shameless," she said with Sami with a resigned shake of her head even as she felt a blush heat her skin.
"It's a trait we both share I'm very happy to say," he smirked back at her.
"We'll talk about the Nicole thing later," said Sami, trying to be stern with him and keep control of a situation he seemed intent on leading in an entirely inappropriate direction, "I want to talk to you about the tests they want to run on you. Your doctor said that you refused to have another CAT scan on your back or that other test thing they wanted to do on you. What are you doing EJ, you have to let the people who know what they're doing do their job!"
"I'm not a lab rat Samantha," and now it was EJ's turn to pout.
"I need to know you're going to be alright EJ," said Sami earnestly, coming to stand by his bed, "If these tests they want to run on you will help us make sure that you will be then you have to do them."
EJ looked at her desperate expression and instantly relented - as though he could deny her anything.
"Okay, how about this then?" he sighed, "I'll let them poke and prod me… if you let me poke and prod you."
He wiggled his eyebrows at her then and gave her a particularly lecherous grin along with it.
"EJ!" exclaimed Sami in horror but the corners of her mouth were turning up in an answering smile even as she did.
"I think that is a fair deal," he said happily, "Everyone gets what they want then."
"I am not going to do… that with you while you're still in hospital recovering from major surgery!" said Sami in a low voice, looking around self consciously in case someone should suddenly walk in on their conversation.
"I'm not talking about… that," grinned EJ at seeing her discomfort, "I was thinking more along the lines of… I don't know… undoing a few more buttons on that blouse for me… or promising never to wear underwear again when you visit me… or even a quick fondle of your…"
"EJ!!" Sami cut him off, her mouth hanging open at his cheekiness, her cheeks flame red now.
Sami suddenly realised that up until this point she'd only seen EJ at half speed when it came to flirting with her.
It seemed unbelievable but all the outrageous flirting that he'd done with her up to this point was now clearly only the tip of the iceberg! He must have been holding himself back before but now that she'd confessed her love for him he obviously felt comfortable enough to unleash his full flirting arsenal on her and this was him in hospital, one day after major surgery and on painkillers. Whatever was she going to do with him when he was back on his feet again?! Sami's felt that now familiar warmth rush through her core as a future with this irrepressible, sexy man who adored her stretched out in front of her.
"What's the matter sweetheart?" asked EJ with a cheeky grin, seeming to guess what she was thinking again, "Worried you've bitten off a little more than you can chew with me eh?"
"Hardly!" snorted Sami, never one to back down from a challenge.
She put her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes and looking him up and down with a measured look.
"And if I agree to your little deal then you'll be a good boy and do as the doctor's ask?" she quizzed him, eyeing him mistrustingly, "You promise?"
"I make no promises about being a good boy," he said with an evil look on his face, "But I promise I will do anything and everything the doctors ask of me in return."
"Okay then," said Sami defiantly, "But I'm not taking any clothes off – this is a public hospital – my Mom works here, your sister works here. I'm not having them walk in and catch me like that!"
"But…" she forestalled him when she saw he was about to complain, "In exchange for you co-operating with the doctors I will let you touch one part of my body and only one! Take it or leave it."
"Take it!" he said hastily, his eyes lighting up like a kid in the candy store at her offer, "Definitely take it."
Sami laughed at how eager he sounded and shook her head at him.
"Okay then," she said, enjoying their game, "Pick one."
EJ looked at her, saw her own impish pleasure at their 'deal' and knew more than ever that he'd found his equal, someone to go through life's adventures with, a partner in the truest sense of the word. His eyes wandered openly all over her body as she stood their, hands on hips looking at him with a cheeky defiance.
"Come on EJ," she said with a laugh as he took his sweet time looking at him, "Just pick one already!"
"Don't rush me!" he pouted, "I have so many favourite parts of your body it is hard to choose just one. In fact it could well be an impossibility!"
"Well times running out mister," said Sami biting her lip at the thrill she felt when he looked at her so hungrily, "So pick one."
EJ looked dragged his eyes from his fascinated inspection of her body and held her gaze.
"So I get to touch any part of your body?" he asked her huskily, "Any part I want for as long as I want, is that the deal?"
"Yes," she said breathlessly, her pulse quickening at what might happen next, she just couldn't seem to get enough of this man.
EJ held her gaze and reached out his hand and Sami's body began to throb in anticipation of that first touch. She couldn't let this go very far but how badly did she want to! Sami gasped as his long fingers wrapped themselves around her hand and pulled her a little closer. She looked down at their entwined hands and then back at him in surprise.
"You want to hold my hand?" she said in amazement, "My hand?"
"Yes Mrs DiMera," he told her softly, "I want to hold your hand."
EJ brought her hand up to his lips and pressed a soft, warm kiss to it, looking up at her lovingly through his long lashes.
Sami felt a lump in her throat at the range of emotions that this man could make her feel.
"Is that okay?" he asked her with a little smile on his lips at seeing how affected she was.
"That is more than okay Mr DiMera," she whispered back, threading her fingers through his.
"I love you so much," he told her achingly.
"I love you too," she said softly, putting her other hand over the top of their joined ones and pressing them to her stomach, "So much."
"Say it again," he begged her.
"I love you EJ DiMera," she repeated to him earnestly, "I think I always have and I know I always will."
"I'm cold," he complained softly, "Come and warm me up."
Without letting go of his hand Sami lay on the bed, on top of the covers, her body up against the length of his, her head on his shoulder and his arms around her. He was anything but cold as she felt the warmth of his body even through the sheets between them. EJ ran his free hand down her back, a light touch that made her shudder. He reached the base of her spine and then she felt his hand slipping down the back of her pants, cupping a bare bottom cheek and give a teasing squeeze.
"Hands EJ!" she warned him with a smile.
"But you have such a great bum Samantha," he pouted, "It was calling to me, I had no choice."
"So what?" complained Sami pretending affront, "I'm talking out of my ass now? Move the hand buster or else! You've got your body part, you made your choice. You're in no condition to be making good with any thing you may be thinking of starting anyway so just lie there and behave yourself!"
She felt EJ's deep laugh burble up from inside him as her cheek lay against his chest and thought she'd never heard a better sound in the world. It was like she was home at last, finally able to rest. The most complete sense of peace enveloped Sami as she lay there. The room was dark now, EJ having turned off his overhead light, as they held each other in their arms. There was only the faint noises of the hospital drifting through the closed door to them every now and then and there was a soothing quality to the hum of one of the machines EJ was hooked up to. Sami could feel her eyes drifting shut, exhausted by all the emotion of the last few days…
"Hands EJ!"