Chapter Eight: The Curtain Rises
It's the night of the party. Just about everyone in Salem that isn't dead or presumed dead is in attendance. Maggie has gone all out and created a beautiful backdrop for the night's events. Lucas is in top form; Sami can't help but wonder if he's wearing lifts in his shoes as he only appears six inches shorter than the shortest man in the room. Sami herself looks stunning in a sky blue Regency* era chiffon gown with matching elbow length gloves. She is all smiles, seeming to love all the attention she's getting from her friends and family as they pay court to her and Lucas. The only dark cloud in the sky seems to be the presence of EJ Wells. The other guests can't help but notice (and comment amongst themselves) how he stares at her, never taking his eyes off of her, following her every move. Sami seems to be the only one oblivious to his penetrating gaze. Lucas begins to get fidgety, and leans over to ask Sami why he's even there at all. "Please, Lucas," she replies, "everyone in town is here. If he bothers you, ignore him. That's what I'm doing. If you let him get a rise out of you then you're just giving him what he wants." Lucas smiles and nuzzles her neck with his nose. "When did you get to be so smart, Sami?" he asks. "I've always been smart, Lucas," she answers, "you just never took notice." Maggie calls everyone to attention so that they can all raise their glasses and toast to Sami and Lucas, the couple of honor. Sami asks Lucas if he is joining in the toast when she notices him taking a glass of champagne. "One won't hurt; besides, this is a special occasion, the beginning of the rest of our lives." "You don't know how right you are," Sami replies, clinking her glass against his. The only guest not joining in the toast is EJ, a fact noticed by some of the more observant guests, few though they are.
EJ sits alone at his table. He's well aware of the looks he's getting, the gossip he's creating amongst the other guests. "Perfect," he thinks to himself, "when I move from this chair there won't be an eye that isn't on me." He finds himself amazed once again at Sami's amazing sense of perception; everyone is acting exactly as she anticipated. He thinks back to their discussion on the party and how he was to act, and when. "Remember, make your presence known, but be as quiet about it as possible. I'll be waiting, it will be for you to decide when to make your move. You'll know when the time is right." And so he was waiting, not nervous but anxious, waiting for the cosmos to give him his cue, waiting for the perfect moment to start the real show. Right at that moment, the DJ starts a new song. As soon as he hears the intro, he smiles. "The time is now," he says to himself, rising from his seat and making his way to Sami's table.
*Author's note- Regency era gowns, think Jane Austen, empire waisted, flowing skirt, I just really like that look on Sami.