Chapter Twenty-Nine: Madame
"Wait here," Sami whispers to EJ as she untangles herself from his limbs and makes her way to the front door. EJ goes to the kitchen to fix himself a drink while Sami responds to the doorbell. She opens the door and a huge smile decks her face. "Dahling!" they both exclaim, and then laugh. Sami puts her arms out; each of her wrists are encircled by fingers as they both lean in, pressing one cheek against the other, then switching sides. "Well, Sami, I must say you look fabulous. What is your secret?" Sami smiles devilishly, letting her eyes twinkle. "It's love," she replies. "Ah, yes. True love has found Sami Brady. When do I get to meet him?" Sami leads the way into her apartment, walks over to EJ, and slides her arm around his waist. "This," she says, letting her hand graze lightly up his chest, "is EJ Wells. EJ, allow me to introduce to you Vivian Alamain." EJ steps forward and takes both of Vivian's hands in his and leans in to kiss her lightly on the cheek. "A pleasure," he says, and Vivian smiles. "Indeed! So this is Little Elvis, and quite grown up. So quickly, too! Where does the time go?" EJ gives Vivian a look of almost sheepish curiosity, but says nothing. He fixes the three of them a scotch on the rocks and they all sit in the living room. Vivian looks over at Sami with smug curiosity. "I must say, I'm a tad jealous. I've always wanted to take that wench down. But, if it couldn't be me, I'm glad it gets to be you." Sami chuckles slightly. "Actually, it gets to be Lucas. The irony is delicious. The cord will finally be cut. I swear, there were times I was surprised she didn't just pull him back into the womb." Vivian smiles wickedly. "With the way that woman spreads, I'm sure she'd have the room." EJ chokes slightly on his drink at Vivian's remark while Sami laughs at them both.
EJ sits in a chair watching the two women laugh about capers pulled by one or other of them over the years. "Jesus," he thinks to himself, "and the people in this town think the DiMera's are bad. I'd hate to be on either of their bad sides!" The two women decide that they should "bump into each other" at the Penthouse Grill that evening for supper. Vivian bids them both farewell and goes back to her hotel room to freshen up. EJ takes a sip of his drink, looks over at Sami and sees her smiling viciously. "Kate will be so happy to see Vivian tomorrow," she says in a syrupy sweet voice. EJ laughs sardonically, "I take it the two of them aren't the best of friends?" Sami walks over to EJ and hands him her drink, leaving him with both hands full. She straightens his tie then wraps her arms around his waist. "Let me put it this way," she tells him, "Kate's downfall wouldn't truly be her downfall without dear Vivian there to witness it. Like the icing on the cake, it's the perfect finishing touch!" She stands on tiptoe and flicks his chin with the tip of her tongue, then goes to get ready for the evening.
As usual, half of Salem is dining out for the evening, and many are at the Penthouse Grill. Vivian sits at a table by the window with her manservant Ivan. Victor, Phillip and Belle (they're still married) walk in, and Phillip sees Vivian immediately. "Viv!" he calls out, waving his arm at her. She sees him gets up from the table, walking quickly over to meet him. He meets her halfway and sweeps her up in a huge hug. "What are you doing here?" Vivian rests her hands on the lapels of his jacket. "Why, my dear, I heard what was going on and wanted to come and lend you my support." Phillips eyes tear up and he hugs her and kisses her on the cheek. "Thanks so much, Viv," he whispers. "Now," she says, "why don't you and your party come dine at our table?" Phillip looks over his shoulder at his father and motions with his head towards the table Vivian had been occupying. Victor nods slightly, so Phillip turns back to her smiling and says, "We'd love to."
Ivan isn't incredibly happy with the addition of Victor to their dinner plans, but he's too well trained to make an issue out of it. "Well," Vivian says, patting Phillip on the hand, "I guess I'm Auntie Viv now that you're married to my great niece. How have you been, Belle?" she asks, turning towards the girl. "I'm as shallow as ever, and twice as superficial," Belle replies. "Of course you are, darling," Vivian says, smiling at her. "How you do remind me of your mother." Vivian laughs silently at the way the girl's face perks up. "I can't believe she took that as a compliment," she thinks to herself.
EJ and Sami walk into the Penthouse Grill and are seated. Belle sees her and waves. Sami leans over to EJ and whispers in his ear, "I'm going to go say hello to my darling little sister." As she gets closer to the table she is aware that Vivian is also seated there. "Vivian!" she exclaims, as the woman rises from her seat and gives her a hug, "what brings you to Salem?" Vivian waits until after she and Belle have given each other a shoulder to shoulder half=hug before answering. "I came to be with Phillip. I thought he might need me now." Sami nods but says nothing, since it was obvious to what she was in reference. Victor watches the two women exchange pleasantries for a moment. As the band begins a new song EJ walks up to their table and offers his hand to Sami. "May I have this dance?" At this point Victor rises from his chair. "Actually, I was hoping that I could have the pleasure?" Sami shoots her eyes towards EJ for a millisecond then turns and looks at Victor, smiling and offering her hand. "Of course," she replies, wondering what Victor was up to.
Victor leads Sami to the dance floor. For a few moments, neither of them speaks, then Victor comments that Vivian had uncanny timing in coming to town at just that moment. Sami shrugs slightly and comments that the whole ordeal had made headline news. Victor eyes her for a moment, then chuckles. "I know you have something to do with her being here," he says. Sami laughs outright, looks him in the eye, and says, "So?" Again he chuckles. "Funny that Lucas decided to turn evidence against Kate." Sami goes "hmmm" and replies, "Not so funny, when you think about it. It was bound to happen eventually." Sami pauses for a moment, then continues. "This has nothing to do with you, Victor. I pick my battles, and you're not worth it." Victor muses with a slight grin on his face. "You know, Sami, I almost feel insulted at that." "Quite the contrary, Victor, I meant that as a compliment. I will say this, though, if our paths cross, I will do what I have to do. I believe you know what I'm capable of, and I'm not eighteen anymore." Victor laughs and dips her slightly. "I believe we understand each other."
EJ decides to dance with Vivian while Victor dances with Sami. "You know,' Vivian tells him, "I was married to your father at one time." "Really?" EJ tries to picture Stefano and Vivian together without much success. "You know, I can't believe how quickly you've grown. It seems like you were born just ten or so years ago." EJ says "hmm" uncomfortably as he dances Vivian closer to Victor and Sami. "Well, I must say, rapid aging syndrome has been very good to you." With that, they stop dancing and EJ taps Victor on the shoulder. "May we cut in?" EJ says, taking Sami in his arms.