Angel walked into the mansion the next afternoon. He spent the night in Chad's arms. Angel didn't know what was going to happen with Chad. He figured they would remain friends either way.

Angel closed the door behind him. He didn't know what to expect today. What would he say to his father, his grandfather?

Chad had whispered to him the night before all Stefano DiMera's rumored transgressions. All the pain and horror he had caused the town. Angel couldn't reconcile his loving Nonno with the monster described to him.

Heading for the stairs, Angel paused with his hand on the banister. There were voices coming from down the hall.

As quietly as he could, Angel walked down the hall. Pausing outside his grandfather's office, Angel listened.

"How could you keep this from me?" EJ shouted. "He is my son!"

"What was I to say?" Stefano dismissed. "That I plucked him from obscurity? I told you in the beginning he would only be your problem until the right moment. You were the one who decided he had to be your child."

EJ glared at Stefano.

"What was I to do?" EJ asked. "You left him with me. You didn't even tell me his name. When you finally came back, he thought I was his father."

"You did nothing to dissuade him," Stefano argued. "You wanted him. I was content to let you have your little family, to play house. My plans were disrupted but I adapted."

"What could you possibly have planned to do with my son?" EJ hissed.

"You changed enough of my plans," Stefano readjusted in his seat. "But I will get my revenge."

"Not with my son, you won't," EJ promised. He pointed his finger in Stefano's face. "Stay the hell away from Angel."

"The damage has already been done," Stefano smiled grimly.

"Oh," Stefano called as EJ walked away. "I would tell your son to stay away from Chad Woods. Things are complicated enough."

EJ slammed the door open. He sighed in relief when he saw his son standing outside the door.

EJ took two large steps and wrapped Angel up in his arms.

Angel hugged back automatically.

"Dad," Angel whispered. He heard everything his father said. He heard the indignation, the anger in his father's words.

"I would never hurt you," EJ promised. "Ever."

"I know," Angel admitted. "Nonno did."

"He did," EJ agreed. "I should have known though."

Angel led his father down the hall, away from his grandfather.

"I don't know why I thought he brought you out of the goodness of his heart," EJ sighed.

"You loved me," Angel caught his father's eyes. "You didn't want there to be anything wrong."

EJ and Angel walked up the stairs. EJ pushed open the door to Angel's room.

Angel gave the rom a cursory glance. It looked like every other room in his grandfather's mansion, ornate and unnecessary.

'Is he my grandfather?' Angel thought. 'Or am I just a means to an end?'

Angel sat on the edge of the large bed. He fiddled with a fingernail, pulling nervously. EJ cautiously slumped next to him.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Angel asked. "Why didn't you tell me I wasn't yours?"

"You are mine," EJ argued. "You're my son. Maybe not biologically but it's true."

"You never told me," Angel shook his head. "Every time I asked about my mom you never said anything. You let me think she was dead."

"I know," EJ rubbed his lips together. "I-I never thought it would matter. Father told me your parents died in an accident. That they couldn't find any next of kin. That he brought you home.

"I should have known," EJ repeated.

"So, so he took me and you decided to keep me?" Angel attempted to understand.

"You won't remember, you were so small," EJ explained. "But I didn't like you at first. I was 17. I didn't want a child around."

Angel's face fell.

"You'd hide from me when I would come home from school," EJ recalled. "But we got closer. One night you called me Daddy," EJ smiled. "I couldn't go back after that."

Angel looked at his father's face, desperate to understand.

"The next time Father came," EJ continued. "He heard you calling me Daddy. He saw the way I treated you. I asked him to make it official. He drew the papers up, adoption papers. I guess they don't mean anything now," EJ snorted.

"Why wouldn't you tell me?" Angel shook his head. "I would have understood."

"The first time you asked me," EJ confessed. "I couldn't handle your eyes."

Angel nodded. Throughout his whole life, all Angel had to do was bat his lashes and his father would cave.

"You kept asking me where your mommy was," EJ said. "I knew I wouldn't be able to tell you the truth. How could I tell you that your parents were dead? That no other family wanted you? I couldn't."

"I would have understood," Angel insisted stubbornly.

"Maybe," EJ agreed. "The longer I put it off the harder it would be. Eventually I realized I could never tell you. It was too late, too much time had passed."

"Is that why I wasn't allowed to be in Salem?" Angel wondered. "Because Nonno thought someone would recognize me?"

"I believe so," EJ nodded. "He always told me it was to keep you safe. I knew so many things that had happened here. I never doubted him."

"Is it true?" Angel asked. "All the horrible things Nonno did?"

EJ set his jaw and nodded.

"Oh," Angel replied, disappointed.

He tried to reconcile the kindly grandfather he knew with the monster from the stories. How could the same man that would run his fingers through Angel's hair and call him his angel do anything so horrible?

"Is that what you do?" Angel questioned. "Are you, are you like him?"

EJ thought long and hard.

"I'm not the man you thought I was," EJ declared.

"Why?" Angel pleaded.

"I've sheltered you from the truth," EJ stated. "I never wanted you to know what kind of family we are. The legacy your grandfather has built.

"When you were 6," EJ remembered. "Father came to visit us. He decided we needed to go hunting. You didn't understand what that was, what it meant. The second you saw the animal you burst into tears. It took hours to calm you down. I knew you couldn't handle the things we do, Father and I."

"I can handle things," Angel maintained. "I'm not fragile."

"I want you to be!" EJ loudly insisted. "I don't want my son involved in what I do!"

Angel jumped, startled at the sudden change in volume.

"I want you to do whatever you want," EJ said at a normal volume. "I want you to pave your own way. I don't want you caught up in this life, ever. I love you too much for that."

"I love you too," Angel responded. "I always have."

EJ pulled Angel into a tight hug. Angel closed his eyes, resting his head on his father's shoulder.

"The police want you to take a DNA test," EJ revealed.

"What if I say no?" Angel pressed. "Can they make me?"

"I won't let them do anything you don't want," EJ promised. "Speaking of that," EJ added. "I know Samantha wants to meet you, officially meet you."

"I don't know," Angel said. "What if, what if I'm not what she expected?"

"You are," EJ guaranteed. "Trust me."

"Hi," Sami opened the door to her apartment. She clutched the doorknob in her hand.

"Samantha, Darling," EJ greeted with a kiss to the cheek. "This is, um, well, our son."

Angel cautiously walked into Sami's apartment. He didn't know what to do now, how to act.

This was his mother. His mother.

Sami stared at the boy, eyes watering. After all these years, her son was finally home.

"Um, can I get you anything?" Sami nervously asked.

"I'll fetch us some tea and crisps," EJ announced. He squeezed Angel's shoulder. "You two can get acquainted."

Sami and Angel sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments.

Unable to stand it, Sami had to say something.

"I-I kept your room," Sami revealed. "If you want to see."

Angel nodded and followed.

The bedroom door had blue letters spelling out the name Will.

Angel brushed his fingers over one of the L's before opening the door.

It looked just the way a toddler's bedroom should be. A small bed with a guard rail sat in one corne. There was a small chest of drawers and a rocking chair in the other corner. A big toy box overflowed with toy dinosaurs, cars, and stuffed animals.

The closet doors stood ajar. Small little outfits hung in a perfect row. There was a small bookcase filled with both books as well as photo albums.

Sami moved to the bed. She picked up a small toy and held it to her chest.

"This was your favorite," Sami explained. "You took it everywhere with you. It," Sami's voice broke. "It was the only thing left at the accident."

Angel didn't know what to do, what to say.

"I searched every day for years," tears trickled down Sami's face. "I'd sleep in your bed, holding your pillow. All I wanted was you.

"I even," Sami abruptly stood up. She shoved the closet doors further open. "Every year on your birthday I would get you a present."

Angel looked to see 16 perfectly wrapped packages on the upper shelves.

"I didn't know what you'd want," Sami admitted. "But I'd go to the store and, and pick out what was popular. I didn't tell anyone I did that. They already think I'm crazy enough. But I couldn't let you go."

Sami put her face in her hands.

"I couldn't let you go," Sami sobbed.

Angel stepped towards her. He gingerly placed his hand on her shoulder.

Sami threw her arms around him, squeezing as hard as she could.

"My baby," Sami wept.

Angel awkwardly pat her on the back.

Sami pulled away to look at his face.

"God," Sami cried. "You're so big, so beautiful. You're perfect."

"Thank you," Angel politely replied.

"God," Sami half-sobbed, half-chuckled. "Even your accent is beautiful."

Angel held his mother close as she cried.

'She waited 16 years for me,' Angel realized. 'She never gave up on me, never moved on.'

"You always put things up your nose," Sami laughed. "Mostly your finger."

EJ guffawed while Angel covered his face.

Angel sat in the middle of Sami and EJ on the couch. He had one of the photo albums in his lap. Sami explained each photo to them.

"I know that struggle," EJ acknowledged. "I always had to pull his finger out of there."

"I was not that bad," Angel argued.

"Maybe next time," Sami requested. "You can show me the pictures you have?"

"Of course," EJ agreed.

"I would love to see you through the ages," Sami admitted.

"He was adorable," EJ divulged. "I might be biased though."

Sami noticed the way EJ looked at the boy. The proud gleam in his eyes, the easy way the two interacted.

Angel's phone beeped. He glanced at the screen and smiled.

"I know that look," EJ rolled his eyes. "You've been in this town less than a day. How can you possibly have found someone?"

"A girl?" Sami questioned.

"A boy, actually," Angel replied as he typed into his phone. "Is that okay?" Angel glanced at Sami.

"Oh," Sami blinked several times.

Sami had never considered her long lost son would be gay.

"I, um, as long as you're happy," Sami answered with a weak smile. That would take some getting used to.

"Are you talking to that Chad character?" EJ wondered. "Father said for you to stay away from him."

"Am I supposed to listen to him now?" Angel sighed. "Because I don't think he has that right anymore."

"I'll have to look into it," EJ agreed.

"Is it alright if I go meet him?" Angel asked.

"Sure," EJ responded. "Just, stay away from your grandfather for now. Come back here and we'll stay at my apartment."

"Alright," Angel nodded. He turned to face Sami. "Is it alright if I see you later on?"

"Of course," Sami smiled. She reached out to cup his cheek. She still couldn't get over how perfect he was.

"How did it go?" Chad asked. He pushed a mug of tea in front of Angel.

The two sat at a small table at Common Grounds.

"Relatively well," Angel admitted. "I talked with my father…and my mother."

"Good," Chad nodded. "I'm glad."

"Things are odd," Angel added. "But it might not be too bad. It's going to take time getting used to being adopted."

"It could be worse," Chad pointed out. "At least you have a father that loves you. And everyone around town knows how much Sami cares."

"Yeah?" Angel smiled.

"Yeah," Chad leaned forward and put his hand on Angel's. "You're pretty great too."

"Thanks," Angel's cheeks reddened.

"We should go out and do something fun," Chad suggested.

Angel wanted to agree but his conscience compelled him to ask.

"Shouldn't you be with you girlfriend?" Angel wondered.

"Maybe," Chad stood up. "But I'd rather be with you."

"3, 2, 1," Chad counted down.

Angel threw back his shot and winced.

"That's awful," Angel complained. He shook his head and shuddered.

"That's the point," Chad clapped Angel on the back. "Now, let's go dance."

Chad grabbed Angel's hand and dragged him to the dance floor.

Angel kept a respectable distance between himself and Chad. Sure, Angel might have a crush. And maybe Chad said things that filled Angel's chest with butterflies but he still had a girlfriend. One kiss was bad enough. Angel didn't need to get a reputation.

Angel closed his eyes, throwing his head back. He was surprised when he felt two arms wrap around him. Assuming it was Chad, Angel leaned back.

One hand gripped Angel's hip, the other slid dangerously close to his groin. Uncomfortable, Angel snapped his eyes open.

It wasn't Chad.

"Dude," Chad yelled over the noise of the music and the crowd. He pushed the other guy off of Angel.

Angel let Chad pull him in close.

"Uh, thanks," Angel shouted. "But I could have handled that."

"I know," Chad agreed without another word.

Chad placed his hands on Angel's hips and continued to dance.

Angel stumbled towards the security gate outside the DiMera mansion. He attempted to go to his father's apartment but he couldn't remember where it was.

"Hi," Angel greeted the guard. "Um, can you let me in?"

The guard buzzed Angel inside without a sound. He watched Angel DiMera and a tall young man stagger up the front path.

The guard lifted his walkie-talkie, "He's here."

Angel yanked the heavy front door open and slammed it shut.

"We have to be shh," Angel attempted to whisper.

"Should I go in or should I go home?" Chad asked. He was slightly buzzed as compared to Angel.

"You should be with me," Angel grinned brightly. He held both of Chad's hands, pulling him towards the stairs.

"Oh, should I?" Chad chuckled.

"Mmm hmm," Angel nodded until he felt dizzy. "I'll make it worth your while."

"I don't think you know what you're saying," Chad shook his head.

"I do," Angel stepped backwards up a few steps until he was eye-level with Chad.

"Are you sure about that?" Chad laughed.

Angel leaned forward and grabbed Chad's shirt, yanking him into a kiss.

Chad knew he should step away. Angel was drunk and probably vulnerable. He was still dating Melanie. There were several reasons Chad needed to stop.

He didn't.

Angel ran his hands through Chad's dark hair, pulling. Chad bit down on Angel's lip before shoving his tongue in his mouth.

"Hem hem," someone cleared their voice behind them.

Chad took a step away from Angel. He kept his hand on Angel's hip, afraid he would topple over.

"Angioletto," Stefano shook his head.

"D-don't call me that," Angel warned. "You, you lied to me!"

"Unfortunately, yes," Stefano admitted. "Your father growing so attached changed my plans. But I believe this will work even better."

"What are you talking about?" Chad demanded.

"Oh, Chad," Stefano sighed deeply. "I wish you were not here to see this."

Unbeknownst to Angel and Chad, Rolf silently walked down the steps behind them. He had a syringe in his hand.

"I do love you," Stefano acknowledged. "Il mi angioletto."

Rolf raised the syringe and shoved it in the side of Angel's neck.

At the same time several guards entered the room. Two separated Chad from Angel, wrestling him towards the door. Another two lifted a sedated Angel and rushed down a hallway.

Chad struggled, fighting off the men.

"Stop it," Chad shouted. "Angel! Angel!"

"I suggest you get out of here," one guard shoved a gun in Chad's face. "Get out."