Chapter 18
"Are you sure this is what you want to do, EJ? We can call it off. I don't want to see you put on the spot because of me," Abigail asked softly as they pulled into her driveway in EJ's sleak, black Porsche.
EJ looked down at the beautiful woman beside him and smiled. She wanted to protect him. She sat awkwardly on the black leather seat with her denim clad legs crossed and her white, lace blouse arms crossed over her chest. She'd tapped her toes nervously during the entire drive from the Dimera Mansion. She was so tiny, yet she wanted to stand up for him. He was so charmed by her. He turned off the engine and ran his hand through her loose blonde waves.
"I love you. I am proud of you. I am honored to have you standing by my side," he said softly. "I have lived with Samantha Brady, Kate Roberts and Stefano Dimera, Abigail. Jennifer Horton does not frighten me."
Abigail sighed and twisted in the seat to rest her head against his shoulder. Her mother had suggested this dinner to break the ice between them after learning they were a couple. Abby had tried to disuade her, but Jennifer was determined.
"You say you love him, Abigail. If you love him, surely you can bring him here to be with your family," her mother had insisted.
I am not some teenage girl bringing my high school boyfriend home to meet my mother, she thought irritably.
EJ pulled her up so that he could look into her worried brown eyes. Her face was so expressive. She could not hide anything from him. He covered her lips with his for a soft kiss. He loved the way she melted into his arms, surrendering to his embrace. He loved her so much in that moment, his eyes filled with tears.
She had come directly to his office at Dimera Enterprises after telling her mother last week. She was shaken, but excited. She'd beamed. She said she finally felt free. She had launched herself at him, tearing at buttons yanking at his belt and trousers.
"I hope you don't have any appointments any time soon, EJ. I want you so badly that I can't wait."
Abigail moaned into his mouth, bringing EJ back to the present.
He pulled back and placed a quick peck on her nose.
"Darling, we cannot sit out in your mother's driveway making out like kids," he said huskily. "We need to face her."
Abigail pulled back into her seat and took a deep breath. He was right. It was time.
The walked to the front door holding hands, a united front. Abby looked up at EJ and smiled reassuringly and walked in first.
She stopped abruptly and EJ almost walked into her back.
"Well if it isn't the happy couple!"
Abigail's heart nearly stopped at the sight of Sami Brady and her Uncle Lucas standing beside the mantle. Sami's face was set with a fake smile and Lucas looked painfully uncomfortable. Abby looked around for her mother and JJ, but neither were in the living room.
Abigail tried to pull her hand from EJ's, but he wouldn't allow it. He pulled her back against him and wrapped his arms around her chest.
"Awww...he's trying to protect his little girlfriend," Sami snipped.
"Sami, stop it," Lucas warned her, reaching to grab her hand. "Abigail is my niece. She may have horrible taste in men, but she's family."
Abigail raised a brow and looked from Lucas to Sami. Clearly she and EJ weren't the only new couple coming to dinner.
"Uncle Lucas, please. I just want everyone to get along," she said, struggling to refrain from pointing out her taste was the same as his apparent date's.
She looked up to smile wickedly at EJ. He leamed down and kissed her forehead.
"Really, EJ?"
Sami's voice had always held that annoying, whiny quality that drove Abigail crazy, but she ignored her.
"Samantha, I am happy to see you with Lucas. I believe he can make you happy. All I am asking if for the same consideration from you. Abigail and I are together. You and Lucas are together. Can't we just accept that and move forward without behaving like children?"
Jennifer walked in before Sami could reply. She stopped a few friend from EJ and Abigail and looked over at Lucas and Sami.
"I don't want my dinner turned into a brawl. Sami, you can leave now if that is your plan. Lucas and I thought this would be a good idea to help everyone move on. It's a small town and we are a big family. I don't want a war because four single adults decided to start relationships."
Sami looked like she wanted to say something to contradict Jennifer's statement, but Lucas cut her off with a kiss.
Abigail smiled, despite her discomfort. She had always liked her uncle with Sami. Their love story had spanned most of Abigail's life. They brought out good things in each other and were great parents to their children. She hoped that they could legitamately find their happily ever after.
Jennifer invited everyone into the dining room . Abigail smiled at JJ and his girlfriend Paige, already seated at the end of the table. JJ looked so much like her father sometimes, it brought tears to her eyes.
She missed him every day.
She wondered if he could have seen past the Dimera name to recognize the happiness EJ brought her. She hoped that he could believe is the power of love to change a man. He had been living proof of its success.
Daniel Jonas walked in through the kitchen door carrying a tray loaded with pasta, garlic bread and a tossed salad. His young son Parker trailed behind with a big grin lighting his young face.
"They are here, Daddy!"
Abigail wrinkled her nose and the kid who might one day be her stepbrother. It would be so strange to have a little kid in the house again. She couldn't imagine her mother ever leaving this house. It's history was a huge part of her identity.
She looked over at EJ and grasped his thigh under the table. She had never been so happy. She loved her family more than anything. If her relationship witb EJ stood a chance to last over the long haul, it would be so much easier if he could find a way to be civil with the Hortons.
"Sorry for being late everyone!"
Abigail's head whipped at the sound of Will's voice as he, Sonny and Arianna Grace walked into the dining room. His eyes sought hers and he nodded. His face was grim, but at least he acknowleged her.
"You're just in time!" Abigail said warmly. Will set up a high chair at the other end of the table, across from JJ and Paige. Daniel and Parker sat beside EJ and Abigail. Jennifer, Lucas and Sami sat across from them.
It was a much bigger group than Abigail had expected, but so far there were no major fireworks.
They passed the food and began eating, chatting quietly for a while. Sami and EJ seemed to avoid eye contact, but neither seemed overtly hostile.
"So, Dad, you've got to tell me how Grandma Kate reacted to the two of you being back together? I'm sure that made for an interesting conversation!"
Lucas grinned like a chesire cat at his son and Sami laughed.
"Oh I'm sure there will be some drama, knowing my mom. She only hurled a few insults. Pretty tame for her, if I say so myself."
EJ chuckled beside her. He nodded to Sami.
"I'm sure Samantha will hold her own against Kate," he said with a smile.
Sami raised a brow and grinned.
"Just like old times," she grinned.
JJ cackled loudly and Paige glared.
"It's ok Paige," Sami said. "Everyone here knows how Kate and I can feud."
"You share this beautiful little girl now, mom. Let's keep the feuding at bay for Arianna's sake. Growing up seeing her mother once a month is tough enough. She needs you both," Will said sternly.
Sami looked down at her granddaughter and beamed. That beautiful little girl had the power to bring anyone together.
"So Daniel, are you planning on making things official with my mother any time soon?" JJ asked with an evil grin.
Jennifer glared and threw her napkin across the table at her soon.
"I don't even want to hear it, young man! I can't believe..."
"Now that you mention it..." Daniel stood and walked over to Jennifer and knelt on one knee. Parker followed and handed his father a little blue box.
"Jennifer Horton, will you end my suffering and finally agree to be my wife?" he asked.
"And my stepmommy!" Parker chimed in.
Jennifer pushed back from the table, her eyes wide with shock.
"Daniel! We haven't even discussed this! Marriage? Are you sure?"
Abigail watched as Daniel smiled warmly at her mother. She had known this was coming soon...she just hadn't expected it tonight. Clearly, he loved her. They had suffered so many stupid set backs. It was time for them to finally have some happiness. Her father would have wanted Jennifer to be happy.
"I'm the one down here on the floor, Jennifer. I think that means I am sure! Look at the ring."
Jennifer grabbed the box from Parker and gasped when she opened it.
"Oh my God," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "This belonged to my Gran...how on Earth did you...?"
"I gave it to him," JJ said, interrupting her. "Abs and I want you to know we love you and support the two of you. I thought maybe a piece of our history might help you move on in the future."
Tears glistened on her lashes as she smiled at her children. She turned to Daniel and grabbed his hands.
"I love you. I want to be with you and Parker. Now kiss me!"
Daniel pulled her out of her chair and into his arms as everyone at the table clapped.
Abigail felt EJ shift beside her and shivered as his lips moved closely against her ear.
"That was a beautiful gesture, sweetheart. I love you."
She looked from her blissful mother to the man who had made her realize that love was too precious to waste and covered his mouth with hers. She didnt care that Sami and Lucas were seated across the table. It didn't matter that Will and Sonny disapproved. EJ was hers. He understood her on every level.
EJ briefly deepened their kiss, wanting to be close to her, before pulling away. He was glad she felt secure enough with him to show her love publicly, but this moment belonged to Daniel and Jennifer. They'd have one of their own someday. Of that, he was certain.
Abigail turned back to face a table of shocked faces. Even Daniel and Jennifer had stopped their celebration to watch EJ and Abigail. She blushed furiously when she met the cold glare of Sami Brady.
"Well... Congratulations Mom and Daniel!" she said quickly, raising her glass of wine in am impromptu toast. "I hope you'll be very happy together!"
Everyone murmurred awkward "here heres"...everyone except Sami...
She held her own glass and tilted it to EJ before moving to face Daniel.
"I hope your dream comes true," she said softly. She looked back at EJ. "My advice as a former fiancee is simple...stay away from the Horton Cabin during your engagement and all should be fine!"
Abigail's blush deepened and she felt EJ tense.
Sami laughed, but didnt elaborate. Everyone looked at her strangely, clearly confused by the comment.
"I guess the cabin must be bad luck!" Lucas said quickly. "Remember when Daniel had to do your emergency appendectomy on the table? And you were held hostage there!"
Jennifer looked at Lucas for a moment before nodding and laughing awkwardly.
"Yes, I guess that's true, Sami," she said. "Thanks for the warning!"
"Well, I think Sami and I should be going, Jen," Lucas said, pushing away from the table, and wrapping his arm around Sami. "We've had a lovely meal, but you two need to celebrate and I have an early meeting tomorrow!"
Sami clearly wanted to say more, but Lucas' glare silenced her. She simply stood and nodded to Jennifer.
"Congratulations," she said flatly. "Good night everyone."
Jennifer stood to say goodbye, but Lucas waived her off.
"We'll talk tomorrow. Bye guys!"
Lucas ushered Sami out so quickly, Abigail could barely process exactly what had transpired and what this revelation might mean for she and EJ.
Sami obviously knew about their affair. Lucas must know, too.
She looked, panicked, at EJ.
What would happen next?