Chapter 20

Chad stood in the dark shadows just beyond the dining room doorway, his eyes never leaving the beautiful young woman he loved as she fiercely defended her love for his brother.

Most Salemites would have cowered in fear before Stefano Dimera.

Abigail, all five feet and 90 pounds of her, was standing up in his face.

She was tremendously loyal to those she loved...it was a trait Chad had always admired.

He just couldn't handle that her love and loyalty was wasted on EJ. After everything Chad had meant to Abigail...she had given him the virginity she'd saved for 24 years...she wanted to make a life with his brother. She was willing to take on the most hated family in Salem to be with its most notorious son.

Perfectly lovely, upstanding, great granddaughter of the town's most beloved couple...Abigail was in love with EJ.

Chad could feel their connection. He'd watched his brother beg her to believe him and saw her kiss him. They existed in their own bubble when they were together. Their fathers' presence had been forgotten.

She'd never looked at him like that.

Fury boiled deep within Chad ' s veins and he wondered, for the hundredth time, if EJ had planned this from the start. His brother had always liked Abigail. He'd encouraged Chad to bring her around. He'd always looked at her with that wicked gleam in his eyes.

EJ had always been attracted to Abigail.

Had the bastard suggested he continue with his fake cancer scheme knowing that Abigail would find out and dump him?

Had EJ sabotaged their relationship?

Chad moved out of the shadows and walked over to Abigail and his father, ignoring the furious glare EJ shot his direction.

"I am sorry to interrupt, Abigail, but you need to know the truth," he said. "This is your father. I know it is. I'm the one that found out and brought him back...for you."

Abigail turned at the sound of Chad's voice. She raked her hands through her hair in frustration.

"Oh this just gets better! Why would I believe you, Chad?" she whispered. "Because you have such a great track record with telling me the truth? Oh my God, this is such a mess."

EJ walked over to her side and pulled her into his arms. This situation was too much for Abigail to handle. She'd spent the evening sharing in her mother and Daniel's engagement happiness only to come back to a cruel nightmare. He'd always been afraid that association with him would bring her pain, but this was extreme...

Fighting for their love had been something they'd both expected. They'd known the town would be against them. They'd anticipated Jennifer's displeasure. Was Abigail strong enough to take on Stefano and Chad Dimera, too?

"I'm taking Abigail away from here," he said shortly. "I don't know what is actually going on here, but I do know that nothing good can come out of this tonight."

He felt Abigail relax into his arms and rest her head against his shoulder.

She looked up into his eyes and smiled sadly.

"I need to go somewhere quiet," she admitted. She pulled away from him and pointed at "Jack." "Don't you dare contact or go near my mother or JJ until you can provide proof you are who you say you are. I will come back tomorrow and we will do a DNA test. Mom and JJ are happy. I refuse to see that ruined because Stefano Dimera wants to get involved in my love life."

Abigail barely made it in the cabin door before her stomach revolted and she ran into the bathroom, leaving EJ holding her overnight bag in the doorway.

"Abigail? Are you ok?"

He heard her sob and dropped her bag on the bed. The tiny Horton Cabin bathroom was not meant to hold two people, but he squeezed in and crouched beside her, pulling her heavy blonde locks away from her face as she heaved over the toilet.

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to bring you into my darkness. I would do anything to shield you from this."

Abigail moaned and rested her forehead in her hands. The room was spinning. She felt like death.

"I don't want you to see me like this EJ," she whispered hoarsely. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"I have children, Abigail. I've dealt with worse sights than this. I love you. Taking care if you when your world has been turned upside down is part of the job."

She tried to laugh, but her stomach heaved again.

She'd been so damned naive. All her life, she'd heard stories of the bizarre plots and ruthless machinations of Stefano Dimera. Had she really been foolish enough to believe that she could disrupt his plans for his son's future and emerge unscathed?

EJ built a nice fire and they stretched out on the floor later that evening. He slowly undressed her and massaged her from the soles of her feet to her scalp. She sighed and surrendered to his masterful touch. He was incredibly erotic, but his touch felt more soothing than arousing. He just wanted her to relax after getting the worst shock of her life.

"Could it possibly be true? " she asked softly, rolling to her side.

His face was so beautiful in the light of the fire that it brought fresh tears to her eyes. My God, she thought. This incredible man is mine. His mouth was set in a grim line. He met her gaze.

"I honestly do not know, Abigail, " he said sadly. "Anything is possible with Stefano. My father has been able to move mountains for decades. It is entirely possible. I know that he has always admired your great grandmother and your father. She once came to my aid as a child. He would have felt the need to repay that debt. It's part of who he is."

Abigail lay back against her pillow and reached for him. He stretched beside her and lay his head against her chest, allowing her to hold him.

"I am afraid to hope, EJ," she whispered, caressing his shoulders and holding him tightly. "I want my father back so badly. I know this just doesn't happen in real life. I know it's probably a Dimera scheme. The sight of him standing there... I just can't begin to describe how that felt."

EJ kissed her collar bone and nibbled gently on her chin.

"I've been there with my own father, Abigail. I understand. You don't have to explain anything to me," he said relishing the feel of her skin against his. "But I swear to you, on my honor, if this is a game my father is playing, he is dead to me. I will not stand by and watch him hurt the woman I want to spend the rest of my life adoring."

"I don't know about the rest of your life, EJ, but I'm so happy to have you in my arms right now," she said.

He raised up on his elbows, his face once again very serious.

"I DO know about the rest of my life, Abigail. I've known from the first time you told me that I didn't pull off the whole 'bad man' role. I knew then that you had changed me. You made me want to be more. You made me want more. I love you. I know I will never deserve you, but I need you. I want to be your husband. I want to give you children and watch them grow with Johnny and Sidney. I want to celebrate your successes and sooth away your fears. I want to see the world through your stunningly beautiful eyes."

Abigail's eyes flooded with tears her heart was pounding. She'd never felt closer to another person in her life. She saw their future in his eyes.

"What are you asking, EJ?"

He smiled and raised a brow. He abruptly sat up and pulled her up against his chest so that she was seated in his lap.

"I'd planned to do this in the traditional, romantic way you deserve. I wanted flowers and wine and music. But, somehow, I think that right here, right now is perfect," he said. "Abigail Johanna Devereaux, I don't need many things in my life. I have everything I could possibly want and more. But I can honestly say, that my life truly began the day you walked into it. You've shown me what real love can be. You've given me your heart and made me want to work to earn it. I will never be the man you deserve, but if you will do me the profound honor of becoming my wife, I will spend the rest of my days worshipping you. Marry me, please?"

Abigail's head was spinning. It had been an emotionally exhausting day. First, they'd shared dinner with Sami and Lucas. Then, they'd witnessed her mother's engagement. Next had come the shock of the possible return of her father and the sickness that had followed.

EJ had chosen to end it by giving her the most beautiful proposal she could have ever wanted. Marrying EJ would seem sudden...and crazy...to most of her family and friends, but Abigail didn't care.

She, too, had changed that day in his living room. Clutching her beloved angel's wing pendant, and feeling a connection to the worst man possible for her, she'd tried to deny that something had started between then that day.

She'd fallen in love.

His touch on her skin, his lips against hers weeks later had only confirmed it.

"I'm yours, EJ Dimera," she answered finally. "I love you more than I ever thought possible. You've owned me, body and soul, for months. I can't imagine a day without you. Of course, I'll marry you."

He claimed her lips as soon as she finished saying the words, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and stroking hers. She wrapped her arms around him and his softly lowered her back onto the blankets. His lips left hers and burned a trail down to her aching nipple.

She moaned. It felt so good...

Then it felt like too much. Once again, the room started to do in and she felt her stomach clench. She gasped and pushed him away, leaping up and sprinting into the bathroom just in time.

EJ raised to her knees and shook his head in disbelief.

"Abigail?"

He heard her moan.

"I'm so sorry, EJ," she cried. "I'm afraid we ate going to be dealing with the "in sickness and health" part of the vows a little early."