Chapter 10 ~

"OK, OK. One more story, Johnny, and then you have to go to sleep; do you understand?"

"Yes."

"And that goes for you too, Miss Sydney. You'll go to sleep after this, right, my darling?"

EJ's laugh rumbled through the living room walls of the town house and into Sami's bedroom, making her laugh as well.

"Oh no! Don't give me that look! You are going to bed, and you're not going to charm your way out of it this time."

It had been four months since that fateful day in Guinea. Four months since she had been shot, and she and EJ had declared their love for each other. In spite of the circumstances, they were probably the most uncomplicated four months of her adult life.

Sami was learning that honesty really was the best policy, especially when being honest with herself and the ones she loved, and mostly that meant being honest about loving EJ. Her family wasn't thrilled, and she doubted they ever would be, but even they couldn't fault his care of her and their children.

He'd rarely left her hospital bed during her immediate recovery, usually doing so only long enough to shower or spend some time with Johnny and Sydney who had spent must of their time going between grandparents and great-grandparents, including John and Marlena who had come home with them to help out. In fact, the two of them had only left earlier that week.

Stefano and Kate, to Stefano's great dismay, were not included in the arrangements, and EJ took great care and precaution to make sure his father couldn't use every dirty trick he knew to spend time with them.

When Sami was released from the hospital, EJ moved into the guest room of the town house, hired a housekeeper to help him and was as devoted as any man could be to his family. If anything, he maybe doted too much, Sami thought. Especially now that she had been cleared to go back to regular activity.

EJ was convinced that even the slightest bit of exertion would set her recovery back, so he hardly allowed her to fix herself something to drink let alone anything else. Yes, she still tired more quickly than usual before the accident, but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. She just rested more than she did before.

Thinking of having something to drink, Sami realized she was thirsty and padded into the kitchen to get a glass of water. As she reached the living room, she realized it was much to quiet and entered to investigate.

She smiled lovingly at what she found: EJ on the couch, flat on his back, with Sydney curled up on his chest, and Johnny sprawled across his lap. All three of them were sound asleep, and the book they'd been reading was lying carelessly on the floor where EJ had apparently dropped it. Not having the heart to wake them, she covered them with the blanket from the arm of the couch and turned out the lights.

About an hour later, Sami heard a knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in, EJ."

He came in and sat on the edge of the bed. "How are you?" It was his standard question.

"I'm fine."

"I see you were a naughty girl and were up when the kids and I apparently fell asleep. Thank you for the blanket."

"You're welcome, and I'm fine, EJ. Really. I just needed a drink of water, and I didn't need your help for that. But thank you."

"OK. I suppose I really should stop hovering. Lexi and Daniel both assure me you are fully recovered."

"I agree with them. I feel back to my old self."

EJ leaned forward and kissed her softly. "You have no idea how glad I am to hear that." He sighed. "Well, you rest. I'll see you in the morning." He was half-way to the door before Sami called to him.

"EJ?"

"Yes, Samantha?"

"Stay."

EJ's eyes grew wide as he caught Sami's meaning. "I don't know if that's a good idea. I mean, Lexi and Daniel-"

"Said I was fine. And I feel fine. And I want you to stay." She patted the empty side of her bed invitinglyand then pulled back the covers as he came closer.

He stood, looking down at her for a moment, then slowly climbed in next to her.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "Are you OK?"

EJ regarded her steadily, and she could see the battle he was fighting with himself. "It's not that I don't want to, Samantha. You have no idea how much I want to share this bed with you. I'm just worried-"

Sami cut him off, kissing him firmly and with all of the desire she held inside. When she broke away, she knew she had won.

"So this means..."

"It means, EJ, that I want you to stop talking and make love to me."

He was more than happy to oblige.

"I talk to Jesus, and I talk to God,

"And I remember this from when I was young:

"Faith, hope, and love are some good things He gave us,

"And the greatest is love...

"The greatest is love...

"And the greatest is love..."

~ Alan Jackson

The End