Greta shivered as the cool morning breeze blew through Salem. As she went out of the apartment building to get another box from the car, she heard a friendly voice ask if she needed any help. “No thanks, I’ll be getting some help shortly,” she told the older man and smiled warmly at him. He nodded politely at her. “It’ll be a nice day to move in here once the temperature rises a bit,” he said cheerfully. She nodded her agreement and made another trip inside. As she was finally making it to the fourth floor, she heard the familiar sound of her cell phone ringing. Putting down the heavy box she was carrying, she fumbled in her jacket pocket for the device.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Greta,” she heard a familiar voice answer.
“Eric! I’ve been waiting for you…some of these boxes are a bit too heavy for someone like me to carry up all these stairs!,” she said a bit shyly. Just the sound of his voice could make her blush from head to toe. If he only knew…
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling,” he said somberly. “I’m so sorry to do this to you, but it looks like I won’t be able to make it today.”
Her spirits sank. “Why?,” she asked hesitantly. She hated to pry into his personal life, but he had been planning on helping her move into her new place for months.
“Uh…well, you know how I’ve been looking for work? Well, Nancy needed some publicity photos of the hospital, so she hired me for the job.” He felt like kicking himself. He hated lying to her.
“It’s ok Eric, I understand. Maybe I’ll see you later. Good luck with your job,” she said sadly. He hated hearing the hurt in her voice as she hung up the phone. If only she knew….
Greta stood by her apartment door and tried to hold back the tears. “Get over it,” she told herself. “He can’t be here for you all the time. You’re just good friends.” She blotted her eyes with a tissue and then made her way back out to the car. As she was leaning into the backseat, she heard yet another familiar voice.
“Hey Greta, need some help?”
“Sami! I’m surprised to see you out and about so early.”
“Me and Austin just walked Will to preschool, but he wanted to hit the gym afterward. I felt like a stroll, so I took the long way home to see how you and Eric were making out. Where is my darling brother anyway?”
Greta tried to hide her disappointment as she spoke. “Uh, he just called and said he couldn’t make it. Something about taking pictures at the hospital…”
Sami saw the hurt flicker across Greta’s eyes. “Huh…that’s not like Eric to break promises. I’m sure it was important, or he wouldn’t have bailed out on you,” she said, and hoped she was right.
Greta managed a small smile and continued piling boxes out on the pavement of the apartment building driveway.
“Well, I don’t know if I’m as much fun as my twin, but would you mind if I stuck around and helped? I really don’t have anything else to do until Will gets out of school,” Sami asked.
Greta was surprised. Sami had never gone out of her way to be nice to her before, but she sure needed the help. Reluctantly, she agreed. Little did she know what Sami’s real agenda was…
“So Greta, you never told me about Paris. I mean, I heard about how you found your mother from Eric, but I want to hear your side of the story,” Sami told her.
Greta smiled as she recalled her time in Europe. She had finally found her mother after all those years of thinking she was dead. And to make everything perfect, Stefano had finally been put behind bars. She was almost sad to return home, but at least she knew her mother was close by. As she talked about their adventure, Sami couldn’t help but notice the way Greta’s eyes were shining when she talked about Eric.
“So…you and Eric are pretty close now, huh?,” she asked hesitantly. She knew that Greta probably wouldn’t open up to her if she came right out and asked if she was in love with her brother.
Greta sighed and looked away. What could she say? She considered Eric to be her best friend, but did he feel the same way? Did he only go to Paris with her so he wouldn’t have to see Nicole and Lucas together?
“I’m really grateful that Eric was there for me in Paris,” she finally answered, trying not to let her true feelings show.
“Well, he sure was glad he went with you. The day after you came home, he talked about you for hours! He said you were really brave to confront Stefano the way you did. I have to say that I agree with him,” Sami said honestly.
Greta could feel herself starting to blush, and hoped it wasn’t too obvious. “He uh…he talked about me?,” she asked nervously. Sami rolled her eyes and laughed. “Yeah! I think I know everything about you, from your favorite book to your favorite perfume!”
Greta was shocked. Why would Eric spend so much time talking about her? She didn’t even think he had paid any attention to all the rambling she did the night the power went out. With nothing better to do, they had talked until the sun came up.
“As a matter of fact,” Sami continued, “we were in Salem Place yesterday, and Eric was telling me how much you wanted the new CD. So…here ya go,” she said, and reached into her bag. “Sami, you really didn’t have to do this!,” Greta objected. “Nonsense…it was on sale, and he said it made him think of you. Besides, it’s a great CD!,” Sami said cheerfully.
The two women spent the morning unpacking boxes, setting up house, and singing along to the music at the top of their lungs. They were having so much fun, Sami almost forgot about picking Will up from school.
“I really hate to run, but my son needs his mommy,” she said apologetically. “But you’re more than welcome to join me and Austin for lunch at Salem Place.
“Well…,” Greta began, “you know what they say - three’s a crowd.”
Sami smiled at her newfound friend. “Don’t be silly. Austin wouldn’t mind."
“No, really,” Greta insisted. “Spend some quality time with him and Will. I really need to get cleaned up here. But thanks so much for all your help, and for the CD!”
“My pleasure!,” Sami said on her way out the door. Greta locked it behind her and sat down to take a breather. Sami said how Eric kept talking about her…he said the CD reminded him of her…could it be possible that he was having the same feelings for her that she had for him?” “Nah,” she thought to herself. She could never be that lucky…
An hour later at Salem Place, Sami and Austin were teaching Will the fine art of finger food. The two of them were in hysterics as Will refused to eat with anything but a fork or spoon. Sami was laughing so hard, she thought she was hallucinating when she saw Eric standing around not too far away.
“Eric! Over here!,” she called. He walked over and sat down. “Hey sis, hey Austin,” he greeted them. “What brings you to Salem Place at noon on a weekday?” “I was just about to ask you the same thing,” she responded. “I was just at Greta’s, and she told me you cancelled on her because you were working at the hospital today.”
Eric shifted uncomfortably. How would he weasel his way out of this one? Before he could say anything, Austin spoke up.
“Actually, I saw you when I was driving by the hospital and I meant to say hi, but I was on my way to the gym for an interview about the boxing match.”
Eric was dumbfounded. Austin was lying for him and covering his tracks. He hadn’t been near the hospital all day! He looked at Austin with wide eyes, as if to say, “What now?” Fortunately for him, Sami turned the topic of conversation back to the boxing match. But Austin gave him a look that said, “We’ll talk later.”
Lunch passed by in a blur. It was mostly conversation for two, as Sami and Austin did all the talking, and Eric was mostly quiet. He kept thinking about Greta. He was so afraid of getting his heart broken again, scared to admit to himself that he was having more-than-friendly feelings for his “best friend”. Before he knew it, Sami and Will were saying their good-byes, leaving him alone with Austin.
“Ok, spill it,” Austin demanded as soon as they were out of earshot. Eric ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. What could he say now?
“Look Eric,” Austin began, “I know what’s going on, and let me tell you, I’ve been there before. Love makes you do strange things…especially when you first realize that you have feelings for someone. So give it to me straight – are you falling for Greta?”
Eric was silent for a moment. He just knew that admitting it out loud would set him up for disappointment in the long run. Greta could have any man in Salem – why would she want him? Austin felt for him. He was also afraid to open his heart again since his divorce from Carrie.
“Look, maybe this will boost your confidence a little,” Austin began. “Sami was just telling me that…” Eric listened to every word Austin said very carefully. Could it be true? Or was Sami reading more into it? There was only one way to find out…
“Yeah, mom…I love you, too. By the way, tell Kurt to leave the door unlocked tomorrow morning so I can bring you a spare key to my new place. Uh huh…ok…bye.”
Greta hung up the phone and looked around. Finally, she had a place to call home. But it felt so…empty. When she was staying with Hope and Mrs. Horton, there was always someone there to talk to. Now, it was eerily quiet. She turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. Nothing good was on. Sighing, she looked at the phone. Should she call him? No, it would just make him think that she totally depended on him. She glanced at the clock. It read 9pm. “Way too early to go to sleep,” she decided, even though she was tired. She decided to just change into her nightgown and put the finishing touches on the decorating.
Meanwhile, Sami had some plans of her own. “Perfect,” she thought to herself as she drove by Greta’s and saw her car in the parking lot. She dialed her cellphone.
“Hi, Greta? It’s Sami. I just wanted to see if you got the rest of your decorating done. You did? That’s great! So you’ve been listening to the CD? Eric will be glad to hear it. You haven’t heard from him? He told me he was going to stop by at your place. I wonder why he hasn’t yet. Well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. See ya.”
She hung up the phone with a satisfied smile. Now, for phase number two. She dialed Eric’s number. “Hey bro. I was just at Greta’s place, and the new place really looks great. You haven’t seen it yet? Well, if you don’t have any other plans, maybe you should stop by. I’m sure she’d love for you to see it since you had to bail out today. Ok…ok…see ya later. Bye.”
She hit the off button and drove towards Eric’s house. She had to see if he was really going to go. Ten minutes later, she arrived there, only to find his car gone. “Hopefully, this will work,” she thought to herself and drove away.
Greta hummed softly along with the music as she decided where to hang some pictures. She was so absorbed in the task that she didn’t hear the insistent knocking at the door.
“That’s strange…this is the number Sami gave me. And I know she’s here because I can hear the music,” Eric said aloud. He knocked harder. The pounding noise startled Greta. Who could be at the door at this time of the night? She looked through the peephole. “Oh my gosh, it’s Eric!,” she whispered. She couldn’t let him see her like this! But she couldn’t not let him in. She turned the volume down on the stereo, threw a sweatshirt on over her nightgown, and opened the door.
When Eric saw her, he could feel his heart literally leap out of his chest. She was so beautiful! “Eric! I didn’t expect you to stop by, or I wouldn’t be looking like this,” she said and blushed. He swept his best friend up in a hug. “Hey, you still look gorgeous to me,” he whispered. She felt so safe in his arms; she never wanted him to let go. But, he stepped back from the embrace a minute later. “So, are you gonna invite me in?,” he asked awkwardly. She smiled and stepped back, allowing him inside.
He looked around. The place was still pretty messy, but the decorating she had done so far looked great. He turned to her and looked in her eyes. “Look, I’m really sorry I had to cancel on such short notice today. I felt horrible about it,” he said apologetically.
“Really Eric, it’s ok. Sami was a big help,” she told him. She was getting lost in his eyes. It’s like they had a never-ending depth.
“So, uh…how about I make it up to you?,” he asked, and gestured toward the CD player. She was confused. “Huh?” “Sami told me she gave you the CD today,” he told her. He held out his hand. “May I have this dance?” She could feel herself blushing, but she nodded anyway.
Eric flipped off the lights and turned up the volume on the CD player. Greta gulped. It was such a romantic atmosphere. Could he be feeling the same way? She didn’t have time for any more thoughts, as he pulled her gently into his arms. She rested her head on his chest as they swayed to the music. His heart seemed to be beating in time with it….
“I must be crazy now. Maybe I dream too much. But when I think of you, I long to feel your touch. To whisper in your ear, words that are old as time. Words only you would hear, if only you were mine. I wish I could back to the very first day I saw you. Should have made my move when you looked in my eyes. Cause by now, I know that you’d feel the way that I do. And you’d whisper these words, as you’d lie here by my side.
I love you.
Please say you love me, too.
These three words, they could change our lives forever.
And I promise you that we will always be together
Till the end of time.
Eric and Greta were both paying close attention to the words. They held each tighter as the song continued.
So today, I finally find the courage deep inside
just to walk right up to your door.
But my body can’t move when I finally get to it,
like a thousand times before.
Then without a word, you handed me this letter.
Read I hope this finds the way into your heart.
It said I love you.
Please say you love me, too.
Till the end of time.
Well maybe I, I need a little lovin’.
Maybe I, I need a little care.
Maybe you, maybe you need somebody just to hold you.
If you do, just reach out, I’ll be there.
Oh, I love you.
Please say you love me, please say you love me, too.
These three words, they could change our lives forever.
And I promise you that we will always be together.
I love you.
My baby….
I will be your light, shining through your eyes
Oh, I love you.
The end of the music brought them both back down to earth. It had spoken directly to their hearts. Even though the song was over, they were still holding on. Eric couldn’t hold back any longer. He put his finger under Greta’s chin and gently tipped her face up to his. All of the pent-up passion they had each been holding in for months was finally released as their lips met.
And outside, Sami smiled to herself as she saw the light in Greta’s apartment go out.
Disclaimer:
I obviously don’t own the rights to any of these wonderful Days of Our Lives characters. They belong to Ken Corday and the rest of the DOOL bunch. And the song “I Love You” can be found on Faith Hill’s latest CD. A big thank-you goes to Grace, who let me put this story up on her awesome page. Keep up the good work, girl!
