Sami and Austin - Part XVII

Sami held Will's tiny hand in hers. "I'm so glad you're going to be alright. I really messed things up for us Will. I've lost Austin and I don't know how I'm going to get him back. But don't you worry, we're going to be a family again. I promise." She heard the door open and quickly wiped the tears away. It was probably Lucas and she didn't want him to see her like this. She was surprised to hear Austin's voice.

"Sami, how's Will doing?"

She turned to look at him expecting to see the hate in his eyes but it wasn't there. She wasn't sure what she saw there. "He's fine. What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you."

"About the annulment." Sami knew that was the only thing Austin wanted from her now. She didn't try to hide her tears.

"Sami, there's not going to be an annulment."

"What?" Sami was afraid to get her hopes up. What was Austin telling her?

"Carrie and I spent a lot of time together last night. It was the first time we had really had time together in months."

"Austin, I really don't want to hear about what you and Carrie did last night."

"I think you will want to hear this. Carrie and I realized that we don't love each other anymore, not like we did. We've grown apart."

"Austin, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I've fallen in love with you. I was too angry to see it before but it's true. You are a wonderful wife and mother. I've seen a side of you that nobody else has. If I could just be sure that's who you really are..."

"Oh Austin, it is. Everything I've done was for us. It was the only way I knew to make you realize you and Carrie didn't belong together. I love you so much."

"Promise me that you will never do anything like that again."

"With you by my side I won't need to." Sami was so happy she couldn't express it. Her tears of sadness had become tears of joy. Austin loved her! He pulled her into his arms and lowered his face to hers. Sami raised her face to meet Austin's kiss........

"Sami, wake up", Lucas shook her gently he didn't want to disturb Will.

"Oh Austin", Sami said dreamily.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "Sami, wake up. Mike wants to talk to us about Will."

Sami finally woke up and looked around. "It was only a dream."

"Must have been a good one. I brought you some coffee. Mike wants to talk to us."

Sami wanted to go back to her dream. If only it could happen that way in real life, she thought to herself. She pulled herself together and went with Lucas to talk to Mike.

Carrie woke up alone in her bed. She remembered last night and sat up abruptly. "Austin?" Had he left? She got up and went into the kitchen. "Austin, are you...." What she saw brought tears to her eyes.

The sight of Carrie took Austin's breath away. "You weren't supposed to get up yet", he teased. "I'm not finished with your surprise."

"Oh Austin, how did you do this?" Everywhere Carrie looked she saw roses. The scent of them filled the apartment. And the table... Austin had everything set up for a romantic breakfast and had actually cooked breakfast himself.

"I woke up early and I wanted to surprise you. I only wish I could do more. I haven't been there for you Carrie. I'm going to do everything in my power to make that up to you. This is only the beginning."

Carrie couldn't say anything. She was so overwhelmed. She ran over to Austin and kissed him. "All I need is you." She finally said.

"You have me. I talked to Mickey this morning."

"What did he say?"

"It should only take a day or two to finalize the annulment. Since it was supposed to be finalized the day after the accident all that's left is some paperwork."

"That's wonderful! Then we can get married whenever we want?"

"Yes. And considering we didn't get around to making any wedding plans last night..."

Carrie grinned. "I know exactly how I want to be married."

"What are you up to?"

Carrie kissed him again. "We'll talk while we eat. I'm starving."

Austin laughed. "Well, of course you are. We have to feed that baby now, don't we?"

Carrie couldn't remember the last time she had felt this happy. She hoped it would never end.

Marlena watched John sleeping. She couldn't believe they were finally together. She smiled as he woke up and caught her. "Good morning sleepyhead."

"Good morning", John leaned over and kissed her. He couldn't believe how lucky he was. He had gotten a second chance with Doc. He was never going to let her go again. "How are you doing this morning?"

Marlena smiled. "I'm fine. I was just about to get up. I'm going over to the hospital to check on Will.... and Sami", she added.

"I can't get over what happened last night. Sami was always such a sweet girl."

"I know. I can't help but feel a little responsible for all this. I should have been there for her."

"It wasn't your fault Doc. Stephano is to blame. He has caused us all so much pain."

"You're right but still..."

"But nothing. If anyone can help Sami get through this it's you. I really believe you can help her. She really leaned on you last night."

"Yes. I think she really has forgiven me this time." Marlena got up. "But I have to start getting ready to go." She leaned over and kissed John. "We have a busy day."

"I know I do." John grinned. He had a very special surprise for Marlena.

"You're up to something, I can tell."

"You always could. But you'll just have to wait and see." He ducked as Marlena threw a pillow at him and laughed.

"You know I hate surprises!" She couldn't help laughing. She would figure out what he was up to. She went off and started getting ready.

Mike finished talking to Sami and Lucas. He was going to let them take Will home in a few days and he wanted to be sure they understood how to take care of his surgical wound. After they had gone he went to his office. It was so hard to keep his mind on work. All he could think about was Carrie. He looked up when Laura came in. "Hi mom."

"Mike, you look awful! Have you even been to bed?"

"I've had a few hours of sleep. I wanted to be here in case there was a change in Will's condition."

Laura knew there was more to it than that. "Mike, I really think you should..."

Mike knew what she was going to say. "Mom, I don't want to talk about Carrie. She is with Austin. She loves him and she's going to have his baby. I want her to be happy and I'm not going to do anything to mess that up for her. She's been through enough."

Laura decided to drop it for now. Mike was right in a way. If Carrie was in love with Austin then it would be wrong for him to interfere. But she couldn't help thinking that Carrie would be happier with Mike. "Well, how is Will?"

"He's fine. As a matter of fact, he'll being going home in a few days." Mike was glad his mom wasn't going to push it about Carrie. He was having a hard enough time dealing with this.

Kate found Lucas outside of Will's room. "Good morning."

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see how you're doing and check on Will. He is still my grandson."

"I'm fine and so is Will. Mike said we can take him home in a couple of days."

"So, where's "home" going to be for Will? Have you discussed this situation with Sami?"

"Not yet. I don't want to cause a big scene here at the hospital. And I honestly don't know what to do about all this. I'm still getting used to the fact that he's my son."

"It must have been such a shock to you." Kate was furious with Sami. That little witch had hurt both of her sons.

"Yeah, it was. Listen, I'm going back in to be with him. I'd let you come in but Sami's in there and there's no telling how she would react to seeing you. I don't want anything upsetting Will."

"I understand. I have an appointment anyway. I'll talk to you later."

Lucas watched Kate walk away. She was up to something. He went back in and found Sami going through the papers on his mom. "That's worthless to you now. Why are you keeping it?"

"It's not completely worthless. I'm going to give this to the press. They'll have a field day with Kate."

"Sami, enough is enough. Just let it go."

"No. Kate is going to pay for what she did to me."

Lucas just shook his head. He could feel a major war starting over this.

Carrie and Austin were finishing up their breakfast when the phone rang. Carrie was surprised to hear from John. "I thought you and Marlena would be enjoying some privacy now that you're back in the penthouse."

"Well we are but she's gone to the hospital to see Will and Sami. I'm taking advantage of the time. I'm planning a big surprise for Marlena and I need your help. I've already talked to Laura and she agreed to help, can you?"

"Of course, I'll do whatever I can." Carrie listened as John explained what he wanted her to do. "Oh John, that's so romantic." When she was finished talking to John she turned to Austin and told him.

"Wow, John really pulls out all the stops doesn't he?"

"I'm so happy for him and Marlena. They've been through so much."

"So have we. And..." Austin kneeled down in front of Carrie. "...I have a little surprise of my own." He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. Carrie's gasp of surprise told him all he needed to know.

"Austin, how....", Carrie couldn't find the words. It was her engagement ring.

"I found it last night. I wasn't sure if you still had it. I really thought you had moved on." He slipped the ring back on Carrie's finger. "This is where it belongs and where it will stay."

Carrie couldn't say anything. She hugged Austin and kissed him. "Nothing will ever come between us again." She jumped up. "I have to get ready! I'm supposed to meet John in an hour!"

Austin laughed as Carrie rushed around the apartment. He couldn't wait till they were married.

Kristin was dreaming about John. He had forgiven her and come back to her. She wasn't happy when Vivian woke her up to tell her the lawyers had arrived.

"Kristin, this is all your fault. I should be at home with Victor not in this rotting jail cell."

"Stop whining Vivian. Stephano will get us out."

The lawyers had good news. They had all made bail. Kristin gave Vivian a triumphant look. "See? Now, I'm going home. I have to talk to John and make him understand."

Vivian went to Ivan's side. "She has lost her mind."

Marlena quietly entered Will's room and went to Sami. "How are you doing?"

"I could be better. But Will is going to be ok. Mike says we can take him home soon."

"That's wonderful sweetheart!"

"The only problem is I don't know where home is anymore. My home is with Austin but Carrie has taken him away from me."

"You can stay with John and me if you want."

"No. I can't do that. I'm happy for you and John but I don't think I could handle being around that right now. It would be too painful to see you both so happy when I'm all alone."

Marlena hugged Sami. "Honey, you will never be alone."

"I know my family will be there but it's not the same. Austin is the only man I'll ever love."

"I know that's how you feel now but you'll get over Austin. And someday you will find the right man for you."

"Austin is the only man for me." Sami turned on the TV and began flipping through the channels. Jennifer's show was on so she decided to watch that. She was surprised to see Kate sitting with Jennifer.

Marlena was surprised as well. "Sami, turn up the volume. I want to hear this."

Jennifer's voice filled the room. "Thank you for tuning in to this special live edition of the show. Our guest today is Kate Roberts, CEO of Titan Publishing. Welcome to the show Kate."

"Thank you Jennifer.", Kate was so glad Jennifer had been willing to do this for her. She wasn't sure if she would because of her relationship with Laura.

"You've made a very big decision recently. Would you like to tell our viewers about it?"

Sami wondered what Kate was up to. She looked so smug sitting there. Sami couldn't wait to see the look on Kate's face when she told the press her little secret.

"Yes, I would. I have recently decided to write a book about my life."

"So why have you decided to do this now?"

"I have so many blessings in my life now and this book is my way of showing people you can overcome the difficult times in your life."

"Your life hasn't always been so wonderful, has it?"

"No, it hasn't. It's no secret that my first marriage was a dismal failure. My husband was a drug addict and abused me. My goal in life at that time was simply to get myself and my children away from him. I was pregnant with Lucas when I finally got away but Curtis managed to take Austin and Billie away from me and convinced me they were dead."

Sami had a bad feeling about this. She wouldn't, she thought to herself, would she? Jennifer had placed one hand over Kate's urging her to continue. Sami leaned forward. She didn't want to miss any of this. She glanced at Marlena. She was watching closely too as Kate continued her story.

"That time in my life was very difficult. I had a new baby, no job, no place to live, and no means of support. I had to do .... whatever I could to get by." Kate was struggling with the words. She cursed Sami for putting her through this. "I'm not very proud of that time in my life."

"It sounds like it was very tough on you."

"It was. And that's why I'm doing this. I know there are a lot of women out there, as well as young girls, who are in the same position I was. I want them to know they can get out and have a better life."

"What position were you in?" Jennifer was curious. Kate hadn't told her everything, just that she wanted to announce her forthcoming book on the air and do an interview about her life.

"Well, like I said, I didn't have any money or any place to live. I hadn't held down a job in years because Curtis wouldn't let me work. I tried to find a job but nobody would hire me because I didn't have any experience. I was at the end of my rope and I was afraid of losing the only child I had left. So, I did what I had to do to survive." Kate took a deep breath. There was no turning back now. She felt the tears come as she revealed to the world the secret she had worked so hard to hide. "I became a prostitute."

Sami jumped up from her chair. "NO!" She couldn't believe Kate had done this. Now she had nothing. There was no way for herto get back at Kate now. She looked at Marlena and saw the confusion in her face and then the realization of what her daughter had been planning. She sat down and looked at her son. Kate has to pay, she thought to herself. I will find a way to make her pay.