Gina rushed into the room, breathless, holding something close to her chest. “I got it. The key to trigger John’s memory. I finally got it.
”
John looked at her, puzzled, but the warmth in his eyes softened the confusion. She held out the gift, a small, delicate object wrapped in old tissue paper. Slowly, he unwrapped it, and his fingers traced the familiar edges. “Oh, John, it’s beautiful,” Gina said, her voice trembling with hope.
“I’ll treasure it forever. ”
John repeated the words, low and distant, as if hearing them from another time. “I’ll treasure it forever. ”
A sharp pain shot through his skull.
He gripped his head, grimacing. “Damn. Every time I try to go back, this pain… What did that old man do to me? ”
Gina reached for him, soothing his brow.
“Just breathe, John. I’m here. ”
Across town, in the grand DiMera mansion, Stefano leaned toward Vivian, his voice low and serious. “There’s something I must tell you.
”
Vivian raised a hand. “No. There’s something I want to tell you first. ”
Stefano sighed.
“Very well, Vivian, but remember, you’re not well. I don’t want you overworking yourself. ”
Vivian’s eyes lit up with a feverish spark. “This idea… it’s given me a shot in the arm.
Renewed energy. ”
“What idea? ”
“I want to have a party,” she declared. “A fabulous party.
An evening of gaiety and laughter. ”
Stefano frowned. “Vivian, please. Do you know what it takes to put on a party like that?
The preparation, the planning, the stamina? ”
“Don’t worry, my love. I’ll take care of everything. ”
“And you think you’re well enough?
”
Vivian’s face grew serious. “Stefano, I know I’m dying, but I’m not dead yet. This party gives me something to look forward to. It’s sort of a goodbye party to myself.
Since I can’t attend my own funeral, this is the next best thing. ”
“Such morbid thoughts,” Stefano murmured. “I have to be realistic. I don’t have much time, and I want moments with my friends in Salem before… I have to do this.
It’s so important to me, Stefano. Please say yes. ”
Stefano studied her, torn between concern and the desperation in her eyes. “All right, fine,” he said at last.
“If it means that much to you. ”
Vivian beamed. “Oh, it does. Thank you, darling.
” She was already reaching for the phone. “I’ll get the florist, plan the guest list, arrange the flowers. ”
As she bustled about, Stefano watched her, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. She wasn’t doing any of that.
She was just talking, spinning a fantasy. He knew his wife too well. Something was off, but he let it go for now. —
In the park, Austin swung little Will high in the air.
The boy laughed, a bright, carefree sound. “Do that again! ” Will demanded. Austin complied, lifting him once more, before settling him down on the grass.
He knelt beside him, holding up a crumpled piece of paper. “Look at that. You and me. A masterpiece.
They should put that in a museum. ”
Will giggled. “Little Picasso,” Austin said with a grin. “That’s beautiful.
I’m telling you. ”
He stood, struck by an idea. “What do you say me and you go for a walk? Want to be the horsey?
”
Will nodded eagerly, and Austin hoisted him onto his shoulders. Nearby, Carrie watched them from a distance, her stomach churning. She had seen Austin leave with Will, and she knew what was coming. She couldn’t bear to be part of it, so she had let him go alone.
Her grandmother Caroline stood beside her, wringing her hands. “Oh, Carrie,” Caroline said softly. “You just missed Austin. ”
“I know.
I saw him leave with Will. I wanted to give him some time alone. He has to prepare Will, explain that he can’t…” Carrie’s voice broke. “How’s he going to get through this, Grandma?
”
Caroline wrapped an arm around her. “It’s terrible, you know? Not just for little Will, but for you and Austin. I know how much you wanted to raise that boy, for Sami’s sake.
Because you love him too. ”
“And after all Austin has done, all he risked to keep Will with him…”
“It’s completely unfair,” Caroline agreed. “I saw the pain in his eyes. He’s devastated.
”
Carrie broke down. “Yes, he has, and it’s all my fault. ”
“That’s not true, Carrie. You mustn’t blame yourself.
”
But Carrie couldn’t hear her. She was already drowning in guilt. —
In the courthouse hallway, Lucas faced Eric Brady, a smug grin plastered on his face. “You really think Nicole loves you?
That she’s going to get our marriage annulled? ”
Eric stood rigid. “Yes, Lucas. There is no way she won’t.
”
“He’s definitely delusional,” Lucas said, turning to his lawyer. “You need help, pal. Talk about denial. She married me.
Reality bites. She chose me over you, and may I say the best man won? ”
Eric stepped closer, his voice low. “What did you do to get her to marry you?
”
“I told you, Eric. ”
“Because I know it wasn’t her choice. ”
“I’m the best man for her. ”
“No, you forced her into this marriage, and then you forced her into that courtroom so you could get custody of your son.
”
“Did it look like she was forced? ”
“What did you threaten her with? ”
Lucas laughed. “It’s what I could offer her, Eric.
You’re one desperate man. Maybe that’s why she kicked you to the curb. Desperate is so ugly. ”
“What did you do to her?
”
“Asked her to marry me. She happily accepted. ”
“You forced her into this. I know you did.
”
“You give me far too much credit. I’m powerful, but not that powerful. Face it, whatever you and Nicole had meant more to you than it did to her. So who’s the loser now, Brady?
”
Eric’s fists clenched. He was ready to swing when his lawyer Gregory stepped between them. “You don’t want to do this, Eric. My client will press charges.
”
“Let him,” Eric spat. “He’s not going to get away with this anyway. ”
Lucas grinned. “I already have.
Nicole’s my wife. I have custody of my son. All you have is egg on your face. ”
“I don’t know how you pulled this off,” Eric growled, “but you are not going to get away with it.
I will find out exactly what you did. ”
“Why don’t you give it up, man? Work on being a better loser,” Lucas said, turning away. “Let’s get out of here, Gregory.
I’m going to go pick up my son and take him home to my new bride so we can start our new lives together. ”
Eric’s voice followed him down the hall. “I will find out, Lucas. I will find out exactly what you did, and when I do…”
—
Down in the jail cell, Sami sat hunched on a cot, sobbing.
The judge’s words echoed in her head, drowning out everything else. *Full and permanent custody of young William to his father Lucas and his stepmother Nicole Roberts. *
She had lost everything. Her son.
Her hope. Her reason for living. The door opened, and a man in a clerical collar stepped inside. “Sami.
I’m here. It’s me, Orin. Come on now. I want to help.
”
“I don’t want your help,” Sami choked out. “There’s nothing you can do. It’s over now. The judge, he…”
“Is this about your little boy?
” Orin asked gently. “Did the judge give Lucas custody? ”
“My sweet angel,” Sami whispered. “My little baby boy.
I’ve lost my little angel. ”
“Sami, I’m so sorry. ”
“You don’t understand. It’s bad enough thinking I can’t raise my own child, but I had this hope that Austin could take him.
Austin could make him happy, keep him safe and loved. And now even that’s not going to happen. ”
Orin sat beside her. “You didn’t expect any of this, did you?
”
“How could I expect the courts to take Will away from the one man he loved most in the world? He thought of Austin as his father. And now they’ve given him to Lucas. Lucas almost had him killed, you know?
And now he has the chance to do it again. ”
“Sami, you have to try to calm down. ”
“How can I calm down? ” she screamed.
“My son is the only worthwhile thing I’ve ever done in my life. He was the most important thing in the world to me, and I failed him. I couldn’t even protect my own little boy. ”
A sharp cry tore from her throat, and she collapsed to the ground.
Orin lunged forward. “Sami! ”
A guard rushed in. “Is she okay?
”
“I don’t know. We need a doctor immediately. ”
—
In the park, Austin set Will down on a bench. He sat across from him, his voice thick with emotion.
“You are my best friend in the whole world, and best friends tell each other the truth, right? The truth is, you’re going to go live with Daddy Lucas from now on. ”
Will’s face scrunched. “Why?
”
“Because you’re going to have a fun time,” Austin said, forcing cheer. “You’ll live in a big house with a huge backyard, a basketball court, a baseball diamond. You want to be like Michael Jordan, right? Or Kevin Garnett.
Everything is going to be fine. Lucas will make sure of it. ”
Will looked down. “Okay.
”
“I’m always going to be there for you,” Austin promised. “If you ever need me, you just let me know. That’s an agreement? ”
Will nodded.
“Yeah. ”
“Good. Now, I saw an ice cream truck around here. What do you say we race over there?
Ready, set, go. ”
They ran together, laughing, but Austin’s heart was heavy. He had failed the boy he loved like a son. Later, Lucas arrived.
“There he is. I’ve been looking for you. Today is the day I finally get to take you home with me. ”
He knelt, pulling Will into an embrace.
“I’ve been waiting so long for this day, big guy. I missed you. But we don’t need to miss each other anymore. We’re going to be together from now on.
I got a present for you—we’ve got more at home. Video games, action figures. And there’s going to be a wonderful woman who’s going to help take care of you. Her name is Nicole.
You’re going to love her. ”
Lucas stood, turning to Austin. “Well, I guess I’ll take him now. I’ll have Henderson come back for his belongings.
”
“I can bring his things when I come to see him later,” Austin said. “That’s not going to work. ”
“What are you talking about? ”
Lucas handed him a folded document.
“You’re not allowed to visit him. The judge has issued a written order forbidding you to visit Will for the next sixty days. Read it and weep. ”
Austin stared at the page, his face going pale.
He looked up at Will, fighting to keep his composure. Lucas took the boy’s hand. “Come on, buddy, let’s go home. ”
Will looked back at Austin with a small, uncertain wave.
“Bye. ”
Austin stood frozen. “Goodbye, Will. ”
—
Carrie approached him afterward, her voice thin.
“Austin, I’m so sorry. ”
He flinched away. “I don’t need your comfort. I don’t need anything from you.
Drop the charade, Carrie. You don’t have to pretend you’re the good wife anymore. Go be with Mike now. Get the hell away from me.
Go be with your lover. ”
Carrie’s face crumpled. She turned and walked back to her grandmother, who was waiting outside. “It’s all my fault,” Carrie whispered when she reached her.
“Carrie, come on, sit down,” Caroline said gently. “You can’t blame yourself. You did everything you could to support Austin. You came back early from your business trip to be at the hearing by his side.
”
“But I did let him down, Grandma, in the worst possible way. I broke my wedding vows. I’ve been unfaithful. ”
Caroline’s eyes widened.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then she spoke. “Let me ask you something. Do you judge me as harshly as you’re judging yourself?
”
Carrie looked up. “What do you mean? ”
“I made a terrible mess of things myself, a long time ago. When I see your pain and guilt, it brings it all back.
I was unfaithful to my husband. I had an affair with Victor. I had his child—Bo, my precious Bo. I tried to console myself that all that pain wasn’t for nothing, because I had a beautiful son to show for it.
Then I’d think about what I’d done to Shawn, and I don’t have to tell you what that guilt feels like. ”
“So Grandpa forgave you? ”
“He didn’t know about it for a long time, and it wasn’t any less painful when he did find out. But, yes, eventually he forgave me.
We had to work at it. We had to put the pieces together. Our love pulled us through. ”
“Austin won’t even talk to me.
”
“You’ve got to keep trying, Carrie. He needs you now more than he ever has. ”
“But he doesn’t want me there. I’m the last person he wants to comfort him.
”
“He’ll forgive you. You have to put your heart and soul into it, and it will happen. ”
“I pray you’re right,” Carrie said, though her voice was hollow. —
Kate cornered Nicole in the sitting room, her eyes cold.
“You have been bought and paid for, honey. So do what I tell you, and stop making yourself out to be a victim. ”
“No,” Nicole said firmly, “Will’s the victim. And Eric.
”
“Well, it sure as hell isn’t you. You made more money in one day than most people make in a lifetime. But I’m curious about just one thing—your disappearance. Lucas told me he couldn’t find you in Chicago, and then the bank called and told me you’d cashed my check, which led me to believe you’d taken the money and run.
So why did you come back? Why did you change your mind? ”
“I have my reasons. ”
“You know what I think?
I think you knew you couldn’t escape me. I would track you down wherever you went, to the furthest corners of the earth. ”
“You give yourself too much credit. ”
“You made the right choice taking my money.
Marrying Lucas was a good move. You did it for selfish reasons, but it fit right into our plan, because we got what we wanted most—custody of Will. ”
“That’s right. You got exactly what you wanted.
So you don’t need me anymore. ”
Kate smiled. “It’s not that simple. Lucas doesn’t know you married him because I paid you to do it.
He thinks it’s what you both wanted. And I know you wouldn’t be foolish enough to tell him the truth now, would you? ”
“Another threat, Kate? ”
“My son is the happiest he’s ever been in his life, and I intend to make sure he stays that way.
So you are going to remain married to him, and you’re going to be the happiest little wife you could possibly be. ”
“Oh, am I? ”
“I like the idea even less than you do, but that’s the way it’s going to be. Clear?
”
At that moment, Eric appeared in the doorway, his face flushed with fury. “I knew it. You blackmailed her. ”
Kate and Nicole both spun toward him.
The doorbell rang, but Eric ignored it, stepping into the room. “I knew there was something else to this. This so-called marriage. And I was right.
What else would you two be talking about? Kate, you can’t buy Nicole. She’s not for sale, not at any price. ”
Kate laughed.
“She already sold herself, Eric. The moment she cashed my check. ”
—
Across the mansion, a woman named Helen let a young man into the foyer. “Mr.
Alamain, you’re back. ”
“Hi, Helen. How are you? ”
“Oh, fine.
Come in. ”
Vivian, resting on the sofa, heard the voice and sat up sharply. “Alamain? Nicky?
” She rose, her legs weak. “Nicky? Nicky. Oh, no.
It can’t be. ”
She turned the corner and saw him—her nephew, Nicholas, standing there, smiling. He held a gift. “Long time no see, Auntie Viv.
I hope you haven’t forgotten about me. ”
Vivian staggered. “Oh, my God. It can’t be.
”
Nicholas stepped forward, offering the present. “A gift. Nice touch, Nick. Just to smooth the way, make sure she’s happy to see me.
”
Vivian stared at him, her hand trembling. “Why are you here? ”
“So much has changed,” he said. “Princess Gina is in Salem.
What is that all about? And why did she pretend she didn’t know me? ”
Vivian’s mind raced. She had invited him, but not like this.
She needed a reason for him to be here, a reason to get to Victor. This party was her plan—a way to get Bo everything he wanted and win back Victor. Nicholas was the key. But his sudden appearance unsettled her.
“I’m feeling a little lightheaded,” she murmured. Stefano entered, frowning. “Lightheaded? Sit down, Vivian.
”
“I guess you’re right. I don’t have the energy for all this. ”
“Why don’t I get you some tea? ”
“You’re a lamb,” she said, sinking back onto the sofa.
But her eyes never left Nicholas. —
John and Gina stood on the grounds of Salem Place. She was close, too close, her hand on his arm. “You seemed rather hesitant to be alone with me,” she said.
“Just got a lot on my mind. I’ve been thinking about Gina lately, and that gift I gave her. ”
“Have you remembered anything more? Any idea what it could have been?
”
“No, but the more I think about it—obviously, Gina and John were very good friends. It probably wasn’t anything more than a token of their friendship. ”
“But what if it wasn’t? ” Gina pressed, her voice rising.
“What if it really did mean something special, something unique? ”
His phone rang. He pulled it out, relieved for the interruption. “Yeah, John Black here.
Yo, Stanley, what’s up? Yeah. Business. It’s going to take a couple of minutes.
”
When he hung up, he turned to her. “Look, a piece of business came up. I’ve got to take care of it. ”
“Right now?
”
“Unfortunately. But I’ll meet you back here in an hour, and you can show me whatever it is you want to show me. ”
Gina nodded, a strange calm settling over her. “Fine.
One hour. ”
He turned and walked away. She watched him disappear, then whispered to herself. “When you get back, John, that’s it.
No more stalling. I’ve got tangible proof now, proof that you and I belong together. ”
—
In the hospital, Sami lay on a gurney, her eyes open but unfocused. Orin stood by her side.
“She’s been through so much,” he told the doctor. “And now this terrible news about her son. ”
“The collapse was probably brought on by emotional stress, but I can’t be sure without tests. We’ll have to keep her down here in the hospital.
Rita, this patient is a death row inmate. I want you posted right outside the door. ”
“No problem, doctor. ”
Orin squeezed Sami’s hand.
“I’ll be praying for you, Sami. ”
As soon as he was gone, Sami opened her eyes fully. A cold determination settled over her face. She looked toward the door, then at the window.
She whispered under her breath, “Now, to find a way out of here. ”
—
Lucas walked into the DiMera mansion, Will’s hand in his. He was grinning, triumphant. He had his son.
He had the woman he loved. There was just one thing missing—his mother’s approval. He thought to himself, *It doesn’t get any better than this. I’ve got my son, the woman I love.
There’s just one thing missing, and only my mother can give me that. *
In the park, under the fading sun, Austin stood alone. He had lost the boy he loved like his own. He had lost the woman he trusted.
He had nothing left but anger and grief. And in the dim hallway of the hospital, Sami swung her legs off the gurney, testing the shackles her handlers had removed. The moment the guard turned her back, she would move. The key to everything was still turning in the locks.
Somewhere, a party was being planned. A memory was waiting to return. And a mother was about to take back her son.
