The day of the hearing arrived and Sami was nervous. She knew the DiMera influence was strong but she knew her bad luck could rear it’s ugly head and something would go terribly wrong. She put on a navy blue dress and pulled her hair back away from her face with a clip. She walked back into the bedroom and found EJ adjusting his tie. He grew stronger every day. He now rarely had to depend on the wheelchair, he was walking quite well with the aid of a cane. He smiled when he saw her enter the room, “So are you all ready”

She sighed, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She put her earrings in and fastened the back, “Is Chelsea coming to watch the twins?” EJ put on his cuff links, “She and Nick should be here any moment.”

“Good. Well I don’t know about you but I need some caffeine if I am ever going to make it through this day.” She laughed.

“I’ll make the coffee” He winked at her, “Don’t worry, darling, soon this will all be over.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

They both walked into the courtroom hand in hand. It was the first time that Sami had seen Lucas in over a month and if looks could kill she would have been dead on the floor. Lucas turned away and refused to look at her. EJ saw the look he shot at Samantha and he was angry, “Don’t let him get to you darling.” He whispered in her ear.

They sat down next to their attorney and shortly the hearing began. They both sat in silence as the attorney’s bickered back and forth. They listened to the litany of witnesses from both sides. Sami took the stand and broke down into tears over everything that Lucas put her through. The attorney had prepped her well and she quickly gained the favor of the judge.

When Lucas took the stand the attorney for the DiMera’s tore him to shreds. He left the stand a blubbering mess. When the social worker took the stand it just put a final nail into Lucas’ coffin. She described in detail what happened when she conducted her visit and the look on the judge’s face was priceless. EJ watched in subdued amusement. He squeezed Samantha’s hand. “Almost there love” he whispered.

After a brief recess, the judge announced that she had made her decision. She looked at Lucas first and then Samantha, “It’s my final decision that full custody of Alice Caroline Horton will be granted to her mother, Samantha Wells DiMera. No visitation shall be granted to Mr Horton in light of his past behavior.”

Lucas sprang up out of his seat and yelled, “NO! You can’t take my daughter away and give her to that bitch of a mother!”

The judge banged her gavel, “That will be enough Mr Horton. I highly suggest that you sit down.”, she peered over her glasses. Lucas was instantly intimidated and took his seat.

The judge then addressed the two attorney’s. “Will there be anything further.” Lucas’ attorney declined but the attorney for the DiMera’s spoke up, “Yes your honor. Mr. DiMera would like to petition the court for the adoption of Alice Caroline Horton.”

Lucas was stunned, “Hell no!! He can’t adopt my daughter!!” The judge motioned for a guard to subdue him. Lucas was beyond hysterics at least point. Screaming obscenities at Sami and EJ and becoming more combative when they didn’t react. The guard pulled him from the courtroom in handcuffs.

The judge looked over the paperwork and requested a private conference with the attorney. After a few moments the judge announced her decision, “It’s the decision of the court that Mr. DiMera’s petition be granted. As of today’s date, Alice Caroline Horton is now the legal adopted daughter of Elvis DiMera. Her legal name from this date forward shall be Alice Caroline Wells DiMera.” She banged her gavel and nodded approvingly at EJ and Sami, “Congratulations.”