On Days of Our Lives - why did sammy lose her twins to E.J?

After Sami wanted to keep EJ/Sami's daughter from EJ, EJ decided to kidnap Sydney for revenge. After the heroic, amazing, almighty Rafe found out, he played EJ's confession during EJ and Sami's wedding. Sami then took the kids and left. Later, after receiving a call from Kate who overheard EJ and Stefano talking about taking the kids, Sami went over and shot EJ in the head. Rafe's dead sister, Arianna recorded Sami confessing, and somehow Nicole ended up with the tape. Nicole gave the tape to EJ. EJ blackmailed Sami, so Sami had to hand the kids over to him.