A Fresh Start
Chapter Twenty Two
After following Sam and Jeffrey back to the hotel, the man that had broken into Sam's apartment calls Simmons. After a couple rings, he picks up. "Hello."
"It's me, boss." Ralph says
"What can you tell me?"
"Not a whole lot, she lives a fairly ordinary life. She leaves for work around six am and is usually off by six. She doesn't go out much, although she has been this week because she's got a guy with her. She's changed her hair color. Other than that, there's really not much more I can tell you, beside what I told you when I called after going through her apartment.
"Do they know you were in the apartment?"
"No, I made sure not to leave any prints."
"Have you been able to get close to her?"
"No, that guy is keeping a pretty close watch on her and I can't were she works. They were at the apartment after the break-in but she was with this guy, another man and a woman. They went to the apartment and then to eat and after that they went to where she works. They were there for about three or four hours and then they left. I haven't seen the other woman since that night, but the guy is still here."
"She is a federal agent."
"Yes, do you want me to continue following her?"
"Yes. I'll be in touch."
"Okay."
Jeffrey rolls to his back pulling Sam to him he lightly kisses her as he whispers "I love you."
"I love you too." She says, moving to her side, putting one arm across his stomach. "I guess we need to go back to the apartment and start cleaning it up."
"I've already taken care of that."
"You have." She says, looking up at him.
"Yes. I called Noah and asked him to have agents go over and clean it up. I didn't want you to have to deal with it."
"Thank you. I wasn't really looking forward to it anyway. Some of that stuff I've had since I was a little girl. And that china cabinet was my grandmothers. I had to have it shipped up here after her funeral." Sam says, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I think they can repair it. And if they can't we will replace it."
"It's not…."
"I know it's not the same, but I don't want you to loose it because of Olivia."
"You don't know that she's involved."
"Do you know of any other woman that's connected to me that would want to hurt you?"
"No, but you can't jump to conclusions, especially about your daughter's mother. What happens if you do accuse her and she didn't have anything to do with the break in?"
"After what she did last weekend, I think Ava will understand my suspicions. I won't say anything to Olivia until we have some type of proof." He says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for worrying about Ava." He says, leaning over and kissing her.
"I know what it feels like to be pulled between parents. Grown or not, it still hurts to know you have to choose."
"Your father loved you Sam, you know he did."
"Maybe so, but she was my mother. And I shouldn't have been made to choose."
"No, you shouldn't have." Jeffrey says, holding her for a while. "Now that Richard is doing so well, have you thought anymore about coming to Springfield?"
"No, not really, do you really want me to come?"
"Of course, I want you to come. Don't you want to?"
"I want to be with you. If that means moving to Springfield then I can move."
"What about the agency?"
"My enlistment is up. I only stayed on because I didn't have anything else to do. And I was happy working at the center and the patients. But I'm a doctor, leaving the agency will not bother me."
"I'm sure Cedars would be happy to have you on their staff."
"Or I could open my own practice."
"If you want your own practice, that's fine."
"When I go in tomorrow morning, I'll talk to Dr. Frost and the director."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Sam says. "Richard will be released in a matter of weeks if not days. The rest of my patients Dr. Frost can take over." Sam says, leaning up and kissing him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Pulling back, he says. "Before we get too carried away, there's one more thing I want to ask you."
"Okay."
"When you move to Springfield, will you move into the loft with me?"
"You want us to live together."
"Yeah, I know it's been a long time since we've lived together, and I've probably resorted back to all those things that you hate, but I still feel connected to you and I don't want us living in separate apartments and having to say good bye to each other."
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask." Jeffrey says, moving closer to her. "Now where were we?"
"Umm, about here." She says, leaning in and kissing him.
When Reva reached Springfield it is late. Josh said little to her when she walk in and he didn't ask about the trip or Jeffrey's emergency but had gone to bed after kissing her good night.
She waited till the next day to contact Colin after Josh left the house for a meeting with Reverend Rutledge. Dialing the number to his office and after a couple of rings his nurse answers.
"Hello, Dr. Colin McCabe's office."
"Yes, Nancy, this is Reva Shayne. Is Colin in?"
"He's with a patient right now."
"Could you please ask him to call me when he gets through? It's important that I speak with him."
"I'll be sure to give him the message."
"Thank you."
A couple of hours later, the phone rings as Reva is leaving the bathroom. Reaching for the phone she answers on the second ring. "Hello."
"Reva, its Colin, what's wrong?'
"I need to see you, it's important."
"What's this about?'
"I can't get into it over the phone. Can you meet me at the lighthouse around three this afternoon?"
"I can, but can you at least give me an idea what this is about?"
"Our mutual friend."
"I'll see you at three."
At ten minutes to three, Reva pulls up to the light house. Opening the car door, she gets out and looking around she makes sure no one is watching before she walks into the lighthouse. A few minutes later, Colin pulls up beside Reva's car and repeats what she did before he walks into the lighthouse. Reva is waiting for him. They hug before Colin asks. "How does this have to do with him?"
"We need to go upstairs." Reva says, walking towards the stairs with Colin following behind her. "I'll tell you when we get up there." She says, as they start to climb.
Pushing the door open, Reva walks out onto the observation deck, walking around till they can see their cars below and anyone who comes up.
"So what is this about?"
"You need to get in touch with him."
"I don't know that I can. He's moving around a lot."
"You have too, things have changed."
"How? Did something happen to Alan?"
"No."
"Then how have things changed?"
"His father is alive?"
"I don't understand how that changes things. I thought Alfred tormented him."
"Not Alfred, his biological father, Richard Winslow, the former Crowned Prince and President of San Cristobel, he is alive and he still a member of the royal family. He can protect Jon and Sarah from Alan."
"I thought he was killed a few years ago, in a car accident, if I read the article correctly."
"We all thought he did too, but he's been in Washington DC at a hospital there, in a coma until a couple weeks ago."
"Are you sure it's him?"
"Yes, I'm sure. I saw him a couple days ago. I touched him, I saw him walk. He's alive and he wants Jonathan to bring Sarah to the San Cristobel embassy in Washington. They will be protected there and Alan can't touch them."
"Because he'll be on San Cristobel soil."
"Yes."
"I have a number of a friend that he stayed with when Sarah was sick. I can't guarantee that he will be there or that we'll be able to get in touch with him. He stayed there when Sarah was sick, because it was close to the clinic but she's not due for a check up for another month."
"Call him now; Richard wants him in Washington as soon as possible."
"Okay." Colin says, pulling his phone from his pocket he pushes a couple buttons and the phone starts to ring. After a couple rings, a woman answers the phone.
"Hello."
"Yes, this is Dr. Colin McCabe, is Jonathan there."
"Just a minute, he's outside with Sarah." The woman says, walking to the back door. "Jon." She calls, holding up the phone. It takes a few minutes for him to get to the phone.
"Hello."
"Jonathan."
"Who wants to know?'
"It's Dr. McCabe."
"Is there something wrong with Sarah?"
"No, but I have someone here that wants to talk to you." Colin says, handing the phone to Reva.
"Jon." Reva says.
"Mom, is that you? Are you okay. What's going on?"
"It's me and I'm okay, but I need to see you."
"Mom, I don't know."
"This is important Jonathan. I promise everything will be okay. I won't let anything happen to you or Sarah, but I have to see you." Reva says, pleading with him.
"Okay, where?"
"You can't come to Springfield. It's too dangerous. Do you know the Inn out on Route 19 going towards Laurel Falls?"
"Yes."
"Meet me there, tomorrow. Can you make it there by then?"
"I can if I leave right now."
"I'll see you and that beautiful baby girl tomorrow."
"Okay."
"And Jon, please be careful."
"I will, I'm good at this remember."
"Yes, well Alan is good too. And until you're safe watch your back."
"I will. I'll see you tomorrow."
Jonathan hangs up and Reva hands the phone back to Colin. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, but I hope this is the right thing to do."
"It is. Jonathan can stop running and Richard will get to know his son and granddaughter."
"And Alan."
"Let Alan try to get to them. He can't take on the royal family of San Cristobel. He can try but he can't win." Reva says, her eyes flashing with determination.
"I hope you're right."
"I know I am. Don't worry Colin. Everything will work out."
"Okay. Keep me informed."
"I will. Now I need to go. I have to tell Josh what's going on. And I'm already in hot water with him as it is."
"You'll be okay, you always are." Reva leaves the lighthouse, followed by Colin.
Richard finishes his last therapy session for the day and after he's back in his room, his therapist calls a meeting to discuss his progress. After the meeting wraps up Dr. Phillips calls Sam. She is just stepping out of the shower when Jeffrey brings her the phone. "Who is it?"
"Dr. Phillips."
"Okay." Sam says, taking the phone from him and smiling at his soft whistle. "Dr. Phillips."
"Sam, I'm sorry to interrupt your evening."
"It's okay. Is something wrong with Mr. Jackson?"
"He's the same. I'm not calling about him. I just finished speaking with the other therapists about Richard."
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine. He's met all the goals we set for him and I think that the only thing left is for him to continue building his strength and he can do that outside the agency and hospital."
"So, you're recommending he be released?"
"Yes, there really isn't anything more we can do for him here."
"Okay, thank you."
"I'll leave the date of release up to you."
"Thank you."
They hang up as Sam walks out of the bathroom with a huge smile on her face."
"What?" Jeffrey asks, looking up from the TV.
"That was Richard's therapist."
"What did she say?"
"She's releasing him." Sam says, grabbing a pair of blue jeans, t-shirt and underwear.
"What does that mean?"
"That means…" pausing she bends over to pull up her jeans, "that he can be release as soon as I check him over and clear him medically." Sam asks, standing up and picking up her t-shirt.
"Really."
"Yes." She replies, pulling the shirt over her head.
"Before the 4th."
"I don't see why not." She says, sitting down on the bed and reaching for her sandals when she has them on she stands up, grabbing her keys, purse and cell phone.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought I would go to the agency and tell Cassie and Richard, maybe get the ball rolling on his release."
"I'll go with you."
"No, there's no need, besides you have to finish packing."
"That will take me five minutes." Jeffrey says, walking over to her.
"I won't be that long, I promise. And when I get back, we'll spend the night together, alone, no interruptions." Sam says, leaning up to kiss him.
"Okay." Jeffrey says, taking a step back after a few seconds.
"I'll be back in a couple hours."
Sam leaves and Jeffrey goes back to watching TV. In the parking lot, two spaces down from Sam's car is the dark sedan that Jeffrey had seen outside the agency and following them night before.
Ralph has a clear view of the lobby and front doors so he sees Sam walk out of the hotel this time alone. Starting the car, he waits until she pulls out of her parking place and then he follows her.
About halfway between the hotel and the agency, Sam has an overwhelming feeling that someone is watching her. Looking in the rear view mirror she notices the dark sedan, but she dismisses it as just another person on the freeway.
When she arrives at the agency she pulls in and parks in the parking lot across the street from the center and hospital. Getting out, she locks the car and then walks across the lot. As she is walking across the street, a dark sedan parks on the street under a lamp and as she walks by the driver turns towards her and she is able to see his right cheek. She notices that he has a scar.
Taking another look, she tries to see what color his hair is, but it's hard to tell because half of his face and head are in shadow. When she reaches the complex, she hurries to the hospital. Walking inside, she smiles faintly at the guard, flashing her badge as she pulls her phone from her purse, dialing Jeffrey's number. He picks up on the second ring.
"Hello."
"J."
"Hey, you just left."
"I know."
Her tone of voice gives him the feeling that something isn't right. "What is wrong?"
"I think I just saw the man that Reva described at the apartment, the one she said did the break in."
"Are you sure?"
"I don't know. I couldn't see what color his hair was, but he has the scar on his right cheek." Sam says, sounding unnerved.
"Do you want me to come and get you?"
"Y… No, it's probably doesn't mean anything. It's just my imagination. I'll finish up here and then I'll be home."
"Okay, but you call me when you leave the agency and have one of the other doctors or guards walk you out."
"Okay."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. I'll be there in a couple of hours." Sam says, walking off the elevator on Richard's floor.
"Okay, remember to call me before you leave the parking lot."
"I will."
"Okay." Jeffrey says
They hang up, just before she walks into Richard's room. Cassie was sitting in a chair by the window alone when Sam walks in saying "Hi."
"Hi." Cassie replies, turning from the window.
"Where's Richard?" Sam asks.
"I'm right here." He says, walking out of the bathroom.
"Hi." Sam says, turning around as Richard walks over to the bed and sits down
"So, what's going on?" He asks.
"I thought you left for the day?" Cassie says
"I did, but I had to come back."
"Why?" Richard asks.
"Because I got great news and I wanted to tell both of you right away."
"Okay." Cassie says, getting up and walking over to the bed, sitting down next to Richard.
"Dr. Phillips called me this evening after I got home."
"What did she say?" Cassie asks.
"She had a meeting with the other staff and they all agree that they've done all they can do for you." Sam says, looking at Richard. "The rest is up to you."
"What does that mean?" Cassie asks
"That means that I can release him whenever I think you should be released." Sam says with a smile.
"So, he could go home before the 4th." Cassie asks.
"He can go home as soon as I check him out and make sure that everything is okay."
"You mean I could go home tonight." Richard asks, looking over at Cassie.
"Yes."
"You're serious." Cassie asks.
"Yes. He's made phenomenal progress, more progress than we expected. Checking him out is a formality. I think you're healed Mr. Winslow."
"I'll step out into the hall and you can examine him." Cassie says, getting up and walking to the door as Sam pulls a stethoscope for her back pocket. She gives Richard a quick but through examination before she opens the door for Cassie. "So?" Cassie asks, walking back into the room.
"He's clear." Sam says
"So, I can go home." Richard asks
"Yes."
"Tonight?" Cassie asks.
"I don't see why not. I'll get the paperwork started." Sam says, as they hug and then kiss.
Leaving the room, Sam walks over the nurse's station. They nurse on duty looks up and smiles as Sam reaches for the paperwork to release Richard. After Sam left Cassie steps back and leaning her forehead she whispers "You're coming home" as she begins to cry.
"Hey." Richard says. "This is a good thing."
"I know." Cassie says, stepping back and reaching up to wipe the tears away. I was thinking about how I thought I lost you and now I'm getting you back?"
"And that's a good thing."
"Yes, but I was so lost when you died."
"And now we have a second chance to make all of our dreams come true."
"I know." She says, kissing him. After a couple seconds, she steps back. "We need to call the embassy and have them send a car for us. And we have to pack your stuff up."
"I don't need any of this stuff."
"Are you sure? Even the clothes."
"We can take the clothes."
"Okay." Cassie says, as Sam walks into the room.
"I've got the paperwork here. All you need to do is sign." She says, laying the papers on the table next to Richard.
"Okay." Richard says taking the pen Sam is holding out to him.
Cassie picks up the phone and dials the number to the embassy as Sam gives Richard instructions for his release. "I'm going to give you two prescriptions for your back, one is a pain reliever, and the other is a muscle relaxer. I'm also going to take you off the seizure medication, since you haven't had anymore."
"Okay."
"I want you to take these prescriptions only when you need them. They can become addictive. You can still lift things, but you have to be careful or you could reinjure your back. I recommend that you lift no more than 50 lbs at a time."
"Okay." Richard says, taking the prescriptions.
"That's everything then." Sam says, as Cassie hangs up.
"The driver should be here within the hour." Cassie says, turning to Richard and Sam.
"I'm giving him these prescriptions for his back and I'm taking him off the seizure meds. I've also advised him not to lift more that 50 lbs at a time. Do you need any help packing up?"
"No, I'm only taking the clothes. You can throw the rest of it away. Nothing against you Sam, you've been a wonderful doctor, but I don't want to be reminded of this place." Richard says, as Cassie starts to gather up the clothes she brought him over the last couple weeks.
"I understand." Sam says, smiling.
"What are you going to do now that Richard's leaving?" Cassie asks
"Are you staying here?" Richard asks, suspecting the answer before he asked the question.
"Actually no I'm not. I'll be moving to Springfield."
"With Jeffrey?" Richard asks
"Yes." Sam says, smiling.
"You both make a good couple." Richard says. "You'll be good for him."
"Thank you." Sam says. "I'm going to go. I've got some business I need to take care of. I'm so glad you're alright Richard." Sam says, walking over and hugging him and then turning to Cassie.
When she steps back, Cassie says. "Thank you for giving him back to me."
"You're both welcome, but I was only doing my job." Sam says
"I appreciate it anyway. You saved us." She says, noticing for the first time that something was different about her. "You've changed something…." Cassie says, looking her up and down. "Your hair, it's darker."
"Yes, I went back to my natural color." Sam says, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear."
"I like it. It looks good on you." Cassie says
"Thank you. I'm going to go. I've got some business to take care of and then I'm going to leave for the night."
"We should be leaving as soon as the car gets here." Cassie says, standing next to Richard.
"You both be careful." Sam replies, walking over to the door.
"Sam, there's one other question." Richard says, as she opens the door.
"Okay." She says, turning back to him.
"I was wondering if we can, you know."
"I don't see why not. Your back seems to have healed completely, as long as you use common sense there shouldn't be a problem."
"Thank you." Richard says, putting his arm around Cassie.
"Take care." She says, smiling as she walks out of the room, letting the door close behind her.
When she leaves Richard room, she goes to her office. Sitting down at her desk, she turns on her computer and begins her letter of resignation. About twenty minutes later, she hits the print button. Reaching for the letter, she folds it and slips it into and envelop, signing Dr. Frost's name on the front. Before she turns the computer off, she emails a copy to the director before she leaves her office. Opening Dr. Frost's office, she lays the letter on his desk and then leaves. As she is walking out, she meets Richard and Cassie leaving the hospital.
"We'll see you in Springfield?" Cassie asks.
"Yes, are you going to be there this weekend?"
"We haven't discussed it." Richard says.
"Well from what Jeffrey has told me, it's going to be quite a party."
"Yes, I've been to the Bauer BBQ. You'll have fun, if you go." Richard says.
"I'm looking forward to it, and the parade. Jeffrey will be busy with that." Sam says, as they walk across the courtyard.
"Why?" Richard asks
"You don't know."
"I haven't got around to telling you. Jeffrey's mayor of Springfield." Cassie says
"Mayor!" Richard says with a smile.
"What?" Sam asks
"He's come a long way from his time in San Cristobel." Richard says, as they arrive at the car from the embassy.
As the driver opens the door, Sam remembers that Jeffrey asked her to have a doctor to walk out with her.
"Ah, could you guys wait till I get to my car?" Sam asks, nodding at the parking lot across the street
"Ah sure, is something wrong?" Cassie asks
"No, everything is fine. It's late and dark and…." Sam replies.
"No, we understand. If you want we could take you to the car." Richard offers
"No, I'm parked right over there. It'll be alright if you just wait until I'm in the car and leaving."
"We can certainly do that." Richard says.
"Thank you and I'll see you both in Springfield." Sam says, stepping away from the car. "I'll only be a minute."
"We'll wait."
Sam walks across the street to her car. At the other end of the sidewalk, the dark sedan is still parked and Ralph watches as Sam gets into her car. Getting in, she starts the car; reaching from her cell phone she dials Jeffrey's number. He answers the call on the third ring.
"Hello."
"I'm leaving."
"Did you see the man again?"
"No. I'll be home in a few minutes."
"Be careful and I'll see you when you get here."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Sam hangs up, pulling out of her parking place, followed by Richard and Cassie and Ralph.
When Sam reaches Reston, she stops at the corner market just down from the hotel, running inside. She grabs a bottle of chocolate syrup. Walking up to the counter, she notices a man walk in from the corner of the eye. Looking towards him he has his head turned towards the window, showing only the left side of his face. He was blonde, but Sam can't tell if he was the same one in the car at the agency.
Shaking her head, she turns her attention back to the clerk, but she can't shake the uneasy feeling she got from the man. Walking out, she looks around but the man has disappeared.
"You're getting paranoid." Sam says out loud walking to her car. Getting in, she puts the bag in the passenger seat before she sits down as a man walks up the car.
"Excuse me Ms." Jumping, Sam looks up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"Its okay, can I help you?"
22.12