A Fresh Start
Chapter Twenty Six
Richard, Cassie and Reva are still in the library when one of the staff brings Cassie the phone.
"Ma'am, you have a call." She says, handing her a cordless.
"Who is it?" Cassie asks, taking the phone.
"His Highness, ma'am."
"Thank you, William." She says, looking over at Richard
"Cassie."
"What's going on? Did something happen to the boys?"
"RJ is fine, but I've brought Will to the hospital."
"The hospital, what's wrong?"
"He's running a fever, and I noticed that he was a little jaundiced so I brought him…."
"Is it his liver?"
"They are running tests, but the Dr. Simons wanted me to contact you."
"Alright, I'll be down there by this afternoon."
"I know you wanted to spend sometime with Richard, before you brought him down here with the boys."
"It's okay, I'll be in…."
Richard touches her arm holding out his hand for the phone.
"William, Richard wants to speak with you." Cassie says, handing Richard the phone.
"William."
"Yes."
"Do you have a moment to talk?"
"Ah, yeah." William says, looking over at Will. He is still sleeping. Getting up he leaves the room. "What's going on Richard?"
"I need you to back me up on something."
"What is it?"
"Some things have changed in regards to my son and his daughter."
"I thought Jonathan and Sarah both were dead."
"He faked their deaths to get away from Sarah's grandfather, Alan Spaulding and for the last six or seven months they have been on the run. I need San Cristobel to offer them asylum."
"Richard, the Spauldings…."
"I know they have the factory down there, but we are the only ones that can protect them. Alan has a lot of power, both political and personal but I don't believe that he has enough to take on the Royal Family of San Cristobel. It's the safest place for them, until Sarah's able to look after herself."
"I've got a lot going on right now. I'll need to discuss this with my advisors."
"Okay."
"I'll…."
In the background Richard could hear that intercom. "William, where are you?"
"I'm actually at the hospital." William says, looking into Will's room.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'll let Cassie explain, but I really need to go." He says noticing that Will is awake.
"Okay."
"I'll be in touch about the other matter."
"Okay." They hang up and Richard turns to Cassie, but she's not there. "Where is Cassie?"
"She's upstairs packing." Reva says.
"Will you be okay down here?"
"I'll go see about Jonathan and Sarah." Reva says, following Richard out of the library and upstairs.
When they reach the second floor, they go their separate ways. Reva heads towards the nursery while Richard goes to his and Cassie's suite. Cassie is in their closet, packing when he walks into the room. "Cassie."
"I'm in here." Cassie calls, putting some clothes into a suitcase for her and Richard.
"What's going on?" He asks, walking into the closet. "Why was William at the hospital?"
"He was calling about Will. He's sick again." Cassie says, walking over to the dresser and pulling some more clothes from it. As she walks past Richard, he reaches out to stop her.
"What do you mean he's sick again?" Richard asks
"All William would tell me is that he was running a high fever and he was jaundiced so he took him to the hospital. They are running test but the doctor told him that he needed to contact us."
"I'll call and get us a flight booked." Richard says, as the phone starts to ring.
Walking into the bedroom, Cassie grabs the phone. "Hello." She says, walking back into the closet.
"Cassie, its William."
"Is he worse?" Cassie asks, starting to panic.
"No, Will's sleeping again. The reason I called you back is I forgot to tell you that I've sent the jet for you and Richard." William says, looking in on Will.
"Thank you. Richard was about to book us a flight. Do you know when it will be here?"
"The pilot has instructions to call the embassy when they reach US airspace."
"Thank you. Have you gotten the test results back yet?"
"No."
"I'm going to go. I've got to finish packing."
"Okay."
Cassie hangs up, walking into the closet. Richard is packing when she walks in. "That was William. He's sending the jet for us." She says, going to help him.
Thirty minutes after getting out of shower, Jeffrey and Sam are heading towards her apartment. Pulling into the parking place, Sam turns the car off. Taking the deep breath, she opens the door to get out but Jeffrey reaches over to stop her.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"I'm fine, just nervous." She says, looking at her building.
"I'm sure they've cleaned it up a lot." Jeffrey says, squeezing her hand before they get out.
A few spaces down Ralph watches as they walk up to Sam's apartment. When they reach the apartment, Jeffrey holds out his hand for the key. Unlocking the door, he pushes the door open, letting her walk in.
"Oh wow!" She says, looking around the living room.
The team of agents that Noah sent over had put everything back the way it was, including the china cabinet. The shelves were still bare, except for the few figurines that didn't get broke when they had pulled the shelves out. All of the glass and garbage had been cleaned up. The cushions had been re-stuffed and replaced. All her books had been put back on the bookshelves. She walks through the apartment, amazed at how quickly they had gotten everything back in place.
"I can't believe they got all this done in one night." She says, looking over at Jeffrey.
"They're trained to work fast."
"How long till our flight?"
"A few hours." Jeffrey says, looking at his watch.
Reaching for one of her suitcases she starts to pack while Jeffrey watches her. She is almost finished packing when she spots the cowboy hat. Picking it, she turns to look at him.
"Should I bring it?" She asks.
"No, I think we can handle it without that." He says, walking over her."
"Ummm, I think you're right." Sam says, leaning up and kissing him. Pulling away, she asks "How much time do we have?"
"A few hours." Jeffrey says, leaning closer to her.
"Okay." She says, stepping back.
"We've got time." He says, stepping closer to her.
"No, we don't. The security lines have doubled since they've changed the procedures. And I need to change."
"You look just fine." Jeffrey says, looking down at her legs.
She caught the expression in his eyes. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing." Jeffrey says, looking up at her. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." She says, zipping up her suitcase. Turning to him, she knows exactly what he had been thinking and the idea appealed to her as long as they didn't get caught.
Jeffrey picks the suitcase up. He was turning to leave the apartment when she stops him. "I'm game, if you are." She whispers, leaning up to kiss him before she walks around him and into the living room. "Are you coming?" She asks, looking back over her shoulder.
"Umm, yes." Jeffrey whispers, shaking his head as he walks into the living room
Sam and Jeffrey are pulling out of the parking lot, as Ralph's cell phone starts to ring.
"Hello." He says, pushing talk as he pulls in behind a couple cars.
"Are you still with her?"
"Yes."
"Where is she?"
"I believe we're headed back to her hotel."
"Okay, stay with them."
"I will."
He hangs up as they pull into the hotel parking lot.
"I'll follow you." Jeffrey says, getting out of the car.
"Okay." Sam says, watching him get into the rental car.
They leave a few minutes later. When they reach the airport, Sam takes care of their luggage, checking it in curbside while Jeffrey returns the rental car. And then they get into line for security. It takes about an hour and half for them to get through security.
Holding hands while they walk through the airport, Jeffrey walks over to one of the lounges, stopping, he pulls out his wallet. Opening it, he pulls out a card and shows it to the attendant.
"What are you doing?" Sam asks following him into the lounge as the attendant steps out of the way.
"We've got about an hour till our plane leaves." Jeffrey says, leading her through the lounge to one of the private tables. Helping her to sit down, he slips in beside her as one of the hostesses comes up.
"What would you like Mr. O'Neill?" She asks
"Whiskey on the rocks." Jeffrey says, looking over at Sam.
"Can I have a coke?" Sam says
"Yes ma'am." The hostess says, walking away.
"What is this place?" Sam asks, looking around.
"This is the private lounge and clients can come in here and wait for their flights." Jeffrey says, as the hostess brings their drinks. "Thank you. That will be all. We'll ring if we need anything else."
Nodding, the hostess leaves as Jeffrey sits back and takes a sip of his drink. Sam looks over at him, watching him. "This is what you had in mind at the apartment."
"Not exactly, but…."
"We are in the middle of an airport lounge."
"I thought you said you were okay with this."
"I was teasing you." Sam said. "I didn't know you were actually serious."
"You don't want to." Jeffrey asks, watching her.
"I never thought about it." She replies, taking a sip of her coke. "I mean, in the middle of the airport lounge, what if someone comes by or sees us."
"They won't, that's why I told her that we would ring if we needed anything else." Jeffrey says, pointing to the bell. "And if you didn't notice each table is secluded to give the clients privacy for meetings or whatever they need to do." Jeffrey says, reaching for her hand, playing with her fingers while he watches her. Picking her hand up, he lightly kisses the back of it.
Watching him, she sees the fire burning inside him. "You really want this don't you?"
"It's been something I've thought about." Jeffrey says, putting her hand down, and taking a sip of his drink while he watches her. After a few minutes, he takes her hand again. "If you're not comfortable with this, we can sit here, have a couple drinks and…."
Leaning over, she kisses him. Moving closer to him, she wraps her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Holding her, he takes control. His tongue slipping inside to play with hers as he pulls her onto his lap. Breaking the kiss, she leans back and looks down at him.
"This is your fantasy, what happens?"
"Straddle me."
He helps her to move around until she is kneeling over him. Reaching up, with each hand on either side of her neck, he looks up. His eyes holding hers until he leans forward, kissing her softly. Slowly running his hands down, he gently caresses her breasts as she sighs softly.
Leaning over, she begins to nibble on his ear. Leaving little bites on his neck, while he wraps his arms around her, pulling her against him. She feels his erection pressing against her. She kisses him as she slowly unbuttons his shirt, kissing him while she works her way down to his belt.
"Sam." He groans, slowly running his hands through her hair, holding her mouth against his stomach as his breathing deepens, ragged with desire.
Looking up, she begins to pull his belt open and then each button on his jeans. Leaning over she kisses him softly through his boxers before she reaches inside, freeing him.
"Oh god! Beca." He whispers, laying his head back as she licks him, slowly running her tongue along the length of him, feeling him harden even more.
She takes him inside, caressing him with her tongue while he begins to gently thrust. After a few short seconds he feels himself loosing control. Reaching down, he pulls her up, kissing her as she moves to straddle him again. Reaching for him, she continues to caress him as he wraps his arms around her.
Pulling her dress up, he looks up at her. "Do you want these?" He asks, as his hands rest against her hips.
"What?"
"The panties, do you want them?"
He feels her shiver as she realizes what he's about to do. Shaking her head no, she leans over kissing him as he begins to pull at each side until they rip down the side, pulling them away from her and dropping them to the floor. Wrapping his arms around her, he holds her against him while they kiss. After a while, he begins to move his hands up her thighs, to her hips, slipping his hand between them, caressing her while swallowing her soft moans.
"Darlin, you feel so good." She gasps softly, beginning to rock against him.
"Beca, baby." He mumbles when he feels her body sliding along his erection. "I need you!" He says, kissing her as he takes control of her hips, directing them. He leans forward, kissing her breast through her dress.
The friction of the material against her nipples burns through her, making her desperate. Reaching down, she closes her hand around his erection, guiding him into her.
"J!" She sighs, closing her eyes while desire fills her. She rocks against his hips as he pulls her against him. Pressing in as deeply as he can, caressing that special place inside her. "I feel… you… darlin!" She whines.
"How… do I… feel, Beca?" He gasps, pushing against her driving hips.
"Hot and hard." She whispers, lying against him as she moves in tight little circles.
Wrapping his arms around he lays her down on the bench, leaning over he begins to thrust hard as she arches her back, grabbing his hips and pulling him to her.
"Take me, Baby!" She groans, closing her eyes, feeling him caressing her, feeling the desire building inside them both.
"I wanna make you come." He whispers, reaching for her legs and bringing them up until she wraps them around his waist. "You feel so good. Beca!" He groans softly, thrusting as deeply as he can.
"J" She cries, feeling the release of wave after wave of desire.
"Beca."
Feeling her body clinch around his, caressing him sends him over the edge. He thrusts a few more times, until he feels his release flow out of him, filling her, as waves of desire spread through each of them. Thrusting one more time, he collapses on top of her as she wraps her arms around him. Struggling to get control again, to catch his breath. He leans up and looks down at her. Smiling he leans over and kisses her softly before he sits up and helps her up.
Closing his pants and buttoning his shirt, while she reaches down, finding her panties, she stuffs them into her purse as he reaches for his drink downing it before he leans over and kisses her again. Sitting back, he whispers. "Thank you."
Smiling, she kisses him before she whispers. "You're welcome, but you owe me a fantasy, whenever I want it."
"Ummm." He groans, his eyes flashing as he puts his arm across her shoulders, pulling her to him. "Okay." He says kissing the side of her neck.
A few minutes later they leave the lounge, holding hands they walk through the airport, stopping in one of the stores so Sam can get some Dramamine before they board. Sitting down at their gate, still holding hands they wait for their flight to be announced. Fifteen minutes later, it's announced. Getting up they hand their tickets to the ticket agent and board the plane.
An hour and a half later, one of the guards brings the phone to Richard. "Hello." He says
"Sir, this is the pilot for the Royal family of San Cristobel."
"Yes."
"We've entered US airspace and will be landing at Dulles within the next hour."
"Thank you, we'll be waiting at the airport." Richard replies, nodding to Cassie.
She goes to have a guard start loading the car and a few minutes later they leave for the airport. It takes about forty-five minutes to get through traffic to the airport so they only have to wait about fifteen minutes before the plane lands. Cassie and Richard board, leaving the ground crew and driver to load their luggage.
They left Reva, Jon and Sarah at the embassy after explaining what was going on and that they would contact them when they heard something about Will or if William makes a decision about Sarah and Jon. Ten minutes later, they are in the air. Cassie is looking out the window, wishing the plane would go faster when Richard sit down beside her. "He'll be okay."
"How do you know? What if he's rejecting the liver? He was so little before."
"He was and he made it then. He'll make it this time. He's a Winslow. We always survive." He says, putting his arm around her.
"I'm glad you're here. I don't know what I would do if I had to face this alone too."
"We'll get through this together and we'll still have our son when it's over." Richard says, as she lays her head on his shoulder.
Two and half hours later the royal jet lands in San Cristobel. William has sent a car to pick them up and bring them directly to the hospital. He is sitting in Will's room when Cassie and Richard walk into the room.
"Will!" She says, rushing over to the bed.
"Mommy!" He says, reaching for her.
"How are you feeling? Are you hot? Do you hurt?"
"I feel okay. I wasn't feeling good last night, but they are giving me medicine." Will says, looking at Richard. He seems to remember him, but he's not sure, looking up at Cassie he asks. "Mommy, who's that man with you?"
"Ah, that's Richard. Do you remember him?"
"Kind of, he used to live with us when we lived here and then he went away when we went to Springfield." Will says, looking between Cassie and Richard.
"That's right he used to live with us. He's your father."
"But I thought William is my Daddy."
"He is, but Richard is your Daddy too."
"I don't understand, how can he be my Daddy and William be my Daddy?"
Cassie is surprised at the depth of Will's grasp on things. "Because your Daddy William, gave you to us so we could take care of you for a while."
"Why?"
"Because he wanted to make me feel better."
"Where you sick, like I'm sick."
"No, my heart was sick because I missed my little boy and your Daddy William didn't like to see me sad so he let Richard and I have you and take care of you."
"But you had to give me back."
"Yes."
"Because I'm Prince of San Cristobel."
"Yes."
"Oh okay." Will says, smiling at Richard
"Hi Will." Richard says, walking over to his bed.
"Hi." He says, reaching for him.
Sitting down on the bed, Richard hugs him. When Richard sits back, Will says, "Mommy said you went to see Jesus?"
"I know." Richard says, as the doctor walks in the room.
"Your Highness." He says, as he walks into the room
"Yes." William says, as Richard and Cassie turn around.
"We've gotten Will's test results back. If you'll come out into the hall we'll discuss it."
"What's wrong?" Cassie asks.
"This is Will's adoptive mother and father." William says
"Oh, Your Highness, Princess." Dr. Simons says, nodding to them.
"It's just Richard and Cassie now." Richard says
"Yes Sir. If you will all come out into the hall."
"We'll be right back." Cassie says, leaning over and kissing Will's forehead.
"Okay."
Doctor Simons, William, Richard and Cassie walk out into the hallway. Waiting till the door closes behind them before William turns to Dr. Simons and asks "What's going on?"
"I just got his results back. He's come down with an infection in his liver. Now we are treating him with antibiotics now and we'll see how he's doing in a few days."
"How is this infection going to affect his transplant?"
"It's too soon to tell. I want to keep him in hospital and monitor him. We'll know more in a few days, after we've cleared the infection." Doctor Simons says.
"Thank you Doctor." William says
"We've got him on fairly strong antibiotics and they may make him a little nauseous and sleepy."
"Doctor, is his infection contagious?" Cassie asks
"No." Dr. Simons replies
"Okay." Cassie says
"When will we know if the infection has affected his liver?" Richard asks.
"The next twelve hours will give a clearer picture."
"Thank you, Dr. Simons." William says, reaching out to shake his hand.
Dr. Simons goes to check on another patient, while Cassie, Richard and William walk into Will's room
Jeffrey and Sam's plane lands around eight, Jeffrey gets their luggage and then they head for the parking deck. Reva had left his truck there for him after she returned to Springfield. Tossing the suitcases into the back of the truck, they head for the loft.
Spaulding Enterprises was holding several fund raisers through out the next few months to raise money for Cancer research and to also build a new wing for Cedars hospital, being Mayor Jeffrey is required to attend these functions, not one of his most favorite duties but if he has to go at least he'll enjoy the evening because Sam is with him. "What is this party for?" Sam asks, as they walk into the loft.
"Spaulding Enterprises is raising and donating money to Cedars."
"For what?" Sam asks, as she pulls her dress out of her suitcases, hanging it up to let some of wrinkles can fall out.
"Some of the money will go to Cancer Research and the rest will be set aside for a new wing for the hospital."
"Okay, I'm going to go get a shower?" She says, heading for the stairs.
"You want some company?" Jeffrey asks, walking out of the closet with his tuxedo.
"When does this party start?"
"Actually, it's already started." Jeffrey says, looking at the clock.
"So, we're late."
"Yes, we'll be fashionably late." Jeffrey says, smiling at the panicked look on her face.'
"Alright, I'll be quick." She says, running down the stairs
"I'm the mayor, its okay if we're a little late." Jeffrey calls to her after pulling off his shirt.
Ten minutes later, Sam comes back upstairs, with a towel wrapped around her. She stops for a couple seconds before he turns around.
"Wow! I had forgotten how hot you look in a tuxedo." Sam says, looking him up and down.
"Thank you." He says, as she walks into the closet. "While you were in the shower, I called Frank and he is sending a car for us in about twenty minutes." Jeffrey says, sitting on the bed to put his shoes on.
He is still sitting on the bed when Sam walks out of the closet. Looking up, he says. "You're beautiful." She smiles at him through the mirror as she brushes her hair and he watches her put her make-up on.
Twenty minutes later, they are in the car and on their way to the country club. When the patrol car pulls up, the officer gets out of the car as Jeffrey opens the door. Getting out, he turns to help Sam from the car as the press turns to see who is arriving this late. They start shooting pictures as soon as they realize that it's Jeffrey. Putting an arm around her, he leads her up the walk to the country club as reporters from the Springfield Journal and WSPR take their picture.
"Mr. Mayor, who's the lady with you?" One of the reporters from the Springfield Journal asks
"Allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Dr. Sam Whitley." Jeffrey replies, smiling at the reporters
"How did you two meet?" Another reporter from the Springfield Journal asks.
"We've known each other for several years." Jeffrey replies
"Is it serious?" A reporter from WSPR asks
"Very." Jeffrey says, as Sam looks up at him.
"Did you meet in San Cristobel? Dr. Whitley, who are your parents? Do you have any siblings?" Olivia asks.
Jeffrey looks over and sees Olivia standing behind the press corp. "That will be all." He says, guiding Sam into the country club, while Olivia follows them.
"I didn't know she was going to be here." Jeffrey says, as Olivia walks up to him.
"Why wouldn't I be here? I am a member of this community, as much as you would like to forget that fact Jeffrey."
"I know exactly, who, you are, but what do you want?" Jeffrey asks impatiently, turning to her.
"You can't take a few minutes to talk to me."
"The only thing we have to talk about is Ava and she is fine." Jeffrey says, walking away and leading Sam over to the bar, with Olivia following them.
"If she's fine, then why did she leave for San Cristobel a few days ago?"
"She and William are friends. She's grown. If, she went to San Cristobel then she is free to do so." Jeffrey says nonchalantly as he shrugs his shoulders, turning around. "They got to be very close in San Cristobel."
"And I know exactly how close?"
"What does that mean?"
"I found pregnancy tests in her trash?"
"Pregnancy tests! Why were you going through her trash?"
"Could you leave us for a moment?" Olivia asks, turning to Sam.
"Sam…."
"It's okay." Sam says. "I'll be on the terrace." She says
"I don't keep things from her." Jeffrey says, turning back to Olivia
"It's none of her business what is going on with our daughter."
"Ava is apart of my life as is Sam. They go together."
"No, they don't."
"Olivia, I'm not going argue with you, unless you have something important to tell me." Jeffrey says, turning to walk away
"We need to talk about Ava."
"Okay, you found pregnancy tests in her trash."
"Yes, three of them and all of them were positive."
"And how do you know they are hers? They could have been one of her friends."
"I know by they way she practically ran out of the Beacon that night. And when I tried to stop her she brushed me off. And because of what happened while we were at lunch."
"And what happened at lunch?"
"She got really sick, sick enough that she had to go to the bathroom and when she came back she didn't finished her lunch."
"Maybe she's got a bug."
"If she has bug, why would she go to San Cristobel? No, she's pregnant. So what are we going to do?"
"Do, Olivia, it's not our place to do anything. She'll explain what is going on…?"
"Are you ready to be a grandparent?"
"No, but she's grown." Jeffrey says, looking around the country club.
"Jeffrey, this is serious. Our daughter is pregnant. She's…."
"She's not you, she's not a teenager. And whatever has happened we'll deal with it." Jeffrey says
"I know she's not me, but she's still not married. And you have no idea how hard it is to be a single parent." Olivia says
"Aren't you overreacting a little bit? We don't even know she's pregnant."
"Yes, I do. And if you don't care enough to…."
"I didn't say I didn't care. I just think we need to wait till she gets back."
"You think I'm lying."
"Would that be that far of a stretch Olivia? Everything else hasn't work, and I've made it clear that the only thing we need to talk about is Ava."
"I can't believe you think I would make something like this up."
"It's not that far of stretch, considering everything else you've done. Although this is a little bit tame for you."
Olivia stares at him, shocked at his attitude, before she walks away. A few minutes later, Jeffrey finds Sam on the terrace.
"What's going on?" Sam asks, as he walks up to her.
"Nothing." Jeffrey replies, putting his arm around her
"Is she…?"
"I don't know. I'll talk to Ava when she gets back in town."
"So, you don't believe…."
"Given everything that Olivia has done in the last couple weeks, I don't know if I can believe anything she says."
Olivia was standing below them in the garden and she heard everything that Jeffrey just said, turning she walks away.
"Surely she wouldn't use her daughter to get to you."
"She used her the morning she tried to evict me, why not now?"
"Jeffrey, this is her daughter and possible grandchild."
"Maybe she thinks that since we worked together to get Ava away from Alan-Michael and we sort of got close doing that, that doing this will make me come back to her. I don't know, but I'll talk to Ava and if she is pregnant then we'll go from there."
"Can we finally dance?"
"Definitely." Jeffrey says, taking her in his arms as the orchestra starts to play a waltz and they begin to dance, while Olivia watches from the doorway. Turning away, she takes a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, downs it and then takes another downing it before she turns and leaves the country club.
26.13