A Fresh Start
Chapter Fifty Five
The next morning, Sam is up before Jeffrey. She's walking into their room when he rolls over and reaches for her. Slowly waking up, he looks around until he sees her standing at the mirror. After a few seconds, she says. "Good morning."
"Morning." He says, pushing the covers back.
Sitting up and stretching he watches her for a few seconds before he stands up and walks over to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls her back against him, burying his face in the crook of her neck and taking a deep breath, inhaling her scent and the scent of her shower gel. "I love the way you smell when you just get out of the shower." He says, taking another deep breath.
"And you don't like how I smell in the middle of the day?" Sam asks, turning in his arms.
"No, you know what I mean. You smell good all the time but right after…."
"Shhh." Sam says, laying a finger across his mouth. "I know what you meant."
"What are you doing today?" Jeffrey asks, stepping back but keeping his arms around her.
"Well, let's see. I'm going to go check on a florist. I've got to stop by and pick out the invitations. And I need to call Megan and LaKeisha. After that, I don't know what I'll be doing."
"Do you think you can squeeze in your handsome fiancé for lunch, in that long list of yours?" Jeffrey asks, walking into their closet.
"I can always find time for you darlin." Sam says, following him into the closet and taking out a pair of blue jean shorts and a t-shirt.
"Good, it's incentive to get the morning over with quickly." Jeffrey says, laying his suit and tie on the bed as she walks out in her panties and bra and he stops to watch her. "You know, that really isn't fair." He says, looking at her.
"What?" Sam asks, turning from the dresser and catching the look in his eyes. "You've got an early meeting?"
"I know." He says, as she walks up to him.
"You better enjoy this now because in about six months, I'm going to be all fat and ugly…."
"You will never be fat and ugly." He says, putting an arm around her and pulling her to him, leaning over to kiss her as the phone rings. "Bloody hell." Jeffrey whispers, sounding a little bit like Richard as Sam releases him and walks over to the phone
Picking it up, as he walks out of the room she answers on the second ring. "Hello."
"Sam, its Cassie."
"Hi."
"Are you busy?" Cassie asks, looking at the dress hanging on the back of her door in their bed room.
"I'm just getting dressed."
"I was wondering, do you think you could stop by the farm some time today?"
"Sure. I've got a few errands to run around town, but I can make it by this afternoon."
"That will be perfect. I'll see you then?"
"Okay." Sam says
They hang up and Sam goes into the closet to finish getting dressed. By the time, Jeffrey gets through with his shower. Sam is already down stairs. When he finishes dressing, he walks downstairs and into the kitchen. "What are you doing?" he asks, looking at her standing over the stove.
"I'm trying to fix you something to eat." Sam says, trying hard to control the waves of nausea that are building. "Excuse me." She says, putting the fork down and rushing from the kitchen.
Jeffrey turns in time to see her rush into the bathroom and close the door. When he hears her getting sick in the bathroom, he finally realizes what the problem is. Walking over to the stove, he turns it off. Throwing the half cooked bacon in the trash, he opens a window to let the room air out before he walks into the hallway. He's standing outside the door when she walks out. "Are you okay?" he asks.
"I'm fine now." Sam says, walking into the kitchen. She notices the bacon in the trash can and turns to him. "I was cooking you breakfast."
"Don't worry about it; I'll grab something at Company."
"I'm sorry the bacon just got to me."
"It's okay, you can cook me breakfast for the next fifty years, I promise." He says, leaning over to kiss her.
"Okay." She says, leaning back and looking up at him. "I guess we can add bacon to the garlic." Smiling as he leans over to kiss her again.
"I'll see you at lunch?" Jeffrey says, stepping back and walking to the door and opening it.
"Yes, where?"
"Meet me at City Hall?" Jeffrey says, bending over to pick up the paper.
"Okay."
Turning, he gives her the paper and one more kiss before he leaves. Shutting the door behind him, she walks into the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, Sam opens the paper. Leafing through the pages, she stops at the real estate section, looking through it, she finds an article about an old house close to Company that is about to be torn down.
Reading the article, she realizes that it's a good place to start her practice. Tearing the article out of the paper, she gets up to leave. Picking up her keys from the counter by the door, and her purse she leaves the loft headed for the house. Driving carefully down Main Street and glancing at the article, she easily finds the house.
It has fallen into horrible disrepair. Most of the windows on the lower floor have been broken out, the shutters have been pulled off and in some places it looks like the roof has been leaking for years. There is a noticeable dip in the porch, but Sam saw beyond that and realizes the potential for the property.
Getting out of the car, she walks up to the building, carefully picking her way across the porch to peer inside. She walks around to the other side of the porch being careful to avoid the soft spots in the floor. She's peeking into one of the windows when she hears some one ask. "What are you doing?" Spinning around, she finds one of Springfield's finest behind her.
"Oh, hi. I was looking at the property. I saw the article in…."
"This property is scheduled to be demolished in a couple weeks."
"Yes, I know. But the article said that this house has been in the community since it was founded."
"That's correct."
"So, why is it being torn down? It's a beautiful building."
"The family that owed it has no living relatives and it's become a hang out for the kids and criminal activity."
"But it can be saved."
"I'm sorry ma'am, but there's nothing I can do about that. Now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Yes, of course." Sam says, walking across the porch, again being careful not to step on any of the rotten boards.
When she reaches the street, she nods to the officer as she gets in her car. Starting it, she looks back at the house one more time before she pulls away from the curb. She heads towards the florists. Walking inside, she looks around the shop while the owner helps another customer. When she's finished, Sam walks up to the counter. "Hello, Ms. Whitley." The lady says.
"Hi." Sam says "I came to check on the flowers for…."
"Sam." Olivia says, walking up behind her.
Turning, Sam looks at Olivia and then turns back to the lady at the counter. "I'll come back later."
"You don't have to leave on my account." Olivia says, as Sam steps away from the counter.
"I just remembered something else I need to take care of." Sam says, walking out of the florist.
Getting into her car, Sam backs out and leaves, while Olivia watches her from inside.
"Can I help you Ms. Spencer?" The lady asks.
"Can you tell me why she was in here?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't divulge any client information."
"Okay, fine. I need to place an order for the pumpkins for this year." Olivia says. "For the Beacon."
"Of course, do you want the usual amount?"
"Yes."
"I'll contact my supplier and I'll get the price and call you later today?"
"Thank you." Olivia says, turning she leaves the shop.
As she's walking to her car, she looks around for Sam's mustang, but she doesn't see it. After leaving Olivia at the florist, Sam drives over to the printing company that's just down from the post office. Walking in line, she looks around to make sure that Olivia doesn't follow her before she walks up to the counter.
"May I help you?" A woman says.
"Yes, I have an order that you're preparing."
"Can I have you name please?"
"Sam Whitley."
"Yes, Ms. Whitley." The clerk says, pulling up Sam order in the computer.
"When will they be finished?"
"We can have them ready by this weekend, I believe." The woman says, looking at the schedule hanging up behind her. "Yes, they should be ready by Saturday afternoon."
"Okay."
A few minutes later, Sam walks out of the shop. Getting into her car, she drives back to the florists and again waits till she is finished with another customer. "Hello again." She says smiling as Sam walks up to the counter.
"Hi, I'm sorry about that." Sam says. "I came by to see about the flowers for the wedding?"
"Oh, yes ma'am. I've already contacted my supplier and they are looking for the roses."
"How long will that take?"
"A couple of days."
"If you can't get the roses, a simple bouquet of wild flowers, maybe daisies and bluebells, hyacinths, and lilies, will be okay."
"I'll do everything I can to get the roses."
"And you'll be able to get this done by Labor Day?"
"Yes ma'am."
Sam leaves a few minutes later, when she remembers that she wanted to pick something up for Jeffrey at the shop. Turning around she goes back into the shop.
"Back again. Ms. Whitley."
"Call me Sam, and yes. I need a plant." Sam says, looking around the shop
"What kind of plant?"
"Something that likes being indoors and something that's not too much of a hassle. It's for my fiancé's office."
"Well, in that case. The best bet is a philodendra plant. It grows well in an office environment and it doesn't take a lot to care for it."
"Good, do you have any?"
"Yes, right over here." The lady says, walking around the counter and leading Sam over to the plants.
Sam picks out one and pays for it, leaving for the final time, she's goes to Company for something to drink, she's about to walk in when Ava calls. "Sam" as she's walking across the street.
"Hi, how are you?" Sam asks, when she walks up to her.
"I'm fine, how are you?"
"Settling in." Sam says.
"How's Dad, I haven't spoken to him in a few days. I've been busy with a project for Alan."
"You're not working too hard?" Sam asks, looking at her
"No."
"And you're…."
"I'm eating and resting and doing everything that Dr. Sedgwick told me to do. Have you been to see her?"
"No, that's another thing I have to do." Sam says, as they walk into Company.
Buzz is standing at the counter when they walk in. "Hi, ladies." He says
"Hi Buzz." They both reply as they walk up to the counter.
"What can I get you?"
"Ah, can I have one of your orange smoothies." Sam asks.
"Yeah, I'll take one of those too." Ava says.
"Two orange smoothies coming right up." Buzz says, turning to make the drinks.
"So, what have you been doing?" Ava asks, turning to Sam.
"Well, I spent the first few days unpacking and then I've sort of been learning the town."
"Are you looking for places to open your office?"
"No, not really, I've had other things on my mind." Sam says, as Buzz hands them the drinks and they pay for them.
Walking out of Company, Sam looks at her watch and realizes that it's close to noon. "Listen, I've got meet Jeffrey at City Hall for lunch."
"Okay, I've got some errands to run." Ava says. "It was good to see you.
"You too." Sam says, turning towards her car and then she remembers Harley's comment about telling Ava about the wedding and she turns around and calls. "Ava, wait a minute?" Stopping, Ava turns around and walks back to her. "I was wondering what you were doing Saturday night." Sam asks
"Nothing in particular, why?"
"Well, I thought maybe you would like to come over and have dinner with Jeffrey and me."
"I can do that. What time?"
"Umm, I'll call you."
"Okay." Ava says. "I'll talk to you soon."
"Okay."
Ava leaves and Sam gets into her car and heads to City Hall and Jeffrey.
Jeffrey is finishing up a meeting when Stacey buzzes him. "Sir, Ms. Whitley is here to see you."
"Okay, thank you Stacey. You can send her in." Jeffrey replies, holding down the intercom.
"Yes Sir." Stacey replies, motioning Sam to go in.
"… You'll get me those figures."
"I'll give you a copy as soon as I get them." Richard says.
"Good, now if that's all…."
"Yes." Richard replies smiling when he turns and sees Sam standing in the door way.
"Hello. Richard." Sam says, walking into Jeffrey's office.
"Sam, Congratulations." Richard says, as she walks up to them.
"Thank you." Sam replies smiling as Jeffrey walks around the desk.
"I'll get those figures to you as soon as I get them Jeffrey." Richard says as he walks to the door.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says. Opening the door, Richard leaves and closes the door behind him. When the door closes, Jeffrey reaches for Sam and pulls her to him, holding her tightly as he leans in for a kiss. A few seconds later, Sam leans back and smiles up at him. "I missed you." Jeffrey says, leaning back against his desk.
"We've only been apart a few hours."
"I know, but I kept thinking about you standing at the dresser getting dressed." Jeffrey says, leaning over to kiss her again and Sam moves closer to him.
Again, a few seconds later Sam steps back and asks. "Where are we having lunch?"
"I'm not thinking about lunch right now."
Releasing her, he turns to his intercom and pushes a button a couple seconds later, Stacey's voice comes through. "Yes Sir."
"Stacey, I'm taking my lunch now."
"Yes Sir."
"You can go ahead and go to lunch as well."
"Yes sir."
Jeffrey releases the button and then he stands up and walks over to the door, while Sam watches him. Reaching for the button under the door handle he turns it. Sam hears the door lock before he turns back around. Slowly he walks over to her.
Loosely wrapping his arms around her, he leans in to lightly kiss her. "You want to do this now, here." Sam asks, as he moves over to her neck and ear. Knowing that she can't resist him when he does that, "J." she sighs, stepping closer to him.
Wrapping her arms around him, she holds him tightly. Relishing the feel of his body pressing against hers, turning her head she begins to lightly kiss the side of his neck as he puts and arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She feels the slight shiver that rushes over him. Leaning back, he takes a deep breath as he struggles to get control.
Reaching for the buttons on his jacket, Sam quickly unbuttons them. Slipping her hands underneath, she brushes the jacket off his shoulders before she reaches for his tie and pulls it loose as she looks up at him and lifts her arms
Reaching for waistband of her shirt, he begins to pull it up. Watching as he reveals her body. He sucks in a deep breath when he sees her breast straining against her bra as she struggles to control her breathing. Stopping for a couple seconds, he watches her as he listens to her and he feels a swell of desire wash over him. Leaning over, he kisses her as he finishes pulling the shirt up and over her head, tossing it to the floor as he wraps his arms around her and pulls her closer to him.
Reaching for the waistband of his pants, she begins to tug on his shirt until she has it free. Laying her hands on his stomach, she feels him take a deep breath before he slowly releases it. "Sam." He gasps. Taking her hands out, she reaches for the first button, opening it, she moves on to the next one while she pays close attention to the rhythm of his breathing. By the time she reaches his waist again, the rhythm of his breathing is ragged with desire. Reaching for her, she takes his hands and quickly unbuttons the button on his sleeves before she moves closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Putting his arms around her, he leans in. Kissing her again as he slowly moves his hands up her back till they reach the back of her bra. He quickly has the bra unfastened and he moves on, up her back to her shoulders. Brushing the straps down her arms as she releases him, letting the bra fall to the floor as he pulls her back to him, groaning softly when he feels her body touch his
For a few moments they are content to stay that way, kissing, their bodies touching each other. But soon he needs to feel all of her, to know that he can do whatever he wants to do with her and that she'll do whatever she wants to do with him.
Releasing her, he reaches for the button on her shorts, while she reaches for the snap on his dress pants. They both unfasten the others clothes as Jeffrey sighs softly. Reaching for the zipper on her jeans, he begins to tug, his hands brushing against her. Taking a deep breath, Sam leans up and kisses him, distracting him for a couple seconds as he returns the kiss.
Leaning back, he takes a deep breath, as deep of breath as he can before he whispers. "I want you Beca, please!"
"You have me." She says, tugging his zipper down being careful not to hurt him.
Kneeling in front of him, she lightly kisses him and he jumps slightly before leaning back against the desk and holding tightly to the edge as she tugs his pants down. Lifting his hips, he watches as she pulls them down before she leans forward again, slowly running her tongue along the outline of his erection. "Sam!" he gasps, burying his finger in her hair at the back of her head.
When he releases her, she reaches up and tugs on his boxers, pulling them down and again he lifts his hips. Sucking in a deep breath and holding it as she lightly kisses him. She slowly takes him in, caressing him as he grips the edge of his desk, letting his head fall back as he groans softly. After a few minutes, he feels himself loosing control. Reaching for her, he pulls away as she looks up at him.
Standing up, she starts to move closer to him but he holds up a hand to stop her. Kicking his shoes, pants and boxers off, he stands up and takes her hand. Leading her around the desk, he turns to her and pulls her to him, kissing her as he reaches for her shorts tugging them down as she leans over and kisses him, distracting him. "Beca." He gasps, feeling his control snap. He quickly pushes her shorts down, as he takes a step back.
Sitting down, he leans back in his chair but she has another idea. Turning she pushes everything out of the way. Sitting down on top of his desk, she leans back and opens her legs as she looks at him. He starts to move forward, but she shakes her head and he stops, looking up at her. "Touch yourself." She whispers, slowly running a hand down her body, holding her body open, as he sucks in a deep breath and leans back.
Reaching for his erection, he caresses it lightly as he watches her. Slowly she caresses herself, sucking in a deep breath as she closes her eyes and imagines that it's him. Leaning forward, he moves her hand out of the way, lightly caressing her. "J" She gasps, burying her fingers in his hair, holding him to her.
She needs to feel him connected to her, their bodies connected. "J" She whispers, as he pulls away.
Standing up, he moves closer to her, slipping inside her as he leans over her, kissing her and swallowing her soft moan. He begins to thrust. Bringing her legs up, she wraps them around his waist as he slips deeper inside her, brushing against her desire, bringing intense waves of need rolling through both of them.
Lying back, she looks up and watches him, watches the expressions on his face, listens to the rhythm of his breathing and the desperate desire she feels burning inside him. Reaching up, she slowly runs her hands down his chest; lightly scratch him while she rolls her hips.
"Beca." He gasps, bracing his hands on either side of her and thrusting harder.
"J" She moans, closing her eyes and arching her back. Holding him tightly, as he continues to thrust, he feels her body tighten around him before he feels her begin to quiver from deep inside.
"Sam." He groans. "I feel it, baby. I feel you."
"Jeffrey." She gasps, closing her eyes and feeling her body surrender.
Waves upon waves wash over her as he continues to thrust. When he feels her begin to relax, he thrust for the final time and lets go, filling her with all the desire that's been burning inside him since this morning and she was standing in front of the dresser with only her panties and bra on. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifts her and taking a step back, he sits down, holding her against him. Their breath feels cool against the sheen of sweat that covers their bodies.
Slowly she begins to move against him, rocking her hips. "Sam." He gasps.
"Shhh." She whispers, bracing her arms on the rests of his chair, continuing to move her hips.
Reaching for her, he holds her tightly, thrusting slightly as he leans back. "Beca." He groans, as the waves of desire rush through him, filling her as she arches her back, letting her head fall back. Releasing the desire filling her, falling forward, he wraps his arms around her holding her tightly.
For several minutes, they hold each other until they feel their bodies relax. Leaning back, she looks down and says, "I love you Jeffrey O'Neill."
"And I love you, Beca." He replies, leaning up to kiss her softly before he releases her.
Standing up, she gathers up their clothes and handing his to him. Reaching for her, he pulls her to him and lightly kisses her before he whispers "Thank you." Jeffrey says, reaching for his clothes and handing Sam hers.
"For what?" Sam asks, taking her panties and slipping them on.
"For making another fantasy, come true."
"You fantasize about us, here?"
"Well, not here specifically, but I've thought about you coming to my office and making love to me. It wasn't the exact fantasy, but…." Jeffrey replies, pulling his pants on.
"What do you mean, it wasn't the exact fantasy?"
"I wouldn't lock the door. In the fantasy, I wouldn't lock the door." Jeffrey says, putting his arms around her before slipping his shirt on.
"So, why did you now?" Sam ask, pulling on her shorts.
"Because I didn't want to take the chance that someone would walk in. I wanted you all to myself and I didn't want any interruptions. That's why I told Stacey I was taking my lunch so she would set my calls to forward to voicemail, why I sent her to lunch and why I locked the door." He replies, tucking in his shirt and reaching for his tie
"So where are, we having lunch, because I'm starving." She says, leaning up to kiss him. Sam says, pulling her t-shirt down.
"Umm, is Towers okay?" He says, as she reaches up to straighten his tie before he reaches for his jacket.
"It's fine." Sam says grabbing her purse.
Following her to the door, he opens and holds it for her. Pulling it closed behind him, they leave. Walking into Towers, a few minutes later, they look around as the host walks over to them. "Yes, may I help you?"
"Yes, we need a table." Jeffrey says.
"Right this way, Mr. Mayor, will anyone else be joining you?"
"No." Jeffrey replies, as they follow the host to a table close to the entrance to the balcony.
Jeffrey holds Sam's chair for her as the host puts their menus on the table. When Jeffrey is seated, he says. "Your waiter will be with you shortly."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, picking up the wine list. He walks away, he asks. "What have you been doing this morning?"
"Well, I went to the florist but Olivia showed up, so I left."
"You left, why?"
"Because I didn't want her to overhear about the wedding, I…."
"Are you afraid of her?"
"No, I don't know. I don't get a good feeling when I'm around her. And I don't know what she'll do when she finds out that we're getting married, or about the baby. Speaking of the wedding we have a couple of things we need to talk about."
"The Beacon hosting the reception." Jeffrey says, looking up
"That's one thing, but Harley…."
"Harley, when did you meet her?"
"Well, we talked for a few seconds at the Spaulding benefit over the 4th, but she went with Cassie and me to look at wedding dresses, and she pointed out that we need to tell Ava about the wedding, so I invited Ava over to dinner for Saturday night."
"You did, when did you see Ava?"
"This morning at Company, before I came to City Hall, is that okay?"
"Its fine, I didn't think about telling her, but Harley's right, we need to tell her before she gets the invitation." Jeffrey replies, before their waiter walks up.
"Can I take your drink order, Mr. Mayor?" He asks.
"Ah, I think I'll have some tea." Jeffrey says, laying the wine list down.
"If you want some wine…." Sam starts to say.
"No, it's okay. You can't have any and I don't want to drink alone, besides I do have to go back to work. The tea is alright."
"Okay."
"And you, Ms." The waiter asks, turning to Sam.
"I'll have some water with lemon."
"Yes ma'am. I'll have these, right out."
He leaves and Jeffrey asks, "So, have you thought about having the reception at the Beacon?"
"No, I haven't. What do you think? Should we have it there?"
"I don't know. Cassie does have a say as to what goes on in the hotel, but can she convince Olivia to allow us to have it there. I don't know if I want to have her in that position."
"Do you think she would actually sabotage it?"
"I don't know what Olivia will do."
"Where else can we have it?"
"Well, there's the country club, but it's tied up with the Spaulding functions that weekend. There's Towers, but I would really prefer to have a simple gathering with our friends." Jeffrey says
"Why don't we have them come back to the loft?" Sam asks, as the waiter brings their drinks and then takes their order.
"I don't know. I wonder if Buzz would let us have it at Company. No, we can't do that because that's where Gus and Harley had their reception and I want ours to be ours." Jeffrey says, reaching for Sam's hand.
"Alright, well I've got to go to the farm this afternoon…."
"Why?"
"Cassie wants me to come out there. That was who was on the phone this morning when you went to get your shower."
"Did she say why?"
"No, she just asked if I could come by the farm and I told I could be by sometime this afternoon."
"Okay."
"I'll ask her if she knows any other places that we could use."
"Okay."
"There was something else I wanted to ask you about?"
"What?"
"You know that house two streets over from Company."
"The one scheduled for demolition in a couple weeks?"
"Yes."
"What about it?"
"Is there anyway of saving it?"
"Ah, I don't know. Why?"
"Because I went to look at it this morning."
"Sam."
"I was careful and I wasn't there long. SPD made me leave. But I think it can be saved."
"Do you realize what condition that house is in?"
"Yes, but it would be perfect Jeffrey."
"Perfect for what?"
"For my practice, if it was remodeled and the roof was fixed and the porch and everything else it would be perfect."
"Not to mention the plumbing and the wiring, the heating and air systems, the porch and there's not telling what sort of damage is going on inside."
"I know it will take some work, but it's exactly what I was looking for when we were looking. It's simple and open and it's close to the hospital."
"And when we need a bigger place, it's big enough for us to move into."
"Well, there is that. But it's a beautiful building and it's been a part of the city of Springfield since Springfield came into existence."
"Alright, so what do you want me to do?" Jeffrey asks, looking at her.
"Can you talk to the zoning committee and see if they'll stop the demolition?"
"I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you." Sam says, as their waiter brings their food.
Twenty minutes later, their waiter removes their plates and leaves the bill. Pulling out his wallet, Jeffrey lays his credit card on the tray and a few minutes later, their waiter comes back, taking the card, he returns a few minutes later. Signing for the dinner, the waiter hands Jeffrey his receipt before he leaves. Standing up, he walks around the table, helping Sam up, they leave the restaurant.
A few minutes later they pull up to City Hall. Getting out, he turns to help Sam out of the truck before he closes the door for her. Putting his arms around her, he leans over and kisses her before he steps back. "I'll see you at home tonight?" Jeffrey says.
"Yes." She replies, smiling up at him.
"Alright." He says, releasing her.
He watches as she walks to her car. Getting in, she puts the top down before she starts the car. Backing out, she waves as she pulls out of the parking lot. Jeffrey waves back and stands there until she pulls out onto the street. Turning, he starts towards the building when he notices a man across the quad watching him. Jeffrey stops for a couple seconds, watching him before he goes on into City Hall.
After leaving Jeffrey, Sam heads for the farm. Pulling up, she catches Cassie walking in from the barn. "Hi." She says, as Sam stops the car.
"Hi." Sam replies, turning the car off.
"This is your car?"
"Yes, my grandfather gave it to me." Sam replies, getting out of the car.
"It's beautiful."
"Thank you. So, you wanted to see me."
"Yes, can we go inside?"
"Sure." Sam says, following her.
Opening the door, Cassie steps back and lets Sam enter first before she follows her, closing the door behind them. "The living room is this way?" Cassie says, showing her into the living room as Sam looks around.
"Have you always lived here?" Sam asks, sitting down on the couch.
"In Springfield?" Cassie asks, sitting down in the chair across from her.
"Umm, well that but I meant at the farm."
"No, I was in Chicago until I moved to Springfield after I found Reva. I didn't stay at the farm until I was engaged to Hart."
"Hart?"
"RJ's father, he was shot the night RJ was born. He died after having heart surgery."
"I'm sorry."
"It was hard, but I met Richard shortly after that." Cassie says as Sam nods.
"You said you wanted to see me when you called this morning."
"Yes, I've been thinking about the wedding gown situation and I don't think we'll need to go to Laurel Falls or Oakdale." Cassie says, standing up.
"Okay." Sam says, starting to stand up.
"Just wait here." Cassie says, turning towards the stairs.
"Okay." Sam says, sitting back down.
Cassie leaves, going upstairs. She returns about a minute later with a dress in her hands. Laying it across the couch, she says. "I think I've found the dress you were looking for." Cassie says taking the dress out of the bag as Sam stands up.
"It's beautiful." Sam says, looking at the dress. "Was it yours?"
"No, it was my daughters."
"Tammy's, I can't…."
"I want you too. I have the dress she wore when she married Jon, but this is the dress she wore when she married Sandy. She was beautiful in it, but it didn't work out and she would want you to use it."
"Cassie, it's a beautiful dress, but it was Tammy's."
"I know, but she's not here to use it and I have the dress she wore when she married Jon for Sarah. I want you to use it. You would look beautiful in it and it's simple like you wanted. Tammy would want you…."
"Okay." Sam says softly, reaching out to touch the dress. "If you're…."
"I'm sure. She would want you to use it." Cassie says, lightly touching the dress.
"Thank you." Sam says, turning to hug Cassie.
"You're welcome." Cassie says, hugging her back.
Taking a step back, Sam turns to look at the dress. "Why didn't it work out with Sandy?"
"He was already married, to Ava."
"Ava, Jeffrey's Ava?"
"Yes, it's a long story. But he married Tammy thinking his divorce was filed from Ava. Jon stopped the papers from being filed, the police arrested Sandy right after the ceremony was over and that's how Jon and Tammy got together. I admit I hated them being together. But she was determined to love him until it came out that he had stopped the divorce papers. Tammy broke up with him and that's how he slept with Lizzie and Sarah was conceived."
"What happened to Sandy?"
"He was killed. He fell off a cliff and was killed."
"So, this was the dress she worn when she married Sandy?"
"Yes. I think she wanted to make herself believe that she loved him. She knew what people would say about her and Jon and she knew how I would react. But her heart won out and she had to follow her heart. In the end, he was the best thing that ever happened to her, besides Richard." Cassie says, looking at the dress.
"I'll bet she thought you were pretty good too?"
"She loved me, but I put her though a lot when she was growing up. Her biological father put her through even more."
"But she knew that you loved her." Sam says, thinking about all the questions she had when she was growing up.
"Yes, I loved her and I miss her everyday. So, what else do you have to do before the wedding?" Cassie says, looking at the dress for the last time.
"Well, I've ordered the invitations and they should be ready by this weekend. And I spoke with the florist too. We have the dress now. Jeffrey's tux has been cleaned. Buzz is catering. So, I think that's it."
"So, what about the reception, did you talk to Jeffrey about you having it at the Beacon?"
"We talked about it, but we both don't feel comfortable having it there. I don't trust Olivia and I just don't want to deal with her that day."
"I understand." Cassie says, sitting down in the chair again. "So, where are you going to have it? There's Tower's or the Country Club."
"Jeffrey wants a simple reception with just our friends there, so that leaves out Towers, and the Country Club is busy with the Spaulding events that weekend."
"Why don't you have it here at the farm?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, there's plenty of room. We can have in the back yard, between the barn and the house. And then you can stay at the Beacon, and I insist on that."
"Alright, if you're sure."
"I'm sure. Richard and I would love to have it here."
"I'll have to talk to Jeffrey, but I think that it will work having it here."
"Good, so we've got everything planned? No, wait the honeymoon. Where are you going?"
"I have no idea. Jeffrey hasn't mentioned it."
"Where would you like to go?"
"I haven't thought about it." Sam says, looking out the window as the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it." Cassie says, getting up and walking to the door.
Opening the door, Sam hears a man ask. "Mrs. Winslow, how do you feel about…?"
"I've got no comment." Cassie says closing the door in the man's face as Sam walks in from the living room.
"What's going on?" Sam asks.
"A reporter, how did he get on the property?"
"Ah, that might be my fault. I didn't close the gate when I pulled in. It was open, so I thought you…."
"One of the boys must have left it open when they went up the road."
"Have they been bothering you a lot?"
"No, we keep the gate closed and it's clearly marked with a no trespassing sign." Cassie says, looking out the window.
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