A Fresh Start
Chapter Seventy-Two
Somewhere around midnight, Sam rolls to her side as she slowly wakes up. She can't remember what exactly had woken her up, but as soon as she becomes aware of her surroundings the waves of nausea command her complete attention. Closing her eyes, she hopes that they would go away and let her go back to sleep. But the longer she lies there the stronger they come and it is obvious that unless she goes now she wouldn't make it to the bathroom in time. Slipping out from under Jeffrey's arm, she slips from the bed and walks quietly to the door and downstairs.
A few minutes later, Jeffrey wakes up. Reaching for Sam, he's surprised not to find her in bed beside him. Sitting up, he looks around the room and when he doesn't find her he starts to get out of bed until he hears the toilet flush downstairs and he lies back down, waiting for her to come back upstairs. About a minute later, she appears in the doorway and tries to walk as softly as she can until he asks. "Are you alright?"
Jumping, she looks up and then smiles as she walks the rest of the way to the bed before she answers. "I'm fine." She says, putting the package of cracker in her hand on the bedside table.
"What are the crackers for?" He asks, as she lies down beside him.
"It's nothing."
"It's nothing."
"I…."
"You were sick." Jeffrey says, leaning up to look at her.
"Okay, I was, but I'm fine."
"Was it because of the baby?"
"Probably."
"Then why didn't you say that, instead of telling me that it was nothing?"
"I didn't want you to worry."
"I'm not…."
"I can hear it in your voice."
"You do now, but if you had told me it was the morning sickness I wouldn't have been worried, as much."
"You have enough to worry about. It's a natural…."
"I'm going to worry about you and my child. And I realize it's natural." Jeffrey says, lying down beside her. "Just tell me next time. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She replies, moving over to him.
They lay there for a few moments before he says. "I thought morning sickness only came in the morning."
"It can come anytime, some women have it all day long, some only have it in the morning, and some only have it as night. It depends on the woman, and the pregnancy. If I start feeling it again, I have the crackers and it helps.'
"It changes every time."
"Yes and some women don't have it at all."
"When does it stop?"
"Again it depends on the woman. Some have it the entire pregnancy; some have in the first trimester."
"Well, I hope you are not one of those women that have it their entire pregnancy."
"Why, don't you like…."
"I don't like you not feeling well." He says, leaning over to kiss her. Leaning back he says. "Close your eyes and I'll sing you back to sleep."
"Okay." She says, snuggling in closer to him as he starts to sing softly in her ear.
The sun had just begun to come up, when Jeffrey rolls to his side as he wakes up. Sam is lying beside him on her stomach, sleeping softly a smile playing at her lips. He watches her for a few moments, until she sighs and then rolls to her side. Slowly he moves his eyes down her body, finding the strap of her nightgown lying across her arm. His eyes fall to her chest, the soft swell of her right breast pressing against the material. He had forgotten how sweet she could look when she slept and how sexy.
Reaching over, he lightly brushes a strand of hair away from her cheek. Letting it fall through his fingers before he lays his hand on her shoulder. Feeling the softness of her skin beneath his finger tips, he looks up when she sighs again. Moving over to her he lays his arm across waist, pulling her to him as he leans over to kiss her.
For a couple of seconds, he plays softly when her lips. Slowly running his tongue over them, softly nipping at them until she opens her mouth and his tongue slips inside, gently kiss her. He feels her body responding to his kiss as she moves closer to him. Laying one arm across his waist, she moves closer to him as she sighs softly.
Breaking the kiss, he leans back. Expecting her to be awake but she isn't. He watches her for a few seconds, waiting to see if she'll wake up when she doesn't. He moves closer to her, but instead of kissing her again, he begins to nibble on her ear, slowly running his tongue around the top of it, until she moans softly. "J"
He smiles as he leans back and looks down at her. "Hi."
"Hi." She replies hoarsely
Propping his head up with one hand, he watches her until she asks. "Is that all you wanted, to wake me up?"
"Umm, at the moment yes." Jeffrey replies, slowly running his hand across her shoulder. "I was watching you sleep. You looked so beautiful, soft and sexy." He says, glancing down at her breasts still pressing against the nightgown. He reaches for the strap lying across her arm. Slowly he runs his fingers underneath it, lightly caressing her arm as he looks up into her eyes. "You're skin is so soft." He whispers, moving his fingers down her arms to her hand. "And your fingers, they are perfect." He whispers, lifting her hand to his lips and lightly kissing the back of it.
When he releases it, she lays it against his cheek, caressing it as she moves it up. Slowly running her fingers through his hair and when she reaches the back of his head, she pulls her to him, kissing him softly as he moves her over onto her back. "Beca, I want you." He whispers softly
"J." She whispers back, moving underneath him as he sucks in a deep breath.
He moves to lean over her, as he kisses her. Nibbling on her lower lip before moves away, lightly kissing her along her jaw until he reaches her ear again and again he begins to nibble as she sighs softly, moving her head to the side. Reaching up, she buries her fingers in his hair, holding him against her while she savors the feel of his mouth caressing her.
After a few seconds, he leans back before he moves down her neck, stopping for a moment, kissing the pulse beginning to pound beneath her skin. Moving on, he gently kisses her upper chest, before he leans back. Looking down at her breast, he watches them pushing against her gown. The need to see her fills him and he sits back as he says. "I want to see you."
Looking up, she smiles as she sits up being careful not to touch him. Reaching for the hem of her gown she pulls it over her head while he watches. Hot waves of desire fill him as her body is revealed to him, tossing the gown to the floor she lays back down. Looking up, she watches the flicking waves of the desire burning inside his eyes strengthen into a raging storm. "Oh, what you do to me?" He whispers, leaning over her
Smiling, she reaches for him as he moves to lie down, kissing her as she wraps her arms around his neck, burying her finger in his hair. After a few moments, she begins to move her hands down his back as she wraps her legs around him. Moving down her, he lightly kisses her. Stopping at her breasts, he places a gentle kiss between them before he leans back and looks down at her. He watches as she releases him, slowly moving her hands up her body till she reaches her breasts she cups them, lifting and offering them to him.
"Beca." He whispers as he leans over her.
"J" she whispers when she feels the heat of his mouth over her nipple. Arching her back, she presses her body against him while she begins to move her hips against his.
After a couple seconds, he releases her. Gasping for breath, he tries to fight the raging desire burning him up inside. Looking up at her she feels the struggle raging through him. "It's okay." She says, reaching for his boxers and tugging on them.
Lying down beside her, he reaches to help her. Kicking them off as he reaches for her again. Those few moments of distraction brings his body back under his control and as he leans over her, she can see the determination filling him. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, as if preparing herself for the pleasure he is about to give her. She lays back, relaxing into the bed as he leans over her.
Kissing the side of her neck, he moves down her body again. Lightly kissing her upper chest, she feels surges of desire wash through her, filling her with heat. Her breathing becomes ragged, as he again lays a gentle kiss between her breast before he moves up, hovering over her left breast, letting her feel the heat of his breath mixing with the coolness of the room. He smiles softly as her nipple begins to harden. Slowly he licks her, patiently rolling her nipple with his tongue. "J" She cries, raising a hand to the back of his head, holding him against her.
Lying down beside her, he concentrates on her left breast, until she reaches for his hand, laying it against her right breast and instinctively he begins to caress her. One hand holds him to her, as the other falls to the mattress beneath her, clinching the sheet beneath her as she arches her back. He sucks in a deep breath as her hip brushes against him. Breaking away from her breast, she gasps as the cool air replaces the heat of his mouth.
Looking up, she watches him struggle for control. Slowly, she reaches up. Bending her fingers, she lightly scratches him, moving down his chest until she reaches his hips, settling her hand at his hips. Answering her challenge, he slowly moves down her stomach, laying gentle kisses and nibbling softly against her stomach until he reaches her belly button. Laying a gentle kiss there, he whispers. "I love you, little one, almost as much as I love your mother."
He looks up and catching her gaze he holds it for a couple seconds, before he slowly runs his tongue around the rim of her belly button, before he dips his tongue inside. "J" she screams as a staggering surge of desire rushes through her.
"What do you want?" He asks softly.
"Darlin, I want you, please!" She begs reaching for him.
Leaning over her, he moves into place. Slipping inside, he feels his body begin to tremble as he feels her body closing around his, holding him tightly. When they are completely connected, he begins to thrust, slowly at first, loving the feel of her body clinging to his, trying desperately to hold onto him.
After a couple seconds, she begins to move with him, rolling her hips, completely in tune to his as she reaches for him, holding him to her as his thrusts build in intensity, hurdling them towards a desperate fall into absolute bliss.
"OH! J!" She cries, as she feels her body tumbling over.
Quivering, while he continues to thrust, he feels the passion coiling tighter and tighter, like a spring about to break free. He thrusts one more time and feels it snap, filling him with staggering waves of release, filling them both with wonderful waves of heat. When the last quivering wave washes over both of them, he feels weak and he collapses in her waiting arms.
After a few moments, he starts to move to her side but she clings to him until he whispers. "Let me go, I'm too heavy to be lying on top of you like this."
"I like you lying on top of me like this." She replies, looking up at him.
"I want to hold you and I don't want to hurt the baby." He says, kissing her softly as she releases him.
Rolling to his side, she moves in closer as he lays his head on her shoulder. "Let's forget about everything else and spend all day in bed." Sam suggests, idly running her fingers through his still damp hair.
Jeffrey sighs softly before he answers. "I wish I could do that, but…."
"You have to see Ava."
"I want to tell her before she finds out from someone else."
"I know." She says beginning to release him.
"I don't have to do it right now." He says, pulling her back to him. "It's not even seven yet." He finishes as she settles back into place.
Cassie was already downstairs, fixing breakfast when Richard comes down. Walking into the kitchen, he stops and watches her before he walks over to her and slipping his arms around her waist, he lightly kisses the side of her neck. "Hi." She says, moving back into his arms.
"Hi. You're up early."
"I've got to meet Olivia at the Beacon to meet the new liquor suppliers, and I have to take the boys over to Reva's. They are spending the day with her."
"Are they up yet?"
"I think RJ is, but I'm not sure about Will." Cassie says as he walks into the kitchen rubbing his eyes.
"Well, it looks like he is." Richard says, releasing Cassie.
"Good Moring, Sweetie." Cassie says, turning to Will.
"Hi." He mumbles as she bends down to him, hugging him to her.
"Did you go…?"
"Yes ma'am." He says, laying his head on her shoulder.
Cassie tries to lift him while she turns a pancake. "Here, let me do that." Richard says, taking the spatula away from her. "You take care of him."
"Thank you." Cassie says "Come on Will." She says, taking his hand and walking into the living room
Sitting down in the rocker, she helps him climb up in lap, holding him she starts to rock as RJ comes downstairs. "Mom, where is my soccer ball?"
"Where did you put it?"
"I thought it was with my football, but it's not there."
"I took it outside." Will says.
"You what! That's my favorite ball."
"I wanted to practice and I don't have a soccer ball, so I borrowed yours."
"Grandpa Hawk gave me that ball. It's mine and you didn't have any right to take it without asking me." RJ says yells.
"RJ, it's okay." Cassie says
"But it's my ball and he took it without asking."
"Will, where did you put it?"
"It's in my room. I was going to put it back, but I forgot to last night."
"Go upstairs and get it and give it back to your bother and next time ask before you take something that's not yours."
"Yes ma'am." Will replies, as he crawls down from her lap as Cassie turns to RJ.
"Are you hungry?" RJ nods his head. "Okay, I get you some pancakes. Go on upstairs and get dressed, and don't do anything to him."
"Yes ma'am." RJ replies, walking upstairs and Cassie walks towards the kitchen.
"What's going on?" Richard asks when she walks into the room.
"Will borrowed RJ's soccer ball without asking and forgot to put it back."
"We need to buy him one, if he's going to try out for soccer this fall."
"He can't keep using RJ's. He will be very upset if something happens to that ball, Hawk gave it to him last Christmas."
"I'll go by Dent's Sporting Goods today and see about them." Richard says, putting another pancake on the plate beside him.
"Here, let me take over. You've got to get ready?" She says, reaching for the spatula
"Alright." He says, reaching for his cup of coffee as he moves out of the way.
He watches her for a couple seconds before she asks. "Are you going talk to Will about William?"
"I want to talk to him before I talk to Will. I want to know his reasons for abdicating before we talk to Will."
"Okay."
Putting his coffee cup on the counter, he says. "I'll be down as soon as I get a shower."
"I'll save you some." She says with a smile.
Leaning over he kisses her before he leaves the room. A few minutes later, Cassie puts the last of the pancakes on the table and then she walks into the living room and over to the stairs. "You guys, breakfast is ready." She calls, before walking back into the kitchen. A few minutes later, she hears all three of them coming down the stairs.
They lay there for a few moments before Jeffrey glances at the clock and Sam says. "You've got to go?"
"I want to catch her before she leaves Company."
"Okay." Sam replies, releasing him.
"I'll see you tonight."
"Okay."
Getting up, Jeffrey leaves the bedroom, as Sam pulls the cover back over her. Moving to his side of the bed, she snuggles down into his pillow, falling asleep as he steps into the shower. Ten minutes later, he walks into the bedroom. Glancing at the bed, he smiles before he walks over to the closet. He returns a few minutes later, walking over to their dresser, he straightens his tie before brushes his hair. Laying the brush down, he turns to the bed. Walking over to it, he watches her sleep for a few moments before he leans over and lightly kisses her on her temple before he whispers. "I love both of you." A few minutes later, he leaves.
Ava is coming downstairs as Buzz is walking in from the kitchen. As she sits down at one of the booths, he walks over to her. Looking up, she smiles as she says. "Morning Buzz."
"Hi, how are you feeling?"
"Good."
"That's good. Your dad was here last night." Buzz says, as Jeffrey walks in.
"Okay."
"He wanted to talk…."
"I've got it Buzz." Jeffrey says, walking up to them.
"Morning Jeffrey, I was about to tell her to call you."
"Thanks, I've got it." Jeffrey says, sitting down across from Ava.
"Alright, have you had breakfast?"
"No," Jeffrey replies.
"You want the usual?"
"Yes, thanks." Jeffrey says, as Buzz turns to Ava."
"Bring me my usual." She says.
"Coming right up." Buzz says, walking back towards the kitchen.
"Buzz said, you came by last night.'
"Yes, Sam and I came by after we left Richard and Cassie's. I wanted to talk to you."
"Is something wrong? Did Mom…?"
"Your Mom hasn't done anything that I know of. Have you watched the news?'
"The news, no, not since yesterday evening, I was exhausted when I got home from work, so I ate dinner, took a long bath and went to bed. What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"Yes, William made a statement to the people of San Cristobel about the circumstances surrounding Will's adoption."
"Okay." Ava says, not too concerned as Lynn brings their drinks
"There's more." Jeffrey says, after taking a sip of coffee.
"Alright." She says, looking up. "Is he okay?"
"He's fine, but he abdicated last night."
"He what!" Ava says, staring at her father.
"He abdicated… he renounced the…."
"I know what it means. Did he say why?"
"No, only that it was something he had thought a lot about and that he realized what it meant for San Cristobel but it was something he had to do."
"So, he just gave up the throne, just like that, without any explanation "
"Yes."
"And we don't know why?'
"No."
"I can't believe he just quit like that. Was it because of Will? Did he abdicate because I wouldn't go down there and be the Princesses?"
"I don't know, but from what I've seen of him he's not that flighty. I mean he can be about some things but that was before Will and San Cristobel and being Prince. I want to think that, that has changed him."
"But you're worried he'll go off and leave me alone."
"He did that to Camille. He left her for a year after she married him."
"He didn't know she was pregnant, and from what he told me, they shouldn't've even married."
"Maybe so, he did, they did. And he left her. I don't want you to get hurt. I know it's hard on you being pregnant without him here, especially with Sam and I…."
"We don't know what he's thinking. We don't even know if he's coming to Springfield, or what he's planning. He might not even be coming here."
"I can't see him turning his back on you or the baby. But I don't want you hurt, if he does come here."
"William and I… well I don't know what we are, except the parents to this child. If we're more than that I can't say."
"You'll be careful, take it slow."
"I trust him Dad, even if I wouldn't marry him because of the baby. I don't believe that he will knowingly hurt me."
"Alright, are you going to call him?"
"I think I have to. I don't know if I'll be able to get through. He'll probably be busy, but I'm going to try." Ava says reaching for her phone as Jeffrey reaches out.
"It'll wait till you eat." He says, as Lynn walks up with their food.
After finishing breakfast at Company, Jeffrey heads to City Hall after he is assured that Ava is okay. He's walking into the building as Richard walks up beside him. "Jeffrey." He says, as Jeffrey opens the door.
"Richard." Jeffrey replies, letting him walk in.
"You're coming in early."
"I had some paperwork to take care of on the new company that's coming in." Richard replies as they fall into step with each other. "Did you talk to Ava last night?"
"No, she was already asleep when we got to Company."
"So, does she know about William?"
"Yes, I told her just now, at Company."
"How did she react?" Richard asks, as Jeffrey pushes the button for the elevator.
"She's shocked and I'm sure she'll call him, probably today."
"She might not be able to get through. I tried for a couple hours last night after you and Sam left and the palace was busy."
"Have you tried this morning?" Jeffrey asks, as the elevator doors open and they walk on.
"No, I'll call sometime today, and I'll use his private line."
"Why do you think he abdicated? He seemed to be settling into the job."
"He didn't want the crown in the first place. Camille forced him to take it. But he did seem to be settling in and he seemed to be enjoying being the Prince."
"Do you think it was because of Will? "
"I don't know. It could have been."
"But he is still young. And he can't name Ava's baby as heir."
"He could have, but Ava would have to agree to it. It would mean either that she moved to San Cristobel or be willing to let the child live in San Cristobel without her if she didn't want to move there."
:"Like Cassie did with Will. She wouldn't agree to that."
"I didn't think she would. There is that added fact that the child would be illegitimate, unless they married. He would have had to put the matter before the Royal Council before he could be named heir." Richard says, as the elevator doors open and they walk into the hallway leading to their offices.
"Have you said anything to Will?"
"No, I wanted to talk to William before we said anything to him."
"Okay, if you get time today. You can call from here." Jeffrey says, as Richard stops at his office door.
"I'll do that."
"Let me know what he says."
"I will, but if you're worried about Ava. I'm sure that everything will be alright."
"I hope you're right. I can't see her get hurt."
"I don't think William would do that. He's changed since he became Prince."
"I know but that free spirit he had when he first come to Springfield is still a part of him. It maybe one of the reasons he abdicated." Jeffrey says, as Richard nods
"I'll try to get in touch with him later and I'll let you know what he tells me."
"Thank you." Jeffrey walks towards his office as Richard walks into his.
William was lying in bed the next morning replaying the gasps of shock that filled the room after he made the announcement that he was abdicating and after taking questions he had left the palace for a long walk on the beach, returning to the palace through the hidden passage. He's still lying in bed when his private line begins to ring. Reaching for it, he answers the call on the second ring. "Hello."
"William, it's Ava."
"Hi." He replies, sitting up in bed.
"You abdicated?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It's something I've felt for a long time. But yesterday after I talked with Edmund, I realized it was time."
"But you loved being Prince.'
"I enjoyed it, I didn't love it Ava. I didn't want to take the throne and wouldn't have if Camille had not forced me to. Listen, this is something I need to do. I miss being free and I don't want the world on my shoulders anymore. I don't want to have to worry about the Edmund's of the world."
"Is this because I wouldn't come down there?"
"No, no. I would love if you had come. But this is for me. I feel these walls closing in on me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, dealing with the extents that Edmund went to try and hurt Richard and Cassie, simply because they told the truth, made me realized that it's not worth holding onto. I don't want to the center of some ones hatred, and I don't want you or our child to be the center of that much hatred. And I believe San Cristobel will survive quite well without me."
"So what happens now?"
"The matter will be put before the Royal Council, they will vote on it."
"Will you recommend that they dissolve the monarchy?"
"No, that will be their decision to make. From this point on, I'm only here as a figure head. I'll be making the important decisions and I'll be making those decisions until they make their decision and then I'll be here until the new government takes control and then after that, I don't know what I will do."
"You can come to Springfield." After the words were out, Ava was surprised at how much she wanted him to do that.
"You want me to come to Springfield. I thought you weren't interested in us being a couple."
"I didn't feel like I could be a Princess for San Cristobel. I always wanted you." There are a few moments of silence before Ava says. "If you don't…."
"I would love to be there, but it will be awhile before I can be."
"I know." Ava says, as William's phone beeps.
"Ava, I'm getting another call."
"Okay."
"I'll call you back later."
"Okay." Ava replies, as his phone beeps again.
They hang up and William clicks over to the other line. "Hello."
"William, its Richard."
"Hi, I can assume you're calling about the announcement."
"Yes."
"I was just talking to Ava about the same thing."
"Jeffrey told me that he had told her."
"And you want to know why I did this?"
"I'm not judging you, but it was out of the blue."
"Actually, it wasn't. I've been feeling it for a long time. I felt the walls closing in on me. I didn't want this in the first place. I only took the throne because of Camille and look how that turned out and now Edmund. I happen to think we would have survived quite well as a democracy."
"I know. Does this have to do with Will?"
"No, maybe, it has more to do with Edmund than Will. I can always have a child, but I realized last night coming back from the prison that I didn't want to be focus of that much hatred, and I didn't want my children being the focus of that much hatred. Even if Edmund is locked up, and he remains there, which he would if I was Prince, there are other people that could do the same type of thing and will for the throne. It didn't seem worth holding onto, especially since I was only there to protect Will from Camille. And I've never got over the feeling that I betrayed both of you."
"Betrayed us, you protected Cassie and me, along with Will from Camille and Dax. And please don't think we don't appreciate it."
"I know you do. But you lost everything you almost lost your life."
"You had nothing to do with what Camille did."
"Maybe not, but if you had been President, she wouldn't have been able to get to you."
"We don't know that, and you weren't the one that caused the monarchy to be reinstated, we put it to the people and they voted to have it reinstated."
"But they wouldn't have if they hadn't've known that I was alive. They made that choice because I was there."
"I do not blame you for their choice, please do not blame yourself. My life has been, well it hasn't been wonderful since I left San Cristobel, but I think it's going to get better now that I'm back with Cassie and the boys."
"Have you told Will?"
"No, I wanted to speak to you before we did."
"Alright, I should probably get up and face them."
"Have you spoken with Natalie?"
"No, I disappeared right after the announcement for that very reason."
"You didn't tell her before hand, did you?"
"Sort of. I told her that I had a couple of announcement to make. I didn't however tell her exactly what those announcements were."
"I'm glad I'm not in your shoes this morning." Richard says, chuckling.
"Very funny, brother." William replies, as someone knocks on his door "That's probably her now."
"Someone's at the door."
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll let you go."
"I'll talk to you later."
"Good."
They hang up as William pushes the covers back and walks out of his bedroom into the sitting room. Answering the door on the third knock. Stepping back, he lets Colonel Mitchell and Natalie in. "Colonel, Ms Portman. I assume you want to talk about last night."
"Yes Sir." They both reply.
"Well, as I said in the press conference this is something I have thought a long time about. I didn't make this decision quickly."
"We realize that Sir, but as your top advisors, you should have said something to us first." Colonel Mitchell.
"Colonel, my silence meant nothing against you or Ms. Portman. I simply wanted to make the decision on my own."
"But Sir, this is not a decision you can make on your own. It involves the whole country." Natalie says.
"And this is exactly why I am abdicating. I can't make a decision without thinking about how it will affect this country, even if it's something as simple as choosing what tie I wear, I have to think about the message it will bring to the people. I didn't want this job, but I took it because the people voted to reinstate the monarchy and it was the only way to protect Will and Cassie. Well that is over, Will is back where he belongs, and we know everything that happened those few days when Cassie was in the hospital and we know that my brother was behind it all. I don't want my family the focus of that extreme hate."
"So, this is about Ms. Peralta?'
"No, Ava has nothing to do with my decision."
"But she does Sir, you have an heir." Natalie says.
"And she doesn't want to be apart of this and she doesn't want our child to be apart of it either." William replies, not at all surprised that Natalie knew about Ava and the baby.
"So, we can't change your mind?" Colonel Mitchell asks.
"No, and even if I wanted to, we both know that it's not possible now that the announcement is made. It has to be brought before the Royal Council."
"Yes Sir." They both reply.
"Has the Lord Chancellor been contacted?"
"I contacted him early this morning, Sir." Natalie replies.
"Good. I will be down in about thirty minutes." William says, walking over to the door and opening it.
"Yes Sir." They both reply, walking out of the room.
Closing the door, William leans back against it for a few seconds before he stands up and walks into his suite.
72.13