A Fresh Start

Chapter Seventy-Three

After Jeffrey left Richard, he walks into is office. Stacey is at her desk when he walks in. "Good Morning, Stacey."

"Good Morning, Sir."

"Are there any messages?" He asks, stopping at her desk.

"Yes Sir." She replies, handing him a handful of pink slips.

"Thank you." Jeffrey says, taking them and heading towards his office. "Can you bring me a cup of coffee?"

"Yes Sir, I'm making it now."

"Good." He says, looking at the messages.

He notices a message from the lead agent that he had sent to San Cristobel. Sitting down at his desk, he dials the agent's number and after a couple rings, she answers. "Ramirez."

"Agent Ramirez, this is Col. O'Neill

"Yes Sir."

"You left a message for me to call. I'm assuming that this is pertaining to Alan Spaulding and the information on the computers we removed from San Cristobel."

"Yes sir. We've been able to trace and validate several of the entries made by Mr. Spaulding."

"So, he's bribed more than the local DA."

"It appears that way Sir. However, we were not able to validate the entry pertaining to the police officer in Georgia, simply because the officer was killed in the line of duty several years ago. But so far all of the entries pertaining to Federal Agents have checked out. We are still in the process of looking into the entries pertaining to the Federal Judge."

"Okay, fax me all the documentation you have and I'll contact the State Attorney."

"Yes Sir. I'll speak with the other agents and gather up all of their documentation and I will fax it to you by this afternoon."

"Alright."

Jeffrey hangs up as Stacey walks into his office. "Thanks." Jeffrey says, as she puts the cup on his desk. "I'm expecting several faxes this afternoon from Washington, put them in a folder and put them on my desk."

"Yes Sir."

"Okay, who's up first?"

"I believe Josh Lewis, Reverend Rutledge and Father Ray." Jeffrey sighs at the idea of facing Josh first thing in the morning. As much as he tried to pretend to Sam that Josh's attitude towards him didn't bother him, Josh's tendency to be holier than thou did grate on his nerves, especially when it pertained to him. "They are here to finalize the details about the after school center and program that they want to start before they bring it before the city council."

"Are they still pushing for the city to back part of the funding?"

"I believe so, Sir."

"Alright, have they spoken with Accounting about it?"

"I'm not sure, Sir."

"Alright, I'll ask them when they come in. Be sure to contact Miles in Accounting and ask him to be available in case we need to speak with him."

"Yes Sir." She replies, walking towards the door.

"Thank you." Jeffrey replies, as Stacey nods and walks out of the office as he goes back to the other messages.

Thirty minutes after Natalie and Colonel Mitchell left his suite, William is walking into his office. "Good Morning Sir." Jodi says, as he walks in.

"Good Morning." William replies, closing the door behind him and walking towards his office.

"You've had several calls from different title holders as well as the Lord Chancellor." Jodi says, following behind him.

"I was expecting that. Call the Lord Chancellor and tell him that we can meet whenever it's convenient for the Royal Council. As to the title holders give me the names and I'll call them personally."

"Yes Sir, I'll bring them right in."

"But before you do that, get the President of Mexico on the line."

"Yes Sir."

"That will be all."

Jodi turns to go and then she turns back. "Sir."

"Yes." William replies, looking up.

"I wanted to say that I've enjoyed being your assistant and that I'm sorry to see you go."

"Thank You." William replies, as she bows and leaves the office.

Cassie drops the boys off at Reva's before she heads to the Beacon. Olivia and the new supplier where waiting for her when she walks into the conference room. And when she arrives they settle down to business and after about an hour they had hammered out a tentative deal with Olivia and the gentleman agreeing to meet again in another week to finalize the contract.

After that meeting, Cassie heads for the kitchen. The head chef is working on that day's menu when she walks in and when he looks up and sees her standing there he turns the preparations over to one of the other chefs. Walking into his office, he says. "I was able to get the pâté that you asked for."

"Good, is the menu ready?" Cassie asks, sitting down across from him.

"Yes ma'am." He says, pulling a piece of paper out of a folder and handing it to her.

Glancing over it, she nods as she reads each item. "Alright, we want this to be simple, so let's stick to the basics, no special variations. Let's keep the cake simple too."

"Yes ma'am."

"Other than that, everything looks good."

"Good, I'll turn this over to the staff and we'll start getting ready. It's going to take a couple weeks to get the pâté shipped here."

"That's okay. Its Richard's favorite so it's worth the time and money, but that is strictly for our honeymoon. Were you able to get the champagne?"

"Yes ma'am, the supplier guaranteed delivery before the wedding."

"Oh, yes. You're going to have to change that. Olivia is changing our supplier, and the deal should be finalized by next week, so be sure to make sure we'll be able to get what we need and how much we need."

"Yes ma'am."

"Also, we need to make sure that we have an alternate beverage there as well, we'll have a few guests that will not be able to drink. I was thinking something like a sparkling cider."

"Yes ma'am, I'll make sure we have alternate beverages for those that do not want to drink."

"Good, well then that looks like everything." Cassie says, standing up.

"Yes ma'am." He says, standing up with her.

Cassie leaves but instead of going to her office, she walks out into the garden. She hadn't had time to speak with the gardener about supplying the flowers for the wedding. And as she's walking through, she spots Olivia on her phone, and watching her for a few moments, she remembers what Sam said about her knowing about the wedding. Changing directions, she walks towards her.

"So, everything is in place now? The room is…." She asks, as Cassie walks up and Olivia turns around. "Let me get back to you." Olivia says, hanging up.

"What are you planning Olivia?" Cassie asks, watching slip her phone into her pocket.

"Nothing." Olivia replies, walking around her.

"I hope you're not planning on doing something to Jeffrey or Sam on their wedding day. They are getting married."

"Why would you think I would do anything to them?"

"Because I know you and I know, how you are when you feel like you've been wronged."

"Jeffrey and I were barely together." Olivia says, walking towards the hotel.

"But still, I've talked to Sam…." Cassie says, walking beside her.

"And of course, you automatically assumed that what she said is the truth."

"I'm not accusing you Olivia, but I hope you realize that Jeffrey will protect her, and if you do anything on their wedding day, they will be expecting it."

"If I was planning something, I wouldn't do on a day they would be expecting it. It's not my style and please, give me more credit than that." Olivia says, turning and walking away from her with Cassie watching her.

When she walks into the hotel, Cassie continues on to the gardeners shed. Walking in, she's met with the scent of pesticides, and manure along with fresh dirt. As she walks in, Cassie smiles as the gardener walks in. He had been one of the palace gardeners and shortly after Richard's accident, he had shown up and she had hired him immediately to layout and maintain the gardens and grounds at the Beacon.

"Robbie." Cassie says, as he walks up to her.

"Ms. Cassie." He replies, nodding as he continues to repot one of the pots from in front of the hotel.

"I have a favor to ask."

"Yes ma'am."

"As you know, Richard has returned to…."

"I've meant to tell you how happy I am that he survived the accident. It was quite a shock I know."

"Yes, it was, but I'm thankful that he did survive and to celebrate that, we've decided to renew our vows."

"That's wonderful, ma'am. Are you having the ceremony here?"

"No, it will be at the farm, in the barn."

"Again, ma'am."

"Yes again." Cassie replies, with a smile.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"It's quite alright, I wasn't sure about it either but Richard insisted. I was wondering if you would be able to work out the flowers for the ceremony, my bouquet as well as the bouquets for the bridal party."

"I'm sure we can do that. I assume you want nothing like your wedding for Prince…."

"No, definitely not, but I do want white roses. They have special meaning for Richard and me."

"And they are also your favorite flower."

"Yes, they are." Cassie says, with a smile.

"I'll have one of my assistants start making a plan. We should have something by early next week."

"Wonderful."

"When is the date of the wedding?"

"September 20th."

"Yes ma'am. How many will be in the bridal party?"

"There will be my sister and at least one other bridesmaid, along with Richard's best man and groomsmen. I think he's only going to have one or two."

"So we have at least six in the bridal party."

"Yes, as it stands right now."

"Then we'll get on it immediately."

"Thank you." Cassie leaves and the gardener returns to what he was doing.

As Jeffrey is finishing with Josh and Reverend Rutledge, the faxes from Agent Ramirez come through. They are shaking hands when Stacey walks up with the file. Josh had barely said a handful of words during the meeting, leaving Reverend Rutledge to do most of the talking. Father Ray hadn't been able to join them, so the meeting had been kept fairly short, but Jeffrey had the clear impression that Josh did not support his involvement in the project.

Usually answering Jeffrey's questions in one word answers and short phrases and by the time they had gotten through Reverend Rutledge's explanation, Jeffrey was more than frustrated with Josh's attitude along with Reverend Rutledge. When they had walked out of Jeffrey's office, he was never more relieved to see Stacey, holding a file. "Thank you." Jeffrey says, taking the file "I'll speak with Accounting." He says, turning back to Reverend Rutledge and Josh.

"Thank you." Reverend Rutledge says, nodding as they walk out of the office and Jeffrey returns to his desk.

Sitting down, he opens the file. Nearly all of the information they were able to pull off Alan's computer had checked out. And Doris wasn't lying when she said that he had several officials in his pocket, not just her, including several Federal agents, state level judges and other city officials in various positions. Picking up the phone, he dials the number for the Attorney General's number. After a couple rings, his assistant answers. "Mr. Maxwell's office."

"Yes, this is Jeffrey O'Neill. I need to speak with Mr. Maxwell."

"Yes Sir, please hold."

"Thank you."

A couple seconds later, the calls are connected. "Jeffrey."

"Yes Sir. I thought I should inform I've received the information from my agents that went to San Cristobel."

"And what have they been able to confirm."

"Most of Ms. Wolfe's accusations, he's got more than just the DA in his pocket. I have all the information sitting before me and I believe we have a strong case for more than state charges."

"We should take it to the US Attorney."

"I don't know if we should do that, maybe for the Federal charges, but we have enough to put him away for a very long time on the State charges alone."

"Okay, fax over the records and I'll take a look at them and if I agree we'll offer Ms. Wolfe a deal for her cooperation."

"Yes Sir, I'll have my assistant take care of it immediately."

"I'll inform my assistant."

"Yes Sir." They hang up before Jeffrey buzzes Stacey. "Could you come in here please?" A few seconds later, Stacey walks into his office. "I need you to fax this over to the Attorney General's office immediately."

"Yes Sir." Stacey says, taking the file and leaving the office.

When Reverend Rutledge and Josh walk out of City Hall, Reverend Rutledge asks. "What was wrong with you in there?"

"Nothing." Josh replies, turning for his car.

"You barely answered his questions, even the ones pertaining to the construction of the building for the center. I'm surprised he still supports the project." Reverend Rutledge says, following him to his car. "Josh." He says, when Josh doesn't reply to his comment about Jeffrey's support.

"What?" Josh says, stopping and turning to look at him.

"Can you explain to me why you were completely indifferent in there about this project? It was your idea, you brought it to me."

Josh looks at him for a few moments before he turns away again.

"Josh, I asked…."

Josh turns back around and asks "Why does Jeffrey O'Neill have to be involved? We can take this directly to the City Council."

"You approach him first. It was your idea to speak to him about it. Now you don't want him involved. I don't understand."
"I just feel like it would be better if Jeffrey O'Neill had no connection to this project. I don't trust him."

"What do you expect him to do, take credit for it? He's mayor, having his support will make convincing the Council a lot more simple, not to mention easier. Why don't you trust him?"

"He's out for his own self."

"I've seen no indication but that he's supportive of Springfield and the center."

"He's a…."

"Don't say he's a rapist, it's not our place to judge what happened between him and Olivia Spencer."

"And what about what he did to Cassie?"

"That is between him and Mrs. Winslow also. Having his support will help when we bring this before the Council."

"I still say we can get this passed without him being involved."

Reverend Rutledge looks at him before he asks. "What are you not saying?"

"I am saying everything. I don't trust the man and I don't believe we have to have him involved with this project to get its approval through the city council."

"We both know that the city council will take the recommendation of the mayor into consideration when they make the decision. We need him."

"Whatever you say." Josh replies, walking to his truck and leaving Reverend Rutledge standing at the bottom of the steps as Richard walks out of the building.

Spotting him at the bottom of the steps, he calls. "Reverend."

Turning he waits for Richard to walk down to him. "Yes, Mr. Winslow. Let me say it is good to see you."

"Thank you." Richard says, nodding

"So, what can I do for you?"

"I need to ask you something. As you know, before the accident Cassie and I were planning on renewing our vows."

"Yes, I remember." Reverend Rutledge turns for his car with Richard walking with him.

"We've decided to go ahead and do that."

"Wonderful, so how can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you would be willing to perform the ceremony."

"What is the date?"

"September 20th."

"I will have to check my schedule and see what I have planned for that day. So, I'll get back to you."

"I appreciate it."

"You're welcome, and I'll get back to you." Reverend Rutledge says, walking up to his car "I'll call you when I get back to the church and can look at my calendar.'

"I'll be out of the office for about an hour so if you call and I'm not there…."

"I'll leave a message with your assistant."

"Thank you."

Getting into his car, Richard walks over to his. Getting in, he follows Reverend Rutledge out of the parking lot. Richard had been looking over some contracts with a new company when Rick had called and asked to see him. He had totally forgotten about Rick handling the issue of the death certificate. Pulling into a parking place in front of Cedars, Richard gets out and walks in. A few moments later, he walks into Rick's office.

"May I help you?" A lady asks.

"Yes, Dr. Bauer asked me to come…."

"Richard." Rick says, walking into the office. Turning, he takes Rick's outstretched hand. "If you will follow me, we'll talk in my office." Rick says, walking into his office with Richard following behind him. Closing the door behind them, he says. "I asked you to come by, because I spoke with the lab and they told me that they no longer have any of the blood that we collected after the accident, so we need to find another way to establish a link between the results from the hospital in DC and the results we have here. I also wanted to ask you to allow us to take another vial of blood to use as a comparison. If we have a recent donation, there will be less of a chance the court will deny the petition due to potential corruption of samples."

"I can do that and then after that I can speak to the agency in DC and see if they still have the sample I provided while I was still in San Cristobel before the accident."

"That will work."

"I'll go down to the lab and have them take the sample and then I'll contact Noah about seeing if the agency has my old sample."

"Good." Rick says, following Richard to the door.

"I'll have Noah contact the hospital directly."

"It might be a better idea to have an agent not associated with you to submit the sample, so that there can be no doubt of authenticity."

"Alright, I'll tell Noah."

"Good, I'll be expecting to hear for him."

"I'll call him as soon as I get back to my office."

"Good." Rick says shaking Richard's outstretched hand before Richard leaves the office.

After leaving the hospital, Richard stops by the Dent's Sporting Goods to look for Will a soccer ball. He isn't sure what to get so he decides to wait till he has Will with him before they bought one. Leaving the store, he heads back to his office. When he walks in, Cassie is waiting for him.

"Hi." He says, as she walks over to him

"Hi." She replies, kissing him softly before releasing him and they walk into his office.

"What are you doing here?" He asks, walking around his desk.

"I thought maybe we could go to lunch, maybe go out to the lighthouse and have a picnic or something. I've got everything in the car already." She says, hopefully.

"I think I can manage that. My next meeting isn't until about 3:00."

"Good." She says, with a brilliant smile as he walks around the desk again and they leave the office.

"Amelia."

"Yes Sir." She replies, looking up.

"I'm leaving for lunch. I'll be back before my 3:00."

"Yes Sir."

"You can take your lunch now."

"Yes Sir."

Richard and Cassie leave and head towards the lighthouse. When they reach the light house, Richard takes a blanket out of the trunk of his car as Cassie picks up the picnic basket from her front seat. Taking his hand, they walk around the lighthouse to the western side. Richard spreads the blanket out and then takes the picnic basket from Cassie while taking her hand and helping her to sit down on the blanket before he sits the basket down as he sits down.

"So why the picnic?" He asks, as Cassie begins to take her sandals off and he follows her lead, slipping off his shoes and socks off along with his suit jacket and pulling his tie loose and unbuttoning the top button on his shirt before he rolls up his sleeves on his shirt.

Cassie starts to take out different things out of the basket as she says. "Well, I was at work and I was thinking about the picnic we had when we first found the Beacon. I wanted to do that again, but we obviously can't have a picnic in the lobby of the Beacon, like we did then, but this lighthouse means as much to us as anything else in Springfield. If you remember what Michelle said this lighthouse meant to Meta, it sort of fits for us too."

"Yes, it does. We've lived here and been away. And I feel like I'm home when I see it." Richard says, looking over at the light house.

"This feels more like home than San Cristobel."

"San Cristobel will always be a part of me, like America will always be a part of you, but it's possible to feel at home somewhere other than where you were born. That's what Springfield is to me, my home away from home. So, what did you bring for this picnic?" Richard asks, turning back to the picnic basket.

"Umm, well I brought my chicken salad, cole slaw, fresh bean salad, some fruit, and tea along with Crème Brulé that the chef fixed for the Beacon."

"You made all of this…?" Richard says, taking a cracker and scooping some of the chicken salad onto it.

"No, when the idea came to me. I called the kitchen and asked the chef to fix it for us."

"So he fixed the chicken salad?"

"Yes and no, he made up to a point and when he was almost finished I told him to call me and I finished it, so the secret is still safe with me." She says, with a smile as she takes the cracker and chicken salad he's handing to her.

"Good, we can't let the world know your secret."

"It's really not that much of a…."

"Shhh, I don't want to know." Richard says, laying a finger across her lips before he leans over to kiss her. "So, besides hanging out in your office and meetings with Olivia… What?" He asks, when he notices her sigh after he mentions Olivia.

"She knows about the wedding."

"Well of course she does, you're using the Beacon to…."
"No, Jeffrey and Sam's wedding."

"She does, how?"

"I'm not really sure. Sam told me that she knows when they were at the farm last night."

"What is Jeffrey planning on doing?"

"He's arranging for security, but other than that I don't know the details."

"Surely, she wouldn't try to do something on their wedding day. She has to know that they will expect it."

"That's just it I think she is planning on doing something. I'm not sure if it's for wedding, but she is planning something."

"Why do you think that?"

"Well, after we finished with our meeting this morning, I went to speak with the chef about the wedding and then I went to speak with gardener about doing the flowers and when I was walking to the greenhouse, I spotted Olivia out there. It made me think of Sam and so I went to talk to her about it, and I overheard her say something?"

"What?"

"Whomever she was talking with, I heard her ask them if everything was in place and something about a room and then she turned around and saw me behind her, she ended the call quickly, a little too quickly to simply be planning something simple and legitimate."

"Cassie, she could have been talking about anything. It might not even have anything to do with Jeffrey and Sam."

"I know, but when I asked her…."

"What did she say?" Richard asks, taking another cracker.

"That it was nothing. I mentioned talking to Sam. And she attacked her because she said something to me about her knowing about the wedding. Why would she be upset that Sam said something to me about her knowing about the wedding, if she wasn't planning something?" Cassie replies, taking another cracker too.

"Sam is Jeffrey's fiancé and Olivia's his ex. She's not going to like being discussed by her."

"She's your ex as well, but do you think that she cares if we discuss her."

"Of course not, but Olivia and I were a long time ago. We never should have been anything more than friends. We weren't meant to be anything more than what we were."

"And Jeffrey wasn't meant for her either, that doesn't mean that she accepts or realizes that. In fact, I think she's denying everything that pertains to Jeffrey and their relationship. I think she's convinced herself that they should have been more than what they are." Cassie says, taking a drink of tea.

"You think she's going to do something to them?"

"Maybe."

"Why do you think that?"

"I don't have any concrete proof, but it's a gut feeling." Cassie says, picking up a piece of fruit.

"Well, whatever she's planning I'm sure that Jeffrey is aware of her and if she tries to do something he'll be expecting it."

"What if it's not Sam that she's after?"

"What do you mean, what if it's not Sam she's after? Who else would she be after?"

"Jeffrey."

"Besides the obvious reason, why would she go after Jeffrey? Why would she think she could? Jeffrey's a trained federal agent. He knows how to protect himself, believe me I've seen him do it Olivia would be no match for him."

"Olivia by herself wouldn't, but Olivia with help could take him."

"You think Olivia's got someone to help her, who?"

"I don't know. Like I said, I don't have any proof. I'm only speaking from my gut and past experience with Olivia. When she's been hurt, especially by a man, she never goes after the woman. Her target is always the man. She tries to hurt them. She did it with Josh. She did it with Phillip. She even did it in a round about way to Bill, by going after Billy. She tried to hurt Phillip and take Spaulding over when she came back with Emma. She sabotaged Reva and Josh's wedding. She hired Alan to change the picture that showed her giving the money to Verland."

"She was sleeping with Alan."

"I know, but…."

"Was there any proof that she directly had anything to do with the lights going out at Reva and Josh's wedding."

"No, but she was seen there with Edmund, Edmund! Someone who we both know is known to have a grudge against Reva, not to mention me and you."

"Okay, so maybe she could have done that to Reva's wedding. I don't know about Phillip and Bill. But would she go after Jeffrey, just because he's with Sam."

"She went after Josh because he went back to Reva. And the circumstance surrounding her and Jeffrey getting together is another reason for her to go after him and not Sam."

"He didn't rape her, Edmund did."

"But does she know that?"

"I don't know. Listen, I don't want you going after her. If she's as desperate as you seem to believe she is, I don't want you caught between them. Jeffrey can handle Olivia."

"But what if he can't?"

"He's the mayor of Springfield. He has protection. Promise me, you won't go off looking into whatever you think Olivia has planned." Cassie looks out at the lake. "Cassie." Richard says, turning her back to face him.

"Alright, I won't go looking into whatever is going on between Olivia and Jeffrey. I'll let him handle it."

"Let me see your hands." Richard says, with a smile as she reaches over to slap him.

"Hey, I'm still recovering from my injuries."

"I'll show you recovering from your injuries." Cassie says, running her fingers along his side, tickling him softly.

"Cassie." He says, trying to get away from her. "Fine." He says, reaching over to tickle her.

She starts laughing, trying to get away from him as well as keep on tickling him. Laughing, he pushes her back and leaning over her he watches her for a few moments before he leans down and softly kisses her. Reaching up, she wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him back and sighing softly. Lying down beside her, he deepens the kiss.

After a few moments, he leans back. Smiling, he slowly moves his eyes over her face. He starts to sit back, but she stops him. He looks down and then he lies down beside of her, propping himself up with his elbow as he lays his hand against her cheek as he says. "I love you."

"I love you too." Cassie says, turning her head and lightly kissing the palm of his hand.

Lying down completely, he lifts his arm as she moves over beside him laying her head on his chest. Slowly he begins to move his hand across her shoulder. Picking up her hair, he lets it fall through his fingers as she lays her arm across his stomach, moving in closer to him.

"You know, I could stay here like this forever." He says, continuing to play with her hair.

"But you have to go back to work." Cassie says, pulling away from him.

"Where are you going?" He asks, reaching to stop her.

"You've got get back to work… we have to get back to work."

"We can stay here for a few more moments." He says, pulling her back to him.

"You've got meetings and I've got…"

"I've got a meeting at 3 and Olivia can handle whatever comes up at the Beacon." Richard says, laying her head back down on his chest. "We can stay for a little while longer." He says, as she snuggles in closer to him and he tightens his arm around her as he closes his eyes.

Slowly the rhythm of his heart beat along with the feel of her laying beside him and the warmth of the sunshine lulls them to sleep. About an hour later, the buzzing of his cell phone wakes him up. Reaching for it, he realizes that Cassie is lying on the pocket where he keeps it. Gently he lifts her head as it buzzes again. "Okay, I'm coming." He says softly, slipping his arm from around her shoulders.

Sitting up, he pulls his cell from his pocket as Cassie says. "Richard."

"I'm right here darling." He says, pushing talk. "Richard Winslow." He says, as Cassie sits up, rubbing her face.

"Sir, its Amelia, the representatives from Chicago are here and waiting."

"Ah." Richard reaches up to wipe his face as he glances at his watch and realizes that it's 2:30. "Ah, okay. Tell them I had a family matter come up." Richard replies, as Cassie watches him.

"Yes Sir."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Yes Sir."

"Thank you." Richard says, hanging up the phone.

Reaching for the button on his shirt and buttoning it before he tightens his tie he reaches for his shoes and socks as Cassie asks "What's wrong? What happened?"

"I guess we fell asleep. Amelia just called and my three o'clock meeting is waiting at my office."

"What time is it?"

"After 2:30." Richard replies, reaching for his jacket and slipping it on as Cassie reaches for her sandals. "Will you be okay here? Can you get this…?"

"Yes, go. " Cassie says, beginning to pack the picnic basket.

"I'll see you tonight." He says, leaning over to kiss her.

"Okay."

"And thank you for the picnic." He says, slowly running his finger along her jaw.

"You're welcome, now go. You can't keep them waiting too long."

"Bye, I'll see you tonight." He says, leaning over to give her a quick kiss.

"Bye." She replies, watching him walk towards his car. "And be careful."

He raises his hand, nodding as he walks towards the car. Getting in, he starts the car and then waves one last time before he pulls away. A few minutes later, Cassie has everything back in her car and she's headed back to the Beacon.

When he reaches City Hall, he walks into his office as Amelia hands him the file pertaining to the company as he says. "Gentlemen, I do apologize for being late my fiancé asked me to deal with some details for our upcoming wedding and I didn't realize it would take this long."

"It's quite alright." The older gentleman says, shaking Richard's outstretched hand.

"We understand. Women can be so fickle. They never seem to understand that we have other things to take care of." The other man says, as Richard shakes his hand as well.

"Yes, well. I don't mind helping her out. But I didn't realize the time and I apologize for you having to wait. Now shall we get down to business?"

"Yes, we have quite a lot to discuss." The first gentleman says as they sit down at a table across from Richard's desk.

They spend the next couple hours outlining the project, what the company could bring to Springfield and why they had picked Springfield. At the end of the meeting, Richard stands up and says. "I must say, you bring a very impressive package with you. And I think this will be a very beneficial arrangement between us. I do, however have discuss this with the mayor as well as the appropriate council members before we draw up the final details on the project."

"Of course." The first gentleman says.

"Let me speak with the mayor and we'll go from there." Richard says, holding out his hand.

"Yes Sir." Both gentlemen reply, each shaking Richard's hand as they leave the office.