A Fresh Start
Chapter Eighty Five
Sam slept for a couple more hours, waking up about nine. Rolling over, she reaches for Jeffrey and then remembers that he had left earlier for city hall. Sitting up, she stretches and then pushes the covers back and climbs out of bed. Walking downstairs, she goes to the bathroom and then gets into the shower. Thirty minutes later, she's out and drying off. She wraps a towel around her before she opens the door.
As the door opens the phone starts to ring. Walking into the living room for the phone, she remembers that it's upstairs on the night stand as the call goes to voicemail. Heading up stairs, she picks up the phone and looks at the caller ID and realizes the call was from Dr. Sedgwick's office, calling into the voicemail, she listens to the message and then puts the phone down to get dressed. After getting dressed, she picks up the phone, she dials the number for city hall and after a couple rings Stacey picks up. "Springfield City Hall, Mayor's office."
"Yes Stacey, is Jeffrey in?" Sam asks, walking down the stairs.
"He's in a meeting right now. Would you like for me to get…."
"No, I'll talk to him later."
"Is there a message, ma'am?"
"No, just tell him I called."
"Alright."
Sam hangs up and then puts the phone on the charger before she walks to the door and grabbing her purse and keys leaves the loft. She drives over to the Beacon, and is walking into the lobby when she spots Olivia standing with some guests talking to them. She walks past her and up to the front desk. "May I help you?" The desk clerk asks.
"Yes, is Cassie in?"
"No, she's not. She took the day off to look for a dress to be in your wedding." Olivia says from behind her.
Sam turns around and then nods and says. "How did you know that?"
"She told me. I am her partner and she wanted me to know that she wouldn't be available that day." Olivia replies.
"I'll stop by the farm…."
"She's probably at Reva's."
"Thank you" Sam says, before she walks away.
Sam leaves and drives over to Reva's. She pulls up as they walk out of the house.
"So we're having everyone over." Reva says, as Cassie turns and sees Sam walking towards them.
"Sam." She says.
"Hi." Sam replies, stopping in front of them. "I came by to see if you had your dresses for the wedding."
"We are going shopping right now." Reva says. "Do you want to come?"
"Ah, I would. But I have an appointment I have to keep. I'm sure you'll find something. I know its short notice and everything and I appreciate…."
"Sam, you don't have to thank us. In away we both owe you." Reva says.
"Owe me?" Sam asks.
"You brought Richard back to us." Cassie says
"And you saved my son and granddaughter, so we owe you." Reva says.
"I was only doing my job."
"Well, we appreciate it and I'm sure we'll find something today."
"Good, then I'll let you two go. I've got to stop by city hall before I go to my appointment."
"We'll see you then." Cassie and Reva say.
"Yes." Sam walks back to her car as Reva and Cassie walk over to Reva's.
Getting in, Sam starts the car and turns around in the driveway. She waves as she pulls away with Cassie and Reva returning the wave. "I wonder why she's going by City Hall." Reva says.
"I have a pretty good idea why she's going by there. I stopped by Jeffrey's office a few times when we were dating." Cassie says, as Reva looks at her. "What? You've never surprised Josh in his office."
"I'm not commenting on that." Reva says, starting the car.
"I rest my case. So where are we going?" Cassie asks, as they back out of the garage and leave.
"There's a new boutique that's opened over on Main and 5th, I thought we would start there. We have to have a dress by tonight."
"Yes we do, because I'm busy for the rest of this week."
"So am I."
"You were saying something about a barbeque on Labor Day?"
"Yeah, Billy suggested it. We're going to invite everyone. Have big family get together like we used to do in Oklahoma."
"Everyone's coming in?"
"Ah, well I doubt Jon or Sarah will be there, But Billy's contacting Bill and Mindy. And I've spoke with Vanessa and Matt."
"What about Marah and Shayne?"
"I can't seem to get a hold of Shayne, but I left a message with Marah's assistant for her to call me, so I should hear from her soon. You said you were busy the rest of the week."
"Yeah, I've got to take the boys school clothes shopping and then I've got work to do at the Beacon."
"What else?" Reva asks, glancing at Cassie.
"I've got to attend a meeting with that guy we saw the other day at Towers."
"The one that owns some resorts in Europe."
"Yes, he's apparently looking to expand his operation and he wants to model it after the Beacon."
"You told me about that, and you don't…."
"I don't know what I want. I know I don't get a clear feeling from him."
"A clear feeling, what do you mean?"
"I mean I think he's up to something. I think he wants more than what he's telling us."
"If you don't trust the man, then let Olivia take the meeting."
"That's what Richard said last night."
"Well, your husband is a very smart man." Reva replies, pulling up to the boutique.
"I hope we find something here." Cassie says, getting out of the car
"You don't like going shopping with your older sister."
"No, no. I'm glad we're doing this, especially with the way things have been with us the last couple years. I just know this is important to Sam."
"I know, and you don't have to keep apologizing for Josh and you. The whole situation was messed up and some of it was my fault. I should have told you what was going on with me."
"Yes, you should have." Cassie says, as Reva opens the door to the shop and they walk in.
Jeffrey was wrapping up a meeting when Sam walks into his outer office. "Gentlemen, look over that information and we'll discuss this some more." Jeffrey says, looking up and seeing Sam.
"Yes, Mr. Mayor." The councilmen reply, nodding to Sam as they leave the office and Jeffrey walks over to her.
"What's going on?"
"Ah, I have a doctor's appointment today with Dr. Sedgwick and I completely forgot about it until her nurse called to remind me this morning."
"Oh." Jeffrey turns to Stacey. "When's my next meeting?"
"Umm, not till two, Sir." Stacey says, glancing at the calendar.
"I'm going to lunch and then we're going to the doctor. If you need me…."
"I'll call you on your cell, Sir."
"Thank you." Jeffry says, turning to Sam and they leave.
A few minutes later, they are walking into Dr. Sedgwick's office. Sam goes up to the window to let them know she's there while Jeffrey takes a seat in one of the chairs. After letting the nurse know she's there, she goes over to him and sits down beside him. He's leafing through one of the women's magazines while Sam watches him. After a few seconds, she asks. "Do you even know what you're looking at?"
Jeffrey looks over at her and then back at the magazine and then back at her and shrugs his shoulders as he shakes his head no. Putting the magazine on the table, he reaches for her hand. For a few minutes they watch the TV in the corner of the room before he asks. "Did you call Megan about your brother?"
"No, I slept for a couple hours after you left and then when I got up I got a shower and then Mandy called so I didn't have time to call." Sam replies, as Mandy comes to the door.
"Sam Whitley."
They get up and follow her through the door. Walking down the hallway, they stop about a third of the way down. "If you'll wait in here." Mandy says, directing them into the room. Sam climbs up on the table while Jeffrey sits down beside her.
Mandy checks Sam's blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. "Could you follow me? I need to get your weight." Mandy says to Sam, putting the blood pressure cuff back in the holder.
"Sure." Sam gets up. "I'll be right back." She says, as Jeffrey nods.
They leave. About five minutes later, they return, with Mandy putting Sam's file in the holder beside the door she says. "If you'll put the gown on and Dr. Sedgwick will be with you shortly."
"Thanks Mandy." Sam says, reaching to pull her shirt over her head, Mandy nods before she pulls the door closed. After she puts the gown on she gets up on the exam table.
About ten minutes later, Dr. Sedgwick walks into the room. "Good Morning, Sam, Mr. Mayor."
"Call me Jeffrey." He says, as she nods.
"So Sam, how have you been doing?"
"Pretty good."
"The morning sickness."
"I've had some, but it hasn't gotten too bad."
"And you're eating…."
"Everyday, watching what I eat, and staying away from caffeine."
"Good, are you taking the vitamins?"
"Yes, everyday." Sam says.
"Good, so let's give you a quick check up and then I'll have Mandy come back in to draw some blood so we can check your levels.
Sam lies back, as Jeffrey takes her hand. Dr. Sedgwick gets ready. She feels over Sam's breasts and stomach, pressing in gently before she checks to make sure there's nothing wrong internally. When she's finished, about ten minutes have passed. "Okay, we're finished." Dr. Sedgwick says pulling off her gloves as Jeffrey helps Sam up. "Everything feels like its in order and I don't see any problems internally." She says, standing up. "I'll have Mandy come in to draw the blood and then you can go and I'll see in another month."
"Okay." Sam says, nodding.
"You can get dressed." Dr. Sedgwick says opening the door as Sam gets up. Closing the door behind her, as Sam reaches for her clothes.
Dressing quickly, she sits down on the table as Mandy walks into the room. "Dr. Sedgwick wanted to get a blood sample, so that we can test your levels." She says, putting a kit on the table beside them.
Sam holds out her arm for Mandy to clean and then looks away when she takes the needle out. She doesn't flinch when the needle goes in but Jeffrey does and she smiles, squeezing his hand. Mandy fills three vials and then she puts on a cotton ball, band-aid and tape around Sam's elbow. "You know how long to keep the pressure…."
"An hour for the pressure bandage, a few more for the band-aid."
"Yes." Mandy replies, as she labels the vials. "We'll notify you if anything comes up with the blood tests."
"Okay."
"Stop at the desk to setup another appointment for next month."
"I will." Sam says, leaving the room behind Mandy with Jeffrey following them.
Sam stops at the desk to make the appointment while Jeffrey waits in the lobby. They leave a few minutes later. Walking out to the car, Jeffrey asks. "Where do you want to have lunch?"
"Umm, let's go to Company and get lunch and then take it out to the lake."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, holding door to the elevator for her.
A few minutes later, they walk into Company. Marina's there. "Hey you too." She says, walking up the bar.
"Hi." They both reply.
"What can I get you?"
"Ah Sam, what do you want?"
"I don't care." Sam says, looking around the restaurant. "Where's Buzz?"
"He's at lunch but he should be back in about an hour." Marina says.
"Okay."
"Is a Buzz burger okay?" Jeffrey asks, looking at her.
"Yes."
"Okay, we'll have two Buzz burgers, an order of fries and I'll have a Coke, what do you…."
"I'll have a Sprite." Sam says.
"Okay, two Buzz Burgers, fries, a coke and a sprite coming right up." Marina says, jotting down their order on a pad.
She leaves as Jeffrey turns to Sam. "You okay?"
"I'm fine, why?"
"You were asking for Buzz."
"I wanted to make sure everything was ready for the wedding."
"I'm sure he's got everything in order.
About ten minutes later, Marina brings out their order. "Here you go."
"Thanks, Marina." Jeffrey says, taking the bag.
"You're welcome, and I'll tell Grandpa you're looking for him." She says, turning to Sam.
"No, it's okay. I'll come back later." Sam says.
"Alright."
They leave. About thirty minutes later, Jeffrey pulls up to a secluded spot on the south side of the lake, about thirty yards from the light house. The Lighthouse Committee is already out there getting everything ready for the Spaulding Regatta. A section of the lawn on the western side of the lighthouse is sectioned off.
Getting out, Jeffrey helps Sam from the truck and then he reaches for the food before they walk to the back of the truck. He puts the tail gate down and then lifts Sam up and sits her down on it. "I could have climbed up." She says, smiling at him as he hands her one of the burgers.
"I know." Jeffrey says, taking the other one and sitting down beside her.
"It's just a few days away." She says, taking a bite of the burger as they watch the lighthouse committee staff work.
"I know." Jeffrey says, swallowing his food. "I'm ready." He says, looking over at her.
"I know you are." She says, moving over beside him.
He puts his arm across her shoulders as they sit there and eat. When they're finished, he puts everything into the bag from Company and then walks over to the trashcan a few feet away. As he's walking back, he watches her, watching the crew work. He turns to watch them and then he turns back to her and then reaches up to brush away a strand of hair that is clinging to her cheek. "I wish we could have the whole place to ourselves. That we didn't have to share it with the Spaulding's."
"I don't mind sharing…." She looks up at him
"But I want you to have the place all to yourself."
"I don't mind sharing, as long as we're getting married." He gently caresses her cheek before he leans in and softly kisses her. "Beside, we have our whole lives to have each other to ourselves."
"And I'm going to love you every minute of everyday." Jeffrey says, stepping closer to her as she looks up.
"Me too." She says, as he leans in and kisses her again.
He pulls her to him as she wraps her arms around his waist and he buries his fingers in her hair. For several seconds the world fades away and they focus on each other until Jeffrey steps back to look into her eyes. "Come on." He says, lifting her from the tailgate, closing it.
He takes her hand and leads her back to the cab of the truck. Opening the door for her, she climbs in with him following her. She expected him to start the truck, but when he reaches for her she asks. "What are you…?" He silences her with another kiss as he pulls her onto is lap. "Jeffrey." She sighs, when she feels his arms wrap around her.
He holds her close while they kiss. A few seconds pass before he begins to tug on her shirt. Breaking the kiss, she leans back and looks up. Reading the desire in his eyes, she asks. "Here."
"Yes."
"But we're only a few feet from them."
"They're busy. They won't even notice us." He says, leaning over to kiss the side of her neck.
"J." she sighs, as he moves up her neck to her ear.
He feels the desire rushing through her, filling them both. He forgets that she can give as good as she's getting until she leans in, kissing the side of his neck as she reaches up and pulls his tie free. When she does that, he knows that he has her complete attention. Sitting back, he looks into her eyes, soaking up the fire in them as she struggles to control it. "Don't fight it." He whispers.
She leans in to kiss him again as she moves around to straddle him, lifting her arms as she goes. Breaking the kiss, he leans back, reaching for the hem of her shirt he pulls it up and over her head. Glancing down, he sucks in a deep breath before he reaches up, caressing her breasts through her bra.
Laying her hands on his shoulders, she moves across his upper chest, caressing him through his shirt before she reaches for his tie and pulls it loose. He continues to caress her, gently massaging her breasts as she reaches for the top button on his shirt and unbuttons it. Leaning over, she kisses him as she moves down to the next button and he wraps his arms around her, pulling her to him and trapping her hands between them.
After several seconds, she breaks the kiss and sits back. Unbuttoning the next few buttons as she pulls on his shirt, pulling it free as he reaches around her and unfastens her bra, swiping it from her body, she sits back as his gaze falls to her breasts. He watches her struggling to catch her breath.
"Beca." He groans, leaning forward. He lightly kisses her left breast, taking her nipple inside his mouth, caressing her.
"J." She groans, moving closer to him and letting her head fall back and closing her eyes.
Reaching up, he reaches for her other breast, gently caressing it as she buries her fingers in his hair, holding him to her as she begins to quiver inside. She feels herself falling over the edge and as much as it hurts to do this, she pulls away.
Reaching for his shirt, she unbuttons the last of the buttons and pulls it free. Looking down, she watches him struggle to control his breathing. Leaning over him she slowly moves down his chest, kissing him softly. His breathing becomes shallower the closer she comes to his waist. Dipping her tongue inside his navel, she plays with him for a few moments before he lets his head fall back and he groans loudly and she smiles.
He feels her smile and he pulls her up to him, kissing her hard. Reaching for the button on her jeans, he quickly unfastens them and then pulls the zipper down. Slipping his hand inside, he caresses her for a few seconds before he slips his hand between her legs.
"J!" She groans, moving against his fingers.
After a few seconds, she answers his challenge by reaching for his belt and pulling it free along with the fastener on his pants and his zipper. Slipping her hand inside, he gasps when she skips caressing him through his boxers and slips her hand immediately inside, wrapping her hand around him and caressing him as much as she can with their bodies so closely together.
After about a minute it becomes obvious for them to continue they were going to have to release each other, so with a soft kiss, he pulls his hand away, swallowing her moan as he looks up. "Sam, stop." He says softly and she looks at him.
Reading the need burning in his eyes, she caresses him for a few more moments before she pulls her hand away and moves away from him. Kicking her sandals off, she arches her hips and then tugs her jeans and panties off all together before she turns to him and he stares at her, drinking her beauty, the flush of her skin and the rhythm of her breathing.
As she moves over to him, he arches his hips and reaches to pull his pants and boxers down, freeing his erection as she stops and slowly runs her eyes over his body, stopping when she reaches his erection. When he reaches for it, she pushes his hand away and leans over him, softly caressing him and he lets his head fall back, closing his eyes. Groaning as she takes him inside, caressing him with her mouth, lips and tongue. After a few quick seconds, he feels himself building up to release.
"Sam, please." He groans, reaching for her and pulling her off him.
She looks up and sees the need rushing through him. Moving over to him, she straddles him as she reaches for and wraps a hand around him, guiding him inside as she lowers her hips to his.
That first touch feels too good for Jeffrey to express. His hand fall to her hips as she begins to move, sliding back and forth. Desire builds inside them, like lava builds inside a volcano, mounting as he tries to thrust against her sliding hips, bracing her hand on the seat behind him, she begins to rise and fall, taking him as deeply as she can.
Wrapping his arms around her, he lays her across the seat and then he thrusts as she arches her back. Reaching for the back of the seat, she holds on as she moves with him, rolling her hips to each thrust he makes. "J!" she moans, arching her back as he brushes against her deep inside. She feels the waves of release break against her soul.
"Beca." He groans, feeling her body tightening around his. Caressing him from deep inside, he continues to thrust until her release breaks.
"Jeffrey!" She cries, reaching for his hips and pulling him to her, holding him inside her as wave upon wave of release crashes against her soul.
When he feels her begin to relax he thrust a few more times before his release overwhelms him, rushing through him and feeling them both with sweet waves of desire." Beca." He whispers softly, laying his forehead against hers.
Richard is in his office, when Amelia buzzes him. "Sir, Mrs. Baeur is here to see you."
"Mel, send her in." Richard says, holding down the button for the intercom.
"You can go in." Amelia says, turning to Mel.
"Thank you." Mel replies, walking over to the door and opening it as Richard is standing up to meet her.
"Mel, this is a surprise." Richard says. "Please have a seat." He says, indicating the chair in front of his desk. "How can I help you?"
"I just came from the courthouse and I wanted to give you these." Mel says, handing him an envelope." Mel says, as Richard opens the envelope and pulls the papers out. He immediately realizes it's the papers reversing the death certificate.
"We didn't know about it. Did Cassie and I need to…?"
"No, it's fine that you weren't there. After I spoke with you and Cassie I contacted Rick and he provided the DNA results from the blood samples you and the agency provided and I filed the request to have the death certificate reversed on your behalf. I was at the courthouse this morning on another matter and I ran into one of the judges there and asked him to look over the file. He did and called me at lunch, asking me to come by his office. When I arrived he had that waiting for me. So, everything is taken care of and you and Cassie should be able to file taxes as well as apply for a marriage license without any problems."
"So, it finished. I'm…."
"Officially you were never declared dead." Mel says, as Richard looks over the papers. "So, if you need anything else please call me." Mel says, standing up.
"Oh yes, of course." Richard says, following her. "Thank you for getting this taken care of so quickly." He says, walking around his desk and holding his hand out.
Taking it they shake hands before he escorts her to the door. "I appreciate all that you've done." Richard says.
"It was my pleasure. I feel like I once owed you."
"I don't understand." Richard says, stopping at the door.
"It was your heart that I thought was given to Rick. I realize know that it wasn't but still at the time you gave me back my life again after Rick became sick, and your brother made the ultimate sacrifice for someone and without that sacrifice I wouldn't have had the years I had with Rick or my daughter. " Mel says as Richard nods.
"I understand, but I… Cassie and I, appreciate it just the same."
"You're welcome." Mel says, walking out of his office.
"And if you want to come, you are invited to the wedding."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Mel leaves as Richard turns to Amelia, "When is my next meeting?"
"You've got a couple hours Sir, before you have to meet with the company from Chicago." Amelia replies, glancing at his calendar.
"I'm going to run over to the courthouse. If you need me I'll be on my cell."
"Yes Sir." Amelia says, as Richard walks back into his office for the envelope. He leaves a few moments later.
After a few moments, Jeffrey pulls away. Sitting up, he helps her up and then pulls her into his arms. "I love you." He says softly, holding her.
"I love you too, but I can't believe we just did that, in the middle of the day in the cab of your truck. First, your truck and the…."
"It's no different than doing it going down the freeway at 65 miles an hour, except that it's slightly less dangerous." Jeffrey replies, turning to look at her.
"So maybe you have a point." Sam replies, leaning in and kissing him.
Sitting back, he says. "Isn't that how we started in the first place?"
"Maybe." She says with a devilish smile and he kisses her again.
After a few seconds, he breaks the kiss and glances at the clock. Realizing the time, he says, as she looks at the clock. "I've got to go."
"Do you have to? I like having you with me."
"I know, and I like being with you. But I've got a meeting with Reverend Rutledge and Josh about the center again, and I don't want to be late for it."
"Because you don't want to miss the meeting or you don't want to deal with Josh."
"I… alright, I don't want to deal with Josh."
"Why don't you make him tell you what the problem is?"
"I can't make him tell me anything. I gave him the chance to tell me and he didn't. I'm not going to worry about it anymore."
"I guess that's a step in the right direction." Sam says, as he releases her and she moves off his lap, reaching for her clothes as he begins to get dress too.
"What do you mean?"
"At least now you're admitting that you are or were worried about it."
"Sam."
"Look, I know you. And I know that you like to pretend that you don't care if someone likes you or has a problem with you. But I know different. It bugs you that Josh treats you differently, at least now you're admitting it." She says, pulling on her jeans.
"Josh…." He glances over at her when she stops dressing. "Okay, it bugs me, but I'm not going to let dictate how I live my life." Jeffrey says, a little irritably, pulling his pants up and tucking in his shirt.
"I'm sorry." Sam says, reaching out to him after she pulls her shirt down. "I didn't mean to sound like I was attacking you."
"It's alright, and you're right. It does bug me, but that's the way Josh is. He's judgmental and condescending and inflexible. I can't change that."
"No, you can't. But you don't have to pretend that it doesn't bother you, especially with me, because I know you, remember." She says, settling back into her seat.
"I know." He says, leaning over and kissing her softly before he sits back. Reaching for the key, he starts the truck and they leave.
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