A Fresh Start
Chapter Ninety-One
Putting his arm across Sam's shoulder, he pulls her to him as she puts and arm around his waist as they walk up to the loft. "Did you know we were at Jon's Bar tonight?" Sam asks.
"No. We didn't want to go to Farley's, Richard, Gus and I would be the only ones that would be allowed in the Country club and Towers was booked with a Spaulding party, so it left Jon's Bar. I didn't realize you were there until I saw you dancing with Dr. Westbrook."
"I'm sorry about that. I couldn't tell him no because everyone would have asked questions, but I then I guess I could have told…."
"Stop reasoning, it's over with and beside, look where he's at and where we're at." Jeffrey says, opening the door for her.
"Yes, does your cheek still hurt?"
"Not too much." Jeffrey replies, putting his arm across her shoulders again as he reaches up to touch his cheek. "Let's just hope I don't have a bruise in the morning."
"I doubt you will. It would have already started forming, if you were going bruise." Sam says, climbing the stairs to the loft.
"My little doctor." Jeffrey says, reaching to run his hand over her hip.
She glances back over her shoulder and smiles. When they reach the landing outside the loft, she stands to the side as he unlocks the door, Opening it, he steps back and lets her in before he follows her closing the door behind them as Sam walks into the bathroom. Putting his keys on the table by the door, he locks the door before he walks over to the bathroom. "Are you okay?" He asks.
"Yeah, I'll be out in a minute."
"I'll be upstairs, everything is locked up."
"Okay."
Jeffrey heads upstairs. Pulling his t-shirt over his head as he goes, a few minutes later, he hears the shower begin to run downstairs and he smiles as he walks into the closet. He returns a few minutes later, wearing only his boxers. Walking over to the bed, he pulls the covers back and then sits down on the bed. Taking his watch off, he lays it on the table beside the bed and then stacks a couple pillows behind him before he pulls the sheet up.
About ten minutes later, he hears the water turn off downstairs. Followed a few minutes later, with Sam coming upstairs with a towel wrapped around her, he watches her, as she walks over to the dresser and reaches for her brush. Taking the towel down that was holding her hair up, she bends over and gently brushes her hair. Standing up, she turns to the mirror and catches him watching her and she smiles. "I'll be right back." She says, catching the glimmer in his eyes.
He nods as she walks into the closet. She returns a few minutes later, wearing one of his t-shirts with her hair down and no makeup, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. As she walks around the bed, he pulls the covers back. Slipping inside, she moves over to him as he lifts his arm for her. "You know, you could have joined me." She says
"Umm, I could have." Jeffrey says, running his fingers through her damp hair.
Leaning over, he kisses the top of her head, inhaling the scent of her shampoo and conditioner as well as her soap. "I believe I promised you that when you got home we would do something." Jeffrey says his voice a little hoarse.
"I believe you did." Sam says, sitting up and turning to him.
Reaching for her, he pulls her to him. Kissing her softly as she moves closer. Wrapping one arm around her, he deepens the kiss.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buries her fingers in his hair, responding to his kiss, letting his tongue in to caress her mouth as he tightens his embrace, trying to bring them both closer. After a couple more minutes, he pulls away, moving to the side of her neck, nibbling as he moves up to her ear. He knew how much it turned her on for him to play with the lobe of her ear, gently nibbling on it before slowly running the tip of his tongue around the outer rim. He knew he was guaranteed to have her complete attention after that, if he didn't already. "J." She moans softly, leaning her head to the side as she moves closer to him.
Slowly, she unwraps her arms from around his neck, moving her hands down his neck to his chest, lightly caressing him. Bending her fingers, she scratches him softly, feeling him shiver as goose pimples roll across his chest and abdomen. "Sam." He groans, moving to kiss her again.
Letting her hands settle at his waist, she lightly caresses his lower abdomen with her thumbs, caressing him with each breath he takes while they kiss. About a minute later, she breaks his kiss and sits back, watching him. With his eyes halfway closed, faded to a pale green he struggles to catch his breath and control the desire burning inside him and she decides to push him a little more.
Reaching for the hem over the t-shirt, she crosses her arm and begins to pull the shirt up. He watches her, staring as slowly her body is revealed and he realizes that she's not wearing anything under the shirt. "Sam." He groans, as she pulls the shirt over her head, tossing it to the floor as she shakes her head.
Reaching up, he lays a hand on her shoulder. His thumb laying against her pulse, he feels it beating steadily against his hand. Slowly he moves his eyes over her, watching her breathe, struggling to control the need to have her right then. Leaning forward, he kisses her softly for a few seconds. Not long enough to linger, but enough to make her desire burn deeper.
Slowly he moves down her neck, gently kissing and nibbling on her as she wraps her arms around him, burying her fingers in the hair she lets her head fall back as her eyes close. She feels the warmth of his breath caressing her, the coolness of where he's kissed her before moving on, the pressure of his lips as he's kissing his way down her body.
After a few moments, she tries to move away, but he tightens his grip until she leans forward and whispers. "Let me get closer to you. I want be close to you."
Loosening his grip, he feels her moving to straddle his legs. Leaning back, he looks up at her as she moves over him. Looking up, he feels his heart begin to pound inside his chest as he reads the passion in her fade blue eyes. Reaching up, he buries his fingers in her hair, pulling her to him. Kissing her as she lays down across his chest, the feel of her breasts lying against him, her nipples pressing against him, almost breaks his control and she knows it. Settling against him, she deepens his kiss, distracting him.
When she's sure she has him focused on the kiss, she begins to move her hips against his. Breaking the kiss, he drops his hands to her hips, holding her as he lets his head fall back against the pillows, closing her eyes, savoring the feel of her and the heat of passion rushing through him.
She can feel him straining against the confines of the boxers he's wearing. And she can feel him fighting his desire, for his need to satisfy her. Leaning forward, she wraps her arm around his neck as he looks up. He starts to say something, but she lay a finger across his lips as she says. "I know."
Pulling away from him as he arches his hips, she reaches for the waistband of his boxers, pulling them down until he's free. Pulling them down his legs, she tosses them in the floor as she looks up. Holding his hand out, she reaches for him, moving into his arms, as he pulls her to him and kisses her.
Slowly moving his hand down her body, caressing her, cupping her breast he tenderly caresses her nipple, feeling her respond as she sucks in a deep breath and moans softly, reminding him of the gentle cry of a newborn kitten. Reaching for him, she leisurely moves down his chest, caressing him. Laying her hand against his lower abdomen, she looks up into his eyes, their gazes locking. "I need you Beca." He whispers hoarsely.
She smiles at him and then leans forward, kissing him briefly before she moves down his chest, nibbling on him, as she moves across his chest and down his abdomen. Stopping for a moment to slowly run her tongue around his belly button, shivering slightly when she feels his breath catch as he reaches for the sheet below him, clinching it tightly as his head falls back and he groans loudly. She moves on, moving across his lower abdomen. He was certain he knew where she was going, but she knew this and instead of giving him what she knew he wanted, she moves down his legs, nibbling as she did.
She goes all the way down to his right foot, slowly running her tongue over his instep, she smiles when she feels him flinch. Glancing up, she watches him for a moment before she repeats the same thing and he clinches the sheet beneath him to keep from kicking her. Moving back up, she stops for a moment, kissing him behind his knee as he groans. "Beca, please, I need…."
"I know what you need." Sam replies, looking up
"If you know, then please…."
"Patience." Sam replies smiling at the look of frustration he gives her. "You promised…." She kisses him, slowly moving up his thigh. "…me…." She slowly runs her tongue over the skin between his thigh and hip. "…something special." She says, finally kissing his lower abdomen as he arches his hips.
"Beca, I'm going to…."
"You won't." She says, looking up at him as she leans over him, kissing him softly.
For a moment, he tries to hang on when she pulls away. When she lays her hand between his inner thigh and hip he lays back and groans again. She knew she has pushed him about as far as she can before he completely looses control. Reaching for him, she wraps one hand around him as she leans over and he gasps. For a couple seconds he feels the warmth of her breath caress him before she faintly licks the tip of him.
"Beca." He groans, arching his back, reaching for her.
Taking him inside, she lightly caresses him as he clinches the sheet beneath him, his knuckles turning white as he fights his bodies demand for surrender. Reaching for her, he tries to maneuver her around so that he can do to her exactly what she's doing to him. It took a few moments before Sam realizes what he wants, feeling a staggering wave of desire rush over her, she moans softly. Groaning, his grip on the sheet tightens as she moves around.
Reaching up, he opens her desire to him before he leans forward and gently kisses her. For a moment, she's frozen until he arches his hips reminding her of what she was doing before. She takes him deep as he continues to caress her, tapping his tongue against her desire.
When he feels her beginning to fall over the edge he pulls away. Wrapping his arms around her, he moves away as she sits up. Laying her down gently, he pulls her to him, sinking inside her. "Sam." He groans.
"J, love me." She whispers, arching her back as she opens her arms for him.
Leaning over her, he sinks deeper and begins to thrust, caressing her. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulls him to her, rolling her hips with his caress as she arches her back.
It's a matter of moments before release charges through them. Rolling waves of release, caressing each other until Jeffrey collapses in her open arms and she buries her fingers in the hair on the back of his head, gasping for breath and loving the feel of him laying on top of her.
After a few moments, she whispers. "I love you."
"I love you too." He says, lightly kissing the side of her neck, before he pulls away from her.
He helps her get comfortable before he pulls the sheet over them and then lays down behind her. Laying his arm across her stomach, his hand laying on her lower abdomen, he says. "And I love you too."
She snuggles back against him, smiling as she closes her eyes and falls asleep. He knows she's asleep when she sighs softly. Kissing her shoulder, he lays down behind her and goes to sleep too.
Josh is waiting when Reva comes in after Cassie drops her off. "Where were you tonight?" he asks, following her into the kitchen after she puts her purse on the counter.
"I was out with Cassie and the girls."
"Doing what?"
"We were giving Sam a surprise bachelorette party at Jon's Bar, but you already know that, don't you?" Reva asks, opening a cabinet and getting a glass down. "You know that, because I left you two messages, one at Lewis and one on your cell phone." She says, walking over to the sink. "So, if you know that, what's your real question?" She asks, while getting a glass of water, turning to him and taking a drink.
"Was Jeffrey there?'
"And if he was?" Reva asks, putting the glass down on the counter.
"Was he there?" Josh asks impatiently.
She watches him for a few moments before she replies. "Not intentionally, he wasn't."
"Not intentionally, what does that mean?"
"It means that he showed up later with Richard, Frank, Mallet, and Gus."
"He just showed up." Josh says, shrugging his shoulders as they leave the kitchen and he follows her upstairs.
"Yes, he just showed up."
"And he had no idea that you were there?"
"No, he didn't. We didn't know he was there, until…." She pauses as they walk into the bedroom.
"Until what?"
"Until he interrupted a dance Sam was having with someone she knows."
"Someone she knows, I thought she didn't know anyone here in Springfield."
"It was the doctor that was hired to take over for her at the agency. Sam and Dr. Westbrook was dancing, Jeffrey interrupted them. There was a minor confrontation and then Dr. Westbrook punched Jeffrey."
"He punched Jeffrey, why?"
"Apparently he thought Jeffrey was the one that slapped Sam a few weeks ago." Reva says, walking out of the bathroom.
"Maybe he…."
"Don't." Reva says, looking at him.
"Why do you continue to defend him?
"Why do you continue to attack him?"
"Because he deserves it." Josh says, walking into the bathroom with Reva following him.
"How do you figure that? He hasn't done anything to you?"
"He hasn't done anything! He used not only Cassie, but Marah."
"He made a mistake with Cassie, he admitted it, and Richard and Cassie both have forgiven him. As to Marah, she was old enough to make her own choice, and he let her go when it became apparent that it was better for her, at a painful sacrifice to him. And before you mention Olivia, we now know that he was not the one responsible for what happened to her. So, you tell me what he's down that can't be forgiven?"
"We don't know for a fact that he didn't attack Olivia that night."
"Josh, you saw the tape they've been playing every night since that man's trial started. It clearly shows…."
"It clearly shows that Edmund was the one that raped Olivia that night but we haven't seen the complete tape. We don't know what happened after Edmund left."
"He didn't rape Olivia. He didn't take advantage of Marah and he made a mistake with Cassie. What has he done that you haven't done yourself?"
"He…."
"He what?" Reva asks, sensing that he wanted to tell her something. "Nothing, but I don't…."
"You don't trust him and you don't want me to have anything to do with him." Reva says, sighing. Reaching for her pillow she turns to leave the room.
"Where are you going?"
"I think I'll sleep in the guest room."
"Reva."
"No Josh, I'm tired of this and until you decide to tell me why you're… whatever you are, where Jeffrey's concerned, I'm not discussing this anymore. When you decide to trust your wife then we'll discuss this again." Reva says, turning and walking out of the room, leaving him standing in the middle of the room, staring at the door.
William lays the remote down and getting up, every news channel in the world carried the announcement he made and he has been fielding questions from reporters everywhere he went. Getting up, he walks over to his desk and settles back into going over the discussions from the latest meetings with the Mexican delegation. They were close to signing the trade agreement but they had a few minor details to negotiate before they signed the pact. Picking up his pen he begins to make notes.
About an hour later, he's still making notes when there's a knock on his office door. "Yes come in." William says, looking up. The door opens and one for the junior guards walks in. "Yes." William says.
"Sir, I have this note for you?"
"Okay." William says, reaching for note. Opening the note, William reads it. "San Jamar's capital has been attacked. Rebels are demanding the surrender of the prince to face trial." He looks up and says. "Tell Colonel Mitchell I'll be down in a moment."
"Yes Sir." The guard replies, bowing he does an about face and leaves the room.
Putting the papers back into the file, William leaves his office and goes down to the dungeon to meet with Colonel Mitchell, as he walks into the briefing room he says. "So, what do we know?"
"Only that the capital has been taken by rebels and they are demanding the Prince surrender." Colonel Mitchell.
"Well, Connie's not going to do that. They'll have to drag him out of the royal compound."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"Only wait and see at this point."
"If he asks for our assistance then we will gladly supply whatever we can." William says. "Do we know who the leader behind this attempt is?"
"No, he's an unknown for now."
"We know nothing about him. Where he's from? What his plans are, nothing."
"No, nothing Sir, none of the members captured have been able to identify anyone, or give any information about the man calling the shots."
"Haven't been able to, or won't."
"I think it's a matter of both."
"Alright, has my brother had any unusual visitors as of late?"
"Not that I know of, I haven't checked with the prison in few days."
"Check in with his guards, and found out if he's seen anyone new in the last few months."
"Yes Sir."
"I'm not off the mark to wonder if Edmund's trying something."
"I don't see how or why he would do anything Sir, but given his past. He's capable of attempting to destabilize a government. Look what he did to San Cristobel, but I don't know why he would go after San Jamar."
"Well find out, if he's had any unusual visitors."
"I will Sir. And I'll make the call to the Prince of San Jamar and offer our assistance."
"Thank you, I've got to go back to the Mexico delegation and the trade agreement."
"Yes Sir." William leaves as Colonel Mitchell picks up the phone.
Monday afternoon, Marciano is returning from lunch when a man walks up to him. "Mr. Bertilla." The man asks.
"Yes." Marciano replies, looking up.
"You've been served." The man replies, handing Marciano an envelope and then turns to leave.
"Served, what do you mean served?" Marciano asks, but the man continues to walk away. He looks down at the envelope in his hand and then back up in the direction that the man had walked away.
Glancing down again, Marciano reads the address on the envelope. "County Clerk's office, Oakdale." "What the hell is going on?" Marciano mutters to himself, pushing the button for the elevator.
When it comes, he walks on with a few other people, pushing the button for his floor, he glances at the envelope again, trying to figure out why the County Clerk's office from Oakdale would serve him. When the elevator stops on his floor, he walks off and heads for his office. Nodding to different people that greet him, he walks into his office. His assistant is sitting at her desk when he walks in.
"Good afternoon, Sir." She says, holding out a few pink slips for him. He takes them as she says. "Mr. Banks wants to speak to you about the Springfield deal."
Marciano nods. "I don't want to be disturbed." He says, walking into his office and closing the door without her reply.
Walking over to his desk, he lays the envelope on his desk as he sits down. He stares at it for a few moments before he reaches for his letter opener and picks up the envelope. When he has it open, he lays the opener on his desk and pulls the papers from the envelope. Opening it he reads the title at the top. "Order of Separation." "What the hell?" He mutters, continuing to read. "This is an order of separation filed on behalf of Julie Bertilla. Filed on the 30th day of August, Reason for separation, irreconcilable difference." "What does she mean irreconcilable difference?" Marciano asks and empty room.
Putting the papers back down, he reaches for his phone and dials, Julie's cell phone number. When her voicemail picks up, he hangs up and then picks up the papers again. He goes over every page, reading everything before he puts the papers down again. He felt like he had been sucker punched. "She filed for divorce. She can't." He says out loud again.
He reaches for the phone again. And again, he calls her cell phone and again he gets her voicemail. He's staring at the papers, when his phone buzzes. He ignores it, grabbing the papers, he stand up. Walking quickly across the room, he pulls his office door open and walks out. "I'm leaving." He tells his assistant.
"Now sir." She asks in surprise.
"Yes, now." Marciano says, walking towards the outer office door.
"But Sir Mr. Banks, he wants to see you now."
"Inform him that I had a personal matter come up and I had to leave."
"When will you be back Sir?"
"Tomorrow." Marciano replies, walking out of the office.
When Julie had left Tom's office, she had gone home and explained everything to her mother and then her kids. Her mother hadn't been overjoyed with her decision, but she hadn't outright attacked her either. The children had been a lot more accepting and in truth seemed to be relieved that they wouldn't be returning to Chicago or to live with Marciano.
After she had spoken to her mother and the children she had called Blake's office, only to be informed that she was hospitalized and would be for sometime. After speaking with another realtor, she had asked her to begin looking for house for her and the kids to rent while they waited for the divorce to go through and for the sale of the house in Chicago. Her realtor had called earlier that morning to say that she had found some properties that she thought would work for them and they had agreed to met after lunch at Al's diner.
The first two houses were a bust, Julie liked them but they were just too expensive for her. So they went on to the next two, the houses were nice but Julie didn't like the neighborhood they were in, so they continued on. Pulling up to the final house, Julie knew immediately that it was the one.
It was a small three bedroom cottage, close to downtown Oakdale and within walking distance of her kid's school. The neighborhood was clean and orderly. It reminded Julie of the neighborhood she had grown up in. With a front lawn and front porches with swings and a large fenced in backyard, with a garage on the side of the house and shutters on the windows, she felt comfortable there. "So, the family is looking to sale." The realtor says, as Julie's cell phone begins to ring.
She pulls it from her purse and glances at the screen. She sees Marciano's number and puts the phone back into her purse before she turns to Blake. "You were saying."
"I know you wanted something that you could rent for the time being, but I thought the house would be a good fit for you."
"I do like the house, but I can't afford to buy anything right now." Julie says, looking back at the house.
"Let me see what I can do. I know the owners of the house and I might be able to convince them to let you rent the house for the time being." Blake says.
"I would appreciate it. I need a place for my kids to stay. I want to try to have them settled quickly."
"I understand, let me see what I can do." The realtor says, as Julie's phone rings again. "Do you need to answer that?" She asks when Julie makes no effort to answer that call.
"No, I can handle it later." Julie says, silencing the call and then putting her cell phone on silent.
"As I was saying let me talk to the owner and I'll be in touch."
"Thank you." Julie says, reaching to shake her hand.
"You're welcome." She replies, walking to her car and Julie looks one more time at the house before she too goes to her car and leaves.
She goes by the hospital to visit Missy for a few hours before she heads home. She's leaving the hospital when her cell phone rings again. Pulling it from her purse, she glances at the screen before she answers it. "Yes."
"You served me with divorce papers. You had me served at my job with divorce papers."
"Yes, Marciano, I had you served at your work with divorce papers." Julie says, stopping at a red light.
"Why?"
"I think you know why?"
"No, I don't. We can't get divorced. I'm Catholic."
"You're Catholic, I'm not. And we weren't married in a Catholic church."
"You won't survive without me."
"I think I'll do just fine."
"I want to see you."
"Marciano, I think it's best if we let our…."
"You're my wife. If you want to change that, I think I have the right to know the reason why and I think I have the right to hear the reasons in person."
"Alright, fine. Where are you at?"
"I'm actually on my way to Oakdale. I can meet you at your mother's."
"No, meet me at the Lakeview. We'll talk there."
"Fine, I'll be there in twenty minutes
"Okay." Julie says, turning around and heading for the Lakeview.
91.11