A Fresh Start
Chapter Ninety-Seven
They wake up to the phone ringing. Pushing the covers back, Jeffrey gets up as Sam rolls over. "What is it?" She asks, until the phone rings again. Going downstairs, Jeffrey catches the phone as it goes to voicemail. Heading back upstairs with the phone, he gets back into bed after laying the phone on the table beside him. Leaning over, he kisses her. "Are you ready?" He asks, leaning back.
"Yes, are you?"
"Yes, I've been ready." He says, lying down as she moves over beside him, lifting his arm, as she lays her head on his chest.
"Who was on the phone?"
"I don't know. It went to voicemail before I could get there."
"Maybe we should listen…."
"No, if it's important, they'll call back."
"But what if it's…." Sam says, as he reaches up to lay a finger across her mouth
"I want to lay here with you and hold you. If it's important they'll call back."
"Okay." Sam says, settling back down.
About ten minutes later, they are still laying there when someone knocks. "I'll get it and get them to go away." Sam says, getting up and reaching for her robe, while he watches her. As she walks out of the room, he whistles softly and looking back over her shoulder, she smiles before she starts downstairs. He lays there for a few moments before he gets up and reaches for his pants.
Sam is walking towards the door when whoever is waiting outside knocks again. "I'm coming." Sam calls, pulling her robe around her and tying it. Reaching for the door and unlocking it, she opens it and looks up.
She stands there staring at the man before her until he speaks. "Hello Rebecca." Jeremiah says.
"What are you doing here?" Sam asks, feeling her stomach clinch and then roll over. "Excuse me." She says, turning and running for the bathroom. When she returns a few minutes later, Jeremiah is standing in the middle of the living room with his arms behind his back, watching her as she walks in. She can read the displeasure in his face. "What are you doing here?" She asks again.
"That was a rude welcome, but I'll overlook it."
"It would have been ruder if I threw up at your feet. Would you overlook that?" Sam asks, sarcastically. Jeremiah stares at her but doesn't reply. "As I said, what are you doing here?"
"You're getting married. I am your brother and I haven't even met the man you're about to marry."
"Like you care and I don't want or need your approval. I'm marrying him, you can deal with it."
"I'm your only family. You should have…."
"You haven't been that much of a family to me Jeremiah, not for a very long time. So don't come up here pretending brotherly love and caring. I have my family here. I do not want you here."
"I'm your brother."
"And you don't give a damn. We both know you're here for show." Sam says, taking a step closer to him. "So drop the pretense." She says, as Jeffrey comes downstairs.
"Are you…?" He stops when he looks up and sees another man standing in the living room. "Sam?" He asks, walking over to her.
"J." Sam says, turning to him.
"Hello, I'm Jeremiah, Rebecca's, brother." Jeremiah says, holding out his hand.
"My name is Sam, now?" Sam says.
"I must say, I wish I would have met you before you were engaged to marry my sister." Jeremiah says, ignoring Sam's comment as he looks Jeffrey over.
"Yes, well things moved quickly when we found each other again." Jeffrey replies, putting his arm across Sam's shoulder and pulling her to him. He can feel how tense she is.
"And what is your religion?"
"No, you are not doing this. You are not interrogating him."
"If he has nothing to hide, he will have no problems answering a few questions.
"He doesn't owe you any answers."
"Sam, I don't mind answering his question."
"J, you…."
"It's alright. I would say that I don't have one particular religion, Mr. Whitmere. If you want to know if I believe in God then I would say that yes, I do. If you want to know if I go to church every Sunday, then no I don't."
"Why is that, Mr…?"
"Mr. O'Neill, Jeffrey O'Neill."
"So, you're Irish. So you were or are Cath…."
"That's enough, you're not doing this." Sam says, pulling away from Jeffrey and stepping closer to Jeremiah.
"I'm your brother. It's my job…."
"You don't care, so what do you really want." Sam asks, crossing her arms.
"I told you, I came for your wedding and father would…."
"Don't bring him into this. I have Megan and that is all I need." Sam says, talking over Jeremiah as her tries to interrupt her.
"Rebecca, you can…."
"I don't want to hear it. You maybe my brother by genetics but that is all. You have never been a brother to me. I will not let you ruin my wedding day, so go back to Georgia." Sam says, turning towards the door.
Jeffrey reaches out to stop her. "Wait." He says, turning to Jeremiah.
"Why?" She demands, but he doesn't answer her.
"Jeremiah, do you mind if I speak you Sam for a moment?"
"No, go ahead." Jeremiah replies. His tone implies that maybe Jeffrey can control her better.
Jeffrey takes Sam's hand and leads her into the kitchen as Sam says. "I do not want him…."
"I know. I know you don't want him here but I would like to talk to him."
"Why, he has nothing to say that I want to hear."
"I want to know how he found out about the wedding, if you didn't tell him. I know I didn't tell him and if Megan didn't tell him, how did he find out?"
"I don't care. I don't want to deal with him today."
"He's not going to ruin this." Jeffrey says, pulling her to him as there is another knock on the door. "Relax, it will be okay." Jeffrey says, as she steps back.
They walk out of the kitchen together. Sam goes to answer the door while Jeffrey walks back into the living room. Sam opens the door to Cassie and Reva. "See, I was right." Reva says, walking in as Sam steps back. "I told them you would be here." Reva says, as they walk into the living room. "Oh, you have company." Reva says, noticing Jeremiah.
"Reva, Cassie, my brother Jeremiah." Sam says.
"Ladies." Jeremiah says.
"He was just leaving." Sam says.
"Rebecca, I would like to talk to both of you. I have questions I…."
"Miah, it's my wedding day." Sam uses the nickname she used when they were children simply because she knew it would make him mad. "Your questions do not matter. Now go with Jeffrey and I will see you later." Sam says, walking towards the door with both men following her.
She opens the door. Jeremiah walks out first, while Jeffrey stops beside her. "Don't worry about him." He whispers, leaning in to kiss her.
"Do you have everything?" She asks
"Yes."
"I'll see you at the light house." Sam says which Jeremiah overhears.
"You're not getting…."
"No, I'm not getting married in a church. It's my decision to make, I made it." Sam says, glaring at Jeremiah. Turning to Jeffrey, she says. "I'll see you later."
"I love you." He says, leaning in to kiss her again.
"I love you too."
Jeffrey leaves, following Jeremiah as Sam closes the door. Leaning back against it, she closes her eyes. After a few moments, Reva walks out of the living room and sees Sam leaning against the door. "Sweetie, are you okay?" She asks, walking over to her.
"I'm fine." Sam says, standing up.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sorry you guys had to see that." Sam says, walking into the living room.
"It's okay, but I thought you two didn't speak to each other." Cassie says.
"We don't."
"Then I'm surprised you invited him to the wedding."
"I didn't." Sam says, sitting down on the couch.
"So, how did he find out?"
"I don't know. He called me about a week ago, but I didn't talk to him long."
"And he just showed up." Reva asks.
"Yes, wait." Sam says, getting up and heading for the stairs.
"Where are you going?" Cassie asks.
"Upstairs, I'll be right back." Sam calls going upstairs as Cassie and Reva look at each.
Sam returns with the phone, sitting down on the couch. "We received a call just before he showed up." Sam says, dialing into voicemail. After a few seconds she hangs up.
"Well?" Cassie asks.
"He called yesterday and this morning." Sam says, laying the phone down.
Maybe he's here to support you." Reva says, sitting down next to Sam as someone knocks.
"I'll get it." Cassie says, as Sam starts to get up.
A few seconds later, Megan and LaKeisha walk in as Sam says. "I know my brother…."
"What about Jeremiah?" Meagan asks, as Sam looks up.
"He's here."
"What do you mean he's here?"
"He's in Springfield, for the wedding. And he's not here to support me or the wedding." Sam says, looking at Reva.
"Why do you think that?" LaKeisha asks.
"Because I know my brother, and he has never supported any decision I have ever made in my life, and he never will."
"Where is he now?" Megan asks.
"With Jeffrey, going out to the farm." Sam says, looking at Cassie.
"Do you think that's wise?" Cassie asks.
"He wanted to talk to him."
"Why?"
"Because he wants to finds out how he found about the wedding. I don't want to talk about this anymore." Sam says, getting up. "I'm going to take a bath." Sam says, walking towards the bathroom.
"If Jeremiah's here, she's right, it's not to support her." Megan says when Sam closes the door.
"What's the story between them?" Cassie asks.
"It's a long and complicated one, a lot of it has to do with her father and how he raised Jeremiah and how he treated Sam after the divorce and Sam choice to go live with her Mother."
"Well, this is her wedding day and it's our responsibility to make sure she's at the light house ready to marry Jeffrey." LaKeisha says.
"You're right, so let's get busy. Reva says.
Jeffrey and Jeremiah are headed towards the farm when Jeremiah asks. "When did you meet Rebecca?"
Jeffrey looks over at him and then says. "We meet at the agency. She was my partner until she was assumed dead on a mission in Russia."
"What happened, what did you do?" Jeremiah accuses.
"I didn't do anything. She was protecting me."
"Don't you have backwards, shouldn't you protect her. She is a woman."
"Don't underestimate your sister, but it was the nature of the work we did, and it was the agreement we had between each other."
"So, you left her when she was in trouble and to protect herself she felt that she had to fake her death to save her life." Jeremiah accuses. Jeffrey's grip tightens on the steering wheel as Jeremiah continues. "How can you think you can protect and take care of her now?" Jeremiah asks, as Jeffrey pulls over and turns to him.
"I think I'll take much better care of her than you have. You've ignored her and basically denied her for years. And I would be willing to bet you're only here to protect what you think is your image, not because you care or want to support her."
"She's my sister."
"A fact you have conveniently forgotten until now. I have a question for you, how did you find out about the wedding, because I know we didn't tell you and neither did Megan."
"I found out, what does it matter how? She has always been secretive about her life. I was simply respecting her wishes."
"You never gave a damn about her unless you thought her life reflected poorly on you. What do you plan to gain by being here?"
"She's my sister and she should have her family here, even if she doesn't want us here."
"I don't buy that Mr. Whitmere, but I do not have a problem with your being here. But if you do anything to hurt her or ruin this day for her, you will answer to me. Is that understood?"
"I do not intimidate easily." Jeremiah replies.
"I don't care if you do or not. We have gone through too much and been apart for to long for you to upset her. I won't allow it." Jeffrey says, starting the truck and pulling back on the road.
Sam spent about an hour in the bathroom. When she got out, Reva had fixed breakfast for them. After they ate, they all go back to the salon to get their hair and makeup done.
Returning to the loft a few hours later, Megan helps Sam into her wedding gown. When they walk into the living room Cassie, Reva and LaKeisha turn around. "You're beautiful." Cassie says, walking over to her. "As beautiful as Tammy was in this dress." Cassie says, reaching up to wipe her eyes.
"Thank you, but don't start crying." Sam says, as the others wipe their eyes. "You all will have me crying and I'm already emotional."
"Are you ready?" LaKeisha asks,
Nodding, Sam says. "We can leave as soon as the car arrives."
"When is it supposed to be here?" Cassie asks.
"Jeffrey said it was scheduled to arrive at six."
"We have a few minutes then. Is there anything you need?" Reva asks.
"I can use some water." Sam says.
"I'll get it." LaKeisha says.
"Thank you."
LaKeisha brings the water. Taking a drink Sam walks over to the window. Megan follows her. "I know what you're thinking about, and she would be very proud of you, and she would love Jeffrey."
Sam turns her head and smiles as someone knocks. "I'll get it." Reva says, walking over to the door.
Opening the door, a man says. "I'm here for Ms. Whitley, Mayor O'Neill asked me to bring her…."
"Yes, we're ready." Reva says, as everyone follows him out of the loft. Cassie makes sure to lock the door as they leave.
Olivia is standing on the balcony of her room across the lake she can see the activity below the light house. She can't make out the people but she knew what was about to happen, in less than an hour Jeffrey would be married, to her. "They maybe married, but they will never be together." Olivia says, to empty air.
Richard and Jeffrey arrive at the light house just before six. The lighthouse committee had setup everything just as Jeffrey had asked them. There are two archways, both of them covered with ivy and honeysuckle, filling the air with its sweet scent as a gentle breeze blows in from the lake. In front of them three rows of golden chairs, with white and lavender seats. Hanging on the back of the chairs are ribbons of lavender, wrapped around white and lavender roses. Richard turns to Jeffrey and says. "It's beautiful."
"I know." Jeffrey says, looking at him. "I'm going to go check on some details, keep an eye on him." Jeffrey says, glancing at Jeremiah.
"I will."
Jeffrey leaves as Jeremiah asks. "Where is he going?"
"Going to take care of some details." Richard replies, looking around.
Jeffrey walks up to Banks. "Is everything in place?"
"Yes, we have everything setup as you specified."
"Good, have you seen or heard anything?"
"No, it's been quiet. I'll be sure to alert you if we hear or see anything."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, nodding as he walks away.
Frank and Gus have just arrived as Jeffrey walks up. "Frank, Gus." Jeffrey says, holding out his hand.
"Jeffrey, nervous." Frank asks.
"Not in the least." Jeffrey says, with the smile before he turns to Gus. "Gus, do you mind if I talk to Frank?"
"No, I'm going to say hi to Richard."
"What's up?" Frank asks, when Gus walks away.
"Are the officers on the lake?"
"Yes, they're patrolling around the lighthouse and the coves closet to us."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, looking around again.
"Who's the guy that Richard and Gus are talking to?"
"Sam's brother." Jeffrey says, looking at his future brother-in-law.
"Oh wow, I didn't realize she had any family."
"She's not close to him, but he showed up and we can't send him away. He is her family."
"I understand." Frank says, as Father Ray walks up to them.
Jeremiah looks around and sees Father Ray walk up to Jeffrey. "What's the priest doing here?"
Richard looks over his shoulder and replies. "That's Father Ray, he's performing the ceremony."
"What?"
"He's performing the ceremony." Richard says, looking at him.
"Excuse me." Jeremiah says, getting up. He walks towards Jeffrey and Father Ray.
"Do you have the license?" Father Ray asks Jeffrey.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, patting his pocket.
"We'll do everything just as we rehearsed last night."
"Excuse me." Jeremiah asks.
Jeffrey turns to him. "Yes."
"May I speak to you for a moment?"
"We're discussing…."
"I have everything I need." Father Ray says, nodding to Jeremiah.
"What do you want?" Jeffrey asks
"A Catholic priest?"
"Yes, he's the only minister available."
"Sam agreed to be married by…."
"Yes, she did. Reverend Rutledge is on a retreat this weekend. Father Ray was the only one available, or would you prefer she be married by the justice of the peace or the DA?" Jeffrey asks, watching him. "I didn't think so." He says turning away as a limo pulls up. Jeffrey turns to look and sees William get out after the driver opens the door.
Turning, William helps Ava from the car as Jeffrey walks up to them. "Ava." He says, as she turns to him and they hug. "William." Jeffrey says, holding out his hand.
"Jeffrey." William replies, accepting his hand shake.
"You look beautiful." Jeffrey says, turning to Ava.
"Thank you."
"Everyone else should be here in a few minutes. I think you can wait inside the lighthouse."
"Okay, I'll see you later." Ava says leaving Jeffrey and William, turning back to them, she says, as Jeremiah walks up. "Be nice to him, Dad." Turning she walks towards the lighthouse, nodding at Jeremiah.
Jeremiah looks at Jeffrey and Jeffrey stares back waiting for him to comment as William asks. "Who was that?"
"Sam's brother." Jeffrey says, walking towards Richard, Frank and Gus.
When they reach them, they all shake hands and talk among themselves. "Your Highness, how do you like Springfield?" Gus asks.
"I like it a lot, but you can call me William. After a few weeks, I won't be the Prince of San Cristobel."
"They've set a date for referendum." Richard asks.
"Not yet, but I'm sure it won't be long."
"What are you going to do after the vote?" Frank asks.
"I'm not sure." William says, glancing at Jeffrey.
They stand around talking for a little bit longer until they hear another car pull up. Turning, they see Reva get out of the car, they gather around Jeffrey so he can't see Sam as she gets out of the car and walks into the lighthouse. Richard looks back over his shoulder, nods as Cassie waves to him and then he turns to the group and says. "It's clear."
They look around and that's when Jeffrey notices that Jeremiah isn't sitting where he had been sitting. "Where did Sam's brother go?"
"I don't know." Richard says, looking around.
While the others were gathered around Jeffrey, Jeremiah sneaks into the lighthouse. The girls are gathered around Sam when he walks in. "Do you ladies mind if I speak with my sister for a moment." Jeremiah asks, in his most dignified tone.
They all turn to look at him before Megan steps forward. "She has nothing to say to you Miah."
"Do not call me by that name? I will not tolerate it."
"Shut your blubbering Miah, what do you want?" Sam asks.
"I need to discuss something with you, alone." He says, looking at the other ladies.
"Sam, we can…."
"No, whatever he has to say to me, he can say it in front of my friends."
"Alright, you are being married by a Catholic priest."
"Yes, Father Ray."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Father Ray is a very good man."
"He's a Catholic and one of them."
"Oh, you mean he's Mexican. I'm sorry Miah, but that really doesn't matter to me. He's a good man."
"Father would not approve and you know it." Jeremiah says, as Megan sneaks out of the light house.
"Father isn't here and I don't really care if he would approve. He was a self righteous, hypocritical, sanctimonious liar, Jeremiah. And the fact…."
"You will not speak of our father this way. He was an honorable…."
"He wouldn't know honor if it came up and bit him in the ass. He used everyone and everything that ever came close to him, including you and the fact that you're still letting him is sad."
Jeremiah takes a step closer to her. "I will not allow you to do this." Jeremiah says, taking her arm.
"Let me go, Jeremiah. I make my own decisions."
"And clearly you can not do that." He says, as Megan walks up to Jeffrey.
"Jeffrey." She says.
"Yes, what is it?" He asks, turning to Megan.
"Jeremiah, he's in the light house with Sam."
Jeffrey turns towards the lighthouse. "Jeffrey wait, you can't go in there. You can't see her before the wedding." Richard says, stopping him.
"I don't care."
"We'll go." Richard says looking at Frank and Gus.
"Of course, we'll go." They reply, stepping up.
"Get him out of there, and if you're wise you'll keep him out of my sight as well."
Richard, Frank and Gus leave as William steps up. "They'll handle it."
"I should have taken him to the airport and forced him on a plane." Jeffrey says.
"He's her brother." William says, watching Richard, Frank and Gus walk up to the light house as the door opens.
"Mr. Whitmere." Richard says, blocking his path.
Jeremiah takes a step back and then says. "Get of my way. I'm taking my sister and we're leaving."
"I don't think you are." Frank says.
"And are you going to stop me?"
"Yes, we are. Sam, are you alright?" Richard asks.
"She's fine." Jeremiah says, reaching for her arm again as she pulls it back.
"I'm fine, but get him out of here."
"Do you want me to arrest him?" Frank asks.
"No, but keep him away from me." Sam says.
"We will." Frank and Richard take Jeremiah's arm.
"I will not let you do this Sam. I will not let you be married by a Catholic priest, or by one of them. I will not let you be a sinner and marry that heathen."
"Jeremiah, if you do anything, if you say anything that interrupts this wedding, you will not have to deal with me, you'll have deal with Jeffrey. And I promise you and he's even less understanding than I am." Sam says.
Richard and Frank lead him out and over to one of the chairs, as far away from Jeffrey as they can. "Sit down, and relax." Frank says, sitting down beside him as Richard walks over to Jeffrey and William.
"Is she okay?"
"Yes, she's fine. He was trying to make her leave with him." Richard reaches out to stop Jeffrey as he turns. "You're getting married, and Frank is watching him."
"Why was he trying to make her leave?"
"It had something to do with Father Ray." Gus says.
"Father Ray?" Jeffrey says.
"Yes and the fact that he's a Catholic priest and Mexican."
"What's that got to do with it?" William asks
"Sam always told me that her father was racist and that he took extreme pride in her family's support of the Confederacy during the Civil War. She said he was always talking about how her family was in Jefferson Davis's inner circle during the war. I never really believed her." Jeffrey says, looking towards the light house.
"Well, Sam certainly isn't that way." Richard says.
"No, she's not." Jeffrey says looking at Jeremiah as Father Ray walks up to them.
"Jeffrey, are you ready to begin?" He asks.
"I will be in just a moment." Jeffrey says, turning and walking towards the light house with Richard following him
"Jeffrey, what are you doing?"
"I need to see her."
"And you will in just a few minutes, but its bad luck for you to see her before the wedding."
"It's okay Richard. I'll be right back." Jeffrey says, walking over to the door. He knocks once.
Cassie opens the door. "Jeffrey."
"I want to see Sam."
"You can't, it's…."
"It's okay Cassie." Sam says, from inside the room. Cassie steps back allowing Jeffrey into the room. "Could you guys give us a minute?"
"Sure." Reva says, gathering the girls up and they walk out.
"Are you alright?" Jeffrey asks, walking over to her.
"I'm fine."
"I wanted to make sure. Did he hurt you?"
"No, not too much." Sam says, walking up to him.
Taking her hand, he pulls her to him and wraps his arms around her. "I didn't believe you."
"Believe me?" Sam says, leaning back.
"Yes, when you told me about your father and how he treated people of a different race. I didn't believe you."
"Don't worry about it. That's why you wanted to see me?"
"It's part of it and I wanted to make sure he didn't hurt you." Jeffrey says releasing her and taking a step back.
"I'm fine and I'm not worried about my brother or the beliefs of my father, and you shouldn't be either."
"Father Ray is waiting. We're about to get started."
"Would it fly in the face of tradition if we walked down the aisle together?"
"I don't really think so." Jeffrey says, smiling at her.
"Then let's get married." Sam says, slipping her arm though his. They walk over to the door together.
When they reach the door, Jeffrey opens it and they walk out together as the girls turn to them. "Are you ready for a wedding?" Sam asks.
"Yes." They all reply.
Turning towards the path that leads around the light house, Ava is first and then Reva followed by Cassie, Megan and LaKeisha and behind them are Sam and Jeffrey.
The guests are standing, turning to watch as the groomsmen walk up the aisle. One by one, they line up as the air feels with sweet music and William escorts Ava down the aisle, followed by Reva and Frank, then Megan and Gus and then LaKeisha and Chris from the DA's office and finally Richard and Cassie. When they've all taken their places, Jeffrey and Sam step up together. "Are you ready?" Jeffrey asks, looking down.
"Are you ready?" Sam replies.
"I've been ready."
Slowly they start the march down the aisle as the wedding march begins to play. When they are about halfway down the aisle, Sam glances at her brother and then smiles as she moves closer to Jeffrey and they continue on. When they reach Father Ray, everyone sits down.
"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be married, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." He looks out at the audience and Sam takes a deep breath and Jeffrey glances at her and smiles softly, trying to reassure her.
"Please take each others hands?" Father Ray says, after a few seconds. Releasing the breath, Sam takes Jeffrey's hand as they turn to face one another. "Do you Jeffrey O'Neill; take this woman, to be your lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others, till death do you part?"
"I do." Jeffrey replies, staring into Sam's eyes.
"And do you Samantha Whitley; take this man, to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others, till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Do you have the rings?"
Richard steps forward and hands Father Ray the rings. "Thank you." Father Ray says, before turning to Jeffrey and Sam. "Let these rings be a symbol to the world, of the promises you made to each other today and let them be a reminder of those same promises to each of you. Please take the rings and repeat after me."
Jeffrey and Sam each take a ring and each of them holding out their left hand as Father Ray says and they repeat. "With this ring I the wed."
When Jeffrey has the ring on Sam's finger, Father Ray announces. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Jeffrey takes a step closer and Sam leans up.
"I love you." He whispers, as he leans in to kiss her
"I love you too." She replies, as their lips meet and he pulls her to him. Just as they kiss the sun is sitting and beside them the photographer snaps a photo.
After a few moments, Jeffrey steps back smiling as he takes her hand and they turn to face their guests as Father Ray says. "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey O'Neill."
Everyone stands up, clapping as walk back up the aisle, again when she reaches the middle of the aisle she glances at Jeremiah and then continues on. When they reach the final archway, Jeffrey stops and turns to Sam. "I love you Mrs. O'Neill, both of you."
"We love you too." Sam says, smiling up at him.