A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Two
Julie is leaving the hospital when her cell phone starts to ring. Pulling it from her purse, she answers the call as she walks to her car. "Hello."
"Julie, its Tom Hughes."
"Yes, hello." Julies says, unlocking her car and getting in.
"I got your message."
"Yes, I was wondering if you knew when the hearing would be?"
"Yes, I do. I was going to call you later today. The hearing is set for October first."
"Okay."
"Have you spoken to Mr. Bertilla?"
"Not for a few days. We met at the Lakeview after he received the papers. Why?"
"I haven't heard anything from his attorney. And I've tried several times to contact him directly but his assistant always says he's out of the office."
"Alright, I'll call him. Is there anything else I need to do before the hearing?"
"No, you have a place to live now."
"Yes, I've found a place on Center Sr. and I am on my way to speak to the manager that runs the satellite office for my current employer."
Julie says, pulling into the parking lot of her new job. "I'll call Marciano about contacting you, either through his attorney, or directly."
"Thank you."
"I'll be in touch after I speak with him."
"I'll talk to you then."
"Okay." Julie hangs up as she gets out of her car.
An hour later, she leaves her job. Pulling out her cell phone she dials Marciano's office number as she pulls out of her parking place. After a couple rings his assistant picks up. "Thank you for calling Williams Limited, You have reached Marciano Bertilla's office. How may I help you?"
"This is Julie. I need to speak to Mr. Bertilla."
"Yes, Mrs. Bertilla, one moment please." She says, putting Julie on hold and buzzing Marciano.
"Yes." He says, looking over some papers for the Springfield deal.
"Sir, Mrs. Bertilla is on line one."
"Thank you." Marciano says, putting the papers down and picking up the phone as he takes a deep breath before pushing the button to connect the calls. "Julie." He says,
"Marciano." She replies, pulling into traffic.
"Are you calling to come home because…?"
"No, I'm not. I called to tell you that my attorney is trying to reach you, but your assistant won't put his calls through. Now if you don't want to talk to him, then at least have you attorney contact him."
"I don't need an attorney because we're not getting a divorce."
"Yes we are."
"I'm not letting you go. You're my wife till the day one of us dies. Those were the vows we took and I'm not walking away from that."
"Marciano, I'm not going to argue about this. There will be a divorce. The hearing is scheduled for October first, I suggest either you get an attorney or contact my attorney." Julie says, hanging up when she's finished. When the call disconnect, she calls Tom again.
"Tom Hughes, Attorney at Law, Tom Hughes speaking." Tom says, picking up the line on the second ring.
"Tom, its Julie. I just spoke with Marciano. He's not accepting your calls because he thinks that it will stop the divorce." Julie says, as her phone beeps. She ignores it. "I told him about the hearing and that he needs to get a lawyer or contact you." Julie says as her phone beeps again.
"I'll contact him again then and from now on."
"What happens if you don't get in touch with him or his attorney? Will it affect the hearing?"
"No, I will have my assistant draft a letter to him and file it with the court, giving him official notice of the hearing date. If he doesn't contact me or have his attorney, contact me by the time the hearing comes, then he will forfeit his right to contest the divorce and whatever the judge decides he has to abide by."
"How long after the hearing will he receive word of the ruling and when will the divorce be final?"
"He should get an official notice within two weeks and the divorce will be final in ninety days."
"Okay." Julie says, as her phone beeps again. "Do I come to your office before the hearing?"
"Not unless you need to talk to me. On the morning of the hearing, I'll meet you at the courthouse."
"What time is the hearing?
"Eleven a.m."
"When do I need to be there?"
"Around ten thirty, we'll need to go over what will happen."
"I'll be there."
"I'll see you then."
"I'm working at the local office for Schuster and Johns if you need to speak to me and you can't reach me on my cell phone."
"Okay."
Julie hangs up as she pulls into the driveway of her mom's house. The kids come running out to meet her, since they have been away from Marciano, they are beginning to behave like they had behaved before Matt had died. "Mom." Her oldest says.
"What baby?" She asks, closing the door after getting out of the car.
"He's tried to call twice."
"Who tried to call twice? Marciano?"
"Yes ma'am, Grammy let the calls got to voicemail."
"I'll listen to them when I get inside."
"Do we go to school tomorrow?" Her youngest asks.
"Yes, I got you enrolled, so you can go tomorrow."
"Yay." Her youngest cries as he oldest frowns
"It'll be okay." She says, as she ruffles his hair as they walk into the house.
Her mom is in the kitchen when she walks in. "He's called."
"I know. I'll take care of it."
"What's going on?"
"I called him to tell him the date of the hearing. We got into an argument and I hung up on him."
"When is the hearing?"
"October first at eleven a.m. I'm going to go change and then I'll come help you with dinner." Julie says, leaving the kitchen.
Marciano tries six or seven times to call Julie through out the rest of the evening. On the last call he leaves a message on her mom's voicemail and then he leaves the office. When arrives home, two men approach him. "Excuse me, Sir." Agent Marks says.
"Yes, what do you want?" Marciano demands.
"I'm Agent John Marks, and this is my partner Agent Ralph Schwartz. We need to speak to Julie M. Bertilla."
"She's not here." Marciano replies, turning away.
"Do you know when she will be back?" Agent Schwartz asks.
"She's out of town at her mother's." Marciano replies.
"And when will she be back?" Agent Marks asks.
"I don't know. Why do you want to see her?"
"We have some information pertaining to her former husband. We're from the N.I.S."
"And what information would you have about my wife's deceases husband?" Marciano asks.
"We can't discuss that with you?" Agent Schwartz says.
"She's my wife, if you have something to say to her, you can tell me and I'll inform her."
"We can not do that. You said she was at her mother's. Does her mother live in the city?"
"You're the federal agents, you find her."
"We can do that, but it will be easier for us and beneficial for you if you would give us the information now." Agent Schwartz says.
"Her mom lives in Oakdale and that's all I'm going to say." Marciano says, walking into the house.
"Did you have to come on so strong?" Agent Marks asks.
"We got the information, didn't we?"
"Yes." Agent Marks says as they walk back to their car.
When the plane lands, Jeffrey helps Sam from the plane. Since they were staying at a bed and breakfast, Jeffrey arranged for a rental car to be waiting for them. Once the crew has their luggage unloaded from the plane the Captain walks up to Jeffrey. "We will be here in ten days to fly you back to Springfield?"
"Okay, and thank you." Jeffrey says, holding his hand out.
"You're welcome, sir." The Captain replies, as they shake hands.
Jeffrey gets into the car as the Captain walks back on the plane. Starting the car, he pulls away as Sam asks. "You know where you're going?"
"Yes." Jeffrey says, pulling out his phone and handing it to her. "Pull up the navigator and put in this address." Jeffrey says, handing her a piece of paper.
Sam takes the paper and pulls up the application, entering the address a few moments later they begin getting instructions through the phone. "Why didn't we have this in Belgium?" She asks.
"Because we didn't have cell phones then, and if you had read the directions right we wouldn't have gotten lost."
"And if you would have let me write them down, I would have been able to read them."
"They were legible."
"For who, a doctor."
"I don't know. You're the doctor."
"Oh hush." Sam says, slapping him as he laughs.
"Don't get mad." He says, reaching for her hands as they drive through town.
She looks over at him and smiles. About ten minutes later, Jeffrey pulls up in front of the Bed and Breakfast where they would be staying. Sam is reaching for something in her purse when Jeffrey stops. When the car stops, she looks up and stares for few moments, recognizing it immediately. "J." She says, looking at him.
"I know. That is why I picked this place."
"It looks like the B&B we stayed in, in England before you…."
"I know." Jeffrey says, parking and turning the car off.
Opening his door, he gets out and then walks around the car. He opens Sam's door and helps her out. "I don't believe it. How did you find this place?"
"I had Stacey look up B&B's for us to stay at and she gave me a list. This was one of them and when I saw it I knew it was the place." Jeffrey says, looking at the building.
"Come on." Sam says, walking to the back of the car.
"Where are you…?"
"Open the trunk." She says impatiently.
He smiles as he opens the trunk. Taking out a couple of suitcases she starts towards the building and the front door as Jeffrey gets the rest of the luggage and follows her. As she walks up to the front door, a woman opens the door for her. "Welcome to the Bedham Bed and Breakfast."
"Hi." Sam says, walking inside as Jeffrey follows her.
"How can I help you?" The woman asks.
"We have a reservation." Jeffrey says, putting the suitcase down beside Sam.
"Can I get your name?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey O'Neill." Jeffrey replies, as the woman types his name in the computer.
"Yes, we have a reservation for you and your wife for the honeymoon suite, congratulations."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says.
"We have you listed to stay for ten days."
"That's correct."
"If you will sign this." The woman says, handing Jeffrey a piece of paper.
Jeffrey takes the pen she's handing him and signs the paper as the woman takes out two keys. She lays the keys next Jeffrey as he hand the paper back to her. "Do you need any help with luggage?"
"No, we've got it." Jeffrey says.
"Your room is at the end of the hall on the third floor. Enjoy your stay and if you need anything please let us know. Dinner is served from five to seven and breakfast is served six to ten every morning."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, picking up the suitcases as Sam picks up hers, following him upstairs.
When they reach the end of the hall on the third floor. Jeffrey stops outside their room and asks. "Are you ready?
"Yes." Sam replies, as he puts the suitcases down and unlocks the door.
Leaving the key in the door, he turns to her. Taking her suitcases from her, he puts them on the floor as he reaches for her. "What are you doing?" Sam asks, as he sweeps her up into his arms. "J." She squeals, laughing as he opens the door and carries her over the threshold. "Are you going to do this every time?"
"Only when we get back to the loft." Jeffrey says, putting her down. "So, what do you think?"
"I think we need to get our luggage from the hall."
"Alright." Jeffrey says, going back out into the hall.
Picking up the suitcases he brings them in as Sam looks around the room. When he brings in the last suitcase in, he closes the door as he asks. "Do you like it?"
"Yes." Sam says, walking over to him. "The room almost looks the same." She says, looking back over her shoulder before she turns back to him.
"I knew you would like this the moment I saw it."
"This is perfect." Sam says, leaning up to kiss him.
"Good, I'm glad." Jeffrey says, leaning back from her kiss. "So, what do you want to do?"
"You don't want to stay here for a while."
"No, let's wait on that." Jeffrey says, with a smile.
"Okay, but I need to go to the bathroom." Sam says, releasing him.
She goes to the bathroom as Jeffrey settles into one of the chairs by the window. Opening the door, she stares at the hot tub in the middle of the room. "J, come here." She says, still standing at the door.
"What?" He asks, getting up and going to her. "Oh." He says, staring at the hot tub.
"You still want to go out?" She asks, looking up at him.
"Hmm, as tempting as that offer is, let's go out." Jeffrey says with his arms around her.
"Are you sure." She asks, leaning back against him.
He takes a deep breath before he answers her. "I think we need to go out." He says, as she laughs.
"Alright, I'll be out in a minute." Sam says, as he releases her.
Jeffrey is waiting when she walks out of the bathroom a few minutes later. Opening the door, he holds it for her and then pulls it closed and locks it. Putting his arm around her, he pulls her to him as she puts her arm across his waist and they walk down the hall to the stairs.
Cassie walks into the Beacon about ten the morning after the barbeque. Before she goes to her office, she goes over to the front desk. When the clerk finishes with a customer she turns to Cassie. "Hello, Mrs. Winslow." She says.
"Hi, Maria."
"How was the wedding?"
"Wonderful, did anything happen?"
"No ma'am, nothing." Maria replies.
"Good, have you seen Olivia?"
"No ma'am, she hasn't been up front this morning?"
"Okay, I'll be in my office."
"Yes ma'am."
Cassie walks away. Going through to her office. Opening the door, she walks in. Her assistant is at her desk. "Good morning, Mrs. Winslow." Jessica says.
"Good morning." Cassie replies. "How is your first day going?"
"Good ma'am, thank you. Do you need anything?"
"No, I'll be in my office."
"Yes ma'am."
Cassie walks over to her office door. She opens it and then turns to her assistant. "Jessica."
"Yes ma'am."
"Call me Cassie."
"Yes ma'am."
Cassie nods and then goes into her office. Sitting down at her desk, she turns the computer on as she reaches for the phone. Dialing Olivia's room number, she hangs up after a few rings and no answer.
Logging into her computer, she's bringing up her email when Jessica buzzes her. "Yes." Cassie says, pausing what she was doing.
"Ma… Cassie, you have a call on line one."
"Okay, who is it?"
"A Mr. James Marshall."
"Okay." Cassie says, pushing the button for line one as she takes a deep breath. "Mr. Marshall." Cassie says, sitting back in her chair.
"Mrs. Winslow, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine. How my I help you, Mr. Marshall?"
"I am flying back to Springfield later this afternoon and I was wondering if we could meet tomorrow."
Sitting up, Cassie pulls up her calendar. "I have meetings in the morning, but I can meet you at one. Would that work for you?"
"That will be fine. I'll see you at one."
"I'll see you then." Cassie says, entering the appointment in her calendar, which automatically updates on Jessica's computer. Cassie hands up and then dials Olivia's room again. After a couple rings, Olivia picks up. "Hello." She says, sounding very groggy.
"Olivia, its Cassie."
"What time is it?" She asks, turning over to look at her clock.
"It's after…."
"Oh my…." Olivia exclaims, realizing the time. "Is something wrong?" She asks, pushing the covers back.
"No, I was calling to see if you had the file from Mr. Marshall."
"Yes, it's in my office."
"I'll send Jessica to get it. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'll be down within the hour."
"Okay." Cassie says, hanging up and then buzzes Jessica.
"Yes ma'am."
"I need you to go over to Olivia's office and ask her assistant for the file from Mr. Marshall."
"Yes ma'am." Jessica says, as Richard walks into the office.
"Thank you." Cassie says, hanging up the phone as she opens an email.
"May I help you?" Jessica asks, turning to Richard.
"I'm here to see Cassie."
"Is she expecting you?"
"No, I'm her husband." Richard says.
"Oh, Mr. Winslow, of course go on in." Jessica says, as Richard walks over to the door. Opening it, he walks in.
"You have a new assistant." Richard says, as he closed the door behind him.
"Richard." She says, looking up.
"Hi." He says, walking over to her desk as she gets up and walks around it.
"Hi, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you."
"You saw me about an hour ago."
"I know, but I missed you."
"After an hour, don't you have work at the farm since Jeffrey is out of town?"
"Yes, but I'm putting it off."
"You wanted to have those stalls repaired before they bring…."
"I know, but I would rather be with you.
"I understand that, but..."
"Shhh, I'll go home and work later." Richard says, pulling her to him and reaching for a kiss as she turns her head.
"Richard, we can't do this right now. Jessica will be back in a few seconds with a file that I need and I have an appointment in an hour to go over the menu for the Laurel Falls Ladies Society." Cassie says, as there is a knock at the door. "Yes." Cassie says as she steps back.
Jessica opens the door. "Here is the file that you wanted."
"Thank you." Cassie says, taking the file. Jessica leaves, nodding as she closes the door.
When the door closes, Richard reaches for her again and pulls her to him. "You have the file and we have an hour."
"Richard…."
"Shhh." He says, laying his finger across her mouth. Reaching for the phone, he holds the intercom button down. "Jessica, Cassie is in a meeting if anyone needs her." He says, watching Cassie.
"Yes Sir." Jessica replies, smiling.
Releasing the button, Richard says. "We've got time."
Leaning in, he kisses her. "Richard." She sighs, wrapping her arms around him.
They kiss for several minutes before he steps back. Taking her hand, he leads her over to the couch. Standing beside it, he reaches for the first button on her blouse and unbuttons it as he leans in, nibbling on her neck. He moves up to her ear as he moves down to the next button.
After a while she reaches up and begins to tug on his shirt as he pulls her shirt free. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls her to him, deepening the kiss for a few moments before Cassie leans back and asks, as she looks up. "Are you okay?"
"I need you." Richard whispers.
Leaning up, she kisses him. She continues to tug on his shirt. He lifts his arms as she pulls it over his head. Dropping it to the floor, she breaks the kiss, moving down to his chest, softly kissing him as she nibbles on his chest.
Reaching up, he brushes her blouse off her shoulders. Reaching for her bra, as the blouse falls to the floor he unfastens it as she releases him. Letting the bra fall, she leans up to kiss him again. Cupping her left breast, he gently caresses her, kneading her breast softly as he plays with her nipple.
Her hands settle as his waist, pulling his belt free and unfastening his pants as he leans down and takes her nipple into his mouth, caressing her. "Richard." She moans, reaching for him and burying her fingers in his hair. Letting her head fall back as she close her eyes, loving the feel of his mouth caressing her.
Cupping her right breast, he caresses her until her nipple is pressing against his hand, releasing her, he moves over to her other breast, replacing his hand with his mouth, sucking her nipple inside, caressing it with his lips and tongue.
Releasing him, she slowly moves her hands down, softly scratching him as she moves down his chest. He leans back, releasing her as he reaches for the button on her pants, unbuttoning them, he cups her desire as she moves closer to him.
When she reaches his waist, she reaches for his zipper, slowly working it down as he follows her, unzipping her pants. Slipping her hand inside, she cups him as he shifts his hips and whispers. "Touch me Cassie, I need…."
Slipping her hand inside his boxers, she cups him for a few seconds before she wraps her hand around him, holding him as he groans. "Cassie." Reaching for his pants, he begins to tug on them.
She can feel the desperation rushing through him as he pushes his pants down. "It's okay." She whispers, reaching up to kiss him
"I need you." Richard groans, sucking in a deep breath.
"I know." Cassie replies, replacing his hands with hers.
Pushing his pants down, she helps him kick his shoes off and then his pants. Looking up, she leans forward and softly kisses him. "Cassie." He groans, moving closer to her. Reaching up, she pulls his boxers down and off.
She softly kisses him. Gently licking him as he shifts his hips closer to her. Taking him into her mouth, she caresses him as he reaches for her, moving towards her as she pulls away, caressing him with her tongue as he takes a deep breath. "Cassie." He groans, as he begins to thrust.
She takes him into her mouth again, loving him as deeply as she can for as long as she can until he pulls away. Reaching for her, he pulls her up. Kissing her as he pushes her pants and panties down as she slips her shoes off. Lifting her, he turns to the couch, laying her down as he enters her. "Richard!" she cries, closing her eyes and savoring the feeling of their bodies being connected. Wrapping her arms around him, she holds him tightly as he begins to thrust, Leaning up on his forearms, he looks down into her eyes, seeing desperate desire burning inside them as well as love. Leaning in, he kisses her as she arches her back, taking him deeper. "Richard!" She moans, moving with him.
After several minutes, he feels the end approaching for both of them. He begins to thrust faster, pushing them closer to the end and release. He feels her cling to him as she begins to tremble deep inside, warm waves of desire surges through her, caressing him as he continues to thrust. After about a minute, he feels his release charge through him, like a raging storm. "Cassie." He groans, holding his body buried deeply inside hers.
After a few seconds, he can't hold himself up anymore and he lays down on top of her, his warm breath feels cool against the sheen of sweat that covers her. She struggles to catch her breath as they lay there and she holds him, relishing the feel of her beneath him, their bodies still connected. Slowly she becomes aware of him and how much they are still connected. She begins to push against his shoulders until he looks up and reads the expression on her face, sighing softly, he rolls to his side and she lifts one leg, laying it across his as she begins to move against him.
"I… love… you." She whispers, savoring the feel of him continuing to grow inside her, filling her.
"I… love… you too… darling." He groans, thrusting against her rolling hips
A few minutes later, release sweeps over them again as they cling to each other. Laying his head against her shoulder, he sucks in a deep breath while he tries to get control again. Leaning into him, she softly kisses his neck as she wraps her arms around him, holding him. They remain there for several minutes before reality sets in and she leans back. "I wish we could stay here, but…."
"You have to go." Richard says, slowly releasing her as he sits up and she sits up beside him.
He reaches for their clothes and hand hers to her. They begin to get dressed. Taking her pants, she puts them on and then stands up but as she does, she nearly falls over as a wave of dizziness rushes over her. Richard reaches out to catch her as she clings to him. "Are you okay?" He asks, forgetting about his clothes.
"I suddenly got dizzy when I stood up." Cassie says, taking a deep breath.
"Here sit down." He says, pulling her pants up for her and then helping her to sit down. "I know you ate before you left the house." He says, walking over to the bookshelf behind her desk and opening the little refrigerator and getting a bottle of water. He takes it back to her
Taking it, she takes a sip before she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. He sits down beside of her tucking a strand of hair behind her ear he gently rubs her back. He's about to ask if she's okay, when she gets up and walks out of the office quickly. Reaching for his shirt, he pulls it on as he follows her. "Cassie." He says, as she walks into the bathroom.
About five minutes later, she opens the door. He's leaning against the wall and he stands up when she walks out. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine now." Cassie says, walking back into her office. Jessica is at her desk and she watches as they walk through. Richard closes the door again as Cassie walks over to the couch.
"What just happened?" Richard asks, walking over to her.
"I don't know. I just suddenly felt dizzy and then very nauseated. Maybe I caught a bug or something." She says, reaching for her water. Seeing the worry in his eyes, she moves over to him. "I'm fine." She says, as he puts his arms around her.
"That wasn't how I wanted this to end." He says, holding her.
"I know, but I'm glad you came anyway." She says, leaning back.
"Are you sure you are okay?"
"I feel fine now." Cassie says, reaching up to wipe the worry lines for his face. "But I've got to go." She says, reaching for her shoes and slipping them on.
"Okay, but you promise you won't do too much and if you still feel sick after this meeting, you will come home. Call me and I'll come get you if you don't feel like driving."
"I'm okay." Cassie says, getting up slowly. She feels a little dizzy but she doesn't say anything to him because she knows that he'll insist that she come home.
"Alright, I'll have my cell phone with me in the barn. You call me if you need me." He says, reaching for her and pulling her into his arms, holding her.
"I'll be fine." She says laying her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat.
"I'm going." He says, holding onto her as they walk over to the door.
"And I'll be home later."
"Okay, you call me…."
"I'll call you if I need you, I promise." Cassie says, leaning up to kiss him as a couple of ladies walks in.
"I'll see you." Richard says, nodding to the ladies as he leaves the office.