A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Twelve
Reva is closing the door as the phone rings. Reaching for the cordless on the counter she answers on the third ring. "Hello."
"Mom." Jon says, walking out onto the patio to watch Sarah.
"Jon, is that you?"
"Yes."
"Is everything okay?"
"It's fine. I'm calling to check on you."
"You're calling to check on me, why?"
"I spoke to Dad earlier and he said that you and Josh have been fighting and that Josh was in the hospital. You didn't go after him again."
"No, I didn't go after him again. We had an argument and he left. While he was gone he went to your bar…."
"My bar, I thought you sold that."
"I did, Lizzie bought it and she's been running it. Anyway, he was at the bar all night and when they were leaving two boys jumped them. They knocked Lizzie down and knocked her out and then they attacked Josh."
"Are they okay?"
"They're fine. Cedars kept them overnight for observation, but they were both released this morning."
So what were you fighting about? Did you do something wild and crazy and Josh had to come rescue you?"
"Not every fight is because I did something wild and crazy." Reva says, exasperated. "But this is complicated."
"That answer doesn't tell me what it was about?"
"We were fighting about Jeffrey."
"Jeffrey, why would you be fighting about Jeffrey?"
"It's a long…."
"Mom!"
"Okay, the problem goes back to when I found out that Richard was alive. Jeffrey asked me to help him out with a problem that involved his girlfriend at the time…."
"Sam."
"Yes, wait how did you know about Sam?"
"Mom!"
"Alright, Josh didn't want me to go, but I went anyway. When I got back he kept insisting that I stay away from Jeffrey and he didn't want me to go back to DC to bring you to Richard. Anyway, over the last couple months he's insisted that we had to stay away from Jeffrey and he's been extremely rude to him.
A few weeks after Richard was released and they got back from San Cristobel, I went to see Josh about having lunch because things had been so tense between us. While I was there I overheard him talking to one of our attorney's about a destroyed file and ordering him not to tell this to either me or Billy. I confronted him. Billy over head us and came to see what was going on. They got into an argument. With Josh insisting that we stay away from Jeffrey and refusing to explain why he ordered the file be destroyed. After Josh left, Billy ordered Wanda to find out what file was destroyed and the contents of the file."
"Did she find anything?"
"No, not in Lewis Construction's records, so he asked her to look into H.B's private files. She found the name of one of the attorney that H.B used in Tulsa. The man is dead but Billy went to speak with his family and was able to talk to his son. At the time the man didn't have access to his father's records. In the meantime, I tried to get Josh to explain why he was adamant that we stay away from Jeffrey."
"And I assume the fight was about that?"
"It was part of it. After Labor Day, Billy received a call from the son of the attorney in Tulsa. He now had access to his father's records. Billy asked him to send the files to us. We received them a few days ago. When he received them Billy called me and I went over to the house and we went through them."
"And did you find anything?"
"Yes, we did. Apparently H.B had his will changed and he hired this attorney to make the changes."
"Why?"
"In the back of the will was a report from a private detective that we're assuming H.B hired, either personally or through the attorney. In the report, the detective explains the he wasn't able to track down H.B's son, but that he did find out his name and the report names Jeffrey as H.B's son."
"Jeffrey is a Lewis!"
"Yes, according to the report, he's H.B's son."
"And the fight was because of this."
"Yes, when we found the report, Billy and I confronted Josh and as usual he insisted that we not tell Jeffrey and to stay away from him. The fight was because I insisted that we have to tell him the truth and Josh was trying to convince me not to say anything to him when he gets back from his honeymoon."
"So, Josh doesn't want Jeffrey to be…."
"Wait, I just told you Jeffrey got married and you knew about his girlfriend. How is that?"
"Dad told me about him getting married."
"Did he tell you about the baby?"
"Baby, what baby?"
"Jeffrey and Sam are expecting a baby, as is Ava."
"Oh, man. I so wish I could be there to see this. Jeffrey married, his wife and his daughter are pregnant and I'm sure my Aunt Olivia is mixed in there somewhere."
"Yes, she hasn't been too supportive of the situation."
"I'll bet. She's not the type to let her self be replaced easily unless she does the replacing, and I don't think in this case it was her that did the replacing."
"No, she's not."
"Now back to Josh, why is he insisting that you not tell Jeffrey the truth?"
"He hasn't said anything specific."
"But?"
"He alluded to something yesterday."
"What?"
"Before he left yesterday, he said that we couldn't tell Jeffrey the truth because of my history."
"Your history, what does that mean?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't answer me when I asked him and he left shortly after that."
"So, he doesn't want him to be told because of what you will do. That doesn't make sense."
"Whether it makes sense or not, he still has to be told but I don't know when. Right now, I'm focused on Josh."
"I'm glad to finally hear that. At least being attacked has reminded you that you have a husband." Josh says, shuffling into the living room.
"Jon, I'll call you back."
"Okay, but remember he's and injured man, don't hurt him." Jon says, with a chuckle.
"I'm not going to." She says, smiling. "Give Sarah a hug and kiss from her Grandma Reva."
"I will and you be nice."
"We'll be fine." Reva says, feeling Josh's eyes on her. They hang up and she turns to Josh. "I've never forgotten that you were my husband but I'm not going to let this go. He deserves to know. However, we're not going to discuss this right now. You need to be lying down." Reva says, getting up. "What are you doing up anyway?"
"I had to go to the bathroom. Why did you tell him about Jeffrey?"
"He called to check on me."
"Why? How did he find out?" Josh asks, following her into the study.
"He talked to Richard this morning and he mentioned that you were in the hospital. Jon called to see what happened. Are you hungry?"
"Yes." He says, sitting carefully down on the couch.
"You want me to cook?"
"No, can you get something from Company?"
"I'll call Buzz and see if he'll deliver. Do you want a Buzz burger?"
"That's fine." He says, settling back.
"Okay." Reva says, turning to leave.
The next morning, Cassie goes to the Beacon until it's time to go to Cedars for the DNA test. Richard is waiting for her at the farm and they drive in together. As they walk into the hospital he puts his arm around her. "Are you ready?" He asks, as James walks up to them.
"Cassie." He says, nodding to Richard.
"James." She replies, holding Richard's hand as Rick walks up to them.
"Cassie." He says.
"Hi, Rick." She says, shaking his hand. "This is James Marshall."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Rick says, holding out his hand.
"Thank you." James replies, shaking Rick's hand.
"Are you both ready?"
"Yes." They both reply.
"Do you want me to come back with you?" Richard asks as Cassie releases his hand
"No, I'll be okay. They're only taking blood." Cassie says, squeezing his hand
"Okay. I'll be out here then." Richard says, as they follow Rick back.
When they reach the lab, Rick turns to them and says. "Cassie, if you'll sit down over there and Mr. Marshall over here." They nod, taking their places as the lab techs come over to them. "Miles will be drawing the samples and when he's finished the samples will be taken back to the lab and we should have the results within three to five days."
"Okay." They reply as Miles begins to take James blood.
Rick walks over to Cassie. "Cassie, did Richard speak to you?"
"Yes, he told me about talking with you."
"You have final say about running the tests." Rick says, as Cassie glances at James. "No one else will be told about the results except you and Richard."
"I know, go ahead and run them, if I don't Richard will make me see Dr. Sedgwick." Cassie says, smiling.
"Somehow I doubt that. I'll tell the lab to run the tests."
"Thank you, Rick." Cassie says, as he nods and then turns to leave.
Miles labels the vial of blood he has drawn from James before he puts the pressure bandage on his arm. "You may go, Mr. Marshall." He says.
James glances at Cassie. He had overheard the conversation between Rick and Cassie and he is curious as to why she was having extra tests run. Nodding he gets up and glances at Cassie again before he leaves. Richard is waiting when he walks out. Nodding, he says. "She should be out in a few moments."
"Okay."
And uncomfortable silence falls between them. Richard has no idea what to say to the man that could be his father-in-law. Their life has had little contact with Cassie's family except for Reva and Josh. They've only seen Hawk at Josh and Reva's last wedding and Rusty at their own wedding. James is the first to break the silence. "If you don't mind me asking, why is Cassie having some extra tests done?" Richard looks at him, surprised at the question. "I overheard Dr. Bauer asking her about it."
"It's nothing serious, but she hasn't been feeling good the last few weeks."
"What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure I should discuss this with you." Richard says, looking at him
"I'm her father."
"We don't know that for sure."
"You don't believe me."
"I've got questions as well as reservations and I won't see her hurt. Not knowing her parents has hurt her deeply." Richard says, as Cassie walks out of the lab.
"I understand that you feel like you have to protect her, but she is my daughter and if something is wrong I would like to know."
"Richard." Cassie says, walking up to them.
"How are you?" He asks, turning to her.
"I'm fine, what's going on?" She asks, taking his hands.
"I was asking about the test Dr. Bauer mentioned." James says.
"I told you that it's nothing serious." Richard says.
"I haven't been feeling we're making sure that it's only a bug." Cassie says, squeezing Richard's hand.
"Cassie, if you're sick, I'm your father and I want…."
"She just told you that it was nothing serious." Richard says, pulling her closer to him.
"It's okay." Cassie says, squeezing his hand again. "James, I'm sure everything is fine and I've only caught a bug or its stress."
"Alright." He says, conceding.
"I will let you know when I get the results." Cassie says.
"Thank you." James says, nodding to Richard before he turns to leave and Cassie turns to him.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Are you ready to go?"
"Richard." Cassie says, reaching to stop him as he turns to leave.
"I'm fine, Cassie." He says, reaching up to caress her cheek.
"I'll let you tell me when you're ready. Let's go get some lunch." She says, turning to leave. He watches her for a few seconds before he follows her out of Cedars.
After Billy leaves Reva's he stops at Sam's house and then goes to Lewis. The site foreman has everything under control. When he walks into the office, Wanda is at her desk. "Billy." She says, looking up from the paper.
"Good Morning, Wanda." He says, walking towards his office.
"Is it true?" She asks.
"Is what true?" Billy asks, turning back to her.
"That Josh was at Jon's Bar last night and that he was going home with Lizzie when two young men jumped them."
"Are you reading the Journal again?" Billy asks, reaching for the paper, but Wanda pulls it back.
"It's it true?" She asks.
"Josh was at the bar. He was drinking and they were jumped, but he wasn't 'going home' with Lizzie and you should know better than to believe that rag." Billy replies before walking back to his office.
Sitting down at his desk he picks up the file that held H.B's will and the report for the detective. Looking over the report, he finds a number and reaching for the phone he dials the number. After a couple rings a woman picks up. "Southside Detective Agency."
"Yes, my name is Billy Lewis. I need to speak to a Detective Jackson."
"Detective Jackson?"
"Yes, he's part of your agency or was a part of your agency."
"Umm, we have no detectives by that name."
"He would have been employed several years ago. He was employed by my father H.B Lewis." Billy says, looking at the file.
"I'm sorry but I know of no Detective Jackson."
"Thank you." Billy says, hanging up. He picks up the folder again. Rereading the report, he puts it down and picks up the phone again, dialing a number before he sits back.
"Hello." Harley says, answering on the second ring.
"Harley, this is Billy Lewis."
"Billy, hi, how's Josh?"
"He's fine. He was released earlier this morning."
"Good."
"Listen, I was wondering if I could talk to you about a personal matter."
"Okay, I'm on my way to the station to meet Gus."
"I'm at the office. Could you come by here?"
"Umm, sure." Harley says, pulling in to the Police Department.
"Would thirty minutes be okay?"
"Sure." She says, getting out of her car.
"Thank you."
"Your welcome." She says before hanging up as she walks into the station.
Richard and Cassie walk out of the hospital. He has his arm around her as they walk towards the car. Opening the door for her, he closes it before he walks around to the other side. Getting in, he starts the car as he asks. "Where do you want to eat lunch?"
"Why don't we go out to Tony's?"
"He's still upset about Will and the photographer."
"I spoke with Tony and offered him and his wife a free night at the Beacon and he has a new manager."
"Cassie!"
"What?"
"You got the manager fired!"
"Yes, she shouldn't have gone after Will."
"What do you mean gone after Will?"
"RJ told me that the manager was yelling at them after he threw the coke on that photographer."
"She was yelling at them."
"Yes, so I spoke with Tony, apologized for the boy's behavior but pointed out that the manager had no authority to behave towards the boys as she did and he agreed with me."
"Alright, Tony's it is." Richard says, glancing at her and smiling as they drive away from the hospital.
She looks over at him and sees the smile. "Are you saying you wouldn't have done the same thing?"
"No, but I like how you were defending our boys." He says, looking over at her.
"RJ shouldn't have thrown the coke, but that manager had no business yelling at them either. I simply pointed that out to Tony." Cassie says, settling back into the seat.
A few minutes later, they pull up to Tony's. He gets out and walks around the car, opening the door for her. Closing the door, he puts his arm around her as they walk towards the restaurant.
When they finish eating, Richard pays the bill and they leave. When they reach the farm, Cassie goes upstairs to change while Richard walks back to his office. After she changes, she goes into the boys rooms, gathering up their laundry she goes downstairs to start a load.
Going into the kitchen after the clothes are started, she looks in the refrigerator to find something for dinner. Closing it, she walks back to Richard's office. "Are you busy?" She asks, walking in.
"No, I'm just going over these contracts for the company in Chicago."
"I'm going to go to the corner store to get something for dinner."
"Do you need any money?" He asks, nodding as he reaches for his wallet.
"No, I'll write a check."
"Are the boys coming home on the bus?"
"I didn't tell them to this morning."
"If your not back, I'll go get them."
"Okay, but I should be back in time." She says, leaning over to kiss him. "I'll see you later."
"Yes, I love you."
"I love you too." Cassie leaves as Richard picks the contracts up.
Cassie goes by the store and picks up some steaks for dinner and some other things they needed before she goes back to the farm. When she gets there she notices that Richard's car is gone. Taking the groceries into the house, she takes care of the load of laundry that she started before she sits down to watch a little bit of TV before the boys come home.
When Richard and the boys walk in they find Cassie asleep on the couch, turning to the boys, Richard says. "You guys go on upstairs and pack up a bag and I'll take you over to Bobby and Peter's houses."
"Okay." They reply, walking upstairs quietly.
A few minutes later, they leave. When Richard gets back, Cassie is about to walk out the door. "Where are the boys?" She asks, as he closes the door behind him.
"Will is at Bobby's and RJ is at Peter's. They asked if they could stay the night when I picked them up from school and you were asleep when we got home so I took them over there."
"Are you hungry?"
"No, not right now."
"I've got another load of laundry to do." She says, turning away from him.
He goes into the living room as she goes to do the laundry. When she finishes, she walks back into the living room. Sitting down beside him, he lifts his arm as she snuggles in beside him. "Is there anything going on?" She asks.
"No, not really, the usual attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, a minor earthquake in the desert of California, that's about it."
"I've been thinking about something." Cassie says, laying her head on his shoulder."
"You've been thinking about what?"
"James."
"Okay."
"He makes you uncomfortable…."
"Cassie."
"But he does." She says, sitting up.
"I..." He reaches for the remote and turns the TV off. "I know how much it has hurt you not to know who your parents are. It's affected you your whole life."
"I have Reva, and Josh. I have a family now."
"But you've wondered about it. It's why you pushed for William to be a part of Will's life when we thought he was William's son."
"So, what's your point?"
"My point is that I don't want… I won't watch your heart be broken. And the only proof he's offering is a story about Sarah and him being together and a picture."
"That's why we decided to do a DNA test."
"Yes, we did. But I know you Cassie. In your head, you're already making plans and thinking about things. I don't want you to get your hopes up and then have your heart broken."
"You don't want him to be a part of the wedding."
Richard sighs, as he looks out the window before he looks back at her. "No, I don't. I don't think he's earned the right yet. Hawk has been there for you, even though he's not your father, he's accepted you and I think you owe it to him to take that into consideration when you decide who will give you away."
"I didn't have anyone give me away before and I don't have to have someone give me away now."
"But you wanted it then and now. Hawk couldn't be at the wedding in San Cristobel and you didn't feel right asking Rusty, Josh or Billy."
"So are you saying you don't believe I should invite James to the wedding?"
"No, you can invite him if you want. I don't care about that. But I'm not sure he should be the one to give you away. As I said, I don't think he's earned the right."
Cassie sits there for several minutes, thinking about what he said and for a moment Richard wonders if he has upset her. Reaching over, he tucks her hair behind her ear. "Can I ask you something without you getting mad?" She asks, looking up.
"Usually when someone asks that, they're about to ask something that will make you mad, but go ahead."
"Are you jealous of him?"
"Jealous, of your possible father, Cassie, come on, why would I be jealous?"
"I don't know. Maybe you think he'll cause problems or take me away from you. He'll never be able to do that. I just…."
"I don't think or feel like that. I don't want you hurt, that's the only reason I said what I said."
"I understand that you want to protect me, but why do you think he's not my father?"
"I don't know if he is or he isn't. But I don't think it's wise for us to open our lives to him when we don't have the full picture. Have you thought about what you will you do, if the test shows that he's not your father?" Richard asks, taking her hand
"I don't know, but something tells me he's telling the truth and he's my father, just like I knew that William belonged in our family. I won't mention the wedding to James until after we get the results back."
"Okay." Richard says releasing a breath he didn't realize he was holding. She feels the tension drain out of him but she doesn't comment as she lays her head on his shoulder. "You realize that we have the whole house to ourselves until tomorrow afternoon." He says, reaching up to run his fingers through her hair.
"Did you let them sleep over because you wanted to talk about this?"
"Yes, but we still have to go to the game."
"Oh no, I forgot about the game. Did you get their uniforms?"
"Yes, they had everything they needed, relax. I have and idea. Why don't you go upstairs and take a long hot bath and I'll grill us some steaks."
"Umm, the steaks sound good although I'm not sure I trust you to grill them, being that you've never grilled anything in your life." She says, as he reaches over to tinkle her and she starts to giggle pulling away from him. "So, why don't you come with me and we'll take a bath together." She says, moving to stand up.
"I can grill the steaks." He says, following her. "But the bath sounds good too." He finishes, with a smile.
Taking his hand, she walks towards the stairs as she says. "Do you even know how to light the grill?"
"I watched Josh do it last weekend, I'm sure I could do it." He says, as she laughs "What?"
"Josh was using charcoal, we have a gas grill. You start them completely different." She says, walking into their bedroom.
"What's different about it?"
"I don't know either, he always started the grill when he was here and well Jeffrey and I didn't get to do that sort of thing and well Edmund… well you know about Edmund." She says, walking across their bedroom. "You know, this isn't going to be like it was at the palace." She says, glancing at the tub when they walk into the bathroom.
"I don't care." He replies, pulling to him. "I only need you." He says, as she wraps her arms around his neck.
"You're all I need too." She says, leaning in to kiss him.
When he deepens the kiss, she sighs softly. Moving closer, she buries her hand in his hair. Both of them jump when someone rings the doorbell. "Bloody hell." Richard groans, as she laughs.
"I'll go…."
"No, I'll go. Get everything ready and I'll be right back." He says, leaning in to kiss her as the person rings the door bell again. He steps back, leaving bathroom she hears him mutter. "This better be bloody important." Smiling she turns towards the tub.
Turning the water on, she adjusts the temperature and then gets undressed. Getting in, she leans back and then lays her head back. Richard runs down the stairs as the person outside rings the bell again along with knocking. "Coming." Richard calls, walking through the kitchen. Pulling the door open, he finds a delivery guy on the other side. "Yes?"
"Yeah, I got a delivery from a Jeffrey O'Neill." The man says, holding out a tablet.
Richard takes the pad and signs it before handing the tablet back to the guy. "Okay, where do you want them?" The guy asks. Moving out of the way and revealing the cradles.
"Put them in the corner by the fire place." Richard says, stepping back.
Picking one up, the guy carries it in as Richard moves away from the door. A few moments later, he comes back through for the other cradle and puts it down by the other one. Walking into the kitchen, he accepts the money Richard hands him and then says. "You have a good evening."
"Thank you." Richard says, nodding as he closes the door.
He immediately heads upstairs. Walking into the bedroom, he takes his clothes off as he walks towards the bathroom. Cassie is soaking in the tub when he walks in. Stopping, he watches her until she opens her eyes and looks up at him. Smiling, she holds out her hand as he walks over to her. She moves up as he slips in behind her.
Leaning back, as she moves back against him he says as he wraps his arms around her. "No bubbles.
"No, I took pity on you. Who was at the door?"
"It was the delivery man with the cradles that Jeffrey shipped back."
"Oh, what do they look like?" She asks, turning to look at him.
"They look like cradles."
"Richard!"
"They're wood, they rock, and they are for a baby. What do you want me to say?"
"You're such a man." She says, turning around as he laughs.
"You didn't mind that a little bit ago." He says, leaning over to nibble on her neck.
"You know what I mean." She says, as he continues to smile.
"They are precious and I'm sure you will fall in love with them."
"Now, you're patronizing me."
"I'm serious Cassie, They are precious. You can see the wear marks from where they rocked their kids. If we had a baby you would want one of them for our child." Hey says, reaching up to rub her shoulders.
She begins to relax as he leans in, kissing the side of her neck. "What do you think is going on with Josh?" She asks, as he softly nibbles on her neck.
"I'm going to assume this has something to do with whatever is going on between Josh and Jeffrey."
"Why do you think he doesn't want to tell Jeffrey the truth?"
"I don't know Cassie. Right now however, I don't want to talk about Jeffrey, Josh and their problems.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"I'm not really interested in talking. I've got something else on my mind." He says, running his hands down her arms.
She leans back against him. Taking his hands she begins to play with his fingers. "I love your fingers and hands." She says, tracing his hand and fingers.
"Why do you love my hands and fingers?" He asks, kissing her shoulder.
"Because they are strong and they make me feel safe."