A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Twenty-One
When they reached the beach, they slip their shoes off. While holding her shoes in one hand Cassie takes Richard's hand as they start down the beach. A soft breeze caresses them, while the waves lap gently at the shore. "This isn't like San Cristobel." Richard says.
"No, but it doesn't matter to me because you're here. After the accident, I didn't go for walks on the beach."
"Why?" He asks, looking at her.
"It reminded me of you and that hurt." Cassie replies, moving closer to him.
He releases her hand. Putting his arm around her, he pulls her to him. "I love you." He says, kissing the side of her head.
"I love you too." She replies, putting her arm around his waist.
They walk for a few minutes before he says. "I'm proud of you?"
"Why?"
"Because I know you were scared tonight, but you told him anyway."
"It was his right to know and it was the whole reason he came to Springfield. Telling him is the easy part in this process."
"You're worried about telling everyone else."
"Yes, and figuring out how he plays into our lives. I know we have time to figure that out, but it's in the back of my mind as to how this will affect my relationship with Reva, Hawk and Rusty."
"They all love you and none of this is your fault. Sarah chose not to tell anyone about this, not you."
"I know that. I know Reva love me. Rusty is there, I guess. But Hawk has treated me as his daughter and James coming into the picture will remind him of everything that Sarah did."
"You can't do anything about that."
"I…."
"I know you're worried about hurting them, but none of this was something you did."
"How would you feel if Hart came back?" Cassie asks stopping and turning to look at him.
"It's a different situation Cassie."
"I know Hart can never come back, but you think of RJ as your son, but he's not and if Hart could come back, how would you feel?"
"I don't know. I want to believe that I would allow RJ to know his father and trust him to remember that he has me too, just as I believe that Hawk will allow you to do."
"You know we have to tell them soon. They need to know this before the wedding and James shows up." She says, sitting down in the sand with him following her.
"When is Hawk coming in?"
"I think he'll be here this weekend or early next week."
"Maybe we should have them over to dinner, everyone, and we can tell them then."
"I don't know. It might be better if we tell Hawk ourselves, without the others."
Reaching up, he tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "We can do this however you want, but I think it would be better for you if you tell everyone at one time. And the reason I say that, you will only have to explain this one time. We have more than their reaction to consider here."
"The baby, you're afraid this will be too stressful for me."
"It's my job to make sure you're taken care of. And I know this is stressing you. And I think you'll feel a lot better when everyone knows and we can start building our lives around this."
"I'll think about it." Cassie says, turning to look at the light house. Richard moves in behind her, wrapping his arms around her. "We have to tell the boys too." Cassie says, leaning back against him.
"I think they'll be okay. They get a new grandpa." Richard replies, resting his head on top of hers.
"And I'm sure he will spoil them rotten. I had to talk Hawk out of bring RJ a horse this spring."
"Speaking of that, I've been thinking about something."
"What?"
"I was thinking I would try to find Blue, for RJ."
"Hart's horse, Blue."
"Yes."
"Richard, it would be close to impossible, finding him."
"You took him to the sale barn outside Laurel Falls right?"
"Yes, but that was close to or more than ten years ago."
"I know, but they keep records of all sales they make. It would at least be a place to start."
"Why do you want to do this?"
"He has so little that belonged to his father. I think he misses that and maybe I want to make for leaving him."
"Just like Hart left him, you don't have to make up for something you had no control over." She says, turning to him. "He understands that you left because you had no control. The accident…."
"Was beyond my control, I know. But I still left as well as Hart left and I think he deserves to have something that ties him to his father."
"And the farm isn't enough."
"Yes, the farm is enough." Richard says, looking at her. "But you don't want me to do this."
"No, I don't care if you try to find Blue, but by now he's probably been put down. Hart had him for a long time before I had to sell him. The problem I have is that I don't want you to feel like you have to make up for the accident. It hurt us all, including you. And I know you want to protect us from that part of life, but losing people is a part of life. We've gotten a second chance and that's what I want us to focus on, not that you left."
Richard is quiet for a few moments. "RJ is my son. And I know he understands that I had no control about the time I was gone. And that if I could have been here, I would have been. But he's also lost so much. Not only the time with me but Hart and Tammy. I want to give him something tangible that he can hold onto that was his father's."
"Even though he has the farm, it's his."
"Yes, even though he has the farm, look…."
"If you think you need to do this, then we can start looking but only if you realize that you have nothing to make up for." She says, as he leans in to kiss her.
"Okay." He says, sitting back.
The silence of the night, the coolness of the breeze from the lake and the gentle lapping of the water against the shore washes over them. They sit there for a while watching the light house and the light sweep across the water.
"You know Meta was right." Richard says.
"She was right about what?"
"That the light house signifies coming home."
"Springfield would definitely not be the same place without the light house. It guards us and it welcomes us all home when we come back."
"You know I used to feel this when I would come back from a state trip and I would look out the window from the plane and I would see San Cristobel. I never thought I would have that feeling anywhere else but there. But this is my home, completely and totally."
"I didn't really have a home until I came here. It's where I found my sister, and where I found you and now my father."
"Are you ready to go home?"
"Let's stay for a few more minutes."
"All right." Richard replies, tightening his arms around her."
The next morning when he reaches his office, Jake calls Billy. After a couple rings Wanda picks up. "Lewis Construction."
"Wanda, its Jake, I need to speak to Mr. Lewis." He says.
"Let me see if he's available." She says, putting him on hold. She buzzes Billy.
"Yes."
"Billy, Jake is on line one."
"Put him through." She connects the calls. "Did you offer her the job?"
"No, I told her that I had a few more to interviews before I made a decision."
"Of course, wait till this afternoon and then call her. Remember I don't want her to know that we're giving this job to her. Missy's leaving is a good thing. It provided the opportunity, but Reva made it clear that she wants to get this job because she's qualified for it."
"I understand, Sir. I'll call her later this afternoon."
"Good, thank you Jake."
"You're welcome, Sir." He says, before they hang up. He goes back to looking over the plans for Sam's house.
Most of the outside construction is finished. His crew has started on the interior of the house. The first floor is devoted completely to her medical practice, with a waiting and reception area, several exam rooms, a small lab area, file room and break area as well as a private office for Sam to finish work or to speak privately with patients, along with bathrooms for the patients and staff.
The upper two floors will be used as a private residence for her and Jeffrey. With the main floor holding the kitchen, dining and living spaces as well as a small study for Jeffrey. There would be three medium sized bedrooms and two bathrooms one of which will connect two of the bedrooms and the other will be the guest bathroom.
The third floor will be split in half, half of which is a loft for Sam to work from as well and a place for her and Jeffrey to hang out together in. He can work from there as well if he chose too. The other half will be the master suite, closet and bathroom. Now that most of the outside construction is finished, Billy reaches for the phone. Picking it up, he calls the foreman onsite. "Hello." The foreman says, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.
"Morris, its Billy."
"Yes Sir."
"Are we finished with the outside construction?"
"We've got a few minor projects, but most of the crew can be sent on to another job."
"No, I want the outside crew to stay there. Put them to work on the inside projects. I want to try to have this finished up by the time Jeffrey and Sam return from their honeymoon, so its going to be some long hours and late nights."
"Yes Sir, I'll tell the men."
"Thank you, Morris." Billy says, putting the plans for Sam's house away.
"Yes sir." They hang up as Billy looks over another project that's just started.
Ava is at Company when her cell phone rings. Pulling it from her purse, she glances at the screen before she answers. "Hello, William."
"Hi." He says, sitting back in one of the chairs in the family sitting room.
"How are you doing? The elections, what's going on?"
"I'm fine, and we're working out the details on the elections."
"Good, are you okay?"
"Yes, I was sitting here, thinking about you and wondering how you were doing and how our baby is doing?"
"I'm fine, the babies fine. But I did take your advice and I went to see Billy about a job. Surprisingly, he did have an opening and I had an interview with one of their junior executives."
"You did, great. How did it go?"
"I think it went quite well, but he did have a few other candidates to interview too, so I'm still waiting."
"Good. Have you seen Olivia?"
"Umm, yes, she came by Company yesterday morning. We talked a little bit."
"Did you talk about Jeffrey and Sam?"
"Yes, she said she wanted to explain about Emma. And I simply told her that the only reason she grounded her was because she spoke to Jeffrey and Sam and that there was no other reason for us to say otherwise. She also gave me advice about going to Lewis Construction about a position…."
"She did, what did she say?"
"Basically that Josh was smart enough to separate personal feelings from business and that he wouldn't let the feud between him and my dad affect his work. But I didn't decide to go to them simply because she suggested it. I also spoke to Jeffrey."
"And what did he say?"
"That he didn't care if I went to Lewis, and that this feud between him and Josh shouldn't factor into Lewis hiring me. What's happening with the election?"
"We're still in the middle of negotiations. Parliament members are discussing the wording for the referendum."
"It seems pretty simple, do they want to keep the monarchy and keep the next in line or do they want democracy."
"You would think that, but we're dealing with politicians and they will make the simplest question as complicated as they can." William says, as Ava's phone beeps.
"William hold on, I'm getting another call." Ava says, looking at her screen. "William, let me call you back. It's Lewis."
"Okay, let me know what happens."
"I will, I promise." She says before clicking over to the other line.
"Hello, Ava Peralta speaking."
"Yes Ms. Peralta, its Jake Simmons."
"Yes Sir."
"I wanted to let you know that I've made the decision for the position we have opening here at Lewis and I'm happy to offer you the position."
"Really."
"Yes, I think you would make a wonderful assistant for me and you certainly are well qualified for the position and Mrs. Spaulding provided you with an excellent referral."
"Thank you, I would be happy to work for Lewis, Sir."
"Call me Jake and can you be here tomorrow for orientation."
"Yes Sir, I'll be there."
"Good, I will see you then."
"Thank you again."
"There is no need to thank me. I'm sure we will work well with each other."
"Yes sir. What time do you want me to be there?"
"Nine will be fine."
"I'll be there."
"I will see you then."
"Yes sir." Ava hangs up with a huge grin on her face as Buzz comes in from the kitchen.
"Did something happen?"
"Yes, I got a job."
"You did, from one of the new companies?"
"No, Lewis Construction, I'll be the executive assistant to one of the junior executives. I went over there yesterday and one of their assistants is leaving so Billy took me in to interview with the man I'll be working for and he just called me to tell me that I have the job."
"Ava, that's wonderful. We've got to celebrate."
"I've got to call William. We'll celebrate later." Ava says, getting up.
"Good." Buzz says, leaving the bar to handle a customer.
Pulling her cell phone from her purse, she calls William. Before the first ring ended, he answers. "Ava."
"Yes, I got the job."
"From Lewis?"
"Yes, I start tomorrow morning."
"Ava, I'm so happy for you."
"I know. I was worried about going over there and the stuff between my dad and Josh, but I guess they were right, it didn't matter."
"That's wonderful. We'll celebrate when I'm back in town."
"When will that be?"
"We've got another week probably. I'll come up to see you and the baby then."
"Okay."
"Listen, I've got to go. I've got a state dinner for the new French Ambassador."
"I'll talk to you later."
"Yes." William says smiling as they hang up.
Ms. Chitwood is in the living room when Richard and Cassie come home. "I'm sorry we're getting back later than we thought." Cassie says.
"Its okay, the boys are in bed. RJ finished his homework. Everything went fine."
"Thank you so much for coming over and watching the boys."
"You're welcome." She says, getting up from the chair where she had been dosing.
"Will you be okay going home?"
"Yes, I'll be fine." She replies, picking up her purse and keys as Richard walks her to the door with Cassie following them.
"Thank you, Ms. Chitwood." She says, standing at the doorway between the kitchen and the living room.
"You're welcome."
"Be careful going home."
"I will." She says, as Richard opens the door, flipping the porch light on as she goes out. He waits in the doorway until she's made it to her car and is leaving before he closes the door.
Turning, he sees Cassie leaning against the doorway. "You look tired, why don't you go up and get ready for bed and I'll lock up."
"Okay." She says, standing up. She leaves as he closes the door behind him, locking it. He checks the back door as well as windows before he walks upstairs.
Cassie is in their bed when he walks in. "I'll be out in a minute." He says, walking towards the bathroom.
"Okay."
When he returns a few moments later, Cassie is laying on her side of the bed. He walks over to the bed after going to the closet to change. Pulling the covers back, he lays down as she turns the light off. Moonlight floods the room from the window above the bed and across the room. "Come here." He says, holding his arm out to her. She moves over to him, laying her head on his chest. "We've got everything planned for the wedding, but we forgot one minor detail." He says, running his fingers through her hair.
"What's that?"
"The honeymoon, now I can't give you…."
"I don't want that. This is about you and me. We don't have to do this exactly like we did the royal wedding."
"Is there someplace you want to go?"
"No, we can get a room at Towers…."
"I'm not having my honeymoon at Towers. I want to take you somewhere."
"There are cabins that are for rent up at the Bauer cabin. We can rent one of those for the weekend."
"What about a week?"
"Richard, we don't have the time to do that."
"We can take the time."
Cassie leans up to look at him. "Listen to me; you don't have to make everything grand. You and I in a cabin for the weekend is all that I need. I honestly don't want a big honeymoon."
"What about the boys?"
"I'm sure Reva will watch them for us."
They lay there holding each other and after about five minutes Richard feels her sigh. Looking down, he sees that she's fallen asleep. Smiling he settles down, not sleepy so he lays there, listening to her breath.
After a while he begins to think about the baby growing inside her. And when she moves over to her back, he rolls to his side, laying his hand on her stomach. Softly, he says. "Hello little one, this is your dad. You have no idea how much you are loved, or how much of a miracle you are. When we were told that we couldn't have anymore kids, it broke your mother's heart. And even though it was healed when we adopted your brother, a part of her heart was still broken.
I missed so much of your mom's pregnancy when she was pregnant before. The pain in her eyes then was because of my own stupidity and because I didn't trust her. Mistakes are a part of life, and I'll make many more, some of them with you but I will love you everyday, every minute you're alive."
"And he or she will love you." Cassie says softly as Richard looks up.
"I didn't mean to wake you up."
"It's okay." She says, moving to her side. "What are you doing?"
"I was talking to our little girl or boy."
"You were talking to them, why?"
"I vaguely remember…. I'm not even sure if it's a memory, but I remember my father talking to me when my mom was pregnant."
"Do you remember what he said?"
"No, I'm not sure I remember hearing it, it's more of an instinct that he talked to me when Mom was pregnant."
"What else were you going to say to him or her?"
"I don't know. I was just talking."
"You were thinking about Will and everything that happened with him."
"Maybe a little bit, I know what happened was started by Edmund, but it was my decision not to trust you."
"All of that is behind us Richard."
"I know." He says, looking up. Acceptance and love is all that he sees in her eyes. Leaning in, he softly kisses her. "I love you and I will do everything in my power to make sure you and our baby are happy."
"Don't put so much pressure on yourself. I don't expect you to be perfect. I know you will make mistakes. We both will." She says, leaning in to kiss him.
He moves closer to her. Reaching up, he slips his fingers into her hair, deepening the kiss as he pulls her to him. Slowly, he moves his hand her back. Putting her arm across his waist, she moves closer to him. He breaks the kiss, moving down her neck, gently kissing her as she lifts her head.
Moving up her neck, he gently nibbles on the warm skin beneath his mouth as he reaches for the hem of her nightgown. Slipping his hand underneath, he pulls her to him. "Richard." She sighs, feeling his desire pressing against her.
"I know darling." He says, moving over as she rolls to her back.
Reaching for her nightgown again, he begins to pull. They quickly realize that to do anything she has to get up. Moving back, he helps her sit up. They both reach for her nightgown. She pulls it up and tosses it to the floor. He leans back, slowly moving his eyes down her body, watching her, listening to the rhythm of her breathing. Leaning in, he softly kisses her as she lays back, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Lying down beside of her, kissing her softly, sweet waves of desire washes over them, warming the blood flowing through them. Moving over to her neck, he slowly licks her as he moves up her neck to her ear. His breath feels cool against the kisses he left. Slowly he runs his tongue around the rim of her ear before nibbling on her earlobe.
Moving her hands down his back, caressing him, loving the play of his muscles as she moves her hands down his back. She whispers in his ear as she moves her hands to his chest, scratching him. "Take your pajama's off."
He feels his heart rate jump, thudding against his chest as he shivers. Sitting up, he leans back and pulls his pajamas off, along with his boxers, tossing them to the floor before she reaches for him and he leans over her. Kissing her, he lays down beside her.
Leaning back, he props his head against his hand, moving his eyes down her body, while she watches him, watching the desire play over his face as his eyes fade to a pale golden green. Reaching for him, she lays her hands against his face. "I love you." He says, turning his head to kiss the palm of her hand, softly caressing the center with his tongue as she shivers.
Lifting his head, she leans up and kisses him. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulls him to her. Leaning on one elbow, he lays his other hand at her waist. Leisurely he moves it up her body, reaching for her breast. Cupping it, he breaks the kiss, moving down her neck as she lays back, closing her eyes and giving herself over to his exploration. She feels her heart pounding against her chest.
"I love the way your skin feels." He says, moving down her.
She swallows before she asks. "How does it feel?"
"Like the most expensive satin you can buy, smooth and soft, but it's warm almost like cashmere." He replies, placing a small kiss between her breasts.
Leaning back, he looks up, smiling when he sees that she's watching him. Reaching for him, she lays her hand on his chest. "Do you know what you feel like to me?" She asks, as he shakes his head no. "You feel like warm steel, strong and unbreakable, but beneath that is love."
He drops his head, softly kissing her between her breasts, moving up, he hovers over her nipple. His warm breath feels hot against her as she arches her back. Flicking his tongue over her nipple, he feels her suck in a deep breath, holding it, waiting. He does it again and again until she reaches up, burying her fingers in his hair, she pulls him down to her, closing her eyes, arching her back.
He plays with her, lapping he nipples. He feels each shiver of desire and he feels his stomach clinch, desire building inside him, closing his mouth over her nipple, sucking while he plays with her other nipple with his tongue. The combination of each caress brings her desire to almost a fever pitch. Reaching for her, he moves her legs, opening them as he moves to her other breast, reaching to caress her other nipple, never allowing her to relax, pulling away from her, as he moves into position, thrusting into her, filling her completely. "Richard!" she cries, arching her back.
He feels her soft heat closing around him, holding him tightly, clinging to him with slick warmth. Slowly thrusting, he feels her body ripple over him, caressing him from deep inside. It's the most erotic feeling. She looks up, watching him as the rhythm builds. Moving her hands down his body, caressing him, scratching as she moves across his chest. "Cassie." He groans, as she pulls him to her. "Darling."
Leaning up on his forearms, he pushes them deeper into their own desire. She begins to move with him, rolling her hips with each caress. Pulling him to her, fighting him when he pulls away, he feels her building up to release. Dropping his head he kisses her softly while he slows down. "No, please!" She begs, pulling her to him.
Soft butterflies of desire flutter over him from deep inside her, pushing his resolve, bringing his desire crashing through him, he begins again, building each layer of desire until they are teetering on edge of a deep abyss. Slipping her hand between them, she reaches for him, squeezing gently, tempting him. And he gives in, thrusting again and again while she moves with him, holding him to her. Deep caresses flutter through each of them.
She feels her stomach clinch as the first staggering wave of release breaks, rolling over her. Squeezing him while he continues to thrust, driving his desire ten times higher. "Cassie, darling." He groans, closing his eyes, fighting his bodies' need for release.
Reaching up, she pulls his head down, kissing and enticing him. Thrusting once more, he buries himself deep inside her, while rippling waves of her release trickle over him. He feels stomach clinch, the first waves of his release rushing through him, flooding her, filling them both with wonderful waves of heat with each spasm of his release. Collapsing into her waiting arms, he buries his face in her neck while they both struggle to recover.