A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Thirty Six
A couple hours later, Sam wakes up and rolls over. Jeffrey is laying on his side, facing her. She lays there watching him for a while before she moves over and kisses him, pulling away after a few seconds. Slipping out of the bed, she goes downstairs to use the bathroom, going back upstairs when she's done and slipping back into bed with him, moving over to him.
While she was downstairs, Jeffrey has moved to his back, lifting one arm, she lays her head on his chest, laying her arm across his stomach. He automatically puts his arms around her, pulling her closer. After a while, he mumbles something in his sleep and Sam looks up and she can tell he's dreaming. She settles back down. A few moments later, she feels him shift his hips as he groans softly.
That is enough to tell her what he's dreaming about. She softly kisses the center of his chest. He reaches up, burying his fingers in her hair, he hold her to him. She moves to kneel over him. Moving up his neck as she lays down on top of him. Settling her hips over his, she nibbles on his chest, playing with his nipples, softly licking them. "Sam." He groans, letting her know that he's awake. She looks up and smiles when she sees desire in his eyes. "What are you doing?" He asks hoarsely.
"I'm doing exactly what you want me to do. You were dreaming about this." She says, sitting up, bracing her hand on his chest.
Slowly she moves her hips over his. He sucks in a deep breath. Placing his hand on her waist, he whispers. "Please don't tease me." She looks up, watching him, watching his jaw clinch as he fights for control. Desire rushes through her and he feels the warmth of her need rush over him. "Sam, please." He groans.
She leans forward. "Touch me." She whispers, kissing him as he moves one hand down, cupping her desire, feeling the moisture from deep inside her trickle over his fingers. "J." She moans, moving faster.
Reaching for her, moving his fingers with her hips, caressing her and teasing her until he feels his release building. "Beca, please…."
Leaning up, she reaches for him, guiding him inside while he fights the urge to surge forward. When he is buried inside her, he holds her still; worried he won't be able to hang on. He feels her closing around him, squeezing him with the muscles deep inside her, clinging to him. She moves her hips back and forth and he tightens his hold.
She leans over him, looking into his eyes, watching the desire burning in them, building "I love you." He says, relaxing his hold as he closes his eyes.
"I love you too." Sam whispers, as she feels him jerk inside her. Warm waves of releases rushes through him, filling her. He sucks in a deep breath, holding it as he holds tightly to her hips. She lays down, softly kissing the side of his neck. "I love driving you crazy." She whispers.
Reaching up, he runs his fingers through her hair as he says. "I'm sorry, I couldn't stop." He says, before taking another deep breath, feeling her still clinging to him as she moves to sit up.
"I'm fine." She says, looking down with a small smile on her face. "I wanted to please you."
He can see the love in her eyes. Reaching for her, he leans up to kiss her, whispering, as their lips meet. "Go ahead." Slowly she moves against him, testing him, sliding back and forth. She feels him growing inside her, filling her, brushing against her hidden desire.
He slowly moves his hand up her body, caressing her as he lays back, watching the need build in her eyes. "Come here." He whisper, reaching to pull her to him as she leans over him.
He gently kisses her between her breasts before he takes her nipple in his mouth, playing with her, as he moves his other hand down, slipping his hand between her legs. He rubs gently against her desire, falling into rhythm with her hips. "J." She moans, clinching his pillow as she starts to move faster.
He feels her muscles clinch, squeezing him as the first waves of her release breaks. Feeling her release brings his, arching his back, he thrusts once more as she collapses against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he holds her hips, pressed against his, as each wave crashes through him. Slowly he begins to relax and turning his head, he softly kisses her. After several minutes, she pulls away and he releases her. She moves to lay down beside him. "What were you dreaming about?" She asks, snuggling up beside him.
"Pretty much what you did?" He says, running his fingers through her hair. They lay there together for several minutes before Sam pulls away and looks at him. "What?" He asks.
"We want some ice cream."
"Okay, we have some downstairs.
"We know, but we want some mint chocolate chip ice cream."
"We?"
"Yes, the baby and I. We want some mint chocolate chip ice cream."
"Sam, the grocery story is closed. It's four in the morning."
"The fast mart is open, three blocks over."
He looks at her for a few moments before he says. "You want me to go get you some."
"Umm, hmm." She says, smiling at him.
"It can't wait till…." She shakes her head no. "Okay." He says, pushing the covers back as she releases him. "This is the first of many trips I'll have to make in the coming months, isn't it." He says, getting up and going to get a pair of boxers, shorts and t-shirt. She watches him get dressed quickly, sliding on some man sandals, he walks over to the bed. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay." She says, looking up at him
He leans over the bed, watching her before leaning in. "I hope you realize that you are the only woman that could get me to go out at 4 am for mint chocolate chip ice cream."
"I love you."
"I love both of you." He says, leaning in to kiss her softly. Standing up, he says. "I'll be back soon."
"Okay." Sam says, snuggling into the covers, watching as he walks out of the room.
Jeffrey leaves, locking the door behind him. Walking down to his truck, he gets in and goes over to the Food Mart three blocks over. He nods to the clerk and then walks to the back of the store. Looking over the shelves, he quickly realizes that there's no mint chocolate chip. Walking back to the front, he nods to the clerk and then leaves.
Company stayed open all night. Getting in his truck, he goes over to Company. When he walks in, the night waitress turns to him. "Hello." She says.
"Hi." Jeffrey says, walking up to the counter.
"What can I get you, Mayor O'Neill?"
"Can I have a gallon of Buzz's mint chocolate chip?"
"Okay, I'll be right back."
"Thanks." Jeffrey says, sitting down at the bar.
He's sitting there a few moments before William walks in. "Jeffrey." He says, walking up to the bar.
"William, what are you doing out at this time of night?"
"Ava wanted some Rocky road ice cream, but room service at Towers closes at midnight. So I told her I would come get her some. Buzz has ice cream doesn't he?"
"Yes."
"What are you doing out this late? I figured you would be at home with Sam."
"I was, she wanted some mint chocolate chip and the Food Mart didn't have any, so I came here."
"You came all the way over here from your loft for ice cream."
"You came all the way over here from Towers."
"True."
"Is Ava okay?"
"She's fine, what's going on with Olivia?"
"I don't know. She's acting like we were seriously involved and we weren't. We dated for a few weeks this summer. It didn't work out and I broke up with her before I came down to San Cristobel to tell you about Richard."
"And Ava, what's the story there?"
"I'm not really sure? I'm sure a part of her looks at Ava and sees that night again." Jeffrey says, as the waitress comes back with Jeffrey's ice cream. "Thanks." Jeffrey says, taking it. "How much."
"$3.25." The waitress replies.
Jeffrey pulls out his wallet and hands the waitress a five. "Keep the change."
"Thanks."
Jeffrey turns to William. "I'll see you and Ava later today."
"We'll be there."
"Okay." Jeffrey turns to leave as William turns to waitress.
When Jeffrey gets back to the loft, he goes into the kitchen. Getting a bowl, he dishes up some ice cream and then puts the rest into the freezer. Taking the bowl, he goes upstairs. Walking into their bedroom, he says, as he walks over to the bed. "Sam, I've got the ice cream. I'm sorry it took so long. I had to go…." He looks down.
Sam is laying there and she's sound asleep. He sighs softly, shaking his head. Turning around he goes back downstairs, putting the ice cream in the freezer, he goes back upstairs. Taking his clothes off, he slips into bed. Sam instinctively moves over to him. Lifting his arms, he lays it across her shoulders as she lays her head on his chest, softly kissing her forehead.
JR walks into Towers. He walks over to the front desk. "May I help?" The clerk asks.
"Yes, I'm JR. Marshall and I need to speak to my sister. Could you ring her room and tell her that I'm here." He says.
"And your sister's name. Sir."
"Sarah Langley."
The clerk picks up the phone and dials Sarah's room. After a couple rings, she picks up.
"Yes."
"Ma'am, I have a gentleman down here that wants to speak to you. He says he's your brother."
"Tell him that I'm busy, and I don't wish to be disturbed."
"Yes ma'am." The clerk says, hanging up. "I'm sorry sir, but Mrs. Langley said to tell you that she's busy and that she doesn't wish to be disturbed.
"Get her back on the phone." JR says.
"Sir."
"Do it."
"Yes sir." The clerk says, picking up the phone, dialing Sarah's room again. Again she picks up after a couple rings.
"What?"
"Ma'am, I'm sorry…." JR takes the phone from the clerk.
"Sarah Elizabeth, I will see you, so what room are you in?"
"JR…."
"What room, Sarah?"
"3493." She replies.
"Thank you." JR says, handing the phone back to the clerk. "You can hang that up now." He says, turning for the elevator. A few minutes later, he's knocking on Sarah's door. He has to knock twice before Sarah comes to the door. "You know I don't like to be kept waiting Sarah." He says, walking into her room.
"What do you want JR?"
"I came to see what you are planning to do."
"Excuse me."
"Don't play innocent with me. I saw you leaving the tavern by the river with Alex Russell. What are you planning?"
"I told you yesterday why I am here."
"No, you told me a story yesterday. I think you're planning something to discredit our sister in our father's eyes. And I'm sure you're going to do at a moment that will embarrass her, the most, maybe at her wedding or the reception. You want to make her regret entertaining the idea that she could be apart of this family."
"If telling our father the truth about her, keeps him from making a mistake. Then yes, I'll embarrass Cassie as she should be."
"You're a cold hearted bitch, Sarah."
"No, I'm not. I belong where I am at. She however, deserves to be here with her tacky American family and want to be Prince and their bastard children."
James walks over to her. "If you say or do anything that hurts our father. I will make sure you pay the price for it. I promise you that."
"You do what you think you should do, as will I. I think you should leave."
"I will be talking to father."
"Go ahead, although, I doubt he will believe you."
James looks at her and then walks over to the door. "You've been warned, Sarah."
"As have you." She replies, watching him open the door and walk out.
Cassie rolls over. She lays there for several moments, trying to fight the waves of nausea that are building up. Quickly she pushes the covers back and runs for the bathroom as Richard rolls over and says. "Cassie."
Sitting up, he listens and then hears her in the bathroom. Pushing the covers back, he gets up and goes to the bathroom. Opening the door, he walks in. Walking over to the sink, he wets a wash clothe and then walks over to her. He holds he hair back as he sits down beside her as she gets sick again. When she's finished, she sits up and he hands her the wash clothe. She wipes her mouth before she asks. "Did I wake you up?"
"No, are you okay?"
"I think so. Can you help me up?"
Richard gets up and then reaches for her hand, helping her up. He lets her go and when she begins to sway, he lifts her and carries her into their room. Laying her down, he sits down beside and asks again. "Are you okay?"
"Yes."
"Do you need anything?"
"Can you get me some water?"
"I'll be right back."
"Okay." She says, as he walks towards the door.
Going downstairs, he gets a glass as RJ and Will come in. "Daddy." They both say, wiping their eyes.
"Good morning, boys."
"We're hungry." RJ says.
"Let me take this up to your mom and I'll come back down and get you both something to eat."
"Can we watch cartoons?" Will asks.
"Yes, but only boomerang and no fighting."
"Yes sir." They reply walking into the living room as Richard goes upstairs.
He walks into their room. "I brought you some water and crackers." He says as he walks in.
"Thank you." Cassie says, looking up. "Are the boys up?"
"Yes, they're downstairs watching boomerang." Richard says, handing her the water and putting the crackers on the table beside her bed as Cassie sits up. "Where are you going?" He asks when she pushes the covers back.
"Too get the boys something to eat."
"No, stay there and rest. I'll get the boys something to eat." Richard says, getting up.
"Okay." She says, laying back down.
He looks down and then leans down to kiss her softly. "Eat some of the crackers and rest. I'll be back to check on you after the boys have eaten."
"Okay." She replies, reaching for the crackers as he leaves.
When he gets downstairs, he goes into the kitchen, getting down cereal bowls, he fixed the boys some cereal, fruit and toast. When it's ready, he goes into the living room. "Come eat." He says, turning off the TV as the boys get up and go to the kitchen. They sit down as RJ asks. "Is mom okay?"
"She's fine, but she's not feeling well, so I don't you two to fight today."
"Yes sir."
"When are we going to get the horse?" Will asks, taking a bite of toast.
"They should deliver him tomorrow while you're at school. So she should be here when you get home."
"Who should be here when they get home tomorrow?" Cassie asks, walking in.
"You're supposed to be resting." Richard says, getting and going to her.
"I want to be down her with you. What horse are they talking about?" She asks, sitting down at the table.
"I bought a horse while I was at the auction in Laurel Falls yesterday."
"You bought a horse."
"Yes."
"You went out there to find…."
"I know, but we went to the auction and there was a beautiful mare, so I bought."
She looks at him and then shakes her head. "Are you going to start raising horses?"
"I might. There were some great trainers at the palace and with the decisions being made down there, some of them may want to come up here."
"Maybe, but there are plenty of trainers here that would be as good. Do you really want to raise horses?"
"I don't know. It might be fun and it will be great for the kids, teach them things."
"We're through." RJ says, getting their attention.
"Okay, put your bowls in the sink." Cassie says.
"Can we go outside?" Will asks.
"Yes, but get dressed first." Cassie says, getting up.
"I'll clean up, you go rest." Richard says, getting up and reaching for her.
"I'm not sick. I feel a lot better. In fact, I want some eggs and toast." She says, going over to the refrigerator.
"Okay." He says, rinsing out the boys bowls before putting them in the dish washer. He turns to watch her before he walks over to her. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"I'll be fine." She replies, taking the eggs and bread from the refrigerator.
Nodding, he says. "I'm going to go get a shower."
"Okay." She says, leaning to kiss him. "Good morning." She says, pulling back.
"Good morning." He says, smiling at her. "If you're going to eat, I want you to eat as much as you can."
"I will."
"If you need me I'll be upstairs."
"Okay." Richard leaves as Cassie turns to cook her eggs and toast.
When she's finished, she goes into the living room. Changing the channel, she sits down on the couch as the boys come running down the stairs. "You guys, walk." She says, looking up from the TV.
"Yes ma'am." They reply, slowing to a walk. Letting the screen door slam as they shut the front door.
She's finished eating when Richard comes downstairs. She looks over at him as he walks over to the chair beside her. "What are you going to do today?"
"I thought I would go out to the barn and get one of the stalls ready for the new horse."
"Speaking of horses, you didn't tell me about what they said about Blue."
"I spoke with the owner and he said that he would look into it."
"There's something you're not telling me."
Richard looks at her. "The man that bought the horse was the man that Will and RJ saw me punch. The owner says that he'll hold a grudge even though I was only defending myself. He's going to speak to him and then call me."
"What happened with this guy?"
"I don't really know. I took the boys out to look at the horse before the auction and the guy walks up and starts harassing us. I was polite. I asked him to let us pass and that I was there with my boys and that I would appreciate it if he would leave us alone. He said some stuff and then Will told him to leave me alone. I told Will to be quiet, one thing lead to another, he kept talking and then he took a swing at me. I blocked him and then hit in the stomach, it was a gut reaction."
"And you didn't recognize him."
"No."
"Do you know his name?"
"The name on the sales slip was Hank Lawson." Cassie closes her eyes, recognizing the name. "Do you know him?"
"If it's the guy I'm thinking of, he worked for a while at the Beacon. I let him go because he was rude to the guests and staff."
"So, he put me together with you. He's never seen us together."
"He saw your picture on my desk the day I fired him. And besides that, you're the former prince of San Cristobel, people know you. You know that if you don't get Blue back, RJ will not be upset."
"I know but I want him to have that piece of Hart back." Richard says, standing up.
"Okay."
"You'll take it easy in here please."
"Of course, but I got some stuff I need to do."
"Nothing too heavy."
"I'm okay. It's only laundry and getting the boys ready for school tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll be back after I've got the stall ready."
"Okay." She replies, as he leans down to kiss her.
When he leaves, Cassie goes upstairs to shower and change before she goes to gather up the laundry If there was one thing she missed about being in the Palace it was having someone to do the laundry. Loading up the washer, she goes into Richard's office, starting up his computer, she flipping through baby sites when Reva walks in "Cassie." She calls.
"I'm in Richard's office." Cassie calls.'
She walks back to the office. "What are you doing?"
"I'm looking at baby stuff."
"Richard said you were sick this morning."
"I was but I feel fine now. What are you doing?"
"Nothing really, Hawk and Rusty went with Josh and Billy. I think they're planning Richard's bachelor party, even though he's not a bachelor." Reva says, sitting down.
"Are you okay?'
"I'm fine."
"You and Josh."
"We're talking, but we're not talking."
"He's still insisting that Jeffrey not be told."
"Yes."
"What is he afraid of?'
"He's afraid I'll run off with him. He thinks that since I was with HB and I've been with Billy and him that I'll decide that I want Jeffrey too and go after him."
"He seriously thinks that you would go after Jeffrey simply because you were married to HB, Billy and him."
"Yes."
"And he realizes that Jeffrey's married to Sam."
"Yes."
"And he realizes that Jeffrey loves her like Richard loves me, completely and totally.
I'm sure somewhere inside his head he does, but he's determined to keep Jeffrey out of this family." Reva says, sitting down. "I don't want to think about Jeffrey and Josh, not today."
"Well, Sam and I went out yesterday and we got the most beautiful dress. And I had breakfast with James, my brother JR and my sister, Sarah."
"He named his daughter after our mother."
"It was part of it, but he also had an aunt named that."
"You had lunch with Hawk the other day."
"Yes, it was good to sit down and talk to him."
"He said you guys talked for a long time."
"We did. He helped me understand some thing that I've been thinking about."
"Like what?"
"Edmund well my relationship with Edmund and why I went there and how that affected Richard and me."
"I thought Richard had forgiven you."
"He did, but forgiving myself for hurting him, that was different."
"You know that he doesn't blame you."
"I blame myself. I never wanted to be one of the people that hurt him. And I know he understood what happened and why it happened but I still hurt him and that hurts me."
"What did Hawk say?"
"Basically to talk to Richard and to forgive myself."
"So, how did breakfast go with James, your brother and sister?"
"Okay, I'm not really sure about my sister, but I like JR."
"Why are you not sure of Sarah?"
"I don't think she's happy about me being a part of the family."
"If that's how you feel then follow your heart." Reva says as Cassie gets up, smiling. "Where are you going?"
"To put the clothes in the dryer."
"You sit and I'll put the clothes in the dryer."
"Reva, I can…."
"You sit down and I'll take care of the laundry." Reva says, leaving the room.
Sam is the first to wake up the next morning, Turning over, she sees Jeffrey laying beside her asleep. She lays there watching him sleep. About an hour later, he wakes up to find her still watching him sleep. "Hi." He says, reaching up to wipe his eyes.
"Morning." She replies, moving over to him.
"How long have you been awake?" He asks, lifting his arm and she lays down beside him.
"About an hour, I guess."
"You were watching me sleep for an hour."
"Yes, well I got up to go to the bathroom and I put on a pot of coffee for you."
"You didn't…."
"It's not bothering me so much now."
"Did you see your ice cream?"
"My ice cream, I forgot about it. I fell asleep while I was waiting for you to get back. I made you go…."
"It's okay, that's why I'm here."
"I didn't mean to fall asleep. I thought you would be right back."
"I had to go to Company."
"Why?"
"The food mart didn't have any."
"So you went to Company, why?"
"Because you wanted the ice cream."
She leans up to look at him and then leans down to kiss him. "You didn't have to go to Company for the ice cream, but thank you."
"You're welcome." He says, as she lays down beside him. They lay there for a few minutes before he says, "I ran into William while I was there."
"You did."
"Yes."
"And."
"And what?"
"Were you nice?" She asks, sitting up and looking at him, seeing the smile. "Oh you." She says, laying back down.
He leans up and kisses the top of her head. "Yes, I was nice. In fact, I invited them to come over today."
She leans up again. "You invited them to come over today while you were at Company."
"Yes, and I invited them while we were at Jon's Bar."
"What changed your mind?"
"I decided that Ava needs someone to support her and that she doesn't need to have both of her parents fighting her decision to be with William."
"Both of her parents."
"Yes, Olivia was at the bar last night with a guy. She and Ava got into an argument about William and Olivia slapped her…."
"She slapped her!"
"Yes, but I stepped in and stopped her from doing anything else. We got into an argument and she left with the guy."
"And that changed your mind."
"Yes, Ava's a good kid and she's been through a lot with both me and Olivia. She needs support and she doesn't need us fighting. And I believe you're right, I'll never going to completely like any man she's involved with, because I wish William would have stepped in when Olivia slapped her."
"Which, I'm sure he would have done, if you were not there. William will grow on you. And there are far worse guys that she could be involved with."
"Maybe so, but I happen to think you'll as bad or worse than me when our son brings home his first girlfriend."
"My son will know better than to bring home just any girl." She says, as he begins to laugh. "Don't laugh at me I'm going to raise him to be very picky."
"So, he's not like his daddy."
"No, he can be like his daddy, but he's going to be picky."
"Are you saying I wasn't picky?"
"No, I just meant that I'm going to teach him to wait till he finds the one he loves before he gives too much away."
"I never intended to give too much away. It sort of happened."
"I'm not accusing you of anything."
"But you wish I hadn't've been with some of the women I've been with." He asks, watching her. She looks away. "It's okay. I know it bothers you and why it bothers you. You love me. You've always loved me and I appreciate that. I don't really know what I would do if I thought another man has touched you the way I have touched you. I know it was hard for you to stay committed to me and I'm honored that you were." She lays down beside him and he reaches for her. "Come here." He says, as she moves to lay her head on his chest. "I love you."
"I love you too." She says softly, lifting her head and kissing his chest over his heart and he squeezes her to him, kissing the top of her head.