A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Thirty Eight
Jeffrey comes downstairs as Sam walks out of the bathroom. "It's all yours." She says, walking past him.
He reaches out to stop her. Tucking her hare behind her ear, he lifts her chin. "She'll be okay." She looks up and her eyes ask if she will. "Yes." He replies, leaning down to kiss her and she wraps her arms around him.
They hold each other for several moments before she releases him. "Go take a shower, Ava and William will here soon."
He releases her, going for the bathroom as she goes upstairs. Twenty minutes later, he walks out, freshly shaved and dressed. Sam is in the kitchen when he walks in. "What are you doing?"
"I'm making a list."
"Why?"
"Because there are some things that I didn't get while we were at the grocery store Friday and we need them for today."
"We can go out to eat. You don't have to cook."
"I'll still need these things."
"If we go out, it can wait till tomorrow."
"How about this? You can go pick up the stuff I forgot and I'll straighten up while you're gone and I'll rest tomorrow."
"Alright, give me the list." He says, realizing she's not going to give up on cooking while he holds out his hand.
She tears off the list. "And don't forget the pickles."
"You're not eating pickles and ice cream." He says, as she looks up at him and smiles. "Sam."
"It's for the burgers."
"Don't tease me like that."
"I like to tease you."
He leans down and kisses her. "Teasing me has consequences."
"I like your consequences too."
He pulls her to him, kissing her. They are still kissing when someone knocks. "Damn." Jeffrey mutters as Sam laughs softly, releasing him as he sucks in a deep breath. Sam goes to the door as Jeffrey walks out of the kitchen. "Hi." Sam says, hugging Ava after she closes the door.
"William." Jeffrey says, shaking his hand.
"Did we come too soon?" He asks, as Jeffrey steps back.
"No, Jeffrey was just about to go to the grocery store for me." Sam says, handing him the list that was still in her hand.
"Yeah, the grocery store." He says, taking the list and turning to William. Do you want to go with me?"
"Umm."
"You might as well, if you're moving up here you're going to have to start somewhere." Ava says. "And I can guarantee I will send you to the store for me, especially when we get settled in our place together." She says, smiling at him.
"Settled into a place together." Jeffrey says, looking at both of them.
"I may have mentioned it." William says, looking at him.
"So, are you…?"
"Jeffrey, we need the stuff from the store if we're going to get started." Sam says, opening the door again. "And maybe William should stay here."
"No, I'll go." He says, walking out with Jeffrey staring at Ava and Sam. "Are you coming Jeffrey?" He asks, looking back over his shoulder.
Jeffrey walks out as Sam closes the door and then looks at Ava. "You are bad. You did that on purpose."
"Yes, and it was fun watching my Dad's reaction. And what about the stuff at the end."
"What?" Sam asks, turning for the kitchen.
"Suggesting that William stay here."
"What?"
"You suggested he stay here, knowing he would go with Jeffrey." Ava says, following her.
Sam goes into the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?"
"Water, will be fine." Ava says, as Sam gets her them both a glass and fills it with water as she asks. "How was the honeymoon?"
"It was wonderful. I loved having him completely to myself. We spent the days exploring. We went to Niagara Falls, so we spent a lot of time there. We took a drive through the country side and toured several wineries. You Dad did all the tasting. One night, he surprised me and took me to a club. It was a dinner club, like the ones in the 20's and 30's. They had a band and we danced all night long. One night we went and watched the light show and fireworks over the falls. We really enjoyed that." Sam says, smiling at the memory of making love to the fireworks with a crowd of people around them.
"It sounds like it was fun." Ava says, sounding wistful.
"Are you thinking about marriage?" She asks, sitting down on the couch with Ava on the other end.
"I've got to get him over here first."
"So, you want to marry William."
"Eventually, yes. I would marry him."
"And I assume you haven't said anything to him about this." Sam says, as Ava nods. "Is there any progress on the election?"
"No, but I think he's going to talk to them when he gets back and force them to make a decision about the future."
"So, he's anxious to get up here."
"Yes. Do you think I'm doing the right thing, moving in with him?"
"I can't tell you that. Do you love him?"
"I don't know exactly what I feel for him. I know he matters a great deal to me.
"Can you see yourself without him?"
"No, I don't want anyone but him. I pushed him away before because I was terrified of the title. That's why I didn't press him when I first found out I was pregnant. But without the title and its just him I like the way he makes me feel."
"Have you told him that?"
"We haven't talked about it much. That's why I was surprise when he suggested that we live together when he comes up here. What I feel with him isn't overwhelming passion. He feel comfortable."
"There's nothing wrong with comfortable. In fact, I feel very comfortable with J. But the passion is amazing and I don't believe I would feel the same way if I was with anyone else."
"That's exactly how I feel about William. How did you know that you loved my Dad?"
"I couldn't think about anything but him. I would find myself staring at him when I should or needed to be concentrating on the situation at hand and I would get so mad at myself. When he went missing, I couldn't breathe. And after the accident and I left. I couldn't move on. I needed him and if I couldn't have him I wanted no one else." Sam says, taking a drink, putting the glass down she looks at Ava.
"The more I'm around William, the more I want him with me." Ava says, taking a drink.
"If that's the way you feel, you need to tell him. Don't wait until you almost loose him before you admit what you feel." There are a few moments of silence and then Sam asks. "Do you want to see what we bought for the baby while we were gone?"
"Sure." Ava says, as Sam gets up and she puts the glass down as she gets up to follow her.
The drive to the grocery store was quiet. And when they arrive Jeffrey quickly gathers up the things that Sam needs and they leave. William helps load everything up. They are on their way back when he says. "I know you want to say something."
Jeffrey looks at him and then he turns his attention back to the road. "I wasn't around for her when she was growing up, so I feel more protective than a father that's been with their kid all of their lives. I've also had to protect her this year from several things, so of them being with men."
"I won't hurt her."
Jeffrey looks at him again. "I see myself in you. And because of that, I know that you may not set out to hurt her…."
"There isn't a way for me to prove that I'm not going to hurt her. And I know it's a lot to ask you to trust me with her, but I am."
"Do you love her?"
"I…she's very important to me."
"But do you love her."
"Honestly, I don't know." William says, as Jeffrey pulls up to the loft. Parking, he turns the truck off and then turns to William.
"I appreciate your honesty. I know that you and Ava got together under uncommon circumstances. And when you did get together, I don't believe it was meant to be a permanent relationship, but she got pregnant. And I'm not judging either of you for that because I've had my own share of one night stands, but if this is nothing more than that. I'm asking you to tell her now before she gets to far involved. I know you have a child to consider, but forcing yourself to stay with Ava for the sake of the child will only hurt all of you." Jeffrey says, looking at him. "Let's get upstairs before Sam calls to see if I've killed you yet." Jeffrey says with a smile as he opens the door.
William gets out. Grabbing some of the bags he follows Jeffrey into the building. Sam and Ava are coming downstairs together as Jeffrey walks in with William behind him. "You're back already?" She says, walking over to them with Ava behind them. She gives him a quick kiss before he walks into the kitchen with William following him.
"We went to the corner market instead of going downtown to the supermarket." Jeffrey says, putting the bag on the counter, followed by William. Jeffrey starts to put things away as Sam comes in.
"William, go sit down. We'll handle this." She says, as he begins to take stuff out of the bags. He nods and then walks out of the kitchen. "Did you behave yourself?" Sam asks when he's gone.
"Yes." Jeffrey replies, putting the rest of the groceries away.
"You didn't say anything to him."
"No, we talked."
"You only talked to him."
"Yes." He says, looking at her.
"What did you say?" She asks, as he leans against the counter.
"I asked him if he loves her."
"What did he say?"
"He says she's important to him."
"Was that all you asked?
"No, I told him that if he's hanging onto her and he doesn't love her then he needs to let her know and let her go." Jeffrey says, as Sam takes the hamburger meat from the refrigerator.
"Jeffrey."
"I want to support them, but she's my daughter too and I have to protect her. And their relationship wasn't meant to be permanent and if she hadn't gotten pregnant they would've only had that one weekend."
"You don't know that." Sam says as she starts making the patties for the hamburgers. "And I think it's too late."
"What do you mean?"
"I believe she's already in love with him. And if he leaves because of what you told him, she's going to be hurt."
"Did she tell you she loves him?"
"No, I'm only saying what I think she's thinking. I don't know for sure that she does love him."
"I don't want her hurt." Jeffrey says, reaching up to wipe his face with his hands.
Putting the burger down, she wipes her hand on a towel after she washes them. "You want to protect her, I understand that. But you can't keep her from being hurt."
He reaches for her, wrapping his arms around her. "I wasn't there for her. I have to be there for her now."
"You're still going to be there. But you have to let her make her own choices. I know you don't want to drive a wedge between them. And I know you're not trying to control her like her mother wants to do."
"I hope I didn't cause more problems for her by what I said to William. I want to protect her but I don't want to hurt her by something I said to him."
"I think William's enough of a man to make up his own mind, with or without what you said to him."
"I'm going to go start the grill. You need to eat something."
"I finish the patties. Did you get the macaroni?"
"Yes."
"Thank you." She says, as he releases her. He starts to leave and she says. "J." He turns to her. "I love you."
"I love you too." He says, with a smile.
He leaves the kitchen, walking over to the patio he looks into the living room and sees, Ava and William sitting together on the couch talking.
James is in the garden when Olivia comes up from the lake with Emma. The weather lately has slowly been changing towards fall, but today it was still warm enough for a picnic and swimming. When Olivia sees James, she stops. Turning to Emma's nanny, she asks. "Could you take her up to the room?"
"Yes, Ms. Spencer." She replies, taking Emma's hand.
"Emma, I want you go upstairs and get cleaned up while I talk to Mr. Marshall."
"Yes ma'am." Emma says, looking at the man standing a few feet away.
The sitter leads Emma into the hotel as Olivia walks over to James. "How are you doing?" He asks.
"I'm fine."
"Did you think about what I said last night?"
"Yes."
"But you're not going to change your decision to go after Jeffrey."
"He needs to know there are consequences for what he did."
"Hurting him will hurt you more." James says, taking a step closer to her.
"Why do you care? It's none of your business."
"I care because I've been where you are right now. And looking for revenge or punishing the person you think is responsible…."
"He is responsible…."
"He maybe to some extent, but you had a part in what happened. And refusing to admit that and blaming everything on him helps no one." James says. Olivia turns to walk away. He reaches out to stop. "I'm only telling you this because I've been there." He says, pulling her to him. "And I don't want to see you hurt or anyone else either."
"You're afraid Cassie will get drawn into this."
"Cassie didn't enter my mind. I am concerned about you." He says putting his arms around her as Sarah walks out of the Beacon.
"James." Olivia says, trying to fight him, but he refuses to let her go until she finally gives in, laying her head on his chest.
They stand there for several minutes. "It's going to be okay." James says, laying his chin on top of her head. "I'll help you through this."
She pulls away, taking a step back. "Don't try to fix me, I'm fine."
"Olivia."
"No, I'm fine." She says, turning and walking away and walking past Sarah.
James starts to follow her until he sees Sarah standing there. She walks up to as he watches Olivia walk into the Beacon. "Dad, who was that?"
"Olivia, Cassie partner." James says wanting to go after her but knowing that he need to stay and talk to Sarah.
"If she's Cassie's partner, why were you holding her like the two of you are involved."
"What's going on with Olivia is not any of your business. I spoke to your brother earlier." James says, turning to her.
"I'm sure he told you that I'm coming after Cassie."
"Are you?" James asks, watching her. "I'm not interested in yes or no answer. I'm telling you this now. Cassie is a part this family. She is your sister and you will treat her as such, do I make myself clear."
"Yes."
"If you do anything to embarrass her or her family there will be consequences."
"I hear you." Sarah says. "What's going on with Olivia?"
"It's personal. The situation you need to focused on is what I just told you. I will not tolerate you attacking her."
"Even if I'm right." Sarah asks.
"She's your sister." James says. Sarah turns around and leaves.
Richard, Cassie and the boys return home around six. They had gone for a drive and then stopped at Company for dinner before coming home. As they walk into the house, she says. "Will, I want you in the bathroom immediately. You have an hour before you have to go to bed."
"Yes ma'am."
"RJ, you need to gather up your homework and books and make sure you have everything ready for school tomorrow." Richard says, following Cassie and the boys into the house.
"Yes sir." RJ replies, headed for the stairs, following Will.
Richard turns to Cassie. "You need to go rest." He says, reaching up to tuck her hair behind her ear.
"I've got to make their lunches and get their clothes ready for the morning." Cassie says, turning her head to kiss his palm.
"Okay, go do that and I'll get Will in bed and RJ ready for bed."
"Thank you." She says, walking into the kitchen as he heads for the stairs.
Two hours later, Richard walks into their bedroom as Cassie is coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her and one in her hand. He walks up to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he softly kisses the side of her neck. "I'll be right back. I'm going to get a shower. Don't put anything on for bed." He says, as he moves up to her ear, nibbling for a few seconds before he looks up and their gazes lock. "We haven't been together for a couple nights and I miss you." He says, reading the question in her eyes.
She turns around and wraps her arms around his waist. "What about yesterday, after the massage."
"I still miss you." He says, as she smiles.
She leans up and kisses him. "Incentive to keep the shower short." She says, stepping back.
"I'll be right back." He says, releasing her and heading for the bathroom, pulling his shirt free as he walks into the bathroom.
"And please remember to put your clothes in the hamper." She calls, turning back towards the mirror.
Brushing her hair, she reaches for his favorite body spray, Spritzing some over her body, she brushes her hair until it lays smooth and tangle free. Dropping the towel that is wrapped around her, she walks into the bathroom and finds Richard's clothes lying on the floor. Smiling as she shakes her head, she picks them up, putting them in the hamper before she hangs her towels up and then brushes her teeth before leaving the bathroom.
Walking over to the bed, she pulls the covers back and then sits down on the bed. Taking the pillows, she props them up as Richard turns the water off in the bathroom. Leaning against the pillows, she turns to watch him walk out of the bathroom. Five minutes later, he walks out. Stopping in the doorway, as he turns the light off in the bathroom, he stops to stare. After a few moments she asks. "Are you going to stand there all night?"
He shakes his head, turning the light off. He walks slowly to the bed. "I've been thinking about this since this afternoon in my study."
"You have."
"Yes, I've been imagining different scenarios in my head but the one I like the most is this one."
"That is why you told not to put anything on."
"Yes, I liked the idea of you being ready and waiting for me. Are you ready for me?"
He slips his hand between her legs as he leans in to kiss her. He can feel the heat radiating off her. "Am I ready?" She asks, deepening his kiss.
He pulls back and looks down. "I think you need some more encouragement." He says, caressing her.
She sucks in a deep breath, closing her eyes. Allowing him to sweep her away as he leans in, kissing the side of her neck. Lying down beside her, he continues to stroke her desire, bring her closer to the edge. The sound of her breathing the way she fell completely under his spell brings his level of desire higher. Turning her head, she watches him. Reaching for him, she slowly moves her hand down his body, softly scratching his chest, playing with his nipples as he leans over and takes one of hers into his mouth.
Gently caressing her, while she lays her hand on his hip, looking down, she watches him, loving the idea that he's only been touching her for a few minutes but she wants him so strong that it feels like he's been touching her for hours. She's focused totally on him and what he's doing to her that she forgets that she was working on him as well until he looks up and then moves closer to her, his erection pressing against her thigh. His movement is the only reminder that she needs.
Reaching for him, she closes him in a tight fist. The vibration of his groan tickles the nipple he's still playing with. Reaching up with her other hand, she buries her fingers in the hair at the back of his head, holding him against her, as she moves her hand over his erection, gently squeezing as she goes. Releasing her breast, he looks up as he sucks in a deep breath and she smiles softly at him. He lays his head against her chest, sucking in deep breaths while she pushes him deeper into the desire burning inside both of them.
After a few minutes, he stops his caress and slips a couple of finger inside her, pressing his thumb against her desire as he pulls his fingers out. He looks up, catching her gaze. Sinking his fingers back inside, he feels her body respond, clinging to his fingers as she reads his intentions in his eyes and she falls into rhythm with him, caressing him as he caresses her. They stay in sync for several seconds before he starts to move his thumb over her desire, smiling when he feels her hips jump and the muscles inside clinch, clinging to his fingers.
After a couple minutes, he feels her tighten. Lifting her hips, she cries out as sweet waves of her release rushes through her. "Richard!" She cries, arching her back and hips as she sucks in a deep breath. He leans back watching her. When the final wave rolls through her and her back and hips relax, he slowly pulls his hand free.
She turns her head to look at him. Fire burns in his eyes and she knows he's hurting from the desire beating against his body. "Give me a minute to catch my breath." She whispers, taking a deep breath.
He rolls to his back, sucking in a deep breath, fighting his body's desire for release. After several seconds, she turns to him and then moving to her side. She reaches for him as he reaches for her. "If you touch me, I'll loose it." He whispers "Let me get…." She pulls her hand free and wraps it around him "Sweet… Cassie!" He groans, closing his eyes.
His reaction is enough to light the fire in her again. Releasing him, she moves to straddle him. She leans over him, kissing him as reaches for and guides him inside her. His hand fall to her hips, clinging to hers and holding her still. He won't let her move as he fights for control.
She decides to push him a little bit by clinching the muscles around him, squeezing him without moving. "Cassie, darling, oh, god… I'm going to loose it, darling." He groans, sucking his lower lip into his mouth as he closes his eyes tight.
Leaning over him, she kisses the side of his neck, slowly making her way up his neck, nibbling on the hot skin beneath her lips. She moves up to his ear, playing with his earlobe for a few seconds before she whispers. "Relax handsome, and let me take over."
She sits back and looks down, watching him. Slowly he relaxes his grip, moving his hands up her body as she begins to ride him, sliding back and forth but then faster and faster as her body responds. She feels hot and slick as he begins to move with her, trying to thrust. That movement triggers a need burning inside her. Lying across his chest, she snuggles against him and he completely understands what she needs without either of them saying a word.
Wrapping his arms around her, he rolls over until she's lying beneath him. Leaning up, he looks down as he gives his first thrust. Lifting her head from the bed, she reaches for his mouth, kissing him softly as he pulls away and thrusts again. Slowly he builds the tempo, thrusting again and again. After a few more moments, she moves with him, rolling her hips as he leans up onto his hand, reaching for more.
Their tempo continues to build until he's only waiting a couple seconds before he's entering her again and again. He begins to slow down when he feels her muscles clinch. He thrusts again, and he feels the tension inside her burst. Like a dam of liquid heat, desire rushing through her body. He leans up to kiss as she screams. "Richard." Swallowing her cry, he continues to thrust, drawing out her release.
Pulling away, she looks up and realizes that he's fighting to hold on. Leaning up, she whispers as she kisses him. "Go on, let go." Rolling her hips as he thrusts for the final time, she feels each wave as it washes over him, filling her with everything. After several seconds, he collapse into her waiting arms, sucking in a deep breath as he tries to catch his breath.
She wraps her arms around him, running her fingers through his hair and feeling dampness clinging to the ends. She turns her head and kisses the side of his neck as he says. "I love you."
"I love you too, did that make up for this afternoon?"
"Yes." He replies softly, pulling back a little bit.
"Good, because I never want you to feel neglected."
"With you, that is one thing I will never feel." He says, leaning in to kiss her chin. Realizing that he's lying on top of her, he pulls away and she reluctantly lets him go. "Close your eyes."