A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Forty
The next morning, William rolls to his side, reaching for Ava but he finds her side of the bed empty. Sitting up, le looks around as she walks out of the bathroom. "Hi." She says, walking over to him. Sitting down, she leans over, kissing him. "Good Morning." She says, sitting back.
"Good morning." He replies, sitting up. "You have to go in."
"Yes, we're finishing Sam's office up and I think Billy is going to turn the house over to them later today. Are you going back today?"
"Yes, I want to get this settled."
"Okay."
"Could you come to the airport to see me off?"
"I'll ask Billy, but I'm sure he'll let me. When will you go?"
"I want to talk to Alex again about the situation with Alan. I think they've stalled the case as long as they can I want to know how that is going to affect the Spaulding plant. I'll leave after that." He says, getting up. He goes into the bathroom as she gets up. Gathering her clothes and getting dressed, she makes up the bed as the water starts to run in the bathroom. She knocks on the door after finishing with the bed. "William."
"Yes."
"I'm going downstairs to get something to eat. Do you want anything?"
"No, but bring me some coffee."
"Okay." She leaves as William gets in the shower.
When she returns to the room, William is out of the shower and dressed, handing him the coffee she goes to the bathroom to finish getting dressed. He follows her, leaning against the door, he watches her put her makeup on. After a few moments, he walks over to her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls her back against him, kissing her neck. She looks at him in the mirror and smiles. Putting her makeup down, she turns in his arms and wraps her arms around his neck. "When are you coming back?"
"I'll be back as soon as I get the Parliament to make a decision. I'll lock them in until they come to a decision."
"Alright, would you be able to come back next Friday?"
"I don't know. What's going on?"
"I've got an appointment with Dr. Sedgwick."
"I'll be here for Richard and Cassie's wedding."
"Okay, I need to finish getting ready."
"Okay." He says, leaning in to kiss her before he releases her.
She picks up her makeup as he walks into the other room. Picking up his cell phone, calling the pilot, he verifies that they are ready to go. Hanging up he calls Alex's office number. After a couple rings, her assistant picks up. "Spaulding Enterprises, Alexandria Spaulding's office."
"Yes, this is William Winslow. Is Ms. Spaulding in?"
"She's in a meeting right now, Your Highness."
"I would like to speak with her before I leave town today. Does she have anytime this morning?"
"She has a break around ten thirty." Her assistant says, looking at Alex's calendar.
"I'll be there then."
"Yes sir." She says, entering his name in Alex's calendar.
"Thank you." William says, hanging up as Ava walks out of the bathroom.
"Who were you talking to?" She asks, sitting down on the bed to put her shoes on.
"Alex's assistant."
"Are you going to be able to see her?"
"Yes, I've got an appointment at ten thirty." He says, as she stands up. "You have to go?"
"Yes." She says, reaching for her purse as he gets up from the chair.
He follows her out of the room, standing to the side as she locks the door and then puts his arm across her shoulder as she puts her arms around his waist. When they reach the courtyard between the boarding house and Company, he stops turning to her, he asks. "I'll see you at the airport?"
"Yes."
"Be careful."
"You too." She says, leaning into kiss him.
I'll se you later." He says, releasing her. Watching her as she walks to the rental he had gotten her after taking her car to the shop the morning before. He walks into Company as soon as she backs out of her parking place.
Warm sunshine fills the room through the windows over Jeffrey and Sam's bed. Rolling over, Sam slowly opens her eyes to Jeffrey watching her sleep. "What are you doing?" She asks, in a sleepy voice.
"I was watching you sleep."
"You have to go in today." She says, reminding him after hearing the longing in his voice.
"I know." He says, moving over to her. "I don't want to leave either of you."
"We'll be here when you get home." She says, as he pulls her to him. "You have to go take care of Springfield."
"I would rather be home taking care of both of you." He says, nuzzling her neck, kissing her softly.
She reaches up, burying her fingers in his hair, closing her eyes. He moves up to her ear, knowing that she won't resist. "J." She sighs, moving closer as the phone rings.
"Damn it." He mutters, laying his head on her shoulder.
"We need to answer…."
"No, we don't." He says kissing her as the phone rings again.
"It maybe important." She says, pulling away.
"It will wait. You're more important."
"I appreciate the attention but…."
"No!" He says, pulling back and looking at her. "You will always be more important than anything else. Don't ever think otherwise. " The phone had stopped ringing by then. "Now where were we?" He asks, leaning in.
She looks up, seeing the fire in his eyes she raises her head, kissing him. He pulls her to him, moving to his back and bringing her with him. Sitting up, she looks down, not moving, only watching him. He lays his hands on her thighs, resting them there for a few moments before slowly moving them up. She leans over him, kissing him as he reaches for her breasts, gently squeezing them, running his thumb over her nipples. Lifting her head, she moans softly as he lifts his head, taking her nipple into his mouth, caressing it with his tongue, pulling on it with his mouth, as he moves his hand down her stomach. He stops to play with her navel, smiling when her breath catches.
Leaning over him as he lays back, he moves to her other breast as he slips his hand between her thighs. He feels the warmth radiating for her. She sucks in a deep breath when he touches her, releasing it in a slow whoosh as she closes her eyes. Sitting up, she pulls away, turning around, she reaches for him, slowly moving her hand over him, licking the length of him, as he reaches for her, pulling her back as he takes him into her mouth, caressing him as he taps his tongue against her desire. She takes him deeper, moving the tip of her tongue over his erection, sucking gently as he follows her leads, repeating everything she was doing to him but reaching up to slip a couple of fingers inside her, caressing her.
After several moments, he feels the muscles clinch around his fingers. Pulling them out, he pulls away from her. Sitting up, he wraps his arms around her. She's stiff as she struggles for control, and he gently kisses the side of her neck. Her nails dig into his forearms, sensing every movement of his tongue, over her skin, feeling his erection, pressing into her back.
After a few seconds, he whispers. "Turn around. I want to watch as you take me inside you." Releasing her, she turns to face him, looking into his eyes before she looks down, sucking in a deep breath before quickly licking her lips. "Beca." He groans, as they reach for each other. Lying back, he watches as she moves over him. Reaching for him, she closes her hands around and can't resist a few caresses. "Beca, please!"
She moves over him, taking him and guiding him inside her. "Jeffrey!" She moans, feeling him as he fills her.
"Beca, baby, you feel…." He sucks in a deep breath as she moves against him. Rolling her hips as he reaches for her waist, "Love me, baby." He groans, holding to her waist, trying to guide her but wanting to let her go at her own pace.
She leans over him, bracing her hands on his chest, she lifts her hips, sliding back down as he answers her invitation, thrusting. They work together for several moments, each giving and taking, each willing the other to go over and both fighting their own release until it almost becomes unbearable. "J!" She moans, closing her eyes as he brushes against her.
Sweet fluttering waves of desire rushes through her. She rides him in earnest, thrusting over and over. She rides until he feels her body clinch again, wave after wonderful wave of release sweeps over her, catching her up and carrying her over an ocean of desire.
He clings to her hips, holding still, afraid if he moved his control would be finished. When he feels her body begin to relax, he reaches her, pulling her to him, wrapping his arm around her, rolling to her to her back. He leans over her, thrusting again, sweet residual waves of her release dances over him and through her. He thrusts deeper as he feels and explosion deep inside his groin, rolling through him and gathering speed until it burst from him, filling her with each hard pulse of his release. "Sam!" He groans, sucking in a deep breath as he lays his head on her heaving chest before he collapses into her waiting arms.
Slowly Jeffrey rolls to his back, sucking in a deep breath. He turns to look at her and smiles. "I love you." He says, in a very satisfied voice.
"I love you too." She replies, reaching for and running a finger down his cheek. "So now that you've proven to me that I'm the most important think in your life, do you think you're ready to get back to being mayor of Springfield?"
"I didn't make love with you to only prove a point."
"Maybe not, but it was an important point and I get it, although I already knew that I was the most important thing to you, so maybe we should get up and face the day."
"Alright." He says, sitting up.
She pushes the covers back, getting out of bed. She walks to the stairs. "Do you want the shower first?"
"No, go ahead." He says, smiling as she walks out of the bedroom.
Getting up, he goes to the closet, pulling out a pair of dress pants and shirt, he walks into the bedroom, laying them on the bed, he picks up the phone and dials into the voicemail. After a few seconds, he hears Billy's message. "Jeffrey, this is Billy Lewis. I know you and Sam are back in town and I would like to talk to you about her house. If you could call me when you get this message I would appreciate it. I'm at the office right now, but I'll be on site within the hour. Thanks."
Hanging the phone up, he walks downstairs. Opening the bathroom door, he smiles as Sam's voice fills the bathroom. Closing the door behind him, he's glad she's doctor and didn't try to make a living as a singer. Taking a towel, he wipes the mirror off and then begins to shave. About five minutes later, Sam turns the water off as Jeffrey wipes the residual shaving cream off his face. He looks at her in the mirror, watching as she's drying off and imagining his hands replacing the towel. Rinsing the wash clothe out, he turns to face her, watching as she bends over and wraps her hair in a towel before she stands up and looks at him. Seeing the fire in his eyes, she smiles as she steps out of the bathtub. "Did I do something that's making you this way?"
"What way?" Jeffrey asks, still watching her.
"Ready to jump my body every time I move."
"I'm not ready to jump your body."
"You're body is saying something completely different." She says, glancing down at his hips.
"You have no idea how incredibly sexy you are." He says, walking over to her.
"I am now but that's going to change and you have to go to work." She says, pushing his hands away when he tries to pull her to him. He sighs as she steps around him. "The shower is all yours."
"That's not fair Sam." He says, as he turns to her.
She smiles as she opens the door and then walks out, closing the door behind her. A few minutes later, she hears the water start to run downstairs. Tossing the towel into the hamper, she walks into the closet to get her clothes. Getting dressed, she at the dresser when he walks in about twenty minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist, towel drying his hair. She goes about finishing getting dressed as Jeffrey tosses his towels over by the hamper and then starts to get dressed.
Cassie walks into Olivia's looking for Olivia. Seeing her talking with James, she walks over to him. "…to do something." Olivia says, walking up as James looks up.
"Cassie, hi." He says, standing up as Olivia turns to her.
"Hi." She says, pulling out one of the chairs at the table. She looks at both of them before she asks. "Is there a problem?"
"No, everything is fine." Olivia says.
"You were telling him that he had to do something, about what?"
"We were discussing the…." James says
"We were discussing your sister?" Olivia says, interrupting her.
"My sister, Reva, why…?" Cassie asks
"Not Reva, your other sister, Sarah." Olivia says, looking at her.
"Oh, what about her?"
"She's after you, you know that, right?" Olivia asks.
"Yes, but what could she possibly do. I haven't done anything to her and I wasn't the on that initiated this, between us. I didn't come…."Cassie points out.
"I know you didn't. She knows you didn't but she's…." James says. "And I will handle Sarah. You have nothing to worry about?" He says, looking at Cassie and Olivia. "Now, JR was just here and we were discussing future sites for our first resort in Europe."
"Were there any places that you liked?" Cassie asks, looking at them.
"Yes, it's in England, the lake district of England. It suits the idea of Beacon and the area is similar to what you have here. It's rural but its close enough by train. It's a lot like Springfield." James says, showing her the data that JR had left with him.
She looks it over for a few moments before she looks up. "What do you think?" She asks, looking at Olivia.
"I like it. What do you think?" She replies. "It seems to be the best place for us." Olivia says, looking at the data that JR had left. "It certainly resembles Springfield and the area around here."
"So we can agree on the Lake district as being the first location for this new venture." James asks.
"Yes, I think it's perfect." Cassie says, as Olivia moves to get up.
"I'm sorry to leave but I've got some calls I need to make in my office." She says.
"Alright." Cassie says watching her walk away. She turns back to her father soon enough that he wasn't able to hide the looks in his eyes when she walked away. "What going on between you too?"
"Nothing, we're friends and colleagues."
"It's more than that. I know you took her out the other night to dinner and from the looks on your face there's more there than friendship. Olivia is a complicated woman."
"Are you trying to warn me off your partner?"
"No, I'm trying to explain that you need to be careful with her. She can be a total bitch."
"She's ready to protect you."
"We've come to rely on each other over the years."
"What is your relationship with her?"
"We were enemies at first. She resented that fact that Richard picked me. I resented her for what she did to Reva and Josh. But really in a lot of ways we're alike. It took us a while to figure out how to balance that difference."
"Do you completely trust her?"
"With the Beacon?"
"That and any other thing."
"I trust her with the Beacon. With her personal life, she's different."
"What do you mean?"
"She has a deep vindictive streak in her. She can focus on the wrong things sometimes and forget about the things she needs to focus on."
"What do you think of her relationship with her daughter Ava and Ava's father?"
"They got off to a rocky start. Olivia has been very upset about Jeffrey moving on, but now she has to learn to accept it."
"Do you think she will?"
"I don't know. It depends on which way she chooses."
"What do you mean?"
"If Olivia chooses to focus on what happened in the past in San Cristobel with Jeffrey and not the future, being that she has two beautiful daughters. She's about to be a grandmother. Then I think she could do something that she might not have ordinarily done."
"Do you think she would intentionally hurt someone?"
"It's hard to say. It depends on which way she chooses to go. Do you know about something?"
"No, I was just curious."
"I've got wedding details that I need to take care of."
"Is everything coming along?"
"Yes, I've got to talk with the rental company for the chairs we're renting to use in the barn and then I've got to meet with chef to make sure everything is in place for the menu. I've got a final fitting on my dress and then I've got to make a couple calls for the Beacon."
"Alright."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure." James says, getting up.
"I'll see you later."
"Yes."
"Good." She says, leaning over to kiss his cheek as he smiles and they leave.
When Jeffrey walks into his office Stacey is sitting at her desk. "Good morning, Sir. Welcome back." She says, standing up and following him into his office.
"Hi, Stacey." He says, going over to his desk.
She hands him several messages as she asks. "Would you like anything?"
"Another two weeks." Jeffrey replies, looking up. She smiles as Jeffrey nods. "I didn't think I could get that."
"So it was a good…."
"The best, Niagara Falls was beautiful. We had a marvelous time. So what has been happening here?"
"No a whole lot Sir, Spaulding is still working the revitalization of 5th street and Main streets. Father Ray and Reverend Rutledge are still working on the youth center and the programs at juvenile hall."
"Have there been any developments in the Spaulding case?"
"I only know what's been reported on WSPR."
"What's that?"
"That the Spaulding lawyers are running out of stall tactics and that the case might go to trial within a few weeks or days."
"Okay, could you get Billy Lewis on the phone for me?"
"Yes Sir."
"Try Lewis construction and if he's not there then call his cell. He left a message for me to call him but I was otherwise engaged?"
"I get him as soon as possible."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, reaching for the messages. He's looking over the messages that Stacey had given him when she buzzes him. "Yes."
"I have Mr. Lewis on line one."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, picking up the phone. "Hello, Billy." He says.
"Jeffrey, welcome home."
"Thank you."
"How did it go?"
"Wonderful, you're message said you wanted to talk to me about the house. Is something wrong?"
"No, no, everything is fine. I was calling to see if you could come over to the site."
"Umm, I think I can do that. I don't have anything right now. Is that okay?"
"That's fine."
"I'll be right there." Jeffrey says, standing up.
"I'll see you then." Billy says, giving the thumbs up sign to Ava.
Jeffrey hangs up and then walks out of his office. "I'm going to be out of the office for a little while. If you need me call my cell."
"Yes sir." She says, watching him leave.
It only takes about five minutes for Jeffrey to drive over to the site. He was surprised to see that all of the work on the outside was finished and the house looked completely different. He's looking around as he walks up the sidewalk. Billy walks out of the house having seen him pull up. "This is amazing." Jeffrey says, seeing Billy walking towards him.
"It is."
"So, is there a problem? Because this looks perfect, Sam will love it."
"There's no problem but maybe we should go inside."
"Okay." Jeffrey says following as Billy walks towards the porch. It was completely solid now, no rotting boards and holes. The steps were fixed along with the hand rails. There were plants growing along the front of the porch and flower pots sitting at the top of the steps, flanking the two pillars the held up the roof of the porch. There were wicker couches along the wall with tables between them. The windows were installed with dark green plantation style shutters on each side. The front door was solid with a glass insert that was covered with etched glass to give some privacy. Jeffrey took all of this in as Billy opens the door, completely blocking the entrance so that he can't see anything until he's inside. "Oh my…!" He says, staring at the lobby in front of him. "Is this finished?" He asks, looking around.
"Yes." Billy says, smiling as he watches his brother looking around the lobby of Sam's office. "We have the reception area here and through those French doors we have the hallway to the exam rooms." Billy says, pointing to the open French doors.
Jeffrey walks over to the doors, looking inside. "Sam is going to love this. How did you do all of this? This wasn't even close to being finished when we left."
"I had my crew working overtime and your daughter stepped up and with help from Rick we were able to get the office area setup."
Jeffrey walks over to Ava, hugging her. When he steps back, he turns to Billy. "So, upstairs, it's not finished yet?"
"No, the construction is finished, but it hasn't been decorated."
"You finished this whole house in two weeks, how?"
"Like I said, we worked overtime. We had help from Rick for the medical office, but Ava felt that she should allow Sam to make the final decisions on the living space upstairs."
"Can I see it?"
"Sure." Billy says, walking over to the stairs, leading to the next floor.
That first floor was setup with an open concept, with the living room/family room, kitchen and dining area all open and connected to each other. There were rows of windows letting in a lot of natural light. There was a study that allowed Jeffrey a place to work. There was a laundry room off the kitchen and beside that was a small bedroom, with an in suite bathroom, in case they wanted to hire someone to help Sam. There was also a small bathroom, across from the entryway from the stairs.
Jeffrey looked at each of the rooms before he started upstairs to the third floor. He stops when he reaches the top floor. There were three bedroom on one side that floor each with an in suite bathroom. The room closest to the master bedroom would be perfect for a nursery. The master suite was about the same size as their bedroom at the loft with the walk in closet but it also had a master bathroom. He looks around the room and then looks at Billy. "I can't believe you did this in two weeks."
"I wanted it to be ready by the time you and Sam returned from your honeymoon as a wedding gift."
"Wow, I don't know what to say. Sam is going to be completely blown away. I'm completely blown away. And you did a wonderful job downstairs." He says, walking over to Ava and hugging her again.
"Thank you. I hope Sam likes it."
"I know she will. You captured her completely. It's warm and inviting and that's what she would want. I can't wait for her to see this."
"Well, here are the keys. You can bring her over here anytime." Billy says, handing Jeffrey a set of keys.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, looking around again. "She's going to be absolutely blown away by this. We both thought this project would take several months to complete."
"We had two crews working twelve hours shifts to finish this." Ava says, looking at Jeffrey.
"How did Josh react to that?"
"He wasn't happy about it, but he left it up to me." Billy says, shrugging his shoulders. "It worked out just fine. We finished this project early and were still on time for our other projects."
"I can't believe this is finished."
"Well, it's not completely finished. We still have to decorate it and I recommend Ava finish that with Sam." Billy says, looking at Ava.
"Of course, Sam would love it and you did a wonderful job downstairs."
"I think we're going to add decorating as part of the Lewis Construction package and I think I'll let Ava head the department." Billy says, looking at Ava
"What, I thought… I was only out here to help with Sam's house. I don't know anything about decorating." She says, staring at him.
"I think you do. You're a natural. You've got taste and style." Billy says, looking at her. "Look at what you did downstairs and you had two days to do that. Imagine what you will be able to do if you have more time."
"I think it's a wonderful idea, and I know Sam will love working with you." Jeffrey says.
"If you want me to do that, I will." She says softly.
"Good." Jeffrey says.
"When are you going to bring her over here?" Billy asks.
"I'm not sure." Jeffrey says, thinking about Sam's reaction to this being finished.
"Well, it's yours now." Billy says, looking around the master suite.
Jeffrey notices the windows over the bed. "How did you know to put windows up there?"
"I figured you liked the windows you have above your bed in the loft, so we replicated that feature here." Billy says, looking at the windows.
"Sam will love it, and that area over there, she'll have her arm chair, rug and ottoman there with a lamp for reading." Jeffrey says, pointing to a small alcove below one of the windows.
"You can have one of your guitars up here too." Ava says.
"I think I'm going to have to find another place to practice." Jeffrey says, looking at Ava.
"You're not keeping the loft?"
"I'm not sure what I'll do with that, but I'm not sure Sam will want me jamming out while she has patients downstairs." Jeffrey says, smiling as he walks towards the door.
"No, maybe not, but you can always take over the garage in the back." Billy says, following him.
"Given the winter here, I think Sam will agree that we need that for the cars. We'll see where I can find space to rehearse." Jeffrey says, walking into the front foyer.
"I heard you blew them away at Jon's bar last weekend." Billy says.
"I was okay." Jeffrey says.
"You were more than okay. You were awesome. You had that crowd eating out of the palm of your hand." Ava says, as her cell phone rings. Pulling it from her purse, she glances at the screen before she says. "Excuse me." She walks away as Jeffrey turns to Billy. "Hello." She says.
"Hi." William says.
"Hi, where are you at?"
"I'm at my hotel. I'm getting ready to go to the airport. Did you speak to Billy about meeting me?"
"Yes, he said it would be okay. When are you leaving?"
"In about an hour."
"Okay, we're finishing up at Sam's house…."
"Did you give it to them yet?"
"Billy just gave to keys to Jeffrey. He's going to bring Sam over here later."
"So, you can get away within the hour."
"Yes, I'll meet you at the airport."
"Okay, I'll see you then." William says.
"I'll see you then." Ava hangs up and then walks over to where Jeffrey and Billy are standing in the front foyer.
"Who was that?" Jeffrey asks.
"William, he's leaving today and he wants me to meet him at the airport before he goes."
"Okay."
"You can go on ahead, we're finished here." Billy says.
"Okay, thank you." She nods, reaching for Jeffrey. "Congratulations." She says, hugging him.
"Thank you and thank you for this." He says, holding her for a few extra seconds.
"I'll talk to you later." She says, pulling away. She leaves, followed a few moments later by Jeffrey and Billy.