A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Forty One
After they leave Sam's house, Ava goes to Towers to meet William. He's in the lobby when she walks in. Turning from the counter, he sees her walking towards him and he starts towards her. "Hi." He says when she's close enough and then hugging her when she reaches him.
"How did it go with Alex?"
"For now everything is fine." William says, as a man walks up to them.
"Your Highness, may I have a picture?" He asks.
"No." William says, walking around the man.
The man follows him "Ms. Peralta, what is your relationship with His Highness.?" He asks, taking pictures of them walking away.
She ignores the man as William looks at his guards. When William reaches them, they step between them and the reporter. "He leads Ava out of the lobby to the car waiting outside. "I'm sorry about that." William says, as the driver closes the door and walks around the car.
"It's okay, but that was weird." Ava says, settling beside him
"How did Sam like the house?" William asks, trying to take Ava's mind off the reporter.
"She hasn't seen it yet."
"But I thought…."
"We showed it to Jeffrey. He's going to show it to Sam."
"So, how did he react to the house?"
"He loved it. I think he was surprised with Billy told him that I put the office together, but he loved it."
"He should be proud."
"He is, but we both were surprised when Billy offered me a new position."
"He did. What position?"
"He offered to have me head their design department."
"I didn't know Lewis had a design department."
"It doesn't right now. But Billy mentioned creating one."
"I haven't seen Sam's office, but I'm sure you will be great at it." William says, as the car pulls up to a private hanger.
The royal jet is already on the tarmac and the ground crew is looking the plane over. When the car stops, the driver gets out. Walking around the car, he opens the door and then steps back. William gets out and then turns to help Ava from the car. Turning to the driver, he says. "Could you wait for her?"
"Yes sir." The driver replies.
Taking her hand, they walk across the tarmac to the plane. Leading the way up the stairs, he leads her back to the cabin, nodding to the crew as they walk through. When they reach the cabin, he sits down. Pulling her down beside him, he says." I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too, but you'll be up here in no time."
"I still have to deal with Parliament."
"I've got every confidence you'll get them to make a decision and then we can move in together."
"You still want to do that?"
"Of course." Ava says, as the captain buzzes them.
Williams reaches for the phone. "Yes." He says, picking it up.
"Sir, we have everything loaded and the plane is ready. Are you ready to go?"
"Yes."
"I'll notify the tower. Will your guest be flying with you?"
"No." William says, looking at her.
"I'll notify you when we're cleared for take off."
"Thank you." William says, hanging up the phone. "You're not worried about Jeffrey and Olivia?"
"My parents love me, at least Jeffrey loves me, that's why he's concerned. Olivia wants to control me. But I will decide what I do with my life." Ava says, as the phone buzzes again.
He reaches for it. "Yes."
"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupted, but we've been cleared for take off."
"Thank you." William says, standing up. Ava follows him as he hangs up the phone. Reaching for her hand, he pulls her to him, holding her for several moments. "I will be here Friday for your appointment."
"You'll call me when you get to the palace." Ava asks, not wanting to draw attention to what she had said, or the fact that he didn't reply to her.
"Yes, I'll call you. And I'll try to call at night, but I'm going to be busy with the Parliament."
"Okay." She says, leaning up to kiss him. After several moments he steps back and she says. "You have to go."
"Yes." He says, holding her.
Slowly they release each other. Taking her hand he leads her to the front of the plane. They stop at the cabin door. He leans in to kiss her for a few seconds. Releasing her, he says. "I'll call you later."
"Okay." She says, walking out of the plane. She wants to tell him that she really does love him but she's afraid to.
After she reaches the tarmac, William walks back to the cabin, sitting down on the side that Ava is standing, as the crew closes the cabin door. William buckles up and then turns to the window. He waves as the plane starts to roll towards the runway. Ava waits until the jet takes off before she gets back into the car.
Richard walks into Jeffrey outer office as Stacey looks up. "May I help you Mr. Winslow?"
"Is Jeffrey in?"
"Yes sir."
"Could you let him know that I'm here and I would like to talk to him?"
"Yes sir." She says, reaching for the phone, she buzzes him.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, picking up the phone.
"Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Winslow is here and he would like to speak with you."
"Send him in." Jeffrey says,
"Yes sir." She hangs up. "You can go in."
"Thank you." Richard says, walking over to the door. Opening it he walks in.
"Good afternoon, Richard." Jeffrey says as he walks in.
"Hi, how are you?" He asks, walking over to Jeffrey's desk.
"Fine, how's the back?"
"It's good, Cassie took care of me."
"Was she mad?"
"She wasn't happy."
"Neither was Sam." Jeffrey says, with a smile. "Are you here for the Jones Street project?"
"We can discuss that. But I wanted to ask you something personal."
"Okay."
Richard settles back in the chair in front of Jeffrey's desk. "I wanted to ask you something, but if you don't feel comfortable doing this, please tell me."
"Okay."
"First, let me say that I understand what happened between you and Cassie in San Cristobel and I know that I'm partly to blame for it."
"What happened between me and Cassie was along time ago. She's your wife and I have no regrets about hat. I have Sam and she's all that I need. If Cassie is anything to me, she's a sister and if you think that I…."
"No, I know you're not interested in Cassie and that you are with Sam forever like I'll be with Cassie forever. We want you and Sam to be godparents to our baby."
"What about Reva and Josh or William?"
"Reva and Josh are RJ's godparents and William is Will's godparent, but you and Sam will have a child close to our son or daughter's age and we think that would be better for them, if something happens to us."
"You talked to Cassie about this?"
"Yes and she agrees."
"You really want us to be godparents."
"Yes."
"I can't say yes until I talk to Sam."
"Okay."
"Are you excited?"
"Yes, I missed so much when Cassie was pregnant with Will. I'm going to be at every appointment, every mood swing and craving she has."
"Have they started yet?"
"No."
"Sam's on this thing for ice cream."
"Has she asked for pickles yet?"
"She's teases me with it, but I absolutely refuse to give it to her. And I'm sure you're going to make sure she doesn't overdo it, but if I know Cassie, she'll fight you."
"You're probably right, but I'll insist." Richard says, as Jeffrey smiles.
"What about the Jones street project?"
"I've been trying to speak with Mr. Bertilla but he will not return my calls."
"What do you suggest then?"
"I think we have to give it to the other bidder. We've given them more than enough time to contact us with their decision.
"If you think that's what you should do, then contact the other group as well as the group from Chicago."
"I'll tell my assistant to draft a letter for each company." Richard says, as Jeffrey's phone buzzes.
"Yes, Stacey." Jeffrey says, holding down the intercom.
"Mr. O'Neill, your three o'clock is here."
"Thank you." Jeffrey says releasing the button. He stands up with Richard following him. "I'll talk to Sam and then let you know about the other."
"Thank you."
"And congratulations again." Jeffrey says
"Thank you." Richard says, shaking his hand.
They walk towards the door. Jeffrey opens it, holding it open as Richard walks though, nodding to the man sitting outside the office. "Mr. Roswell." Jeffrey says, and the man stands up. He follows Jeffrey into his office.
William walks into the palace. On the flight he had thought a lot about what Jeffrey had said to him and what Ava had let slip while they were saying good-bye. He was as confused as ever and hoping that concentrating on the situation with Parliament would quiet the questions running through his mind. He walks into his office and Jodi is at her desk. "Welcome back, Sir."
"Thank you could you get the Lord Chancellor on the phone for me."
"Of course, Sir." She says, reaching for the phone.
He walks into his office. Closing the odor, he goes over to his desk. He's bringing up his computer when his phone rings. "Yes." He says, picking it up."
"Sir, the Lord Chancellor is on line one."
"Thank you." He says, pushing the button to connect the call. "Lord Chancellor." William says, sitting back.
"Yes, your highness."
"What is happening with Parliament?"
"In reference to what, Sir."
"Lord Chancellor, I am in no mood for games. It's been over two months since I announced that Will was no longer my heir and the fact that I want to abdicate. Parliament has been debating the issue since then. So what is the issue?"
"Some of the members are pushing to convince you to stay."
"Bring the members, all of the members back to the capital."
"They are on summer break."
"I don't care. Bring them back. I want this settled and the country deserves to have this settled."
"Yes Sir, but it may take a few days to get them back. Some of them were leaving the country."
"I don't care, get them back and we're going to settle this."
"Yes sir." William hangs up, reaching for the papers Jodi left on his desk.
*************************
After the meeting with Mr. Roswell, Jeffrey leaves. Going to a local store, he gets stuff for them to be able to spend the night at the house. Leaving everything in the truck, he goes upstairs. Walking in the door, he calls. "Sam."
"I'm in the kitchen." She calls, taking some meat from the refrigerator.
He walks into to her getting stuff out for dinner. "Put that away."
"Why?" She asks, looking at him as he walks over to her.
"We're not eating here." He says, putting the food way and taking her hand.
"J." She says, as he leads her out of the kitchen. "Where are we going?" She asks when he hands her, her purse.
"I've got a surprise for you." He says, opening the door. He closes it behind them, locking it before he takes her hand again and leads her downstairs. When they reach the truck she sees the stuff in the back.
"What do you have planned?" She asks, as he opens the door.
"You'll see. It's a surprise." He says, getting in behind her. Closing the door he starts the truck as she looks at him and he leans over to kiss her. "Stop trying to figure it out because you won't." He says, starting the truck. After a few minutes, he pulls up to Company. "I'll be right back." He says, parking. Getting out, he comes back about ten minutes later with a take out bag.
"Dinner." She asks, as Jeffrey hand her the bag.
"Yes." He says, getting in.
"Are we going to my surprise now?"
"Yes, but you have to close your eyes." He says, turning to her.
"J."
"You have to close them or it's the blindfold."
"Alright, she says, closing her eyes.
He starts the truck, leaving Company when they get close to the house, he says. "You have your eyes closed."
"Yes."
"No peeking."
"You don't trust me."
"I know you, keep your eyes closed." He says, turning the corner for the street their house is on. When he stops outside the house, he turns to her. "Do you have them closed?"
"Yes." She says, as he opens the door.
Getting out, he takes the bag of food before he takes her hand and helps her out of the truck. Holding the food in one hand, he leads her to the front walk. "Step up." He says, holding her hand. She steps up and he leads her up to the porch. "We've got three steps." He says, helping her up them.
"This is silly, let me open..."
"No, it's a surprise." He says, as she steps onto the porch.
Sitting the bag down, he pulls the key out and unlocks the door. Picking up the bag, he opens the door, leading Sam inside, sitting the bag on the counter by the door before he turns to her. "Are you ready?"
"Yes."
"Maybe I should unload…."
"J!" She says, reaching for him. "It's not…."
"Open your eyes." He says, laughing softly
Slowly she opens her eyes, first looking at him before she looks around. "Where are…. Is this my house?" She asks, looking the furniture around them.
"Yes."
"It's…." She turns around, looking at everything. "It's finished?" She asks, looking back at Jeffrey.
"For the most part, the downstairs is completely finished." Jeffrey says, walking with her as she walks through the first floor.
"How did they get it decorated? We hadn't even discussed that part of it. We were supposed to meet with a designer this week." She asks, walking through several rooms.
"Ava and Rick decorated it."
"Ava decorated this." Sam asks, looking around.
"Yes, Billy actually asked her to head their decorating department."
"This is beautiful. She picked out everything I would have picked." Sam says, walking through the exam rooms. "It's bright and calming. The furniture is comfortable. The receptions are is exactly like I would have done it. The kids area is perfect. How did they get this done?"
"Billy said he had two crews working overtime to have it down by the time we got back."
"For just the first floor, what has to be done upstairs?"
"Why don't you go upstairs and see?"
She walks through the office to the back room. Jeffrey holds the door to the stairs leading upstairs and then follows behind her. She quickly realizes that all the construction is down. "They're finished with construction." She says, walking into the family room.
"Yes, it's all done." Jeffrey replies, following her through the rooms. He follows her upstairs to look at the bedrooms. When they reach the one closest to their room he says. "I thought we could turn this one into a nursery."
"That would be perfect." She says, while he watches her.
"You're already making plans." He says, with a smile, putting his arms around and pulling her back against him.
"I can see the crib along that wall below the window, with a chest on that wall and a rocker over there. I don't want to paint this in traditional colors, maybe a soft green or something. And we have to put all kinds of animals in here, baby animals." She says, turning in his arms.
He leans in to kiss her before he asks. "Do you want to see our room?"
Smiling, she nods. Taking her hand he leads her out of the nursery and down the hall to their room. Stopping, he turns to her. "Let me see." She says, reaching for the door. He catches her hand. Turning her to him, he bends over and sweeps her up into his arms. "J."
He leans in to kiss her. "Open the door." He says. She reaches down, and opens the door. Pushing it open, she turns to look at the room as he walks in.
"Oh, this is completely awesome." She says, as he puts her down.
"Welcome to our bedroom, Mrs. O'Neill." She turns to look at him. "What?" He asks, looking at her.
"I think that's the first time you've called me that."
"I've said it before."
"It doesn't matter, I like hearing you say it." She says, kissing him quickly before she turns to the room.
"We have a bathroom through here." Jeffrey says, leading her to the left. "There's a walk in closet through there and we have a door from the bedroom too. You have your Jacuzzi tub and the walks in shower for me."
"I'll use it too." She says, looking around. "I can't believe they finished all of this in two weeks. It's incredible."
"There are two more bedrooms up here each with their own bathroom. Even the nursery has its own bathroom."
She walks out of their room and downstairs to the second floor. "It's not completely finished." Jeffrey says, following her. "We still have to paint and decorate, buy furniture for each of the rooms.
"We have the stuff from the loft, but we'll need stuff for your study."
"I'll turn that into my music room. We'll rehearse in there, so I'll have to soundproof it." Jeffrey says, walking into the living room behind her. "Do you mind staying here for a moment? I need to go to the loft?"
"The loft, why?"
"I want to get one of my guitars, so we'll have something to do tonight after we eat."
"Why don't we go back to the loft?"
"I thought we could stay here."
"We don't have… that's what the stuff in the back of the truck is."
"Yes, it'll be like we're camping." Jeffrey says, walking downstairs to the back room.
"You want to stay here tonight."
"Yes, I bought an air mattress and a sleeping bag along with sheets. We have dinner and I bought some sparkling cider."
"Do we have lights and water?" She asks as he walks over to the light switch, flipping it on.
"It looks like we do." He says, as the overhead light comes on and then he walks into the powder room across from them. "And we have water." He says, turning the water on in the sink. He walks back into the living room. "It'll be and adventure."
"You know that we did this at our first apartment in DC."
"We had fun too." He says, walking over to her.
"Alright, let's do it. I'll stay here and you can go get your guitar." She says, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He kisses her, meaning only to give her a quick kiss until she sighs softly, moving closer to him. He pulls her against him, deepening the kiss, its several moments before reality interferes and Sam pulls away. Taking a deep breath as he asks, "Do you want to get the stuff out of the truck?"
"Yes." She says, releasing him and following him out of the back room and through to the front office.
They unload the truck and then he turns to her, kissing her quickly he says, I'll be right back and we'll finish this."
"Okay." She says, smiling as he walks out of the house and she closes the door. Going upstairs, she opens several of the windows before she begins to take stuff out of the bags.
It takes five minutes for Jeffrey to drive over to the loft. Getting the guitar, he puts it in the back of the truck and leaves. He's stopped at the light by Company and is waiting for it to change when a car hits him from behind, slamming him forward into the windshield and steering wheel. When he left the loft he was distracted thinking about Sam and the house and making love to her when he got back that he didn't put his seatbelt on.
Sam felt something was wrong the moment the car hit Jeffrey. She walks over to the window. Standing there for several seconds, she tries to tell herself that nothing was wrong, but the feeling won't go away. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls her cell phone out and dials Jeffrey's number.
For a few moments after the accident, Jeffrey doesn't know what happened. "Sir, are you…?" A man says, as Jeffrey looks at him. "Call 911, it's the mayor." The man yells to someone.
Jeffrey looks at him and asks. "What happened?"
"You've been in a car accident, Mr. Mayor. Are you okay?"
"I don't know."
"Do you think anything is broken?"
"I don't know."
"Can you move your arms and legs?" The man asks as a woman walks up.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, reaching up to touch his face.
The man reaches to stop him. "You've got a nasty cut there. Is there anything else that's hurting?"
"My chest, it hurts to breathe. What happened to the other…?"
"He's being taken care of."
"The ambulance is on its way." The woman says.
"Go check on the other guy." The man says, as Jeffrey's cell phone rings.
Jeffrey reaches for his phone, but his hands are shaking so much the man takes the phone and answers it. "Hello, J." Sam says.
"I'm sorry, no. My name is Michael."
"Where's Jeffrey?"
"Who is this?"
"It's Sam."
"Sam…." When Jeffrey hears the name he reaches for the phone. "Beca." He says, sounding groggy.
"J, what's going on? Who was that and are you alright?" She's says, not liking the sound of his breathing or his voice.
"I'm okay. I've been in an accident." Jeffrey says, as the paramedic comes up.
"An accident, J. Where are you?" Sam asks, as the paramedics opens Jeffrey's door. "J."
"I'm at the light by Company." Jeffrey says, as the paramedic turns to his partner.
"I need the gurney. He'll need to go to Cedars." He says, turning back to Jeffrey. "Sir, you need to hang up. We have to transport you to Cedars." He says as Frank comes up with the other medic behind him.
"Jeffrey, give me the phone." Franks says, reaching for it.
"Sam's on it." Jeffrey says, as Frank takes the phone, stepping out of the way.
"J, what's going on? Someone talk…."
"Sam, it's Frank."
"What's going on? Is he okay? Why are they taking him to Cedars?"
"Sam, take a deep breath." Franks says, hearing the panic in her voice. "He looks to be okay, but he's got a deep cut in his forehead and he's having trouble breathing."
"Did he have his seatbelt on?"
"I don't know. The ambulance is taking him to Cedars. Do you have…?"
"I'm at the house on Main Street. I'll meet you there."
"She doesn't have a car." Jeffrey says, laying on the gurney.
"Sam, stay there. I'll send a car to get you." Frank says, as Sam walks out of the house.
"Don't let her walk?" Jeffrey says, as the paramedics lifts the gurney to take him back to the ambulance.
"I won't. Sam, I'm coming to get you. Stay there." Frank says, walking back to his car as the paramedics loads Jeffrey into the ambulance.
"I'm tired." Jeffrey mumbles, as they pull away.
"Mr. Mayor, you have to stay awake." The paramedic says, checking Jeffrey's eyes and noticing that they're dilated.
Sam is pacing back and forth when Frank pulls up. She runs down the steps and is at the car before he can get out. Opening the door, she gets in. "Let's go." She says, closing the door. He pulls away and a few minutes later, he pulls up to the ER. Sam is out of the car before Frank can get out. She runs into the ER and stops at the nurse's desk. "My husband was just brought in."
"Can I have his name?" The nurse asks in a bored voice.
"Jeffrey O'Neill." Sam says, impatiently.
The nurse looks up the name but takes her time doing it. "He's in tringe one." The nurse says. "You can wait…." Sam turns for the double doors. "Ma'am you can't go back there. The doctor's are working on him. He's in serious condition."
Sam ignores her, pushing the button to open the doors with the nurse following her. "Ma'am, the doctor will speak with you…."
"I am a doctor." Sam says, opening the door.
The scene inside was very different than Sam expected, given what Frank had said his injuries were. The doctor and nurses were running around, as they tried to save the other victim in the wreck." What's going on?" Sam asks.
"Who's this?" The doctor asks.
"She's the victim's wife." The nurse replies.
"The victim is barely sixteen. I doubt she's married to him." The doctor says, as he does chest compressions.
"I'm sorry." The nurse says, drawing Sam out of the room.
"Where's my husband? Where's Jeffrey." She demands, looking at the nurse.
"Let me check again." The nurse says, looking again at the computer. "He's been moved to exam room four." The nurse says, as Sam starts for the room.
"J." She says, opening the door.
"Sam, I'm okay." He says, seeing the look on her face and reaching for her. She rushes over to him.
"Are you okay?" She asks, looking him over.
"I'm fine. They think I've got a couple of broken ribs and a slight concussion. And I've got stitches in my head." Jeffrey says, reaching up to touch the bandage as Sam reaches to stop him.
"Don't, what happened?"
"I don't really know. I was coming back to the house from the loft and I was sitting at the light by Company and someone hit me." Jeffrey says, as his doctor walks in.
"Mr. Mayor…."
"Just call me Jeffrey."
"Okay, Jeffrey." He says, looking at Sam.
"This is my wife." Jeffrey says,
"Mrs. O'Neill." The doctor says, reaching to shake her hand. "I'm Dr. Stephens.
"I'm Dr. O'Neill." Sam says, as Jeffrey watches her go into being a doctor.
"He's got a concussion and we're going to take him up to x-ray to look at his ribs, but I'm fairly sure he's broken the fourth and fifth. We've got him on oxygen to make it easier to breath. We've also got him on pain meds for the ribs and he's got ten stitches in his head. He was actually very lucky. He didn't have his seatbelt on." Dr. Stephens says as Sam looks at Jeffrey.
"I was distracted." Jeffrey says.
"We need to get him up to x-ray. Do you want to go with us?"
"No, I'm pregnant."
"We'll have him back in a few moments."
"Okay." Sam says, as the nurse rolls Jeffrey out of the room and Frank walks up. "I'll be here waiting." Sam says, releasing Jeffrey's hand.
"Where are they taking him?"
"X-ray, they're going to see if he's got a couple of broke ribs. He's got a concussion and ten stitches in his forehead. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt." Sam says, walking back into Jeffrey's room. 'What happened to the other boy?"
"He didn't make it?" Frank says.
"Why, what happened?"
"He was thrown from the car and hit Jeffrey's tailgate with his chest. The impact crushed his chest and put one of his ribs through his heart. He was gone almost immediately."
"They were trying to revive him."
"He just turned sixteen, last week."
"What happened?"
"We recovered his phone and he was in the middle of texting someone. He didn't see Jeffrey stopped at the light and he never slowed down. There were no skid marks."
"How fast was he going?"
"We'll never know, but he wasn't wearing his seatbelt either. We have to do something about kid's texting while they're driving. They don't realize how dangerous it is. I've caught myself doing it a few times."
"We all have Frank. But you're right, it is dangerous." Sam says, as the nurse brings Jeffrey back into the room.
"What's dangerous?"
"Texting while driving." Frank says, as Jeffrey looks at him.
"The boy that hit you was texting when he hit you. He didn't see that you were stopped so he never slowed down."
"But he's okay, right?"
"No, he's not." Sam says, taking Jeffrey's hand. "He didn't make it."
"What?"
"The impact threw him through the windshield and into your tailgate and the impact crushed his chest, breaking rib and puncturing a lung and his heart."
"How old was he?"
"He just turned sixteen."
"And he wasn't wearing his seatbelt either." Sam says, looking at Jeffrey.
"He's gone." Jeffrey looks at Frank.
"Yes."
"I want to see his parents." Jeffrey says quietly, pushing the covers back.
"I think the doctor is with them now." Frank says. "They tried to save him, but he was gone before the ambulance got to him. There was nothing the doctor's could do."
"We can see them later." Sam says, laying her hand on Jeffrey's shoulder and he settles back, breathing hard. "You've got to be still." She says, as Dr. Stephens comes in.
"She's right. You've got two broken ribs Mr.… Jeffrey. And until they begin to heal, you're going to have to be still. You also have the concussion like I suspected." Dr. Stephens says. "So, we're admitting you."
"What?"
"It's only for observation. If everything goes well tonight, I'll send you home in the morning."
"No, we have to go home. We had plans…."
"They can wait Jeffrey. You're staying here." Sam says in her best doctor tone. "Concussions can be very serious. If the brain starts the swell, they may have to do surgery and what we had planned we couldn't do anyway because of your ribs. Being here is the best thing for you."
"But I want to hold you, in our new house."
"We can do that another time. And I'm staying right here with you so you can hold me then." Sam says, glancing at Dr. Stephens and daring him to say something.
"It's fine if you stay here, Mrs. O'Neill. But you have to extremely careful with him. If one of his ribs moves the wrong way we could have serious…."
"I know what can happen." Sam says, holding up her hand. "We'll be careful, but I'm not leaving him."
Jeffrey reaches for her hand, taking it. "I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere, so you can relax." He says. "This stress isn't good for you or the baby."
"Well then, let's get you taped up and then I'll have a room prepared for you." Dr. Stephens says, turning to Jeffrey.
"Doctor Stephens can I see the parents of the boy that hit me?" Jeffrey asks.
"They're with his doctor."
"Okay." Dr. Stephens leaves as Sam turns to Jeffrey. "I want you to relax, please." He says, still seeing the tension in her eyes.
"I'll relax when I know for sure that you're okay." Sam says, brushing his hair back. "Do you want me to call Ava?"
"Yes, you better before it's on the news and she hears about it that way."
"Okay, I'll go call her. I'll be right back. Do not go anywhere?"
"Where am I going to go, I'm being forced to stay here."
"It's better this way. We'll stay at the house when you're released and back together."
"Go call Ava and I'll be fine here." Jeffrey says she leans over to kiss him.
"I'll be right back."
"Okay." Sam leaves and a few minutes later Dr. Stephens returns to tape up his ribs.