A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Forty Nine
Ava is walking out of the paint store when he cell phone ring. Pulling it from her purse she answers the call as she walks to her call. "Hello."
"Ava, its William."
"Hi, how are you? I haven't called because I knew you would be busy with Parliament and I've been working on Sam's house."
"I'm good."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm headed back to the palace from the Parliament. I've got a couple hours before I have to attend a state dinner for the Mexican treaty we signed last month. It goes into effect later this month."
"Are you making progress with the Parliament?"
"That's why I'm calling. The Lord Chancellor is going to make the announcement in a few days, but the election is set for the week after the wedding."
"That soon."
"Yes, why?"
"Because I thought it would take longer. I'll need to start looking for us a place and I'm still working on Sam's house."
"I might be able to make this easier for you. I want to talk to you about us moving in together. I'm still coming up there, but I'm not sure we should move in with each as soon as I get there."
"Why not?"
"I think it's too soon."
"Why do I feel like you're back peddling as fast as you can? You suggested that we do this. It was your idea."
"Maybe we are moving too fast. Maybe we need to take a step back and slow down."
"Last weekend you wanted us to move in with each other. You suggested this and mow you want to slow down."
"Your Dad and Mom…."
"What do they have to do with this?"
"He pointed out that if we're not seriously involved…."
"I thought we were."
"I like you Ava. I am attracted to you and I want to be a part of my child's life. I will be a part of its life, but do we love each other, do we love each other enough to move in together. And you're dad pointed out that if we don't feel that way about each other then we need to be honest and let each other go."
"Do you want to let me go?" Ava asks, softly.
"No, no, but I don't want to force something on either of us, if we're not ready for it."
"I never said I wasn't ready." Ava says, sighing. "I'll call you back" She says, hanging up.
"Ava, Ava." He says, but hears nothing but dead air. He hangs up and then calls her again. The call goes straight to voicemail.
Ava is headed home but after hanging up on William, she changes her mind and heads for the Beacon. Walking in, she goes up to Olivia's room. Knocking, she waits for someone to answer the door. Emma answers it. "Ava, hi." She says, smiling.
"Hi, is mom here?"
"No, she downstairs.
"Okay, thanks. Is she in her office?"
"No, she's with a guy?"
"What guy?"
"The one that staying downstairs, she been seeing him a lot."
"Okay." Ava says, turning and walking away.
She walks into Olivia's a few moments later. Looking around, she spots Olivia. She walks over to them as James looks up. He starts to get up and she shakes her head as Olivia looks up. "Ava." She says, in surprise.
"I'm telling you this and I'll be telling Dad the same thing. Butt out of my life, how I manage my life and my child's life is none of your business. I'm tired of being pulled between you and Jeffrey. He's made his choice and I've made mine, you have to live with it." Ava starts to turns away.
"Ava, wait, what's…?"
"No, I'm not going to argue with you. This is the way it is. Stay out of my life." She says, turning and walking away.
Olivia looks at James. "What was that about?" He asks.
"I have no idea. I haven't spoken to her since we we're at the club."
"Do you want to go after her?"
"No, I'll let her calm down. She's going to see Jeffrey and I'm sure he can calm her down."
Ava walks out of the Beacon, fighting back tears, getting in her car, she back out of her parking place, leaving. As she pulls out of the parking lot, she can feel herself starting to shake. She takes a deep breath as she pulls to the side of the road. Rolling the window down, she takes several deep breaths. After about five minutes she pulls out again, headed for Jeffrey. Jeffrey and Sam have just sit down to eat when Ava knocks. "I'll get it." Sam says, getting up as Jeffrey begins to eat. A few moments later, Sam opens the door. "Ava, hi."
"Is Dad here?"
"Yes, we were just sitting down to eat." She says, letting her in. "Do you want something to eat?"
"No, I can't eat right now." Ava says, following her into the loft.
"Ava's here." Sam says, walking over to the dining table."
"Hi." Jeffrey says, getting up slowly to hug her. She hugs him stiffly. "What's wrong?" HE asks, sitting back down.
"I came to tell you something and then I'll go." She says quietly.
"Okay."
"I want you to stay out of my relationship with William. This is my life and I'll decide what is best for me and my child." Jeffrey sighs softly as he glances at Sam as Ava reaches up to wipe away the tear that's rolling down her cheek.
"I'm sorry." Jeffrey says, getting up again and reaching for her, pulling her to him, he hugs her. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"You had no right to tell to break up with me."
"I didn't tell him that. But you're my daughter…."
"William…."
"…and I want to protect you from being hurt. Did he break up with you?"
"No, but he doesn't want us to move in together anymore, and the only reason he would change his mind is because you said something to him."
"I only told him that if he didn't love you that he need to let you know."
"He does love me." Ava says, reaching up to wipe more tears away.
"Has he told you that he loves you?" Jeffrey asks.
"No, he hasn't but I know. Did you tell Sam immediately after you realized that you loved her?"
"Sam and I were different. We were together everyday in very dangerous situations, we depended on each other."
"But you still didn't tell her. You could have lost her at anytime and you still didn't tell her. William will not hurt me. I know that he won't."
"How do you know that? You've spent one weekend with him."
"I've spent more time with him."
"Maybe we should stop focusing on how they got together." Sam says, as Jeffrey and Ava look at her. "You and William spent one weekend together. You thought that was all I would be and that's alright. But you ended up pregnant. You're father doesn't want you to be hurt, but he recognizes himself in William and that scares him. That's all he was trying to do when he spoke to William."
"She's right. I don't want you hurt and I do see myself in William and I know I've hurt a lot of women by only giving a part of myself to them. I don't want that to happen to you." Jeffrey says, reaching over to wipe the tears away. "But it hurts me even more to see you cry and know I caused it."
"Then I want you to call him and give him your blessing for us to be together." Ava says, pulling out her phone.
He looks at her and then reaches for the phone. Picking it up, he dials the number for the palace. After a couple rings the palace operator picks up. "Palace of San Cristobel."
"Yes, this is Jeffrey O'Neill. I need to speak to William."
"He's in the middle of a state dinner. Could you leave a….?
"Give him a message, tell him it's about Ava and I'll hold." Jeffrey says.
The palace operator puts him on hold and then gets the attention of one of the messengers. "Go find His Highness and tell him that there is a Jeffrey O'Neill on the phone for him and he needs to speak to him about Ms. Peralta."
"Yes ma'am." The messenger leaves as the operator goes back to Jeffrey.
"Mr. O'Neill, I've sent a messenger to get him."
The messenger walks into the ballroom about five minutes later. He looks around the room until he spots William talking to on of the guests. He walks over to him. "Excuse me, Your Highness." He says, interrupting him.
"Yes." William says, turning to him.
"Sir, you have a call from a Jeffrey O'Neill, pertaining to Ms. Peralta."
William turns back to the man he was talking to. "Excuse me, please." He says, quickly to the man before he walks away. He nods to everyone he meets as he walks across the room but he doesn't stop. Walking out to the hall, he turns for the a private meeting room just down from the ball room Going inside, he picks up the phone and pushes the button for the operator. "Yes, connect the call." William says. He hears a couple clicks and then he says. "Jeffrey, what's going on? Where's Ava? Is she okay? Is the baby okay?"
Jeffrey tires to answer each of his questions but William won't let him speak until he finally says. "William, calm down, Ava is here beside me. She's fine and the baby is fine. She asked me to call you." Jeffrey says, glancing at her.
"We had a fight. I've tried to call her but she wouldn't answer. I've been worried about her all night."
"I know and she's here and she told me about the fight."
"I didn't…."
"I know you didn't mean to upset her. I'm not calling to discuss that because I was the one that put the thought into your head." Jeffrey takes a deep breath. "So, if you're serious about being with her then I won't stand in your way." Jeffrey says, looking at Ava as Sam reaches for his hand.
"You're serious?"
"Yes, I want my daughter to be happy. So, I give you both my blessing." Jeffrey says, holding onto Sam's hand.
"Thank you." William says softly, completely surprised. "Is Ava there?"
"Yes."
"Can I talk to her? I want to hear her voice." William says.
"Of course." Jeffrey says, holding the phone out to Ava.
She takes it. "Hello."
"Ava, are you okay?"
"I'm fine now."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I was only trying to tell you what I was thinking."
"I know. I might have overreacted." Ava says, as she hears the announcement for dinner. "You have to go."
"They will…."
"Will be looking for you and your guest can't wait. Call me after the party and we'll talk."
"I'll call you then." He says softly.
"Okay."
"Go home and relax. I can hear that you're tired."
"I'll talk to you soon." She says, as she hears the second announcement. "You have to go."
"Alright." He says softly. "I'll talk to you soon." He hangs up.
Ava lays the phone down and then looks at Jeffrey. "Thank you." She says.
"Come here." He says, moving his chair back. She gets up and goes over to him. He takes her hand and pulls her down to his lap. "I didn't get to do this when you were little. I'm sorry I hurt you." He says, putting his arms around her as she lays her head on his shoulder. They sit there for a few moments. Sam gets up. He looks at her.
She runs her fingers through his hair as she walks by them. She goes into the kitchen. Getting another plate, she gets some food for Ava. By the time she comes back, Ava is back in her seat and they are talking. Sam puts the plate before her. "Thank you." Ava says, realizing that she was really hungry. They eat and talk, each of them telling Jeffrey about the decisions they had made about the house.
When they finish eating, Ava helps Jeffrey back to the couch before she goes into the kitchen, helping Sam with the dishes. When they are finished, they go back into the living room. "I think I'm going to go." Ava says.
"You don't have to go." Sam says.
"But you want to be alone when William calls." Jeffrey says, starting to sit up.
"You stay there. And you're right I do." Ava says, walking over to him. She sits down on the couch beside him. Lying against him, she gently hugs him as he puts one arm around her, holding her to him. "Thank you." She says again.
"You don't have to thank me Ava." Jeffrey says, gently kissing the top of her head. She leans back to look up at him. "I can't protect you from everything, as much as I want to." He says, reaching up to caress her cheek.
"I will be fine. I will. William will not hurt me."
"I hope you are right." Jeffrey says.
"Let him prove it to you."
"I gave you my blessing. I won't take that back, but if he does hurt you. He will answer to me." Jeffrey says, as she smiles.
"I'll be sure to tell him that." She says, as he smiles back.
"Go on and go." He says, leaning up to kiss her forehead.
"I love you Dad." She says, hugging him again.
"Je'taimé, Mon cherié." Jeffrey says quietly. She sits up and smiles as she stands up.
She turns to Sam. "I'll see you later."
"Okay." Sam says, hugging her quickly before she walks her out.
She closes the door behind her before she walks back into the living room. Sitting down beside him, she watches him for a few moments before she moves to lie down beside him. Taking his arm, she drapes it over her stomach and moves back against him. He lightly kisses her shoulder, holding her to him. "You always know what I need."
"It's been a rough day for you. So close your eyes and we'll lay here and you can hold me." She says, intertwining their fingers.
Chris picks up the phone, dialing Hank's number he waits for him to answer. "Yeah, hello."
"Hank, its Chris."
"Yeah, what do ya want?"
"I spoke with the private buyer I told you about for Blue."
"Yeah, did he take the offer?"
"No, he's counter offered $1200."
"That horse…."
"Is a good horse but he's getting old. There isn't much you can do with him anymore Hank. I'm surprised you kept him this long."
"Alright, I'll counter with $1800." Hank says, looking out his front window.
"I'll let him know." Chris says.
"Who is this guy?"
"I can't tell you that Hank. It's a private buyer."
"Fine, give him the counter offer."
"I will." Chris says, hanging up the phone.
Frank walks into the police station about ten minutes after leaving the loft. Mallet is at his desk as he walks up. "How did it go?" He asks, leaning against the desk.
"He's in lock up. Did you speak to Jeffrey and Sam?"
"Yes, I'm going to call the detective handling the case in DC to let him know that we have the suspect in custody.
"Are you going to see if he's going to want to transfer him to DC?"
"Yes." Frank replies, looking at him. "Do you want to go if we have to transfer him?"
"Yes."
"Is there a problem with Dinah?"
"I'm thinking it's time I let her take care of her self and she feels like I'm smothering her."
"Okay, if we transfer him, I may go with you. It would be nice to get out of Springfield for a while." Frank says, before standing up and walking towards his office.
"Hey Frank, did you see the judge about the warrant?"
"No, decided not too, we don't have anything to compare the sample too."
"Okay." Mallet says, nodding as Frank turns back to his door.
Walking into this office, he goes over to his desk. Picking up the phone, he dials the number for the detective in DC. After a couple rings, he picks up.
"Detective Rossi." He says, glancing at a report on his desk.
"Detective Rossi, its Chief Cooper. I spoke to you earlier about a Whitley case."
"Yes, Chief Cooper." He says, paying more attention to the call.
"I'm calling to let you know that I have Mr. Schultz in custody."
"That's good. I thought you had him earlier."
"I did, but he was arraigned this afternoon and released. He was picked up north of here by the country sheriff after I put an APB out for him."
"Have you questioned him?"
"Not since last night. Do you want us to bring him to DC, or would you rather come here?"
"I can't leave right now. So if you could bring him here, that would be fine. When could you transfer him to DC?"
"We can make the arrangements to be there this weekend."
"That would be fine."
"I'll make the arrangements and let you know when we will arrive."
"Thank you."
Frank hangs up. Pulling his computer up, he logs into the city website and books a flight for him and Mallet for the next morning. When he finishes, he closes the computer down and leaves. Mallet is still at his desk. "We'll leave tomorrow morning, 8am." Frank says, walking up to his desk.
"Okay, I've got a few reports and I'll go home."
"I'm going now." Frank says, turning away. "Don't be late in the morning." He says, walking away.
After about ten minutes, Sam looks up. Jeffrey has his eyes closed so she lays her head down as he says. "I'm not asleep."
"That was hard for you." She says, moving to sit up.
He looks at her and then closes his eyes. "I had to do it." He says softly. "I can't watch her cry, just like I can't watch you cry. And maybe you're both right. Maybe we need to focus on their relationship as it is now and not how it began."
"Are you going to be able to do that?"
"I honestly don't know, but if you're there I'm sure you'll keep me from interfering."
"You have that much confidence in my abilities."
"Yes." He says, looking at her."
"You won't be controlled."
"I listen to you." He says, watching her.
"Okay." She says simply.
"I forgot to tell you something Monday night." He says, remembering his meeting with Richard.
"What?"
"Richard came to see me Monday afternoon. He wanted to ask up to do something."
"What?"
"He and Cassie wan us to be godparents to their baby."
"They want us to be godparents. What about RJ and Will's godparents?"
"Josh and Reva are RJ's godparents and William is Will's godparent."
"And they don't want to keep them together."
"I guess not, but technically, I am possibly their family. He asked me and I said I would have to speak to you about it."
"Do you want to do it?"
"I don't have a problem with being a godparent to their baby."
"I don't mind either, but I want to talk to Cassie about it."
"We can talk to them Friday night. Did you tell Reva you'll be at the party for Cassie?"
"Yes. Are you sure you'll be able to do the rehearsal dinner?"
"Yes, I'll be fine." He says, moving to sit up. "I can't lie here anymore." He says when she looks at him.
"You can't be moving around either."
"What did you and Ava decide for the house." He asks to distract her.
"I think we've got the first floor planned out. We'll have either hardwood or laminate flooring. We're gong to each room different colors but tie them together with accessories and accent colors. Since we just got this furniture, we can use it. We decided to leave the study alone." She says, lying down beside him as he settles back against the cushions.
"Thank you." He says, putting his arm around her.
"For what?" She asks, looking up at him.
"For lying back down beside me." He says, moving over to his side so that she would have more room.
"What did you do while I was with Ava?" She asks softly.
"In the condition you left me in, you have to ask." He says, as she laughs.
"You started it with the kiss." She says, turning over to face him.
"And I had to finish it." He says his tone a little sullen.
"Don't pout, you know if you weren't hurt, we would've finished." She says, looking up.
"We could finish it now." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
After a few seconds, she pulls away. "And how are we going to do that. You're still hurt and the doctor ordered no strenuous activity."
"It doesn't have to be strenuous. I'll lay here and let you do whatever you want to do." He says, leaning in to kiss the side of her neck.
She sighs softly, closing her eyes. After a moment, she whispers. "You know we can't do this."
"You want to." He says, slowly moving up her neck, gently licking her and savoring the flavor of her skin beneath his tongue.
"No, we can't" She says, pulling away from him.
"Sam." He says, his voice pleading.
"No." She says, moving to get up. He tightens his arm around her. "Jeffrey."
"I'll behave." He says softly, holding onto her. "It's going to drive me nuts, but I'll behave." She looks up, watching him. "I promise." He says.
"Let's watch a movie." She says, turning over and reaching for the remote as he sighs softly, relaxing. She flips through the channels and finally settles on a movie they've both seen. She settles back against him as he props his head up to watch the movie.
After an hour of trying to ignore him, Sam sighs softly. Reaching for the remote, she turns the TV off as she sits up. "Where are…?" He asks, as he turns to him, holding her hand out. He looks up, seeing the look in her eyes he sits up slowly and then gets up.
She takes his hand and leads him over to her stairs. Slowly she walks up them, with him following her closely. When they reach their room, she turns to him. "If we're going to do this, we're doing it where you won't be hurt." She says, reaching for his shirt as he lifts his arms slowly.
He pulls his shirt over his head. Dropping it to the floor, as he takes a step closer to her, reaching up he unclips her hair, running his fingers through it, shaking it free. She reaches for the button on his jeans. Popping it open, as he leans in, catching her mouth. He pulls her to as she tugs his jeans open.
Reaching up, she wraps her arms around him deepening his kiss. After a few moments, she releases him, reaching to push his jeans and boxers down as he begins to push her shirt up. She breaks the kiss, pulling way from him, she says. Sit. Down" She moves out of the way, helping him to the bed.
He sits down, watching as she pulls his shoes off. She pulls his jeans and boxers off before she leans back and looks up at him. He holds out his hand for her as she says. "Lay back."
He moves back to lies down as she stands up. Lifting his head, he watches as she pulls her shirt over her head, dropping it to the floor as she reaches around and unhooks her bra. He sucks in a deep breath. She glances up and smiles as she reaches for her jeans. Unbuttoning them, she reaches for the zipper as he sits up and she shakes he head and he lies back down, sighing softly.
She pulls the zipper down, kicking her shoes off, she pushes her jeans and panties to the floor. Standing up, she moves towards the bed as he raises his hand, stopping her. Slowly, he moves his gaze down her body. "Come here." He whispers, holding out his hand.
She moves onto the bed. Moving slowly, to make sure she doesn't jostle him too much. When she's close enough, he reaches for her, kissing her as she lies against him. Releasing her, he whispers. I love you, but we don't have to this."
"Yes, we do." She replies sitting and kneeling over him. "I want you too much." She whispers, leaning over to his. "Relax." She mumbles, moving across his stomach.
He chuckles softly, reaching up to run his fingers through her hair before burying his fingers in her hair, holding her to him. "You're determined to control this." He says, softly.
She looks up. "If it keep you from being hurt, then yes, I am." She says, leaning over and kissing his navel, playing with him.
She glances up, feeling his stomach clinch. Gently she licks him, nibbling on the warm skin of his lower abdomen. Closing his eyes, he releases his hold, letting her move. She moves back, letting her warm breath rush over him. She pauses for several moments, letting him feel the warmth wash over him. Just as he's about to reach for her, she softly licks him. "Sam!" he groans, closing his eyes. She looks up and waits, watching him. "Please." He whispers, looking down at her finally.
She pauses for a moment more and then she settles her mouth over him. He sucks in a deep breath, feeling the pain, but not caring because of the wonderfully intense waves of pleasure he is feeling as her mouth moves over his erection. She plays with him, nipping the tip before softly kissing in, running her tongue around the edge. She takes him inside, sucking fiercely on him. He buries his hands in her hairs, gripping it as though he's about to pull her off, but he doesn't, he tries to push her closer, taking her farther then they've ever been, he slips deeper into her mouth, her throat closing around him.
She knows he wants to thrust, she moves to kneel over him, never breaking contact, as she places her hands on his hips, holding him still as she looks up. He can feel the tension, burning through him. He feels his heart pounding in his chest as he struggles to catch his breath. Her desire builds listening to his build. She continues to caress him, taking as much of him as she can, holding him in place. Finally, he gives up and relaxes, letting her set the pace and control. She looks up, watching him through her eye lashes.
"Sweet… Sam!" He groans, as searing waves of desire courses through him. Closing his eyes, he surrenders everything to her. She feels small flutters of release wash over her. After a few moments, she pulls away. Licking him once, feeling him jump slightly as she looks up. He can feel the desire, beating against her heart and soul. "Come here." He whispers, reaching for her. She slowly moves up into his waiting arms. "You need this so go ahead." He says, reaching to move his hand down her body, gently caressing her. She closes her eyes, letting him push her desire higher with every move of his fingers. She can feel him growing harder, his erection pressing against her stomach. She looks up. "I'm here for you." He says, softly.
She pulls away from him, moving to kneel over him. She looks down, amazed at how quickly he responds to her need. She leans over to kiss his lower stomach, moving up as she crawls up his body. He pulls his hand away, looking up as she leans in to kiss him. Wrapping her hand around him, she takes him and guides him inside her. He closes his eyes as he feels her body closing around him, small flutters of her earlier release trickles over him and he looks up, surprised. She leans down, kissing him as they are completely connected.
Sitting back, she looks down, watching him, watching the flashes of searing desire flash in his faded green eyes, making them more golden then green. She sucks in her lower lip. Slowly she moves against him. His hand fall to her hips, gripping them. He feels the muscles clinching around his body, squeezing him with smooth flutters of her previous release. She builds the tempo, pushing them both to the edge of the precipice. Leaning forward, she lays her hands on his shoulders, bracing herself she lifts her hips, taking him over and over.
"J!" She screams. Her body clinching tightly as she continues to thrust against him. She struggles to catch her breath, as her release bursts inside her.
He's been watching her the whole time, watching each wonderful expression as she builds their desire higher and higher. His grip tightens on her hips as he closes his eyes, feeling another release rushing from deep inside him. He takes her weight in his arms, lowering her slowly to his chest, wrapping his arms around her while fluttering waves of their release rolls over them.