A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Sixty One
Reva walks into Cedars. Going to the elevators, she pushes the button and waits for it to come. She waited a couple days before she contacted Rick about the DNA test. Getting on the elevator she pushes the button for the fourth floor and then steps back as the door closes. When the doors open on the fourth floor, she leaves the elevator walking down the hall to Rick's office. Opening the door, she looks around at the patients waiting to see him, but she recognizes no one as she walks up to the receptionist's desk. "Yes, may I help you."
"I have an appointment with Dr. Bauer." Reva says, hoping she doesn't sound scared or guilty.
"Yes, and your name?" The woman asks.
"Reva Lewis."
"Yes, Mrs. Lewis. Dr. Bauer is with a patient right now, but I will tell him that you're here and he'll see you as quickly as possible.
"Thank you." Reva says, turning to the reception area. She sits down in the corner away from the other patients and waits.
About fifteen minutes pass before Rick comes to the door. "Reva, could you come back?"
Reva stands up, walking over to the door as Rick steps back. "We'll talk in my office." He says, turning away.
Reva follows him down the hallway to a door. Opening it, Rick steps back to let her enter first and then he follows her inside. "Do you have the samples?" He asks.
"Yes." Reva says, opening the purse and pulling out the baggy with Jeffrey's hair and the locket. "Both samples are in here." She says, handing the baggy to Rick. "One sample is behind a picture in the locket. I have to have that locket back. It's Marah's."
"I'll be sure it's returned to you."
"Thank you for doing this Rick."
"You're welcome, but is there something going on in the Lewis family this year. This is the second DNA test I've had to run for someone in your family."
"No, but this will answer some questions and resolve some problems. Thank you for doing this so quickly."
"You're welcome, but I hope this is nothing serious for you."
"It's not, and thank you." Reva says, walking to the door.
"I'll call you when I get the results back." Rick says as she reaches for the door handle.
"Yes, and only call me." Reva says, turning back to him.
"I will." Rick says, as she opens the door.
"Thank you Rick." Reva says, standing in the doorway.
"You're welcome." He says, she walks out leaving the door open.
When Mallet and the forensic team get back from the inn, he turns to the lead tech and says. "Take everything to the lab and analyze it all for everything."
"Yes sir."
"I want a complete report as soon as you get the results back."
"Yes sir."
Mallet goes to the station as they start unloading the van. Frank is in his office as he sees Mallet as he walk into the station. Getting up from his desk, he goes to his door and opens it. "Detective Mallet, can I speak with you."
"Sure, Chief." Mallet replies, walking over to Frank who steps back to let him enter the room.
"So, what did you find?"
"A lot actually. There are fresh tracks on the roads and foot prints around the inn. Inside you can tell that someone had been staying there and recently. We also found what look to be a cell of sorts in one of the rooms."
"Why do you say a cell of sorts?"
"Well, it was stripped of any furniture save for a mattress, pillow and blanket. The lock was on the outside of the door. There was no visible sign of heat for the room and the kicker all of the windows were boarded up. It was the only room with the window boarded up in the whole place. We found fresh ashes in the fireplace. The forensic team gathered them up and they will analyze them. And I found a pill bottle in a crack between the stove and counter."
"That could have been left there by the previous owner."
"That's what I thought too, but the date on the bottle is this year. And judging from the rest of the inn, besides the rooms we were in, it looks no one's been in the place for years. I bagged the bottle and gave it to the forensic team to finger print. We collected everything and the forensic team will be going over it, and I asked to give me a full report when they get finished."
"So do you think that Olivia's involved?"
"I can't say for sure one way or the other. Some was definitely living there in recent months, maybe even weeks or days. But I can't say if Olivia was there at anytime in the distant or recent past."
"Okay, so what do you suggest I tell Jeffrey and Detective Rossi?"
"That we're still investigating. The lab will finish their tests and give us a full report."
"Okay, keep on them. Don't let them push this to the back burner."
"They're not going to, Frank. Did you find out who the woman was in DC?"
"No, and how would I find out?"
"You could've asked Sam. You said she was her cousin."
"I'm not going to ask Sam about her cousin. It wasn't that important in the first place."
"It seemed important to you."
"No, it did. Go back to your cases. We've got work to do." Frank says, as Mallet get up laughing.
Jeffrey and Sam spent that afternoon looking at vehicles. Jeffrey finally settled on a black Mercedes SUV. And as he pulls up to the loft, Sam gets out of her car, walking over to him. "Now, this is the kind of vehicle I pictured you driving."
"You liked my truck, I could tell."
"Yeah, I liked it. You fit in well around here and you would have fit in well back home, but this is more your style." Sam says, slipping arm around his waist.
"I like it." Jeffrey says, looking at the car.
"But you know, I'm not sure it fits the struggling rock star musician/mayor/federal agent image."
"The truck gave me cred."
"Maybe, but I like you either way?"
"I guess we'll have to use Beau's van from now on."
"Alright, so are you hungry?" Sam says, as they turn for the loft.
"I'm starved, actually.
"I definitely know you're getting better."
"Why?"
"Because you're eating again. Come on, I'll go fix us something to eat. And maybe we can watch a movie on pay per view or something."
"I wonder what Ava and William is doing?" Jeffrey says, as they walk upstairs.
"I'm sure they are spending time together."
"Maybe we could see if they want to come over."
"Maybe we can let them alone." Sam says, as he unlocks the door to the loft.
"You think I want to keep them distracted."
"And you don't." Sam says, walking into the kitchen.
"Perhaps." He says, leaning against the counter.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Umm, do we have the stuff for chili?"
"I think so." Sam says, opening up the cupboard. "Yes." She says, taking down the stuff.
"Do you need any help?" He asks as she looks at him. "Okay, I'll go into the living room and see what's on TV." He says, backing out of the kitchen.
William picks up his phone and dials Ava's number. On the second ring, she picks up. "Hello, Ava Peralta."
"Ava, what are you doing?"
"I'm finishing up a meeting with a client, why?" Ava says, walking to her car.
"I thought maybe would could meet for dinner and spend the evening together. I'm leaving tomorrow and we've been so busy this trip…."
"I would love to spend the evening with you. Let me drop my stuff off at my office and I'll be there as soon as I get cleaned up."
"Great, I'll call them now and make reservations."
"Good." Ava says, hanging up as she starts her car.
Forty minutes later, she knocks on William's door. Opening the door to the suite, he smiles, pulling her to him, he whispers. "I missed you." And then he's kissing her.
After several seconds, Ava leans back. "Maybe we need to go inside, the press…."
"The press won't bother us here. Towers protects it's guests privacy but we can go inside." William says, looking down into her eyes.
"I thought you made reservations."
"I did."
"Then why don't we go eat and then we can come back here and finish that."
"Alright, besides I am a little hungry."
"So, am I."
William sucks in a deep breath and then says, "Let's go." He pulls the door closed behind them as Ava laughs softly.
Hawk walks into the living room as Reva is looking through the mail. "Is Josh coming home tonight?"
"I don't know. He knows that you and Rusty will be leaving tomorrow morning, but I don't know if he'll be home tonight."
"You have to work this out."
"I know and that's what I'm trying to do. I can't make him accept Jeffrey but maybe I can make him see that I'm not going to leave him for Jeffrey. I understand why he feels the way he does, but even when I was married to HB and Billy, I loved him, and he knows that." Reva says, looking at Hawk.
"I know." He says, sitting down beside her. "I hate it when you two fight."
"I do too, and we have more than Josh and I to worry about. Once these test results come back and they confirm what I know is true, we have to find away to tell Marah about this."
"Marah's a smart girl. She'll handle this, just like she's handled everything else that's happened."
"I hope you're right, Pop. Where's Rusty?"
"He's making arrangements to fly back to Tulsa."
While Reva and Hawk are talking, Josh is at the youth center. He had a meeting with the counselors about starting a program to teach the teens about texting while driving. He's walking out of the meeting when one of the counselor's comes up to him. "Mr. Lewis." He says.
"Yes." Josh says, turning to man.
"I need to talk to you about a kid I know. I know you said that we're full but this kid is in serious danger. He's living at home but I don't think he's got much support there and I've seen him hanging out with some guys from the south side of town. I want to convince him to come in but before I do…."
"How old is this kid?"
"Sixteen. His mom's a single parent so she barely around and I don't believe he has a father around, or knows where his biological father is."
"What's his name?"
"Randy, Randall Eric Kendric."
"He's sixteen."
"Yes, I believe they are from Chicago. He didn't know anyone when they moved here and he's found the wrong crowd but I don't think he's done anything too serious yet. He's still reachable."
"Alright, bring him in. We'll see how he does." Josh says, turning away.
"Yes sir." The man replies, turning to leave.
Chris is sitting in his office, looking over a case when someone knocks on his door. "Come in." He says, looking up as a messenger opens the door. "Yes."
"I have message for you." The messenger says, handing him a envelope."
"Thank you." Chris says, as the man nods and turns to leave.
Opening the envelope, he pulls out a piece of paper and begins to read the official notice of trial. "Dear Mr. Wallace, I am hereby informing you that the case of The state of Illinois vs. Mr. Alan Spaulding is hereby scheduled to begin at the federal courthouse in Springfield Illinois on the first day of October. You are hereby ordered to appear in court and present the state's case on this date. Signed Thomas J. Maxwell, State Attorney."
Jeffrey and Sam are finishing eating when the phone rings. Jeffrey picks it up as Sam gathers up the dishes and carries them into the kitchen as he says. "Hello, O'Neill residence."
"Jeffrey, it's Chris."
"Hi, what's going on?" Jeffrey says, walking into the living room and sitting down on the couch.
"I just received word from the state attorney. They've scheduled the date for Alan's trial."
"They have, he's given up on the motions and continuances." Jeffrey says, surprised.
"It's probably more like he's used them all up."
"What is the trial date?"
"October 1st."
"That quickly."
"Yes, it's to be held at the Federal building here in Springfield. I was a little surprised that I received the notice. They want me to present the state's case."
"You're the best trial lawyer the DA's office has."
"Next to you of course."
"Jerry's knows you're record and he knows you'll fight for the case. Just be prepared for the Spaulding lawyers. They maybe out of motions and continuances but they're not out of tricks."
"I know about the Spaulding lawyers."
"I'm just saying be prepared for anything."
"I will be."
"Thanks for letting me know."
"You're welcome. Are you going to be in the court room?"
"No, I don't want to sway the jury."
"Okay." Chris says, they hang up a few seconds later as Sam comes in from the kitchen.
"Who was on the phone?"
"Chris from the DA's office, he wanted to give me a heads up of sorts."
"About?"
"The Spaulding case, a trial date has been set."
"When is it going to trial?"
"October 1st, here in Springfield at the Federal building. It's seems that Mr. Spaulding has ran out of motions and continuances."
"Are you going to have to testify?"
"No, Mallet will along with a couple of the other detectives on SPD. And I'm not going to attend the trial. I don't want to sway the jury."
"Okay." Sam says, sitting down beside him on the couch. "Did you find a movie to watch?"
"I didn't look." Jeffrey says, reaching for the remote.
William holds the door for Ava. And then closes it was she walks into his hotel suite. "I'm sorry." She says, again.
"Would you stop apologizing. I understand."
"You wanted us to spend a special evening and I ruined it by being sick."
"We can have a special evening right here, just you and I. And if you get sick again, I'll take care of you."
"But you're hungry."
"I can order room service. Go lay down on the couch and I'll get you some crackers." He says, taking her hand and drawing her into the living room.
"Okay." Ava says, following him.
She lies down as he picks up the phone and calls room service. "Yes, I need to place an order." He says, when room service picks up.
"Of course, and what would you like?"
"I want the prime rib, medium well, bake potato and a small salad and some of your ice tea."
"Can you get me a Sprite?" Ava asks, from the couch.
"And I need a sprite as well as some crackers."
"Yes sir, we'll have that up immediately."
"Thank you." William says, hanging up. He turns back to Ava. "They'll have it up here soon." He says, walking over to her and sitting down beside her. "Why don't you lay down?" He says, as she lies down and he picks up her legs. They lay there for a few moments before he feels her shiver. "Are you cold?" He asks, as she nods.
Reaching for the throw on the back of the couch, he tucks it around her before he lifts her feet again. "Why don't you close your eyes and maybe you'll feel better if you take a nap?"
"Okay." Ava says, closing her eyes.
He sits there, watching her sleep until room service comes. Getting up, he gets the door and then sits down to eat after putting the crackers and sprite by Ava. When he's finished eating , he puts his tray in the hall and then he goes back inside. Sitting down beside her, he lifts her feet carefully and then he turns the TV on, turning the volume down he watches the news.
About an hour later, William get up. After checking to make sure he hasn't waken her. He goes to get a shower. While he's in the shower, Ava walks up. Sitting up, she looks around the room but realizes that he's not there. "William." She calls, but he doesn't answer.
Getting up, she walks over to the bedroom and opens the door. It's then that she hears the shower running in the bathroom. Closing the bedroom door, she goes in and gets undressed. Walking over to the bathroom, she opens the door and gently closes it. William is standing under the shower with his back to her when she quietly opens the door and steps into the shower. She closes the door behind her and then walks over to him, slipping her arms around his waist, she lays her head on his back as he jumps.
Turning around, he looks down. "I thought you were asleep."
"I woke up a few moments ago and came looking for you when I didn't see you in the other room."
"I thought I would get a shower while you were asleep. How are you feeling."
"I'm better, it's been a busy weekend."
"Maybe you need to slow down a little bit."
"Usually my weekends aren't that busy but I think they'll begin to slow down now that it's getting cooler and the weddings are over. Are you through?"
"Umm, for the most part."
"Okay, do you mind if I take it over?"
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, do you want to stay?"
"We haven't taken a shower together since you were in San Cristobel with Jeffrey and as I remember it, it was quite interesting shower."
"Umm, it was." Ava says, looking up at him.
"And we haven't… I mean, I've missed you."
Ava smiles as she leans up. "You can say it. We haven't been together since you've got here. And I've missed you too." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
Wrapping his arm around her, he pulls her to him, deepening the kiss as he takes a step forward and she steps back. They continue until they reach the back of the shower. He pulls away and looks up and she smiles. He watches her for several moments before she, lay a hand on his chest. Bending her fingers, she slowly scratches his chest, working her way up from his waist. She stops for a moment to play with his nipples.
Leaning forward, he kisses the side of her neck, nibbling as he moves up to her ear. She leans in, kissing his chest. She hovers over his nipple, letting him feel her warm breath wash over him. He moves closer slightly as she flicks her tongue out, licking his nipple, flash of desire wipes through him as she moves her tongue. Closing his eyes, he lays each hand beside her head, bracing his weight against them.
She slowly moves her hands up his sides to his shoulders and down his arms until she reaches his wrists, over his hands and back down his arms to his shoulders. She moves to his other nipple before she moves her hand down his chest, stopping for a moment at his nipples, she plays with one while teasing the other with her mouth. He sucks in a deep breath, holding it until she moves down is chest, rubbing her hands across his stomach, stopping for a moment to play with his navel. "Ava, baby." He gasps, standing up and remembering his intentions when he had kissed.
He reaches for her hand, to keep her from going further before he leans forward again, kissing her. He stays a moment before he moves down to her neck. Nibbling as he sinks to his knees. He's level with her breasts as he looks up. Nibbling on her, he slowly works his way up to her nipple. He pauses for a moment, letting her become aware of him. Leaning in, he takes her nipple. Sucking it into his mouth, he tugs it deep, rolling his tongue over it as she lays her head back, closing her eyes.
He leans against her. Reaching for her other breast, he holds it for a moment before he reaches up and runs his thumb over it. She reaches for him as she looks down, running her fingers through his wet hair, she buries her fingers in the hair at the back of his head and holds him tightly against her. Intense swells of desire surge through her, building her desire. He hears her breathing deepen as he looks up, watching her through his lashes. She can feel him watching her, looking down she sees the heat burning in his eyes.
After a while he realizes her patience is wearing thin. He pulls away from her breasts as she sucks in a deep breath, feeling the cool air in contrast with the hot warmth of his breath and mouth, instantly her nipples harden even more. He moves down, kissing her upper stomach and then lower, he stops a moment at her lower abdomen, laying his cheek against her as she runs her fingers through his hair and he looks up.
He can feel their desire pressing in on each of them, making each of them almost desperate for the other. Turning his head, he gently kisses her lower abdomen before he moves to her navel. Dipping his tongue inside, he plays with her. Rolling ripples of passion flood her body. "William." She moans, opening her body to him. He can smell the desire rushing from her and he knows what she wants but he continues playing with, pushing her deeper into her need for him, just as she had done that morning in San Cristobel.
He had been with a lot of women, and had sex many times in a shower but Ava had captured something he didn't know existed and he wanted to maker feel what he had felt that morning. Moving away from her navel, he looks up as she looks down, reading the request in his eyes she opens her body to him. He leans in, inhaling and catching her scent. It's intoxicating to him. He sucks in a deep breath, fighting against his own desire to take her for a moment.
She reaches for him, moving her hand from the back of his head down his cheek as though she's asking him to continue. He leans forward, kissing her once. She thought she was ready for him, ready for the flood of desire that coursed through her body when he kissed her. She wasn't. she could feel her legs getting weaker. She reaches for him, burying both hand in his hair, she lays her head back, willing to let him carry her away.
Slowly he plays with her, kissing her lightly, moving his tongue over her desire, lapping at the warmth rushing from her. He tunes into her, listening to her breathing as she reaches for her release. Before long, his desire to make her wild with passion began fight against his own desire for satisfaction. He's at war with himself, end this now or continue on until he takes her over the edge. She senses the battle inside him. "Go on, take me." She moans, closing her eyes, as she presses her hips against his lips and tongue.
With that fight settled, he deepens his caress, tapping his tongue against her desire as he reaches for her, slipping a couple of fingers inside her. "Oh, William!" She cries, gasping for breath as he pulls his fingers away, mimicking what he would later do with his body. She begins to roll her hips against his mouth and he works harder until he feels her breath catch. Looking up, he watching her release roll over her. The glazed look that fills her eyes until she's not seeing him as she looks down. He slowly moves his tongue over her one more time, feeling her body shudder before he releases her and stands up.
Taking a step back, he lets her come back to reality. She looks at him and then pushes away from the wall. Wrapping her arms around him, she kisses him. The moment her lips touch his, she tastes her desire on his. It lights another fire inside her and he feels it. Lifting one leg, she brings it up to his hip as he bends his knees and lifts her. Wrapping her legs around him, he takes a step forward, bracing her against the wall. He lifts her slightly and then lowers her to him, sinking inside her.
Small tremors of her previous release, flutters over him. He sucks in a deep breath, fighting for control. At that moment, she decides to push him. Rolling her hips against his, she smiles as he sucks in another deep breath, holding it as he looks up. The mutual determination to bring the other satisfaction collides as he thrusts deep inside her, building the tension inside each of them.
He continues to thrust, she continues to roll her hips against his and for minutes the battle continues, until she adds something else, clinching the muscle around from deep inside. She begins to squeeze and release as she rolls her hips. "Ava!" He groans, fighting his bodies demand for release. It's a battle he lost as the first staggering flood of desire sweeps through him. As wonderful as his release feels, he won't let her have complete control.
The fill of his throbbing body as he thrusts against her, snaps her control. Swelling surges of her release floods her again until she cries out. He holds her tightly, bracing her against his body and wall as he lays his head between her breasts. He continues to hold her long after the final wave of her release washes over her and he slips out of her body and the tepid water of the shower penetrates their minds. He lowers her to the floor, still holding her against him. "Take your shower and I'll be waiting in the bedroom." He whispers, kissing her forehead before he pulls away from her.
Ten minutes later, he hears the water turn off in the bathroom. And a few moment after that, the door opens. He's lying on the bed. Turning, he watches as she walks out of the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel. "Let me take care of some things, and I'll be out." She says, reaching for her purse. He had brought it in from the other room. He nods watching her go back to the bathroom.
Five minutes later, she flips the light off as she walks out of the bathroom in his shirt. He turns to watch her walk towards him. He pulls the covers back as she walks over to the bed. Climbing in, she moves over to him as he pulls the covers over her. Snuggling in close to him, she lays her head on his chest, her arm across his waist as he softly kisses the top of her head. "You look good in my shirt." He says, as she giggles softly. "What?" He asks, looking down at her.
"That's a title of a song." She says, looking up at him.
"It is."
"Yes, I don't know who sings is. But it's a country song, so Sam might know it, I don't know."
"It's a good title for a song." William says, settling back.
They lay there for several moments, simply enjoying each others company. "I've been thinking about something." William says, after a few moments.
"What?"
"I've been thinking we should start talking about baby names."
"I guess we should. Do you have any suggestions?"
"I was thinking about Jonathan."
"We can't name our son Jonathan."
"Why not?"
"Richard named his son that, it might upset him if we named our son that."
"I didn't think about that. Do you have any suggestions?"
"What was your parent's name? Never minds, stupid question.
"Prince George and Princess Charlotte were my biological parents, but I never knew them as that."
"What about your adoptive parents?"
"Umm, my father's name was Alonzo, my mom's name Margaret, but my father called her Maggie Rose. You were adopted too so what was your parent's name?"
"My dad's name was Robert, but everyone called him Bobby and my mom's name Katherine Lyndsey, but my dad called her Katielyn. I think if we have a boy we should name him after you."
"Will is named after me."
"We don't have to call him William. It could just be a part of his name."
"What about naming him after you dad?"
"Jeffrey. I'm sure Sam is going to name their baby after him."
"What about this name for a boy, Jeffrey William Wesley?"
"It's not bad. It might sound better with John instead of Jeffrey. And where did you get the name Wesley."
"My best friend growing up was named Wesley. We were like brothers. He was killed at sea."
"I'm sorry." She says. They lay there for a few minutes before she says. "I think we should name him William Wesley."
"You don't want to name him after your fathers."
"No, I don't really remember my adoptive father that much. He left when I was young and I'm sure Sam's going to use Jeffrey's name for their son, so I think we should name ours after his father and best friend."
"William Wesley Winslow, I can live with that. But what if we have a little girl? If we're naming our son after his mother then we can name our daughter after her mother."
"No, why don't we find out what we're having? Do you want to find out what we're having?"
"We can, if you want to." William says, as Ava yawns. "Go to sleep and we can discuss this more later."
"Okay." She says, snuggling closer to him as she closes her eyes.