A Fresh Start

Chapter One Hundred Seventy Seven

Sam is waiting when Jeffrey walks in. He barely has time to put his keys down before her arms are around him and she's hugging him tightly. "I'm fine Sam. She didn't even touch me. She didn't even come…."

"I don't care. I lost you once. I won't loose you again."

"Shhh." He says, putting his arms around her. When he feels her relax, he releases her. "Can we go sit down?"

"Yes." She says, taking his hand. They walk into the living room and they both sit down on the couch. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her the truth. Ava is in San Cristobel. She took Emma with her and it looks like she's planning on staying there until they leave Springfield."

"What did she say? Did she…?"

"She didn't do anything to me. She thought that Ava had kidnapped Emma and I explained that since she signed over custody of Emma to her then Ava had the right to take her out of the country without telling her."

"What else did you tell her?"

"I told her that I would try to talk to Ava and get her to bring Emma back and give custody back to Olivia, but I asked her to be prepared to leave without Emma."

"How did she react?"

"Like any mother would, but she seems to think that she won't get Emma back. And I told her the truth, if Ava believes she's right, she will be hard to convinced to bring Emma back. She admitted that if it was her, she would use Emma this way."

"She would use a child this way."

"I think she would have in the past, maybe not now. I believe she's planning on leaving the country."

"She is, is she going back to San Cristobel?"

"No, I believe she's going to England with James."

"She's going to England with James, really. I didn't see that coming."

"I think they've become more than just business partners."

"Well, I hope he knows what he's doing."

"You think she's going to do something to him."

"If it doesn't work out, I think a leopard can't change its spots."

"You're saying that because of what she did to me."

"I don't want to argue about Olivia. I'm glad you're home." She says, moving over to him.

"Okay." He says, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her onto his lap. "We'll sit here for a while and I'll hold you. I'll have to call Ava sometime tonight."

"What time is it there?"

Jeffrey looks at the clock and then figure the time difference. "I might need to wait till the morning." He says, kissing the side of her head. "Just settle back and let me hold you." She settles against him, closing her eyes while he gently runs his hand up and down her back.

When Ava gets out of the bath, William is in the sitting room. She walks in wearing one of his t-shirts and a pair of his boxers. "Do you feel better now?"

"Yes." She says, sitting down beside him.

"Don't get mad at me, but I called Jeffrey…."

"You called him, why?"

"Because they needed to know what was going on and I figured you would rather he knew than Olivia."

"I didn't want either one of them knowing where I was until she had left town and then I was going back."

"That's what I told him."

"And now he's probably told Olivia where I'm at. She'll be on her way down here." Ava says, moving away from him.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not letting…."

"Ava, sit." He says, pulling her back down beside him. "You're acting like she's physically hurt Emma, she hasn't."

"Mental abuse is a detrimental as physical abuse."

"I will agree that Olivia hasn't been in the best state of mind the last few months…." Ava starts to say something. "I know what she planned to do to your father. And maybe you should keep Emma for a while. But stop acting like she's the worst mother in the world."

"She tried to kill me."

"And you seemed to forgive her for that." William says sighing. "I think you need to step back and think about this, examine it overnight, because I'm sure that Jeffrey will be calling by the morning, and if he does and in the morning if you still feel that Emma should stay with you, then I will support you, that's all I'm saying."

"And what will you do if she comes down here?"

"If she does and you still believe that Emma needs to be with you then we'll send you back to Springfield."

"And if she comes before the end of the month."

"Then we'll work out some sort of plan, some way that Emma is protected."

"I don't want her surrounded by guards."

"We're getting ahead of ourselves. We don't know that Olivia is coming here. We're not even sure that she knows."

"Yes, we are. Dad would think it was his duty to tell Olivia where I have gone. He will have told her, so she and James maybe on a plane right now."

"If she is then we'll handle it when they arrive." He says, as she starts to move away from him, he pulls her back. "I haven't seen you in a couple weeks." He says, turning her head to face him. "I missed you."

She smiles as she leans into him. "I missed you too." She whispers, kissing him.

When Richard and Cassie walk into the state room they used for their honeymoon they are surprised to find that no changes had been made to the room. The couches are still in the same place. The bed is in the same place. As is the bathroom and the closet. Richard walks over to the couch and puts down the one bag that they brought with them while Cassie looks around. "It hasn't changed, at all, even the colors are the same." She says, turning to him. She sees him put the bag on the couch and she smiles.

"What?"

"I was thinking about the crewmen that I scared half to death because I didn't see my makeup bag when they brought our luggage in."

"He thought you were going to have him beheaded or something, I remember."

"I totally didn't mean to give that impression and I know it was because I was now the Princess and they didn't know how I would behave, but I actually thought it was funny that he was so scared."

"I think the staff learned how to work with you."

"I learned how to work with them." She says, sitting down on other couch. "Remember when I dressed up as Cleopatra."

"Yes, you were the most beautiful Cleopatra ever. And if it had been you I wanted to impress when I was in Primary school I would have done the play whether my father wanted me to or not."

"It still amazes me that he didn't let you do that because he thought it wasn't fit for the prince to be in a school play. He wouldn't let you be a normal little kid."

"Because I wasn't a normal little kid, I was the prince. I was to run San Cristobel."

"You were a kid..."

"Let's agree to this, for tonight we're not going to talk about my father and the decisions he made when I was a kid. We're only going to think about and talk about our life as it now, with you and me, the boys and our new baby." He says, leaning over to kiss. "I seem to remember that we promised to do something the last time we were in this room and we sealed that with…."

"I believe you made love with me, Mr. Winslow." Cassie says, moving closer to him. "But I think we need to change things up a little bit."

"You don't want to do this on the couch."

"No, we can do it on the couch." Cassie says, pushing him back into the cushions. "But this time, I think I want to show you want we should do." She says, moving to kneel over him.

"You want to be in control." He says, looking up. His eyes fading to a light green.

"Umm, I think you've got the idea. Do you have a problem with me being in control, Mr. Winslow?"

"Not at all, Mrs. Winslow, as long as you realize I can give as good as I can get."

"I look forward to it." She mumbles, leaning in to kiss him.

Reaching up, he wraps his arms around her, pulling her to him. For several moments, they kiss and when she pulls away both of them are breathing harder. He smiles as he looks up. "I love that sound." He says, reaching up to run his finger along her chin.

"What sound?" She asks, lightly kissing his finger tips when he reaches her mouth.

"The sound of your breathing when you want me. It's incredibly sexy."

"I can imagine so much I want to do with you." She says, looking over his face.

"Is there anything in particular that you have in mind?"

"No, but I don't think I've ever told you this."

"What?" He asks, reaching for her waist and tugging on her t-shirt.

"You're incredible to fantasize about."

"I am." He asks, leaning in to kiss the side of her neck.

"Yes, even when I thought you would never want me and that you only wanted Reva, I had some pretty hot fantasies about you."

"Tell me one."

"Umm, let's see. Do you remember the night I made you sleep in the barn?"

"Yes, a very humbling experience I must say?"

"Don't lie." She says, smiling."

"I'm not, considering what I was there to do, it was a very humbling experience for me. No one in my country would have ever had the gall to put me in the stable with the horses to sleep."

"You did deserve to sleep with the horses. You sabotaged a tree to keep from having to leave."

"I had to make you listen, but back to the fantasy."

"Oh well, it was just you and me and we were in the barn, but you weren't the prince. You were just a regular guy and I came in to see you in one of the stall, mucking it out…."

"Mucking it out?"

"Cleaning it out, changing the hay for clean hay, anyway. You were cleaning the stall and I walked up. You had not shirt on, which was sort of odd because it was kind of chilly but I stood there watching you. You didn't see me until I opened the stall to the door. I don't think we said anything to each other. You just put down the pitchfork and you walked over to me and you kissed me."

"I kissed you."

"Yes, and when you pulled away, I simply stared at you until I finally found my voice, and I asked you why you had done that. You're in love with Reva."

"And you said no, no Cassie, I love you. I've completely forgotten about Reva and Catherine. I want to be with you, please believe me. And I asked you why. And you said that I had captured your heart like Catherine never had and that you loved only me. You said you had come out there to prove it to me. And I asked you how? And you said that you were going to get the farm up and running and you were going to help me save it."

"What did you say?"

"I believe I asked you how you planned to do that since you were a Prince and ran a country. And I asked did you even know how to run a farm? And you said it didn't matter that you had people to do that for you but that you only wanted to be with me."

"Did you believe me?"

"Yes."

"What did we do after that."

"You picked me up and you laid me down in the fresh hay and we made love." While she had been talking, she had been tugging on his shirt, freeing it from his jeans. "Do you remember the next morning you asked me how I had slept?"

"And you told you were restless."

"It was that fantasy that made me restless. I wanted to go out to the barn and you but I had to keep reminding myself that it was a dream and you were really in love with Reva."

"I had convinced myself of that."

"We sort of got off topic." Richard says, reaching for her shirt and slipping his hand underneath.

"Hold on."

"Cassie."

"No, we're going to do that but the last time we did this the crew interrupted us for dinner. I don't want to be interrupted, so I suggest that we go up to the top deck, eat and watch the sunset and then we can come back below deck and finish this." He starts to argue. "I'm in charge, remember."

"Alright, we can wait till after we've eaten. I am a little hunger and if I remember correctly, after the crew left us and we were alone, we needed the food." He says, as she laughs, getting up as he releases her.

They stand up and she turns to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kisses him and he pulls her to him. When he pulls away, she looks up and whispers. "I always finish what I start."

"I know." He says, taking a deep breath.

Sam is upstairs putting some clothes away when the phone rings. "I got it." Jeffrey calls, picking up the phone. "Hello."

"Mr. Mayor, Sir. It's Chris."

"What's up?"

"I just received word that the jury is back for the Alan Spaulding case."

"This soon, the case went to jury a few hours ago."

"I know."

"Thanks for letting me know." Jeffrey says, hanging up the phone as Sam comes downstairs.

"Who was on the phone?" She asks, walking into the living room.

"Chris, the jury in Alan's trial is back."

"What does that mean?"

"Jury's aren't and exact science, but usually when a jury comes back quickly it means they've convicted the defendant."

"So, you think they've found Alan guilty."

"Yes."

"Will he serve time?"

"It depends on the federal prosecutor. They make a deal with him to testify against the other defendants in their case." Jeffrey says, settling back. "Did you drop the papers off at Cedars?"

"Yes."

"When will you know if they've granted your request?"

"In a couple days."

"Is the laundry done?"

"One more load, it's washing now."

"Then I suggest that you go take a bath and I'll finish it up." She looks at him. "I can do laundry."

"I remember how you do laundry."

"I'm only taking them from the washer to the dryer."

"I guess its okay. It's only towels." She says, sitting up.

"I promise I won't mess the towels up." He says, holding up two fingers. "Scouts…."

"Oh, shut up." She says, leaning over to kiss him as he laughs.

Alan walks into the courtroom. His attorney's are at his table. Chris is at the prosecutors table. Alex is sitting behind him. The officer leads Alan over to the table and takes his cuffs off and he pulls the chair out and sits down. Less than five minutes later, the judge comes in and everyone stands. He sits down and then picks up the gavel and bags it twice on the bench. "This court is now in session. Bailiff, bring the jury in." The bailiff goes to do as the judge requested. Two lines of men and women walk into the room and take their seats in a jury box. "Madam Foremen, have you reached a verdict."

A woman stands up. "Yes, your honor."

"Will the defendant please stand?" The judge says, turning to Alan and his attorney's. They all stand. "In the matter of the State of Illinois vs. Alan Spaulding, on the charge of bribing a Federal official, how you find the defendant?"
"Guilty, you honor."

"And on the matter of bribing a state official, how do you find the defendant?"

"Guilty, your honor."

"And on the matter of bribing a city official, how do you find the defendant?"

"Guilty your honor."

"Thank you, you may be dismissed."

The jury files out and the judge turns to Alan. "Mr. Spaulding, you have been found guilty of the charges against you. Sentencing will be held two weeks from today in this courtroom, until that time you will be taken into custody and will remain in the Springfield jail. Take him into custody." The judge says, turning to the officers. Alan turns to Alex as the officers put the cuffs on him and lead him away.

Julie walks out of the school with her kids as Jacob walks up to them. "Julie." He says, stopping.

"Hi, you haven't been around much?"

"I've been out of town, in DC. I've decided to move back to Oakdale."

"Oh, so what are you doing at the school? I didn't know you have kids."

"I don't, I'm here to get my niece."

"Oh well, it was good to see you again."

"You too." He says, watching as she walks away with her kids.

"Mommy, who was that man?" Lissa asks, her youngest asks.

"He's someone I met around town."

"He reminds me of Daddy." Matt says looking back over his shoulder as Julie looks at him.

"Does he really?" Julie asks, looking back at the school. "I hadn't really thought about it. Come on, let's go. Aunt Missy and Uncle Mitch are bringing your cousin home."

"He's coming home." Lissa yells, jumping up and down.

"Alright Lissa, settle down. Yes, he's coming home. So, get in." Julie says, opening the car door and closing it behind her daughter while Matt and Adrian get in. Adrian is her middle child and the quiet one. "Every one buckle up, Adrian help your sister."

"Yes ma'am." He says, reaching to help Lissa buckle up.

A few moments later, Julie and the kids pull away from the school. When they reach Missy's house, Matt and Adrian get out while Julie helps Lissa and she follows them up the walk to the door. Maggie is standing there with the door open.

"Are they home yet?" She asks, walking up the steps.

"No, Mitch is at the hospital now. He said he would call when they were on their way."

"Grammy." Lissa says, patting her grandmother's arm.

"Yes, we saw a man at school today that looks like Daddy. Mommy knows him." Missy says, as Maggie looks up.

"Dr. Westbrook, he was there to pick up his niece and Matt happened to mention how he looks like their father."

"How do you know this man?"

"He's helped me out a few times with Marciano."

"You mean he's protected you from him."

"Yes."

"I knew things weren't going quite as easy as you were making out."

"Can we not talk about this right now?" Julie says, nodding to Lissa.

"Alright fine, Lissa, why don't you go watch TV with your brothers." Maggie suggests.

"Okay, Grammy." She says, skipping out of the room.

"So, what happened?" Maggie asks, turning to Julie.

"I'm not going to talk about with them in the other room either." Julie says, going into the kitchen.

"Let me guess, he's been harassing you."

"Mom, drop it. Marciano is taken care of. He's not a problem and in a few days, he will not be a part of our lives anymore."

"I doubt that he's going to just let you go Julie. He looks at you like you're…."

"I know how he looks at me. I'm not going to worry about Marciano." Julie says, pouring herself something to drink.

"You need to worry about him."

"Mom, whatever Marciano does will not stop me from divorcing him. Our marriage is over and he will have to accept that."

"It's not that simple Julie. He's a possessive man and he thinks of you as his possession so he's not going to let you go."

"The restraining order is in place. He can't come within five hundred yards of me.
"He's come within five hundred yards of you and you did nothing. That as good as saying come get me."

"Can we not talk about this?"

"How else am I going to get you to face reality?" Maggie says, as the phone rings. She goes to answer it. "Yes."

"Mrs. Chandler, we're on our way." Mitch says, as he walks out to the car.

"Thank you, Mitch dear. We're here waiting."

"Thank you." He replies, hanging up the phone as he gets out to help Missy into the car before the nurse does.

Once everyone is settle and the nurse looks over the car seat, making sure it's in the car like it should be. They leave the hospital.

Maggie turns to Julie. "They are on their way." Julie asks.

"Yes, but back to Marciano. You know he's dangerous."

"Mom, he's a lot of things but I'm not sure he would physically hurt me."

"You seemed to think so when you left a couple months ago. And from what you've described from the incidents where Dr. Westbrook has stepped in, he would have kidnapped you against your will."

"Mom, can we not talk about this now. Missy will be home with the baby and I don't want the occasion ruined by my problems."

"Alright, we'll drop the subject, for now."

"Thank you."

"How is the house coming along?"

"It's getting there."

"Will you be able to get the stuff from Chicago?"

"I don't know. There's not a whole lot that I want from the house but I'll ask Tom to speak to the judge about it."

"So that you can get the stuff that Matt left you."

"Yes, and some of the things I've bought and the kids stuff."

"You know that you can have anything I have at the house."

"Yes, I know. But I'm going to get this house together on my own. It will be my house, mine and the kids."

"Are they settling in?"

"I think so. Matt seems to like school better. I know Adrian and Missy are settling in. Matt wants to have some of his friends from Chicago over and I don't mind them coming out for the weekend but I told him to wait till everything is settled. He's not too happy about that but I'm still going to let him do it." Julie says, as Mitch and Missy pull up to the house. "I think they're here." She says, going to the window. "Yes, it's them. Kids, they're here." She calls as she and Maggie go to the door.

Mitch is getting out of the car as Julie opens the door and the kids run out. He walks around the car as the kids run up to the car. "Can we see the baby?" They ask.

"Let's get him inside first." Julie says, opening the door for Missy. She helps her sister out while Mitch unbuckles the car seat and they start towards the house with the kids following behind them.

"I want to hold him first." Lissa says.

"You can't hold him. You're too small." Matt says.

"I can to hold him." Lissa says, sticking her chin out.

"No, you can't. You'll hurt him."

"I can too."

"No, you can't."

"Alright, enough. Lissa you can hold him when you're sitting down and with someone beside you." Julie says, breaking up the argument.

They follow Mitch and Missy into the house. Everyone gathers in the living room. The kids gather around Missy as she unbuckles the baby from the carrier. "He's so small." Adrian says, looking at his cousin.

"That's because he was born early." Missy says, picking him up.

"He's smaller than Lissa's dolls."

"He's grown a lot over the last couple months. He's almost his normal weight. Lissa, if you sit down on the couch I'll let you hold him." Missy says, turning to her niece. She crawls up onto the couch and Missy sits down beside her. "Hold your arms out." She holds her arms out and Missy puts the baby in her arms, bracing his neck in the crook of his arm.

"Wow, he's tiny." Lissa says, looking down into the baby's face. "Was I this small when I was a baby?"

"No, you were bigger when you were born. He came early, so he's smaller than a normal baby.

"He'll get bigger." Lissa asks, looking up.

"Of course, he'll get bigger, silly." Matt says.
"Matt, stop. You were just as curious when your brother came home and asked the same questions." Julie says, sitting down on the other side of Lissa. "What do you think, Lissa?"

"I think he looks like a doll." Lissa says, reaching out to touch his cheek. "But he's soft and warm. My dolls are cold and hard." Matt starts to say something but Julie looks at him and instead he rolls his eyes.

"Can we let your brothers hold him now?"

"Okay." Lissa says leaning over to kiss her cousin before Julie takes the baby.

"Boys, you both needs to sit down."

Matt and Adrian sit down and Julie hands the baby to Adrian. He holds them for a while and then he gives the baby to Matt. After the kids hold the baby, they leave and Missy takes the baby and gives him to Maggie. About an hour later, he starts to get fussy and she hands them back to Missy. She goes to the nursery to feed him.