A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Ninety Four
After the jet had taken off, William calls ahead and arranges for a private car to be waiting when Ava and Emma lands. As the royal Jet rolls to a stop Ava and Emma unbuckle their seatbelts. Ava turns to Emma and asks. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Emma replies, nodding.
"Then let's go." Ava says, getting up, they walk to the front of the plane. She shakes each of the crew members hand before she takes Emma's hand.
They leave the plane not expecting to find a car and driver waiting for them. "Ms. Peralta." The driver asks, walking over to her.
"Yes."
"My name is Simms. His Highness called ahead and arranged for us to take you and you sister wherever you need to go."
"Oh, okay, thank you."
"Right this way, ma'am." He says, turning for the car. Ava and Emma follow him to the car. He opens and holds the door as they get in and then closes it behind them. Walking around the car, the driver gets in and starts the car, as he asks. "Where would you like to go?"
"You can take us to Company." Ava replies.
"Yes ma'am." The driver replies, starting the car and leaving the airport a few moments later.
Jeffrey's alarm goes off promptly at six the next morning. Reaching over, he turns to the alarm off as he close his eyes. Softly Sam mumbles. "You have to get up."
"I know." He says, turning to her. She's lying on her stomach. Her arms are wrapped around her pillow and she has a soft sleepy look in her eyes.
"No." She says, reading the look in his eyes.
"We can take another…."
"No, we can't. We both have work to do."
"You're right." He says, sighing. "I need to speak to my staff about announcing my intention not to run again and I want to talk to Richard."
"So you can't take another and I have to go over to Cedars."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing is wrong. The committee wants me to come over so they can show me around the hospital and introduce me to some of the other doctor's."
"Okay, why don't you go back to sleep and I'll wake you before I leave." He says, pushing the covers back.
She yawns as he sits up. "I think I will, but wake me up after you get out of the shower. I need to be ready before Billy and his crew arrive."
"I will." He says, leaning over to kiss her. Standing up, he leaves as she closes her eyes, falling back to sleep almost instantly.
Twenty minutes later, she walks up as he is coming out of the closet. "You didn't wake me up when you came upstairs." She says, sitting up and stretching.
"I was just about too." He says, walking over to the bed and sitting down to put his shoes on.
"Billy will be here in less than an hour." She says, pushing the covers back as she glances at the clock.
"I'm sure he'll work downstairs if you're still getting ready." He says, slipping his shoes on.
"I'll be out in a minute." She says, grabbing her robe.
Getting up, he goes over to their dresser to tie his tie and fix his hair and collar. A couple minutes later, he walks downstairs. As he walks by the bathroom, he winces from Sam singing in the shower. "It's a good thing she's a great doctor." He mutters, walking past the bathroom for the kitchen.
He's making a pot of coffee as Billy knocks on their door. Opening it, he steps back, letting him in. "Good morning." Billy says, walking in.
"Hi." Jeffrey says, closing the door behind them. "Where is the crew?"
"They'll be here in about an hour. I wanted to go over the plans with you."
"Would you mind going over them with Sam? I really need to be going. I've got to…."
"No, it's fine. I can go over them with Sam."
"Great, she's in the shower right now." He says wincing again as Sam tries to hit a high note."
"Is that…?"
"Yes, but don't say anything. She's sensitive about her voice or lack there of on the best of occasions and right now, with…."
"I won't say a word."
"Good, it'll make my life a lot easier." He says, as the water goes off. Shortly there after, the door opens and Sam walks out, drying her hair. "Beca, Billy's here." Jeffrey says, as she looks up.
"Oh hi, I was trying to be ready before you got here." Sam says, walking over to them.
"It's okay. I came early to go over the plans with Jeffrey." Billy says.
"But since I need to get to City Hall, do you mind going over them with him." Jeffrey asks,
"Not at all, but let me get dressed." She says, as Billy nods. "Are you leaving now?" She asks, looking at Jeffrey.
"As soon as I get a cup of coffee, I'll go."
"Okay, then I'll see you later." She says, leaning up to kiss him. "I love you and be careful." She says,
"I will and I love you, both of you and I'll see you later." He replies. She turns for the stairs as he turns to Billy. "Do you want a cup?"
"That would be great." Billy says, as Jeffrey turns for the kitchen.
"You can lay the plans out on the dining room table." Jeffrey says, walking towards the kitchen. He returns a few minutes later with two cups, one sealed for his car. "I hope black is okay?" He says, handing Billy the other cup.
"Black, is fine." He says, taking the cup and taking a sip.
"Good and I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I've got to go."
"It's okay. I'll wait here for Sam."
"She should be down quickly."
"I'll be fine." Billy says, as Jeffrey nods turning to leave.
Richard leaves for City Hall right after Cassie leaves to take the boys to school. Pulling up to the building, he finds a place to park and then gets out. Walking into the building, he runs into his assistant. "Mr. Winslow Sir, I'm sorry I'm late."
"Relax Amelia, its okay." Richard says, holding the door for her.
"Thank you sir, my son didn't want to get out of bed this morning. His father let him stay up late last night."
"I understand. I've got two boys. My first meeting isn't until eight thirty, I think."
"Yes sir, it's at eight thirty. I should have everything ready by then." She says, as he opens the door to their office.
"I'm going to be on the phone." Richard says, following her into the office.
"Yes sir, do you want me to bring you a cup of coffee?"
"That will be fine, thank you." Richard says, walking into his office while she goes to make some coffee. Sitting down at this desk he reaches for the phone as he turns his computer on. "Oakdale Illinois, the Lakeview." He says, to the operator. Grabbing a pen and paper, he writes down the number and then hangs up and dials the number.
After a few rings a woman picks up. "Thank you for calling the Lakeview, How may I assist you?"
"Yes, I need to make a reservation for this Friday around noon." Richard says, sitting back.
The woman looks at the calendar for Friday. "Did you say this Friday at noon?" She asks.
"Yes."
"We have a reservation available for twelve forty five. It's our last reservation until three."
"I'll take it." Richard says, pulling up his calendar. He makes an entry.
"May I have your name?" The woman asks.
"Yes, it's Richard Winslow." He says.
"And how many will be in the party, Mr. Winslow?"
"Three."
"Yes sir, I have a reservation for this Friday at twelve forty five for three, is that correct?"
"Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome, Sir."
He hangs up. Reaching for the file on he left on his desk the day before, he's looking over the notes when Amelia walks with his coffee. "Here is your coffee, Sir." She says, sitting the cup on his desk.
"Thank you, I just made a lunch reservation for Friday in Oakdale at twelve forty five. It's on my calendar."
"Yes sir and I'll make sure it's on mine as well."
"I'm not sure how long the lunch will last, so don't schedule anything until about three."
"Yes Sir."
"Thank you."
"Will you need anything else?"
"No."
"Then I will be in the conference room, getting it ready for your meeting."
"Thank you." She nods and then turns to leave.
Jeffrey walks into City Hall after stopping at Company for something to eat. Instead of going to his office he stops at the deputy mayor's office. "Joe." Jeffrey says, walking in.
"Mr. Mayor." Joe says, looking before he starts to get up but Jeffrey raises his hand to stop him. "What can I do for you Sir?" Joe asks, settling back in his chair.
"Joe, I've been thinking about the upcoming election a lot."
"Yes sir."
"The filing day is coming up."
"Yes sir, are you gong to run again Sir?"
"I've thought about it a lot like I said and I've decided not to run. I think that I've done what I set out to do and right now, personally I don't have the time to invest in a campaign."
"I understand, Sir."
"I wanted to tell you before I made the press announcement."
"Thank you, sir."
"I also know that you were considering running yourself and I encourage you to do that, but I also wanted to let you know that I'm going to talk to Richard about running."
Joe looks at him with surprise before he says. "He's a good man but he's almost unbeatable. He's run a government before, all be it, on a much larger scale. Are you sure he would run?"
"No, but I'm going to approach him about considering it."
"If he runs, don't you think it's stacking the deck a little bit for his opponent?"
"Richard will have recognition, but that doesn't mean he'll automatically win, in fact that recognition could hurt him in some voters eyes, I'm only approaching him and I encourage you to run as well."
"You realize that some people will vote for him simply because of his former title."
"Maybe, but at this point it's only a suggestion. I wanted to let you know that I wasn't running for re-election and to thank you for your help since I took over the office." Jeffrey says, standing up.
"You're welcome. It's been a pleasure working for you." Joe says, standing up and holding out his hand. Jeffrey takes it and they shake hands before Jeffrey leaves.
Walking into his office, Stace is at her desk. "Good morning, Stace. I need you to take down a press release." Jeffrey says, walking towards his office.
"Yes sir, but wouldn't you like to speak to someone in the PR department?"
"No, this is a simple press release." Jeffrey says, sitting down at his desk with Stace sitting across from him. "First start by telling the people of Springfield that I greatly appreciate their support since I've taken over the mayor's office. However, over the last several months several events have happened in my life which has forced me to re-evaluate. That reevaluation has shown me that I need to be free to spend more time with my family. So, for those reasons, I have decided not to run for re-election. I look forward to working with the next mayor of Springfield." Jeffrey says, as Stace writes down what he says. "When you get that typed up, send it over to the Journal and WSPR."
"Yes sir." She says, standing up. She turns to go.
"And Stace, if you want to come with me after the election, I would be happy to take you with me."
"Thank you." She says, as Jeffrey nods.
"When you get that released, would you contact Richard and ask him to come to my office. I would like to speak to him."
"Yes sir."
"Thank you, Stace." Nodding, she leaves as Jeffrey goes on to work.
After typing up the release and faxing it both to the Journal and WSPR, Stace calls Richard's office. Amelia picks up after the second ring. "Richard Winslow's office, how may I assist you?"
"Amelia, its Stace."
"Yes."
"Is Mr. Winslow available?"
"He's in a meeting right now."
"Okay, could you tell him that the mayor would like to talk to him?"
"I'll be sure to tell him when he gets out of his meeting."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." They hand up and Stace goes to tell Jeffrey what Richard was in a meeting.
About an hour later, Richard comes out of the conference room, shaking the hand of the man he was meeting with he follows him to the front of the office when the man leaves and Richard turns to Amelia. "Mr. Winslow, Stace called and she said the mayor would like to speak with you."
"Okay." Richard says, turning to leave. "I'll be in his office." He says, as she nods.
Jeffrey is coming out of the restroom as Richard walks into the office. "Richard, it's good to see you." He says, holding out his hand.
They shake hands before Jeffrey turns to Stace. "I'll be in a meeting."
"Yes sir."
"C'mon in." Jeffrey says, walking towards his office. "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine." Richard says, following Jeffrey. Jeffrey closes the door behind them before he turns to Richard.
"Have a seat." Jeffrey says, walking over to his desk."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I need to talk… well, ask you something?"
"Okay." Richard says, sitting down.
"You know that next year is the election year for city government."
"No, I didn't realize. I don't know that I'll be able to vote. I've to dual citizenship but I haven't registered. Of course, I'll support you. Are you running again?"
"No, I'm not. Sam needs me and I've got this situation with Lewis. I feel like I need to be free to spend time with them."
"I understand, although if you're not going to run, I'm not sure why you're talking to me about it."
"I wanted to ask if you had thought about running."
"Me, run for Mayor, I…."
"I know it's a step, well a few steps down from President and Prince, but I think you would be a great candidate for the office."
"Could I even do that? I have dual citizenship, or I did before the accident."
"The dual citizenship still stands since the death certificate was revoked and having dual citizenship doesn't preclude you form running for office. The only office you wouldn't be able to run for is President or Vice President because you're not a natural born citizen of the US. We would have to register you to vote, it's a requirement to run for City office and you're an established resident of Springfield."
"I've only been in Springfield a few months."
"You've actually been a resident of Springfield for several years now since the death certificate won't affect residency, besides Cassie and the boys have lived here for years now as well. So would you run?"
"I don't know. I would have to think about it and talk to Cassie about it as well. We have a lot going on too."
"I understand, but let me say that I think you would be a great mayor and you would definitely have mine and Sam's support and several others in the community."
"Thank you, but I still need to think about it and talk to Cassie."
"I understand, but the deadline to file is at the end of the month."
"I'll think about it and talk to Cassie."
"Good."
"How are Cassie and the boys?"
"She's Cassie, and the boys are great. How are you and Sam doing?"
"We're okay."
"How did Sam react to Olivia?"
"We were both surprised. I'm glad she stopped the plan but I have to say if she had hurt Sam, I'm not sure what I would have done to her." Jeffrey says, as Richard nods.
"How are things with the rest of the family?"
"We're figuring it out where we stand."
"And, how are things with Josh?"
"I would say we're at an impasse."
"I believe you're not the only one at an impasse."
"What do you mean?"
"Reva's staying at the Beacon."
"She's staying at the Beacon, why?"
"She was staying at the farm while Cassie and I were on our honeymoon but when we came back, she moved into the Beacon and she's staying there. And now that Olivia's left, she's taken over Olivia's responsibilities for the Beacon."
"Why is she at the Beacon?"
"She's basically fed up with Josh and his attitude towards you. As well as the fact that he's demanding that she stay away from you…."
"Because he thinks I'm going to try and sleep with her."
"You know about that?"
"Yes, Reva explained everything to us when she told us about her suspicions and we did the DNA test."
"Well, Josh is being a bit paranoid if you ask me." Richard says. "He's always been possessive when it comes to her as well as jealous. And to be honest, I'm not sure if he ever accepted the fact that Reva and I were married or that we had a son together."
"I've always lived by the philosophy that it's better to know what you're enemy is thinking then to be in the dark. I know how Josh feels. I can't change it and I'm not going to pretend that I can. This situation is between him and Reva. As to me being a Lewis, I've start to grow accustom to the idea. I spent all of my life never knowing who my father was and now that I know, I sort of like it."
"The Lewis's are good people and I certainly love Cassie and Reva, Reva's like a sister." Richard says, smiling as Jeffrey nods. "But I love both of them and Billy. Josh and I have butted heads a few times."
"Josh and I have done more than but heads."
"What do you mean?"
"He punched me."
"He punched you, when?"
"Right after Reva told me about the DNA results. He followed her over to the loft. Reva was kissing me good-bye at the door and he walked up and punched me. If I hadn't've been holding onto the door, I would have fell. Anyway, Reva apologized and then she dragged Josh out of there."
"Well, that explains why she called us at the cabin a few days after the wedding, asking to stay at the farm. That must have been when he told her why he didn't want her around you."
"It's hard for me to understand being afraid of letting your brother into the family because you're terrified that he'll steal you wife, simply because you're wife was with both your other brother and father. Reva and I are friends. That's all we've ever been and all we'll ever be."
"Maybe Josh will realize that eventually."
"If he does, great, if he doesn't, I'm not going to worry about it." Jeffrey says, standing up too.
"The holidays are coming up, what are you and Sam going to do, go to Georgia?"
"No, no, Sam will not go back to Georgia, not after what happened at our wedding. She's written any relationship with her brother off and actually Reva invited us over to their house. I'm not sure how that will work now if she' staying at the Beacon." Jeffrey says, getting up and walking around his desk.
"I'll think about the mayor's race." Richard says, standing up
"You would be great at it, but I'll respect any decision you make."
"Thank you." Richard says, as Jeffrey walks to the door with Richard following him.
Opening it, he turns to him. "Tell Cassie and the boys hi."
"I will. I talk this over with her and then we'll talk later." Richard says, as Jeffrey nods and he leaves.
Sam and Billy walk through the plans for the loft before she leaves for Cedars. After Cedars, she goes to her office. Going upstairs, she finds Ava there with the flooring crew. "Ava, when did you get back?"
"Yesterday." Ava says, turning to her. "This is coming along?"
"Yes, it is. The crew should be upstairs, working on the bedrooms and there should be a crew working in your Dad's study, getting it finished."
"So, he decided to keep the study?"
"Yes, he's going to get with Billy about remodeling the garage out back for his rehearsal space for the band."
"Great."
"So, you decided to come back?" Sam says, looking at her.
"Actually William sent me back. He was worried about Emma missing more school and really everything is settled down there so he'll be up here in a few days, possibly two weeks."
"You're not all going to stay at Company, are you?"
"No, we would never be able to fit. No, I went to the Beacon this morning after I dropped Emma at school and I got a room until the loft is finished."
"Well, Billy is working on that as we speak. His crew is over there now. And as soon as the rooms upstairs are finished, your father and I should be moving in here. We went to that new baby store on Main Street and we ordered everything for the nursery. We've got to go and order the furniture for the bedrooms upstairs."
"What are you going to do about the furniture at the loft?"
"Most of it we will bring with us when we move. So, you're going to have to find furniture for you and William."
"I know."
"You went by the Beacon this morning, did you talk to Cassie?"
"Yes, she's the one that got us the room. I was surprised to see Reva over there."
"Yes, she and Josh are having some problems."
"Why?"
"It's sort of complicated, but involves your father and Josh."
"And my father being a Lewis, Josh is still insisting that my Dad be kept out of the family. I don't understand that because my dad has done nothing to him?"
"Josh has his reasons for insisting that your father be left out of the family."
"How is my Dad handling that?"
"He's pretending that it doesn't bother him, but I know it does."
"Has he approached Josh?"
"No, he won't. Cassie told you that Olivia has left town?"
"Yes, she told me when I went to the Beacon this morning." Ava pauses for a moment before she looks at Sam. "I didn't see you before I left after for San Cristobel." She pauses again before she says. "I wanted to apologize…."
"You don't have to Ava."
"My mother went after my father and she planned to frame you for the whole scheme."
"Olivia planned it. I don't blame you. I don't even blame her. She had a lot to deal with in her life."
"That's no excuse for what she planned to do."
"No, it's not. But I can understand why she planned to do what she planned to do. It's not right, but I don't know what I would do if I lost your father again. I barely survived it once. I can't loose him again."
"I feel the same what about William." Ava says, looking at Sam. "We start off in such an unorthodox manner, but he's come to mean a lot to me. In fact, I'm in love with him. And I can't wait till he's up here and we start planning our…." She pauses for a moment again before she says. "I might as well tell you because you're going to find out anyway." She holds out her left hand. Sam looks down.
"Oh my god, he proposed. You're getting married." She says, smiling as she looks at the ring.
"Yes, he proposed a few days before I left. It was a shock. I wasn't expecting it, but he took me and Emma out for the day and then we went for a walk and when we got back to the palace, he had everything set up and he proposed."
"You haven't told your father."
"No, and I don't want to tell him yet so can you…."
"I won't say anything to J."
"You won't say anything to me about what?" Jeffrey asks, walking into the living room where Ava and Sam were talking.