A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Ninety Seven
Sam focuses on the fire, watching the flames dance, like she did when she was child. Slowly after a while, she begins to focus on Jeffrey's heartbeat and the rhythm of his breathing as she closes her eyes. About an hour alter, he looks down and finds that she's fallen asleep.
Looking back at the fire, he continues to watch eth flames dance and play with her hair, letting his thoughts wander. Imagining the next twenty years and seeing their son grow up with two loving parents who are very much in love with each other.
He sees their son between them as they walk him to school on his first day of school. Then its ten years later and he's in the passenger seat, teaching him how to drive and then a couple years go by and he sees Sam standing by him in a tuxedo with a girl beside him that reminded Jeffrey a lot of Sam. And then a few months later, they are in the bleachers at Springfield High, watching as their son walks across the stage, collecting his diploma. And then they are at the airport, hugging him good-bye for a summer tour of Europe.
Slowly Sam wakes up. Looking around she realizes that it's late. Looking up she finds Jeffrey asleep. Laying her head down, she watches him and it's clear that he's dreaming.
And then after the summer is over, he sees Sam standing with her hand on her hips, while their son tells them that he's not going to college and that he's decided to go on the road with a rock ban he joined while he was in Europe. "This is your entire fault." She says, looking at Jeffrey.
"How is this, my fault?"
"You insisted that he learn how to play that guitar."
"You wanted him to learn it too, remember. And you like it when I play for you." Jeffrey says.
"Mom, I'm going to be fine." Their son says. "I've got plenty of time to go to college.
"How are you going to eat? You won't have any money because you're not using your college money. And where will you stay?"
Sam watches as he smiles, sitting up she shrugs the blanket off. He lets her go when she moves to straddle him. Leaning forward, she kisses him softly, nibbling on his lower lip until he opens his mouth. Slipping her tongue inside, she plays with his.
The dream of their son fades and he feels Sam in his arms. She's kissing him. "Sam, we…."
"Shh." She mumbles.
She moves closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. Breaking the kiss, she moves over to his neck. His skin is not beneath her tongue. A faint taste of salt tickles her tongue along with a taste of something that she only associates with him. Slowly she moves up to his ear, gently tugging it into her mouth while she reaches for the button at the top of his shirt.
He must have just gotten home when she arrived because he hadn't changed from the dress shirt and slacks that he wore that morning. Although had take the time to take his tie off and pull the shirt out of his pants. Reaching fro the next button, she moves down his shirt while she kisses and nibbles on the side of his neck. When she reaches this waist, she moves to get up and he tightens his arms around her.
She leans back and sees that he's away. Their gazes lock, hot with arousal. Crossing her arms, she pulls her t-shirt up and over her head. Tossing it to the floor, forcing her breasts to sway temptingly. His breath catches fro a moment before he lifts his head. His gaze locking with hers. His eyes glittering with need.
With her hands, she reaches up and gathering her hair in her hands she lifts it up, holding it on top of her head before she lets it fall down her back. The movement lifts her breasts, defining her rib cage and still small waist. Leaning forward, he catches her mouth in a ravaging kiss while a shiver of anticipation and the heat of desire ripples through him. The muscles in his stomach clinch as she reaches for his belt.
She deepens the kiss, pulling belt open and free. She settles against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wraps his arm around her, holding her tightly until he moves his hands up her back. Savoring the smooth feel of her skin beneath his hand. The coolness of her hair contrasting with the heat he feels radiating off her.
Wrapping his arms around her again, she senses his next move and pulls away, breaking the kiss. Catching his gaze for a moment before she leans forward and softly kisses his chin before she moves back. He instantly feels the emptiness and distance between them and he reaches out to stop her.
She quickly looks up, her eyes telling him to be patient. Leaning in, she presses her lips against the pounding pulse, throbbing at the base of his throat. She feels him swallow. Moving down, she nibbles on his upper chest. Again tasting salt and the taste of something she only associates with him.
He feels his heart jump when she reaches the dip between his breast and she feels him tense knowing what he wants. She decides to make him wait. The moment she tires to move away, he reaches up to hold her in place. She smiles, slowly moving her tongue over his smooth skin but never reaching for what he desperately needs.
Taking a deep breath, he inhales her scent, radiating from her and knows exactly how desperately she wants him. He reaches for her breasts, cupping them. He gently squeezes them, kneading them before he begins to play with her nipples, teasing them, bringing flames of desire from her breasts, through her body and settling in the pit of her stomach. She lays her head against his chest taking as deep a breath as she can, she releases it in loud moan as he leans down and softly licks her nipples before he sits back and whispers. "Come here." His voice is hoarse with desire.
She looks up. "Lift your hips." She whispers pulling free as he reaches for her.
"Beca!" He groans.
Moving to kneel before him, she quickly unfastens and unzips his pants as he lifts his hips. Tugging on his pants and boxers, she doesn't stop until she had them at his feet. Lifting each foot, she pulls his shoes off before she pulls his clothes off. Settling back, she looks up. Moving her yes up his body until she reaches his erection.
He's watching her, watching as she quickly licks her lips. Hot fissures of desire courses through him as the image of her taking him into her mouth washes through his mind. He feels the heat of her breath washing over him, the wetness of her mouth as her lips close around him, the tightness of her throat as she takes him deeper.
Kneeling before him, she watches him, seeing each thought as it moves through his mind, knowing each burst of desire that rolls through him and feeling the same answering surge wash through her. As she leans forward, he opens his legs further for her. Bracing her hands on his thighs, she feels the muscles in his legs clinch.
Making certain hat no part of her is touching him other than her hands and mouth, she leans in closer, catching the musky scent of his body as she softly kisses his stomach. Moving slowly down, she stops for a moment to play with his navel. He feels the muscles in his stomach clinch even tighter as a surge of desire sweeps through him.
She doesn't stay long in one place, moving down his stomach. She hovers for several seconds, letting the warmth of her breath flows over him until he shifts his hips. His whole body is throbbing with almost painful anticipation. He groans loudly at the first swipe of her tongue. And then she takes him into her mouth and it feels like his bodies senses are on overload.
He wants her to continue but yet he's afraid he'll completely loose it if she does. Reaching for her, he tries to pull her up but she seems to ignore him. Sweeping her tongue over his erection, she takes him deeper. "Sweet…Sam!" He gasps, lifting his hips even as he fights his body's desperate plea for release.
She looks up as he looks down. Catching each other's eye, he pulls her up and she lets him. Standing up, he pulls her sweats and panties down before reaching for her. Burying his fingers in the hot heat of her desire. "J!" She cries, burying one hand in his hair while the other grips his shoulder.
Thrusting his fingers deep, he plays with her desire until his hand is soaked with the desire flowing from her. He looks up and she steps out of her sweats. Moving to straddle him, she sinks onto his desire and he settles back into the couch.
For a moment, they look into each other's eyes before she moves against him, sliding back and forth as he lifts his hips. The combination of both breaks them. Staggering surges of electricity and desire sweep over them the muscles deep inside her clinches around him. Each throbbing pulse that washes over her ripples through him until she sags against him, both of them gasping for breath.
Jeffrey wakes up the next morning with Sam in his arms. The sun shines through the window above them. After making love the night before, he carried Sam upstairs and they had fallen asleep together. Turning over, he looks at the clock and realizes that he has to get up. Slowly he sits up, being careful not to wake Sam.
When he comes back from his shower, he turns the TV on. Turning the volume down so that it doesn't wake Sam. He goes to get dressed. He's pulling on his shirt when a news announcement catches his attention. "In a shocking surprise last night, the jury in the Alan Spaulding case came back in less than an hour with a verdict of guilty." In the background, film plays of Alan's reaction to the conviction.
"They convicted him." Sam says softly, watching the TV.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, turning to her.
"You didn't think they would."
"We put a strong case together, but you can't always count on the evidence being enough to convict someone."
"What happens now?"
"The judge will schedule a date for sentencing."
"You don't believe he'll ever see the inside of a jail, do you?"
"I don't know. My involvement is over now. It's up to the judge to set the sentencing."
"Are you going to talk with him?"
"No, it would be unethical and illegal if I spoke to the judge. Chris can handle sentencing."
"I bet this was on the news last night."
"It probably was."
"And you missed it."
"I don't regret on minute of last night." He says, leaning towards her.
"Not even missing the Dodgers bet the Yankees." Sam asks, nodding towards the TV.
"What!" Jeffrey asks, turning to the TV. Reaching for the remote, he raises the volume as Sam laughs.
Pushing the covers back, she gets out of bed. "I'm going to get a shower before Billy and his crew gets here." He doesn't answer as she walks from the room.
Jasmine has been on Josh's mind since she left him at Company. Her request for him not to speak to DJ didn't mean that he couldn't help her. He only had to find another way. Pulling up to Sam's clinic, he turns his truck off. Sitting there for about a minute before he gets out. Walking towards the clinic, he looks around to see if Sam or Jeffrey are there. He notices Sam's car, but doesn't see Jeffrey's. Walking up the steps to the office, he opens the door.
The tiny tingling of the bell above the door announces his arrival. Sam comes out from the office. She stops for a moment, surprise on her face before she asks. "Josh, what are you doing here?"
"I need to see on of your employee's." Josh replies.
"Why?"
"I would like to talk to her. May I speak with her?"
"I don't know which one you want to talk to?"
"Jasmine."
"Jasmine, why do you need to speak to her?"
"It's a private matter. Is she here?"
"No, she's gone to lunch."
"Do you know where she went to lunch?"
"No, but she usually walks to Company."
"Thank you." Josh says, turning to leave. Sam watches him walk out the door.
Jasmine is in the back booth when Josh walks in. He nods to Buzz as he walks through the restaurant. Sliding into the booth on the other side as Jasmine looks up. "Josh." She says, surprised to see him.
"I want to talk to you about yesterday and what you told me."
"Yesterday, I don't understand."
"About DJ and why he's mad at you?"
"I told you. I lied to him. I let him believe that my husband was his father when in fact it's someone else."
"And so he's mad at you because of that."
"Yes."
Josh watches her for a moment before he says. "There seems to be something more going on."
"I don't know what?"
"Your son, I agree he's angry with you but he was absolutely belligerent with me."
"I don't know why, maybe he thought he was protecting me."
"Protecting you, from me, why? I wasn't threatening you. We were not fighting, so why would he feel like he needed to protect you."
"I don't know. You'll have to ask him."
Josh sits there for a moment before he says. "If you won't tell me what's going on I will go talk to your son."
"You can't do that."
"Why? I want to help."
"We are fine. DJ will calm down eventually and we'll be fine. Now I really need to go." Jasmine says, getting up. She leaves before Josh can stop her again.
Marina walks up a few seconds later. "Ca I get you something Josh?" She asks.
"Give me the special to go." Josh says, still looking at the door.
"One special, coming up." Marina says, turning away.
"Hey Marina, wait. You were working yesterday." Josh asks, as she turns back to him.
"Yes, I was working."
"Di you see the argument I had with the guy that was here with the woman that just left."
"Yeah, I saw it. I went to get my Dad.'
"What do you know about the guy?"
"Dorian."
"That's his name?"
"Yes. His full name is Dorian J Roberts-Valencia. I don't know what the J stands for but he seems like a pretty good guy. He runs a youth facility on the south side of town. S.P.D send a lot of kids his way."
"I know about the youth facility. I proposed that we combine centers, but he turned me down."
"I don't know why he would do that. He's always needing funding. So, who was the woman?"
"I've ran into her a few times around town. She works for Sam and she' Dorian's mother."
"Wow, she's his mother! He looked furious when he left her yesterday."
"I know and I think there's more going on than she's telling me. Can you go turn my order in, I've got...?"
"Oh sure, I'm sorry." Marina turns away as Josh looks back at the door. Ten minutes later, he's walking to his truck.
Sam is with a patient when Jasmine comes back from lunch. As Sam is walking out of the exam room, she notices Jasmine talking with one of the lab techs. "Mr. Lawson, I want to see you again in two weeks, for a follow up." Sam says, looking at Mr. Lawson's daughter.
"I'll make sure he's here, Dr. O'Neill." The woman says.
"And if he has any issues with his blood sugar levels, either high or low I want him taken to Cedars immediately."
"I will, and I'll make sure he checks his blood sugar before every meal, just as you said."
"I want to make it clear. It's more than checking his blood sugar. he has to change his diet as well." Sam says.
"I'll take him to the appointment with the nutritionist myself."
"Good, I'll see you both in two weeks." Sam says, glancing up the hall.
"Thank you, Dr. O'Neill." The woman says, holding out her hand. Sam shakes it.
"I nee to speak with one of my techs, do you mind walking out on your own, and reception is right through that door."
"That is fine, thank you again." The woman says, holding her hand out again. They shake hands and then Sam turns away.
The patient leaves as Sam walks down the hall towards Jasmine. "...did you get those results in?" Jasmine asks the lab tech as Sam walks up.
"No, not yet. I have been running the blood work on Mr. Lawson for Dr. O'Neill." The tech replies, looking up and seeing Sam walking towards them.
"Thank you for that Natalie." Sam says. "Could you give us a moment?" Sam asks the tech.
"Yes, Dr. O'Neill." Natalie says, turning away.
Once she's back in the lab, Sam turns to Jasmine. "Is something wrong?" Jasmine asks. "Is this about me being later from lunch? I am sorry and I can stay late..." Sam holds up her hand.
"This isn't about you being late. You had a visitor while you were at lunch."
"A visitor, I don't know whom... was it my son?"
"Your son, no, it wasn't him, although I didn't know you had a son. No, the visitor was an older man. You might recognize his name, Josh Lewis. Do you know him?"
"Yes, we've met around town a few times."
"I didn't realize you knew anyone in Springfield."
"I don't, well beside my son DJ. We've ran into each other around town."
"Okay." Sam says turning away but then turns back around to Jasmine. "I'm only telling you this to avoid trouble, but you do realize that he's married."
"Yes, I am aware that he's married and I assure you that nothing is going on between me and Mr. Lewis."
"Alright." Sam says, turning away again.
"Dr. O'Neill, I am curious. How do you know Mr. Lewis?"
"I am married to his brother, so that makes me his sister-in-law." Sam replies.
"Oh." Jasmine says.
"I'll be in my office if you need me."
"Yes ma'am."
Sam walks away and Jasmine goes back to work.
Richard and Cassie walk into the Lakeview at 12:45. "Welcome to the Lakeview. May I have your name please?" The hostess asks.
"I have a reservation for three. It's under the name of Winslow, Richard Winslow." Richard replies.
"Yes, Mr. Winslow. We have a table ready for you." The hostess says, turning to a waiter. "Could you take Mr. Winslow and his guest to table ten?" She asks, handing the waiter three menus.
"Right this way, Mr. Winslow." Their waiter says, taking the menus.
Richard and Cassie follow him through the restaurant. He stops about halfway through the restaurant and asks. "Will this be okay?" Their waiter asks.
"It's fine, thank you." Richard says, walking around the table to help Cassie with her chair while the waiter places the menus on the table.
When they are seated, he asks. "May I get you both something to drink?"
"I'll have some water." Cassie says.
"I'll have a glass of Boudreaux, please." Richard says, as the waiter nods, leaving the table.
"Are you nervous?" Cassie asks. He looks at her and ten nods and she reaches for his hand. "It will be okay." She says,
"I don't know Cassie. I'm about to meet the woman that was married to a man that I didn't know about, but yet I am his twin brother. It's all so surreal."
"Nothing had to come from meeting her, Richard. You're under no pressure here." Cassie says, as their waiter comes up.
He puts down their drinks and then asks. "Do you want to order now or wait?"
"We'll wait." Richard says, reaching for his wine.
"Yes sir." The waiter replies, turning to leave.
Richard take another sip of his wine. "You know on the way over here I kept thinking of the things I would say to her, but now they all seem trite. What do I say if she asks why my father turned his back on her husband?"
"You tell her the truth."
"What is the truth?"
"That you don't know why your father did what he did." Cassie says, looking him in the eye. "You were just a baby Richard. You are not responsible for your father's decisions." Cassie says, as their waiter walks up with Julie.
"Mr. Winslow, your third party has arrived." He says, as Richard and Cassie looks up.
Julie is a rather petite woman. She's several inches shorter than Richard and about three inches shorted than Cassie. She has stunning blue eyes with long black hair. Richard stands up as the waiter pulls out her chair. "Would you like anything to drink ma'am?" Their waiter asks.
"I'll have a glass of ice tea." Julie says, glancing at him and then turning her attention back to Richard.
"Yes ma'am." Their waiter replies, leaving the table.
"I'm sorry, I am late." Julie says softly, as Richard sits back down and she continues to stare.
"It's alright, we haven't been here long. How are you?" Cassie finally asks. Her voice catching Julie's attention.
"I'm sorry, this is my wife Cassie." Richard says.
"And you must be Richard." Julie says, turning her attention back to him after glancing at Cassie.
"Yes, I am Richard."
"It's totally amazing." Julie says, still staring at Richard.
"I can imagine that it is." Richard says, as their waiter brings Julie her drink.
"Would you like to order now or do you need a moment?" He asks, looking around the table.
"I would like to wait." Julie says, looking at Richard and Cassie.
"We can wait." Richard replies, as Cassie nods. "We'll wait then." Richard says, looking up at the waiter.
"Yes sir." He says, turning away.
"You look exactly like Matt, right down to the mole on your upper lip." Julie says, after a while.
"How did you meet him?" Cassie asks.
"We were in home room together during out junior year. On the first day of school our teacher put me next to him and the moment I looked into his eyes, I was his. But he was hung up on Marissa Collie. She was the head of the class, head cheerleader, homecoming queen. She was head of all the "it" clubs. Her father owned Collie Manufacturing. She was everything."
"I understand what you mean." Cassie says, nodding.
"So for the first three months of school I thought Matt had not idea that I existed." Julie says. as the waiter walks up.
"May I refill your drinks?" He asks. Cassie and Julie hand him their glasses. "Mr. Winslow would you like another glass of wine?"
"No, ice tea will be fine." Richard says, the waiter nods and then turns to leave after he takes Richard's wine glass.
"I was a bit nervous before you arrived." Richard says.
"Why?" Julie asks.
For a moment Richard pauses before he answers. "I wasn't sure how you would react to meeting me. And maybe I was slightly afraid that you would blame me for your husband's death."
For a long time there is an uncomfortable silence before Cassie says. "You were telling us about how you met your husband."
"Yes, anyway as I said, I thought Matt had no idea that I was alive until he stepped between me and the guy that took me to homecoming."
"What happened?"
"The guy didn't like the fact that I contradicted him about something and supported my point with facts and he took offense and Matt stepped in and from there our relationship grew."
"So Matt was protective." Cassie says, glancing at Richard.
"Yes, sometimes annoyingly so."
"What was my mother like?" Richard asks softly.
"She was a wonderful lady. She was so caring and loving towards Matt. She supported him with everything. but you couldn't fool her either. She was tough."
"According to the not written by Princess Charlotte, the doctors didn't believe she would live after our birth. So how did she survive?" Richard asks.
"She wasn't suppose to. She didn't talk much about Matt's birth, but she did say that she was about to give up and die after your father left with you. She said she had asked for days to see you and Matt, but the doctor's wouldn't let her because she was so weak. But after your father left, he apparently ordered the doctors to let her see Matt and shortly after that the nurse brought Matt to her and it was at that moment she realized that she had to live for Matt's sake."
"So was my brothers full name Matthew Anthony Winslow?" Richard asks.
"Actually it was Matthew Anthony Winslow-Clarkson. Matt never used the Winslow part of his name. I'm not even sure he knew that it was a part of his name. I didn't find out until I found Matt's birth certificate."
"Matt had a birth certificate?" Cassie asks.
"Yes, Maddie filed for one when she came back from the states. It took several months but she was able to get on and a social security card for him."
"Did he know anything about my mother's time in San Cristobel?" Richard asks.
"No, I don't believe he did. Maddie only told him that she loved his father very much but that they couldn't be together. Matt never seemed to be concerned about who his father was."
"What did my mother look like?"
"She was a small woman, blonde hair, beautiful green eyes. Almost like yours but you're seem more golden like Matt's. I should have brought a picture along but I haven't unpacked everything yet. I just recently moved back to Oakdale."
"How many children do you have?" Cassie asks.
"Three, we had two boys and a girl."
"What are their names?"
"Morgan, he's the oldest and then there's Madeline Julie. We named her after your mother and me. And we call her MJ and then the youngest is Michael."
"He was three when the accident happened?" Cassie asks.
"Yes, he was three. MJ was five and Morgan was eight."
"I'm sorry for you and your kids." Richard says.
"Thank you."
"I'm sorry too." Cassie says.
"There is no need to apologize. you lost five years with your husband."
"I lost five years. You lost your husband for the rest of your life. I wish there was some way we could give him back to you and your children."
"Thank you and some days I wish I could have him back."
"I can't replace him." Richard says, reaching for her hand. "But if there is anything you need I would feel honored to help."
"Thank you, I appreciate that." Julie's silent for a moment and then says. "Maybe you can answer some questions for me."
"I would be happy to answer anything thing you want to know, if I can." Richard replies.
"What was it like growing up in the palace?"
"It was bearable when Princess Charlotte was alive and it did have its perks, but for the most part it was lonely. I spent the best years in the palace with Cassie and our kids." Richard says, glancing at Cassie and she smiles.
"You lived all those years with your father and he never mention Maddie or the fact that you had a twin brother."
"No, not even when he died."
"Why? Why didn't he tell you?"
"I don't know." Richard looks at her and he sees that she doesn't quite believe him. "I can only presume that the reason he didn't tell me about Matt and my mother was because I wasn't the true heir to the throne and he was protecting that. He knew that if he told me I would feel compelled to abdicate and he refused to have Edmund on the throne."
"So, he died completely ignoring a son and manipulating you as well."
"Yes, I suppose he did." Richard says.
"Edmund is your brother, correct."
"Yes."
"And you have another brother as well."
"Yes, William."
"And he's now prince."
"He will be for a few more days." Richard says.
"So, in a few days his country will crown a new prince. What will happen to him? And where is Edmund?"
"William will be moving to Springfield. Edmund is in prison on San Cristobel."
"Why is Edmund in prison?"
"He was imprisoned by William for numerous crimes against the state. The latest being using our son as leverage to try and win me back." Cassie says.
"You and Edmund were together as a couple?"
"Yes, a couple years after Richard's was presumed dead, I became involved with Edmund until I realized that he was only playing me." Cassie says.
"So Edmund is in prison and William will be coming to Springfield. Is that because you are here?" Julie asks, looking at Richard.
"No, his girlfriend lives in Springfield to and they are about to have a child."
"Is it true that William gave up the throne because she wouldn't become princess?"
"No, Ava had nothing to do with William's decision to abdicate. He never wanted the throne in the first place." Richard says, as Julie looks at him. "He took the throne to protect our son Will from who we thought was his biological mother."
"I don't understand."
"It's really a long and complicated story." Richard says, hoping not to get into what happened with Camille and why his brother was dead because of her. After a few moments he realizes that he has to give more of an explanation. "It starts with my birth and it goes until I found out that I wasn't the true prince. Edmund at the time was the next in line for the throne since we thought William was dead. One thing lead to another and Edmund seized control of the throne and he hunted Cassie and me across the island. Cassie was in an accident and we thought we lost our child because of it. Eventually Cassie and I attempted to escape but Cassie was captured. After a few months, I went back to San Cristobel and I freed Cassie and the island. Afterwards Parliament voted to dissolve the monarchy. We held elections and I was elected San Cristobel's first president.
There were people within the government that didn't want the democracy and after the earthquake that hit San Cristobel several years ago. It was discovered by one of these people that William never died at birth like my father said. These people decided to use that information to re-instate the monarchy." Richard says, as Julie nods.
"And from that you ended up adopting your brother's son."
"He's actually our son." Cassie says.
"You adopted your own son." Julie asks.
"Yes." Richard says. "We adopted Will after we found out that we would not be able to have anymore children after Cassie's accident. Col Dax, he was my right hand man. He arranged for me to meet Will's presumed biological mother Camille. He then arranged for his accomplice, Mrs. Mayhew to work on me to get Cassie to accept adopting Will."
"I wanted another child, but I wanted to be a child that Richard and I made together, at least that's what I thought." Cassie says, as Julie nods.
"After we finally agreed to adopt Will, William shows up on the island after being at sea for a year. On the day we were going to christen Will, Col Dax informs William of the adoption and christening."
"Your right hand man went to Will's father and told him about the adoption and christening, why?"
"He wanted William to interrupt the christening and demand to have his son back. William didn't do that. He let us adopt Will, much to the frustration of Col. Dax."
"And you didn't realize he was working against you."
"No, I had no reason to suspect Col. Dax. I knew he didn't like the idea of democracy, but he had always been loyal to my family. Anyway, William decides to let us adopt Will."
"And because I had grown up knowing what it felt like to not have my parents, I insisted that William stay around Will. I'll admit that wasn't the best idea and it did cause problems for me and Richard, but I thought I was doing what was right for Will." Cassie says.
"Anyway, William worked for me on several projects in San Cristobel that pertained to the fishing industry and tourism."
"And when did you find out he was your brother?"
"It was several months after the adoption."
"What happened after your brother found out?"
"He thought that we had known all along and that we conspired with Col Dax to keep him in the dark." Cassie says.
"How did you convince him otherwise?"
"I convinced him." Cassie says.
"So how did you end up in Springfield?"
"Camille came after Will." Richard says. "She came after him at Col. Dax's urging."
"How did she come after him?"
"After William found out about his true identity, he went on TV and renounced his claim to the throne of San Cristobel. Col Dax pushed Camille into demanding that William claim his right, or she would take Cassie and me to court for custody of Will."
"She gave up custody of Will, how was she going to fight for custody?"
Richard glances at Cassie. "I made some mistakes after my daughter Tammy was taken from me. Col. Dax knew about these mistakes and he was prepared to use them to bring the monarchy back." Cassie says.
"He was going to used the fact that you were a stripper to get custody given back to Camille." Julie says.
"Yes." Cassie says.
"William proposed a compromise to us. He agreed to claim the throne if the people of San Cristobel voted the monarchy back in. He also agreed that if they did vote the monarchy back in, he would sign a royal decree making Will's adoption iron clad, Camille couldn't touch him."
"Why didn't you have a DNA test done, if he's your son?"
"We didn't know he was our son. We thought our son had died after Cassie's accident. That was all arranged by Edmund."
"So, William turned on you?"
"No, he was stalling Camille. he hoped that the people would vote to keep democracy but they didn't and he was forced to take the throne. Once he was on the throne, he was able to protect Will from Camille by issuing the decree. He also divorced Camille, effectively ending her dream of being Princess and sending her back to Iowa."
"And this was the person that paid that man to kill you and he killed Matt instead."
Richard looks at Cassie. "Yes." Richard says. "Camille paying that man ultimately ended your husband's life."
"I appreciate your honesty, Mr. Winslow." Julie says, reaching for her purse. "At least I know exactly why my husband was killed."
"Are you leaving?" Richard asks, watching her stand up.
"Yes. I don't believe it would be safe for me or my children, if I allowed you into our family." Julie says.
"Wait a minute." Cassie says. "Richard is not to blame for your husband's death."
Julie looks at Cassie "You're right Mrs. Winslow he's not responsible, you both are."
"I'm sorry." Cassie says, surprised.
"Cassie isn't responsible for what happened to your husband either. Camille was responsible." Richard says.
"If I understand what you've told me today and what the agents told me when they explained that you were alive. Camille blamed Cassie for your brother divorcing her and taking her life away from her. How do I know that she won't come after either of you again and this time injure or kill one of my children?" Julie asks.
"Camille is dead." Richard replies. "She was executed in San Cristobel early this spring."
"That's very reassuring but that doesn't protect my kids. No, I believe it's best if we have no contact." Julie says, turning to leave. She's several tables away before Richard thinks to stand up and by that point there is no reason too.
For several moments neither Cassie nor Richard spoke and then Cassie reaches for his hand. "I'm sorry Richard."
He looks at her for a moment before he replies. "I never thought she would decide that she doesn't' want to have anything to do with us."
"She's wrong. What Camille did and what happened in San Cristobel was not your fault."
"I can almost see her point Cassie. If the stuff with Edmund and William hadn't've happened Camille wouldn't have been in our lives and maybe her husband and her children's father would still be alive."
"And he could quite possibly be dead. We will never know what might have happened and neither one of us is responsible for what Camille did. Do you want to eat lunch?"
"No, but you need to eat."
"I can't eat at home." Cassie says, getting up. Richard follows her. They leave and a half hour later he drops her off at the farm house. "I think Jeffrey will understand if you don't' go back in." Cassie says, as they pull up.
"I have a meeting at three. I promise I will be okay."
"Okay." Cassie says, reaching for the door.
"I'll pick up RJ from practice and we'll be home."
"Okay." She leans over to him, kissing him softly. "None of this was your fault." She whispers. "And I love you."
"I love you too." He says, softly kissing her again before she gets out of the car. Closing the door, she watches him leave before she goes into the house.