A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred One
William stands at the entrance to the informal gardens. Beside him are two royal guards and a few men from the grounds crew and Garrett. He hadn't told anyone that he had decided to do this. The table rock had marked first what was thought to be his grave and now it marked the grave of his son. "Are you ready, Your Highness?" Garrett asks.
"Yes, go ahead." William replies.
Garrett nods to one of the men and he starts forklift. Slowly they lift the rock, begin careful not to drop it. Once the rock is out of the way, the other men start removing the dirt, revealing his sons casket. Carefully they lift it out of the grave. Once the casket is out of the grave, the guards take possession of it. "Sir, we have the grave already prepared."
"I will go with you." William replies, turning to Garrett. "Remember to turn the rock over."
"Yes sir."
"Thank you." William says, turning to follow the guard to his car.
Ten minutes later, they pull through the gates of the National Cemetery. When they park, William gets out and follows the guards to a small grave that has been dug next to his father and mother. They guard lowers the casket and begins covering it. Once they are finished, William says. "Can you give me a few moments?"
"Yes sir." They reply, turning to leave as William turns back to the grave.
He stands there for a few moments before he says. "I'm sorry I didn't know you before you were gone. I would have loved knowing you and being your father. I'm sorry it didn't work out for me and your mother and I hope you've found each other." He says, turning away, following the path the guards took to the car.
After finishing at the baby store, Richard and Cassie walk along Main Street for about an hour before they leave to pick up the boys. RJ and Will are outside with Zack and Jude when they pull up. Richard opens his car door as RJ and Will come up the car. "Can we stay longer?" He asks, as Richard gets out of the car.
"Please." Will asks.
"Daisy's here and she can watch us." RJ says.
"It's a school night." Richard says. "You've got chores to do and you both have to get ready for school."
"But Zack and Jude wanted us to stay tonight." Will says.
"You know the rules Will." Cassie says, as they walk towards the house. "So, don't argue." She says, as Richard knocks.
Daisy opens the door. "Hi Aunt Cassie, Uncle Richard. Mom's upstairs getting ready for work." She says, stepping back to let them in.
Richard, Cassie and all of the boys come inside. The boys head for the stairs as Daisy closes the door behind them. "I'll tell her you're here."
"Thanks." Cassie says, as Daisy walks over to the stairs. "Mom, Aunt Cassie's here." She yells upstairs before she turns back around.
"How are you doing?" Cassie asks.
"Alright, Mom's letting me see Rafe. Have you talked to Edmund?" She asks, looking at Richard.
"No, I haven't talked to him." Richard replies.
"It must be weird coming back after missing so much."
"It's different but I'll be okay." Richard replies, as Harley comes downstairs.
"Daisy have you finished your homework?"
"Mom, I've got all afternoon and tonight."
"No, you don't. You're not staying up all night doing homework. And remember I let you go out with Rafe last night because you promised that you would do your homework without arguing." Harley says, when Daisy starts to argue. "So, go get started."
"Bye, Aunt Cassie and Uncle Richard."
"See you Daisy." Cassie says, with a smile as Harley turns to her.
"How are you doing? I haven't seen you since the wedding. How's the baby. And how are you doing Richard?" She asks, looking at him.
"I'm fine, thank you." He replies.
"That's good." Harley says, turning her attention back to Cassie. "So, how are you doing?" She asks again, as she walks towards the kitchen.
"I'm going to get the boys ready." Richard says.
"They're upstairs, second door on your right." Harley says as Richard nods. Once he's out of the kitchen she turns to Cassie. "So."
"I'm fine. The baby's fine. We're settling into a routine."
"So, what happened that made you desperate for me to keep the boys. You sounded worried when you called the other day."
"I can't get into it right now, but I needed to spend some time with him, just the two of us. So I appreciate you letting the boys stay."
"It's not a problem. But you and him are okay, right?"
"Oh yes, of course we're fine. We needed to talk about some things. So, what's going on with you? You decided to let Daisy see Rafe."
"Yes, it's easier than keeping her from seeing him. I would rather know where she's at and with who than to have her sneaking out of the house to see him. Other than that there's not a whole lot, except that I did talk to Josh."
"You talked to Josh. Why?"
"Yes, the other day, actually it was yesterday. He wants me to find out some information about a woman he's met."
"He's met a woman!"
"It's not like that. At least I don't think it is. Anyway, I asked him about Reva."
"They're not talking. Reva's at the Beacon, helping me , now that Olivia's gone."
"Now there's something we should've seen coming, but back to Josh. Is there anyway we can get them together and talking?"
"I don't know how. They're both stubborn and for once I think Reva's right and Josh is the one that needs to make the first move."
"I happen to agree and I told him as much." Harley says, as Richard comes in with the boys.
"Are you ready?" He asks.
"Yes, we need to go." Cassie says.
"I've go to go. Dai... oh you're here. Gus should be home by seven but if he's not the boys have to be..."
"In bed by eight, I know Mom."
"Their dinner is in the oven. They have to eat all of it if they want ice cream."
"I know that too."
"Alright, I'll see you later. I want your..."
"Homework, finished before you get home, I know."
"Alright, I'll see you later." She says, as Richard opens the door for them.
"Okay."
"And stay off the phone, I'm going to call later."
"Yes ma'am." Daisy says.
Harley, Cassie, the boys and Richard walk out of the house. Daisy closes the door as Cassie says. "Thank you again for keeping the boys."
"You're welcome. We need to have lunch."
"Call me and we'll set something up."
"I'll do that. I've got to go. Richard it was good to see you."
"You too Harley. Thank you for keeping the boys."
"You're welcome." Harley says, turning to Cassie. They hug and then she walks over to her car. Richard, Cassie and the boys leave a few minutes later.
Jeffrey, Ava and Emma leave Sam to finish her work. As they go upstairs, Ava asks. "What were you doing outside?"
"I was looking at the garage. Billy and I were talking about renovating it to use as a place for the band to rehearse."
"Is it safe?'
"We could make it safe, but after looking at it, I think it would be easier and cheaper if we tore it down and built a new one, closer to the house."
"You seem to be doing a lot of domestic stuff lately. For a man that wanted no ties to slow him down. I know you bought the house for Sam, but you're remodeling the loft and now the garage."
"I'm doing the loft for you and Will. I need a place to rehearse and I can't do that in the house with Sam's office downstairs." Jeffrey replies, walking into the living room.
Before Ava can reply, Emma asks. "Can I go upstairs and look around?"
"I don't think so. There's paint and tools up there. I think it's best if you stay down here."
"But there's nothing to do down here." Emma says.
"Emma, I've got a guitar in that closet. Can you bring it to me?" Jeffrey asks, pointing the closet behind her.
"Okay." Emma says, going over to the closet and opening the door. Getting the guitar, she carries it over to him.
Flipping over one of the empty paint buckets, Jeffrey sits down and starts to play. Ava finds another empty can and Emma sits down on the floor. She watches Jeffrey closely as he play and after a while he asks. "Do you want to try?"
"I don't know how?" Emma says.
"Come here." Jeffrey says. Emma gets up and goes over to him. Holding the guitar in one hand he puts Emma between his legs and then puts the guitar on his knee. "Now put this hand here." he says, taking her left hand. "Hold this string down. Now take this." He says, holding out the pick he was using.
"What is this?" Emma asks, taking the pick.
"That is a pick and you use it to make music come out, like this." He says, taking his right hand and moving it over the bottom string, playing the first note. "That's called a note."
'Did you hear that Ava? I played a note." Emma asks, looking at Ava.
"I heard." Ava says, as Sam walks in.
Jeffrey looks up and smiles when he see her. "You're finished?"
"Yes, all done. What are you doing?"
"Jeffrey was showing me how to play a note." Emma says. "See, I'll do it again." She puts her finger on the bottom string and then takes the pick form Jeffrey and plucks the string. "See, I did again." She says, looking at Sam.
"I saw and you did very good. Maybe you should take lessons. I'm sure Jeffrey could teach you."
"Can I Ava? I want to play the..." She looks at Jeffrey
"Guitar." Jeffrey says.
"I want to play the guitar and sing like Jeffrey does, so can I take lessons? Please."
"We'll see." Ava says, smiling.
"How did this get started?" She asks, looking at Jeffrey.
"I was playing for them and then I was showing Emma how to play." Jeffrey says.
"Can I go outside?" Emma asks, looking at Ava.
"I don't care, but take your coat and don't got into the garage or out of the backyard."
"Okay." Emma says, grabbing her jacket as she runs out of the room.
"Walk, Emma." Ava calls. They hear her slow to a walk.
"She seems like she's doing good." Sam says.
"She is. We had a bit of a problem when we first got back, but everything is fine now."
"You had a problem, what happened?" Jeffrey asks.
"I thought it would be an easier transition for her if we moved back into the Beacon. So I went to Cassie and she gave us their old room back but when I told Emma about it, she refused to stay there."
"So, what did you do?" Sam asks.
"We went to the Beacon and at first they said they didn't have another room and then Reva came over to see what the problem was and she agreed to switch rooms with us. I didn't know she was living at the Beacon."
Sam looks at Jeffrey. "She moved in after she told me the results of the DNA test." Jeffrey says.
"Why?"
"Josh..." Sam says.
Jeffrey interrupts her. "Josh is upset about me being a part of the family."
"So Reva moves out." Ava asks, looking at him.
"It's more than he's upset. He's refusing to accept Jeffrey at all." Sam says.
"Why?"
Jeffrey looks at Sam. "Josh has it in his head that something will happen between your dad and Reva." Sam says.
"What! How could he possibly think something would happen between them? Dad's married to you. You don't think something would happen do you?'
"No, of course not. Reva has been nothing but a friend to both of us."
"So, why does he think something will happen?"
"From what Reva said when she told us the results, Josh is afraid something will happen because Reva has been involved with both Billy and their father." Sam says.
"And so he thinks that Reva will want Dad because she's been with Billy and their father. Am I understanding this right?"
"Yes." Jeffrey says.
"Umm, that makes absolutely no sense. Has anyone tried to talk to Josh?"
"We've all tried, but he's not listening. Reva tried to convince him for months before she finally gave up and moved out." Sam says.
"That was also after he punched me." Jeffrey says
"He punched you, why?"
"He walked up as Reva was telling Jeffrey good-bye. She had just told him the results of the DNA test." Sam says.
"Reva hugged me and then as she was leaving she leaned up and kissed me good-bye. Josh saw her and he walked up and punched me as he pulls her away." Jeffrey explains.
"He punched you for no reason. What did you do?"
"What could I do? I was still recovering from the accident."
"He punched you while you were hurt?"
"Yes."
"In Josh's defense..." Sam says.
"Don't defend him." Jeffrey says.
"In his defense, he felt he was defending Reva, even if we know there was nothing that needed to be defended against." Sam says, looking at Jeffrey.
"What are you going to do? Is this why you decided not to run?"
"No, I chose not to run because I accomplished what I set out to accomplish and I want to spend time with Sam and help with the baby. Also I want to be there for you too." Jeffrey says, looking at Ava. "You've got a lot going on right now. William moving here, the baby, the wedding and Emma."
"I'm fine."
"You might think you're fine, but we are both here for you." Sam says, as Ava smiles.
"What are you smiling about?" Jeffrey asks.
"It's nothing, just something I said to Emma's teacher."
"Emma's teacher. Did something happen at school." Jeffrey asks.
"No, Emma's settled back into school."
"But something was said?" Sam asks.
Sighing, Ava says. "I ran into Emma's teacher at Company this morning. She wanted to introduce herself, things like that. I happened to mention that we might see you today because Emma wanted to see you."
"And she had something to say about that?" Sam says.
"Yes." Ava says, looking at Jeffrey
"What did she say?" Jeffrey asks.
"She didn't think it was good for Emma to be around you, since you're part of the reason Olivia had to leave town."
"I kept her from going to prison. And how did you know she would have something to say about it." Jeffrey asks, looking at Sam.
"I've lived in small town remember. What did you tell her?"
"That Emma knows you kept Mom from going to prison. And I told her that I had plenty of support for Emma and that you and Emma are close and that she understands what happened between mom and you." Ava says, looking at Jeffrey.
"So, you know I would never hurt her." Jeffrey says.
"Of course, I know that. You don't have to justify anything that happened with Mom. As you said, you kept her from going to prison. She owes her life to you." Ava says, as Emma comes into the room.
"Ava, I'm hungry." She says, as Ava glances at her watch.
"I guess it is time for us to go."
"Why don't you both come over to the loft? We can fix something to eat or order in." Jeffrey says.
"No, but thank you. It's a school night and we need to get settled." Ava says, standing up with Jeffrey and Sam following her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sam."
"I will be here." Sam replies, as they leave, hugging and saying good-bye in the private driveway a few minutes later.
Richard is lying on the bed when Cassie comes in form saying good night to the boys. "I'm going to take a shower."
"Okay." he says, watching as she walks into the bathroom. Reaching for the remote, he switches the TV off and then gets up. Cassie's in the shower when he walks into the bathroom. Closing the door, he gets undressed and then walks over to the shower. Opening the door, as Cassie turns around. "I thought I would join you." He says, closing the door behind him.
She steps over to him. "You only wanted to join me?" She asks, slipping her arms around him.
"Well, we might do that too." He says, brushing her hair back with a smile.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I was sort of surprised when Sus...Daisy called me Uncle Richard. I've never been anyone's Uncle before."
"I never thought about it, but you are her uncle."
"What were you and Harley talking about?"
"Well, she wanted to know if we were okay and I told we are fine. She asked about what happened?"
"Did you tell her?"
"No, I only said that I need to spend some time with you, without the boys so we could talk about some things. She was telling about something she's working on for Josh." Cassie says, reaching for the soap. Richard beats her to it.
Putting some soap in his hands, he rubs them together before he washes her back. He gently massages her shoulders for a moment and then he moves down her back and over her hips and around to her stomach. He pauses, laying his hand over her stomach as she moves back into his arms. He kisses her cheek before he says. "I think she's going to be as beautiful as you are."
"So, you thin we're going to have a little girl too."
"We bought everything for a little girl." He replies, moving his hand up her stomach.
She turns her head, kissing him under the chin. "You need to shave." She says, as he washes her breasts.
He kisses her shoulder as he moves up her neck. "I'll do that before I get out." He says, moving back down to her breasts. She shivers slightly and then she turns in his arms.
"I think you came in here for this." She says, looking up.
"I really didn't."
"But you want to." She says, watching him.
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulls her to him as he says. "I will always want you Darling. But I don't want to do this here." he says, releasing her. He kneels down and reaches fro her one of her legs. He washes her legs and then reaches for her foot, washing them before he stands up. "If you rinse off, I'll finish."
She steps up and wraps her arms around him before she whispers. "You forgot something."
He swallows and then he slips his hand between her legs. Slick warmth mixes with the soap as he touches her. "Cassie." he murmurs as he leans in to kiss her, moving his fingers, caressing her.
"Richard." She moans softly, tightening her arms around hi.
Reaching for her mouth, he kisses her for a moment and then pulls his hand away. "Rinse off and I'll be there in a moment.
"Richard." She whispers, her body screaming for his.
"I promise." He says, releasing her.
She looks at him and then steps back under the water. He stands there stands there, staring as the water washes the soap form her body. He wants to reach out and touch her but he's not sure he would be able to wait if he did.
When she's finished, she looks at him. Just as he reaches for her, she steps back. "Don't be too long." She whispers before she opens the door and leaves.
He stands there until she closes the door and he can't see her anymore. Reaching for the soap, he begins to wash. His thoughts are filled with her. He reaches for the shaving cream and lathers his face. Reaching for his razor, he wipes the mirror off and starts to shave. Rinsing his face when he's finished, he turns the water off. Getting out, he dries off quickly. Opening the door, he expects to find her waiting. She's not there. He walks over to the closet to see if she's in there, but she's not. As he turns to leave the closet, he hears the bedroom door open and he walks out of the closet.
"I'm sorry. Will was in the bed when I came out."
"Oh, is he okay?"
"Yes, he said he had a bad dream. I took him back to his bed and made sure everything was okay." She says, walking over to him. "Where were we?"
"I thinking about here." He says, reaching for the belt on her robe. Untying it as she shrugs out of it.
They kiss as they walk towards the bed. He helps her to lay down before he moves over her, kissing her again. "Richard." She moans, wrapping her arms around him. He settles against her and she pulls him closer.
His erection presses against her thigh, as he moves over to her neck, nibbling on the pulse he feels beating against his lips. She arches her hips, trying to bring him closer. He moves down her neck softly sucking on the skin at the base of her neck, leaving his mark. Wrapping her arms around him, she pulls him to her. Leaning back, he looks down. "Please." She moans. Leaning up, on his forearms, she opens to him. Slick velvet surrounds him as he thrusts forward. "Richard." She cries out, arching her back before leaning forward, kissing the side of his neck, she gently kisses him, repeating the same thing he had done.
He settles into a steady rhythm against her rolling hips as she moves with him over and over again. They move together, like two people waltzing slowly. After a while, she leans up and whispers. "Faster, please. I need..."
He picks up the pace. Thrusting deeper over and over again. "Cassie." He groans, feeling her nails biting into him as she pulls him deeper. He's not sure how long he can hold on, when he feels the first surge of her release. He continues to thrust bringing stronger waves of her release.
She leans up and he looks up. Kissing him, she tightens her arms around him and he rolls to his back. Sitting up, she moves her hips as he lifts his. A swelling rush of release rolls over her, squeezing him tightly. It's the final straw. A throbbing wave of release crashes through him. He thrusts once more before she collapses into his waiting arms. Residual waves of their release washes over them as they lay there together.
Ava turns the water off as she pulls the curtain back and reaches for a towel. Stepping from the tub, she begins to dry off. After she finishes drying her hair, she hangs up the towel. She's reaching for her brush when the phone in her room begins to ring. She opens the door and walks over to the bed. Sitting down on the bed, she reaches for the phone. "Hello." She says.
"Ava." William says.
"William." She says, smiling. "It's good to hear your voice. Are you okay?" She asks, hearing something in his voice.
"I'm fine. I have been thinking about you and the baby today."
"We're fine. We spent the day with Dad and Sam." She says, reaching for the other pillow and propping it up behind her. "Emma wanted to go over there."
"I'm sure they were happy to see you."
"Are you sure you're okay?" You sound sad. Did something happen? Are you not coming?"
"Nothing happened and of course I'm coming up there. I've just been thinking about my son."
"Your son, Will, you'll see him in a few days."
"No, not Will. I'm thinking about the son I had with Camille. The one I never knew about until we found out that Will wasn't my son."
"You had a son."
"Yes, I guess I never told you about Camille and her involvement in what happened with Will. I met when she was in San Cristobel on vacation. We knew each other all of one week and we got married. It was obvious very soon afterward that we should not have married and I signed up with the Merchant Marines and left her here, alone. I had no idea she was pregnant. I wouldn't've left her if I had known. Anyway, I left San Cristobel. She was alone, in a foreign country. She knew no one and she was pregnant. Let's fast forward a few months everything happened with Edmund, Richard and Cassie. Cassie's in the hospital at the same time Camille is there. Edmund forces Cassie's doctor to induce her labor and Cassie delivers Will. She and Richard are told that Will died. Camille is in labor at the same time, only she delivers my son who is stillborn. Edmund switches the babies and for the next several years we think Will is my son."
"So, why are you thinking about your son today? What happened?"
"I had his casket moved to the National Cemetery."
"You had it moved. Where was he buried?"
"He had been buried in the informal garden here on the palace grounds, under the table rock."
"The table rock?"
"The rock with the carving of a weeping angel. You might not have seen it when you've been down here. It was the rock that lead Richard to find out that he wasn't my mother's son. They thought I was buried there and so they picked that place when they thought Will had died. After we found out the truth, I left my son there. But with me leaving I felt that it was inappropriate to leave him here. So, today I had moved."
"I can understand that. Are you afraid that others won't understand?"
"No, I know Richard and Cassie will understand. I was thinking about what I missed with Camille and what I'm missing with you."
"We are fine, William."
"What if something happens with you?"
"I'm not going to loose this baby. Dr. Sedgwick says everything is progressing as normal so we're both healthy."
"And I'm sure Camille's doctor told her the same thing and she delivered a stillborn son."
"You don't know what Camille did while you were gone and she was pregnant. You don't even know if she saw a doctor."
"The thing that bothers me the most is that I wasn't there. I never knew about him until we found out the truth about Will. He laid in that grave under another name, belonging to different parents. He didn't know... I didn't know that he was my son, not Will. And I'm angry that Camille kept up the charade for years after Edmund was out of power."
"From everything that I've heard about Edmund, he sounds very intimidating."
"Edmund was intimidating, but Camille was selfish and self-centered. She was willing to abandon her son until she learned that I was the prince and she decided she wanted to be the princess."
"Is that what has you upset?"
"No, I don't care about Camille."
"I meant the fact that I don't want to be the princess."
"No, I decided before I ever found out that you were pregnant that I didn't want to be prince anymore. The thing that bothers me is that my son was used as a pawn in this. And I considered continuing the charade after I found out about Will."
"But you didn't and now you have a second chance to be a father to this baby and I know you will be a wonderful father."
"Why do you say that?"
"Look at Will; he's a happy well adjusted little boy. He love you. The time you spent with him influenced him greatly."
"I don't know how much I influenced him."
"William, he loves you. He's adjusted to being Richard and Cassie's son, because of the time he spent with you."
"He's adjusted to Richard and Cassie because they are his parents and I think he knew that all along."
"You're selling yourself short."
"Maybe I am, but I'm ready to be with you and out of here."
"That will only be a few more days."
"Actually, that was the other reason I called. I'll be there tomorrow. I called Lord Everett and we've agreed to privately turn over control of the country to him, once that's done, I'll leave."
"You're coming tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"When did you decide this?"
"This morning after I returned to the palace from the cemetery."
"What time will you arrive?"
"I'll meet with Lord Everett and the Chancellor or Parliament here at the palace. Lord Everett will take the oath and we'll sign the papers to transfer the title to him unofficially and I'll leave as soon as that is done. The coronation will make the transfer of title official."
"How... which flight will you be on?"
"The guard as arranged for me to fly out on a military jet tomorrow afternoon."
"Are you going to be able to adjust to having to go back to normal?" Ava asks, teasing him. "No more servants, chauffeured limousines and private jets.
"I will be fine. I didn't want servants and chauffeured limousines."
"You regret being prince."
"I regret what was done to Richard and Cassie. I regret what happened to my son."
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you. And after tomorrow it will all be over."
"Will you call me when you leave?"
"Yes."
"I'll meet you at the airport."
"I love you and I'll see you tomorrow."
"I love you too, and go to sleep."
"Yes, Your Highness." She says, giving a mock salute.
"Good night." William says, smiling as they hang up.
Jeffrey is up early the next morning. He's about to walk out the door when Sam comes downstairs. "Where are you going?" She asks, as he opens the door.
"I'm on my way to work."
"Have you eaten?"
"I'll get something at Company."
"You were supposes to get me up so I could fix you breakfast."
"I can get something at Company, so there was no need to get you up."
"I know what you'll have at Company."
"I promise I'll eat more than danish and coffee." He says, walking over to her.
"Is that the same promise as our vows or the promise you gave that low level dealer in Venezuela?"
"That's very funny. I'll eat more than a Danish, wedding vows promise."
"Alright."
"What are you going to do today?"
"I've got half a day at the clinic and then we have an appointment with Dr. Sedgwick."
"Oh that reminds me, I've got an appointment with my doctor for the accident. I'll have to make sure Stace has it on the calendar."
"When is your appointment?"
"Eleven thirty, do you want to meet for lunch and then we'll go to your appointment."
"That will be fine."
"I'll see you then." He says, leaning over to kiss her before he leaves.
"Are you going to see Ava today?"
"I don't think so. She'll be busy today with the house."
"Alright, is your tuxedo in the closet?"
"Yes, why?"
"Because we have the Lewis charity event this Friday."
"What Lewis charity event?"
"The one Lewis is sponsoring to raise money for different charities they support. Billy told me about it and offered an invitation."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"It slipped my mind. I didn't think you would be upset if we went. You are a Lewis so you should go."
"Will Josh be there?"
"Billy didn't say, but since it's sponsored by Lewis Construction and he's CEO I'm sure he'll probably be there. So, I need to take your tuxedo in and have it cleaned."
"It should still be clean from the wedding. I haven't worn it since then."
"But I didn't take it in to be cleaned when we got back. I will also need to speak with the wives of the councilmen."
"Why?"
"The mayor's wife is responsible for the charity drives and celebrations for the city during the holidays. The Light house committee handles the decorations for the town, including the light house."
"Sam, you already have the clinic and the baby. Let the staff at City Hall decide on charity drives and city celebrations for the holidays."
"This is part of my job as your wife, the mayor."
"You're pregnant, Sam."
"I'm pregnant, not dead. I can do this and run my clinic and take care of you too."
"But you don't have to do all that. I don't want you doing all that."
"What time do you have to be in?"
He looks at her and then says. "I'll let it drop for now, but we're going to discuss this some more." He says, leaning over to kiss her.
"I love you."
"I love you too." He replies, releasing her. She follows him to the door and he kisses her again before he leaves.
About an hour later, he's finishing some paperwork up when Stace buzzes him. "Sir, Mr. Wellesley is on line one."
"Thank you Stace." He says, picking up the call. "Jeffrey O'Neill." He says.
"Jeffrey, its Wes."
"How are you?"
"I'm good. I'm calling with an update on the Spaulding matter."
"How is that going?"
"I've been able to purchase about twenty percent of the Lewis Oil stock. I've got a line on about ten to fifteen percent more but it may take a few days to work out a deal with the owner of the stock."
"So, you will be able to get the rest of the stock."
"I should be able to. About five percent of the shares still out there is owned by Lizzie Spaulding."
"I think Lizzie might prove to be easy to persuade. Who owns the stock you're trying to get right now?'
"My research assistant is looking that up, but we won't tip our hand until you're ready."
"After we have controlling interest in Lewis Oil, what do we do?"
"It's really up to you. You can hold onto the shares and let things stand as they are, or you can demand ownership be transferred to you."
"That's what I want to do. I want ownership transferred to me."
"Jeffrey, I've been your financial adviser for many years. You've never been interested in corporate stocks, why this change?"
"It's personal Wes. Lewis Oil used to belong to my family. I'm getting it back for them. They don't know I've done this and I don't want them to, but once we have controlling interest I want you to offer to buy the company and I want you to get the papers drawn up in Billy Lewis's name and then give them to me."
"I can do all that. But there's no guarantee that Spaulding will sell to you."
"I think they will. I think they'll have too."
"I'll take care of it for you. I'll be in touch when we have more shares."
"There's something else I want you to setup for me."
"Okay."
"I need you to setup four trust funds. One for my son, one for my grandson and Ava and one for Emma Spaulding."
"Emma Spaulding, I'm sure she already has her share of Spaulding Enterprises and a trust fund setup for her through them."
"Maybe so, but I think Spaulding will suffer from Alan's conviction. That, however, is not why I want this setup. I want to take care of both girls so can you set that up."
"Of course I can, but it will take a few days."
"That's fine, fax over whatever you need me to sign."
"I will. I'll be in touch