A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Ten
Jeffrey pulls into the parking lot of Cedars. As he gets out of his car, Sam walk up to him. "Hi." He says, closing the door and locking it.
"Hi, did you eat lunch?"
"No, I was waiting for you." She says, as he takes her hand.
"Do you want Company?"
"That's fine.
They walks across the street to Company. An hour later, they leave after Jeffrey pays the bill. They cross the street again. He follows her onto the elevator, leaving the back corner open for her as he pushes the button for the third floor. When they reach Dr. Sedgwick's office, he holds the door open for her and then follows her inside. She goes to sit down as he walks up to the receptionist's window to let them know that they are there. He sits down beside her a few moments later. "How was everything at the office?"
"Alright, it's was slower than the last few days. So, I closed early and let the girls go home for the afternoon. When I leave here I'm going to go over to the loft and start packing. When is everyone coming over?"
"I told Richard to come around nine. And I texted Ava and told her the same thing. I haven't talked to Billy yet."
"He's probably at the loft."
"Is it going to be okay for you to be over them with them working?"
"Yes, I'm going to be downstairs and they're working on the bathroom upstairs." Sam says, as Dr. Sedgwick's nurse opens the door leading to the exam rooms.
"Sam O'Neill." She calls. Jeffrey and Sam stand up and he follows her back to the exam room.
Sam sits down on the table with Jeffrey taking the chair beside her. The nurse does the usual prescreening stuff and then says. "Dr. Sedgwick will be in a few minutes."
"Thank you." Sam says, as Jeffrey nods.
"You were talking about Billy." Sam says, after the nurse closes the door.
"Yes."
"I saw Josh again today." Sam says.
"You did, why?"
"He wanted to talk to Leah again, but she had already left. I don't know what's going on with them, but it's got be something major."
"Why do you think some thing is going on?"
"Because she gets defensive when he comes around and he's demanding that she talk to him."
"Do you think they are involved?' Jeffrey asks, looking at her.
"No, but something has happened between them. Maybe you should try to talk to him."
"Why would I do that?"
"You are his brother."
"And he wants nothing to do with me."
"I just think he needs someone to talk to."
"He has Reva and Billy to talk to, if he wants to talk. I don't think I'll have anything to say that he would want to hear." Jeffrey says, as the door opens and Dr. Sedgwick comes in.
"How are you?" She says, closing the door behind her.
"I'm good."
"That's good. Is there anything you want to ask me before we do the first ultrasound?"
"No, everything seems to be progressing well."
"How are the pregnancy symptoms?"
"The morning sickness is slowing down."
"She's been a little tired too." Jeffrey says.
"It's only because we've had a lot going on."
"How tired have you felt?"
"Nothing more than normal." Sam says.
"I'm going to have the nurse draw some blood. We'll check your levels like we normally do. You are taking time to rest during the day?"
"As much as I can."
"Are you still taking the prenatal vitamins?"
"Yes, although I have had some trouble with constipation, but I've increased my fiber and fluid intake."
"That's good. Is there anything else?"
"Are there any tests or birth defects we should be worried about right now?" Jeffrey asks.
"The amino that we're doing today will test for birth defects along with the ultra sound."
"Okay."
"Are you having any problems with back pain?"
"Some times, but Jeffrey helps a lot."
"That's good. Are there anymore questions?"
"No."
"Then I'll have the nurse come in and we'll get started." She opens the door and leaves.
"Are you worried about birth defects?" Sam asks, looking at Jeffrey.
"No, I just wanted to know if there is something that we need to be aware of, with this amino that's being done."
"We're only having the amino because of my age." Sam says, as Dr. Sedgwick and the nurse comes back in.
"Okay, I'll need you to lie down and we'll start." Dr. Sedgwick says, as Sam lays back. Jeffrey takes her hand.
After starting the ultra sound, the nurse cleans a small area where Dr. Sedgwick wants to perform the test. Sam and Jeffrey watch their baby while Dr. Sedgwick does the test. About ten minutes later, the nurse wipes off Sam's belly as Dr. Sedgwick asks. "Do you want to know the sex of the baby?"
"You can find that out now?" Jeffrey asks.
"That amino is the most accurate way to find out what the sex is." Dr. Sedgwick says, as Jeffrey looks at Sam.
"Do you want to know?" He asks.
"Do you?" She asks, as he looks at her and she smiles. "You can tell him. I don't want to know." Sam says, as Dr. Sedgwick nods.
"The nurse is going to draw blood and then I'll be back to talk to you about what to expect for the rest of the day."
"Okay." Sam says, as Jeffrey helps her up.
Less then ten minutes later, Dr. Sedgwick returns to the room. "How do you feel?"
"I feel fine." Sam says.
"Okay, I want you to go home and rest for the rest of the day. Tomorrow you'll be able to return to normal activities. For tonight, there's no sex allowed." She says, looking at Jeffrey. He smiles.
"I promise I'll behave myself."
"Good. We should get the test results back between two-three weeks from now. If you have any pain, you can take Tylenol for it. If you develop a fever, bleeding, vaginal discharge, or abdominal pain more than mild cramps then you need to contact me immediately."
"Okay." Sam says, as Jeffrey stands up to help her off the exam table.
"I'll see you again in about a month. The nurse will contact you when we have the results for the amino." Dr. Sedgwick says, opening the door.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, holding his hand out. They shake hands before he follows Sam out of the room.
"Thank you. Dr. Sedgwick." Sam says.
"You're welcome. I'll see you next month." She says, as they nod.
They walk towards the front of the office as she turns to go to her next patient. When they reach the parking lot, Jeffrey asks. "What are you going to do?"
"I closed the office for today, so I guess I'll go home."
"Alright, I'm going to go Beau's. He hasn't called me back and I want to check on him."
"Okay, then I'll see you at home."
"Are you okay to drive?"
"I'm fine." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
"I'll be home as soon as I talk to him."
"Okay." She says, as she opens her car door.
He waits till she pulls out to leave before he goes over to his car, following her out of the parking lot.
After they leave the Dr. Sedgwick's office, Sam goes home. About an hour later, Jeffrey comes home. "Sam." He calls, as he puts his stuff down by the door.
"I'm upstairs." She says, putting some stuff into a box.
He walks upstairs. "Did you do all those boxes downstairs?"
"Yes." She says, turning to look at him. He stops to stare for a moment before he walks over to her. "I thought I would come home and…." He reaches for her hand and pulls her to him. "What are you…?" He leans in to kiss her. After a few moments, she pulls away. "What was that for?"
"I wanted to. " He says, reaching up to brush a few strands of hair back from her face. "You look beautiful." He says, leaning in to kiss her again.
"I'm a mess." She says, as she releases him and reaching up to brush her hair back.
"You look beautiful." He says, brushing a smudge of dirt off her cheek. "How long have you been doing this?"
"Umm, since I got home."
"Since you go home."
"Yes."
"Dr. Sedgwick said that you should take it easy for today."
"I rested for a while but I couldn't just lay there on the couch when we've got so much to do for tomorrow."
"Put that down and go lay down." He says, reaching for the stuff in her hand.
"Jeffrey. We're moving tomorrow."
"I know that, but I will not let you hurt yourself because of that. Dr. Sedgwick said that you need to rest for the rest of today."
"I'm fine." She says, as he leads her over to the chair by the window."
"You're going to rest and I'll finish this."
"Jeffrey."
"No arguments." He says, pushing her down onto the chair. "Now relax."
"I…."
"Relax, Sam." He orders. "What were you doing over there?"
"Cleaning out and packing up some of your stuff."
"Then I'll finish that. You rest."
"You're so frustrating. I'm fine."
"You're resting for tonight." He says, going back over to where Sam was working. As she settles back, sighing.
"Well, since you're going to be stubborn and insist that I do nothing, did you at least tell Beau about us moving?"
"No, he wasn't home. I stopped at some of the stores downtown to get more boxed for us."
"I told Billy when I got home. He said he would be by sometime to help but that he didn't know if he could be here in the morning." She says, as Jeffrey nods.
Jeffrey spent most of the evening packing up the bedroom. They would move their clothes without packing them. He even took the time to move the boxes downstairs so that they wouldn't have to carry down the stairs the next morning. Sam tried to help him, but every time she moved he would look at her and she would settle back into the chair, glaring at him and he would smile. Jeffrey's pouring a cup of coffee when someone knocks. He leaves the kitchen to answer the door as Sam comes downstairs. Opening it, he steps back and lets William and Ava in, followed by Richard and Cassie. "Good morning." Jeffrey says, hugging Ava before he shakes William's hand.
"Good morning." Sam says, walking over to them.
"So, what's the plan?" Richard asks."
"Well, we've got most of our stuff packed up. Sam's going to stay here and finish packing while we moved what we've packed." Jeffrey says.
"I am." Sam says, looking at him.
"Yes, you're still…."
"Oh, I'm fine. Dr. Sedgwick I could return to normal activities today. I had an amino done yesterday and he's over-reacting."
"You had and amino done, why?" Ava asks.
"Mostly because of my age. We want to rule out birth defects and Jeffrey wants to know what the sex is because he's too impatient to wait."
"It's not just that, it'll help us plan."
"Would I need to have amino?" Ava asks, looking at Sam.
"I doubt it. You're health and I don't believe you have any family history of birth defects and you're under the age that would is recommended."
"I had one done with Will. It's a very simple procedure."
"You had one with Will?" Richard asks, looking at her.
"Yes."
"You didn't say anything about it."
"At the time we we're together. I was at the monastery and you were in San Cristobel. If I had told you would've wanted to be there and it wasn't safe for you to come."
"So, Jeffrey you want to know the sex of the baby." William asks.
"Yes, don't you?"
"I haven't thought about it."
"I have and I don't want to know." Richard says. "I'll be happy with whatever we get since it's a miracle that we're even having this baby at all, at least to Dr. Sedgwick it's a miracle."
"It's more than Dr. Sedgwick. I wasn't supposed to be able to have another child after the accident. The fact that I am pregnant is beyond a miracle, its Devine intervention."
"Isn't that by definition what a miracle is?" Sam asks.
"Maybe so, but miracle just doesn't seem to describe what this child is." Cassie says, putting her hand on her stomach.
"I think we're all carrying miracles." Ava says, as they all nod.
"Where is Emma and the boys?" Jeffrey asks.
"Emma is spending the day with one of her friends from school."
"RJ is still sick, so Ms. Chitwood is watching him and Will."
"What's wrong with RJ?" Sam asks, looking at Cassie.
"He's got tonsillitis. He's on antibiotics and they seem to be working. I think he fever broke last night."
"You're being careful right?" Sam asks.
"I don't have my tonsils and I'm taking my prenatal vitamins."
"Just be careful, especially since this is a high risk pregnancy."
"Dr. Sedgwick already forewarned me."
"Alright."
"So, are we ready to get busy?" Jeffrey asks.
"That's fine." Sam says, as everyone nods.
"Alright ladies, do you want to start packing while we start carrying out some of these boxes?" Jeffrey asks.
"That's fine." They all reply, looking at each other and rolling their eyes.
The guys start carrying out boxes as Sam, Ava and Cassie go to the kitchen to start packing. When they reach the street, Richard asks. "So how are we taking this over to your house?"
Jeffrey looks at him and then at his new car and Sam's mustang. "I guess we can put it in my car and Sam's, but my truck would've been perfect."
"Doesn't Billy have a truck?" William asks.
"Yes, and so does Beau, but I wasn't able to get in touch with him."
"Who's Beau?"
"He's in my bass player for the band. Let's load this stuff up and we'll come back for more."
Unlocking his car after he puts the box he was carrying down, he lays the backseats down. Richard and William put their boxes in the back of the car as Jeffrey brings his and then they go back upstairs. As they are coming out, Jeffrey meets one of his neighbors. "You're moving out?" The man asks.
"Yes." Jeffrey replies, as he steps to the side to let the man pass.
"We'll miss the music."
"Thanks." Jeffrey says, walking into the building with Richard and William following him.
After about twenty minutes, Jeffrey's car is full as is Sam. The girls have been busy in the kitchen packed up when the guys come back upstairs. "Okay, it's full." Jeffrey says, walking into the kitchen.
"Okay." Sam says, walking over to him.
"How are you feeling?" He ask, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm fine. Maybe a little hungry."
"We didn't eat. Did you guys eat before you came over here?" He asks, turning to the rest?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Sam hasn't eaten. So we're going to stop at Company for a minute to get something to eat." He says, as they nod. Locking up the loft, they leave.
After stopping at Company, Jeffrey leads the way over to the house. When they pull up and everyone gets out, Cassie stares at the house. "This is beautiful." She says, looking at Sam and Jeffrey. "And it's perfect for you." She says, looking at Sam.
"I know. I feel in love with it when I saw it. And to think the city was going to destroy it."
"This house was listed to be destroyed?" William asks, looking at the house.
"Yes, for back taxes. The city was going to sell it to whomever bought it for back taxes and if Jeffrey hadn't've bought it for me, it probably would have been torn down and something else built in its place."
"That would have been a waste." He says, looking at the house.
"Do you guys want to see inside?" Jeffrey asks, as they all nod.
He leads the way up the back walk to the steps leading up to the porch and entrance to the house only. "Sam, you have your medical practice here?" William asks.
"Yes, it's downstairs. Once we get settled and moved in, I'll have a two minute commute for work." She says, as everyone laughs.
Jeffrey holds the door for everyone. "This is totally gorgeous." Richard says, looking as everyone else nods. "Who decorated this?"
"I did, with Sam's help." Ava says.
"You decorated this." Cassie says, looking at her.
"Yes, it's part of the package that Lewis provides. It was Billy's idea. I designed the office downstairs too with the help of Rick for the medical stuff."
"Would you be willing to design a nursery at the farm house?" Richard asks, looking around at the living/dining room and kitchen.
"If you want me to. I certainly can."
"Would you guys like a tour?"
"Yes." They all reply.
"Okay, so this is the living room, dining room and kitchen. Over there is the washroom and the stairs leading down to Sam's office." Jeffrey says, pointing to the room to the left of the kitchen. "Down this hallway, is the stairs leading upstairs, a powder room and my study." He says, showing everyone the different rooms.
"These rooms are perfect, and I love the floors, they looks so good." William says,
"And they'll match your furniture too." Richard says, looking at the floors.
"Yes, they will. That's one of the reason I picked this color." Sam says.
"Are you ready to see the upstairs?"
"Yes."
Jeffrey follows Sam upstairs with the rest following behind them. When they reach the top of the stairs, Sam says. "We have three guest rooms and bathroom and then we have the master suite and nursery." She says, pointing to the individual rooms. "The nursery isn't finished yet. Jeffrey and I will do that."
"We found a great store on Main Street that we bought all of our baby's furniture from." Richard says.
"I've seen that place and I've been meaning to go in there and look around." Jeffrey says.
"It's great and the staff was awesome, explained everything for us and they will arrange delivery for whenever you're ready." Cassie says.
"We'll have to go look at it."
"Jeffrey where are you and your band going to practice?" William asks.
"Umm, we'll come back to the loft." He says, with a smile.
"You're welcome to practice at the loft, it might soothe the baby." Ava says.
"No, Billy and I are going to tear down the old garage in the back and rebuild a new one with a rehearsal space over it." Jeffrey says, as Billy calls from downstairs.
"Hello is anyone here."
Leaning over the rail, Jeffrey calls. "We're upstairs."
Billy comes upstairs while the rest go to look at the other rooms. "Good morning." He says, as he reaches the landing.
"Hi." Jeffrey says, holding out his hand. They shake hands before Billy and Sam hug.
"So, what are we doing?" He asks, looking around.
"We were giving the rest a tour of the house. I'm glad you came." Jeffrey says, as William and Ava walk up.
"Hi Billy." Ava says.
"What did I say about after hours. " Billy asks, looking at her.
"Sorry, Uncle Billy." She says, with a smile.
"Good, so where is everyone else?"
"Richard and Cassie are still looking over the other room. I couldn't get in touch with Beau." Jeffrey says, as Billy nods and Richard and Cassie walk up.
"Hi. Billy." Richard says, holding out his hand.
They shake hand before he and Cassie hug. "You did an awesome job with this." Cassie says.
"I only did the construction. Ava did the decorating."
"We were talking to her about using the decorating service to decorate the nursery at the farm."
"Whenever you're ready, we'll be glad to come out." Billy says, looking at Ava.
"I've already told her." Ava says.
"So, you said were happy I came, why?"
"We need to use your truck to move the heavier stuff."
"It's parked outside. And I brought Stace with me." He says, as she walks upstairs.
"Hello everyone." She says, nodding to them.
"Do you know everyone?" Billy asks, putting his arm around her.
"Umm, I think so." Stace says, looking around. "Hello, your highness." She says, nodding to William.
"It's just William now." He says, with a smile.
"Well good, then lets get busy if you guys are through looking at the house." Sam says, looking at the rest.
"That's fine."
"Stace I can show you around if you want." Ava says.
"It's okay."
They all head downstairs, making several trips back to the house from the cars before they are unloaded. Sam and Jeffrey took a moment to eat while they were unloading the cars. They make several trips back to the loft. The guys, meaning Jeffrey, Billy and William, carry out all the heavy stuff while Sam and the girls finish packing up the rest of the stuff in the loft. Jeffrey takes a moment to pack up all of his music stuff, carrying it over to the house in his car. Around noon they stop to eat and then go back to moving. Ava is carrying a sack of clothes downstairs when she feels a sharp pain in her lower abdomen. "What's wrong?" Sam asks, looking at her.
"I just had a sharp pain in my stomach." She says.
"Come over here and sit down." Sam says, taking the clothes from her as Cassie and Stace look up.
"Is she okay?" Cassie asks.
"She has some pain in her lower abdomen. What does it feel like?" Sam asks, lightly touching Ava's stomach.
"It feels like labor pains, but it's too early for me to be in labor." Ava asks, as the guys come back from taking a load over to the house.
"Ava, what's wrong?" William asks when he sees her sitting on the couch with Sam touching her.
"I'm alright." She says, instantly feeling the need to reassure him.
"Why is Sam examining you if you're alright?"
"She had some pain when she came downstairs a few minutes ago." Sam says, still examining her, pushing lightly on her stomach, feeling where the baby was.
"Pain, what kind of pain. Is she in labor?"
"No. It's Braxton Hicks contractions."
"Contractions, like labor contractions." Jeffrey asks.
"No, like the pains I had at my wedding, false labor pains." Cassie says.
"I don't think yours were Braxton Hicks." Sam says, looking at Cassie. "It was most likely gas. You're not far enough along for Braxton Hicks and besides this isn't your first pregnancy."
"Is she in labor?" William asks, looking at Sam.
"No, she's not in labor. It's just false labor pain. You're body is getting adjusted to the final stage of pregnancy and a lot of women have false labor pains before they go into labor. I want you lay here and relax." Sam says, turning to Ava.
"Can they be brought on by not eating?" William asks.
"No, it's just something that happens with first time pregnancy. It's nothing that Ava did or didn't do."
"You're sure, because she passed…."
"William." Ava says.
"She passed what?" Jeffrey asks, looking at William.
"She passed out the other day, here at the loft. They took her to Cedars." William says.
"Ava." Jeffrey asks, looking at her.
"It was nothing. I didn't eat and my blood sugar dropped to low. They took me to Cedars because I was at work and its Lewis policy. I was fine once I ate something."
"They took you because you were pregnant and they wanted Dr. Sedgwick to check you out." William says.
"Why didn't you eat?" Jeffrey asks.
"I was a little worried about some things." Ava says.
Sam looks up and sees that Jeffrey's about to ask more but she says. "Let's let her relax." She says as she stands up.
Everyone turns away as William goes over to her and Jeffrey looks at Sam. She walks over to him. "You did that on purpose." He says.
"Yes. They don't need an argument right now. She needs to relax and you need to let them be what they are. They've both had a lot to adjust to."
"She's my daughter. I have to protect her."
"But not from William, so let's get some more stuff loaded up."
"This is your first pregnancy. Will you have those Braxton Hicks contractions?"
"It's possible."
"You will tell me when you do?"
"If you're around, yes I'll tell you." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
"Good." He says, leaning back. "Is there anything else upstairs that needs to be brought down?"
"No, I think Ava brought the last of it down."
"What do we have left?"
"There are some boxes in the bathroom and kitchen and all the food from the refrigerator."
"I'll go get that stuff." He says, releasing her.
Sam goes over to Ava. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm better." She says, sitting up.
"Okay, no more lifting today." Sam says, as William nods
"We'll put the stuff away." William says.
"Okay." She says, as William stands up.
"Where's Jeffrey?"
"He's in the kitchen getting the rest of the food."
"Thank you for stopping the argument." Ava says, looking at Sam.
"You're welcome, but I don't know what happened but whatever it was, don't let it happen again."
"It won't." She says, as Jeffrey comes in with a box.
"I've got all the food in here. Where did Richard and Cassie go?"
"I don't know." Sam says, looking around.
"I guess they're outside. How are you feeling?" Jeffrey asks, looking at Ava.
"I'm better. Is there anything else we need to do?"
"No, I've got everything out of the kitchen." Jeffrey says, as William comes out of the bathroom.
"Everything is out of the bathroom."
"Then it looks like the couch is all that is left besides those clothes and the food." Sam says, as Ava gets up.
"Can you carry this and William and I will get the couch?" Jeffrey asks, looking at Sam.
"Sure." She says, taking the box. It was heavier than she thought but she managed it. "Ava why don't you put the clothes on the couch?"
"I can manage them." She says, as she picks the clothes up from where Sam had laid them. "I'll get the door." She says, walking over to it as Jeffrey and William pick the couch up.
It takes a few minutes for Jeffrey and William to get the couch out into the hallway. Sam and Ava go in front of them and reach the front door as Richard and Cassie walk up. "Is everything okay?" Sam asks, as they walk out.
"Yes, Cassie wanted to check on RJ and we brought the rest of the bathroom stuff down." Richard says. "How are you feeling?" He asks, turning to Ava.
"I'm fine." Ava says, as Cassie walks up.
"Is RJ okay?" Sam asks.
"He's fine. He wants to go outside but Ms. Chitwood won't let him."
"Good." Sam says, as Jeffrey and William come down the hall from the stairs.
Sam holds the door open for them. Once everything is loaded onto the truck, Jeffrey and Sam go back upstairs to make sure they have everything. When Sam comes downstairs, she finds him standing in the middle of the empty living room. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm surprised that it was beginning to feel like our home."
"I know, but we'll have more of a home at the house. And Ava will be here with Emma and William."
"I know but that won't be the same. I only got this space to practice in. It wasn't until you came back that I considered using it as a place to live."
"And all because I didn't want you staying in your ex's hotel." She says, with a smile.
"A decision I should've made on my own." He says, looking around the empty space.
"Are you ready?" She asks.
"Yes, let's go." He says, putting his arm across her shoulders. They walk out with Jeffrey closing the door behind them. "I guess Billy's crew can have free reign now." He says, as she looks up and smiles.