A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Thirteen
Sam rolls over as she wakes up. "J." She mumbles, looking around the room as she rubs her eyes. She quickly realizes that he's not in the bed or room. Pushing the covers back, she grabs his shirt as she walks out of the room.
As she reaches the stairs she hears the Beatles playing. She walks into the living room to Jeffrey dancing across the floor. For a moment, she stands beside the couch, watching him until he turns around and sees her and instantly stops dancing. "When did you get up?"
"Just now."
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Just now."
"Don't tell anyone." He says, as she walks over to him.
"Are you afraid what the citizens of Springfield…?"
"Sam." He says, as she slips her arms around him.
"You've got rhythm, baby." She says, looking up.
"Sam." He says, as she looks up smiling. "The city of Springfield does not…."
"I'm not going to say anything. How long have you been up?"
"A few hours, I left your books alone. I put all the heavy stuff away in the kitchen."
"You did all of this in a few hours."
"Yes, I didn't want you to have to do everything on Sunday. "And don't tell me you wouldn't because you would." He says, as she opens her mouth. "This way, we both can relax before we go back to work tomorrow." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"I'm supposed to do this." She says, looking up.
"Now you don't have to. So, what do you want for breakfast?" He asks, releasing her.
"Eggs and toast." She says, walking over to the boxes by the book shelf.
"Go sit down and I'll fix you breakfast." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"You can fix me breakfast but I'll put these books up." She says, bending over.
Richard walks into Tammy's old bedroom. Cassie's standing in the middle of the room. "What are you doing?"
"I was looking at the room and imagining it as our baby girls room."
"You know Tammy would want you to move on. She's not upset that…."
"I know." She says, reaching for his hand. He takes it and pulls her back into his arms. "I was thinking that we would put the crib in that corner." She says, pointing to the southeast corner of the room. That way she'll be away from the windows in the winter and will be warmer."
"And when she's older we can put her desk under those windows so that she can look out on the back field while she's doing her homework."
"You already see her saving the world, don't you?" She says, turning to him.
"Of course I do, she's your daughter." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "Maybe we should start putting this stuff in the basement."
"We can do that. I think I've got some boxes in the basement that we can pack this stuff up in." She says, releasing him.
"I'll go get them." Richard says, walking out of the room. When he returns, Cassie is in the closet. "Cassie."
"I'm in here." She calls, as he walks over to the closet.
"What are you doing?"
"I found this box. It's some of Tammy's stuff." She says, showing him the stuff in the box. It's full of pictures and things from when they were in San Cristobel. I didn't know she had all this. I cleaned out the bedroom and her clothes, but I never touched the boxes."
"I wonder what she was going to do with this stuff." Richard says, picking up a picture. "Do you remember this?"
"Yes, you were frustrated with Parliament about the trade agreement with San Jamar."
"I wanted to strangle every one of them because that wanted to attach all the amendments and extra clauses to the bill so that it would cost not only San Jamar twice as much but the citizens of San Cristobel."
"Do you think Prince Silas will be able to run San Cristobel?"
"He's a good man, but it will take some time for him to adjust to his life as it is now. San Cristobel will have a lot to adjust to."
"Your family has ruled San Cristobel for more than three hundred years."
"I know, but it's time for a new generation of rulers. My father fought so hard to keep our family as rulers of San Cristobel, that he forgot the reason we were given the job in the first place. He forgot about the trust that the people placed in the Winslow's three hundred years ago."
"You were beginning to bring that back." She says, looking at him.
"I tried, yes. But I didn't even have the right to be where I was."
"Even though you ruled with compassion and understanding. You were a good ruler Richard, no matter what the circumstance were for your birth."
"But the Constitution of San Cristobel states that the next ruler in line to the throne had to be a legitimate heir to the ruling prince. I wasn't legitimate."
"You're father and mother loved each other very much."
"It doesn't change the fact that he was married to Princess Charlotte, not my mother, thus making me ineligible to rule."
"But it wasn't fair to make you give up your life because of something you had absolutely no control over. You ruled fair and honestly. Some times more honestly than my on elected officials here."
"Why are you bringing this up? We haven't been in San Cristobel in more than five years. Our lives are here in Springfield."
"Our lives are here now, but looking at this stuff it reminds me of all the things you had to give up and it doesn't seem to bother you."
"What am I suppose to do? Stomp my feet, scream and holler, jump up and down."
"I know you're not going to do that. But I guess sometimes I wonder if you might blame me..."
"Why would I possible blame you?"
"I was the one that gave you the cup. I forced you to face something that you didn't want to face when you were a child."
"It would've come out, one way or another."
"The letter your mother wrote and the truth about William had stayed hidden for years. It was forced to the surface because of the exhibit for the Children's museum. A project…."
"I have nor will I ever blame you for what happened in San Cristobel. Because of you I was able to accept it and move on. Maybe if I had been alone at the time that the truth came out I might have fought it, but you made me whole. So no I do not blame you for what happened in San Cristobel. I never have." He says, leaning over to kiss her. "I love you and everything that has happened in our lives has only made that love stronger."
"I love you too." She says, leaning in to kiss him.
"So, let's get this stuff packed back up and we'll clean this room out."
"Okay." She says, putting stuff back in the box.
Julie stands in front of the mirror in her bathroom and staring at her reflection. "Why am I even worried about this?" She asks herself. "It's not a date. I'm not even interested in dating."
"Mom." Morgan calls.
She walks out of the bathroom and lays the dress on the bed as she leaves to see what Morgan needed. When she's finished with that, she goes back to her room. Picking up the dress she takes it back into her closet and hangs it up.
Three hours later, Richard carries the last box down to the basement. When he comes back up, Cassie's in the kitchen. "I'll get Josh or Billy to move the furniture down there." She says, as he walks into the room.
"We could do…."
"You know you couldn't. It's heavy and you're not supposed to lift..."
"My back is fine."
"Your back is fine now. It won't be if we carry that stuff downstairs."
"I guess it wouldn't' be good for either one of us to do it. But I hate feeling dependent."
"You're not dependent. You were seriously injured…."
"I know." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "When are the boys coming home?"
"Umm, Harley should be bringing them home in about an hour. Have you talked to Jon lately?"
"No. He's in San Cristobel with Sarah."
"Maybe you should call him."
"Why?"
"Just to see how he's doing. He has to know that Alan's been convicted. Maybe with Alan gone, he could work something out with Lizzie."
"Lizzie is part of the reason Jon's in San Cristobel."
"Lizzie's intentions wasn't for Jon and Sarah to be hurt."
"Good intentions or not, she's still the reason Tammy's dead."
"I'm not denying that Lizzie play a part in Tammy's death."
"Played a part, Cassie, Tammy's dead because she went to Alan to get Jon back." Richard says his voice slightly raised.
"I don't want to fight." Cassie says, looking at him.
"I'm sorry." He says sighing. "I guess you've had longer to accept what happened." He says, looking at her.
"I know it's hard for you to accept that she's not here. But she would want you to be happy and she would've forgiven Lizzie. Lizzie didn't know that Alan was going to order Gillespie to kill Jon. I can see that now. And she's almost as innocent in this as Tammy. Alan bears the guilt and he's in prison."
"It's not for Tammy's murder."
"No, but he's not walking around free either. I can live with that. And I know what Lizzie lives with everyday. She believes her child was killed in that accident. And no matter the length of her involvement with Tammy's death, no mother should feel the pain of loosing a child."
"I'll go call Jon." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "I love you."
"I love you too." She says, smiling as he turns and walks out of the kitchen.
Jeffrey walks upstairs. After breakfast, Sam finished putting things away in the living room and kitchen while Jeffrey unpacks his study. Walking into their bedroom, he leans against the doorway, watching while Sam unpacks a box. Pushing away from the door, he walks over to her and slips his arms around her, pulling her back to him. "Can you take a break?" He asks, as he reaches up and brushes her hair back from her neck.
"Things in here need to be put away." She replies, as he leans in and kisses the side of her neck.
"I think we've accomplishes a lot for today." He says, laying his chin on her shoulder.
"You do." She says, as she turns around in his arms.
"Yes. We finished the living room and kitchen. My study is unpacked and for now my guitars are set up in there. I finished connecting the TV so we can go downstairs, I'll light a fire and we can watch a movie."
"And what about tomorrow when we're getting ready for work."
"We have all of our clothes out. The bathroom is unpacked. Come watch a movie with me." He says, trying to look pitiful.
"Oh, don't make dog eyes at me. We've got work to do."
"Sam, come on. Take a break and watch a movie with me." He says, reaching for her hand.
"Are you sure you don't want to watch a football game?"
"I'm not the one that watches football, you are." He says, leading her out of the bedroom.
"Alright, so I watch football. I like football."
"Imagine that, a woman, that likes sports."
"Making sexist statements such…."
He leans in to kiss her. "I don't want to argue." He says, stepping back. "I want to spend some of our Sunday, enjoying our new house." He leads her downstairs and she follows.
An hour later, they are on the couch. Sam's watching a movie and Jeffrey's playing with her hair. "Did I tell you today that I think you're beautiful and I love you?" He asks, leaning in to kiss her neck.
"J, I want to see this." She says, looking at him for a moment before she turns her attention back to the movie.
He reaches up and turns face back to him. "You would rather watch a movie that we can watch at anytime then be with me."
"Well, since you put it so loving, I'd rather watch the movie." She says, turning her attention back to the movie.
He watches her for a moment and then realizes what she's doing. "Alright." He says, putting the arm he had around her shoulders on the back of the couch and moving slightly away from her as he focuses on the movie.
She looks at him, a little surprised that he pulled away and then she turns her attention back to the movie. Five minutes pass while he watches her. Finally he reaches for the remote and turns the TV off. "Why did you do that?" She asks, looking at him.
"You weren't watching the movie."
"Yes, I was."
"Alright, tell me the last line of dialogue." He says, pausing for several moments. "You can't because you weren't paying attention to the movie. So what's on your mind?" She looks at him and then looks away. "Sam."
"You pulled away." She says, quietly.
"What?"
"You pulled away after I told that I wanted to watch the movie. You pulled away."
"I knew that you were teasing me. I was…."
"Did you pull away because I'm getting fat?"
"What?"
"Did you pull away because I'm getting fat?"
"Why would you even think that? You're not fat."
"Have you looked at me, really looked at me." Sam asks, moving to stand up.
"I don't have to look at you. You're not fat. You're pregnant and your starting to show a little…."
"A little bit, I look like I'm five months pregnant and we're barely out of the third trimester.
"Is this the hormones, because you're not fat. You're beautiful. And if I could I would spend every moment of every day with you, loving you." He says, reaching for her. "I promise that I did not pull away from you because I think you're fat." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"You promise."
"Yes." He says, reaching for her. She moves back to him. "You get some silly ideas in your head sometimes." He says, kissing the top of her head. She snuggles in closer to him and he wraps his arm around her, holding her. "Why would you think you're getting fat and then think that I would ever not want to be with you, when you're carrying my child."
"I was upstairs putting stuff away and I happen to notice how much I'm showing."
"You're not supposes to be showing?" He asks, running his fingers through her hair.
"Maybe a little bit, but it seems like I'm showing far more than I would think was right for this time in the pregnancy."
"Is there a medical problem that could cause you to be bigger than normal."
"Only water retention and swelling, but I don't think it's that."
"Maybe we should call Dr. Sedgwick." He says, loosening his arms.
"It's not a medical emergency. I'm going to swell and retain water, but it's normal. I happened to notice that I seem to be showing more than what I would think is normal for this time period. It's not…."
"I understand." He says, laying a finger across her mouth. "Do you want to turn the movie back on?"
"It's off now. And I can watch it anytime I want." She says, leaning in to kiss him.
She moves closer, as he settles back into the couch. After a few moments, he pulls back. "You want this now?"
"You don't." She asks, smiling as she looks up.
"Come here." He says, reaching for her
She moves onto his lap, kneeling as she leans against him. He slips his hand under his t-shirt. She never changed out of it after breakfast, only adding a pair of his boxers. Laying his hands on her back, he moves them up and down, softly caressing her. Shivering, she sighs as she sinks down. He looks up before closing his eyes as he swallows. She leans in, nibbling on is neck. Slowly moving her tongue down his throat, dipping it into the hollow at the base of his neck before pressing it against his pulse.
He leans back as pushes his shirt up. She breaks the kiss, leaning back. Catching his gaze, she pauses for a moment before she pulls away. Crossing both arms, she pulls the shirt up and over her head, tossing it to the floor. Letting her arms fall to his shoulders. She watches him.
Slowly he moves his eyes down her body. Watching her swallow for a moment before he moves on, finally reaching her breast. He watches her breath. Listening to the rhythm of each breath. Leaning in, he presses his lips against her as she takes a deep breath. She sucks in a deep breath when she feels his tongue caress her nipple. He plays with it for a moment, letting the coolness of the air mix with the warmth of his tongue, caressing her. Laying his hands at her waist, he's content to stay exactly where he's at, even though he can feel desire pressing in on them.
She reaches down pulling on his shirt, working it up and over his head. She softly scratches as she moves down his stomach. Groaning in ecstasy he leans back and looks up. For a moment they stare into each others eyes before he wraps his arms around her and pulls her back to him. His mouth closing over her nipple, playing with her while she buries her fingers in his hair, holding him to her. She kisses the side of his neck, working her way down his body. It's obvious after a moment that to let her finish what she was doing, he has to release her. He pulls back, looking up. His gaze giving her permission to do whatever she felt like she needed to do. He lays his head back, closing his eyes.
She moves off him, kneeling between his open legs. Reaching for his waist, she tucks her fingers into the waist of his boxers and then glances up. Lifting his hips, he watches as she pushes them over his hips, freeing his throbbing erection She pushes them down his legs until he kicks them off. "What are you going…?" She leans over, taking him into her mouth without preamble or warning. "Sam, sweet…!" He groans.
Feeling the warmth of her mouth, the wetness of her kiss and the raspy caress of her tongue as she moves it over him, playing with him. Reaching for her, he buries his hands in her hair, holding him to her. She takes him over and over again, throbbing pulses of his desire rush over him, flooding her with unexpected pleasure. She kisses him softly before she releases him. He reaches for her, helping her to stand.
Leaning forward, he kisses her stomach. Playing with her navel as he reaches up and pulls his boxers down. She pulls him closer to her; wrapping her arms around him she arches her body towards his. He reluctantly releases her. Sitting back, he looks up, flames dancing in his eyes. She softly kiss him as he draws her to him. Straddling him, she reaches for him, caressing him fir a moment as he sucks in a deep breath, fighting the surging waves of desire washing over him. Moaning softly, she takes him and guides him inside as he pulls her to him, holding on tightly.
She arches her back, rolling her hips as he holds desperately to her. Soon the need for faster movement overcomes her and bracing her hands on his shoulder, she rises up to sink over him, taking all of him, each caress faster and harder until she cries out. "Yes, J, yes!"
"Beca." He groans.
She pulls him deeper into her body, possessing his mind and soul. With each thrust they come closer to their release and just as they are about to reach it he reaches for, holding her still. She looks up, her body crying out for what's just out of reach. "J, please." She whispers, sucking in a deep breath and arching her body against, silently begging him to continue.
"I love you. Do you know how much I love you?" He replies
"Yes, and I love… you too… but I… need… you now…"
Lifting his hips, he thrust into her, then again, then once more as waves of release break, crashing within her. He pushes against her, holding himself deep within her. Her satisfaction triggering his satisfaction. They hold each other while residual waves of their release charges through them. "I love you." He softly whispers as he lays a gentle kiss on her pulse at the base of her neck.
"And I love you." She replies in a breath of a whisper.
They lean against each other, holding to the last remnants of their pleasure. She finally pulls away, letting him slip from inside her. He looks up and smiles. "I can take you to bed right now." She smiles as she lays against him, shaking her head no. After a few minutes he notices a change in her breathing pattern and looks down, realizing she's fallen asleep.
Promptly at five, Maggie pulls up to Julie's house. The kids run out to greet her as she gets out of the car. "Nana, can we go to see Uncle…?"
"We don't talk about that MJ, remember." Maggie says, as she closes the car door.
"Yes ma'am."
They walk up to the house as Julie comes downstairs. Maggie stops in the foyer as the kids move around her. "You look beautiful." She says, as Julie reaches the bottom of the stairs. "I have seen you look like this since Matt was alive."
"It's only dinner with Dr. Westbrook. He helped out with Marciano on a few occasions. We're friends." Julie says, closing the door behind her mother.
"Yes." She says, moving out of the way.
"The children's dinner is in the oven. They've finished their homework and in a couple hours I should be back to put them to bed."
"Don't worry about that, I can put them to bed." Maggie says.
Julie turns to look at her. "Don't start thinking what you're thinking. Jacob and I are friends that's all." Turning around, she walks into the kitchen.
"I'm just saying that I haven't seen you look like this since Matt. You didn't even look like this when you were dating Marciano, which might've been…."
"Mom, please. We're friends, that's all." Julie says, turning to her.
"Alright, where is he taking you?"
"Probably to the Lakeview, but I'm not sure about that." Julie says, opening a cupboard and getting a glass. She fills the glass with water and then takes a drink before she turns back around as someone knocks on the door.
"I'll get that?" Maggie says.
"No, I'll get it and I'll be home before it's time to put the children to bed." Julie says, putting the glass down and walking past her mother. Maggie follows her out of the kitchen. "Kids, I'm leaving so mind your Nana." Julie calls, walking towards the front door. "You don't really have to follow me to the door."
"I want to." Maggie replies, as Julie opens the door.
"Hello." Jacob says, smiling.
"Hi, Mom I'll be home to put the kids to bed." Julie says, turning to Maggie.
"Don't worry, I can put them to bed. So you stay out as long as you want, no problem."
"Ma'am." Jacob says, holding out his hand. "I'm Dr. Jacob Westbrook."
"Dr. Westbrook, I'm Maggie Chandler."
"Of course, Ms. Chandler. I'm sure you know my mother Louise."
"Louise Westbrook, of course. How is she doing?"
"She's the same. I'm afraid that she won't get any better."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Jacob, did you make reservations." Julie asks.
"Yes, I'll have her home at a decent hour, Ms. Chandler."
"You kids have fun. I'll handle my grandkids."
"Yes ma'am. Are you ready?" Jacob asks, turning to Julie.
"Yes, I'll be home." Julie says, turning to Maggie.
"Go, have fun, I'll see you when you get home." Maggie says, walking them out the door. She stands at the door and watches as they walk to Jacob's car. He opens her door and then walks around to the driver side. Opening the door, he waves before he gets in. Starting the car, he backs out as Maggie closes the door. When she walks into the living room, all three of the kids are standing there with their coats on. "Where do you think you're going?"
"We want to go see Uncle Richard." MJ says.
"We're not going to Springfield."
"Why not, Mommy's on her date." Martin says.
"She's not on a date." Mason says.
"She's with Dr. Westbrook." Martin says.
"Did you see how much he looks like Daddy?" MJ asks.
"MJ, drop it." Martin says.
"Well, he does."
"Kids, take your coats off, we're not going to Springfield."
"We can go and be back before Mommy gets back. Please Nana. We want to see Uncle Richard again."
She looks at them and then sighs. "Come on, but we're only staying for a couple hours. I have to have you back here and in bed before your mother gets home." Maggie says, opening up the door.
"Yes!" Martin says.
"Yippee!" MJ calls, running for the door.
"Mason, you don't have anything to say?" Maggie asks, following them out of the house.
"Thank you." Mason replies, walking over to the car.
The kids get in, as Maggie starts the car. Martin helps MJ with her seatbelt after Mason closes the door behind them.
Richard walks into the kitchen. Cassie's in the kitchen finishing dinner while the boys are upstairs. "How is Jonathan?" Cassie asks, looking up.
"He's fine. I've been working on something else?"
"Something else." She says, turning to him.
"I had lunch with party leadership for both political parties here in the US."
"Okay."
"Both of them were trying to talk to me about their party and I have to say, I don't really understand the difference, except that the Republicans seem to be about helping the rich and moral values and the Democrats seem to be about helping the poor and more liberal moral values, which I have to say I'm not sure the government has the right to legislate."
"That's why we have separation of church and state. Have you decided which party you're going to run under."
"If I understand the American political system, I don't have to run under any party, correct?"
"Yes."
"So, I could run as an independent."
"Yes."
"What do you think I should do?"
"I'm not the person you need to ask that question. I was never into politics, Richard."
"You were my princess." He says.
"And you help me make some important decisions, politically. You stopped the riot that Edmund stirred up."
"I stopped them by understanding how they felt. I identified with them. It wasn't political and it cost you a three hundred thousand dollar tiara, which I'm still surprised you didn't have me arrested for."
"Why would I have you arrested? You stopped the riot."
"If you want to know what you should do politically, I think you should talk to Jeffrey. He's been through this and he could probably help you, a lot more than I could." Cassie says, as someone knocks on the door.
"We'll discuss this some more." He says, going over to the door. He opens it and then stares for a moment.
"Hello, Richard. May we come in?" Maggie asks.
"I'm sorry." He asks.
"May we come in?" Maggie asks again, nodding towards the house.
He looks down and realizes she has Julie's kids with her. "Of course." He says, stepping back.
"Thank you." Maggie says, walking in with the children behind her. "I'm sorry to drop in. They wanted to see you again…."
"I appreciate you bringing them over, but Maggie. It's really going to cause problems when their mother finds out." Richard says, as Cassie walks up.
"Hello, Maggie." Cassie says.
"Hello, Cassie." Maggie says, holding her hand out.
"You brought the children over." Cassie says, looking down at the three faces looking back and forth between them.
"Yes, they wanted to see Richard again."
"Does their mother…?"
"Kids, I'm your aunt Cassie." Cassie says, bending down.
"Hello."
"Listen, our boys are upstairs. Would you like to go upstairs and play with them." Cassie asks, as they all nod. "I'm going to take them upstairs." Cassie says, looking at Richard and Maggie.
"Thank you." Richard says, as Cassie takes MJ's hand and the boys follow behind them.
When they're out of the room, Richard turns to Maggie. "They wanted to see…" She says, looking at him.
"Does Julie know that you've brought them here?"
"No, she's out with a friend and she asked me to watch the children." Maggie says, as Richard walks into the living room. "You didn't seem to mind when I brought them to your office."
"I understand why you brought them to see me the other day and I appreciate it. But your daughter as made it clear that she doesn't want me involved in hers or their lives. I know you believe she's afraid to face me because of Matt. But she wants things to be this way and I feel that it's my responsibility to follow her wishes."
"I wasn't planning on bring them here when she asked me to watch them tonight. In fact, I can't stay long. We need to be back before Julie gets home, but they wanted to see you."
"So, you brought them to my house."
"Where else was I going to bring them? It's Sunday, your office isn't open."
"You could have called me and I would've met you somewhere." Richard says, as Cassie comes back in.
"They are playing with the boys. Maggie how are you?" Cassie asks, walking up to them.
"I'm fine Cassie. Thank you for asking. I thought Richard wanted to be apart of my grandchildren's lives. I guess I was mistaken."
"I do want to be apart of their lives. Their mother however doesn't want me too and I feel that I should honor her wishes. You brought the boxes to me without her permission." Richard says, looking at her.
"Yes, I did. Because you're as much a victim in this as Julie and my grandchildren are. What about what you want? Have you ever considered standing up for what you want?"
"She's their mother."
"And you're their uncle and the last connection to their father. A father that MJ will not remember except through stories she's told by us and her brother's."
"Richard, maybe you should consider her position. I'm not discounting what your daughter feels." Cassie says, turning to Maggie. Maggie holds up her hand as she nods. "I know you're the diplomat. It's your instinct to satisfy everyone else, leaving everything you want on the sidelines."
"Cassie, their mother decided that she doesn't want me around."
"She decided rather unfairly, if you ask me. You had no control or prior knowledge of anything that's happened, pertaining to your brother, Camille's plot, or the accidents. It's an unfortunate mistake that your brother paid the ultimate price for Camille's actions and we both wish that there was someway you could bring him back, but it can't be done." Cassie says, walking over to him.
"So, I'm supposed to ignore her wishes simply because I'm not at fault for what happened." Richard says.
"No, you need to see her again and tell her that you won't be cut out of your families lives." Maggie says.
"I understand her position."
"You can understand it. That doesn't mean that you have to give up your right to know your family."
"We can't decide any of this right now. The kids are upstairs and they should feel the tension." Cassie says.
"We'll only stay a couple hours." Maggie says, as Richard nods.
Jeffrey lays his head back, idly running his finger through his hair. He quietly says. "I wonder what you would say about me being a father, would you be happy, Mom?" He looks down, watching Sam sleep. "She's going to be a great Mom, like you were. But she'll never be alone. I know I've been a father for several years, but I didn't know about Ava until she was grown. I get to do this from the beginning and sometimes, it's a little scary to think about."
"It's scary for me too." Sam says, looking up.
He smiles as he looks down. "I thought you were asleep."
"Today's your mom's birthday, or it would've been."
"Yes."
"And you wish she was here."
"I wish she was here to meet both of you. She would've loved you and him."
"I would've liked to have met her." She says, moving to sit beside him. He lies down on the couch. His back against the arm rest and then reaches for her. She lies down beside him. He shifts a little bit and then pulls her back against him, laying his hand on her stomach. "You have questions you want to ask her."
"Yes, but I can't."
"Why not?"
"She's gone. Asking the questions will not give me the answers."
"I suppose you're right. Maybe one day, you'll get to ask those questions and she'll be able to answer them. Maybe you don't have to wait to ask them."
"What do you mean?"
"Ask God, he can answer them." He leans over and kisses her shoulder. "He's the only one that can give you some peace about your Mom and HB."
"Mom had her reasons for not telling me. And it maybe something as simple as being ashamed of what they had done."
"Possibly. When are you going to tell Billy about Lewis Oil?"
"I haven't talk to Wes yet. I don't know if he's spoken with Lizzie's broker."
"What happens after they talk?"
"Wes will contact Alex and advise them that I have controlling interest in Lewis Oil and my intentions of taking control of the company."
"Can she fight you?"
"She might try, but at this point, I have control. She has the option of offering to buy the shares back, but I'm not selling them. I'll have to tell Wes to make that clear when he speaks to her."
"So even though you have control of the company she may fight you taking control of it."
"Yes, she could. If I need to I'll speak to her myself."
"You think that will help?"
"I don't know." He says, moving to get up
"Where are you going?"
"To get something to drink." He goes to the kitchen as Sam sits up. "I'll be right back."
"I know. I'm going to the bathroom." Sam says, getting up.
When she comes back, he's laying on the couch, eyes closed. She lies down beside him and he lifts his arm, laying it over her stomach again, pulling her back against him. "My mom had to work so hard. She worked in that bar every night and then she worked in the City for Reed and Reed during the day."
"I thought she only worked in the bar."
"No, she worked at Reed and Reed as a mail clerk. She had no education and she couldn't afford to get any because she had me to support. She wanted to be involved with my life. But her life was supporting me. Watching the way she worked and struggled is the reason I went to college and then law school."
"When did you do that?"
"Right after she was buried, I went to college and then law school."
"Like going to me going to Med school was because of my mom's illness." She says, looking up at him.
"Another thing we have in common." He says, looking down. There are a few moments of silence before he says. "If I was honest, I would admit that it pisses me off that she worked so hard and Josh had the easy life with our father and now he judges me to be unfit to be in his family. This wasn't something I asked for."
"You have the right to feel a little jealous and angry."
"I'm not angry. I don't understand. Being his brother wasn't within my control. I wasn't around when all the other stuff happened between him and Reva, so why is he holding me to those circumstances."
"I don't know." She says, yawning.
"Let's go to bed." He says, moving to release her.
"It's not that late."
"Maybe not, but you're tired. We did a lot today." He says, getting up after she gets up. He turns to her. "Do you want me to carry you?"
"No, I can walk." She says, taking his hand and walking towards the stairs. He follows her, admiring the sway of her hips as she walks.