A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Sixteen
When Jeffrey comes downstairs the next morning, Sam is in the kitchen cooking. "What are you doing?" He asks, as he walks into the kitchen.
"I am cooking you breakfast." She says, as she looks up from the bacon she's frying.
"You're going to make yourself sick. I could've…."
"It's not bothering me." She says, as she hands him a cup of coffee.
"Then why do you have the window open and it's in the thirties outside."
"Okay, it's not bothering me with the window open." She says, taking the bacon out of the pan. "Now how many eggs do you want?"
"Sam."
"J, how many?" She asks, looking at him.
"Two and I'll make you…." She looks at him. "Us some toast." He says, reaching for the bread.
"What are you doing today?" She asks, taking the eggs out.
"I've got a meeting with Richard and hopefully Wes calls me. When did you get up?"
"About an hour ago. I couldn't sleep."
He stops to look at her. "Why?"
"I was thinking about Arianna and the kids in Laurel Falls."
"Beca social services and Frank will be able to help them, I promise."
"What if they don't?" You don't understand what it feels like. The hopelessness, the feeling of being invisible and useless, that you don't matter." He takes the spatula out of her hand and takes over cooking the eggs. "You want to tell someone, but you're afraid of getting in trouble or getting someone you love in trouble, so you retreat." She says, reaching up to wipe her eyes.
He looks at her and then turns the stove off. Reaching for her, he says. "You're free from that and you're not worthless or useless."
She moves into his arms. Wrapping them around her, she lays her head on his chest. "What happened to you as a child was not your fault, nor is it Arianna's or the other children's."
"But she needs to be told that. Someone has to explain that to her."
"Social service's has counselors to help her."
"It helps to talk to someone who has experienced that same thing. You don't feel quite as alone."
"You promised to let Frank and social services handle this."
"And I will keep that promise, but I want to help her."
"Sam…."
"No one helped me. People knew, they realized or suspected what was going on and grant it was a different time and place but no one had the courage to stand up and stop it, not even my own mother."
"You know she wanted to help you." Jeffrey says, holding her. "Sometimes people get overwhelmed. They can't see the options they have available to them because of fear."
"I know, but no one cared." Sam says, crying softly.
Bending down, he picks her up. He carries her to the living room. "It's okay, and they did care, especially your mother." He whispers, holding her. "Arianna will be okay. You did for her what no one did for you."
"I still have to help her." Sam says, leaning back.
"I don't care about you helping her. I don't however want you going after this Deacon guy. If he'll do that to a child I don't want you around so that he can hurt you or the baby."
"I promised that I would let Frank and social services take care of the Deacon, but I'm going to help Arianna understand that she's not responsible for what was done to her."
"Alright. Are you going to be okay?"
"Yes. We didn't finish breakfast." She says, looking at the kitchen.
"Don't worry about breakfast. I'll get something at Company and I'll make sure it's more than Danish and a coffee." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes. I've got to get ready. The girls will be downstairs waiting for me to let them in."
"You'll stay…."
"I'm not going after the Deacon. I promised that I wouldn't."
"When I get to the office I'll call Noah and I'll tell him about this Deacon guy and suggest that they send some agents to Laurel Falls."
"Thank you." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
"I'll see you tonight." He says, stepping back.
"I'll be here." Sam replies, smiling as he walks towards the door. "J."
"Ah yeah." He says, stopping.
"Would you mind going out the front and letting the girls in while I get ready?"
"No, that's fine." He says, smiling as he walks into the laundry room. When he gets downstairs, he lets Leah and the other girls in.
"Good morning, Mr. Mayor." Leah says.
"Good morning, Sam will be down in a few moments."
"Yes sir."
"Ah Leah, there's no need to be so formal."
"Yes sir."
"She'll be down in a moment." Jeffrey says, turning to leave out the back of the house.
Cassie rolls to her side. Slowly waking up, she looks over and finds Richard's side of the bed empty. She's about to call out for him when the bathroom door opens and he walks out, drying his hair with a towel wrapped around his waist. "How did I get up here?" She asks.
"Good morning, how are you." He asks, looking up and then walking over to the bed and leaning over to kiss her.
"Morning, how did I get up here?" She asks when he sits back.
"I carried you up here after Will found us on the couch asleep."
"He found us on the couch after…."
"Yes, he was thirsty. I sent him back upstairs and then I got him a glass of water and put him back to bed before I came downstairs and got you."
"What time is it?"
"It's seven thirty."
"Seven thirty! The boys…." She says, pushing the covers back.
He reaches out to stop her. "The boys are on the bus to school with lunch and snack money in the back packs. I fed them breakfast and put them on the bus promptly at seven."
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Because you needed the sleep and I enjoyed watching you while you slept."
"You enjoyed watching me while I slept."
"Yes." He says, leaning over to kiss her. Reaching up, he buries his fingers in her hair as he deepens the kiss.
After several seconds she pulls away. "You've got go. You've got a meeting with Jeffrey to finish." She says.
"I've got time." He says, leaning back in.
She kisses him quickly before she pushes the covers back and gets out of bed. "No, you don't and I've got to get ready. I'm supposed to meet Ava at the Beacon to go over plans for their wedding." She says, as he sighs.
"Alright." He says, getting up.
"But we can finish this later." She says, walking over to him and putting her arms around his neck.
"I'll look forward to it." He says, with a smile.
"I'm sure you will. Go get dressed while I get a shower." She says, releasing him.
He leans in to kiss her and then turns for the closet as she goes into the bathroom.
Cassie walks into the Beacon a little after eight. Ava is in the lobby when she walks in. "I'm so sorry." Cassie says, walking up to her.
"It's okay. I haven't been here long."
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes, William insisted that I eat before I left this morning. It's quite fun watching him fuss over me."
"I'm sure he's exactly like Richard. He let me sleep in this morning. Got the boys ready and off to school. And then he said he let me sleep because he knew I was tired and because he liked watching me sleep." Cassie says, as they walk towards Olivia's. "Do you mind if I get something to eat. I didn't have time…."
"No, go ahead. We can discuss the wedding while you eat." Ava says, following her into Olivia's.
"Ms. Winslow." The hostess says, nodding to Ava.
"Hi, Colby." Cassie says. "Do you have a table free?"
"Of course ma'am. Would the back table be okay?" She asks.
"That's fine." Cassie says, walking that way with Ava following her and Colby behind them.
"Would you like your usual ma'am?" Colby asks, as Cassie sits down.
"That will be fine. Is Heather not coming in today?"
"I'm not sure ma'am. Mr. Obray asked me to cover these tables for the morning, ma'am."
"Okay, bring me my usual."
"Yes ma'am and would you like anything ma'am?" Colby asks, looking at Ava.
"Some water will be fine." Ava replies, as Colby nods and then turns to go.
"So, did you and William look over the brochures that I gave you?" Cassie asks, as she settles back into her chair.
"Yes, we looked them over." Ava says, as Colby brings their drinks.
"So, what did you think of them? Did anyone of them seem like the right thing for you and him?"
"Well, actually no. They didn't." Ava says.
"Okay, what did you have in mind?" Cassie asks, taking a drink.
"Well, we were discussing something more along these lines." Ava says, reaching for the folder she had laid done beside her. "I took some time last night to sketch up some drawings of what we decided on." Ava says, handing her the folder.
Cassie takes the folder and opens it, looking over the drawings before she looks up. "This quite good, where did you get this idea?"
"I don't really know. Maybe I've watched Gone with the Wind one too many times, but this is what I think of for a spring wedding. I know it sort of resembles a southern plantation with the moss hanging from the trees. I'm not sure how we would be able to pull that off."
"I'm sure our staff can figure something out. Did you discuss the menus?"
"Yes, finger foods, I made notes." She says, reaching for the folder. Pulling out a piece of paper she hands it to Cassie. "And we decided on the colors for the wedding." Cassie looks up from the menu and notes that Ava made. "Black and white with red."
"That's going to be gorgeous. Do you have a dress?"
"No. I've got to go this weekend and look." Ava says, as Colby brings Cassie's breakfast.
"Do you want me to go with you? I'm sure Sam would want to go with you too."
"That would be great. What about Saturday morning?"
"RJ has a game but we can meet after the game."
"When is his game?"
"Eleven."
"You're going to let him play."
"His fever broke within a few days and he's been taking his antibiotics, so we feel that he's able to play."
"That's great. I'll be sure to tell William."
"Wonderful, I know RJ will love having him in the stands watching."
"How's the baby?" Ava asks, looking at her.
"She's wonderful, speaking of that. Richard and I packed up and cleared out Tammy's old room and you said you would be interested in designing the nursery for us."
"Sure, I can do that."
"It won't be too much with the wedding."
"No, my dad's house is finished. The loft is still in the construction phase and we have no pressing clients at the moment, so I can handle designing your nursery."
"Great. Umm, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Ava says, taking a drink.
"I was wondering if you've spoken with Olivia."
"Umm no, I haven't." Ava says, putting the glass down. "Why?"
"I was just curious." Cassie says, taking a drink while Ava watches her.
"There's something more."
"Alright, I talked with my dad a few weeks ago and apparently they are no longer together. She's decided that she needs to focus on herself."
"Well, considering what happened. I think that's probably a good thing for her to focus on, figuring out why she planned to have my father kidnapped and his wife framed, solely for the purpose of getting her way." Ava says.
"You're still angry with her."
"No, not really, she's not even a part of my life anymore."
"And you don't wish she was here?"
Ava looks at her for a moment and then she sighs. "Sure I wish she was here, but she's not and frankly I think it's a good thing. She planned to kidnap my father and hold him hostage until he agreed to be with her. She further planned to put the whole thing on Sam. Whose only connection to this thing is being in love with my father and my father loving her. Olivia threw a fit because she didn't get her way. That's my mother. She did it with me and William too. And I can't deal with her on top everything else that's going on right now. William and I are just settling in to each other. We're getting married and we're having a baby. All of that is happening within months of each other. Oh and I'm about to become a big sister and an aunt within months too. My father is finding his way in a family he had no idea he was a part of and it's not going easily for him."
"Is Josh making it difficult at Lewis?"
"No, I barely see Josh when I'm at Lewis. But I know some things about my Dad. He pretends that Josh's continued insistence that he be exclude from his family doesn't bother him, but it does. So I can't deal with Olivia too. I'm sorry about your father."
"He seems okay with it. He's hoping she'll come around."
"Maybe she will. Is there anything else we need to discuss about the wedding?"
"No, I'll give this to the staff and the menu to the chef."
"Thanks." Ava says, moving to stand.
"Ava." Cassie says, looking up. "I'm sorry if I upset you about your mom."
"You didn't." Ava says with a smile, as Cassie nods. "We'll see you Saturday."
"Great, see you then." Cassie says, with a smile.
Jeffrey walks into the office as Richard walks in. "How's Sam?" Richard asks.
"She's fine." Jeffrey replies, walking over to his desk with Richard following him.
"I would like to apologize for Cassie's involvement in her going to Laurel Falls."
"You don't have to apologize. Her going to Laurel Falls is typical Sam. And she was right to use Cassie's car instead of her own. A '66 mustang doesn't blend in well in a small town. You should see the looks we get when we're out…."
"Jeffrey, do you really want to talk about Sam's car?"
"Okay, so I'm still worried about her. She didn't sleep last night, at least not well and she was up this morning with the window open trying to fix me breakfast."
"She had the window open. It was in the mid thirties this morning."
"It's the morning sickness. She can't stand the smell of bacon and she knows that I like bacon and eggs, so she was fixing me breakfast, which might be a way to make up for scaring me yesterday too. She wants to help those kids out so much. She knows what they're going through because she's been there. But she promised me that she would let Frank and social services handle this."
"Then that's what she's going to do. Cassie believes that she only wanted to talk to the woman that brought this girl into the clinic."
"So, we're going to discuss this new company."
"I've already made a decision on the new company. I wanted to ask you about something else."
"Okay."
"When you ran for mayor, how did you organize the campaign?"
"You should have more experience with this than I do. You ran for President."
"I was unopposed and the former prince. San Cristobel had no other choice at the time."
"Nothing against William, but they made the right choice. Okay, you'll need a campaign manager. Since this is a relatively small campaign, that's probably the only paid member of your staff. The rest will be volunteers. What party are you running under?"
"I was thinking I would run as an independent. I mean there are aspects of each party…."
"Richard, it's perfectly fine to run as an independent. But you'll need to get volunteers for fundraising, policy and communications."
"Would Holly be a good person to talk to about communications?"
"Blake's mom, I suppose that would be good. She did the interview after you and Cassie came back to Springfield. She knows your history and what you stand for. I have to tell you Richard the last campaign I was involved in got a little messy. Personal stuff was aired about everyone in Springfield, due mostly to Blake. But are you prepared to face questions about you and Cassie again."
"Springfield knows about our history. Everything that happened in San Cristobel was broadcasted here. They know about Will and his adoption. They know about Edmund. They know about Camille's plot to kill me to hurt Cassie."
"Do they know about Cassie's past, because it will probably come up again."
"That was broadcast here too, including Cassie explanation and apology. I thought you wanted me to run."
"I do. But you said yourself, you've ran in one election where you were unopposed."
"I wasn't initially unopposed in that campaign. I know about dirty politics. I almost destroyed Josh when I showed a picture of what I thought was Olivia giving my opponent a pay off. And Springfield saw that too."
"Just so you're prepared."
"I'm prepared and I'll keep Cassie and the boys out of it as much as possible. Cassie can't be involved because of the stress to her and the baby anyway."
"She can't be completely left out. The press will want access to her and the boys."
"She will be involved, but she's not going to spend her days on the campaign trail with me."
"So you'll need volunteers. How much money have you raised?"
"I haven't even started raising money."
"You need to start that immediately. When I ran, it cost upwards of hundred thousand dollars and that was a low estimate on what my campaign cost and that was a couple years ago."
"Okay, so what do I do first?"
"First, you need a campaign manager."
"Who did you use?"
"A man named Kevin Harrison."
"Do you have his number?"
"Umm." Jeffrey reaches for his phone. "I kept it in case I needed it." He says, reaching for a piece of paper. He writes the number down and hands it to Richard.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, you need to meet with him as soon as possible."
"I'll do that." He says, standing up.
"Give Cassie my best and tell her I'm not upset with her about the car."
"I will and trust in Sam." Richard says.
"Thank you." Richard leaves and Jeffrey turns to look out his window. After a moment, he picks up the phone and dials Sam's cell phone. It rings a few times and then goes to her voice mail. "Hi, ah, it's me. I just wanted to check on you. Make sure everything is okay. I love you." He says, hanging up.
Sam's in the middle of an examination when she feels her phone go off. She ignores it. "So Ms. Walker, I'm going give you a prescription of antibiotics, but if you want the infection to clear up, you have to take the whole prescription. Stopping once you feel better only builds up your body's resistance to the antibiotic." Sam says, as she feels her phone go off again.
"Beca, I'm not checking up on… so maybe I am. I only wanted to make sure you're okay. I'm worried… Could you call me when you get this, please?" Jeffrey says, hanging up the phone. He tries to concentrate but he keeps letting his thoughts wonder to Sam and the look on her face yesterday morning and this morning. He reaches for the phone and then pulls away. This battle goes on for about five minutes before he gives up and calls her again. "Sam, please! I just want to hear your voice. I know you're worried about the kids in Laurel Falls, but Frank and social services will take care of them. I want to know you're okay."
Sam walks out the exam room, following Ms. Walker. "Okay, get this filled as soon as…." She fills her phone vibrating again. Reaching into the pocket of her lab coat she pulls it out and looks at the screen. Seeing that it's Jeffrey, she pushes the button to ignore the call and then turns back to Ms. Walker. "I want to see you again in two weeks." She says, as her phone vibrates again.
"Maybe you should take that." Ms. Walker says, nodding towards the phone.
"I'm sorry. It's my husband." Sam says, handing her the prescription.
"I'll be sure to get this filled and I'll see you in two weeks, Dr. O'Neill." Ms. Walker says, as Sam's phone vibrates again. "It must be important, so take the call. I can walk out."
"Thank you." Sam says nodding, as Ms. Walker walks away. She hits the button to answer the call and says without listening. "I told you I was going to let Frank and social services handle this."
"Sam, its Ava."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was Jeffrey. What's up?" Sam says, walking into her office and closing the door.
"Umm, I just left a meeting with Cassie and we're planning on going to look for my wedding dress this weekend and I thought maybe you would like to come with us."
"Oh sure, sure, I would love too."
"Are you sure? You seemed a little distracted when you answered."
"No, I'm fine, just a lot on my mind. I would love to go with you to look for a dress."
"Great, so why did you sound like you were ready to throttle my dad?"
"It's nothing. He's just being a bit paranoid and over protective. I'll talk to him."
"Why is he being paranoid and over protective? My mom…."
"No, you mom has nothing to do with this." Sam says sighing. "I had a patient that really got to me yesterday and it's worried your father. It's nothing to worry about and I'll talk to him about it."
"Okay, I've got to call William before I get to the loft."
"Oh, sure. What time and when this weekend?"
"Oh Saturday morning after RJ's game."
"He's feeling better then."
"Yes."
"Great, I'll be ready."
"We'll call you once the games over."
"Great, I'll talk to you then."
Walking up to the front desk, she hands Ms. Walker's file to the receptionist, she turns to Leah. "I'm going to go to lunch. I should be back before my next appointment."
"Yes ma'am." She says.
"You guys can go to lunch too."
"Yes ma'am." They reply.
Sam walks out of the office through the back. Ten minutes later she pulls up to the city complex. Parking in front of the police station, she sits there for a few moments before she reaches for her purse and gets out. She pulls her coat around her as she walks towards the building. Frank is at his desk when Sam walks up. "Frank." She says.
He looks up surprised. "Sam, why are you here?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the girl that was brought into the clinic yesterday."
"We're still investigating."
"I know, but I wanted you to know something that I found out yesterday."
"You found something out."
"Yes, I closed the clinic early yesterday and I went to Laurel Falls."
"Sam , you can't interfere with an active police investigation."
"I wasn't interfering. I wanted to speak to Ms. Owens. So I went to the high school."
"We questioned, Ms. Owens yesterday."
"You questioned, Ms. Owens."
"Well, we took her statement."
"And did she tell you that she's not really the school nurse for Laurel Falls?"
"Yes, she did. She admitted that she's the girl's mother."
"She's her mother and she let…."
"She didn't let anything happened to her daughter."
"I know, I'm sorry. Did she tell you want happened?"
"Only that her daughter came to her house for her weekend visitation and she soon realized that something was wrong but Arianna refused to tell her what happened until her mother saw the bruising around her shoulder."
"So, what did happen?"
"All Arianna would tell her was that she was punished. After seeing the bruises, she decided to keep Arianna past the time she was expected to return her to her father. But she knew that once she didn't return Arianna that her father would come looking for her so she brought her to Springfield. They stayed at the Springfield Inn and she brought her to your clinic yesterday morning."
"So what happened?"
"Ms. Owens was arrested…."
"She was arrested, why?"
"Technically she kidnapped…."
"She protected her child. And you arrested her." Sam says, jumping up. "Where is she at now?"
"Sam, she's guilty…."
"The only thing that woman is guilty of is protecting her child. Something any decent mother would do. Did you even try to find out why she didn't call the authorities when she found out what happened?" Frank opens his mouth to answer but she cuts him off. "No, you didn't. I want to see her, now!"
"Sam, you're not involved."
"Do not tell me that I'm not involved." She says, leaning over the desk. "That girl was brought to my clinic. I know what her injuries were and I know how she sustained them and you're punishing her mother for protecting her. You bet your ass I'm involved."
"I can't let a civilian…."
"I'm the mayor's wife. I want to see her, now!"
"She was arraigned this morning and released." Frank says.
"Are you at least watching her?"
"Sam!"
"No, of course not. You see her as a kidnapper. Where is Arianna?"
"She's in the custody of social services."
"Has anyone explained to her what's going on?"
"She's being taken care of but social services."
"So, in other words, no one's explained anything to her and she thinks she got her mother arrested because she was punished. Who's her social worker?"
"Maggie Chandler. She works out of Laurel Falls."
"What is her number?"
"Sam, you can't interfere."
"I'm a private citizen offering to help with a case she's working on. I can do that. What is her number?"
"What about Jeffrey?"
"What about him?"
"He doesn't want…."
"He talked to you, didn't he. Never mind, I'll take care of him. What's her number?" For several moments neither one speaks. "Frank, how hard do you think it would be for me to look up her number. I know her name and even if I didn't, how many social workers would a town like Laurel Falls have?"
"Fine, it's 555-5432." Frank says.
"Thank you." Sam says, standing up and reaching for her purse.
"You can't get involved with an active case, Sam."
"Ms. Owens brought her daughter to me to treat. I'm already involved." Sam says, turning to leave. 'And do not call my husband when I leave." She says, closing the door behind her.
Jeffrey is on the phone when Sam walks into is office. "Jeffrey Harland Billy O'Neill." She says, standing in the doorway.
"Could I call you back?" He asks, looking up and seeing Sam. "Thank you." He hangs up. "Sam." He says, standing up. "This is for…."
"Oh no, don't you even try that." Sam says, walking in and closing the door hard behind her.
"I had to do something. You wouldn't answer my calls."
"I wouldn't answer your calls because I was with a patient. I promised you that I would not go looking for this Deacon guy. I promised you that because I didn't want you to worry about me. And you promised to call Noah and suggest that he send agents to Laurel Falls, have you even done that?"
"It was my next call. I've been busy."
"Maybe you should have called Noah instead of Frank when I didn't pick up the phone. Or better yet, waited until you talked to me and I would have told you why I didn't pick up the phone." Sam says sarcastically.
"I was worried. I kept seeing the look on your face yesterday and this morning."
"So, you ordered Frank not to tell me any information because it's an active case."
"I didn't order him. I just suggested that it might go smoother if civilians weren't involved." He says, watching her face. "I won't apologize for…."
"For being an insufferable…."
"…being an insufferable and over protective husband to my pregnant wife, no I won't apologize for that."
"I'm not a weak little woman you have to protect. I promised you that I would leave it to Frank and social services because I saw how terrified you were last night and I understood why you felt that way. Have you even tried to understand why I feel the way I feel." She asks. He can see that she's shaking
"Sam, please calm down."
"Calm down, you want me to calm down."
"Yes, I want you to calm down. You're shaking." He says, walking over to her.
"Do not try to comfort me. I'm absolutely furious with you."
"You can be furious. I'm still going to protect you."
"Your plan didn't work. Frank told me the name of the social worker that's handling Arianna's case. I will be contacting her. He gave me her number too."
"Son of a…."
"Oh, don't you get mad at him. I will keep my promise. I won't go after this Deacon guy, but I will help Arianna and her mother, Ms. Owens."
"Ms Owens! She's Arianna's mother."
"Yes." Sam says, turning for the door. She turns back around. "I want you to have the full picture. Ms. Owens was arrested yesterday and charged with kidnapping. Do you know why she was arrested and charged with kidnapping?" He looks at her. "She was arrested because she decided to protect her child and not return her to an abusive situation. I will be speaking with Arianna's social worker and I will be offering to testify on her behalf and give my professional opinion on what caused Arianna's injuries and my belief that if Ms. Owens hadn't've stepped in and kept her daughter she would have been seriously, potentially fatally injured if she was returned to the care of her father." She walks over to the door and opens it. "I'll see you at home."