A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Twenty Three
Jeffrey walks out of his office around four thirty. "Stace, I'm going home for the evening. You can leave as soon as you finish what you're doing."
"Yes Sir." She replies, as he walks over to door. He leaves.
Walking out of the building, he walks over to his car as he pulls his coat around him. The temperature is falling fast. He wouldn't be surprised if they don't have some snow soon. Getting into his car, he starts it and then backs out. He has one stop to make before he goes home.
Pulling up to the court house, he gets out and goes inside to the circuit courts office. An older woman is at the counter when he walks in. "Mr. Mayor." She says, surprised to see him.
"Hello." Jeffrey says, walking up to the counter.
"How can I help you?" She asks smiling at him.
"I need the paperwork to file for a change of name."
"Of course, sir." She says, reaching for the paperwork and handing it to him.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, turning to go. He leaves the courthouse a couple minutes later.
Sam is at the kitchen table when Jeffrey walks in. Putting his briefcase down, he hangs up his coat before he walks over to her. "It's getting really cold out there." He says, leaning down to kiss her. "How are you?" He asks, sitting down beside her.
"I'm fine." She says, going back to what she was doing.
"What are you doing?"
"Going through the mail, the electricity and water bill came."
"Give it to me." He says, reaching for it as she hands it to him. "I'll take care of it tomorrow. Did you see Megan after I left?"
"No, she left while I was with a patient." Sam says, still looking through the mail.
"It's going to take time, but she will come around."
"I'm just surprised she compared you to Mr. Rollings. I'm surprised she even brought that up. It was so long ago."
"Have you forgotten about the things that your father did to you?" Jeffrey asks, reaching over to brush her hair back.
"No, I guess I haven't and even though it seems like she's moved on from that, I'm sure she thinks about it."
"This will work out. She'll understand what happened and she'll accept it…."
"But it's going to take time."
"Yes, it will."
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Do you feel like cooking?" He asks, as she looks up.
"I can cook…."
"You don't want to cook, so we can go out. There's a new restaurant that's opened on Fifth Street."
"If it's cold outside, I don't really want to go out."
"We'll order from Company. I'll order for us while you go upstairs and take a hot bath and relax."
"I really am okay." Sam says, looking at him.
"I know you are, but go take a bath anyway." Jeffrey says, leaning over to kiss her after he stands up.
"Are you saying I stink?" She asks, standing up.
"You smell like heaven." He says, reaching for the phone.
"I'll be upstairs." Sam says, turning for the stairs.
He watches her go before he dials the number for company. Buzz picks up after the second ring. "Thanks for calling Company, this is Buzz."
"Hey Buzz." Jeffrey says, leaning against the counter in the kitchen as he pulls his tie free and unbuttons the top two buttons on his shirt before he rolls up his sleeves
"Jeffrey, how are you? How are Sam and the baby?"
"We're all good, thanks. I need to place an order for delivery."
"Sure." Buzz says, taking a pad.
"I need two steaks, one medium well, one medium rare, baked potatoes, stemmed vegetables and small salads."
"What kind of dressing for the salad's?"
"I only need dressing for one and make it French."
"Alright, I've got two steaks, one medium well, one medium rare, two baked potatoes, stemmed vegetable and small salads, will that be all?"
"Yes, that's everything." Jeffrey says, standing up.
"Do you want me to charge the card on file?"
"That's fine." Jeffrey says.
"We'll have it to you in about twenty minutes." Buzz says, taking the order back to the kitchen.
"Thanks Buzz."
"You're welcome and thank you for calling Company." He says, hanging up a few moments later.
He waits a few moments before he dials Beau's number. "Hey I was calling to see if you can come over tomorrow night to rehearse."
"Yeah, I can be there."
"Good, have you talked to Carter?"
"I'll call and tell him. I talked to him today but I'll call him back."
"Thanks."
"How are Sam and the baby?"
"They are good."
"Is she going to be there?"
"I don't know. I haven't said anything to her."
"Alright, we'll se you tomorrow night."
"See you then." Jeffrey says, hanging up the phone.
Putting the phone down, he walks over to the table where he left is brief case. Pulling out the papers he'd gotten from the circuit courts office. He takes them and the bills back to his office. Sitting down at his desk, he logs onto his computer and then into their checking account. Paying the two bills, he logs out and then takes out the papers from his briefcase. He begins reading over them. He's about halfway through reading them when Sam calls. "J!"
"I'm in my study." He calls back, continuing to read. He looks up when she appears at the door. "What?" He asks when he sees the huge grin on her face. She walks over to him. "Why are you smiling that way?" He asks, as she walks around his desk. He sits back as she reaches for his hand. Taking it, she presses it to her stomach. For a moment he doesn't understand until he feels something kick his hand. "Is that… Did he just… He just moved. I felt him move!" Jeffrey exclaims, smiling from ear to ear as she nods.
"I was finishing my shower and I felt him kick me." Sam says, moving his hand to the other side.
"Oh my god, I just felt him move again." Jeffrey says, moving his hand. And every time he does, the baby moves with him. "Did you feel that? Does that hurt you?" He asks, looking up.
"No, it kinda feels weird, but it feels wonderful too." She says, laying her hand on his. "I think I've been feeling him for a while, little flutters but I didn't realize it was him."
"Hi, son." Jeffrey says, moving his hand over Sam's stomach.
She looks up and smiles. "I think he just high fived you." She says, as someone knocks.
"I forgot, that's the delivery from Company." Jeffrey says, pulling his hand away.
They walk into the living room, with Jeffrey going to the door. "I have your order Mr. O'Neill." A young girl says. "Buzz charged it to your account." She says, handing Jeffrey the bag.
"Thank you." Jeffrey says, taking the bag. "Here." He says, pulling out his wallet. He hands her a five dollar bill.
"Thank you." She says, taking the money.
"You're welcome." Jeffrey says, as she turns to go.
Closing the door, he turns to find Sam coming out of the kitchen. "What did you order?" She asks, as he walks over to the table.
"Steaks, baked potatoes, salad and stemmed vegetables."
"Did you get an orange smoothie?" She asks, as he looks at her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think about it. I can go…."
"No, it's okay." She says, going back to the kitchen.
"I'll got get one." He says, turning
"No, milk will be okay." She says, getting a glass. "What do you want to drink?"
"Did you make tea?"
"Yes." She says, with a smile. She pours him a glass and then walks back over to the table and they sit down to eat..
They are about halfway through dinner when their phone rings. "I'll get it." Sam says, getting up. She picks up the phone on the third ring. "Hello, O'Neill residence."
"Yes, may I speak to Dr. O'Neill?"
"This is she." Sam says, walking back over to the table.
"This is Scott Waxley. I am a public defender for the city of Springfield. I was assigned the AJ Owens case."
"I'm sorry but I don't know an AJ. Owens." Sam says, looking at Jeffrey.
"You treated her daughter a few days ago."
"Oh Arianna, yes, I've been meaning to call the social worker assigned to the case."
"I would rather you spoke with me. Mrs. Owens felt you would be willing to help with her case."
"I definitely would." Sam says, as Jeffrey looks at her. "In fact, I would be willing to testify on her behalf."
"We would need to get your statement first. Is there a time that we could meet to discuss your statement."
"I can meet you for lunch on Monday."
"That would be fine. Would Company be okay?"
"Company would be fine. Would one o'clock be okay?"
"That is fine. I will see you then." Scott says.
"I will be there, thank you."
Sam hangs up as Jeffrey asks. "Who was that?"
"The public defender that was assigned to Mrs. Owens case, she wants to interview me Monday at one."
"At Company, what was her name?"
"A Scott Waxley."
"Scott Waxley." Jeffrey says, as Sam looks at him
"What?"
"I don't recognize the name. It's possible that she's new but I don't know her." He says, as they finish eating.
"I'm suppose to meet her at Company, Monday at one." She says, finishing her milk.
"I can come with you."
"I'm not going to be interrogated. She's Mrs. Owens's attorney."
"I would feel better if I was there." He says, getting up. He carries his plate into the kitchen with her following him. "When is your appointment with Dr. Sedgwick tomorrow?"
"Three and I have to be at the Beacon for Ava's wedding/baby shower by eleven, I think."
"You're giving her a shower?"
"No, Cassie and Reva are. Cassie asked me if I wanted to come when I talked to her this morning. And the next time you see her you might let her know that you're not mad at her."
"Why would she think I was mad at her?"
"Because she gave me the car to go to Laurel Falls to see Mrs. Owens." She says, as he shakes his head.
"Who's going to handle your patients?"
"I believe my last appointment is at ten, but if anything happens Leah can handle it for me. What were you reading when I came downstairs?"
"I was going over the papers to change our name."
"You can do that yourself. You don't need an attorney?"
"No, you don't need an attorney. But if I did I am an attorney." He says, carrying the rest of the dishes to her.
"How does it work, changing our name?"
"I'll file the paperwork with the court. A court date will be assigned after there is an announcement in the paper. When the court date comes up, the judge will sign the papers and they will be officially filed with the court, legally changing our name."
"Why is there an announcement in the paper?"
"To give anyone the chance to object to the change."
"And you don't you think that Josh will?"
"He might personally, but he has to have a legal reason to object to the change before he can file with the court. And I'm not living our lives to please him. HB was my dad and I can't change that."
"How long till it is final?" Sam asks, starting the dishwasher.
"As soon as the judge Okays the change and it's filed with the circuit court then we will have to change our social security cards, credit cards and other official documents." He says, as they walk out of the kitchen.
"How long until we get a court date?"
"The announcement has to run for four weeks in the papers here, Chicago and other surrounding areas. Once that's finished the judge will set the court date."
"Will we have to testify or something?"
"No, he might want to ask us some questions but it won't be like we're on trial."
"Okay." She says, sitting down on the couch.
"Do you want to watch a movie?"
"Would you play for me instead?" She asks, looking up.
"Okay." He says, leaving to get his guitar."
Richard opens the door as Cassie comes into the kitchen. "Mom, you should've seen Dad. He went…."
"RJ go upstairs and get ready for your bath." Richard says, as he hangs his jacket up before he turns to Cassie.
"What happened?" She asks, walking over to him.
"I got into a fight with one of the other fathers." Richard says, walking over to the pantry.
"You got into a fight with one of the other fathers. You don't fight. I've never seen you fight."
"Well I did. And I have fought before. I fought Edmund, that guy at the auction." Richard says, getting a plastic bag. He leaves the pantry.
Going over to the refrigerator, he puts the bag against the ice maker."
"Let me do that. And I wasn't attacking you. I'm surprised, that's all." Cassie says, taking the bag from him. She opens the freezer door. "Tell me what happened." She asks, getting the ice and putting it in the bag. She hand it to him.
Taking the back, he carefully puts it up to his eye. "They were running drills, simple drills. When number twenty tackled RJ, he basically threw him into the ground. The coach and I went out onto the field to make sure RJ was okay."
"Is he okay?" Cassie asks, looking at him.
"He's fine. It just knock the breath out of him. But the coach bench number…."
"His name is Jackson."
"Okay, the coach benched him for the next game and his father didn't like it. And he started mouthing off, saying things about RJ and about me. I finally got tired of it and I told him to shut up. He pushed me. I pushed him and we went back and forth and then he punched me." Richard says, looking at her. She looks at him and then smiles before she leans in to kiss him. "You're not mad."
"No, you were defending our son. Does it hurt?'
"No, not really."
"Did you punch him back?"
"No. Before I could, security for the park forced him to leave. He's not allowed back in the park."
"They banned him."
"It's a standing rule." Richard says, taking the pack away from his eye.
"It's going to be tender for a while." She says, leaning up to kiss it. "Go take a shower and I'll get RJ in the bath and ready for bed."
"Where is Will?"
"He's in bed. He's got a cold."
"Okay." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"I love you." She says when he steps back.
"I love you too." He replies, putting the ice pack back on his eye.
"Go take a shower." She says. He turns to leave with Cassie following him..
Megan and the boys walk in to Company. "Have a seat and someone will be with you in a moment." Frank says, walking past them. He takes a couple steps and then turns around, staring at Megan. "You." Frank says, staring.
"What are you doing here?" Megan demands.
"I live here. Why are you here?"
"I thought you were a cop. You lied to…."
"I didn't lie. I am in fact the Springfield Chief of Police."
"Great! Can we have a table?"
"Sure, pick any one of them and someone will be with you in a moment."
"Thank you." Megan says, leading the boys around Frank and over to a table. Frank watches her for a moment before he continues to the kitchen.
Megan sits down at the table as she pulls her phone out. She dials Sam's number. After a couple rings, Jeffrey answers. "Hello."
"Jeffrey." Megan says.
"Yes."
"Is Sam there?"
"She's in the bath… wait… here she is." He says, holding the phone out.
"Who is it?" Sam asks, taking the phone.
"Megan, she sounds a little rattled." He says, going over to the chair where he had been sitting.
"Megan, what's up?" Sam says, as she follows Jeffrey."
"You will not guess who is at Company."
"Jeremiah."
"No! The guy from the parking lot."
"What guy and from what parking lot?"
"The guy from the parking lot, when I was fighting with Patrick. The one that…."
"Came to your rescue and you shot down, that guy."
"Yes and I didn't shoot him down. There was nothing there, but he's working at Company."
"I thought you said he was a cop."
"Well, he is. I just asked him and he told me that he's chief of Police for Springfield."
"Frank! He's your guy." Sam says, as Jeffrey looks at her.
"He's not my guy, but you know him."
"Yes. He was at my wedding. He escorted Jeremiah from the reception."
"I was focused on you. "
"He's a great guy.'
"I'm not interested in any guys right now. Why didn't you tell me he lived here?"
"I didn't know that Frank was the guy."
"I have to go, he's coming over her."
"Okay, but he's a great guy."
"I'm not interested." Megan says, hanging up before Sam can reply.
"Are you ready to order?" Frank asks.
"Could I have a moment?" Megan asks, picking up her menu.
"Of course ma'am, take your time." Frank says, turning to walk away.
Reva and Josh walk into Towers. "May I help you?" The hostess asks.
"Yes, we would like a table, please." Josh says, as Reva looks around the restaurant.
"Of course, Mr. Lewis." She says, picking up a couple menus. She leads them through the restaurant. As they are walking through Josh sees Leah, sitting at one of the tables. Reva looks at him when she feels him tense. "Will this be okay?" The hostess asks, stopping at a table.
"This will be fine." Josh says helping Reva with her chair as the hostess puts their menus down.
He walks around the table, sitting down as the hostess says. "Your server will be with you shortly." She says, as Josh nods.
"Do you want to talk to her?" Reva asks, picking up her menu.
"Talk to whom?" Josh asks, looking up.
"Leah." Reva says, glancing up.
"No." Josh says, looking over his menu.
"Why not? Have you talked to her since you found out?"
"Yes. I talked to her after Harley showed me the interview. She made it clear that she doesn't want me to have anything to do with our son."
"And you're going to accept that." Reva asks, looking at him.
"It's complicated Reva."
"No, it's simple. You're his father. You have a right to know him."
"He doesn't want to know me. He actually doesn't want to have anything to do with either one of us." Josh says, as Reva stands up. "Where are you going?" He asks, looking up.
She leaves the table. Going for Leah's table, Josh tries to stop her. "Leah." Reva says, walking up to her table.
"Mrs. Lewis." Leah says, looking up.
"May I have a seat?" Reva says, nodding towards the empty chair in front of her.
"Of course." Leah says, as Reva pulls the chair out and sits down as Josh walks over.
"Reva, we don't need to do this right now."
"When Joshua, when do we do this." Reva asks, looking at him and then Leah.
"She doesn't want me to be involved with him." Josh says.
"Sit down Josh." Leah says, nodding towards the chair in front of him. He sits down. "Mrs. Lewis." Leah says, looking at Reva.
"Leah." Reva says.
"Reva…." Josh says.
"Be quiet." They both say, looking at him. He falls silent, looking very nervous.
"You slept with my husband." Reva says.
"Yes." Leah replies.
"And you had his child."
"Yes." Leah says.
"And you never told him that he had a child."
"To be fair, I didn't know how to reach him to tell him."
"That's because you were both drunk that night." Reva says.
"Yes, we were both hurting that night. He thought you were dead. He had no idea how he was going to explain that to your daughter and your son was too young to know what was going on."
"I know the circumstances surrounding what happened. What I don't understand is why you would deny him the right to know his son."
"My son does not wish to know him. I am honoring his wishes."
"That's the first time you honored anything." DJ says, walking up to the table. "You must be my step mother." He says, looking at Reva.
"I'm Reva Shayne Lewis." Reva says, holding out her hand.
He looks at Reva's hand and then says. "You realize who I am and who she is."
"Yes." Reva says, still holding her hand out.
"You need to shake my wife's hand." Josh says, as DJ looks at him.
"Like you shook… well you shook just about everything she's got." DJ says glancing at his mother as Josh stands up.
"You maybe grown, but you're not too grown that I can't teach you some manners and respect." Josh says, as Reva stands up.
"I know your momma didn't raise you to be disrespectful." Reva says, looking at Leah.
"No, I didn't. So Dorian…."
"DJ, I would like to talk to you." Reva says, interrupting Leah.
"You want to talk to me." DJ asks, looking at her.
"Yes, I would. So would you please sit down?" Reva says, sitting down. He looks at her for a moment and then he sits down. "I can understand you being angry with your mom, even your dad and Josh. You feel betrayed."
"You don't feel betrayed." He asks, as Reva sighs.
"I feel hurt. But I understand what happened. They were both in pain." She holds up her hand to stop him from speaking. "That is not an excuse. That's the facts. We do things when we're in pain. Things we wouldn't do otherwise. I know this from personal experience." Reva says, reaching out to touch his hand. "You have to remember that every time you point a finger at someone else, three more are pointing back at you."
"She slept with your husband."
"I know." Reva says, glancing at Leah.
"That doesn't make you mad."
Reva looks at Leah for a moment before she answers. "No, it doesn't. I know about making stupid mistakes and I know about the fear of my family finding out. I'm actually proud of your mom for admitting what she did. I don't know that I could've done that. She took a huge gamble, telling your father the truth."
"She had no other choice."
"Maybe not, but she still told the truth. Your father forgave her and you grew up with a man that loved you. Josh can't replace the man that you believed was your father, but he is a good man and he will love you, like he loves all of his children. You have half brother and sister and a step brother. You've got two uncles and a step aunt and uncle. They will love you and accept you. Josh and I will love and accept you, if you give us a chance." Reva says, as he looks at her.
Josh looks up and see their waiter at their table. "Reva, maybe we should go." He says, nodding at their table. She turns to look and then nods.
"Think about what I said." Reva says, squeezing DJ's hand as they stand up.
For a moment, DJ watches as they walk across the restaurant and then he looks at Leah before he gets up and leaves.
"What did she want?" Jeffrey asks, picking up his guitar. He starts to play again.
"She wanted to tell me that she ran into a man that she ran into in DC." Sam says, sitting her phone down.
"And that man was Frank?"
"Yes, he tried to help her when she and Patrick were arguing about the boys."
"When did she see Frank in DC?"
"I don't really know." Sam says, settling back. "Do you know what you're going to play Saturday night?"
"I'm not really sure. I'll have to talk to the guys."
"Have you called Beau yet?"
"Yes, I called him before you came downstairs. He's going to be there and he's going to call Carter and tell him about rehearsal. Beau wanted to know if you're going to be here." He says as he plays another song.
"I suppose I will. I don't have any other plans." She sits back watching him, watching how he moves his fingers over the strings with precision.
He looks up and smiles. She smiles back. When he's finished with that song he moves on to another. He plays for her about an hour before she gets up and walks over to him as he looks up. Taking the guitar, she leans it against the table by the chair where he's sitting. She sits down in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leans in, kissing him.
He wraps an arm around her, laying one hand at her waist. He nibbles on her lip as she buries her fingers in his hair. He plays with her tongue as they both deepen the kiss. She can feel desire building inside him. She moves closer to him as he reaches up. Laying his hand against her neck, he feels the beat of her pulse against his hand.
Pulling away, he leans back. He looks up as she looks down. Her eyes are heavy with desire. He leans in, kissing the side of her neck, moving up to her ear. He nibbles softly on her earlobe. She sucks in a breath and then moans softly. Tingling sparks of desire sweep over her. He smiles as he continues playing with her ear. Releasing him, she slips one hand under his shirt. Bending he fingers as she moves her hand up his chest gently scratching him. He leans back, smiling as she looks up. "I'm not going to let you drive me nuts and not give something back." She says, leaning in to nibble on his lower lip. Standing up, she straddles him. Bracing her hands against the arms of the chair, she whispers. "I love listening to you play."
"I know, although I wasn't expecting this." He says, as she leans in. They kiss, softly at first and then with fierce passion.
Slipping his hand under her shirt, he pulls her to him. She sucks in a deep breath when she feels his erection pressing against her thigh. Methodically she rolls her hips and it's his turn to suck in a deep breath. Moving his hands up her back, he slowly moves his fingers along her spine. Sitting up, she crosses her arms and pulls her shirt up. He looks up, slowly moving his eyes over her body. For a moment, he stares at her breasts, watching them rise and fall with each breath that she draws. He leans up. Pausing for a moment, letting her feel the warmth of his breath before he gently licks her nipple through her bra. "J." She moans, reaching to wrap her arms around his neck.
He closes his mouth over her nipple, rolling his tongue over it. Letting the lace of her bra tease her. The roughness of the lace, stokes the fires already surging through her. She's totally focused on what he's doing with his mouth and forgets about teasing him. Reaching up, he unhooks her bra as she pulls back. Shrugging her shoulders, she lets the bra fall down her arms. He reaches for it, pulling off as she leans back into him. He glances up, smiling a crooked smile. She can see the wheels turning in his head. Realizing what he's thinking, she decides to force his hand. She moves closer to him and then rolls her hips. "Sam!" He groans, his hand falling to her hips.
Reaching up, he pulls his shirt up over his head. Tossing it to the floor, he reaches for her. She leans in, kissing him. "I get to tease you." She whispers, moving her hips again.
"Baby, please." He groans, shifting his hips as she smiles the same crooked smile. He looks up and then wraps his arms around her. Standing up, he carries her over to the couch. Laying her down, he stands over her for a moment. "Somehow I don't think you want to tease." He says, reaching for the button on his pants.
She moves to sit up and he shakes his head no as he stops. She lays back down, watching him. He unfastens his pants as he kicks his shoes off. Pulling his pants down, he brings his boxers with him. Leaning over her, he kisses her as she lifts her hips. Pulling back, they both reach for her sweats, they push them down. He pulls them off before he stands up. Slowly he moves his eyes over her, caressing her. When he reaches her mouth, he sees her lick her lips. He leans over, kissing her quickly before he pulls back. "Next time." He whispers, moving into position.
He enters her slowly. Her body is in overdrive offering no resistance as he moves inside her, thrusting deep. Wrapping her arms around, she pulls him to her. Clinging to him as he leans over and kisses her softly, pulling away, he moves faster. Thrusting over and over as she rolls her hips with him. Each of them struggling to hold on so that the other one will be satisfied, finally, he leans over. "Relax, Beca." He whispers, nibbling on her lower lip. He immediately feels the change. The muscles deep inside her clinch around him as he continues. They both want it to last but realize that soon it will all be over.
The first tingling wave of her release surges through her. "J!" She moans, reaching for his driving hips and pulling him to her. He thrusts again and her release breaks, pulling him deeper as she arches her back. Squeezing him tightly, milking every incredible sensation from him until the last surge of her release rolls over her and he lets go. He holds himself up as incredible ecstasy surges through with throbbing pulses of his release. "Come here." She whispers reaching for him. He sinks against her, sucking in a deep breath, fluttering waves of their release surge through them, again and again while they both try to regain control. Finally, he pulls away from her and she moves to her side so that he can lie down.
After a while, he kisses her forehead as he says. "If this is what I get when I play for you, I think I'll play for you every night."
"I love to listen to you play and you have no idea how incredibly sexy you are playing that guitar."
"If I had known before that this was the reaction I would get, I would have played for you then."
"Why didn't you play for me then?"
"Music was something that I shared with my mom and after she died I didn't want to play anymore."
"So what made you start again?"
"Loosing you in Russia, I was in so much pain back then. Anger was eating me up inside and one night I was walking past a music shop in Georgetown. I was between assignments. Anyway, I was walking past this shop and in the window was an acoustic guitar and something made me stop. I went inside and I worked out a deal with the owner for the guitar and I started playing again. I was really rusty, but I found that the more I played the more the anger seemed to calm down." He says, playing with her hair.
"That's the old acoustic guitar that's in your office at work."
"Yes, I took it to my office and when I'm feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I'll stop for a moment and I'll play. It doesn't happen often but I have played it a few times." He says, as she moves to her other side
"Like when, would you play at work?"
"Ummm, I played a lot after 9-11. I played after I lost the mayor's race. I played after I left San Cristobel and I played after I found out about Ava and the stuff that happened with Olivia."
"So playing is your stress release."
"Yes, I guess you could say that, but I enjoy it too. I think our little boy will enjoy it too." Jeffrey says, kissing her shoulder.
"You already see him as a rock star, don't you?" She says, looking back over her shoulder.
"I want him to be whatever he wants to be. But if he wants to play music I won't discourage him. And I'm sure you've seen him curing cancer or Aids." He says, as she lays back down.
"I'm like you. I want him to be whatever he wants to be." She says, as he laughs softly as he kisses her shoulder.
"Do you want to watch a movie?"
"We can, but I like laying here with you."
"Then we'll lay here and I'll hold both of you." He says, as she reaches for his hand and lays it on her stomach. He immediately feels the baby kick and he smiles, kissing her shoulder again.
"What do you know?" Jeremiah asks, walking into his living room.
"My wife's attorney spoke with your sister this evening." Mr. Owens says.
"What did she say?"
"He's meeting your sister tomorrow at a place called Company. They're going to talk about my wife's case. You sister offered to testify for my wife." Mr. Owens says. "What are we going to do?"
"We're not going to do anything. Let Sam testify. She'll be disappointed when the judge still rules in our favor. And your daughter will be returned to us."
"Yes sir. Are you sure that's what we should do? You sister….."
"My sister is a lying whore. She's betrayed every one of her family."
"She seemed very convinced that her testimony will sway the judge."
"She always was over confident in her ability to do anything."
"She has legal help. Her husband…."
"Her husband is nothing more than an interfering errand boy for my sister. He means nothing."
"What are you going to do if the judge listens to your sister and agrees to allow Arianna to be returned to her mother."
Jeremiah takes a step towards Mr. Owens. "Are you questioning my ability to protect my flock?"
"No, no Sir. Of course not, I know you can protect my Arianna from the evil influences of this world."
"Go home then and rest, your daughter will be back in your home before Christmas. I promise you that." Jeremiah says, patting the man on his shoulder.
"Yes sir." Mr. Owens says, turning to go.