A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Twenty Four
William holds the door for Ava as they leave the restaurant. Slipping his arm around her as they walk across the parking lot, he opens her car door for her and when she's inside, closes it before he walks around the car and gets in. He starts the car as Ava reaches for his hand. "Thank you for tonight." She says, looking at him.
"You're welcome." He replies with a smile.
"Although I can't believe you rented out the whole restaurant."
"I wanted tonight to be special." He says as he pulls out onto the street. "Do you want to go back to the Beacon?"
"Yes." She says, as he looks at her.
"Alright." He says, squeezing her hand. When they pull up to the Beacon, he stops at the front door. "Go on inside and I'll park the car." He says, as one of the valet's opens the door. She gets out and walks into the hotel as William pulls away.
When she walks into the suite, Anna is in the living room, watching TV. "Good evening, Ms. Peralta." She says, sitting up.
"Hello. Is Emma in bed?"
"Yes ma'am, she went to bed promptly at eight. She ate all of her dinner as well."
"Good, thank you for coming." Ava says, handing her some money as William walks in.
"You're welcome, Ma'am, Sir." She says, nodding to William.
"Thank you." William says, as she turns to go. When the door closes, William walks over to Ava and says. "I'll lock up and then we can go on to bed." He says, walking over to the balcony door. Finding the door locked, he turns to find Ava unbuttoning her blouse. "What are you doing?" He asks, walking over to her.
"I thought maybe we could…."
"You are exhausted and don't try to tell me you're not." William says, reaching up to stop her.
"For a night like tonight, you deserve….'
"I didn't rent out the restaurant to get lucky. I don't have to do that."
"Pretty sure of yourself."
"Yes, I am." He says, taking her hand and leading her into their bedroom and over to the bed. "Sit down and I'll help you with your shoes." He says, as she sits down on the bed. He kneels before her, pulling her shoes off for her. "Do you want a night gown or one of my…."
"I can get my own night clothes." Ava says, leaning in to kiss him before she gets up. She goes into the closet as he turns to watch her. Getting up, he walks into the bathroom. When she comes back into the room, he's still in the bathroom. Pulling the covers back, she props her pillow up behind as she reaches for a folder she left on the nightstand.
She's looking over some plans when he comes back into the room. "No, work." He says, walking over to her. He takes the file and lays it on the night stand.
"I need to look that over." Ava says, reaching for the file.
"You can look it over in the morning. We're going to bed." He says, walking around the bed while she watches him.
"Can I go brush my teeth?" She asks, as he looks at her and smiles. Getting up, she goes into the bathroom. When she comes back, he's sitting on the bed, waiting for her. "I thought we were going to bed."
"We are but I'm going to rub your feet for you." He says, patting the bed where she was sitting before. "So come here and lay down."
She walks over to the bed with a small smirk on her face. Sitting down, she lies back against her pillow as he lifts one of her feet. She watches as he gently rubs the bottom of her feet. Ten minutes later, he looks up and smiles. Getting up, he pulls the covers over her after he helps her lay down. Walking around the bed, he slips in beside her and lies down. Putting his arm across, her waist he pulls her back to him.
Josh walks into the bedroom as Reva's coming out of the closet. "I'll be right back." She says, walking into the bathroom.
"Okay." He says, walking over to the bed. Pulling the covers back, he gets into bed after he props his pillow up. Reva flips the light off as she walks out of the bathroom. Walking over to the bed, she sits down. "I wanted to tell you thank for this evening." He says, as she turns to look at him.
"You took me to dinner." She says, lying down beside him.
"I know, but I wasn't talking about dinner. I was talking about Leah and DJ. Thank you for supporting me."
"I have always supported you Bud."
"It hasn't really felt that way for the last few months." He holds up his hand when she opens her mouth. "And I know that a lot of that is my fault. The situation with Jeffrey put a lot of strain on us."
"I didn't create the strain or the situation with Jeffrey."
"I don't want to talk about Jeffrey. It's not apart of what I'm trying to say. Look I know that it hurts you to know that I slept with someone so soon after you were presumed dead in Florida. I don't remember a lot about what happened that night, but I do remember knowing that being with her didn't feel right. But that doesn't change the fact that I have a son because of that night."
"What are you trying to say?" She asks, looking at him.
For a moment, he doesn't answer before he replies. "I'm trying to say thank you. I know that if this would've come out a few years ago, it would've ended us."
"It might have, I don't know."
"Reva we both know it would've. Look what happened when I found out about Richard and that situation was much more complicated than this and we broke up then."
"We broke up then because I wasn't honest with you or myself."
"And maybe I haven't been completely honest about why I insist that Jeffrey be kept out of the family."
"What do you mean?"
"When I found out that HB had another child and I found out that it was Jeffrey, I was afraid that you would leave me for him. That part is true. But there is another part of me that doesn't want to face the fact yet again that my father was never faithful to my mother. It was hard facing it when he was alive and Billy came around. He's dead now and I want to remember the man that I knew."
"You can still remember that man. He's still your father. He wasn't perfect. Hawk wasn't perfect, even he'll admit that. Sarah wasn't perfect. Cassie's proof of that. We haven't been perfect in our relationship and in some of the things we've, I've done to our kids has been far from perfect."
"I've made mistakes too."
"Yes, but most of their pain growing up was caused by me and the choices I made. We all make choices. Your father made choices. You make choices. Your son makes choices. It's how we handle the consequences of those choices."
"The point I'm trying to make is that up until these last couple years I don't think we were strong enough as a couple to face this and still be together. And maybe that's because we've been apart up until my release from prison. I don't know. I know appreciate what you said tonight to Dorian. And I appreciate that you haven't left me."
"I never intended to leave you over this or Jeffrey." She says, leaning over to kiss him. "You need to let Dorian know who you are. That's all I was trying to do tonight when I talked to him."
"Maybe he's ready to listen now. I don't know." Josh says, laying back. She moves over to him and he lifts her arm. She lays her head on his chest.
Cassie walks into their bedroom as Richard comes out of the bathroom. "Is RJ in bed?" He asks, walking into the closet
"He's finishing up his homework. How is your eye?" She asks, following him into the closet.
"It's fine. I've had a few shiners before." He says, turning to her."
"When have you ever had a shiner? If anyone laid a hand on you they would've been thrown in the palace dungeon and probably forgotten about."
"I didn't spend all my time at the palace. Noah had a few escapades that I was involved in." He says, pulling out a pair of boxers.
"I'm sure the royal guards kept you from being hurt."
"You don't think I can hold my own in a fight." He says, looking at her.
"I think you wanted to fight, but the guards and your father protected you."
"I can fight Cassie, if I have too. I don't like too but I can." Richard says, looking at her. "You don't believe me?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does. What happens to us if you think I can't protect you or our children?"
"You protect us just fine. Why are you getting upset about this?"
"Because you think I'm weak."
"I do not think you're weak. I think you have other ways of taking care of things. Fighting was always something I saw Edmund doing, even William."
"Great, you think I'm weaker than Edmund." He says, pulling the boxers on.
"That's not what I said. I love you just the way you are."
"But you still see me as weak."
"No." She says, walking over to him. "I see you as smart. I see you as a man that knows there are other ways to get what you want without using brute force." He opens his mouth to say something and she lays a finger across it. "I'm the one that wants to go off half cocked, just like Reva. You calm me down and that's a good thing.
Sighing he looks at her. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright, but it not like you to get upset about stuff like this. It's not like you to get upset about anything really."
"See, that's what I'm talking about. I have a temper Cassie. I may not ever show it but I do have one. Edmund found that out when we were fighting in the palace. This guy tonight would've found that out after what he called…."
"What did he call you?"
"It doesn't matter."
"What did he call you!"
"It wasn't nice."
"It can't be any worse than some of the things I heard people say at Teasers."
"He called me the bastard son of a pussy bitch." Richard says, looking at her.
"Okay, I'm sorry I wasn't there to punch him."
"He would have deserved it." Richard says, smiling at her.
"I really don't see you as weak. I know you'll protect all of us with your life."
"I would."
"I know." She says, reaching for him. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugs him before she leans up and kisses his eye.
"And I'm sure that with that kiss my eye will be perfectly healed in the morning."
"And who is full of it now." She says, smiling as he leans in to kiss her.
"I'm really sorry I go upset with you. I know you don't think I'm weak."
"I think you're the strongest man in the world. You survived everything that happened in San Cristobel and here and you still have your dignity and respect. Something Jackson's father will never have."
"Thank you."
"Are you going to be okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Then I'm going to go take a shower."
"I'll go check on RJ and make sure he's doing his homework."
"Okay." She says, releasing him.
Twenty minutes later, Cassie comes out of the bathroom. Richard is lying in bed when she comes out. "Is RJ finished with his homework?"
"Yes, he's in bed and I checked on Will. He's sleeping."
"Good." Cassie says, walking towards the closet.
"How did he get a cold?"
"He said he hasn't been wearing his coat at morning recess."
"It's been in the forties the last few days."
"I know." She calls from the closet.
"His teacher didn't make him put it on."
"I don't know. That's just what he told me. She says, coming back into the bedroom. He watches her as she walks over to the bed.
Pulling the covers back, she lays down beside him. "I guess I'll talk to him about it the morning." He says, turning to her.
"He's sick Richard. So don't get onto him. He's probably learned his lesson." She says, looking at him. "Richard." She says, after several seconds.
"I'm sorry, what?" He asks, looking into her eyes.
"I said don't get onto him. He's sick." She says, moving over to him.
"I won't but he still has to do his chores." He says, laying his arm across her waist.
"I don't think you want to talk about Will." She says, leaning in to nibble on his chin before she pulls back.
"You look incredible in the gown. It got me to thinking."
"About?"
"About how much I love you." He says, leaning over to kiss her.
She moves close to him as he rolls to his back bringing her with him. Bracing herself on his pillow, she leans back and looks down. "I think you were thinking about more than how much you love me." She says, smiling as he looks up.
Reaching up, he brushes her hair off her shoulder, letting it fall through his fingers. "You're letting her hair grow out."
"I thought I would. You liked it when my hair was long."
"There's not one specific thing I like about you. I like everything, whether your hair is short or long." He says, leaning up to kiss her.
"With the baby coming, having long hair will be easier to take care of." She says, sitting up.
Slowly she moves her hand down his chest, stopping at his waist. He lays his hands on her thighs, slipping his fingers under her gown. A small shiver of desire rolls through her. Leaning forward, she kisses the side of his neck, moving up to nibble on his ear as he moves his hand up her thighs, pushing her gown up. Pulling away from his ear, she moves down his neck, softly kissing her way over his chest. She stops for a moment when she reaches his breasts. Letting the warmth of her breath mix will the cooler air around him, he sighs softly. Flicking her tongue out, she plays with his nipple, teasing him. He sucks in a deep breath. "Cassie." He whispers with a soft release of the breath he's holding.
Smiling, she looks up through her lashes, watching him while she continues playing with him. Wrapping his arms around her, he begins gathering her gown in his hands, pulling it up Sitting up, she reaches for her gown and pulls it over her head, tossing it to the floor. He reaches up and slowly moves his hands up her side, softly tickling her. He repeats the move and she shies away from him, laughing softly. He looks up and smiles. Leaning over him, she says. "Don't tickle me."
"Why not?" He asks with a mischievous grin.
She leans in and kisses him. He reaches up and wraps his arms around her, pulling her down to him while she deepens the kiss. Leaning back, she says,. "Because I think you want us to continue this more than you want to play with me."
"We can continue this and I can still play with you." He says, rolling her over onto her back.
Slowly he moves down her body, softly kissing her. She reaches up, running her fingers through his hair, letting him do whatever he wants to do. Sitting up, he looks down at her and then at himself. "I think I'm a little overdressed for this." He says, as she glances down and smiles.
"Do you want me to help you?" She asks, laying her hands on his thighs.
"I think I can handle this part." He says, reaching for the waist band of his boxers.
"Maybe you can, but I can still help." She says, moving her hand up his thighs. She looks up as she reaches for him, caressing him through his boxers.
He closes his eyes while flames lick at his soul. Pulling his boxers down, he moves off her, lying down on the bed he pulls them off. He's about to sit up when she moves over him. Kissing him as she straddles him.. "I think it's my turn to play with you." She says, slowly moving down his chest.
She stops for a moment, letting him feel the warmth of her breath while she hovers over him. Flicking out her tongue, she plays with him. Reaching up, he buries his hand in her hair, holding her to him. She looks up and smiles, moving down his chest, nibbling on his stomach. She stops for a moment, dipping her tongue into his navel. She looks up when he catches his breath. Pausing, she lets the warmth of his breath wash over him. "Cassie." He groans, shifting his hips.
She kisses him as she looks up, watching him. She knows what he wants but she's decided to make him wait for it. Moving over to his hip, she moves down his thigh. He reaches for the sheet below him, clinching it. She slowly moves down his leg, nibbling on him as she goes. Stopping for a moment to gently kiss the back of his knee, she's completely in tune with him. She moves on, making her way down to his foot.
Closing his eyes, he lays there. Clinging to the sheet like it's the only thing he has to hold onto to keep his sanity. When she reaches his feet, she sits back and looks up. She notices immediately how tightly he's holding onto the sheet. "Are you okay?" She asks as he lifts his head and looks at her. He nods as he takes a deep breath. In that moment, she knows he's not. She moves towards him as he raises his hand, stopping her. "Finish what you started." He says quietly.
"Richard, you're in pain."
"I'll be okay, finish what you started." He says, as she looks at him. "Please Cassie, finish it."
She leans over him, moving up his other leg but not taking as much time as she would've if she hadn't realized how much he wants her. When she reaches his knee, he reaches for her. "Slow…." He takes a deep breath. Desire is pressing in on him. "…down." He says, running his fingers through her hair. She looks up, watching him. "I want… you to… finish this… as if you…didn't know… how much I… want you?" He says, running his fingers through her hair.
"I'm not going to make you suffer for a little fun."
"This is fun too. I want you to push me as far as you can, so slow down." He says, slowly moving his finger down her cheek.
She softly kisses the tip of his finger before she takes it into her mouth, sucking on it gently for a moment before she releases it. Leaning down, she kisses the inside of his thigh, moving up towards his hip. When she reaches his hips, she sits up and then moves over him. "I want…."
She leans over him, kissing him. "I'm through teasing you." She whispers against his mouth.
Taking him, she guides him inside. Until that moment, she hadn't realizes how much she wanted to be connected to him. Taking him completely inside, she leans over him and kisses him as she moves against him. Sliding back and forth, he lays his hands on her hips, holding onto her as he lifts his hips, thrusting into her as she moves against him. Slowly they both increase the tempo until they are both gasping for breath and barely hanging on. He looks up, watching her for a moment. Her eyes are closed and her lower lip is sucked into her mouth. Slipping his hand between them, he caresses her. "Richard!" She moans, while surging waves of heat rush over her.
"Go on and let go." He whispers, lifting his hips, brushing against her hidden desire.
Throbbing pulses surge through her, tightening her muscles around him. It's the most exquisite feeling they have ever felt. He pulls his hands away, holding onto her hips as the first surge fully engulfs her, sending her into a tight spiral of desire. As the final surge crashes through her, he lets go, Throbbing pulses surge through him, flooding her body with his release while answering surges for her pulls him deeper. Finally the last surge washes over him and she collapses into his arms.
They lay there for a while, each of them struggling to regain control until she finally pulls away from him. "I love you and I will never think you're weak."
"I love you too. I'm sorry I was short with you." He says, brushing her hair back. "Let's go to sleep."
"I'm…."
"…exhausted, and don't try to tell me you're not." He says, helping her off him.
She lies down beside him. "I love you." She whispers, as he moves in behind her.
Lying down, he lays his arm across her waist, pulling her back to him before he softly whispers. "I love you too." He kisses her shoulder before they both fall asleep.
Shortly after midnight, Ava rolls to her side. She had been sound asleep until the baby woke her up, kicking. Laying her hand on her stomach, she whispers softly. "What's wrong?" He kicks her as she rubs her stomach. "Alright, I'll get something to eat." She says, pushing the cover back. She slips out of bed and quietly walks into the other room. Picking up the phone, she dials room service.
"Room Service, may I help?" A woman asks.
"Yes, could you send a glass of milk and some of the chocolate chip cookies to room 5134 please?"
"Of course, Ms Peralta, we'll have it up shortly."
"Thank you." Ava says, rubbing her hand over her stomach. Hanging up the phone, she walks over to the window. It was too cold to go out onto the balcony, but she wanted to look at the water. Watching the lake seemed to calm the baby down as well.
She's standing at the window, when William walks up and wraps his arms around her. "You're supposes to be asleep?" He says, pulling her back to him and slipping his hands under hers, cradling their son.
"He woke me up." She says, laying her head back.
"Is everything okay?" He asks, softly caressing her stomach.
"He's hungry." She says, as someone knocks on the door.
"Who's that at this hour?" He asks, releasing her and turning for the door.
"I ordered some milk and cookies for him." She says, walking around him and over to the door. Opening the door, she steps back as one of the night bellmen bring in a small tray. "Thank you." Ava says, handing him a small tip.
"Thank you, Ms. Peralta, Sir." He says, nodding to William.
He turns to go as William walks over to him. "You ordered milk and cookies." He says, as she lifts the lid off the tray.
"The milk is for him. I wanted the cookies." She says, picking up the glass and a cookie. "Do you want one?"
"You're relinquishing one of your cookies. Who are and where is my fiancé?"
"Very funny, I can share my cookies." She says, handing him one.
"If you say so."
"For that, you don't get a cookie." She says, pulling her hand back.
"Little one, your mommy isn't sharing." William says, reaching for the cookie as the baby kicks her side. "Did he just kick you?" William asks, taking a bite of the cookie. She shakes her head no, but William lays his hand on her stomach. "It's okay little one, I've got a cookie now."
She takes a cookie and settles back with her milk. Looking at him, she asks. "Do you want some milk?"
"I'm fine, you need the milk."
"I can share my milk."
"You just don't want to drink it." He says, as she looks at him and smiles.
Fifteen minutes later, they've finished the milk and cookies. He looks over at her and then stands up. "Let go back to bed." He says, reaching for her hand as he stands up. Helping her up, he leads her back into the bedroom. When they're back in bed, she turns to him. Moving to him, she lays down beside him as he wraps his arm around her.
"Did I tell you that I enjoyed this evening." She says, laying her hand on his chest. When he doesn't answer, she looks up and after a few more seconds says. "William, did you hear what I said?"
"Sorry, I was distracted."
"You were distracted, by what?"
"Umm... actually your hand on my chest." He says, running his finger through her hair at her shoulder.
"My hand distracted you." She says, leaning up.
"Well not so much your hand as the things I was imagining it can do, to me." He says, as she bends her fingers and gently scratches his stomach. "There's that." He says, looking at her.
"Is that all you were imagining? "
"No, there was more." He says, as she slowly moves her hand down his chest.
He leans in catching her mouth with his. He gently kisses her as he rolls to his side. She moans softly as he pulls her to him. After a couple minutes he breaks the kiss, gasping for air as she leans up, nibbling on his neck and ear. He leans in again, kissing her as he slips his hands under her gown. Breaking the kiss, he looks into her eyes. "I thought maybe we would eventually end up doing this." She says, answering the question in his eyes. He leans in, kissing her again as he slowly draws her gown up. She reaches waist, laying her hands slightly above the waist band of his pajamas
She breaks the kiss and then slips her hand into his pajamas. Bending her fingers, she scratches him as he takes a breath. Fire surges through him, burst through his body like heat waves off asphalt in the summer. He sucks in a deep breath and then pulls her gown up. Releasing him, she moves to kneel beside him and he lies back, watching her.
Crossing her arms, she pulls her nightgown up and over her head while he watches. She tosses the gown to floor while he slowly moves his eyes down her body. Groaning, he leans towards her, reaching for her breasts, caressing them. Sitting up, he moves over to her. Laying one hand on her neck, he gently caresses her pulse, beating at the base of her throat before he leans in, kissing her. He moves closer, forcing her back. He lies beside her for a moment before he pulls away. Hovering over her, he watches her breath, listening to the desire beating inside, raging for release. He moves closer and she lays a hand on his chest. "Take every thing off." She says, looking up. For a moment, he stares into her eyes and then he moves back.
Lying down beside her, he lifts his hips, tugging his pajama bottoms down until he can kick them off. She turns towards him, slowly moving her eyes down his body. When she reaches his hips she stops, staring at his erection. He watches her whiles she makes her slow inspection. Looking up, she catches his gaze. She reaches for him, slowly moving one finger down his chest. She's about to reach for him, when he catches her hand, holding it still. Rolling to his side, he lays a hand on her right side, drawing her to him. It takes a moment but when she realizes what he wants, she rolls to her side, facing him. He pulls her to him, as he leans in, kissing her. She pulls him closer to her; wrapping an arm around him she arches her body towards his while she to nibbles on his lower lip.
Reaching for her leg, he lays it across his thigh and then pulls her closer. He can feel the heat from her body, rushing over him. Reaching up, she slowly moves one finger down his cheek. He leans in, taking one of her breasts into his mouth, softly tugging as he flicks his tongue over her harden nipple. Moaning, she pushes her body into his mouth as she pulls him against her, holding him tightly.
After a moment, she slips her hand between them slowly moving down his chest to his waist. He groans loudly as anticipation rides him hard. She reaches for him and he moves closer. Releasing her breast, he reaches for her. Slipping his fingers between them they both gently rub against the other, each silently crying for release.
Arching her back, he slips a couple of fingers inside her as she looks down, watching him harden even more when he feels her gaze on him. "I need you." She whispers. Lying against her he slowly rubs his body against hers, driving her crazy with need and desire. "Please now." She cries helplessly.
He continues as she pulls him to her. He can't take it anymore he needs her as much as she needs him and he slowly enters her, sinking into her. Groaning, as he feels her reaction. Soon the need for movement overcomes him and he thrusts into her clinging body, slowly at first then with each caress faster and harder. She cries out. "Oh yes"
"Yes." He mumbles, slipping into a harder rhythm.
She pulls him deeper, possessing his mind and soul. With each thrust they come closer to the end. And just as they are about to reach it he stops and she cries out. "Please!" She arches her body against his, begging him to continue.
"I love you. Do you know how much I love you?" He whispers, leaning back to look at her.
"Yes, and I love… you too… but I… need… you now…!" She moans.
Again he thrust into her, then again, then once more as waves of release crash within her. He pushes his body against hers, holding himself deep within her. Her release triggers his, flooding her body with pulsing waves of rapture. After several seconds, he pulls back so that he can look her in the eyes. "I love you." He softly whispers as he laid a gentle kiss on her still throbbing pulse.
"And I love you." She replies in a soft whisper.
They lie there wrapped in each other's embrace, holding to the last remnants of their pleasure. When they are both fully relaxed, he pulls away from her. "Go to sleep." He whispers, softly kissing her. He rolls to his back and she moves with him, snuggling in close as she closes her eyes and quickly falls back to sleep.
The next morning, Jeffrey is walking into City Hall as Richard walks up. While his eye wasn't swollen there is a slight bruise. "Should I ask what happened?" Jeffrey asks, nodding towards his eye.
"I had a small incident with one of the father's at RJ's practice last night."
"A small incident, from the looks of the eye it was more than small."
"He was upset that the coach benched his son after he tackled RJ during drills. He kept making comments and I politely asked him to stop. He continued, including insulting my mother…."
"And you lost your temper."
"I lost my temper but before I could do anything, he punched me."
"Did you at least punch him back?"
"I didn't get the chance. Security for the park, escorted him out off the field and he's been banned from the park."
"They banned him, really?"
"Apparently it's a standing rule."
"I guess that's some consultation for him insulting your mother." Jeffrey says, opening the door.
"I didn't want to get him banned. I simply wanted him to be quiet. His son deserved to be benched with the way he went after RJ."
"It's football. And football is a rough game."
"I know it's a rough game and I know that RJ will at some point get hurt, but this kid ran right at him, never slowed down and literally plowed him down, like it was a professional game or scouts were watching them play. It's little league football, but that kid could've done extensive damage to RJ."
"Did you say that to his father?"
"Yes, I'm sure I did. I can't remember everything I said to him.." Richard says, as the reach the end of the hallway.
"At least you can wear that badge with honor." Jeffrey says, turning for his office.
"Are you going to Dr. Sedgwick's today?"
"Yes, Sam has an appointment this afternoon."
"I'm actually going that way as soon as I drop off these contracts to Amelia."
"Give my best to Cassie."
"Give the same to Sam." Richard says, before he turns away.
RJ is on the playground when Jackson walks up to him. "RJ." He says.
Turning around, RJ says. "I don't want any trouble. My dad…."
"I'm not here to cause any trouble. I wanted to apologize. I didn't want to go after you yesterday, but my dad said that I was weak and that's why you were made quarter back and I was put on defense. I was trying to prove to him that I wasn't weak."
"I'm okay." RJ says, turning away.
"Is your dad alright?"
"He's fine. My mom took care of him when we got home. I'm sorry your dad…."
"He's not my dad. He's my step dad. My dad ran off when I was two. I call him my dad because he's been with my mom since then."
"Oh well, I'm still sorry he can't come to your games anymore. I'd be really upset if my dad wasn't able to come to mine."
"I'm glad he's not able to come. Maybe I'll be able to relax and enjoy the game. I can't do that when he's there. He's always watching me and then he'll spend forever telling me what I did wrong during the game. Does you Dad do that?"
"No, Richard always tells me that I did a great job, even if we loose."
"He doesn't make fun of everything you do."
"No, never, he loves me."
"I wish my dad was like that." Jackson says, as the bell rings to bring them back inside. "Anyway, I wanted to apologize for hitting you so hard yesterday."
"It's okay. I wasn't hurt."
"I got your back from now on." Jackson says, holding his hand out.
"Thanks." RJ says, shaking his hand as the second bell rings. "We better hurry." He says, as the run across the playground.
Jeremiah walks into his living room. Standing in the middle of the room is, Agent Mueller. "Are you ready for this meeting between my sister and Sister Owens attorney?" Jeremiah asks, walking over to the window.
"Yes sir." Joseph says, turning to him.
"You're new to this group, so this is your chance to prove your loyalty. I want to know everything that is said at this meeting. I want to know what my sister says. What they plan to do and how they plan to present their case."
"Yes sir."
"If you get the chance speak to my sister and possibly try to convince her that it's in her best interest not to get involved with this case."
"Do you want me to threaten her?" Joseph asks, looking at him.
"I don't look at as threatening her. You're persuading her not to become involved."
"And if she refuses your persuasion?"
"Then we will continue to persuade to see what is in her best interest."
"She will likely be protected by her husband."
"I'm not worried about the outlander fool. He is of no concern to me."
"I would advice you reconsider."
"Why?" Jeremiah asks, turning to him.
"I went back to the clinic after I was released from jail. Only to see if your sister knew that you were in the area and while I was there, he came in. When he saw me, he almost took me apart. Your sister stopped him however."
"Why would she stop him?"
"I do not know. But he is quite protective of her and he will defend her."
"I would not worry about my brother-in-law. There are ways to circumvent anything he tries to do. Do you know the time of the meeting?"
"Monday at noon. They are meeting for lunch at Company."
"Alright, you will be at Company and take one of the men with you."
"You don't trust me, yet."
"I didn't to where I'm at by trusting people, Mr. Allis."
" Maybe not, but you'll see that I'm a good man to have around, Mr. Whitmere. You'll see." Agent Mueller says.
"Leave." Jeremiah says. Agent Mueller walks out of the room. A few seconds later, another man walks in.
"Sir, I'm not too sure that it's a good idea to let that newcomer handle this. Your sister…."
"My sister will learn her place, once and for all. And the whelp she married won't be able to do a damn thing about it. And that kid, well that kid will be my one personal insurance policy."
"What do you have planned?"
"You'll be told when you have to be told. Now is the congregation ready?"
"They are waiting in the hall."
"Good, I'll be there in a few moments."
"Yes sir." The man leaves as Jeremiah sits down turning towards the window.
Richard walks into Dr. Sedgwick's office. Cassie is in the waiting room when he walks in. Walking over to her, he leans down and kisses her. "I'm sorry I'm running behind. I got a phone call as I was leaving the office."
"It's okay. I think Dr. Sedgwick is behind herself." Cassie says, as the door opens.
Dr. Sedgwick nurse calls. "Cassie Winslow." They stand up. Richard follows her to the nurse. "Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Winslow." She says, turning to lead them down the hallway.
"Thank you." Cassie says, as she stops at one of the exam rooms. She and Richard walk in.
"Mrs. Winslow, if you will follow me, we'll take your weight." The nurse says, as Cassie turns to her.
"I'll be right back." Cassie says looking at Richard. He nods as Cassie follows the nurse out of the room and down the hall.
She returns a few moments later. Cassie gets up onto the exam table. The nurse checks her blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, making notes as she finishes each task. Standing up as she picks up Cassie's chart. "Dr. Sedgwick will be with you shortly." The nurse says, putting Cassie file in the slot by the door.
"Thank you." Cassie says, as the nurse nods. She pulls the door closed as she leaves.
"Is everything okay?" Richard asks.
"Is that your way of asking how much weight I've gained?"
"No, I wanted to make sure everything was alright?"
"Umm hmmm…."
"Really, that's all I meant." Richard says, looking at her.
She smiles at him as she says. "I've gained about five pounds. but I always start off with slow weight gain."
"How much is normal." Richard asks.
"It depends on the weight of the mother when she got pregnant. I was at about 130-5 pounds, maybe a little more. Also the first trimester you shouldn't gain a whole lot of weight, because you really don't need it and it's hard to gain weight with the morning sickness playing havoc with keeping anything down."
"You haven't really had….'
"I've had some. It usually hits me around mid morning but it's been letting up." Cassie says, as Dr. Sedgwick walks in.
"Richard, Cassie." She says, coming in and closing the door.
"Hello Doctor." They both say.
"So how are you feeling?" She asks, sitting down on the stool and opening Cassie's chart. She looks it over. "I see you've gained a little bit of weight. That's good for the first couple months. "Your temperature, blood pressure and heart rate seem normal."
"I feel really good."
"That's good. I need you to take this and give me a urine sample." Dr. Sedgwick says, holding out a cup.
"I'll be right back." Cassie says, as she gets up and takes the cup.
She leaves as Richard asks. "Why do you need the urine sample?"
"We're going to check her sugar and protein levels."
"How are you doing?" Dr. Sedgwick asks, noticing the black eye.
"I'm fine. Busy with work and the boys all the usual stuff."
"Can I ask what happened?" She asks, nodding at his eye.
"I had a bit of an argument with one of the father at RJ's practice last night." Richard says, as Cassie walks in.
"Here you go." Cassie says, handing her the cup before she gets back onto the exam table.
"Thank you. I'll take this to the lab after we listen for the heart beat." Dr. Sedgwick says, as the nurse brings in the Doppler system.
"We're going to hear the heart beat." Richard says, looking at Cassie.
"Yes, if you'll lie back." Dr. Sedgwick says, turning to Cassie.
She lies back as the nurse gets the system ready. "Are you ready?" Dr. Sedgwick asks.
"Yes." Cassie says, as the nurse starts the test. Within a few moments, they all clearly hear a very strong heart beat.
"Oh my…. That's his heart beat." Richard says, taking Cassie's hand. "It sounds so strong."
"I know." Cassie says, as they sit there listening to it.
They listen to it for a few more minutes before the nurse stops the test. "Is everything okay?" Richard asks, looking at Dr. Sedgwick.
"Everything sounds normal." Dr. Sedgwick says, looking at them and smiling. "Thank you." She says, to the nurse as she leaves with the Doppler system. The nurse nods as she leaves. "I would say everything is progressing as normal. You're not having any complications from the accident, no bleeding or pain." She says, as Cassie shakes her head no. "I want you to continue to do what you're doing. You're coming up on the last month of your third trimester. The morning sickness should lighten up some more and you'll be able to gain some more weight, but you know not to go too far." Cassie nods. "Good, when you leave schedule another appointment with the nurse. I'm not going to ask that you come in, in two weeks. We'll wait till this time next month but if you have any problems, anything, I want you to contact me immediately."
"We will." Cassie says.
"Good, then I will see you next month." Dr. Sedgwick says, as Richard helps Cassie off the table. Dr. Sedgwick opens the door and then follows them out.
"Thank you." Richard says, holding out his hand. They shake hands.
"Yes, thank you." Cassie says, holding out her hand. They shake hands and then Dr. Sedgwick walks away and they go to the front office.