A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Twenty Eight
The next morning, Sam rolls to her side reaching for Jeffrey. The bed is empty. Sitting up, she looks around as he walks in the door. "Good morning." He says, smiling as he walks over to the bed with a tray in his hand.
"Hi." She says, as he sits the tray down and then leans over to kiss her. When he steps back, she asks. "What's this?"
"This is breakfast for you and little Aiden." He says, leaning over to kiss her again.
"You made me breakfast."
"Well, I wanted to, but I can't make French toast. So I called Company and I had Buzz deliver breakfast." He says, taking the lid off her breakfast as she smiles.
"You remembered." She says, looking at the plate of French toast and fresh fruit.
"Yes, besides the crêpes we had in Paris, French toast is your favorite breakfast and I remember that you need fruit and milk." He says, says, pointing to the glass of milk sitting on the tray.
Reaching for the glass, she takes a drink as he gets up. He walks around the bed as she asks. "What are you having for breakfast?"
"I already fixed my breakfast and ate while I was waiting on Buzz. And I left the window cracked in the kitchen to air it out before you go downstairs." He says, sitting down on the bed.
"You could've eaten breakfast with me." She says, as he looks at her. "Alright, so maybe that wouldn't be a great idea a few weeks ago, but my stomach is settling down a little bit. I haven't had any morning sickness in several days now." She says, as he lies back against his pillow, watching her eat. "So are we going to look at costumes for tonight."
"We can."
"When do you have to be at the club?"
"Eight, so that we can setup."
"So, you're ready, you and the guys?"
"Ummm, they're gonna come over around four so we can run through the songs one more time before tonight."
"So we have all day to figure out what our costumes are gonna be."
"Yes." He says, reaching for a piece of fruit. "There's something we didn't talk about last night." He says, looking at her.
"What?" She asks, reaching for her milk.
"You're brother."
"What about him?"
"He came to visit me yesterday, remember."
"I know. You called and told me and I have no problem with you going with me when I speak to Mrs. Owens attorney."
"I was sort of wondering something." He says, as she puts the tray on her nightstand and turns to him.
"What?"
"He said that you know the rules, what did he mean?"
Sighing, she looks at him. "In the church, everything is handled through the congregation. My Dad and now Jeremiah has final say. If a child misbehaves my dad and now my brother assigns punishment. If someone steps in within or outside of the church then they are punished too."
"Including the law?"
"Not physically, but intimidation can work in anyone's favor if you have enough pull to back it up. My Dad and know my brother did."
"What kind of pull could your father and brother have to intimidate the law?"
"I don't know. I only know that everything and I mean everything is handled within the congregation. If Mrs. Owens ever goes back to them, she will be dealt with severely and if Arianna goes back in her place, she will be given what her mother would've received."
He looks at her and then reaches for her. "I'm sorry I made you tell me that." He says, pulling her to him. Shivering, he holds her tight. "And I will not let anything happen to you, our baby, Mrs. Owens or Arianna." He says, kissing her on top of the head. "I do have one more question though, just so I know what I could be dealing with."
"What?" She asks softly.
"What would they do to Arianna or Mrs. Owens?"
"Physical assault, verbal abuse, shunning, isolation from everyone and everything. I've seen my father lock a sinner away from everyone. The only time they had any interaction with us was during church. They would be placed in the center pew, completely alone, no one spoke to them until they were allowed to rejoin the congregation."
"And what did they have to do to be able to rejoin the congregation?"
"They had to confess that they were wrong and that they were a sinner towards God and my father and then they had to pledge their allegiance to God, my father and now my brother."
"They locked the children away."
"No, they couldn't do that because if the children missed to much school the authorities would begin asking questions. And the children didn't have to pledge allegiance. Their allegiance was accepted because their parents allowed them to be punished by the congregation. But they did have to repent and admit what they had done was wrong before the entire congregation."
"How many times did you have to do that?"
"A few, it was worse for me because I was the pastor's child."
"Why would they punish you?"
"I was caught with my mother on different occasions. When I was a child, she would come up to the school and she would talk to me through the fence. Sometimes my father didn't find out, but then other times other children would tell on me when they saw me talking to her. When I was older, my father would usually catch me at her house."
"And you always repented and swore allegiance."
"Up until I graduate high school. Once I graduated, when my father caught me I refused to repent."
"Did he…?"
"Not the last time, he caught us having lunch and he tried to force me to leave. I refused and that was the one time my father couldn't intimidate the law. I was eighteen and legally an adult. I went to my mom's until I went to college."
"That's why you always told your mom when we left for an assignment."
"Yes, after I left my dad's my mom insisted that I go to counseling. She wanted me to understand what happened and why she didn't fight for us. She did fight, but she had no way of winning. My father used every bit of his influence to force custody his way. And then he made sure to destroy any type of feelings we had for her. My brother believed every word he said. I was more skeptical and the truth became more apparent as I talked with her."
"I'm sorry I brought it up." He says, still holding her.
"I can talk about it now. But we have to take Jeremiah serious." She says, moving back to look at him.
"I'm already doing that." He says, brushing her hair back from her face.
"Let's do something fun today."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. We need costumes for tonight."
"I can go as a rock star." He says, with a smile
"And what am I going to go as?"
"Ummm, an angel."
"With horns."
"I like your horns." He says, leaning over to kiss her.
"I know what we can do."
"I had something quite fun in mind…." She looks at him. "What?"
"The haunted house."
"What haunted house?"
"There is a haunted house a couple streets over. I saw it the other day when I was out. We could go before the crowds tonight."
"You want to go to a haunted house."
"Well, it is a part of Halloween."
"Alright, we'll go to this haunted house and then we'll go get your costume." He says, as she pushes the covers back. "Where are you going?"
"To the bathroom."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. He's jumping on my bladder and if I don't go…."
"Go." He says, with a smile. He's laying there thinking about Sam when the phone rings. Picking it up, he answers on the third ring. "Hello."
"Jeffrey." Megan asks, her tone formal.
"Umm, yes." Jeffrey says, moving into a more comfortable position.
"Is Sam there?"
"Yes, she's in the bathroom right now."
"Oh, could you ask her to call me?" She asks, as Sam comes out of the bathroom.
"Umm, actually she's right here." Jeffrey says. "Do you want to talk to her?"
"Yes, please." She replies, as he holds the phone out.
Sitting down on the bed, she reaches for the phone as she asks. "Who is it?"
"Megan."
"Hello, Meg."
"Sam, I'm sorry to bother you."
"It's not a bother. Was there something you needed?"
"The boys wanted to know if you were going to have candy this evening."
"Umm, actually we're not going to be home. Jeffrey has a gig at Jon's Bar."
"Oh, okay."
"Megan bring them on by and I'll have something for them."
"It's not important."
"Megan, I said bring them by and I'll have something for them."
"We'll be there around six or seven."
"We'll be here." Sam says. "I'll see you then."
"Of course." She says. "I've got to go, good-bye."
She hangs up before Sam can reply. "What did she want?" Jeffrey asks.
"Umm, she wanted to know if we'll be home for the kids to trick or treat over here. I told her to come by and we'll have something for them. That's okay." She asks, looking at him.
"Of course it is." He says, as she lies down beside him. He lifts his arm as she moves over beside him. "I swear you get more beautiful everyday." He says, leaning in to kiss her.
"I think you're prejudice." She says, as he kisses her again.
Lying down in the bed, he wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly while they kiss. She reaches up, wrapping her arms around his neck as he deepens the kiss. They are so wrapped up in each other that both of them jump when the phone beeps. Sam pulls back as he reaches for the phone. "If you would like to make a call…." Jeffrey hangs up the phone as they both laugh.
"I guess we were a little distracted." He says, looking at her
She smiles as she leans in. "I think you were distracted before she called."
"Well, you did look rather hot walking over to the bathroom, in… well in nothing." He says, looking down. Her breasts are pressed against his chest.
He leans in, lightly kissing her on the cheek before he moves down her neck to her collar bone. Moving her head, she gives him more room. He nibbles softly on her neck and collar bone. Slowly moving his tongue over her pulse, he feels it jumps. A small shiver rolls down her spine. Turning her head, she lightly kisses his neck, sucking softly, as he wraps his arms around her, holding her to him. She pulls back and looks into his eyes. "I think you need some more encouragement." She says, moving her hands down his chest.
He releases her. Sitting up and placing her hands on his chest, she slowly moves them down his body. She stops for a moment to play with his navel before she leans down and softly kisses him, playing with him. She smiles when she feels him jump. Reaching up, he buries his fingers in her hair, holding her to him. She looks up and smiles. Sitting up, he reaches for her, pulling her away from his navel so that he could kiss her.
Wrapping one arm around him, she settles into his lap. Nibbling on her lower lips, he mumbles. "Sam." She moves closer to him, as she runs her hand down his chest. Pausing for a moment over his heart, she looks up as the beat of his pulse pounds against her hand. "I love you." He whispers, watching her. "And I love what you do to me, especially when you drive me crazy, like you're doing now." He says, as she smiles.
"I was made to drive you crazy." She says, leaning in to kiss him as she moves her hand down his chest and over his stomach.
Again she pauses at his navel, teasing him for a moment before she moves on. Throbbing surges of desire sweep over where ever she touches him. Closing his eyes, he sucks in a deep breath and holds it, waiting. She knows he's anticipating her next move. Lifting her hand from his stomach, she looks up as she reaches for him. Closing her hand around his erection as he releases his held breath in a low hiss, and she smiles.
Leaning back, he looks into her pale blue eyes. Reading the heat and desire shining in them, laying his hand at her neck, he slowly moves his thumb over her pulse and feels it jump. Smiling, he leans in. Kissing the side of her neck, he moves up to her ear. Nibbling on her earlobe for a moment before he sucks it into his mouth, he teases her. Knowing what it does to her. "J." She mumbles, closing her eyes as she tilts her head to the side. She squeezes him and he groans softly
"I know what you're doing." He whispers in her ear before he goes back to nibbling and playing with her ear. "I can give as good as I can take." He whispers, reaching for her hips.
He pulls her to him. Scorching heat flares between them. It's a matter of who will surrender first. She leans back, accepting his challenge. Squeezing him, as she moves her hand over him, she mimics their own rhythm. Moving her fingers over him, teasing the tip of his erection until he can't believe how desperate he is for her. Wrapping his arms around her, he lays her back and then moves over her. Kissing her, he swallows her cry of ecstasy as he surges into her, burying himself inside her. Hot velvet closes over him, encasing him in smooth slippery silk.
Leaning up, he looks down, watching her face as he pulls away and then thrusts deep. Bending her knees, she takes all of him. He settles into a steady rhythm. It's not enough to take them over the edge, but it's enough to keep them hovering there. Over and over again he surges forward and she moves with him, bringing him as deep as they can go. After a few minutes, she looks up. "Please J!" She whimpers
He looks down. Seeing the pleading expression in her eyes, he leans down, kissing her as he takes it to the next level and she's quick to respond. He thrusts into her as the first surge of release rushes over her, pulling him deeper. He keeps going as she spins completely out of control.
The last surge pulls a scorching ball of fire from deep inside him, rushing through him, burning him until he should be ashes. He thrusts again and his release bursts from him, flooding her body with each throbbing pulse. Slowly he sags into her waiting arms, sucking in breath after breath while he fights for reality. Finally after a few minutes, he pulls back and looks down. Smiling, she says. "I think you proved you can give as good as you can get."
"So can you, darlin." He whispers, leaning in to kiss her.
"I love you." She whispers, nibbling on his lower lip.
"I love both of you." He whispers back, pulling away from her and laying down beside her. Laying his hand on her stomach, he's rewarded with a sound kick. "I think we woke him up."
"At least it's now and not tonight." She says, stretching as she looks at him. Sparks flash in his eyes. "The haunted house is waiting."
"They can… Alright, we'll go." He says, sitting up.
Reaching for his hand, she stops him from getting up. "We'll finish that later tonight." She promises.
"I'll hold you to that." He says, leaning over to kiss her softly before he pulls away. She whistles softly as he walks across the room to bathroom. Looking back over his shoulder, he smiles. "You can join me if you like." He says, as she pushes the sheet back and gets out of bed. Walking over to him, he takes her hand and leads her into the bathroom.
An hour later, he turns the shower off as she leans up to kiss him. "Ghouls and ghosts are waiting for us."
"I know." She says, taking a towel and handing it to him.
"Do we still get to finish this later?" He asks, as they dry off.
She looks over at him and smiles. "You're really into this today."
"You're incredibly beautiful today."
"Thank you and we will later, right now I want ghouls and ghosts." She says, as he laughs.
"Alright." He says, releasing her and walking into their closet. Twenty minutes later, they leave.
They are walking through the haunted house when Emma comes up to them. "Hi." She says, as Jeffrey turns around.
"Emma, how are you?" He says, bending down to hug her.
"I'm fine." She says, hugging him and then turning to Sam. "Hi, Ms. Sam." She says, hugging her.
"Hi, Emma."
"Is your…." Jeffrey asks, as Ava and William walk up.
"Dad." Ava says
"Hi, baby." Jeffrey says, turning to her. They hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Sam wanted to come." He says, slipping his arm around her.
"We are introducing William to his first official American holiday." She says, as William smiles.
"We have Halloween in San Cristobel." He says.
"Yes, but you've never celebrated it here." Ava says.
"Are you guys coming to the party tonight at Jon's Bar?" Sam asks.
"We thought we would come by after we take Emma trick or treating with Rj and Will." Ava says.
"You know that it's a costume party?" Jeffrey asks.
"Yes, we've already got our costumes."
"So, I guess you're going as a prince." Jeffrey asks, looking at William.
"No, I'm not. I couldn't if I wanted to."
"Why?" Ava asks, looking at him.
"Because I'm still a titled citizen of San Cristobel."
"You didn't tell me that."
"It doesn't matter here. But I am a titled citizen of San Cristobel and by extension a member of the royal family."
"If the title doesn't matter here, then why should it matter if you dress as a Prince for a Halloween party?" Sam asks.
"According to palace protocol, only the prince can be addressed as a Prince." William replies.
"It's a Halloween party, not a State dinner." Sam says.
"I know but because of my title I'm still bound by palace protocol." William replies.
"Richard didn't leave San Cristobel with a title." Jeffrey says, looking at him.
"I know." William says, looking uncomfortable.
"You weren't able to give him a title because he was Prince George's illegitimate son." Jeffrey says.
"It's an antiquated behavior, but it's still expected. I did set him on the way to becoming a titled citizen of San Cristobel, unfortunately there was the accident." William says, as Sam shakes her head.
"So, what are you going as?" Ava asks, looking at Jeffrey.
"As a rock star." He says, looking at her.
"Now that's original." She says, with a smile.
"We're going to the costume shop to look after we finish with this." Sam says. "Maybe I can talk him into being something different."
"What are you going as?" William asks.
"Ava, can I go over there?" Emma asks.
"Where?"
"Over there." She says, pointing to one of the displays a few feet away.
"Alright, but stay where I can see you." Ava says, as she nods, walking away.
"So, what are you going as?" Ava asks, turning back to Sam.
"Ummm, you father wants me to go as an angel." Sam says.
"That's because you are an angel." He says, kissing the side of her head.
"He's just a little bit biased." Sam says, looking up.
"Alright, well we need to get Emma. We have other things we need to do." Ava says, with a smile.
"I'll see you tonight." Jeffrey says, hugging Ava.
"We'll see you later." Ava says, taking William's hand. "Bye Sam." She says.
"Bye." Sam replies, as they walk away.
Jeffrey looks at her and then smiles. "Are you through here?"
"Yeah, I've seen enough." She says, slipping her hand into his.
Releasing her hand, he puts his arm across her shoulders and pulls her to him. Lightly kissing the top of her head, he says. "I love you."
"I love you too." She says, looking up as she wraps her arm around his waist as they walk out of the haunted house.
When they get to the car, he opens the door for her and then closes it before he walks around the car. Getting in, he starts the car as he says. "You're thinking about something." She looks at him and smiles.
"It's not important."
"What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about Richard."
"I'm not sure how I should take that." He says, teasing her.
"No, that's not what I meant. He lost his life, his country and his title all because he was the illegitimate son of Prince George. That doesn't seem fair."
"It's not but William is right, it's an antiquated behavior that most of society doesn't recognize."
"Except for royalty, I wonder what makes a person worthy of ruling."
"I don't think Richard misses being a Prince or his title. He might miss doing the work he did in San Cristobel, but he's happy with Cassie and the boys." He says, glancing at her.
"I know. It just doesn't seem fair that he was punished for what Prince George did. He wasn't responsible for what happened."
"And he knows that and if William could've given him a title before they left, he would've. It's all history anyway." He says, turning onto Main Street.
"I know. It's just not fair. So are you going to be open to me being anything other than angel?" She asks, reaching for his hand.
"You will make a great angel."
"And what if all the angel costumes are taken. We are waiting to the last minute."
"If you have to be something else, then we'll find it." He says, turning into the parking lot.
Sam is looking through costumes when she finds an old Southern Belle costume. Pulling it out, she looks at it as Jeffrey walks up. "What do you think?" She asks, holding it up to her.
"You're supposes to be an angel." He says, looking at her. "But you like this."
"Well, I could be Scarlett and you could be my Rhett Butler." She says, in deep southern drawl.
"Well, frankly my dear I don't give a damn." Jeffrey says, as she laughs.
"Seriously, do you care if…?"
"Go try it on." He says, stepping back. "And I'll see if they have a Rhett Butler costume." He says, as she walks towards the dressing room.
A few minutes later, she comes out of the dressing room. She's looking in the mirror when he walks up behind her, looking every bit as dashing as Clark Cable dressed as Rhett Butler. "Oh, be still my heart." She says, fanning herself as he laughs.
"You really want to go as Scarlett and Rhett."
"Why not, no one would expect us too." She says, looking at him.
"Then we'll go." He says, tipping his hat to her.
Reaching up, she hugs him. He leans in, kissing her. "Go change. We need to eat before we go home."
"We've got left over pizza remember." She says, releasing him.
"Alright, I would never stand in the way of you and your cold pizza."
"Oh hush." She says, walking away from him as he laughs again.
A few moments later, they are walking to their car when Reva gets out of her car. "Hey, Reva." Sam says when she sees her.
"Sam, Jeffrey, I haven't seen you in a while." She says, walking over to them. She hugs them both.
"So are you looking for some costumes?" Sam asks, nodding towards the shop.
"Actually, I'm returning these for something else, so yes, I guess I am looking for a costume. You guys going to a party tonight?"
"Ummm, J's playing at Jon's Bar tonight. You and Josh should come." Sam says, glancing at Jeffrey.
"Sure, you both should come. But it's a costume party." He says.
"Well, we'll see. Has everything been picked through?" Reva asks, nodding towards the costume shop.
"No, not really. They still have some good costumes." Sam says
"Well, then let me go look. Josh and I might come to the party after the kids come by for trick or treating."
"Yeah, that's what Ava said too. She's taking Emma out with Rj and Will."
"Well, let me go see what they have. It was good to see you. Sam you look beautiful."
"Thank you." Sam says, smiling as Reva walks away. They continue to Jeffrey's car. As they are leaving she asks. "You're not upset that I invited them, are you?"
"No, of course not. It might actually be fun." Jeffrey says, reaching for her hand again.
Reva walks into the study, carrying two bags. Josh looks up and asks. "What's that for?"
"We are going to a party tonight and these are our costumes." She says, handing him a bag. He looks at her with a blank expression. "Come on." She says, pulling him up from the desk.
"Reva, we're a little old to be going to a Halloween party, especially dressed up in costumes. And beside the kids in the neighborhood will be coming by." Josh says, resisting her tugging.
"No, we're not. And trick or treating will only last a couple hours." She says, pulling harder. She pulls him out of the chair and around the desk. "It will be fun and everyone will be there."
"Where is there?" Josh asks, as she pulls him out of the room.
"You'll see." She says, stopping at the stairs. She turns to him. "Now go change before the trick or treaters come." She says, handing him a bag.
He looks at her for a moment and then takes the bag. He slowly walks up the stairs with Reva following behind them.
"Sam, are you ready?" Jeffrey asks, walking into their closet.
"Yes." She says, turning to him. He stares as she walks over to him. "Breath, Rhett darlin." She says, leaning up to kiss him.
He takes a deep breath and then smiles. "I do believe you are beautiful, Ms. Scarlett." He says, kissing her again.
"The guys are waiting, so let's go." She says, picking up her parasol and slipping her hand through his arm.
"Right this way, ma'am." He says, leading her out of the bedroom. "Megan stopped by while you were upstairs." He says.
"She did, why didn't you come get or send her upstairs."
"I suggested it, but she said she wanted to get the boys home." He says, as they walk down the stairs.
Beau and Carter are waiting downstairs, both of them in their costumes. "You look amazing." Carter says, after several seconds.
"Thank you." Sam says, smiling.
"Very beautiful." Beau says.
"I think we should go. We have to setup before the party starts." Jeffrey says, leading Sam over to the door.
About ten minutes later, they pull into the parking lot at Jon's bar. The bar is already filling up, but Lizzie reserved a parking spot for Jeffrey so that he could unload easily. When they walk into the bar, Lizzie looks up and then starts laughing. "Well Sir, I never though I would see the day that Jeffrey O'Neill would be dressed as Rhett Butler. I do declare Scarlett however did you accomplish that." She asks, laughing.
"It did take a little twisting of his arm." Sam says, mimicking Lizzie's accent.
"Alright poke fun if you want." Jeffrey says, looking at them sternly.
Sam walks over to him. "I'll make it up to you later." She says, kissing him.
"Is it okay if we setup." Jeffrey asks, looking at Lizzie.
"Of course, the stage is ready for you." She says, still smiling as he turns to leave. "So, what would you like?"
"Sprite will be good and a beer for Jeffrey." She says, smiling as Ava and William walk up.
"Good evening everyone." William says.
"Hello." Sam says, turning around as Ava walks up.
"You got him to change." She says, looking at Sam.
"Yeah." She says, nodding towards the stage.
"Oh my…. He's dressed as… what is he dressed as?"
"Haven't you ever seen Gone With the Wind?" Lizzie asks
"Well, I've heard of it. So he's Rhett and you're Scarlett?" Ava asks.
"Yeah, it's more creative than him coming as a rock star and me an angel. Besides some of the music he's gonna play tonight… well we'll fit." Sam says, smiling as Richard and Cassie walk up.
"Hey everyone." Cassie says. "Nice. Sam." She says, smiling
"I like yours too."
"Where is Jeffrey?" Richard asks.
"Setting up."
"You guys want to find a table?" William asks.
"I got one set aside for everyone, close to the stage." Lizzie says, coming out from behind the bar.
"Great, thanks." Sam says, following Lizzie to the table.
"Alright, so what's everyone going to have?" Lizzie asks, as everyone finds places to sit.
"Sprite." Ava says.
"Yeah, me too." Cassie says.
"We'll have a beer?" Richard asks, looking at William
"Sure." He says.
"Alright, I'll get the drinks, you guys go have fun."
"My genie darling, would you like to dance?" Richard asks, turning to Cassie.
"Your wish is my command, dear." Cassie says, getting up and following Richard out to the dance floor.
"What was that about?" William asks.
"Oh umm, I dream of Genie. It's an old T.V show, starring Larry Hagman and Barbara Eden, I believe." Sam says. "You guys go dance, I'm going to see if Jeffrey needs any help." Sam says, getting up. Lizzie brings the drinks as she's walking away.
"Hey darlin." Jeffrey says, as she walks up to the stage.
"You need any help?"
"No, we're about setup."
"Did you see Richard and Cassie?"
"Yeah, this year must be the TV theme for Halloween."
"If you don't need me, I'm going to go sit with Ava and William."
"That's fine, I'll be through here in a bit and then we can dance." Jeffrey says, looking up to watch Richard and Cassie. "Now where did he learn to two step?" He asks, watching him twirl Cassie around the dance floor.
"I don't know. But we're going to have to give them a run for their money." Sam says, looking up. She notices that he's not looking at her so she turns to see what he's looking at. "At least he came."
"I just hope he can go one night without starting anything. I'm not in the mood for it." Jeffrey says, watching as Josh and Reva walk over to their table.
"Everything will be fine." Sam says, laying her hand on his chest. "I know you're going to be my Southern gentlemen." She says, as he looks down and smiles.
"We'll dance as soon as I get this setup."
"Alright, I'll be at the table." She says, as he nods. She turns away as he glance back up, watching Josh for a moment before he focuses on setting up.
Ten minutes later, he looks at Beau. "We got everything?"
"Sure, it's all ready to go." Beau says, as Carter nods.
"Then I'm going to get my wife and we're going to have a couple dances before we start this party." Jeffrey says, walking off the stage.
On the way over to the table, a few of the girls stop him. He takes a few pictures, signs a few autographs before he finally makes it over to the table. "It must be hard being so popular." Richard says, as Jeffrey walks up.
"I'm not really sure why they wanted all that stuff." Jeffrey shrugs his shoulders. "Do you want to dance?" He asks, turning to Sam.
"I would love to." She says, standing up. He takes her hand and leads her out onto the dance floor. They dance a couple dances before he takes her back to the table.
"We have to start. We'll take a break around midnight."
"Go." She says, leaning up to kiss him. "I love you."
"I love both of you." He whispers, kissing her quickly before he walks towards the stage. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen." He says, walking up to the mic. "Are we ready to get this started?" The girls start to yell as he turns to the band. "Alright, let's go."
They play through their first set, mixing in their original material and covers of old sixties rock hits and a few southern rock hits. "Now, I know this is costume party but I think my wife decided on our costumes because of this song, so this is dedicated to my wife and her rebel pride. One, Two, Three, Four." Jeffrey counts off and they start. Sam smiles as the song starts while Josh is watching her. When they finish the song, Jeffrey says. "We're going to take a short break." He says, putting his guitar down. He steps off the stage to be surrounded by girls.
He finally pulls himself free and he's on his way to Sam when Wes walks up. "Hey, Jeffrey. That was awesome."
"Thanks Wes, I didn't realize you were going to be here."
"Yeah, my date brought me. She's wanted to see you since I told her that you were client."
"Well, it was good to see you." Jeffrey says, turning to walk away.
"Hey wait, I wanted to tell you that I heard from the SEC about the Lewis Oil buyout." Wes says, as Josh walks by.
"You did! I thought we wouldn't hear anything till next month." Jeffrey says, as Josh stops.
"I wasn't expecting to but it came in early. They approved the sale. You're now the owner of Lewis Oil." Wes says, holding out his hand.
"Really, they approved it."
"Yes, I'll send the paperwork over to your office on Monday for the signatures, but the company is yours."
"Thanks Wes." Jeffrey says, shaking his hand with a huge grin on his face.
"I'll see you later." Wes says, turning to walk away, leaving
Jeffrey is standing there alone. "So, you bought Lewis Oil." Josh says stepping up.
"Ahhh, oh hi Josh." Jeffrey says, realizing for the first time that he's there.
"Didn't expect me to overhear that, did you?" Josh says.
"Over hear, oh you heard Wes tell me about the Lewis Oil buyout. I bought…."
"You bought my father's company to try and buy your way into this family. Well, it's not going to happen."
"Actually, I bought my father's company back from the Spaulding's with the intent of bringing it back into our family. I don't have to buy my way into this family, because I'm already in it, whether you want to accept that or not." Jeffrey says, turning away from him. Josh reaches out to stop and Jeffrey pulls free. "I'm not dealing with you tonight, or your accusations. I bought Lewis Oil because I felt like it should be back with my family. You don't agree with that, well there's nothing I can do about." Jeffrey says, turning and walking away.
Josh stands there for a moment and then turns to follow him. When he reaches the table, he says to Reva as he reaches for her. "Let's go."
"Josh!" She says, pulling away from him. "What is wrong with you?" Reva asks, as he glances at Jeffrey. "Oh no, you're not doing this to me again. He's your brother. I thought you were going to accept that." Reva hisses out.
"I'm not going to be bought." Josh says, loud enough for Jeffrey and Sam to hear.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Reva asks, glancing at Jeffrey and Sam.
"Why don't you explain Jeffrey? Explain why you bought Lewis Oil from the Spaulding's. Maybe they will believe you only did for your family." Josh says, holding up quotation marks around the word family.
"Jeffrey?" Reva asks, looking at him
"It's true. I had my broker buy up the Lewis Oil stock until I had controlling interest in the company and then I took it over from Spaulding." Jeffrey says, as Lizzie walks up.
"How could you do that? Lizzie has controlling interest in Lewis Oil."
"I sold him my shares." Lizzie says, sitting down everyone's drinks.
"You sold him your share of Lewis Oil, why?" Josh demands turning to Lizzie.
"Because he came to me and he asked me too and he offered a very generous amount for my shares, not that I really needed the money, but I've already put it to use." Lizzie says, looking at Josh. "It was a good deal."
"You gave him credibility, can't you see that." Josh says, staring at her.
"What I see is a man that's to proud to admit that his father wasn't perfect and accept that he made some mistakes in his life and those mistakes gave you a brother." Lizzie says, turning to walk away.
For a moment, Josh stands there looking at everyone and then he turns to Reva. "Let's go."
"No, I'm not leaving." Reva says, taking a step back. "Lizzie and Jeffrey are both right and you're going to have to accept it."
"Fine." Josh says, turning around to leave.
For a few seconds after Josh left, everyone stands there not sure of what to do. "Hey, this is a party." William says. "Do you want to dance?" He asks, turning to Ava.
"Sure." She says, taking his hand and letting him lead her out to the dance floor.
Richard and Cassie follow them as Reva walks over to Jeffrey. "I'm…."
"Don't apologize for him." Jeffrey says, holding up his hand as he takes a drink of beer.
"You really bought Lewis Oil?"
"Yes, my intention was to give it to Billy." Jeffrey says, as Sam slips her arm around his waist.
"How did you even know about Lewis Oil and Spaulding owning it?"
"Billy told me one day. After he told me about it, I asked my broker to look into getting as much stock as we could. We had everything but Lizzie's stock and I approached her like she said and offered to buy her stock. I offered more than a fair price and she took it. I was waiting for the SEC to approve the sell before I said anything."
"I think it's wonderful and I know that Billy will be overwhelmed when you give it to him."
"Thank you. We're going to go dance, if that's alright."
"No go, I'll be fine." Reva says, as Jeffrey takes Sam's hand and leads her out onto the dance floor.
"You were wonderful." Sam says, moving into his arms.
"I didn't want a scene tonight." He says, sighing.
"He's going to come around. I don't think tonight was about you."
"It seemed like it was about me."
"Did you hear what Lizzie said?" Sam asks, as Jeffrey nods. "I think she's right, I don't think Josh's problems are totally with you. It has to be upsetting to find out that your father wasn't faithful to you mother once but twice."
"Is any of that my fault?"
"No, but some of Josh's reaction might be because you did something he and Billy were never able to do. You got your father's company back. I don't know if they tried but you did it and that might bruise Josh's pride a little bit." She says, as he kisses her.