A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Thirty Two
Jeffrey walks into his office after Richard and William leave. Stace is at her desk when he walks in. "I'm sorry. I know I was supposes to be back by one, but something came up. Did someone handle my one o'clock meeting with Councilmen Waters?"
"Yes Sir. The Deputy Mayor met with him.
"Okay, I'll get an update from him later. I'm going to be on a personal call." Jeffrey says, walking towards his office.
"Yes sir." She says, going back to the letter she was typing when he came in.
Closing his door behind him, he walks over to his desk. Sitting down, he reaches for the phone and dials Noah's number. After a couple rings, Noah picks up. "Noah Chase."
"Noah, its Jeffrey."
"Jeffrey, I haven't talked to you in a few days. How are things going with you and Sam?" He asks, sitting back in his chair.
"We're doing very well. I am concerned about something, that's why I'm calling."
"What's the problem?"
"You know when I called the other day about that group outside Laurel Falls?"
"Yes, I asked the director about sending in agents, but the Department of Justice is all over this case."
"I know they have an agent undercover. He's been undercover for a couple years now. He came to see Sam after the incident in her clinic. To make a long story short, the man he is investigating is Sam's brother Jeremiah. The patient that Sam treated is the daughter of one of Jeremiah's followers."
"That puts Sam right in the middle." Noah says, sitting up.
"Exactly, and she's determined to testify in Arianna's mother's case."
"That's her patient?"
"Yes, she was supposes to be returned to her father the night before Arianna's mother brought her to Sam's clinic. Since she broke the custody agreement, she was arrested and charged with kidnapping. Arianna is in state custody pending the outcome of her mother's trial and the investigation into her injuries."
"You're worried about Sam testifying?"
"I understand why she's doing it and I support her in that decision. What I'm nervous about is Sam was supposes to meet with a man this afternoon for lunch. He was supposes to be Arianna's mother's attorney from the public defenders office. I had never heard of him, so I went with her to the meeting. The guy never showed up. And when he didn't show up, I got suspicious and I called the director of the public defenders office."
"And he's never heard of the man and has no one by that name on his payroll." Noah says, sitting back again.
"Precisely, so after we left Company, Sam and I went to the police station and Frank let us speak with Arianna's mother. She confirmed what I suspected. The man that Sam was supposes to meet actually works for Sam's brother Jeremiah. From everything that Sam's told me about her family and the things that were done to her mother and to her, I know he's coming after her. Either to keep her from testifying or to try and force back into his group. Either one puts Sam and our child at too great a risk for her to be unprotected. She's not going to break her promise to testify and she's already balking at having to stay at home until I get home this evening and most of this time she'll be busy with patients. So I need an agent, the best you have at personal protection sent here, to guard her."
"I can arrange that with the director."
"She has to understand that Sam is a trained agent."
"I'll make sure she's fully briefed. Are you sure you want a woman?"
"I know my wife. If she has a male body guard, she'll make it her mission to loose him, if only to prove that she can do it."
"And that will defeat the purpose of her having a bodyguard. Alright, the best female agent we have is Shelley Milton."
"It has to be any one but her?" Jeffrey says, remembering the scene outside the shops on their honeymoon.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Only a minor problem, Shelley and I had a brief thing."
"And Sam knows about it."
"Yes, and we happened to bump into Shelley while we were on our honeymoon and it didn't go well." Jeffrey says, remembering the look on Sam's face as Shelley completely ignored her.
"So, Shelley's not available. What about Mellissa Watkins?"
"Not her either, she's still upset with me for breaking off with her."
"Was there anyone in the protection detail you didn't sleep with?"
"Umm, Marjorie."
"That I can clearly understand and sadly she's no longer with the agency. So were there any agents that you were with that you left on good terms?"
"What about the red head?"
"That narrows is down a lot?"
"She came in right after my last Russian op."
"The one were… are you talking about Rosemary?"
"Yes, we were briefly involved right after I returned to Russia before I went back to Europe for the Bosnia op. She understood that I didn't want a permanent thing and she didn't want anything permanent either. So when I went on that op, she wasn't upset that I left." Jeffrey says, as he doodle Sam's name on a note pad that's sitting by him.
"Alright, I'll speak to the director about sending Rosemary to be Sam's bodyguard until this thing with her brother is figured out."
"Thank you, that takes a little bit of the worry of my mind." Jeffrey says, feeling some relief.
"I know the feeling. Sam reminds me of Reva. When she gets something in her head, it's hard to turn her away from it, no matter how dangerous the situation is."
"But I love her independence and fire." Jeffrey says, glancing at the picture of Sam on his desk. It was taken in Niagara by another tourist. They are standing together, with the arms around each other, looking at each other, with the falls behind them.
"Jeffrey, are you there?"
"Sorry, zoned out there for a minute."
"I said, I'll speak to the director and I'll be in touch."
"Thank you Noah."
"You're welcome. How are Richard and Cassie doing?"
"Quite well, you might want pay attention the WSPR website here in the next few days." Jeffrey says.
"Why is something happening?"
"You might say that."
"What?"
"I'm not going to say, just watch the site. How are you and that nurse working out?" Jeffrey asks, distracting him.
"She moved to our facility in Germany."
"You're as bad as me." Jeffrey says.
"Actually, I think I'm worse." Noah says. "I've given up finding anyone."
"I didn't expect to find Sam when I found her." Jeffrey says. "You'll find the woman you're meant to be with."
`"Everyone tells me that, but yet it never happens. Let me talk to the director and I'll let you know."
"Thanks Noah." Jeffrey says, relaxing a little. He won't totally relax until everything is settled and Jeremiah is dealt with. "I'll talk with you soon."
"Okay." He says. Jeffrey hangs up. Turning in his chair, he looks out the window behind his desk. He had things he could be doing, but he couldn't concentrate. After about ten minutes of staring out the window, he turns around and stands up. Grabbing his briefcase, he puts some of his work inside and then grabs his keys. Walking over to his office door, he opens it as Stace looks up. "I'm going to be at home for the rest of the day." He says, closing his door.
"Yes sir."
"You can go to. That can wait till the morning." He says, nodding to the work on her desk.
"Yes sir." She says, as he walks out of the office. Closing her computer down, she follows him. They are walking down the hall when she asks. "Is something wrong, Sir?"
"Stace, just call me Jeffrey." He says, glancing at her.
"Yes s… Jeffrey. Is something wrong?"
"I'm just worried." He says quietly.
"Is it the baby, S…?"
"No, the baby's fine. I'm worried about Sam, but I'm doing everything I can to take care of the problem." Jeffrey says, holding the door for her.
She pulls her coat around as they walk outside. "I hope everything works out."
"Thank you." Jeffrey replies, as she nods to him before she turns to her car and he walks over to his.
William and Richard walk into the tailor's shop. "Your Highnesses." The shop owner says, walking up to them.
"We're simply William and Richard now." William says.
"Of course, sir, if you're ready, we'll begin."
William walks into the dressing room as Richard sits down in one of the chairs beside the counter. William returns a few moments later, dressed in black pants and a white dress shirt and black jacket. The shop owner gets busy and within fifteen minutes, he says. "I am finished. The suit fits perfectly, Sir."
"Thank you?" William says, stepping down. "I'll change and we'll go for lunch." He says, looking at Richard.
"That's fine." William goes change and then they leave.
As they are walking towards the car, William asks. "Do you think everything is going to be alright with Jeffrey and Sam?"
"It'll be fine. Jeffrey will make sure nothing happens to her."
"I'm glad we're not the only one with the dysfunctional family." William says, looking at him.
"Sam deserves better." Richard says, as they get in the car.
"You're partial to her because she saved your life." William says, closing his door. They buckle up before William starts the car and then pulls away from the shop.
"You know I really didn't have to go with you to the fitting. So is there some other reason you wanted me to go with you."
William looks at him. And then says. "I need to get Ava something but I don't know what to get her. We've got almost everything for the baby from the baby shower and she got stuff from the wedding shower too, but I don't know what to get her from me." He says, pulling up to a light.
"I'm not sure I'm the right person to be asking this. I got Cassie an armour plated Mercedes."
"That's actually not a bad idea. Not the armor plated part, but the new car. Ava's car is a little worn out and she'll need a more dependable and larger car when the baby gets here." William says, turning onto the freeway.
"Can you afford it?"
"I'm making good money at work and my pension will be starting too."
"Plus you have your share of our inheritance from father."
"I never felt comfortable taking Prince George's money."
"You were his son, William. No matter what happened when you were a baby, that money belongs to you."
"That's nearly fifty million dollars, Richard."
"I know. I split it up between my children, including Rj and Tammy. Jon had his inheritance as well. And I'll set something up for Will and the new baby."
"I might do that for them as well, but right now I don't want to use our father's money." William says, as they pull into Company.
After leaving City Hall, Jeffrey goes immediately home. Getting out of his car, he goes into the house. Putting his stuff away, he walks downstairs using the entrance from the laundry room. Sam is finishing up with a patient when he comes downstairs. "Mr. Renton, take these meds and if you're not better by next week, I want to see you again." She says, walking with him towards the front of the office.
"I will and thank you Dr. O'Neill." He says, as she nods.
He turns for the receptionist as she turns around. As she turns around, she spots Jeffrey standing at the end of the hall. She walks towards him. "What are you doing here?" She asks, as she walks up.
"I had to come home." He says, reaching for her.
They hug and then she steps back. "I am perfectly safe here, J. He's not going to come after me today."
"Maybe not, but I had to be here." He says. His tone worried. She slips her arms around his waist. "I spoke with Noah." He says, stepping back after hugging her.
"Alright."
"He's going to speak to the director about sending an agent here to look after you while this is being settled."
"There's more isn't there." She says, looking at him.
He looks away and then looks back. "The agent they are considering is someone that I had a brief relationship with after Russia. We both mutually agreed to break up."
"You were afraid to tell me that." She says, as he looks away.
"Maybe I was a little nervous about telling you. After the run in on our honeymoon, I didn't want to upset you by having you face another…."
"Do you know what upset me the most in Niagara?" She asks, as he shakes his head no. "It wasn't the fact that you were involved with her. It was the fact that I didn't seem to matter. She seemed completely oblivious to me and the fact that I am your wife. I'm not so fragile that I can't face the fact that you tried to move on. It's what I would expect you to do if I had been dead. I want, wanted you to be happy."
"I know you're not fragile, but I don't want it thrown in your face every time there's a crisis that I was with so many women after Russia."
She leans in and kisses him softly. "You want to protect me, I get that, but I don't need it. I know about your past and it doesn't matter to me, so stop worrying about my reaction. And in the future, I won't need a bodyguard because I'll be able to take care of myself."
"Pregnant or not pregnant, I will always be here to protect you." He says, pulling her closer to him as she smiles.
"I've still got a couple more patients to see, are you going back to City Hall?"
"No, I'm going upstairs."
Shaking her head, she leans up to kiss him. "I love you. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this protective side of you, but I like it."
"I lost you once because I didn't protect…."
"What happened in Russia was not because you didn't protect me. We were both victims of lies." She says, looking him in the eyes.
"What happened was something I should've seen coming. I would've seen coming at any other time, but I thought we were both invincible. We always survived together."
"And we'll do the same thing this time too. Jeremiah will not separate us."
"We can't depend on that Sam. He's…."
"He's unpredictable, I agree. But I'm not afraid of him."
"You need to be afraid of him. He shows all the signs of being out of control and he resents you and our relationship."
Sighing, she looks at him. "We can't solve this now. So, let me finish with these patients and then I'll be up. I have all the staff around me. Jeremiah isn't going to reach me here."
"How do you know that?"
"Because he won't confront you, he'll try to get me alone, like today. So go upstairs, relax a little bit and I'll be up as soon as I finish with these patients."
"Alright." He says, leaning in to kiss her. "I'll be upstairs."
"I know." She says, releasing him.
Richard walks into the house around five. After lunch he went back to City Hall to an afternoon of meetings with different businesses looking to build in Springfield. Putting his briefcase on the table and hanging up his coat. He picks up the briefcase before he leaves the kitchen. Walking into his office, he puts his briefcase down and is about to leave when the phone rings. Reaching for it, he answers at the beginning of the second ring. "Hello, Winslow Residence."
"Richard, its Kevin."
"Hello." He says, walking around his desk. Sitting down he sits back. "Did we have a meeting?"
"No, I called to let you know that the Westbrook fellow has agreed to be the campaigns financial manager."
"Great."
"So we have most of the staff secured. I gave the details for the announcement to one of the volunteers and asked them to contact the Beacon about using it as the announcement for you campaign. She will be handling all of those details. Have you written anything for your announcement speech?"
"No, I've been busy, but I have spoken with one of the gentlemen that wrote for me while I was in San Cristobel. He didn't give a definite answer but he did offer to write a rough draft and will be emailing it to me as soon as he has something for me."
"That is good. Once you've received that email, we need to meet to discuss it and you'll need to speak with the lady handling the arrangements with the Beacon. She will need to know what you want."
"Have her contact Cassie and she will know how things should be done."
"Alright, I'll tell her to speak to Mrs. Winslow."
"Is there anything else?" He asks, looking up. Cassie is leaning against the door frame to his office.
"No, I believe that is everything."
"Good, I will speak with you when I've received the email from Miles."
"That will be fine." They hang up as Cassie pushes away from the door.
"Where are the boys?"
"They are out in the barn, taking care of Blue and Lady Tammy."
"What about practice?"
"Their coach moved it up because it gets dark so quickly. I took them right after school."
"Alright."
"Who was on the phone?"
"Kevin." Richard says, getting up and walking over to her. He slips his arms around her.
"What did he want?"
"Ummm, we have a campaign finance manager."
"The guy in Oakdale took the job."
"Yes, and I was telling him about Miles. I spoke with him today."
"How are they doing?"
"Very well, Ashleigh and the boys were on a school trip."
"Is he going to be your speech writer?"
"He didn't give me a definite answer. He needs to talk it over with Ashleigh, but he did offer to write a rough draft for the announcement speech and email it to me, which is likely in my email right now." He turns back to his desk.
"You can look later. I've got to get dinner ready and the boys will need help with their homework." She says, reaching to stop him.
"I can look later. I'm tired anyway." He says, turning back to her. He takes her hand allowing her to draw him out of the office and back into the living room as the boys come in from the barn.
"Daddy." Will says, coming over to him.
"Hi, buddy. How was your day?" Richard asks, releasing Cassie's hand and reaching for Will. He hugs him to him, bending his knees to pick him up.
He's in the process when Cassie says. "Richard, he too heavy…."
"I'm fine." Richard says, picking Will up and carrying him into the living room. Cassie looks at him and then shakes her head.
"I'm going to get dinner started. You both need to start your homework. You have baths after dinner."
"Can't we watch TV?" Rj asks.
"No, you need to do your homework." Richard says. He puts Will down and then says. "Go get your backpacks and I'll help you." He says, as Will turns to leave the room, followed by Rj.
When they leave, Cassie looks at him. "You really shouldn't pick Will up like that. It could hurt…."
"My back is fine. In a few more years, I won't be able to pick him up at all."
"But you'll have another little boy or girl you can pick up." She says, turning to him as he walks over to her
"How are both of you doing?"
"We're both fine. Maybe a little tired..."
"Cassie…."
"It's nothing to panic about Richard. It's normal for me to feel a little more worn out at the end of the day."
"Alright." He says, sighing softly.
She turns to him and leans up to kiss him. "Thank you for worrying."
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulls her to him and says as he lays his right hand on her stomach. "It's my job to worry and to take care of you, the boys and our little girl."
"You do a wonderful job." She says, as the boys run down the stairs. He leans in to quickly kiss her as they reach the living room.
"Ugh, they're kissing again." Will says, reaching up to wipe his mouth.
Smiling, Cassie releases Richard and turns to Will. "And I'm going to kiss you all over." She says, advancing towards him.
"Mommy, no." He squeals, turning to run as she reaches for him.
Grabbing him, she pulls him to her, planting kisses wherever she can while Richard and Rj watch and Will starts to giggle. Looking up she look at Rj, "I didn't say anything." Rj says, holding up his hands with a smile.
"Come here." She says, still holding onto Will as he walks over to her. She hugs him to her lightly kissing the top of his head. "I love all my boys." She says, looking up at Richard.
"We love you too Mommy." Will says, looking up.
Leaning over she kisses the top of his head before she releases both of them. "Go do your homework."
"Yes ma'am." They both reply, walking over to the small table by the window in the living room.
"I'll help them while you fix dinner and then after dinner you can go upstairs, take a hot bath and relax while I clean up and get them settled for the night." Richard says, leaning over to kiss her. She goes to the kitchen while he goes to the boys
Sam is finishing up with the last patient of the day when Holly walks into the clinic. "…Mr. Russell, I want to see you back here in a week and take all of that prescription. You won't get any better if you don't take all the medication."
"Yes ma'am." He says, nodding as he turns to leave and Sam looks up.
"Holly, hi." She says, turning towards her.
"I'm sorry to just drop by, but I hadn't heard…."
"No, it's okay. I'm sorry I didn't call you back after lunch. I've had a very busy afternoon." Sam says, sighing. As she turns to lead Holly back to her office.
"I understand. I can come…."
"No, this is fine. Mr. Russell was my last patient for the day. We only have to lock up and I'll head upstairs." Sam says, walking into her office.
"Okay." There's a moment of pause before she asks. "Did you get a chance to see Blake?"
"Yes, I did." Sam says, walking around her desk. She sits down behind it before she continues. "I have to say, I think more can be done to help her. Not that Dr. Jackson isn't taking care of her medically, he is. But part of the treatment for coma patients is to stimulate them and from what I saw this morning, she's not getting the stimulation she needs. None of the blinds were open when I got there this morning so the only light in the room was from the open bathroom door and that was only a sliver of light because the door was partially closed. The TV was off. It was like a tomb in there. I know that you go to see her but her kids need to go too."
Jeffrey heard the last of the car doors shut downstairs. Getting up, he looks out the window and watches as Leah backs out and leaves. Turning, he walks over to the couch and sits down, facing the door to wait for Sam.
"…Marissa will go see her but the boys refuse to." Holly says.
"I understand that they're upset but part of the issue is that Blake has been allowed to lie there alone per say. It's like we're letting her wallow in self pity or depression. I don't mean to be cruel Holly." Sam says, looking at her.
"No, I've tried to get the boys to go with me to see her and it's a one and fifty chance that they'll come."
"That has to change. And I would speak to Dr. Jackson about keeping the TV on at all times and the blinds open. There has to be light and stimulus around her."
Holly looks at her and then says. "I want you to take over as he doctor."
"If that's what you want, but understand that Dr. Jackson will not like the fact that you've made this decision."
"I want my daughter back. She's been gone long enough."
"Alright, I'll go by the hospital in the next few days and…."
"You can't go tomorrow?"
"I've got some personal things that I have to take care of first." Sam says, thinking about Miah. "I'll speak with the nurse on duty tomorrow and let her know that I will be taking over Blake's care and ask for her records to be sent to me."
"Thank you." Holly says, standing up.
Five minutes has passed since Leah had left. Sam should've been upstairs by now. Getting up, he walks over to the laundry room. Going downstairs, he walks out of the break room as Sam leaves her office. "I'll call first thing in the morning." Sam says, turning to someone still inside the office.
"Sam." He says, quickly walking towards them "Who's in…?" Holly walks out as Sam turns to him.
"Hello Jeffrey." Holly says turning to see him walking towards them.
"Hello Holly." He says, his face holding obvious relief.
"Holly stopped by to see about my visit with Blake." Sam says, turning to her. "I'll be sure to call in the morning. You will need to speak to Dr. Jackson." Sam says, as Holly nods.
"Thank you." Holly says, nodding to Jeffrey before she turns to leave.
"What's wrong?" Holly hears Sam ask as she walks away.
"Nothing." Jeffrey says, walking around her and following Holly to the door. "I'll walk you out Holly." He says, walking up to her.
"Thank you." She says, glancing at him. When they reach the front office, she asks. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine, why?"
"I saw relief on your face when I walked out of Sam's office."
"It's nothing." Jeffrey says, opening the door for her. "Thank you for coming by." He says, looking at her.
Holly's reporter instincts were screaming at her that something was going on. She looks at Jeffrey for a moment, debating on whether she should press him and then decided against it. "Tell Sam that I appreciate her taking Blake's case."
"I will." He says, smiling. The smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks again for coming by." He says, stepping back. She turns to leave as he closes the door. Locking it before he sets the alarm, he turns to find Sam standing at the doorway.
"You thought I was in danger when I walked out of my office." She says, watching him walk towards her.
"I… only wanted to be careful." He says, looking at her.
"Why can't you relax? He's not going to jump out from behind a door or anything."
"Why can't you understand that he will physically harm you if he ever gets his chance?" He asks, looking at her. Sighing, he says. "I don't want to fight with you. I want to go upstairs and I want to hold you and our baby." He says, looking at her.
Holding out her hand, she waits for him to walk over to her. Taking his hand they walk upstairs together.
William pulls up to the Beacon. He spent the afternoon, looking at different cars and he finally settled on a SUV for Ava. Getting out of his car, he walks around the car as the man gets out of the car he just bought. "Here's the keys, Sir." He says, handing the keys to William.
"Thank you." He turns towards the hotel, spotting one of the valet's he walks towards him with the salesmen following him. "Can you get this gentleman a taxi back to Springfield?" William asks, walking up to the valet.
"Of course, sir." The valet says nodding as William turns to the salesmen.
"Thank you again." William says, holding his hand out.
"You're welcome, Sir." He replies, as they shake hands. Turning away, William walks into the Beacon.
Ava is in her room when she calls. "Emma."
"Yes." She says, walking into the room.
"You need to turn the TV off and start your homework."
"Yes ma'am." She says, walking back into the living room as William comes in. "Hi, William." She says, smiling as he comes over to her and leans over to kiss the top of her head.
"How are you sweetheart?" He asks.
"Alright, I suppose. I have to start my homework."
"Where is your sister?" He asks, as Ava comes out of their room.
"I am right here." She says, walking over to him. She slips her arms around him and leans up for a kiss.
It's a quick kiss before he pulls back and says. "Get your coat, you too Emma. I've got something to show you."
"What did you do?" Ava asks, looking at him.
"It's a surprise, so get your coat." He says, turning them both towards their respective suites.
For a moment, she looks at him over her shoulder and then she walks into their suite. Coming back a few moments later, slipping her coat on as she walks over to him. "Emma, come…." He calls.
"I'm right here." She says, walking up behind Ava.
"Good." He says, taking Ava's hand and leading her towards the door.
"Are you going to tell me what this is about?" Ava asks, letting him lead her out of the room and down the hall to the elevators while Emma follows behind them.
"It is a surprise, but I'm sure you're going to love it." He says, pushing the button for the elevator.
When they reached the lobby, Ava asks. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see." He says, walking towards the parking lot. He leads them over to the car parked between his and Ava's car. Turning to him, he holds out the keys to her.
"What's this?" She asks, watching him.
"Those are the keys to your new car." He says, stepping out of the way. For a moment, she stares at him before she looks at the car. "It's an Infiniti EX35, dark blue with light grey leather interior. It's fully loaded." He says, watching her.
"How did you get this? Why did you get this?" She asks, looking at him.
"I took the afternoon off and after Richard and I went to my fitting for my tux. We had lunch and we were talking about wedding gifts and I had been trying to figure out what to get you and then I realized what you really needed was a new car. Your old one is on it's last legs." He says, glancing at the car.
"So you spent the afternoon looking for me a car?"
"Yes."
"How did you ever come up with that idea? And I like my car."
"Richard gave me the idea and I know you like your car, but you have to admit that your car is close to dying on you."
"She's vintage." Ava says, looking at him.
"She's ancient and you know it." He says, walking over to her. "Just look at it, we can take it for a ride, if you don't like I'll take it back." He says, with a slight pout in his eyes.
"Don't look at me like that." She says, taking the keys from him.
"I'm not looking at you anyway." He says, smiling as she takes the keys.
"Uh huh, we'll go for a ride." She says, walking toward the driver's side.
"Yes." Emma whispers.
"Not you two." Ava says, turning to her.
"Well, it is a little embarrassing when you drop me off at school." Emma says, looking at the old car.
"My car is a classic."
"No, Aunt Sam's car is a classic. You're car is old." Emma says, looking at her.
"Both of you get in the car."
When they're all in the car, everyone buckles up before Ava puts the key in the ignition. Starting the car, she slowly backs out of her parking place. And as they are pulling out of the parking lot, William says. "Speaking of Sam, I saw your father today at City Hall when I went to see Richard. He wants you to call him."
"I guess it has been a few days since I talked to him. Would you mind if we went over there?"
"No, that's fine. I really think he needs to see you."
"Why?" She asks, glancing at him as they drive by the farm.
"There's something going on with Sam and her brother and he's worried about her. He didn't go into all the details but I think he's afraid Sam's brother is going to try to harm her or something. It has something to do with a patient she had at the clinic." William says, as they drive towards town.
Jeffrey led Sam upstairs and over to the couch. Sitting down he pulled her down onto his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he settled back into the couch, holding both her and the baby. They've been sitting there a while when someone knocks. Sighing, he looks at the door. "You might as well get it. I've got to go to the bathroom." She says, as he slowly releases her.
"Maybe they're not home." Ava says, looking at him.
"The light is on." William says, as she raises her hand to knock again. She's about to knock when Jeffrey opens the door. "Hi." She says, looking at him. "Did we interrupt something?" She asks, seeing the look on Jeffrey's face.
"No, no, come in." He says, stepping back. "Sam's in the bathroom. We were just enjoying a quiet evening at home." He says, closing the door behind them after they walk inside. "Hello Emma."
"Hi, Uncle Jeffrey." She says, looking up.
"How are you doing?" He asks, as she hugs him.
"I'm great. William bought Ava a new car."
"He did, really." Jeffrey asks, looking up.
"Yes, he surprised me with it a few moments ago."
"He surprised you with what?" Sam asks, walking into the room.
"We were telling Dad, that William surprised me with a new car." Ava says, hugging her.
"William." Sam says, hugging him before she leans down to hug Emma as well.
"So, what's this about a new car?" Jeffrey asks.
"I've been trying to figure out what to get her for a wedding gift and Richard suggested today that I look at cars. He gave one to Cassie as a wedding gift when they were married the first time, although it was a bit different than what I bought Ava."
"So, you bought her a car."
"Yes, well he seems to think my car is about to die on me." Ava says, smiling as she looks at him.
"Well, your car is a bit run down." Jeffrey says.
"My car is a classic."
"Actually Sam's is a classic. Yours is just old." Jeffrey says, smiling at her.
"I like your car." Sam says.
"So, can we see this new car?" He asks, reaching for his coat.
"Sure." Ava says, as Sam and Jeffrey reach for their coats. Slipping them on, Jeffrey opens the door for them and then follows everyone all out of the house.