A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Fifty Four
"Can you help him while I clean up the mess in our room?"
"I can do that." He says, as she looks at him.
"Take care of him and I'll clean up the mess in our room." She says, walking out of the room as Richard walks over to Will.
"How are you feeling buddy?" He asks.
"My tummy hurts." Will says, gagging a little bit.
"Let's go back to the bathroom." Richard says, leading him out of the bedroom. As Will starts to cry. "Why are you crying?" Richard asks, as they walk into the bathroom.
"We were supposes to go riding today. I don't want to be sick." Will says, leaning over the toilet as he throws up again.
Richard reaches for a wash clothe and wets it, waiting for when he's finished throwing up. Finally he stops and looks at Richard with tears running down his face. "Here wipe your face and then hand me your clothes." He says, as Will takes the wash clothe. When he's finished, Richard takes his pajamas as Cassie walks up. "He threw up again." He says, handing her the pajamas. "Maybe you should call his doctor."
"She's out of town. I'll call Sam. Maybe she can come over." Cassie says, turning away. She stops and turns back around "Why is he crying?"
"He doesn't want to be sick because we were supposes to go riding today. I'll calm him down, you go call Sam." She leaves as Richard turns back to Will. "Do you think you can lay down?" He asks, as Will nods. "Let's go lie down and stop crying. You're only going to make yourself feel worse. We'll go riding another day."
"But I wanted to go today." Will says, sniffing as he wipes his eyes. They walk into the bedroom, Richard goes over to Will's dresser and gets another pair of pajamas and then turns back to Will.
"I know you wanted to go today. But we'll go when you're feeling better and it might not be so cold then either." He says, helping into his pajamas. When he's dressed, he pulls the covers back on his bed and Will climbs in. Tucking the covers around him, he sits down on the bed. "Here's what you can do. Instead of being sad because you can't go riding today, you can focus on the fact that you'll be able to go riding when you're better and maybe we'll be able to have your cousins with us."
"You mean Marah."
"Well, she can come too but no I meant Morgan, Michael and Mj."
"Oh, okay." Will says, as Cassie walks in.
"How are you feeling baby?" She asks walking over to the bed.
"Okay, I guess. My stomach isn't hurting right now."
"That's good. Why don't you close your eyes and sleep?" She says, as he nods. They stand up as he closes his eyes.
"I called Sam while I was downstairs. She's going to have Jeffrey drive her over here. She said she'll be here as soon as she can be."
"Alright."
"You calmed him down about riding."
"Yeah, I told him to think about the fact that he'll get to go riding later and that maybe his cousins will be there."
"I heard you mention Julie's kids." She says, as they walk downstairs.
"Yes, when I mentioned his cousins he thought I was talking about Marah, which I told him she could come too." He says, as they walk into the living room. Rj is on the couch, watching cartoons
"We're not going riding today, are we?" He asks, looking up.
"No, let's wait till Will is feeling better." Richard says, sitting down beside him.
"I'm going to make us some breakfast." Cassie says, leaving them to watch cartoons.
Marah is coming out of Olivia's as Josh walks in. She walks over to him with a smile. "Hi." She says, hugging him.
"It's good to have you home. I just wish you were a little happier." He says, leaning back to look her in the eye.
"I'm working on it." She says, releasing him as she looks around.
"She's not here." Josh says, guessing that she's looking for Reva.
"But she sent..."
"No, she doesn't know that I came here. She was still asleep when I left the house. I left her a note telling her that I came to talk to you."
"I'm not going back to Paris."
"That's not why I came over here. Can we go up to your room?" He asks, looking around the lobby
"Sure, are you okay?"
"Yes, but I need to talk to you about something and I would rather do it privately
"Okay." She says, turning for the stairs. Once they reach her room, she lets him in and then closes the door as he walks over to her couch. She follows him, sitting down beside him. "What's wrong?"
"I probably should've told you this sooner, but to be honest I hadn't thought about telling you or your brother. Do you remember when your Mom went off the bridge in Florida." Josh asks. "Of course you remember. And I'm sure you remember how much of a wreck I was after I came back from Florida."
"I remember that you were unhappy. I thought it was because Mom was gone."
"That was part of it. But the other part was guilt."
"Guilt, for what?"
"On the night the Florida authorities called off the search for your mom I went to a bar and I got drunk, totally drunk. There was a woman there and we started talking about relationships and then one thing lead to another and I took her back to my hotel room. We spent the night together."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"She's moved to Springfield."
"She's living here?"
"She moved here last summer about the time that we found out about Jeffrey being your Uncle I had a few occasions to meet a woman that had just moved into town."
"You had an affair, why didn't Mom say anything and why are you telling...?"
"I didn't have an affair. But this woman I meet seemed familiar to me every time I saw her. And another thing that intrigued me was every time I saw her she was usually fighting with a young man. After a few weeks, I had Harley look into her past."
"You had her investigated, why?"
"Like I said, she seemed familiar to me and I felt like she wasn't telling everything about what was going on. Anyway, Harley contacted one of her contacts and he found out that she was from Florida, which she had already told me. And he confirmed that her husband had died about a year ago from cancer, which she had also told me. She also found out some thing that I wasn't expecting."
"What was that?"
"Her contact interviewed a woman that claimed to be this woman's sister-in-law. And after asking a few questions, Harley's contact found the information that this woman didn't want me to know."
"What was that?" Marah asks, as Josh gets up and walks over to the balcony. After a few moments, she asks again. "What did she find out?"
"On the night that the authorities called off the search for your mom in Florida, I went to a bar and I got stupid drunk. While I was there, I met a woman and we got to talking about life and relationships and kids. When the bar closed down, I took her back to my hotel room."
"You slept with another woman right after Mom was officially declared dead."
"Yes."
"How could you do that?"
"I slept with her but I wasn't with her, not in my heart or my mind for that matter. It's hard to explain. The point is, I slept with her and then the next morning I left and I never saw her again."
"You never saw her until she came to Springfield. Why did she come here?"
"She followed her... our son."
"Wait, you said our son. She got pregnant."
"Yes. I didn't know it until Harley's contact spoke with her sister-in-law. She told him about how this woman had slept with another man and ended up pregnant and about how her brother had raised the child as his own. That the boy had no idea her brother wasn't his real father until her brother got sick and then Dj went to see if he could donate his kidney to his father and the blood test showed the truth."
"So you had a child with this woman and they are here in Springfield. Does Mom know?"
"Yes, she saw the DVD of the interview with Leah's sister-in-law."
"Her name is Leah. What's her son's name?"
"Dorian Joshua, or Dj."
"He's named after you?"
"Well more after his grandfather I think. That's what Leah told me."
"Where does he live? Is he here in Springfield?"
"He lives on the south side of town. He runs a youth center over there."
"Have you talked to him?"
"Yes."
"What did he say? He wasn't at Thanksgiving."
"He does not want to have anything to do with me."
"Why not?"
"He's still upset about his mother not telling him the truth about his father. And I'm sure he feels like I abandoned him."
"You wouldn't've done that. You didn't know he existed."
"I used... we'll we both used each other that night. All of that doesn't matter, the point is we were together that night and she did get pregnant and I have a son that isn't from your mother." He says, looking at her and waiting for her reaction. She gets up and walks over to him, hugging him. "This wasn't the reaction I was expecting." He says, as they hug.
She steps back and smiles. "Were you expecting me to scream and yell, throw a fit. I might've done that before, but to be honest I grew up a lot when I went to Paris."
"I admit I expected you to be more upset, especially since I've been so hard on your mother about some of the choices she's made and the fact that I was so unwilling to accept Jeffrey as my brother because of his reputation."
"Do you accept him now?"
"Yes, I can't hold it against him for doing something I did myself."
"What do you mean?"
"I think Jeffrey was the way he was with life and women because he thought he lost Sam. She anchors him. You'll see it when you're around them more. Like your mother anchors me. When you loose your other half, it's hard to find your balance after that." He says, sitting back down on the couch and she sits down beside him.
An hour later, Jeffrey and Sam arrive at the farm. Cassie is upstairs seeing to will so Richard answers the door. "Hi, thank you so much for coming?"
"You're welcome." Sam says, as they walk in and he closes the door.
"He's upstairs with Cassie." Richard says, as Rj walk into the kitchen.
"Dad, can I go outside?"
"Sure, but bundle up. It's cold out there." Richard says, as Rj reaches for his coat. He puts it on with his gloves and hat as Richard, Jeffrey and Sam walk into the living room.
"Let me take your coat." Richard says, turning to Sam. She slips it off and hands it to him. He lays it on the back of the couch as he says. "I'll show you upstairs."
Turning to Jeffrey, she says. I'll be down in a moment."
"Take your time." Jeffrey says, slipping his coat off and sitting down on the couch.
Richard and Sam go upstairs. They reach the hallway as Cassie leaves Will's room. "Sam, I didn't know you were here." Cassie says, pulling the door partially closes.
"We just got here. Sorry it took so long."
"Are the roads clear?"
"For the most part they are in town, but out here it's a little hazardous."
"The county roads usually are."
"What happened?" Sam asks, nodding toward Will's room.
"He woke up vomiting. He's done that twice and he's running a slight fever. But he's a transplant patient so any infection can be serious."
"Is he awake?"
"Yes, I gave him some juice to see if he can keep that down." Cassie says.
"That's good. Let me take a look." She says, as Cassie moves out of the way and she walks into Will's room. "Good morning Will." She says, walking over to his bed as he looks at her. "How are you feeling?" She asks, sitting down gently.
"Okay, I guess."
"Is there any pain?"
"No, there was before I got sick. Now my stomach just feels empty, but I'm not hungry."
"Do you mind if I look you over?" She asks, as he nods his head yes. "Why?"
"If I'm really sick, you'll put me in the hospital again?"
"I doubt that I'll have to put you in the hospital. But your mom and dad want to make sure you're okay."
"What if my liver is sick again? I don't want to go to the hospital."
"I don't think I'm going to have to send you to the hospital, but the only way I will know that for sure is if I look you over and make sure your liver isn't sick again."
"Okay." He says, although she can still see the fear in his eyes.
"Everything will be okay." She says, taking his hand.
Sam does a quick exam and when she's finished, she tucks him back into bed. "See that wasn't so bad was it?" She asks, sitting down on the bed again.
He shakes his head no but then asks. "Is my liver sick again?"
"No, I think you've just caught a bug. But I want you to tell your mom and dad if you feel any kind of pain as soon as you feel it, okay." Sam says, as Cassie and Richard walk into the room.
"Is he okay?" Cassie asks.
"I think he's only caught a bug. It'll probably last twenty four to forty eight hours. But keep him on fluids dehydration could cause serious complications in his case. No solid food for today, broth and juices. You might go out and get some Pedialyte for him. I would keep him home on Monday, just to be safe." She says.' "And you need to rest." She says, turning to Will.
"Yes ma'am." He says, smiling.
"Good." She says, standing up.
"I'll come up and check on you later." Cassie says, before they leave him to rest.
When they get downstairs, Sam turns to Cassie. "As a precaution and because of the baby Richard needs to look after him as much as possible. You can help, but if he vomits again, let Richard handle it."
"I've already been exposed." Cassie says.
"You still need to limit your contact, just as a precaution."
"Alright."
"Thank you for coming." Richard says, holding out his hand. He shakes Sam's hand, followed by Cassie.
"Thank you for coming all the way out here, especially in these conditions." She says, as they shake hands.
"You're welcome."
"When is it supposes to warm up again?" Richard asks, as Jeffrey stands up.
"I forget you're not used to it being cold." Sam says.
"No and that is one thing I do miss about San Cristobel."
"We missed the news last night, but I figure that it'll warm up again later next week." Jeffrey says, helping Sam with her coat.
"We missed it too." Cassie says, as Jeffrey pulls his coat on and they walk into the kitchen. Richard opens the door for them and they walk out onto the porch.
"I would keep Rj away from Will for the next few days as well and spray everything down with disinfectant. It'll keep the rest of you from catching the bug." Sam says, as Rj comes up.
"Rj, you need to come inside. It's too cold for you to be out here." Cassie says.
"But Dad said I could play?"
"You can play inside." Cassie says, as Jeffrey and Sam step off the porch.
"If you need me, you can call and I'll come back out." Sam says, as they nod.
Jeffrey helps her to the car, holding her door before he walks around to the driver side. Getting in, they leave. Richard, Cassie and Rj go inside after they pull away from the house.
"What are you going to do about Paris?" Josh asks, looking at her.
"Paris is settled. I came home because there was no reason for me to stay there anymore. Jeffrey's moved on, as have I. And the point of me going to Paris was for me to find my way, I did that."
"What about the theft?"
"It's settled. They paid the money agreed upon in the contract and I get my name back. That wasn't in the contract but I insisted. I didn't want them to use my name after Adam stole from me."
"How did you find out he was stealing your designs?"
"I suspected something was up several times over the last few months, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago, that I had definitive proof he was taking my designs. I had some sketches that I was really just playing around with and then I started seeing details from those designs showing up in Adam's line so I confronted him about them. He denied it of course and demanded that I leave, which I did. All of this was a few months ago, and then last month, one of his former assistants contacted me after he was let go. We spoke with him and he admit that Adam had sent him to spy on me."
"You didn't suspect him. Was he hanging around? Did you see him?"
"He was around some. Adam used him as a messenger boy between our apartment and the studio. At first it was tiny things that I noticed but then it grew to a complete outfit that was obviously my design, he basically changed the color and a few embellishments were added. That's when I confronted him."
"They honored that contract."
"They had too, once I found the assistant I had the smoking gun. He provided access to his email and there were months of emails, instructing him on what Adam wanted and what he didn't."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"I'm going to speak with a couple of the boutiques downtown and see if they will allow me to design for them and then I might look into opening a fashion house at some point." Marah says, getting up and walking over to the refrigerator. She gets something to drink and offers Josh something.
"No, I need to be heading home. The roads around here are slick in places, so if you come into town be careful." He says, as he stands up.
She walks over to him and hugs him. "I will." After a moment, he releases her and turns for the door, she reaches out to stop him "And I think you need to do more about this relationship with my brother. And once he gets to know you, he'll see you're the best Dad ever."
"Thank you for saying that." Josh says, lightly kissing the top of her head. "I'll see you later."
"Okay. And tell Mom that I'm okay."
"I will, but expect to see her some time this week if not tomorrow morning."
"There's no need for her to drive all the way out here."
"She won't be coming just for that. She helps your Aunt Cassie run the Beacon now." He says, as she opens the door.
"She does."
"Yes, ever since Olivia was ordered to leave town."
"She was ordered to leave town, by whom."
"By the judge, after she plead guilty to arranging to have Jeffrey kidnapped. It's a long story, but she was given a deal and she was ordered to leave as part of that deal."
"It really hasn't calmed down in this town, has it."
"No, Springfield is still Springfield. I'll see you later."
"Bye Dad." She says with a smile. He leaves as she closes the door.
Jeffrey walks in from getting some wood as Sam comes downstairs. She closes the door as he walks over to the fireplace. Putting the wood in the box, he turns to close the door and sees that she's already done it. "I would've closed..."
"I know, but I was there." She says, walking over to the couch She sits down as he turns back to the fireplace
Starting the fire, she sits there and watches him while he works and when he's finished, he turns around and catches her watching him. "What?" He asks, walking over to her. He sits down beside her.
"Nothing." She says, tucking her feet between the cushions.
"Are you cold?"
"No."
He reaches for the remote. Flipping the TV on, he asks. "Do you want to watch a movie?" When she doesn't reply, he looks at her. "What?"
"I've been thinking about something."
"Okay."
"I think we should have Marah for dinner."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"She's your niece."
"I also slept with her!"
"So because of that you're going to ignore her."
"I'm not ignoring her."
"Then we need to invite her for dinner."
"This is uncomfortable enough."
"And do you think it's going to get less uncomfortable if we ignore her. She's your niece."
"Why do you want to do this, really?"
"It'll relieve the tension."
"Or make it worse. You're going to invite a woman that I slept with for dinner."
"No, I'm not. I'm inviting your niece to dinner. That's all she is."
"She's more than that." Jeffrey says, getting up and walking over to the fireplace.
She watches him for a moment and then she asks. "Are you against this because it makes you uncomfortable or are you worried I'll be upset."
He turns to look at her and then asks. "And you're not upset about this?"
"No, I'm not." She says, as he looks at her. "I was curious when she showed up at Thanksgiving. That's why I asked you about how you felt seeing her again. You answered my question when you said that you were looking forward to being an Uncle."
"I will be, I mean I am, but it's too awkward right now."
"And when is it not going to be awkward, if you don't confront it. She's family, your family." He opens his mouth, but she continues. "And I would bet that she'll avoid you to keep from causing you problems."
He walks back to the couch and sits down. "Come here." He says, holding his arm out to her. She looks at him and then moves over to him. "I'll think about it." He says, nuzzling her hair.
Debbie walks into Company as the morning rush is winding down. "Good Morning." Buzz says, as he puts some dishes away. "I'll be with you in a moment. Just take a seat at any table." When she doesn't move from the counter, he looks up. "You can sit at the bar as well."
"I'm not here to eat." Debbie says. "I need a job."
"I'm sorry but I have a full staff right now."
"I'll do anything. I've been all over town today and no one seems to be hiring, but I have to find a job and soon." She says, as Buzz stops what he's doing and walks over to her. "I know it's the holiday season, but I'm trying to get custody of my daughter and I have to show a stable environment for the court."
"What happened with your daughter?"
"I was... My ex husband was given custody of our daughter after he lied to the court about me. He has some powerful friends and they will do anything to keep my daughter from me. That's why I kept her after they hurt her. Please I'll do anything."
"Well, now that you mentioned the holidays I will need an extra hand keeping the rooms cleaned and ready for boarders and guests that are here for the holidays. When could you start?"
"Now, right now."
"I was going to have one of my waitresses clean a couple of rooms that I have vacant, if you want to do that."
"That's fine."
"Then go on over, all of the supplies are in the closet behind the desk. There is a linen closet on each floor with fresh linens for the beds and bathrooms. There will also be laundry to be washed as well."
"Thank you, Thank you so much." She moves to get up and then stops. "Before I go, I need to tell you one more thing."
"Alright."
"I was just released on bail. It's a long complicated story, but I was arrested for kidnapping my daughter. I didn't do that. I was only trying to keep her safe from..."
"You're the mother of Sam's patient." Buzz says. She looks at him with surprise. "It's a small town, news travels, but Jeffrey and Sam are friends of mine and my son is the Chief of Police, I hear things. Go get started and we'll work out the trial situation."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Buzz says, as she gets up and leaves.
Jeffrey walks into his office shortly before eight the next morning. Stace is at her desk when he walks in. "Good Morning, Mr. Mayor." She says, smiling.
"You're in a good mood. The weekend must've gone well."
"I had a great time with everyone and then I spent the rest of the weekend with Billy. He is so completely different from my ex." She says, getting up and following him into his office. "He's strong and stable, and he totally respects..."
"Do I have any meeting this morning?" Jeffrey asks, interrupting her description of Billy's attributes.
"Not until ten, with Councilmen Graham." She says, as he looks at her. "I put the meeting off as long as I possibly could."
"I know, but I don't want to start the week haggling over something that will never pass the town council." Jeffrey says, sighing.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better. I think Billy will be calling you."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure but he said something about needing to speak to you about a project that you and he were planning once you got settled into your new house."
"Ahh, it's about the garage. I had forgotten about that. I supposes with winter coming, I should get it built. If Billy calls while I'm with Councilmen Graham, please interrupt the meeting."
"Yes Sir." She says, handing him his messages. Taking them, she leaves closing the door behind her as she goes.
An hour into his meeting with Councilmen Graham, Stace buzzes him. "Yes, Stace." Jeffrey says.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Sir, but Mr. Billy Lewis is on line one for you."
"Yes, thank you. I'll take the call.. Percy we'll finish this discussion at another time." Jeffrey says, as he stands.
"As you wish, Sir." He says, leaving as Jeffrey pushes the button for line one.
"Billy." He says, sitting back. "Thank you for calling. You saved me from a long and unpleasant argument with one of the Councilmen."
"You're welcome. Although I'm not sure you should be avoiding discussions with the people's elected officials."
"I'm only putting it off actually. What did you want to speak to me about?"
"I was wondering if you were ready to start work on the garage at your place. We need to get started before it gets too cold to work."
"Yes, I know. I'm ready to get that project underway. The carport is some protection from the weather, but I would prefer having the garage and we need to attach it to the house someway."
"That can be done through the back entrance to the clinic."
"Good, that's the only change I want made. The rest stays the same."
"You realize that will put your rehearsal space next to the house."
"We can soundproof the walls in the rehearsal space that will stop any noise from disrupting Sam's clinic or the neighbors."
"I'll get a crew over to your house starting tomorrow."
"How long will this last?"
"We should have it finished before Christmas, provided we have favorable weather. We'll use the existing wood after the foundation is laid, that will save on some costs."
"Good. I'll let Sam know."
"Thank you, we'll be there tomorrow morning first thing."
"Thank you Billy." Jeffrey replies before they hang up.
Cassie is at the farm with Will when the phone rings. Picking it up, she says. "Hello."
"Mrs. Winslow, I'm sorry to bother you." April says.
"It's okay. Did you need something?"
"Ma'am, I'm calling about His Highness's wedding."
"His Highness, Rich... Oh, you mean Ava and William?"
"Yes ma'am."
"What about it?"
"Ma'am, I've spoken with Jamie and he says that he's not able to follow the plans Ms. Peralta left with you."
"What do you mean he can't follow the plans? She's not asking for much."
"According to him, he needs permits from the city to build the structures they are asking for."
"Wait, what they are asking for is not that complicated. It's a simple spring wedding. The most complicated detail is the moss, and I'm sure she would understand if that feature is not available or can't be recreated, but not recreating the whole thing, is not an option." Cassie says, pacing in front of the living room window. "Is Jamie there now?"
"No ma'am, he asked that I call you. He's working on the details for the New Year's celebration."
"I want you to find him and have him call... Never mind, I will call him." Cassie says, hanging up before April can reply. Dialing a number, she waits for Jamie to answer. "After several rings, his voice mail picks up. "Jamie, it's Cassie. I need you to call me immediately. I've just spoken with April about William and Ava's wedding and this is not acceptable."
She hangs up and is still pacing back and forth in front of the window when Richard walks in. "Cassie." He says, stopping in between the living room and kitchen. "What's wrong? Is Will...?"
"He's fine. He's upstairs sleeping. No I have a potential problem with William and Ava's wedding."
"What's the problem?" He asks, walking over to her. She walks past him and he reaches out to stop her. "Stop pacing and tell me what's wrong?"
"Ava wants something different than a traditional Christmas wedding. She submitted some plans for a spring wedding. Jamie is saying that he can't get the permits in time from the city to build the structures needed to pull off it off."
"What kind of structures does he need?"
"Basically two archways, why would he need permits to build that. I mean we have that in the garden already, but it'll be too cold to have the wedding outside. This is ruined." She says, getting more upset.
"It's not ruined." He says, smiling.
"What are you smiling at, may I ask?"
"Maybe you're over-reacting just a little bit." He says, as she stands there with her hands on her hips, glaring at him.
"No! I am not over-reacting. This is your brother's wedding. Ava wants a spring wedding. That's what she ordered and that what we said we would give her."
"Alright, why doesn't Jamie go into town to the hardware store and purchase the arches. Do they have to hand built?" He asks patiently.
She looks at him for a moment and then replies. "No, not really."
"Then why don't you call Jamie and suggest that he get the arches at the hardware store and everything will be back on schedule."
She pauses for a moment and then reaches for her phone.
On the second ring, someone picks up. "Yes."
"Jamie, it's Cassie."
"Yes ma'am. You've spoken with April."
"Yes, and you're not able to get the permits from the city in time, correct."
"Yes ma'am, not in this amount of time."
"I'm not sure why you would need a permit to construct and archway inside the Beacon, but this is what you're going to do, go to the hardware store in town and buy two already assembled arches."
"I can do that ma'am."
"Good, is everything else coming along."
"Yes ma'am."
"Good." She hangs up and then looks at Richard. "What are you doing home?"
"I wanted to check on Will before my meeting with Kevin." He says, as she walks into the kitchen.
"He's upstairs sleeping."
"Oh, then I guess I will go on to my meeting with Kevin. We're supposes to meet at the Beacon." He says, reaching for his coat. Slipping it on, he turns to go as she reaches out to stop him.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"It's okay." He says, reaching for her. She hugs him and he holds her for a moment before he says. "Maybe you should lie down while Will is sleeping."
"I've got some more decorations to put up and some other stuff to do." She says, as he releases her.
"Nothing dangerous Cassie, I'll put the lights up this weekend."
"Of course you're going to put the lights up this weekend. I'm only doing some decorating here in the house. What are you meeting Kevin about?"
"He wants to talk to me about a fund raiser and then we've got to go over a couple of speaking events. And then after that I've got meetings at City Hall with a couple of companies for Jeffrey."
"When will you be home?"
"The usual time."
"Okay." She says as she kisses him. "I'll see you then." She says, stepping back.
He reaches for her and pulls her into another kiss. "I'll see you tonight." He says, letting her go before he turns for the door and she follow him. He opens the door and then turns back to her. "Remember nothing dangerous."
"Would you go?" She says, smiling as he leans in to kiss her.
"I love you, all of you."
"We love you too." She says, smiling as he turns walks off the porch.
Most of the snow from Thanksgiving has melted, but Richard is still careful when he leaves the farm. Driving over to the Beacon, he parks and then gets out. Closing the door, he's walking across the parking lot as Marah is walking inside. "Uncle Richard." She says, walking up to him.
"Marah." He says, hugging her. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good. I'm coming back from some meetings."
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, I'm just exploring my options for Springfield."
"So, you're going to stay in town?"
"Yes, I've done my time traveling the world. It's time I came home." She says, looking at him.
He sees the look on her face and asks. "What?"
"It's just so strange to be standing here talking to you."
"I know. I've got a meeting inside. Do you want to come in and we'll have a drink while I wait?"
"That would be nice." She says, following him into the Beacon.
They walk into Olivia's a few moments later. The host nods when he sees him. "Good afternoon Mr. Winslow, welcome to Olivia's."
"Good Afternoon, may we get a table?" He asks.
"Of course sir, whichever one you would like." He says, as Richard nods.
He leads Marah over to one of the empty tables, holding out her chair before he sits down. "What were your meetings about?"
"I'm thinking about opening my own fashion house here in Springfield and I wanted to see what type of loan Springfield National would give me."
"Why don't you ask your Mom and Dad? I'm sure..."
"Mom and Dad would help me, but I became very independent while I was in Europe and I want to build this house on my own. The bank is reviewing my application and I should hear something by the end of the week." She says, as their waiter walks up.
"Good morn, afternoon, Mr. Winslow, Ma'am." He says, shaking his head.
"Good Afternoon." Richard replies with a smile. "I'll have a coffee." He says, and then turns to Marah.
"I'll have one as well, thanks." She says, as the waiter nods and turns to go.
"If the bank doesn't approve your loan, have you thought about finding private investors?"
"I hadn't thought about it."
"It's something to consider. How does it feel to be back in Springfield?"
"I guess about the same way it feels for you to be back in Springfield."
"I don't know. This isn't my home town."
"Momma said that you and Aunt Cassie went to San Cristobel after you woke up. That must have been weird."
"Yes it was. It felt like home, but then it didn't feel like home."
"Did you stay at the palace?"
"No, we stayed at our villa. The one I bought for Cassie and I to have a place to get away from the pressures of the palace and ruling San Cristobel."
"The old Santos villa."
"Yes."
"It's funny how that place was apart of the beginning and the ending of you and Aunt Cassie's life on San Cristobel." Marah says, as their waiter brings their coffee.
"Will that be all?" He asks, stepping back.
"For right now, unless..." Richard looks at Marah.
"No, I'm fine." She says, as the waiter nods.
"I am expecting someone, so we may need to order later."
"Of course, sir. I will check back with you when your other party arrives."
"Thank you." Richard says, as he nods and then turns away. "You were saying about the Santos Villa being the beginning and ending of mine and Cassie's life on San Cristobel."
"Umm, my Dad stayed at the Villa with Danny, Jim and Aunt Cassie when they came down there to rescue mom, and then you bought it as a hideaway for you and Aunt Cassie after you were married. I guess the Santos's weren't that bad of an influence on San Cristobel."
"No not all of them, I have great respect for Danny." Richard says, as Kevin walks up.
"Richard." He says, as Marah looks up.
"Good Afternoon, Kevin. Kevin, this is my niece, Marah Lewis. Marah, this is my campaign manager, Kevin Harrison."
"Mr. Harrison." Marah says, holding out her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Kevin says, as they shake hands before he sits down.
"We were just catching up. I haven't seen Marah since before my accident." Richard says, as Marah sips her coffee.
"Did you say he's your campaign manager?" Marah asks, looking at Richard.
"Yes, I'm running for Mayor in the next election."
"But Jeffrey's mayor."
"He's decided not to run again."
"Why?"
"I think because he wants to be with Sam and their baby."
"Well, that's great." Marah says, standing up. "And you definitely have my vote." She says, standing up. "It was good to meet you." She says standing up and they both follow her.
"It was good to meet you." Kevin says, making a mental note to have one of the volunteers to run a background check on her.
"Take care, Marah and think about my suggestion and I'm sure your Aunt Cassie would love to see you, just wait a couple days, Will caught a bug over the weekend."
"I will." She says, with a smile before she walks away.