A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Sixty Eight
Ava rolls over and reaches out for William before she remembers that he had stayed at the farm last night. She hadn't really wanted to observe the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until the ceremony but William had insisted. He said that he and his first wife had spent every moment together before their marriage and while that wasn't the reason for their divorce he wanted this one to be different. Pulling her hand back and laying it against her stomach. She felt a small flutter and smile. Here lately she had felt stronger and stronger movements from the baby growing inside her. And she cherished every moment of it, sharing it with William whenever he was around.
The night before the girls had taken her out for her bachelorette party. It wasn't a traditional one, with male strippers and drunken games. It was jut her and the rest of her bridal party going for manicures, pedicures, massages and dinner at Towers. Since the Beacon had handled most of the preparations for the wedding, she hadn't had much stress on her during the whole planning stage. As she lies there, she wonders again where William has decided to take them for their honeymoon. He wouldn't really give her any details about it, only that he did have something in mind for them. They were both cleared for two weeks after the wedding. She's spent the day before getting her assistant update on all the projects she was handling for Lewis, while William did the same with is team for his job. She's still laying there when there's a small knock on her door. "Come in Emma." She says, with a smile.
Emma opens the door and walks in. She walks over to the bed and climbs in beside her. "Hi." She says, settling in beside her.
"Hi, little sister. Is there something on your mind?"
"No, not really." Emma says quietly.
"Are you sure?"
Emma pauses for a moment longer before she says. "I was thinking about Mom."
"Okay." Ava says, playing with Emma's hair.
"I was thinking about how she should be here today. And that she's not going to be able to be at wedding either because she tried to hurt Jeffrey and Sam."
"I'm sure that by the time you're ready to get married that something could be worked out for Mom to be there for you."
Emma's quiet for a moment before she replies. "I'm not sure I want her to be there."
Ava kisses the side of Emma's head. "Don't make fast decisions now. You have a long, long time before it'll be time for you to get married. Your feelings might change between now and then."
Emma looks up and asks. "Do you wish she was here?"
Ava's quiet for a moment before she says. "I'm okay with her not being here. I would've liked to have both of my parents at my wedding, but I understand that this is out of my hand because of the decisions that Mom made. And my Dad has the right to protect himself and his family. That includes me and you from anything that would hurt us. So I can life with Mom not being here today."
"I'm okay too." Emma says, looking up again.
"You are."
"Yes." Emma replies, smiling as she lays her hand on Ava's stomach. "The babies moving around a lot."
"I think he knows something is going to happen and he's excited just like everyone else."
"Where did William sleep last night?"
"At the farm with Richard, Cassie and the boys."
"Will we see him before the wedding?"
"You might, but I won't see him until I walk down the aisle."
"Why?"
"Because that's tradition, the bride never sees the groom before the ceremony."
"Oh, ok." Emma says, as her stomach growls.
"I think someone is hungry?" Ava says, tickling her softly. Laughing, Emma scrums away.
"Come on, I'll fix us some breakfast before the car comes to take us to the Beacon."
"Okay." Emma says, pushing the covers back and crawling out of the bed. Ava follows her out of the bed and down the stairs for them both to have breakfast. She's not really hungry but being pregnant sort of negates that fact.
The morning passes quickly and before he realizes it Jeffrey is at the Beacon surrounded by the decorations for his daughter's wedding. He's proud of Ava and the life she's made for herself and he's proud that she's found the man that will honor and care for her now and in the future but a part of him misses the years he missed, raising her. All the little things that father and daughters do while his little girl is growing. He's standing at the end of the aisle in the main ball room of the Beacon hotel and somehow, they've managed to turn that room into the garden of a southern plantation. He's looking around at everything when Sam finds him. She slips her arms around him, nuzzling his back as he draws her arms tighter around him. After a moment, she asks. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He replies quietly. She pulls her arms loose and he lets her as she steps around him to look into his face. "I was thinking about all the things I missed with her."
"You're missing all the things that daddy's do with their daughters." Sam says, as he nods. "Would it make you feel better to know that I didn't get those traditions with my father?"
"Actually no, that makes me sad for you. You deserved them, as did Ava."
"You deserved them as well." Sam says, as he gives her a half smile before he leans in for quick kiss.
Because of Sam's stomach, they can't exactly stand front to front, so they stand to the side of each other. After a moment, she says. "You may get the chance to do those father/daughter things this time around."
He lays a hand on her stomach and smiles. "Somehow I think that this time around, it's going to be you that gets to do all the parent/kid occasions. We both think you're carrying boy."
"It could be a girl. We didn't find out officially."
"Do you want to know?"
"I'm not sure but this isn't the time to discuss it." She says, leaning up to kiss him softly. "I have to go check in with the bridal party and you have to find William and Richard."
"I know. I simply wanted a moment alone."
"She'll still be you little girl."
"It's not that."
"It's that you missed so much of her life." She says, as he nods.
"And it's time that we'll never get back."
"Enjoy the time you're having with her now." Sam says, kissing him softly. "I'll see you later." She says, as he releases her.
William is standing in the guest room that Cassie had given him to get ready for the wedding. He had only glimpsed the ballroom when he and Richard had arrived earlier but from what he saw it was a total transformation and there was nothing traditional about this wedding. The staff at the Beacon had perfectly melded the vision he and Ava had discussed when they decided on the theme for this wedding. He's standing at the doorway leading to the balcony when Richard walks in after knocking quietly. Turning, he smiles at his brother. "How are you?" Richard asks, as he closes the door behind him.
"I'm good."
"You're certainly more calm than I was when Cassie and I married for the first time. I was a nervous wreck that something would happen to wreck her day. I wanted it to be perfect and I knew that she was a nervous wreck so it made me nervous as well. I remember when I stopped the wedding to break from saying the traditional vows." Richard says, shaking his head. "I felt Cassie's hand clinch around me as she looked at me."
"Why would that make you stop the wedding? Didn't you get to choose…? Wait, the palace staff planned everything for your wedding, didn't they?" William asks, looking at him.
Richard nods at him with a rueful nod. "Natalie took her job…."
"She took her job a little bit too seriously sometimes." William says, remembering some of the run-ins he had with their public relations liaison.
"I suppose that would be even harder for you to grow accustom too. I grew in the palace so I was used to everything being planned by the palace staff. Planning that first wedding with Cassie opened my eyes to how invasive and controlling the staff was of our lives." Richard says, sitting down behind him.
William walks over to him and sits down beside him. There are moments of silence before William says. "Well, you've been married for how long now. Do you have any advice for me?"
"Ninety percent of the time, she's right so go with her. And never, ever accuse your pregnant wife of cheating on you with her bodyguard."
"Edmund…."
"Edmund instigated that plan, but I allowed myself to fall for it and it's the singular thing that I regret most about the early days of our marriage. I missed most of Cassie's pregnancy with Will because of that little accusation. By the time, I was involved. It was too dangerous for Cassie to stay at the palace because of the christening cup so I missed the remaining part of her pregnancy trying to protect her from Edmund. Let's stop dwelling on such melancholy things. This is your wedding day, so how does it feel this time?"
"You mean as compared to when I married Camille. This is so much different. If I had stopped and paid attention in those days after I met Camille I would've known not to marry her. Sure the attraction was there, but it wasn't enough to base a marriage on, especially since I had no intention of ever staying in San Cristobel at the time." William pauses for a moment. "You know if it wasn't for Cassie, I would be the same man I was when I married Camille and I don't think I would even have a chance with Ava if I was. You know the feelings I had for Cassie when I was working on the harbor project." William says, looking at Richard. "Cassie is a good woman." He pauses to collect his thoughts. "But she always loved you and as I've looked back on that time, I've realized that I wasn't so much in love with her but with the idea of her and the relationship between the two of you. I tried to pretend that I didn't want to be tied down but in truth that was only a defense mechanism to keep myself unattached to everyone."
"So you're saying you wasn't in love with her."
"No, I love her but I don't love her the way you love her. She made me face the man I am and she made me accept that there's more important things than the sometimes fickle wants of my human body and mind."
"So you're ready to become a father and a husband."
"I'm ready. I'm scared but I'm ready." William says, as Richard lays his hand on his knee.
"You wouldn't be a man if you weren't scared." Richard says, as William nods.
When Cassie opens the door to Ava's suite, she is sitting alone in the room Cassie had given to get ready for the wedding. Looking up when the door opens Ava smiles as Cassie walks in and closes the door behind her. "Hi." Ava says, moving to get up. Cassie stops her by raising her hand when she turns around.
"How are you?" Cassie asks, walking over to the couch and sitting down beside her.
"I'm actually calm." Ava says, as she settles back.
"That's much better than I was when I married Richard the first time. I was a nervous wreck. In fact the night before the wedding I had a panic attack worrying about palace protocol."
"If I was marrying William and he was still prince I would be the same." Ava says, as Cassie's phone rings.
Looking down, Cassie smiles. "Give me a moment." She says, holding up the phone. Ava nods and Cassie answers. "Hello." There's a pause and then Cassie says. "Hi, dad."
"Are you with Ava?"
"I am, but I haven't got a chance to say anything. Can you give me a moment?" She asks.
"Sure." James says, turning as Olivia walks into the room.
Taking the phone away from her ear, she looks at Ava. "Okay, I came in here for more than just to check on you. Part of the reason I was so nervous when I married Richard the first time was because I couldn't speak with my mother. Now I know that Olivia can't be here today, but I'm sure that you would want her here." Cassie says, looking at Ava. When she doesn't say anything Cassie continues. "I have my father on the line and Olivia's with him if you want to speak with her." Cassie offers, watching Ava. She can see that she's conflicted. "You can still be upset with her about Jeffrey. I think she expects it but she is your…."
"I'll talk to her." Ava says, quietly. Smiling, Cassie hands Ava the phone before she gets up. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to gather up the rest of the girls and check with the staff downstairs before we come back up here to help you get ready."
"Thanks, Cassie." Ava says softly.
They hug and then Cassie says. "You're welcome." Stepping back, she turns to leave as Ava brings the phone to her ear. Cassie smiles at her before she opens the door and walks out.
When Cassie gets downstairs, she spots Richard and Jeffrey talking and walks over to them. "Hello, darling." Richard says, as she walks up and they slip their arms around each other.
"Hi." She replies before turning to Jeffrey. "So Mr. O'Neill, are you ready to give your little girl away?"
"I think I will be. " Jeffrey says with a smile. "How is my girl doing?"
"She's actually calm and I hope she remains that way." Cassie says.
"Why wouldn't she? Is she having second thought? Did she say…?"
"Relax Jeffrey, I only meant that when I left she was starting a conversation with Olivia."
"Olivia, why would she call her?" Jeffrey asks, looking at Cassie.
"She didn't actually call her. I arranged for my father to call me while I was with her so that she could speak with Olivia. As far as I know this is the first time she's spoken with Olivia since she's left."
"Why would you do that? This is her wedding day and…."
"That's exactly why I arranged this. I remember how I felt marrying Richard and not having my mother there with. Yes, I had Reva and Ava would have you, Sam and the rest of the wedding party but it's not the same as having your mother." Cassie says, looking at Jeffrey.
Sighing, he looks away and then he looks at her. "You're right. She deserves to speak with
Olivia since Olivia can't be here for her today. It's that I don't want Olivia to upset on her wedding day."
"I completely understand that. And if she does I'll personally fly to London and kick her…."
"Easy darling, remember your condition." Richard says, pulling her back against him.
She smiles. "Alright, so it might have to wait for a while, but I would still do it. Have either of you seen Reva, Sam or Stace?"
"I haven't seen Reva or Stace. But Sam stopped at the bathroom when we arrived."
"Alright, if you see them tell them that I will be in ball room checking on things but that we need to be upstairs soon to get dressed. And you will come up about fifteen minutes before the ceremony begins."
"Yes ma'am." Jeffrey says, giving a small salute. She smiles as she walks away.
Richard and Jeffrey return to their conversation when Cassie walks away. "How is the campaign going?" Jeffrey asks.
"I'm actually looking for another campaign manager." Richard says, as Jeffrey looks at him.
"You're not working with Kevin."
"I was until I found a founder in his office of a report from a private detective that he hired to investigate Cassie."
"He had Cassie investigated, why?"
"He said it was to be prepared for anything our opponents could bring to us."
"I'm surprised." Jeffrey says, looking away from Richard.
"He didn't do that with you?"
"No, at least I never found out if he did. But then when I running my life was already outed on Blake's website and that was the focus so I guess it's a good thing he didn't have me investigated considering the information that came out on Election Day and after."
"You were never responsible for anything that. You do realize that?"
"Yes, but I still abandoned her and my child even if I wasn't responsible for Edmund raping her. I did sleep w/Olivia after knowing she was underage and I left her pregnant."
"But you left because of the manipulation of my father to protect Ed… well not so much Edmund. He was protecting the crown from the scandal of Edmund being accused of rape." Richard says, ruefully.
"Can we not get into who was responsible or not? It's my daughter's wedding day."
"That's fine." Richard says with a smile.
"So what are you going to do about a campaign manager?"
"I'm not sure." Richard says, looking up.
"Is there anyone from San Cristobel...?"
"I'm not sure using people that worked for me in San Cristobel is the right way to run this campaign. I have Miles and I think that's all the connection I need from San Cristobel."
"You shouldn't hide…."
"I'm not trying to hide my connection to San Cristobel, but I don't want that the focus of this election. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Sure, you want to voters to evaluate you based on you and not the fact that you were once a Prince and President of a country. But I think that's your greatest strength. You have experience running a government." Jeffrey says, as Josh and Billy walk up.
"Richard, Jeffrey." They both say as they walk up.
Richard and Jeffrey hold their hands out. After they shake hands, Josh asks. "Has anyone seen William?"
"I spoke with him earlier. I think we should probably go upstairs to get ready." Richard says, seeing Cassie and the other girls walking up the stairs. Josh and Billy follow his gaze and then nod before they turn to Jeffrey. "We'll see you later." Richard says.
"Sure, tell Ava I'll be up in about another hour." Jeffrey says, as Richard nods.
"I'll let Cassie know." He replies before he leaves with Josh and Billy.
An hour later, Jeffrey is talking with one of guests when he notice Josh, Billy and another man that he doesn't recognize walk into the ballroom. Turning to the man he was talking with he says. "If you'll excuse me, it's time for me to tend to my duties as a father." The man nods and turns away as Jeffrey makes his way through the ballroom to the stairs. Walking up them, he thinks about Ava and the road she's about start down. When he reaches his floor, he's walking down the hallway as Cassie, Reva, Sam, and Stace are leaving Ava's room. He walks up as they close the door behind them. "Ladies, you're all beautiful. Especially you, Beca." He says, leaning in to kiss Sam.
She leans up and kisses him softly before she whispers. "I love you too."
He steps back. "The boys are downstairs." He says, glancing at the door behind Cassie.
"She's fine." Cassie says, as he nods once.
"Then we'll be down directly." He replies, as the ladies move out of his way and he reaches for the door handle. They move towards the stairs while he opens the door.
Ava is standing at the doors leading to the balcony. She turns when the doors open and smiles as she crosses the room to Jeffrey while he closes the door. When he turns around, he stops and stares at her. "You're beautiful." He says, slowly taking in the dress she's wearing.
"Thank you Dad." She says, reaching out to hug him.
He pulls her into him and holds her. His head resting on top of hers. "I love you." He says, after a hard swallow.
She pulls back and looks up. "Hey don't, you'll have me crying and running my make-up. Make-up that Reva and Cassie worked hard on."
"I can't be responsible for ruining their work." He says, teasing her until she smiles.
"I spoke to Mom." She says, looking up.
"I know. Cassie told me."
"It's… I needed…."
"It's okay. You want her here. I understand that. I wish she could actually be here with you."
"I understand why she's not even if I still want her here."
"Maybe you all can go see her after the baby's here."
"That's something I'll have to talk to William about. Did you see…?"
"Yes, and he's relaxed actually." He replies, anticipating her next question.
"You sound surprised. You're not still hoping that we…."
"No, of course not. I know you love him and I know he'll take care of you, Emma and the baby. I just realize how much of your life I missed. I haven't really been around to take care of you and now it's his job to do it."
"You take care of me Dad. I will always need you." She says, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"But I've..." He pauses. "I've never been your number one guy." He says, looking a little bashful.
"You've been my number one guy since I found out that you're my father and you'll continue to be my number one guy long after today. And you'll be here to be this little ones number one guy." She says, laying her hand on her stomach.
"Oh did you have to remind me that I'm about to become a grandfather."
"And a father." She says, teasing him. He smiles. "Dad just because I'm getting married, I still need you. Don't forget that and don't ever think I will stop needing you. We all need you." She says, looking into his eyes.
He leads down and kisses her cheek before he asks. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." She replies, slipping her arm into his and letting him lead her to the door.
He opens the door for her. Letting her leave before him, he closes the door behind them before taking her arm again and leading her to the stairs.
He guides the way to the entrance leading to the alcove set off to the side of the conservatory where the wedding will be held. The bridal party is waiting for them and they watch as the staff seat their guests throughout the conservatory that connects the lobby with garden area of the Beacon. The main ball room across from the conservatory looks as though it is the garden of a southern plantation from around the civil war era. Each guest is shocked when they first enter the room. Everyone was expecting the usual winter wonderland type for a wedding during this time of year.
They've been waiting for about ten minutes when Billy appears at the doorway. Looking towards them, he nods and Jeffrey returns his nod. Turning Billy nods to the small orchestra sitting beside where William is standing with the deputy mayor. Softly they begin the first song for the procession of the wedding party. Emma an William step up first as their music play, William follows Emma down the aisle.
When they reach the end, they both hug William and then go to stand in their places. Then Cassie steps up to the doorway and takes Richard's arm as the song changes. Slowly they walk down the aisle while the guests watch. The next to come is Josh with Reva, followed by Sam and the man Jeffrey didn't recognize before. Billy and Stace follow them. And then finally he and Ava step up to the entrance way. She looks up and smiles at Jeffrey as the wedding march begins and everyone stands.
The guests turn to watch Jeffrey lead Ava down the aisle to William. She doesn't notice anything but William as he watching their progress down the aisle. When they reach other, Jeffrey squeezes her hand as he takes it from his arm and places it in Williams outstretched one. He looks at William and says. "Take care of my girl."
"I will." William replies, nodding to Jeffrey while keeping his eyes on Ava.
Jeffrey steps back as everyone sits down. They are looking into each other eyes as the deputy mayor says. "Friends, we are gathered here today to join these two people in holy matrimony. If there is anyone here who believes these two should not be joined let them speak now or forever hold their peace." He pauses for a moment before he asks. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
"I do." Jeffrey replies.
The deputy mayor nods and Jeffrey takes his seat. "Please take each others hands." He says. Ava turns to Stace and hands her, her bouquet before she turns back to William and they take each others hands. "Do you William Winslow take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?
"I do." William replies quietly with a soft smile on his lips as tears feel Ava's eyes and he sniffs fighting back his own tears.
"And do you Ava Peralta take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do." She replies just as quietly as William.
"May we have the rings?" The deputy mayor asks. Emma and William step up as Ava and
William turn to each other. They take the rings and turn back to each other. "These rings are a symbol to yourselves and the world of the promises you make to each other today. Take these rings and slip on to your ring finger and then repeat after me. "I, William take you Ava to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others, for as long as we both shall live." William repeats these words as he slips Ava ring onto her finger.
"And I, Ava take you William to be my husband. To Have and to hold from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all other, for as long as we both shall live." She finishes as slips his ring onto his finger.
They are holding hands as the deputy mayor says. "By the power vested in me by the State of Illinois I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Stepping closer, William pulls her into him as he wraps his arm around her waist and then lays one of his hands on her stomach as they kiss softly. When they break apart, the deputy says. "I present to you Mr. and Mrs. William Winslow."
They turn to face their guests as William tucks Ava's arm through his. For a moment they stand and then he slowly leads her down the aisle while their guests claps and there are a few cat calls. The rest of the wedding party follows them down the aisle and through to a smaller ballroom that's been transformed to look like they are stepping through time and into the gardens of a Southern plantation around the end of the civil war.
As their guest follow them through the conservatory to the main ballroom, there is a man standing in civil war era clothing. He's waiting and as William and Ava approach him, he bows and then opens the doors for them. "Oh wow!" Jeffrey says, looking around the room. The staff has completely transformed the ballroom into a garden from a southern plantation. "This is beautiful." He says, as Ava smiles and Sam nods.
"We didn't want this to be a traditional New Year's Eve wedding. Everyone does the winter wonderland theme for weddings during this time of the year. So we went in a different direction."
"That's why the actual wedding was in the conservatory. To continue this feel of being outside on a warm spring day in the south." William says, looking around the room.
"I don't know how they did this." Sam says, as Cassie walks up. "But you've captured the authenticity of southern plantation garden in the spring time. This is gorgeous." Sam finishes as the rest of their guests come into the room.
"Let's get the party started." Billy says, walking up to William and Ava.
"He takes Ava's hand and leads her to the front of the group. They orchestra begins as William takes Ava's hand and leads her through the steps of their first dance.
Just as the song finishes, Jeffrey walks up and asks. "May I interrupt for a dance with my daughter?"
William gives him Ava's hand and then steps back as Sam walks up. "Would you like to dance?" Taking her hand, they begin dancing and before long the rest of the guests are on the dance floor with them.
After a few dance, William and Ava are back together dancing as Jeffrey leads Sam over to a table. "I'll get you something to drink."
"I'm fine…." He looks at her. "Go ahead." She says, with a smile before he turns and walks away. She is sitting alone when Marah walks up and says. "Sam."
"Marah, hi. Please have a seat." She says, nodding to the empty chair beside them. "I'm glad you came."
"She's my cousin." Marah says, watching William and Ava dance while Sam watches her.
"You know that will be you someday." Sam says, as Jeffrey walks to them.
"Hello Marah." He says, handing a glass of punch to Sam. "It's not spiked, I made sure."
"I didn't figure it was, considering your daughter and I are in the same condition." Sam says, teasing him.
"You don't have to make feel old." He grips as Sam laughs softly.
"Poor baby." She says, continuing to tease him.
Jeffrey switches the focus. "So, where is Julien?" He asks, looking at Marah.
"I'm sure he's around here some where." Marah says, looking around the room. "I think he's talking with my dad and my uncle Billy." Marah says, spotting him standing between both men.
Sam glances up and then smiles. "He looks a little unsure of himself."
"I think I'll go rescue him. It was good to talk to both of you." Marah says, standing up.
"You too Marah." Jeffrey says, standing up when she does. He watches her walk away before he turns back to Sam.
. /-VrtFMo57t_E/TpxuqZYcwlI/AAAAAAAABXs/bn2OZEHMN_ I had a different dress picked to be Ava's wedding dress. It was slightly sexier than this on until I remembered that she is about six months pregnant now, so I changed the dress.
. This picture is the closest I could get to my idea of what the ballroom would look for Ava's reception. For a better visual in your mind, think about the movies North and South and Gone With The Wind.