A Fresh Start
Chapter Two Hundred Eighty Two
William is helping Ava get settled when someone knocks on their door. He looks at her as if to say will you be okay? "Go, I'm fine." She says, settling into her bed with Wes in her arms.
Turning for the stairs, he turns back to her. "I'll be right back, okay."
"Go." She says, as there is a second knock. Jogging down the stairs, he quickly goes to the door. Pulling it open as Cassie is about to knock again. "Sorry, I was upstairs with Ava and the baby." William says, before he realizes who's in front of him. "Wait, how did you know we were home?"
"Richard called me after he left the hospital."
"Ah." William says, stepping back and letting Cassie, the boys and Emma in.
"Where is my brother?" Emma asks, looking around the loft as Rj rolls his eyes.
"He's upstairs with your sister." William replies, as Emma shrugs out of her coat, dropping it by the front door as she runs for the stairs. "Walk, Emma." He says, bending down to pick up her coat.
Cassie smiles as William hangs the coat on the rack beside the door. "She's been so excited since they came home and I told her that Ava and the baby were released today." Cassie says, shrugging out of her coat. William takes it along with the boys and lays them on the couch.
"Let me go upstairs and I'll see if Ava wants to come down so you all can see Wes."
"We can't stay long. I have to get the boys home and ready for a campaign event with Richard." Cassie says, as William nods.
"We'll be right back." He says, turning for the stairs while Cassie and the boys settle into the couch. Several moments later, William leads Ava and Emma down the stairs and in his arms is Wes.
"How are you feeling?" Cassie asks Ava as she sits down beside her.
"I'm a little sore, but he makes it all worthwhile." Ava says, as William gives Wes to her.
"They always do." Cassie says, smiling while Ava holds their boy.
"I remember the first time I held Tammy. She seemed so tiny and fragile. I was so young when I got pregnant with her. I had Rob but honestly everything was on me and I had no idea if I could even take care of me, let alone her. But those fears all disappeared as soon as the nurse laid her in my arms. I felt that same love and peace with each birth of my kids. Even though I was out of it for Will's that was feeling was still tangible at the time."
"I don't think I was as freaked as most first time Mom's. I had Emma that I was looking after and I know it's different than with a newborn, but it felt the same for me." Ava says, looking at Cassie.
"That's good."
"Do you want to hold him?" Ava says, turning to Cassie.
Smiling, Cassie gets up and goes to her. Taking Wes into her arms, she holds him close. Looking down, she smiles again before she looks at William. "I can see you in him and I see Richard and Will." She says, as William nods. "You're a beautiful little boy. Yes you are." Cassie says, gently caressing Wes's hair before she lets him grab onto her finger. "You've got…." Cassie sucks in a deep breath.
"Is everything okay?" William asks.
"I think my girl is a little jealous. She's kicking like crazy." Cassie says, with a smile as William comes to take Wes. Cassie lays her hand on her side, gently rubbing her side where the baby had kicked her.
"You're still convinced you're having a girl." William asks, settling down next to Ava.
"I am. Is Richard trying to persuade you into believing this baby will be another boy?"
"No, no, he hasn't said anything to us."
"Well, I have my three perfect boys. I think I'm due for a little balance with another girl added to the mix."
"Have you guys picked out names yet?"
"We're discussing a few but I don't think we've decided yet. There is one thing I know for sure and Richard agrees with me."
"What's that?" Ava asks.
"This little girl will not be named after her sister. We don't want to burden her with that legacy."
"We totally understand that." Ava says, as William nods.
"And we really need to go. I have to get the boys home, get them fed, get dressed and meet Richard for his campaign function tonight. Rj, Will." Cassie calls, looking around. The boys come out of Emma's room. "Give your Uncle William and Aunt Ava a hug and kiss. We have to get home." Cassie says, walking over to their coats.
Dutifully, the boys give both William and then Ava a hug before they get their coats. Cassie helps them into them before she slips hers on. "We'll plan an evening soon." She says, turning to William and Ava.
"That would be great." William says, getting up and walking her and the boys to the door.
"We'll see you." Cassie says, turning back to Ava as William opens the door to the loft.
"Thank you for keeping Emma." Ava says, as Cassie nods before she follows the boys out the door. "Take care." Cassie says, hugging William.
"You too, and be careful going home."
"We will." Cassie says, before she follows the boys down the stairs leading out of the building and William shuts the door behind them.
Richard is leaving his office and is on his way to a campaign event. As he's walking to his car, his cell phone rings. Pulling it from his pocket, he answers it without seeing whose calling. "Richard Winslow."
"Dad." Jonathan says, as he settles back into the office chair he's using at home.
"Jon, is that you? Is everything okay? Sarah, is she…?"
"We're fine, both of us. Sarah is in the backyard playing. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. Busy but good. Have you spoken to your mother recently?"
"No, why? Is something going on?"
"No, she's fine. Her and Josh are settling in again. Things are surprisingly calm here in Springfield. I'm busy with my campaign. Cassie's doing really good. The baby's healthy as are the boys. Jeffrey and Sam just had twin boys a few days ago, and your Uncle William and Ava just had a baby boy yesterday."
"So things are moving along. How's Lizzie?"
"Things are moving along and I guess Lizzie's doing alright. I haven't seen or talked to her, really since the holiday's I guess. I'm not really sure when I saw her last, why?" Jon is silent for several moment. "Jon, are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here. Maybe we should talk later."
"I'm on my way to a campaign event, but I can talk. Everything's still in place for your asylum in San Cristobel."
"Yes, Prince Silas is still honoring the asylum so Sarah and I are safe. I've missed a few inspections from the Spaulding execs but there's been no backlash from Spaulding. My supervisor covers for me."
"But." Richard says, as he opens the door to his car and gets in. Putting the keys in the ignition, he quickly fastens his seatbelt and then starts his car. Immediately the car's Bluetooth syncs with his phone. "Are you still there?"
"I'm here." Jonathan replies, getting up to walk over to the windows overlooking the back yard where Sarah is playing.
"You sounded like you've got something on your mind." Richard says, backing out of his parking place.
"I do. I'm just not sure if I need to do what I'm contemplating." They are both silent for a few seconds before Jonathan continues. "I loved Tammy. I did."
"I know you did." Richard replies quietly, thinking about Tammy for a moment.
"But I've been thinking about Sarah a lot, especially now that Alan is behind bars."
"Alan's behind bars, but he still has reach."
"I know he does. But I've heard things through the grapevine at the plant."
"What sort of things?"
"Mostly about Lizzie, but that Alex runs Spaulding now." Jon says quietly, smiling at Sarah while she plays. "I love my little girl, I do."
"I know you do."
"But I also worry about her. She'll be starting school in a few years. I want her to be able to know you and Mom. I grew up without that."
"I know, but Alan still has reach. He still has money and he still has people that will do as he demands."
"I know it's not a totally secure situation. Alan's still a threat, but I've been gone for a while now and Lizzie hasn't returned to Spaulding or the family. I've been able to find out that she's running my bar."
"Yeah, she is. I believe Sam and Jeffrey both had their bachelor/bachelorette parties there on the same night."
"I remember you telling me about that and he punched a guy or the guy punched him." Jon says, his tone saying it doesn't matter for this conversation. "I'm ready to stop hiding."
"Is there more to this than Sarah, because it sounds like there is?"
Jon smiles, suspecting that Richard knew the moment the calls were connected that there was more to them coming out of hiding. "Yeah there is."
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
"I've been dating a lady here on the island and we're getting serious. I want her to know my family."
"I'm assuming that she knows about Tammy and the situation between you, Lizzie and Sarah."
"Yeah, she knows." Jon is quiet for a moment before he says. "It's part of the reason that I'm considering bringing Sarah to Springfield. She wants me to let Lizzie know that her daughter is alive."
"Does she understand the implications of Alan finding out about Sarah?"
"Yes, I'm not giving up the asylum. I'm not moving back. Not until Sarah's old enough to make up her own mind about Alan and the Spaulding's."
"Your mom and I would love to see you but Jon, I'm not sure how this will work. If you contact Lizzie, it could be considered an act of revocation for your asylum."
"Do you think Lizzie would tell Alan?"
"I don't know. Was Alan the only reason you faked yours and Sarah's death?"
"I never believed Lizzie would hurt Sarah but I didn't think she would stand up to Alan. And we've been away from Springfield for a while now and she hasn't returned to Spaulding or the family."
"Maybe you right, I know that she did sale her controlling shares of Lewis Oil to Jeffrey several months back."
"Why would she sell them to Jeffrey?"
"Jeffrey offered her a fair price I'm assuming and so she sold them. I'm also fairly certain that her financial advisor likely advised her not to and she did it anyway. So maybe she has walked away from her family."
"Dad, can you talk to William or Noah and see if there will be any fall out if I let Lizzie know that Sarah and I are alive."
"I can speak to Noah. I think he should be the one this should goes through instead of William."
"Maybe we could meet in an undisclosed neutral place."
"I'll bring the idea up to Noah. Now about this young lady..."
"I can only say that we're serious about each other."
"Have you told her you love her?"
"Not yet." Jon says, looking out his window and watches Sarah.
"What's her name?"
"Josanna Cortez, she goes by Josie. She's a native of San Cristobel."
"Felipe Cortez's daughter."
"Yes, I met her through a colleague at work."
"Her father has strong ties to the Santos's."
"She's not a part of her families business. Her brother has taken over control and she has no contact with him. She'll see her parents occasionally but that's all."
"Be careful son, the Cortez syndicate were more ruthless than the Santos's back in the day and I know of her brother, Xander is a million times more ruthless than her father."
"I promise we are safe from the Cortez syndicate." Jon says, as Richard pulls into a parking place.
"I'll speak to Noah, but right now I have to go."
"Sure, I'll call Mom in a couple days."
"I know she would love to hear from you."
"All of you be careful and hug Cassie and the boys for me."
"I will." Richard says, getting out of his car. Locking it as he says. "Bye Jon."
"I'll talk too soon." Jon replies before they both hang up. For several moments, he watches Sarah with Josie in the back yard.
After Cassie left with the boys, William orders dinner for them. After they've finished eating, he helps Emma with her homework. Once she's finished, he sends her for her bath. When she's finished, he and Ava are upstairs taking care of Wes. Ava is lying in their bed, William is beside her while Ava feeds Wes. "I'm surprised Emma didn't ask to hold him as soon as she came home." William says, watching them.
"She did, but I told her we would do it later. I figured you would be coming for us." Ava says, as Emma taps on their door. William pulls the blanket over her and Wes before he calls out. "You can come in Emma."
She opens the door and steps inside. "I wanted to see if I can hold my brother."
"Come here." Ava says, patting the bed beside her. Emma walks over to William and he lifts her up onto the bed.
She settles down between them before she asks. "What are you doing?"
"I'm feeding him." Ava says, pulling the blanket down so Emma can see what's going on.
"Does that hurt?"
"No."
"But he's biting you."
"He doesn't have any teeth yet. In about six months he might begin biting me, but right now he's only sucking at my breast."
"Did I do that?"
"I don't know. I wasn't…."
"You didn't know about me when I was a baby. Can I hold him?"
"Maybe after he's finished. He'll likely want to be changed once he's finished." Ava says, as Emma settles in between them again.
"You know I've never had a brother before." Emma says while she watches Ava.
"Sweetie, you realize he's not your brother."
"So, I'm not related to him."
"No, you are related to him." Ava pauses to give Wes to William so that he can burp him while Ava explains things to Emma. "Okay, you are my sister because your mother is my mother. Do you understand that?" Ava asks as Emma nods. "Okay, so that makes you Wes's aunt."
"But I want to be his sister and be important. Like you're my sister and you're important."
"Sweetie, being his aunt is just as important as being his sister."
"Why?"
"Because he's going to come to you with all the things he's scared to come to me and his Daddy about. You get to have fun with him without having to be the one that punishes him when he does something wrong. You get to spoil him by taking him places and giving him things that me and his Daddy won't give him. You get to show him things that me and his Daddy wouldn't want him to know about yet and you get to know some of his most important secrets. He'll respect you and he'll love you just as much as he loves me and his Dad, because even though you have fun with him, you will also show him how to be a good man. You get to teach him right along with me and William."
"Aunt Cassie said that I could call him my brother if I wanted." Emma says, as Wes lets go of a loud burp and Emma laughs.
"I suppose you can, but I wanted you to understand the truth. You're his aunt and you're as important as being his sister."
"Will I get to be a sister, like you're a sister?"
"You're already a sister. You're my sister and you're Lizzie's sister and you're James sister, and Zach's sister. You're a sister to a whole bunch of people and every one of them love you."
"Are Lizzie, James and Zach his aunt and uncle too?"
"Yes, they are. I think it's time for bed."
"You said I could hold him." Emma reminds her.
"I did. Alright, you can hold him for a few moments but then it's off to bed." Ava says, as William turns to them. "Settle back against me." Ava says. Emma moves in beside her. "Now hold your arms out and William will put him in your arms, okay." Ava says, as Emma nods, doing as Ava told her. Gently William lays Wes in Emma's outstretched arms. "Now pulling into your chest. He needs to feel safe." Ava says, as Emma draws Wes into her chest, looking down into his eyes.
"He's so small. I think he's smaller than my doll Annie. He has more hair than Annie." Emma says, as William and Ava both chuckle.
"He'll get bigger, I promise."
She looks down into Wes's eyes and then looks up at William. "He has your eyes."
"Do you think so?" William asks, settling in beside her.
"Of course, he has the same eyes and Will and Uncle Richard."
"I suppose he does." William says, as Emma yawns quietly.
"I think it's time for bed." Ava says, moving to take Wes from her.
"Let me hold…."
"He'll be here tomorrow too. You need to get your sleep for school." Ava says, leaning over to kiss the top of Emma's head.
"Okay." Emma says quietly. Getting up on her knees, she leans in and gently kisses Wes's forehead. "Night Wes, I love you."
"Come on, I'll tuck you in." William says, lifting her out of the bed and setting her on the floor.
"Night." She says, turning to Ava.
"Good night Sweetie, I'll see you in the morning. I love you."
"I love you too." She says before leaving the room with William following behind her.
When William comes back from tucking in Emma, Ava is lying back with Wes in her arms. "I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful than you holding him."
Ava looks up and smiles. "Is she okay?"
"Yeah, she went right to sleep. I didn't even have to tell her a story."
"All the excitement has worn her out."
"I can see someone else is worn out too." William says, walking over to the bed. "Let me put him in the bassinet so you can get some sleep before he wakes up again."
"He needs to be changed."
"I'll do it before I put him down." William says, taking Wes from her and moving to the changing table. He makes quick work of changing him before he brings him back to the bassinet next to Ava's bedside. "There, he should sleep for a couple hours so I suggest that we do the same. You're exhausted." He says, laying Wes down and then walking around the bed to his side. Ava rolls to her side and lays her hand inside the bassinet. Moving in behind her, William rests his arm across her waist. Gently kissing her shoulder, he says. "Go on to sleep. He'll be okay." Ava lays there for several moment before sleep finally pulls her under. Less than a minute later, William is asleep beside her. His hand laying on her arm that's resting on the side of the bassinet.
Ramstein Germany:
After two weeks alone in the mountains of Afghanistan, clearing land mines and shielding citizens from insurgents and raids from the Taliban, Shayne rushes to the base hospital after a private was sent to inform him of his girlfriend's accident. It's the only reason he was allowed to leave. She wasn't even supposes to be on the op. Her unit had just returned from a long assignment. He rushes up to the visitor's desk. "May I help you?" A woman asks.
"My girlfriend, Larah Michaels was brought in yesterday." Shayne says, stopping at the front desk.
An older woman in a military uniform pulls up a search engine and entering Larah's name, looks up and says. "She's in room 1437, Sir."
"Thank you." Shayne replies before turning towards the elevators. Pushing the button, he steps back to wait. Nodding to a couple of officers that walk up a few moments later. When the doors open, Shayne steps on and holding the door for the officers, he pushes the button for the fourth floor as well as the floors for the other two officers. He nods to the officers once again when the doors open onto the fourth floor. Rushing down the hallway, Shayne uses the signs to find Larah's room. When he rushes in, Larah is awake and a huge smile crosses her face when she sees him. Walking over to the bed, he feels the adrenaline slowly seep from his body. Sitting down on the side of her bed, he kisses her softly before laying his forehead against hers. "What happened?" Shayne asks, sitting back after a few moments.
"We were clearing a field when a truck hit an IED that was placed at the side of the road. I don't know if anyone in the truck was injured or killed but I'm pretty sure something bad happened to some or all of them. But the shrapnel from the explosion blew out close enough to hit me. I was wearing my helmet and armor but the force knocked me to the ground hard and I lost consciousness for about five minutes. That's why they shipped me here."
"What does the doctor's say?"
"I'll be fine, he only kept me for observation."
"I'm on a three day leave. We…."
"There's something else, Shayne." She says quietly, interrupting him.
"What?"
"When they brought me in. They ran a bunch of tests." She falls silent as she looks down. "I'm scared to tell him this. We've never discussed our future or our plans for it. What if…?" She thinks
"Larah darlin, what is it? You're scaring me here." He says quietly as she looks up and he sees the tears glistening in her eyes. "What did the tests say? Where you hurt worse? No the doctor said you were fine. You're not going to die because of…?" She lays a finger across his lips.
"I don't really know how to tell you this. I'm actually sort of scared to tell you, but I'm pregnant." She says quietly while he stares at her. "From what they could tell from the levels in my blood I'm close to two months along." She says. He still hasn't replied to anything. "Shayne please, say something. I mean I know that it's not something we've talked about. I'm not even sure if you want…."
He leans in to kiss her. "Shhh, shhh." He whispers, pulling back to take a deep breath.
"Are you going to…."
"I'm never going to leave you, ever." He says, staring at her until she nods. "I'm a little overwhelmed, relieved that you were not any closer when that truck exploded or worse inside the truck, and I'm a whole lot scared. We weren't planning on this right now."
"Well, you know the saying. Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." She says, as he smiles.
"Quoting your mother again?"
"No more than you do." She says, smiling as he pulls back
"When we get out of here, we're talking to our CO's. We're moving up our release date."
"We're under contract…."
"That was over two years ago for each of us. We only stayed because neither of us had a reason to leave. I think we have a reason now, don't you." He asks, as she nods with a beaming smile. "I love you Larah Michaels. I want a family with you, okay." He continues as she nods, fresh tears glistening in her eyes. "Then when you're released, we'll speak to our CO's and move up our date for release."
"I think mine will be before yours. I have to inform him that I'm pregnant that means I won't be able to go into the field and do my job."
"I will try to get my release date as close to yours then."
"Actually mine will be immediate."
"Okay." Shayne says, as a small woman in a white lab coat walks in.
"Hello, I'm Dr. Spangler. I'm Ms. Michael's doctor and you are?" She asks, looking at Shayne.
"Dr. Spangler this is my boyfriend, Shayne Lewis."
"It's pleasure to meet you." Dr. Spangler says, holding out her hand.
"It's my pleasure as well." Says Shayne as he takes her hand and they shake hands.
"You're girl is lucky. If she had been closer to the explosion or even in…."
"We know." Says Larah.
"Okay. I've reviewed all of your tests. Everything seems to be fine with the baby but I do suggest that you have a follow up with your own physician. The concussion was minor and it's seems too cleared itself but I would advise rest for the next couple days and as little stress as possible for both reasons."
"I'm on a three day leave. I will make sure she rests."
"Good, I have your release papers with me. I need you to read over them and then sign in all the places that are highlighted. If you should feel any pain whether from the cuts or just pain from the fall I recommend Tylenol. You can get it at the PX here on base and it will be safer than buying it at a local drug store. If you notice any swelling, discoloration, puss or streaking around the cuts bring her back immediately." Dr. Spangler says, looking at Shayne.
"I will."
With the paperwork reviewed and signed, when the orderly arrives with the wheelchair Larah opens her mouth to protest but is stopped by Dr. Spangler. "It's hospital policy, Ma'am." She says.
Sighing, she gets into the chair while Shayne looks at the orderly. "Do you mind?" He asks.
Nodding the private steps back and allows Shayne to wheel Larah out of the room. When they reach the ground floor, he leaves Larah in the lobby while he goes to get the car he rented. Bringing it to the front entrance, he wheels her out to the car and then helps her inside. The orderly takes the wheelchair back inside while Shayne walks around to the other side and gets in, Starting the car, he pulls away from the hospital.
Richard waited until he and Cassie had returned home and where lying in bed before he says. "I spoke to Jon today."
"Is he okay?" Cassie asks, moving her head to look up.
"He's doing really good." He says, pausing for a moment before he says. "He wants to come back to Springfield."
There's a moment before Cassie moves back. Richard lets her go. Rolling to his side so that they're facing each other. "Is it safe for them to come back?" Cassie asks.
"He's aware of the situation with Alan."
"That's not what I asked Richard. Is it safe?"
Sighing, Richard rolls to his back. "I don't know. I reminded him that Alan has an extensive reach, even from prison. And I reminded him of Lizzie. He knows about Lizzie running his bar. I'm not sure how he knows but he knows and he knows about her selling her shares of Lewis Oil to Jeffrey because I told him. He also knows that she's had nothing to do with Spaulding Enterprise's or her family since he and Sarah disappeared. " He's quiet for a moment before he continues. "I think there's another reason he wants to come home. He's in love again." Richard says quietly before he looks at Cassie. Cassie moves in beside him again, assuming her previous position, she wraps her arm across his waist and lays her head on his chest. He pulls her closer as he asks. "Will that be okay with you?"
"I have no problem with Jon moving on. And I know Tammy would want him to. And Reva would love to have both of them here and so would I."
"He will be a reminder of what happened with Tammy."
"Every day there are reminders of what happened with Tammy. I've learned to live with them and most times they comfort me. I will always miss her."
"So will I. I wanted to be there for her, to watch her grow into the beautiful young woman she became. I wanted to be what Rob never was."
"You were that." She says before lightly kissing his chest and he squeezes her gently. After a moment, she asks. "What about the asylum?"
"I mentioned that to Jon. If he contacts Lizzie, the government of San Cristobel could view it as a breach of the asylum agreement and revoke it."
"That would leave him unprotected."
"Yes, it would. He wants me to speak to Noah about arranging a meeting with Lizzie in a neutral place that is secure."
"You mean like one of the agency safe houses?"
"Yes, it might be enough to keep the asylum in place. Jon is allowed to travel but it was stipulated that he keep away from Springfield and that he not be at work when the Spaulding executives come to visit."
They are both quiet for a moment before she says. "There's something you both may not be considering."
"What?"
"Lizzie's reaction. Lizzie thinks Jon and Sarah died in the car crash. If he comes back from the dead, that might be enough to drive her back into the Spaulding clutches. At the very least, she will be beyond angry and at worse she may try to take Sarah away from him altogether as well as keep her away from us. I know I was beyond angry when I lost Tammy and I knew she was alive. I just couldn't have her. If I had thought that she was dead and then found out that it all was a lie, I would want to seriously injure the people responsible."
"Then maybe you should be there, if there is a meeting." She looks up at him. "Lizzie might need to be reminded of her primary focus and you would be the best person to do that."
"I'm not going to be able to travel in a few months Richard."
"There's no reason why the safe house can't be somewhere near by that doesn't require you to leave the country or even the state."
"Does his agency have safe houses in the US?"
"I don't know." Richard asks. "It might be a safe house used by another agency like the US Marshals or the FBI. As long as it's a neutral safe place and keeps the asylum in play that's the only stipulations that matter most." Richard says, as Cassie yawns softly. "Let's go to sleep." Rolling over to her other side, Richard settles in behind her with his arm around her, cradling her stomach.
The next morning, Richard is swapped. He doesn't get a chance to call Noah until just before lunch. Reaching for the phone, he pushes the button for the intercom. "Amelia."
"Yes, Mr. Winslow." She replies.
"Would you please hold my calls and advise any visitor, that I'm on a private call and take a message, unless it's Cassie?"
"Of course, Sir."
"Thank you." Pulling out his cell, he dials the number for Noah.
"Hello." Noah answers after the third ring.
"Noah, its Richard."
"Hey, how are you doing?"
"Wonderful, Cassie and the boys are great and the pregnancy is going smoothly."
"That's good."
"Yeah, it is. Listen are you busy?" Richard asks, settling back into his chair.
"Just finished up with a debrief. You sure everything's alright?"
"Yes, everything is fine with Cassie, Me and the boys. No this has to do with my other son."
"Alright, what's up?" Noah asks, getting up and shutting the door to his office.
"I spoke with him yesterday afternoon."
"He's still safe in San Cristobel."
"Yes, the asylum is still in place. He reached out to me because he wants to come home."
"I'm pretty sure, if he comes to Springfield the asylum will be withdrawn."
"I explained that possibility to him. He also realizes that even with Alan in prison, he still has a long reach, but I think he's moving on from Tammy and he wants his new lady to meet me, his mother, and the rest of the family."
"You and Reva can travel…."
"I can't leave Cassie right now. She still has a few months till the baby's due but this is a high risk pregnancy and while things have gone well so far, anything could…."
"Anything could happen at any time, I understand. But Alan wasn't the only reason that Jon faked his death. He didn't feel Lizzie would be able to protect Sarah either."
"He's aware of what Lizzie's been up to since he left. He knows that she's had little to no contact with her family now that Alan's been convicted or before Alan was convicted. He knows that she's working his bar and that she sold her shares of Lewis Oil to Jeffrey. He knows that contacting Lizzie could revoke the asylum but he's willing to risk it. However, he doesn't want to bring Lizzie to San Cristobel. He suggested that they meet at a neutral location."
"A neutral location, did you have a place in mind?"
"He was wondering if they could meet in a safe house used by your agency."
"Richard, we don't operate within the US borders."
"Maybe we could use a safe house that is used by another agency.
Noah is silent for a moment. Sighing, he sits up. "We could try a neutral location for the meeting, but it's not guaranteed that if the Prince finds out about the meeting that the asylum won't be withdrawn."
"So there's a safe house they could meet at?"
"I would need to speak with someone first and clear it with them. It's a safe house used by the US. Marshals. We worked a case a few months back and… Well the lead agent and I got along well enough." Noah says, thinking about the woman he worked with and the intrigue he felt while they worked that case. Something he hasn't felt since Reva.
Richard picks up on Noah's change in tone. "Someone special."
"No, no. Just someone that…" He pauses. "She intrigues me, like Reva intrigued me nothing has happened and it's likely that nothing will happen."
Richard doesn't press about the woman. "When would you be able to speak to her?"
"It might take me a few days. She's… well she's deep in a case. Have you thought about how Lizzie is going to react to this?"
"Cassie mentioned that last night."
"She's a smart woman."
"She is and she's been in a similar situation as Lizzie's in, excluding the fact that Tammy was alive the years she wasn't with Cassie and Lizzie believe that Sarah died with Jon in that crash. That's why I thought if the safe house was close enough to Springfield, maybe Cassie could be there when Lizzie's told. I think it will help."
"I don't know about that, but before anything is planned we must be clear about the agreement Jon made for asylum. I'll have my people look into it and we'll get back with you. Did Jon say when he wants to do this?"
"No, I think it's only something he's discussed abstractly with his girlfriend."
"So, is he doing this because he really wants to tell Lizzie, or is it to appease his girlfriend?"
"I'm not sure to be honest. He reached out to me about the possibility of telling Lizzie. I'm not sure if he wants to do that now or if he's only looking at his options."
"Alright, let me look into the specifics of his asylum agreement before we even discuss what our next option would be. Have you spoken with William about this? He might be able to tell you more than even the reigning Prince can. Since it was his administration that drew up the agreement in the first place."
"I hadn't thought of William. I'll speak to him but it might take a few days. He and Ava just had their first child."
"What did they have?"
"A boy, William Wesley Winslow is his name. Ten pounds three ounces and twenty two inches long."
"I think he's taking after his father and uncle."
"Probably so, although Jeffrey's side of the genes aren't small by any course of the imagination."
"No, I don't suppose they are. How is Jeffrey?"
"He's currently helping Sam with their twins."
"Twins, he and Sam had twins." Noah says, chuckling.
"No, I know. I can imagine his reaction when she had the second baby."
"They didn't know before she went into labor."
"I don't believe so. Neither of them said anything if they did know. And I can't imagine why they wouldn't say something if they knew before hand."
"So Jeffrey has twins and Ava only had one. What are you going to do if you end up with triplets or more?"
"That is not something to even think, let alone joke about. Cassie would kill me if I got her pregnant with more than one baby."
"On the other hand, she might thank you for it."
"Does that even seem possible?" Richard asks, as Noah laughs.
"Let me check on the stipulations within Jon's agreement and I'll get back to you. Meanwhile, maybe you should prepare for…."
"Don't say it Noah. Don't even think it." Richard begs while Noah chuckles.
"I'll get back to you as soon as I know something."
"And I'll talk to William in the meantime."
"Okay. We'll talk soon."
"Thanks, Noah."
"It's not a problem. Take care."
"You too." Richard says, before they both hang up.