Chapter Two Hundred Eighty Seven
William waits a few seconds before he dials the number the palace. After two rings, a man answers the phone. "Hello, Prince Silas's office, How may I assist you." A man says.
"This is William Winslow, I would like to speak to Prince Silas." William replies.
"One moment please while I see if he is available, Mr. Winslow." The man replies, putting William on hold without asking his permission. A few moments later, the man returns and says. "His Highness will speak with you. Please hold while I transfer your call."
There's a click and then Prince Silas comes on the line. "Hello, Mr. Winslow."
"Your Highness." William replies. "
"Am I to assume that you have spoken with your brother?"
"Yes, Richard and I have spoken and we have decided to have an acquaintance that is living in San Cristobel escort Edmund's body to Springfield."
"Do you know when that will be?"
"No more than a few days, the person accompanying the body has to make arrangements for himself and his daughter. Once those arrangements are in place, we will contact the palace to arrange for him to pick up our brother."
"Your brother is not being held here at the palace. The medical examiner has the body and is holding it downtown."
"I will inform Richard of this. And we'll contact them directly."
"As you wish. I do have one question?"
"Yes."
"I know that you and your brother both feel that Edmund forfeited his rights to any royal recognition of his passing but the people will expect some action to be made by the palace once the announcement is made. It is expected."
Sighing, William closes his eyes. "I feel confident in saying that Richard and I will allow you to make that decision."
"Of course. Is there anything else?"
"No, I don't believe so." William replies.
"Then please accept your countries and my personal condolences for the loss of your brother."
"Thank you." They both hang up after that.
It takes the better part of a day for Shayne and Larah to fly from Germany to San Cristobel. He tried to make her rest and wait till the next morning when they reached Miami, but she insisted that they continue on to San Cristobel. "Are you happy to be home?" Shayne asks as they walk through the airport.
"It's different. I've been away for several years." She says, looking around. The airport hadn't really changed that much since she was here last. Just months after she had graduated from University. Her mother beside her, as they wait for her plane to be called.
"She was happy, and she was sad when I left." Larah says, looking around.
"Who, your mom?"
"Yes, she was happy that I was going out into the world. She wanted me to see more of it than she had, but she was also sad to see me leave too. She tried to cover it up, but I still saw it in her eyes when I hugged her the last time."
"I think all mother's feel that way." Shayne says, thinking about his parents when he left Springfield. He and his father were barely speaking at the time. He was still upset that he wasn't pursuing the baseball. "Even fathers." Shayne says, squeezing her to him as they reach the main terminal. He looks around until he spots an empty bench. "Here, take a seat and I'll go get our luggage." He says, leading her over to the bench.
"I can…."
"Larah, please. I know you're anxious to get home to your mom. But you're also pregnant and we've travelled along…."
"Okay, I'll sit." She says, looking up and smiling softly.
"Thank you. I'll be back as soon as I have your luggage." He says, as she nods.
Not ten minutes later, he returns to find her head bowed and her eyes closed. He pauses for a moment to watch her before he gently touches her shoulder. She startles slightly when he touches her. "I'm sorry. I was trying not to startle you." He says softly.
"No, it's okay. I guess I'm more tired than I thought. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
"If I'm not mistaken, it's part of being pregnant." He says, reaching to help her up.
"You have our luggage."
"Yes, and a rental car." He says, as she looks at him in surprise.
"I thought that would be easier than trying to get a taxi to take us to your mom's."
"It would. I didn't think about it though. She lives just outside of the city, but the fare would be expensive if we took a cab." She says, following him over to the rental agency.
Within another twenty minutes, all the paper work is handled for the rental car and they are on their way to Larah's mom's home. Pulling out her phone, Larah loads her mom's address into the GPS and sets it down between them. "It'll be easier for you to get there if you follow the GPS, and I might fall asleep again." She says, around a yawn.
"If you're tired, go on to sleep. I'll wake you when we've arrived." He says, taking her hand and squeezing it lightly.
"I want to watch the city." She says, looking out the window as they drive through the downtown district. "This must be a different experience than when you were here before."
"I've only been to San Cristobel a couple times. I was here for Richard and Cassie's wedding."
"That was a day." Larah says, thinking back to the day Richard and Cassie were married. "My mother insisted that we go to watch the ceremony outside the church."
"The wedding was at the palace." Shayne says.
"Yes, but it was televised to giant screens setup outside the church in the town square. There were so many people there."
"I had forgotten that."
"I remember she would stare at the screen and when Edmund would come on the screen she would tense up. Almost like she wanted to reach out and touch him. I didn't really think much about it at the time. I was focused on the wedding and all the details surrounding it. Edmund never came onto my radar." Larah says, watching the city fade as they reach the outskirts. Ten minutes later, he looks over and sees Larah's head lying against the glass her eyes closed. Her breathing slow and even. He turns his attention back to the road for the final few miles of their journey.
Martina Santillan grew up in San Cristobel. Her parents moved here when she was only three months old. Having been born in Cuba. They couldn't continue to live under Castro's totalitarian rule. Her father worked two sometimes three jobs to support his family. Her mother stayed at home throughout most of her childhood, only taking the odd job to help with the family's finances. Her brothers all joined the San Cristobel army. One even being placed as a guard for the royal family. That's how she met Edmund. She had gone one day to meet her younger brother at the palace. Edmund had happened to come by as they were leaving, and Michael had introduced them. Edmund had just returned from a trip overseas with his brother Richard.
It wasn't until a few years later, when he came to a party thrown by one of her sorority sisters that they became an item. He was little old for the crowd, but he still came. Martina was in her third year of University. He remembered her from the day she met her brother at the palace. That night they struck up a conversation and within weeks they were together every chance they could be together. They had to be careful because of Edmund's father. They both knew that he would never accept Martina as his bride. But they loved each other too much not to become deeply involved with one another. Those six months were the happiest months of Martina's life. She would spend hours of dreaming about being at the palace with Edmund. Being free to show the country and the world how they felt about each other. Edmund tried to be everything she needed him to be.
They had just celebrated their six-month anniversary when Edmund came to her home one night. She knew by the look on his face that something had changed. "He knows." She says, looking him in the eye. Edmund looks down. "No, if you're going to do this. Look me in the eye." She demands.
"I don't want to. I love you Marti." He whispers. "He just…"
"You can't live your life for your father." Martina says, softly pleading.
"He threatened to cut me off. To announce to the country that I'm no longer a member of the royal family and as such has forfeited my claims to the throne and anything pertaining to the House of Winslow."
"Edmund, he's already forced your exile."
"He's my father."
"And he has no respect for you. I've seen the way he's treats you. He's not going to change Edmund. And to base your life on the need to have his approval makes you a fool."
"I'm sorry." Edmund whispers softly. Slowly he turns away. He's gone not even two minutes later, and she sinks to floor, tears spilling down her face. Her brother finds her there when he comes home, but she refuses to explain what happened.
Two months later, she gets the next and biggest surprise of her life when during a routine check-up her doctor informs her that she is eight weeks pregnant. It never entered her mind after Edmund left that she could have been pregnant, but once she was told. She knew who the father was, and she knew that there was no way he could ever be told. And from that day forward she kept her daughter to herself. The only time she considered telling Edmund about Larah was after Prince George died. But by then too much time had passed.
Martina is just getting out of the shower when the interruption in programming grabs her attention. The local newscaster comes on the screen. Reaching for the remote she turns up the volume.
"In breaking news, we interrupt this program to take you to the Winslow prison where the warden has scheduled a news conference." The station immediately cuts to the outside of the prison, where they show several news vans parked. Shortly here thereafter, the station shows the inside of a press room and the podium. There are reporters waiting for the brief statement the warden is supposes to give. Most are bored as they look around the room waiting. In the hallway outside the room the Warden paces. Press releases concerning the death of a royal family member, even an abdicated royal family are usually handled by the palace, however this release, and at the request of the former royal family, has fallen to the prison to announce Edmund escape attempt and subsequent death. Taking a deep breath, he opens the door and enter the tiny press room. All the reporters turn as the door opens.
The Warden quickly walks to the front of the room. Stepping up to the podium, he clears his throat and then takes a quick drink of water before speaking. There is a soft buzz from one of the overhead lights is the only sound for those few seconds. "Thank you for coming. I have brief announcement and will take not questions afterwards." The warden says, clearing his throat again. "Early yesterday afternoon, one of our segregated inmates tried to escape this facility. In accordance with established policies and procedures the guards attending this prisoner attempted to apprehend the prisoner. Unfortunately, in the course of those actions, the prisoner was fatally shot. It is with deepest sorrow that I am here to announce the death of the former prince of San Cristobel, Edmund Winslow." Shocked gasps courses through the room as the reporters look at each other. "This announcement of Prince Edmund's death comes at the request of the former royal family. The former royal family will be handling all arrangements pertaining to Prince Edmund final internment.
As to the circumstances pertaining to Prince Edmund attempted escape from this facility and the subsequent actions of those guards assigned to him are being reviewed by this facility and after the investigation has concluded, Prince Silas will be informed of this facilities conclusion. At the time the palace will comment on those conclusions. I thank you for your time." The Warden steps back and then grabs the piece of paper that was laying on the podium. The reporters begin to shout questions, but he ignores them. Leaving the room, as quickly as he entered it.
Sinking to the floor, Martina stares at the TV. She didn't hear a word after the warden announced Edmund's death.
Shayne pulls up into the driveway outside the house where Larah grew up. Looking up at the house, it's hard to believe that her mother would be able to afford this house. Turning, he looks at the woman setting beside her. He watches her for a few moments before he reaches over and gently shakes her. "We're here." He says softly as she opens her eyes. "Are you sure this is the place?" She looks at him like he's crazy. "It's just that this place is a bit more than what I imagine as being the house you grew up in."
"At first it wasn't. We lived on the other side of town. Close to but not inside the ghetto, as you American's say. She worked two jobs to keep that apartment, until one day, she told me we were moving, and she brought me here."
"She didn't say how she could afford this place. It's not a mansion but…."
"She never explained how it happened, or where she got the money for this place. I still went to public school and the public University. I had to get loans for school."
"So, one day she just moved you here."
"Yes."
"Okay."
"Is this a problem?"
"No, no, not at all. I was just surprised when I saw the house." He says, leaning over to kiss her. "I would love you if you came from the ghetto, as we American's say."
"Okay, come on. It looks like my mom is home." Larah says, pulling away and opening her door as Shayne does the same. Martina is still staring blankly at the TV, when the front door opens. That is enough to shake her free of the shock still rolling inside her. She looks down and realizes that she still wrapped the towel from when she left the shower. Quickly reaching for her robe, she pulls it on as she leaves her room. "Mom, are you…?"
Her mom stops in the middle of the living room, staring at her daughter. "Larah, is that you?"
"Yeah, mom." Larah says, walking into her opening arms.
"I didn't think I would ever see you back here."
"I know. Didn't really plan to come back right now, but things changed." Larah says, Shayne puts their suitcases down and then closes the door behind them.
It's the noise of the door closing that gets Martina's attention. She looks towards the front door. "Who's this?" She asks, looking Shayne up and down. He seems familiar to her, but she can't place where.
"Umm, this is my fiancé Shayne Lewis." Larah says, walking over to him. Her mother follows her.
"Ms. Santillan." Shayne says, holding out his hand.
"Fiancé, when did this happen?" Martina asks, taking Shayne's hand.
"Umm, we've been together for a few years now. But the engagement was just a few days ago."
"And why haven't I met this gentleman before he asked for your hand in marriage. I think I should have a say…."
"Mom, we're not going through this again. I will make the decisions pertaining to my life. I love Shayne. We are getting married."
Martina doesn't reply but she looks at Shayne and asks. "Where are you from Mr. Lewis?"
"America, ma'am."
"America is a big country."
"I'm sorry. I'm from Springfield IL. It's outside of Chicago."
"I know where it is. I believe the former princess was from there, am I correct."
"Yes ma'am. She was my aunt." Shayne replies.
"Princess Catherine was your aunt."
"No, I thought you meant Cassie. Princess Catherine was actually my mother Reva." Shayne replies, looking at Larah. He can feel the tension coming off Martina.
"Is something wrong Mom?" Larah asks, watching her mother.
"No, I was just surprised. But then you've always liked to surprise me."
"Madre, I did not come here to fight. I came to introduce you to your future son-in-law and to allow my future husband to meet you." Larah says, turning to Shayne. "Could you put our luggage in my old room. It's the first door to the left that the top of the stairs."
"He will not…."
"Mom." She looks at Shayne. "Go, I'll be fine."
He looks at her. "I don't want to leave you. You shouldn't be upset, especially…."
"I will be fine." She says, squeezing his hand. He looks at her then nods. Walking over to the door, he picks up their suitcases and heads for the stairs. Larah and her mother watch him go before Larah turns to her mother. "He's my fiancé, therefore he will be sleeping in my room."
"Why do you always defy convention?"
"Maybe convention needs to come into this century." Larah replies, before she walks away. Her mother follows.
"There's nothing wrong with morals and respect."
"Mom, I respect Shayne and he respects me. I will be spending the rest of my life with him." She says, as she goes to the kitchen for a glass of water. "And by the way, what exactly do you think has been happening for the last few years, and before…."
"I have no need to hear about that."
"You cannot expect me to be a virgin mother." She says, taking a sip of water.
"Larah !"
Putting the glass down, Larah looks at her mother. There's something in her face that she can't quite figure out. Quietly she asks. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Works been a little stressful lately, but when is it not."
"Is it different now at the Palace?"
"No, not really. Prince Silas seems to be a good leader."
"He's not a Winslow, however." Larah says, watching her mother's face when she mentions the former royal family.
"No, and I think that might be a good thing for the country."
"You know that Richard was found alive."
"Yes, the announcement was made before Prince William abdicated." Martina replies, as Shayne walks into the room.
"It seems I'm engaged to a fan of American rock bands." He says, slipping his arm around Larah's waist.
"Oh, she drove me nuts with that music. Volume turned up so high, it's a wonder she could hear herself think half the time."
"I wasn't that bad. Besides, it was good music. And so much better than what kids are listening to these days."
"She does have a point." Shayne says, relaxing against the counter.
Martina watches them for a moment before she replies. "I know it's a little late, but have you eaten at all today."
"Umm, we got something at the airport in Miami." Shayne says.
"That's not eating." She says, looking at Shayne. "That café you liked is still open." She says, turning her head towards Larah.
"It is."
"Yes, it's been re-opened since they revamped the harbor district."
"Then we can go there. I wanted to take Shayne there anyway."
"Then we'll go and get a bite to eat." Martina says, turning for hallway. "Just let me get dressed."
"We'll wait in the living room." Larah says, walking towards the living room.
Walking into the farm house, he finds Cassie at the stove and the boys at the table with their homework. Will immediately jumps up and goes to him, as Richard is hanging up his coat and putting his briefcase down. He hugs Will and then Rj, before he walks over to Cassie. Slipping an arm around her waist, he kisses the side of her head. "You okay?" He asks, settling one hand on her stomach. He smiles as one of the twin's kicks against his hand.
"I'm good. I rested most of today. Only been up on my feet for a few minutes at a time."
"No more pain?"
"No, don't worry. I spoke with Dr. Sedgwick and she said that if they become more serious or last longer then I should come in." She turns to kiss his cheek. Slipping her arm around his waist and laying her head on his shoulder as she stirs the soup she's made for dinner. "How are you?"
"I'm alright, been busy with the campaign and city hall."
"What about Edmund?"
"William is handling the Prince about Edmund's arrangements. He informed the Prince that we will handle everything pertaining to Edmund's funeral."
"No royal funeral in San Cristobel?" She asks, slightly surprised.
"No, William and I both agree that he doesn't really deserve one. He was in prison for the last of his life and with everything he's done and we're no longer the ruling family, we can dictate how his funeral is carried out."
"Will he be buried in San Cristobel?"
"Umm, no. Jon will be bringing him back to Springfield to be buried here. It will give us an excuse for him to meet with Lizzie secretly."
"Does Jon know?"
"I haven't talked to him yet. I'll call him after dinner. That smells delicious."
"It's almost ready, so why don't you go upstairs and change. Let the boys go with you and they can get ready as well and then we'll eat."
"Okay." He kisses the side of her head before he releases her. Turning to the boys, he says. "Come on, we'll get ready for dinner."
The boys gather up their school work and follow Richard upstairs, while Cassie goes about setting the table for their dinner.
After dinner, Richard and Cassie clean up the kitchen while the boys go upstairs to finish their homework. Once the dishes are in the dishwasher, Richard turns to Cassie. "I'm going to go call Jon, will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine. Reva came by and left some files for me to look at. I'll look them over while you talk with Jon."
"You know he wouldn't mind talking with you too."
"I'll see him when he comes with Edmund. You need to talk." She says, slipping her arms around him and hugging him.
"I'm okay, you know."
"He was your brother and no matter what he's done you loved him."
"I…."
"You loved him. And that's okay."
"He hurt…."
"He did hurt every one of us, but you still loved him. And I'm sorry he couldn't see that." Richard looks away, blinking quickly to keep the tears at bay. "It's okay to cry. It's okay to mourn the relationship you wanted to have with him as well as the fact that he never allowed you to have that relationship with him."
"I wish he would've walked away all those years ago, when my father forced him to choose between Martina and his place in the family. None of that was worth the life he led."
"He didn't see that way. And you can't change his decisions. I know, you know that, and I know that you will regret the relationship he allowed you to have." He pulls her to him, hugging her a little tighter. After several seconds, she says. "Go call Jon, I'll be here when you're done. Then we can get the boys ready for bed and settle in for the night."
"I shouldn't be long." Richard says, after pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Love you."
"Go." She says, squeezing him once before she releases him.
Jon has just finished putting Sarah down for the night when his phone rings. Pulling it from his pocket, he surprised to see another call from Richard. Answering the call, he says, "Is Cassie okay?"
"She's fine Jon." Richard says, settling back into his office chair. "She's had a few pains this morning, but she's fine now. I'm actually calling about Edmund."
"I heard the announcement this evening on the news. The speculation has already started that maybe the palace arranged his death." Jon says, as Richard shakes his head.
"Palace gossip has always been a pain, but I'm not calling about that. We've arranged everything for you to come to Springfield."
"This quickly?" Jon asks, surprised.
"Actually, you'll be escorting Edmund's body to Springfield where we will have a small funeral here and then we've arranged for you and Lizzie to meet secretly at one of the agencies safe houses here in Springfield. Noah will be escorting you to the safe house once you've reached Springfield."
"Alright. What about Lizzie?"
"I haven't really worked that out. I'll need to speak to Cassie, but we might be able to get Cassie to bring her to the safe house."
"Don't use Cassie. Mom will do it. She helped before with Sarah."
"Alright, I'll call Reva. How is my granddaughter doing?"
"She's actually in bed. The trip to the palace wore her out."
"Yeah, the palace always tried to put as much as they could into those events." Richard says, smiling as he remembers all the times he met with the kids after the tour of the palace.
"When will I need to be ready?"
"You probably have a couple days at the most. Prince Silas will not know that you are picking up the body, just in case this meeting with Lizzie doesn't go as we plan. I want to keep that option open until we're sure she won't attempt to hurt you or Sarah."
"What about Alan?"
"I think if we can convince Lizzie that Sarah's safety is at stake if Alan finds out that you both survived that accident and then we'll be clear of him, at least until Sarah's old enough to protect herself. At least I'm hoping she'll be safe enough."
"I know I said that I wanted to be free to live my life, but maybe…."
"Jon, this is already set up and you're right. You deserve to stop running. Now you've been relatively free since the asylum was given, but in a manner of speaking you're still running because you're not able to come and go as you would if everything was okay with Alan and Lizzie."
"Do you think we can convince her that the accident was the only way to protect Sarah?"
"I hope we can. But if we can't we'll have the asylum in place still and you can go back to San Cristobel and we'll continue to come there to see you and Sarah. I know we haven't been able to…."
"Cassie's pregnant. And I know that it's high risk for her. You can come after the babies are born and the boys are out of school, maybe this summer."
"Yeah, we'll come this summer."
"Good, I'll be waiting to hear about Edmund."
"It's shouldn't be more than a few days before he's released. After his autopsy there really isn't any reason to keep him. The prison will conduct their investigation into how he was able to get out of the prison, but they won't need his body for that."
"Dad, are you okay." Jon pauses for a moment before he continues. "I know Edmund did a lot to hurt…."
"He hurt all of us, including you."
"He did, but you knew him better than any of us. You grew up with him."
"Edmund was different when we were kids. His accident changed him."
"You weren't responsible for…."
"I spooked his horse that day."
"You had no way of knowing that would happen. You were a kid."
"A kid that…."
"An older brother that was playing with his younger brother. You didn't do it intentionally. And you're not responsible for the way Edmund reacted to that accident."
Richard is quiet for a moment before he says. "Honestly, his change wasn't just the accident. I think he changed mostly because of the note he found the night he woke up in the hospital up until that point Edmund never saw the way our father favored me. Father hid it well. Up until then, Edmund only saw the way I resented being forced to the front while Edmund was pushed to the side.
"None of which you could've controlled or changed. Just like you couldn't change my childhood. None of you were responsible for the way Alfred treated me after you left me that morning in San Jamar."
"If I had known, I…."
"I know. You and mom would've both been there to get me, and you wouldn't've left me there if you had realized how he treated us."
"I know they hid it from us, but it still hurts to know you suffered through that. I'm your father. It's my job to protect and care for you. I protected Tammy, Rj, and even Will."
"I know you did, and I know you would've come for me if you had known what was happening. On those occasions that I saw you after that morning when you and Reva came to San Jamar, Marissa begged Alfred to stay away. She loved me, and I know that she didn't want me to leave. And I think a part of her clung to me to protect herself, because he would've killed her much sooner but then he would've been stuck caring for me and he had no interest in being saddled with me even when he was sober, he had little interest in me."
Richard sighs. "There's nothing we can do about it now. We're both sorry and that's all that can be said about it."
"There's one more thing that can be said."
"What's that?"
"I love you Dad."
Richard smiles before he replies. "I love you too son. I'll call in a few days once I know the body has been released."
"Okay. I'll make arrangements at work and then I'll see you in a few days."
"Take care, son."
"We will, love you."
"Love you too." Richard replies, hanging up after that.
After ending the call with Jon, Richard dials Reva's number. After a few rings, she picks up. "Hello."
"Reva, it's Richard. Is this a bad time?"
"No, Josh is out tonight and I'm settling into read. Do you know more about Edmund?"
"William and I are making arrangements to bring his body here, to Springfield."
"He's not receiving a royal funeral?"
"No, we both agreed that with all the things Edmund's done, he forfeited his right to a royal funeral."
"Are you sure? The people will expect."
"I'm sure the palace will mark his passing in some fashion but there will be no royal honors for him."
"Okay. Will you or William… well neither one of you can leave right, now can you? He has the new baby and Cassie... How is Cassie? She said that she had some pains this morning?"
"She did, but she seems to be better. If they progress Dr. Sedgwick said to bring her in. I think she just needs to slow down a little more. She only has a few more weeks until the twins will be at term and Dr. Sedgwick wants to keep her from delivering them too soon."
"With her history, that might be hard."
"I know. Anyway, you're right neither I or William can leave right now. Neither can Jeffrey…."
"I didn't think of Jeffrey, but you're right. He's not going to want to leave Sam right now. Maybe the prince will appoint someone to…."
"We've already worked it out. I've spoken to Jon. Well, actually he called me to see if there was a way, he could contact Lizzie."
"Contact Lizzie, he wants to come out of hiding!"
"Yes, in a manner of speaking. He wants to let Lizzie know that he's alive so that he can move forward with his life. He's met someone."
"He has!"
"Yes, and from what I gathered from our phone conversation, it's serious and he wants this thing with Lizzie to be cleared up before he moves on."
"He has more than Lizzie to worry about, Alan…."
"He's thought of that. We both have. That's why, I spoke to Noah about arranging for agents to escort Jon to the States and set him up in a safe house here in Springfield."
"You spoke to Noah?"
"Yes, he has the active connections to be able to protect Jon and Sarah until we're certain that Lizzie can be trusted not to run to Alan."
"I'm fairly sure that she won't go to Alan, but she will demand to be allowed to see Sarah. She might even demand custody."
"They will have to work that out between them. We just have to be sure she will accept the real possibility that Alan will harm Sarah if he finds out that she's alive."
"I fairly certain that she already realizes that. But maybe I'll be able to convince her.
"You and Cassie both should be able to. But that will be handled when the time comes. Right now, William has spoken to the Prince and advised him of our decisions about Edmund. Once the body is released which shouldn't take more than a few days, Jon will escort Edmund's body here. Noah will then escort Jon to the safe house and then after Edmund's funeral, we will bring him and Lizzie together."
"Okay, I've got a question. How is Jon going to get here? I mean I don't think it would be safe for him to fly on a public airline with Sarah, even if he is escorting Edmund. Anyone of Alan's friends, or family of Alan's friends could spot them and tell."
Richard pauses for a moment. "I guess William, or I will have to charter a private jet. I'll check into that in the…."
"Richard, use the Lewis Jet."
"Reva, I don't know if that's wise. Josh…."
"Josh will be fine."
"Edmund nearly killed you in that cave."
"This isn't just for Edmund. I'll explain about Jon. He'll understand the safety issues once I explain it to him."
"We can charter…."
"Richard, he's my son too. Josh will understand, and we won't be using the jet for anything, anytime soon. So it's free."
"Alright, thank you."
"You're welcome, but make sure my boy's safe or convince him to stay in San Cristobel. I can't lose him again."
"I know. And I want him to be able to see Cassie and kids here, not just when we visit San Cristobel."
"I want him to be a part of the family again. He was settling in here before everything happened with Tammy and Alan. He deserves peace again."
"I know he does." Richard says quietly.
"Are you okay?" Reva asks after a moment.
"I will be with Cassie and the boys here. Edmund made his choices and I accepted it a long time ago, that I couldn't change him. It nearly killed me and my wife before I did accept it, but there was nothing I could've done to change what he became or the choices he made. His life might've been different if he left the palace all those years ago."
"Maybe, or he could've been the same. We will never know that."
"I know. Alright, I need to get off here. I want to spend some time with Cassie and the boys before it's time for them to go to bed."
"Go love your family. Let me know when things are ready for Jon and I'll have the jet ready for him as soon as you have everything in place."
"I will and thank you Reva."
"You're welcome. Talk to you soon."
"Good night." Richard says, hanging up as Cassie comes into his office
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