Reva sat at her kitchen table, slowly savoring the bitter coffee as it warmed her throat. A blue jeaned leg was tucked underneath her and she closed her eyes as the sunlight poured in through the window, washing her face in the beauty of the day. Reva sighed and smiled, thinking of Jeffrey, the sweet little kisses he had trailed down her neck this morning, maybe she would take a good whole hour today and just sit here and think of nothing but Jeffrey before starting the shopping that had to be done. Happily day dreaming of Jeffrey's strong arms around her found Reva lost in her own little world but as a sharp knock came at the front door Reva jolted back to reality. She cursed under her breath for her peace and quiet interrupted and whoever was at that door was going to get quit the tongue lashing, Reva thought, as she put her coffee cup down and headed barefoot to the door. She swung the door open and her breath caught in her throat.
"Oh my God!" She whispered as her eyes became as wide as saucers. Her visitor turned to her, a smirk spread across her face.
"Why hello Reva. Aren't you going to invite me in?" The voice sent chills down Reva's spine and she closed her eyes briefly, blinking, hoping and praying this was a nightmare she could wake up from. Reva stood speechless and suddenly she felt very cold. Trying to find her voice was like trying to find a needle in a haystack but as she found it, it did not come out as strong as she had hoped.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She managed and she was answered with a laugh that made her stomach turn.
"I'm in town, maybe an extended stay and I thought I'd come by and see Josh. I heard he moved your love nest here. Is he home?" The voice was sweet but Reva knew the venom behind it.
"Joshua doesn't live here, now get the hell off my front porch Annie!" Reva's anger was rising and her heart was racing as she stood face to face with her worst enemy. Annie's face as Reva studied it was back to it's original glory which she assumed she had had reconstructed after stealing Teri Demarco's face. Flashes of all the nightmares and pure hell this woman had put her through was now spinning through her mind and Reva felt deathly sick.
"I'm not leaving until I see him." Annie pushed past Reva and stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room and she made a disgusted face. "This place still makes me." Annie hissed as she turned to face Reva who was still standing with her mouth open.
"Well you still make me sick so please leave!" Reva shot back. Reva walked to Annie and grabbed her arm, tugging her to the door and shoving her through. Annie hit hard against Jeffrey as he stood there, he caught her in his arms. Annie stared up at him in surprise. Jeffrey smiled and helped her to stand upright and his eyes fell to Reva in the doorway and then back to Annie.
"Reva, is that anyway to treat a guest, are you selling something ma'am? She tends to get cranky with solicitors." Jeffrey chuckled and Annie gave a meek laugh as Reva watched in horror. Jeffrey held out his hand and Annie took it, shaking it gently as she stared at his rugged good looks. Reva stepped in, jerking Jeffrey's hand from Annie's, her eyes cold and on fire all at once.
"Get your hands off of him." Reva breathed and Annie laughed as she looked at Jeffrey's stunned face.
"Reva, what's wrong with you? You're as white as a sheet and being rude? What's gotten into you?" He asked as nicely as his disbelief would allow.
"I guess he doesn't know the hostile side of the great Reva Shayne. And who might you be?" Annie coyly asked Jeffrey as she ignored Reva's efforts.
"Jeffrey, and you are?" He eased out, his eyes still on Reva.
"Annie." Her voice was warm and it made Reva cringe. Jeffrey saw the look on Reva's face and he went to her, pulling her into his arms. Reva's body was so stiff as he held her and he looked on at Annie. That name rang a bell but his memory was failing him at where he heard it and something had clearly upset Reva.
"You always manage to find the great guys Reva. I guess you weren't lying about Josh not being home huh?" Annie laughed and Jeffrey suddenly felt very uneasy.
Reva pulled from Jeffrey and took a step towards Annie. "Leave now Annie, the next time I ask it won't be so nicely." Reva threatened.
"Ok, ok, I'm going….for now. Tell Josh I said hello, or…I'll tell him myself." Annie's eyes danced at the thought of seeing Josh.
"You stay away from him." Reva tried so desperately to hold her tongue but her fear for Josh's safety overrode everything.
"Oh now Reva, why worry about Josh when you have this dazzling catch right here." Annie's gaze fell on Jeffrey and he did not like at all the conversation between Reva and Annie.
"I mean it Annie. Stay away from Josh and me. You got that?"
Annie just smiled as she turned to leave but suddenly turned back to Reva as she was walking down the stairs. "I'll catch you later Reva." She snickered and took off for her car. Reva watched her go and as she saw her car heading off in the distance, she broke, the tears came and she turned to Jeffrey, rushing into the safety of his arms. He held her, tightly and lovingly; still so unsure of what had just happened. He stroked her hair kissed the top of her head. She pulled back far enough to look into his eyes and she could see his confusion there. He had no idea what that woman had put her through, she had never wanted to bring up that past, which she had hoped would stay buried, but seemed it was going to forever haunt her.
"Jeffrey, just hold me. I'll explain everything, just hold me for now." Her tears broke his heart and he pulled her near. He held her there on the porch of Cross Creek until her tears diminished and she took his hand, pulling him inside and to the couch. Jeffrey sat, patiently waiting for Reva to tell him what had happened that had caused her to be so distraught. Reva looked to him, taking his hand into hers and intertwining and locking their fingers together, she slowly told him the tale of Annie Dutton and all that had happened to her, from driving off the bridge, to being presumed dead, to coming home only to find Josh married to another woman, Annie. Reva told Jeffrey of Annie's deceit at being her long lost sister and then her plot of making it appear Reva had pushed her down the stairs, of accusing her of killing Annie and Josh's unborn child and of Reva being on trial only to find that the baby was not Josh's and was already dead before Annie threw herself down the stairs. Jeffery quietly listened as Reva rushed on to Annie kidnapping her and leaving her on a plane to die and then washing up on an island and finding Sean who risked everything to help her get back home to Josh and her children. Reva watched as Jeffrey's eyes widened as she softly told him of Dolly, her clone and she didn't miss a beat as she continued, her story going on to tell about Teri DeMarco and Annie stealing her identity and face to destroy she and Josh's lives and as she told him, her tears poured and when she was finished, Reva felt drained.
"Wow, I had heard that name but I never thought so much horror could be inflicted on someone, Reva, I'm so sorry. If I had known." Jeffrey started but Reva stopped him.
"I should have told you, but I just had never wanted to even think about Annie Dutton again, she was Josh's ex wife and our tormentor and I had hoped I never would have to think of her again, but after today…." Reva's voice trailed off and Jeffrey kissed her hand and she smiled.
"You need to tell Josh, Reva. He needs to be told before Annie finds out about him and Cassie. You have to warn Josh that he and Cassie might be in danger. They need to have their guard up. Annie made it very clear that she was going to be seeing Josh one way or another. I'll call Frank and let him know that Annie Dutton is back in Springfield."
"I just hate this, after everything that has happened with Will, now it does Springfield no good to have another disturbed person out on the loose." Reva sighed.
Jeffrey gently took her chin in his hand and looked deep into her eyes. "Go tell Josh. I'll make the calls. Reva, I will protect you, I swear to you, I will protect you." Jeffrey's voice was so soft and sweet and Reva reached up and stroked his face.
"I know you will, I know you will protect me, but who's going to protect you?" She whispered and leaned in to place a tiny kiss on his lips. Reva pulled from the tender kiss and walked to the door, grabbing her coat she took another look at his handsome face.
"I'm a big boy Reva, I can take care of both of us." He smiled at her but the look on her face crushed his heart as she turned to leave.
Reva knocked on the door to the farmhouse and was greeted by Cassie, drying her hands off on a dishtowel she stepped aside so Reva could enter.
"Hi Cassie. It smells good in here. Baking?" Reva asked.
"Cookies, for RJ and Josh." Cassie tried to smile but she felt an odd vibe from Reva. "Reva, is there something wrong?" Cassie eased out, the look on Reva's face causing her concern.
"No, uh, I just stopped by to talk to Josh for a minute. Is he around?" Reva seemed so distracted, Cassie thought.
"Yeah, he's out back playing with RJ, are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm just gonna go talk to him, maybe the fresh air will do me good." Reva forced a smile as she headed out back. The cool air was fresh and crisp as she stepped outside and she stood there watching Josh and RJ throwing a frisbee back and forth. Reva sighed, Josh seemed for once to be so carefree and now she had to break the news that havoc was back in both their lives. Josh caught sight of Reva from the corner of his eye and he called a quick halt to their game and jogged over to her.
"Reva, hi." Josh started.
"Hi Joshua. I'm sorry to interrupt, but can we talk alone for a minute?" She asked, her eyes falling on RJ as he approached them.
"Sure." Josh turned to RJ as he came to stand beside them. Josh handed him the frisbee and tousled his hair. "Hey, I need to talk to your aunt Reva for a bit ok? Why don't we take a break and you go inside and see if your mom has those cookies ready?"
RJ smiled and headed inside, the frisbee tucked neatly under his arm.
"He seems to happy." Reva smiled as she watched RJ leave. Josh sighed as he felt Reva's discomfort.
"What's wrong Reva? I know that look. What's bothering you?"
Reva turned to him, and shook her head. She couldn't beat around the bush, he had to know and the sooner the better. "Joshua, I got a visitor today."
Josh looked on at her as she stopped and his eyes sreached hers. "And?" He urged her to continue.
"It, it was Annie." Reva felt herself become sick again at the mention of that name and she saw as Josh closed his eyes and his face fell.
"No." she heard him utter.
"She stopped by to see you Bud. She said she'd deliver her own hello to you." Reva's breath was short and Josh opened his eyes at her words.
"She didn't try to hurt you did she?" Josh's concern for her gave Reva no comfort.
"No, not this time. But, but she said, she said she'd catch me later." Josh felt a chill run down his spine and suddenly he pulled her near, his arms going instinctively around her and he could feel her heart beating wildly, just as wildly as his own.
Reva stayed there for a moment, lost in the past, and she felt she couldn't breathe. "She's back Joshua. Annie's back." She heard herself moan. She felt Josh tighten his grip on her and she sighed as she pulled from him.
"What else did she say?" Josh braced himself for the rest of the information.
"She said she had heard you moved Cross Creek here, so she came by to see you. I told her you didn't live there, but she didn't believe me. And then Jeffrey showed up." Reva looked to Josh. "I told her to stay away from you Joshua. I just, she just got to me." Reva tried to slow her breathing and she shook her head.
"Does she know about Cassie?"
"No, I didn't mention Cassie. But that's why I'm here. I told Jeffrey everything, he knows it all, and he thought I should warn you that Annie was hanging around. You and Cassie might be in danger, she sure implied that she'd be seeing you." Reva's words were tough to hear but Josh knew she was right. Annie would stop at nothing to make them suffer, all of them.
Josh sighed and looked out into the distance. The sun was high and the day was clear but his mind was foggy with all she had told him. 'You're not safe either Reva."
Reva tried to smile as he turned to her but it was hopeless.
"I'm not afraid of Annie Dutton Joshua, you know that."Josh looked into her eyes and wanted to take her into his arms again, to keep her safe as he saw that strength and fear both there in her eyes.
"I know Reva, but she put you through hell. I don't want that for you again." Josh's voice was tender as his eyes roamed her face.
"We'll be ready for her this time." Reva started.
"But this time it's different Reva. We aren't a team. It was always you and I against Annie, you and me against the world. I can't protect you, but I would, you know I would always protect you."
"It isn't your job to protect me anymore Bud, and I don't need protecting, but I'm in capable hands. Jeffrey will watch out for me, he'll stop me from chasing down Annie and strangling her with my bare hands if she comes after me or my family."
"Our family." Josh whispered and Reva nudged him with her elbow.
"Yeah, our family. Act tough Reverend, we've got God on our side." Josh chuckled and knew that she was right.
Reva watched his eyes dance as he laughed and she wondered if this was the last time for a very long time that she would see that sparkle in his eyes, Annie had a way of draining all the goodness from life. Reva tried desperately not to think of what was coming next. "I've got to go, Jeffrey's waiting for me back at home. Please tell Cassie, we all need to make sure we're on high alert here. Call me, if, well if Annie shows up." Reva turned to leave but stopped as she felt Josh's hand on her shoulder. She turned to him. "Be careful Reva, Annie loved me once, but she's always hated you." His voice was so sad that Reva wanted to cry but instead she tried to smile, to show no fear as she nodded her head and walked away. And as she got to her car, she stopped to check her backseat before climbing into the driver's seat; she could already tell that her senses were heightened. Reva sighed and started the car, pulling back onto the road she drove in silence, alone with her thoughts. Reva felt tired and rundown as she opened the door to Cross Creek but the smell of something wonderful wafted through the air and she breathed it in and smiled, dropping her purse to the floor and shutting the door behind her. Jeffrey emerged from the kitchen, a large spatula in one hand and a smile on his face.
"Hey there beautiful, I thought that sounded like your car. Are you hungry?" Jeffrey asked but Reva saw that look on his face, it was plastered all over his features and held there in his eyes, he was breathing a sigh of relief that she had returned safe and unharmed.
She went to him, throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face into his chest. Jeffrey held her, still holding the spatula too. Reva looked up, her eyes holding tears that threatened to fall as she stared into his loving eyes.
"I'm so glad you're home Reva. I didn't want to worry you, or to startle you by calling to check on you, but I did call Josh, he said you had already left and I lied, I didn't think that was your car, I knew it was your car because I timed out just how long it should have taken you to get home and if you had been gone a second longer, I would be out there looking for you right now." Reva smiled at him, so thankful for him and all that they had together.
"I love you Jeffrey." Reva whispered.
"I love you too Reva. We will get through this, together; we will get through this. Don't worry anymore ok? I'll take care of you. You trust me don't you?" He asked as he kissed her forehead.
"I trust you with my life." She smiled and thought there were never any truer words spoken as she felt him pull from her, taking her hand in his he lead her to the kitchen. The smells of pasta and fresh tomato sauce filled her nose and she closed her eyes. Jeffrey sat down the spatuala and looked to her.
"Thank God it isn't breakfast!" She smiled, joking about his runny eggs and undercooked bacon. Jeffrey chuckled and pulled her to him
"Oh no Ms. Shayne, tonight I'm wining and dining you. Everything is perfect, now that you're home that is. I don't want you to think of anything but good thoughts tonight, only good ones." Jeffrey kissed her, tenderly at first, then his hands were running through her hair and down over until she felt him pulling at her shirt, lifting it over her head.
"Jeffrey you'll start a fire if you leave that food on the stove." She gasped as she felt his wet lips pressing to her neck and she closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly to her body.
"You've already started a fire Reva." Jeffrey whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin and she moaned softly.
"What about dinner?" Reva smiled as he attacked her lips with his, his hunger was for her and her alone. He kissed her deeply, his tongue finding hers, so sweet and tasty in her mouth and she was all he could think of as he moved her to the table, her bottom felt the table pushing against her and she eased herself onto it.
"On the table?" She asked, her voice sultry and sweet, driving him crazy with that smile of hers.
"Dinner is served!" Jeffrey laughed as he went to her, his body warm against her own and Reva held onto him, all thoughts of the day faded away as his lips met hers again, so loving and soft.
A dark figure stood outside, eyes peering into the window, a look of utter disgust and hatred spread across Annie's face as she watched Reva with Jeffrey, so happy and carefree.
"Enjoy it while it lasts Reva." Annie gritted her teeth in anger as she turned away and headed off into the woods, her laugh was small and
delirious as the leaves crunched under her feet, the moon was full and Annie laughed louder as she thought of what she had in store for Reva, a devilish smirk
came over her as she whispered softly into the night….."This has just begun."…….
*To Be Continued........**Oh and by the way, for us Jeva fans...I have not lost my mind...things will be looking up shortly for our favorite couple....part two
is still to come....**
