Chapter One

Alexis smiled to herself from her perch on the deck where she comfortably laid in the sun, a book in hand and a cold drink at her side. Breathing in the fresh lake breeze, she lifted her sunglasses and admired the view from where she was. The lake was beautiful, but even more beautiful were the people enjoying it. She chuckled to herself, watching as Danny jumped off of the dock with a squeal and into his mother's arms as she waded in the water. Molly, of course, was snapping pictures with her new water proof digital camera. Their little Davis boy loved the water just as much as the girls did. Alexis herself, on the other hand, was perfectly content watching from the sidelines.

Sliding her sunglasses back down on her nose, Alexis laid her head back and took in the warmth of the sun. A perfect summer day spent in the sun with her family. Nothing could be more perfect… except maybe if it was her whole family. She missed Kristina. The selfish and protective mother in her had to fight the urge to call and guilt her home every day. But she knew that she was doing what she wanted to do and she was succeeding. She had to admit, she was shocked when her daughter announced she was moving to Greece to study art. But part of her was extremely proud. She was embracing her roots (as twisted as they may be) and she was thoroughly enjoying her time there. And it warmed her heart to know that her daughter was living where she spent her childhood and learning the language she grew up with.

Alexis felt her body relax and her mind begin to wander. The summer sun had a way of doing that… and she wasn't about to fight a nap. Letting out one last sigh she felt herself drifting to sleep, just before she was jolted awake when a cold, wet, little body crawled on top of hers. She opened her eyes and lifted her sunglasses to find a pair of smiling blue eyes and a toothy grin staring at her from the end of her nose.

"My Gumma!" Danny giggled as he laid his head on her chest and wrapped his arms around her.

"Hello, my honey!" Alexis chuckled and hugged him back, kissing his head. She looked out to the yard to find Sam and Molly running up after him, both laughing hysterically.

"Danny!" Sam managed to get out between laughter as she bounded up the stairs, "Baby, you're all wet!"

Danny looked up at her wide-eyed, as he continued to cuddle in his grandmother lap, his tiny little arms wrapping around her midsection.

"Sorry, mom…" Sam couldn't suppress her laughter as Molly snapped a picture of the sight in front of them.

"Molly Lansing Davis!" Alexis scolded, causing Danny to lift his head curiously, "I am in my bathing suit!"

"Moooommm…" Molly whined with a smile, "You two look so cute!"

Danny turned back to his grandmother with a cheeky grin, "Tute, Gumma!"

"Oh, sure, cute…" Alexis rolled her eyes and then began tickling him, "I think you're a cute Danny!"

"Tute!" Danny exclaimed through his laughter.

"Are you guys hungry for some lunch?!" Alexis paused tickling, looking over to her eldest who had taken residence on an identical deck chair.

"Starving!" Sam answered dramatically as she lay back on the lounge chair and soaked in the summer sun.

"What about you?" Alexis addressed the little boy in her lap, "You hungry?"

Danny nodded, "Hungee!"

"Hungry! Yes!" Alexis smiled before kissing his cheek and helping him climb off of her and onto the deck. She sat up on the edge of her seat, "Kelly's sound good?"

"Yes!" Sam nodded emphatically, as she continued to sunbathe with her eyes closed.

Molly bounced up from the deck floor, "I'll go get dressed so I can go with you."

"I go?" Danny pointed to himself, looking between his aunt and grandmother.

Alexis smiled, "Of course you can. Go with aunt Mol and get dry clothes!"

"Come on Danny!" Molly held out her hand to Danny before guiding them both into the house.

Alexis grabbed her sun dress off the back of the chair, glancing over at her daughter, "Comfy?"

"Mmhmm…" Sam nodded, "I'm really sorry Danny ruined this for you. It's amazing."

"I know." Alexis, now fully dressed sat back down on the edge of the lounge chair, "You guys looked like you were having a lot of fun down there."

"We were." Sam smiled as she sat up and pushed her sunglasses atop her head, "Danny loves the water. He's not afraid to jump right in and swim around with his little lifejacket on."

Alexis smiles, "I know, I saw him. He certainly takes after his mother."

"Yeah," She smiles, "Mom, you sure you don't want me to go pick up the food? I really don't mind. You can stay here and rest." She started to get up before being stopped by her mother, who sat her back down in the chair.

"No, my love, you deserve a little alone time, too." She kissed her head, "How are you feeling, anyway?"

"I'm fine, mom…" Sam sighed, tired of hearing that question, "I'm really fine. You can stop asking me that."

"I'm sorry" Alexis held up her hands, "You did just get out of the hospital."

"3 days ago…" She eyed her mother, "For nothing, I might add."

"Sam… It's wasn't nothing. It isn't nothing." Alexis began to scold before she was interrupted by Danny bounding out of the door.

"Papa!"

The two women turn swiftly to the front steps as Danny bounds into a pair of open arms.