Chapter One - Stacey

Stacey McGill was fishing through her Louis Vuitton purse in an attempt to find her apartment keys. The elevator had almost reached the penthouse floor and she was still scrambling to find them. Opi nail polish, a Vogue magazine, pens, her wallet full of platinum and gold credit cards, but no keys. "Aaarghhh," she exclaimed in frustration as she stamped her perfectly pedicured foot. Finally, her fingertips found the key ring at the bottom of her purse just as the elevator dinged, signaling her floor.

After unlocking the door, Stacey tossed the keys into the silver dish on the hall table and let her briefcase and purse drop to the floor. She went into the living room and stretched out on the leather couch heaving a big sigh. Stacey had an amazing view of Central Park and the city from the living room but was grateful she couldn't hear all the sounds of the city. Jackhammers, taxi cabs' blaring horns, street vendors shouting seemed to echo in her head after the brief walk from the subway to her building. However, she could finally relax as it was Friday and the long work week was over.

This week seemed to be particularly hectic at work. It was tax season and her job as a top auditor for Wesley, Greene, and Stanley was really putting a strain on her. After many weekends of putting in overtime and making business trips to London and Berlin, she was exhausted. She had promised herself that this weekend would be hers to relax.

"Rrrrrinnnggg!" Stacey picked up the cordless phone from the end table. "Hello?" she answered.

"Hey, Stace! It's me," the voice on the other end replied.

"Hi, Claud," Stacey said, her mood perking up.

"Listen, I have the best idea on what to do tomorrow! How about you come over and we'll go out to Coney Island for the day! We'll be like kids! Eat hot dogs and drink lemonade from Nathan's Famous, walk along the water and find seashells, ride the roller coaster, eat taffy, it'll be great!" Claudia exclaimed.

"Oh Claud, that would be so much fun!" Stacey replied excitedly. "I haven't been out there in ages!"

"Great! Come over first thing in the morning," Claudia planned. "Then when we get back we can chill at my place for the evening and order in some Chinese food from Mr. Chow's. We can be all girly and do facials and gossip."

"That sounds great!" Stacey agreed. Just then, the doorbell buzzed. "Listen, Claud, I've got to go. I think Colin is here. I'll definitely see you first thing in the morning though. I can't wait. Bye!"

The doorbell rang again. Stacey dashed over and opened the door. There stood the most handsome man Stacey had ever seen. Even after two years together, he still made her heart skip a beat.

"Hi lovely," he smiled. He reached over and enveloped her in a great hug and kissed her gently. He pulled back and gave her a long look. "You look exhausted." Stacey laughed and pulled him into the apartment and he shut the door behind them.

"Gee thanks!" she replied laughing.

Colin glanced at his watch and then at her. "Stacey, we're supposed to be at the restaurant by seven! You're not even ready!"

"I know!" she replied. "I worked over trying to get those last few reports faxed to Tim out in Seattle before five their time. I'll hurry, I promise!" She stood on her tiptoes to give him a sweet kiss on the cheek and then dashed for the master bedroom and bathroom before he could protest any more.

She quickly slipped out of her work clothes and hurried into the shower. Thankfully, Marian, her housekeeper had already laid out her dress for the evening that had come back from the dry cleaners. While Stacey was getting ready, she shivered with happiness thinking of Colin. They had met when she was on business in London two years ago. Ever since then they had to make do with a long distance relationship. However, Colin came to New York quite frequently to visit her and she was in London often for business. He was tall, with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Colin spoke with a charming British accent that still made her knees go to jelly. He was a solicitor with a top London firm and was so devoted to Stacey. She couldn't ask for anything more.

Stacey quickly blow dried her long, straight blonde hair and applied her makeup carefully. She put on the halter top Marc Jacobs dress and slipped her Manolo Blahniks on. A spritz of her favorite perfume and she was ready to go! Colin turned off the soccer game and whistled appreciatively. "You're absolutely the most beautiful woman in the entire world, Anastasia McGill." Stacey blushed. "And the latest!" he added. "We've got to hurry or we're going to lose our reservation!" She laughed and they hurried down the elevator to his waiting chauffered car.

Together, they enjoyed a romantic dinner at Tavern on the Green, the restaurant they had their first date at. After the dishes had been cleared, a waiter brought over a bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. Then, a trio of musicians came over playing violins. Stacey began to wonder what in the world was going on when Colin got up and came over to her. She started to get flustered and her heart began to beat quickly. He then got down on one knee and opened a black velvet box. Inside was a very large platinum and diamond engagement ring. Stacey felt like she couldn't quite catch her breath as he slid the ring on her finger and asked her those famous words. "Yes!!!" she squealed. "Oh, yes, yes, YES!!!" She threw her arms around his neck and he stood up lifting her off her feet. Just when she thought the evening couldn't get any more romantic, Colin walked her outside to a waiting horse drawn carriage. With the city lights twinkling above them, the cool, crisp evening drawing her closer to Colin, and the promise of a future wedding, Stacey was the happiest girl in the world.

The next morning, Stacey and Colin awoke and were preparing to go out for breakfast together before she went to meet Claudia. Colin was sifting through the mail left on the hall table by the housekeeper while Stacey pulled her hair into a ponytail and walked into the hall.

"I'm all ready!" she declared. "And on time!" He smiled and kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose.

"You have a letter from someone in Stoneybrook, Connecticut," Colin stated handing her the square white envelope. "The return name is "M. Bruno." Stacey excitedly took the envelope from him. Since her mother had moved back to the city when Stacey was in college, Stacey hadn't been back in years. Correspondence was limited to the annual Christmas card from a few of her old friends and eventually even that disappeared. She guessed that's what happened to a lot of old friends, you just grew up and moved on. Claudia was really her only contact with that old life. Tearing open the envelope, Stacey found it was an invitation...an invitation to a reunion of the Babysitters Club.