A/N: Just to let you know, "Bluestone" isn't an actual town in Queens. I decided to make one up, because I live in Queens, and using an actual town would just be weird, lol. Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 1

Standing on a front porch, Andrew rang the doorbell of his charge's home. It was a nice house, not large but not small either, typical middle class – the kind that was typical in this suburb of Queens, New York. As he waited for his charge to answer the door, he thought about how amazing it was that the September 11 attacks were already six years ago, while he remembered it like it was yesterday. Honestly, he didn't want to remember it. All those souls to take home at once…

Thankfully the door opened, sparing Andrew from further recollection. A muscular light-green eyed man with reddish-brown hair and an average height gave him a polite smile. "Hello," Andrew greeted, shaking his head to clear it of his previous thoughts. "Are you Jacob Miller?"

"Yes, how can I help you?" Jacob asked.

"My name is Andrew, and I'm from the Bluestone Social Club," Andrew began. "You are the brother-in-law of the late Chris Jameson?"

The smile faltered a bit as Jacob replied, "Yes. I belong to the Club as well. Funny, I don't remember seeing you there."

"I just moved here and joined to meet some neighbors. Apparently they stick the new members with the leg work," Andrew joked lightly.

Jacob chuckled. "That sounds like them. So what about Chris? And why are you here – my sister still lives in the area."

"Well, we tried to contact her, but apparently she moved since Chris was a member, and we don't have her new phone number," Andrew explained. "You see, we're trying to straighten out the main building, and came across some of Chris' old papers Would you like me to bring them by tomorrow?"

There was a short pause. Jacob's expression was unreadable, though it was obvious the subject unnerved him. "Um, sure. I know Daphne wouldn't want you to throw them out, though I'm sure they're nothing but bank statements and that sort of thing. Sometimes he used the club as a home office while Daphne was away on business. Said it got too quiet."

"If you don't mind me saying so, I'm sorry about Chris. I was told what happened when I found out I was to contact you," Andrew replied, glad the man hadn't closed the door in his face, From what he knew, Jacob and his family hadn't kept in contact with Daphne when she shut them out. But apparently Jacob didn't let his current relationship with his twin affect his memories of Chris. "Were you and Chris close?"

Jacob nodded. "When Daphne met him, he fit right in. Like the brother I never had, you know? Since she's a PR person for a big company, Daphne traveled a lot. He and I would hang out, go to games…typical guy stuff. I'm the one who got him to join the Club when he and Daphne moved to the neighborhood."

"I've heard a lot about Daphne, and I'd love to meet her," Andrew said.

Tensing, Jacob's grip on the doorknob tightened. "We, ah, don't speak much any more since she moved…"

A crash sounded from inside the house. Jacob glanced back, then turned to Andrew and sighed. "Hey, Andrew, I'm really sorry about this, but I think one of the kids broke one of my wife's lamps or something. See you tomorrow?"

"See you," Andrew agreed. Jacob closed the door as he walked back down the porch steps.

Jacob seemed perfectly normal. He'd been polite, even friendly towards someone just showing up at his doorstep. Andrew had a feeling that his assignment was only partly to help Jacob deal with Chris' death. The other, and much bigger part, would be getting him to reconnect with his twin.

My work might be cut out for me there, Andrew mused.

"Finish up your letters, children," Monica instructed. They were reaching the end of the day, and she had to smile. Gloria sat on the windowsill again, this time looking as if she might pass out. Keeping track of twenty kindergartners was no easy feat. "Raise your hand when you're done, and either Gloria or I will check your work. Then you can begin to put your supplies away and get your coats."

"Yes, Miss Monica," the group chorused. The room fell into silence as they began their work, the quiet broken every once in a while by a whisper or two. Leaving the teacher's desk, Monica went to sit next to Gloria. "How are you holding up?"

Her breath heavy, Gloria struggled to sit up straight. "Not very well, I'm afraid. I've been in human form for so long, and running after five-year-olds all day is hard. How do humans do it?"

"It is amazing, isn't it?" Monica chuckled. It was halfway through the fall season, so Monica was acting as a substitute for the regular teacher, who would be conveniently taking a trip to visit family in Europe for the next two weeks.

Gloria sighed, her gaze falling on Chris. While the children at his table chatted around him, he stayed quiet, focusing on his work. "I did try to reach him during free time," Gloria said after moment, knowing her supervisor would want a report. "He's just so…shy. Much shier than any five-year-old should be. I suggested that he play with the other children but…" She shrugged helplessly.

"It's only the first day. These things take time," Monica reminded her. They chatted for a few minutes, laughing over some of the other children's actions during the day. Children then began to raise their hands for the teachers to check their work.

Before long, all were pulling on their coats and lining up at the door. Chris was one of the last to join the line, only talking with one student for a brief second. Leading them out of the classroom, Monica took them out the side door of the school, where their parents would pick them up. Several parents approached Monica, and one of the first was Daphne.

"I wasn't aware that Ms. Wilson was going on vacation," Daphne said, her vivid green eyes regarding Monica with suspicion, her styled auburn hair falling around her shoulders. She was a slim woman, dressed in slacks and a blouse. Chris stood in front of his mother, her hands on each of his shoulders.

Monica gave what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "It was abrupt, I'm afraid. She's visiting family in Europe."

"No one sick, I hope," Daphne remarked.

The obvious pry for information didn't surprise Monica. She had a feeling that Daphne got to know anyone who interacted with her son. "Oh, no, I think she mentioned something about her sister eloping and inviting the family at last minute. Romantic, isn't it?"

"Yes," Daphne replied. "So, how long will she be gone?"

"About two weeks," Monica answered.

Satisfied for the moment, Daphne nodded. "Alright, then. It was nice meeting you…I'm sorry, I didn't even get your name. I'm Daphne."

"Monica. Gloria's my helper. She's over there, if you wish to speak to her as well," Monica offered, pointing to where the angel was chatting with some parents.

Daphne shook her head. "Maybe tomorrow, we have somewhere to go."

"Oh well, if you don't mind, I wanted to speak to you about something," Monica said. "You see, I was thinking of putting together a little field trip for the children, maybe to the local library or park. I need chaperones, so if you or your husband…"

"My husband passed away several years ago," Daphne snapped, bitterness dripping from her words.

Monica swallowed the lump in her throat. She'd known that, of course. She'd just brought it up to keep pretenses – a substitute teacher wouldn't know anything about a student's family history. But there were times like these when she wished she could just reveal what she was and start helping her case directly, rather than spend all this time breaking the ice. "Oh, I'm sorry. But if you…"

"Of course, I'm always a chaperone," Daphne interrupted. "Just let me know what day so I can take off from work."

Looking around at the other mothers, Monica suggested, "Well, I've been asking around, and some of the mothers stay at home and would be happy to fill in. It must be inconvenient having to take off so much…"

"Not at all. Like I said, I can do it. Have a good afternoon," Daphne retorted. Without waiting for a reply, she whirled around and went to her car, Chris at her side.

That could have gone better, Monica thought. Letting out a deep breath, she went off to see how Gloria was doing.

Putting her purse strap over her shoulder, Daphne stepped out of the car. After picking Chris up at school, she'd driven them to the town library. She and her son shared a love of books, so this was something she made sure they had time for at least once a week.

Some of the mothers stay at home…Daphne frowned at the substitute teacher's words. While Monica may not have meant it, Daphne took it as an insult to her dedication as a mother. In reality, that couldn't have been farther from the truth. Unlike "some of the mothers," she couldn't afford to stay at home all day while her husband made money for the family. But she wasn't about become one of those parents who left their kid with an after-school program that she wasn't comfortable trusting. So instead, she went to work at seven so she could be out at three, and let a neighbor she'd known for years watch Chris in the morning.

Her frown deepened as she thought of Monica again, and how odd it was that there was a substitute and the regular teacher never sent out a notice about it. Not to mention that she never got Monica's last name. Daphne would have to correct that tomorrow.

"Come on, Chris," Daphne called, holding her son's hand as they walked into the library.

They walked through the door, and Chris went to the children's section, saying hello to a few classmates who were there as well. But then he took out a book and sat down to read by himself.

Daphne sighed while she took up position near the doorway of the children's room. While she wished Chris would socialize more, she just didn't know what to do. If he wasn't a social child, she wasn't going to force him to be anything else.

"Can I help you, baby?"

Blinking in surprise, Daphne found a heavy-set African American woman standing before her. What did she just call me? "I-I…I'm sorry, who are you?"

"Sorry for startling you," the woman chuckled. "I'm Tess, the new assistant librarian. Just moved into the neighborhood. And you are?"

"Daphne," Daphne answered, shaking the hand Tess held out.

Looking into the children's room, Tess asked, "Is he yours?"

"Yes. Chris," Daphne replied, looking at Tess with a wary eye.

"Well, he seems to be doing alright," Tess noted. "Do you want me to show you some of the new books we have? There are some good ones, if I do say so myself."

Glancing at Chris, Daphne figured it wouldn't do any harm. She could still see her son from the "New Additions" table. "What do you recommend?"

Tess held up a hardcover with a picture of the World Trade Center on the cover. "This was excellent. All about the families who lost loved ones due to the attack."

"No thank you," Daphne said, her tone curt. Tess didn't press any more, and Daphne wasn't about to offer an explanation. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she gave Tess a tight smile. "If you'll excuse me, I need to keep an eye on my son. I'll be sure to check out some of the new releases when Chris is done."

Tess nodded, and she walked away. Funny, but Daphne could've sworn she heard the woman let out a deep sigh.