Eric finally called Kelso on three days after Christmas. Kelso answered the phone "Hello?"
"Kelso! What's up man?"
"Forman?"
"Yeah man, I am home. Come to my parents for New Year's Eve!"
"Awesome. Brooke Eric's home. We are going to Point Place for New Year's!"
Eric laughed, his friend hadn't changed at all. He was thankful for that. With his call to Kelso done. Eric was free to get to dealing with buying a house and moving. He called the realtor and scheduled a tour for that afternoon. He knew the history of the house but had never been inside. He would be paying cash. At 1pm the trio pulled up to the Anderson house with Eric driving his new car. He got Lexi out of the backseat and held her hand as they walked up to the house. Jackie was still nervous about Eric buying a house. Walking through the house, Jackie came around to the idea of a house.
Eric loved the house. It even had a dishwasher, which he loved because he hated scrubbing dishes. Eric knew the price but it had been on the market over a year so he wasn't going to offer full price. He offered ten thousand less than list pending an inspection.
With business done he detoured to his parents' house. Red greeted them in the driveway. Lexi waved and went to find Grandma with Jackie. Eric told Red he put in offer in on the Anderson house. "God, now you'll be here all the time!"
"No but now mom can watch Lexi at my house and leave you in peace."
Red liked that idea. He would get the whole day to himself. Jackie interrupted and said Eric had a call from Africa.
"Hello?"
"Eric, its Ambassador Collins!"
"Ambassador Collins, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well I was calling to tell you that Serge's house sold. The US government bought it. I will be bringing you a check. Also instead of shipping Marie's and Serge's ashes. I will bring them with me and your forgotten boxes."
"Thank you sir!"
"It's no problem. Mary will kill me if I don't ask about Lexi."
"She's great. Learning knew stuff every day. Still no daddy but soon I hope."
"Mary is coming with me when I come. See you on New Year's Eve if that's alright."
"Let me check with my folks real quick." His dad nodded and Eric said "They say it's good. See you in a few days."
Red was shocked at Eric's relationship with an ambassador. Eric told them the news and had to plan a memorial service. He was thinking of Marie again. He hadn't all day until now. He excused himself to the basement. Eric sat down and thought about the day Lexi was born.
Flashback
Eric was at the Embassy with Marie working on paperwork for her and Serge to come to America. Marie's water broke in the middle of her interview. She was rushed to the infirmary. The doctor delivered Lexi in a short period of time. Eric was right there the whole time. Once they cleaned Lexi and Marie up, they were together in a room. Eric was holding Lexi, who was two weeks early, Marie told Eric he looked good with a baby in his arms. Eric replied only because the baby got her beauty from her mother.
Jackie broke his train of thought coming down the stairs holding Lexi's hand. "Hey Eric Lexi has something to say to you!"
"What is it Lexi?"
"Daddy play!" holding her little foam bat and ball that Red insisted they get for her. Eric was almost broke into tears of joy. "She said Daddy!"
"Daddy?"
"Sorry Sweetie. We can play but not long its cold out."
Lexi handed Jackie the toy and did her best to pull Eric up the stairs. Jackie thought it was adorable. Jackie was wasn't coming and Lexi notice and said "you too!"
Eric tossed the ball to Lexi, who would then swing the bat like Grandpa had showed her to do. She was already better than Eric had been as a little kid. Lexi was getting cold and she didn't like it. "Daddy cold!"
Eric scooped up his daughter and carried her inside while Red gathered up her toys. Eric took Lexi into the living room and got her jacket off. Eric was kneeling on the floor playing with Lexi. She decided to attack Daddy! She ran as fast as she could and tackled daddy. Eric hadn't expected that and ended up flat on his back.