*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much!
The following Monday it was the first day of school for Chelsea, Shawn, Kaylee and Ben. Dave and Alex broke off into teams to wake up the kids. Alex took Chelsea and Shawn while Dave took Kaylee and Ben. None of the four kids wanted to wake up. The first day of school was hardest because they were used to going to bed when they wanted and waking up when they wanted which wasn't usually until 10 or 10:30 in the morning. They were just like their parents night owls and not early birds. Once they finally had them awake they told them to get dressed and get ready for school. Groans and moans of displeasure were filling through the Bautista household as they got out of bed to get on their school uniforms. Chelsea was the worst of all as she said, "This is ridiculous. Why do I need to wake up at the crack of dawn to get to school. This is SO not fair."
"New school, new times," said Alex, "let's go. I'm up so you should have no problem being up."
"Mama, I don't' want to get out of bed!"
"It doesn't matter," said Alex. "You have to. Let's go."
"Fine," she said throwing her covers off of her and got out of bed. "You can get out now," she said.
"Don't give me your attitude, Chelsea."
"Mama, please not today. I'm getting my uniform on. Just get out please."
"I'm leaving but you better watch that attitude of yours," said Alex.
"All right. I will. Bye. I'll be down in a minute."
"I'll see you when you get down there."
"Okay," she said getting out her uniform stuff as Alex walked out of the room and shut the door behind her. Chelsea was such a brat in the morning when she woke up. Alex knew it was going to be a long year because they would be going through it EVERY morning. She was glad Shawn gave a little fuss but not as big as Chelsea.
While Alex had it out with Chelsea Dave was having it out with Ben. Kaylee gave him no fuss. She groaned and moaned about waking up but no back talk. She got up and started to get herself dressed. Ben on the other hand fought Dave tooth and nail. "Ben, come on, Buddy, you gotta wake up for school," said Dave as he gently shaking him.
"I don't' want to get up. Let me sleep," he said putting his pillow over his head.
"No sleeping, Buddy. You have to go to school. Come on," said Dave taking the pillow off his head. "Let's go," he said picking him up out of bed. "Damn, Ben you're heavy. You feel like one of those big wrestlers I used to throw around in the ring."
"Dad, I don't' want to hear about your wrestling stories. I just want to go back to bed."
"Well, you have to get ready for school. Come on, Buddy, you're starting first grade today!"
"So what? School is boring. I'd rather sleep."
"School isn't boring," said Dave, "I'm sure you're going to have lots of fun this year. It's not Kindergarten anymore. It's a whole new year."
"Unless Teagan is in my class it won't be fun," said Ben.
"I forgot about Teagan," said Dave. "With everything going on I forgot about them."
"Yeah," said Ben. "They were away for a long time. Her mom said they needed to go on vacation." He started to wake up as he talked to Dave and get out his school stuff.
"What do you mean, Buddy?" asked Dave.
"Teagan's Dad left her mom."
"What?" asked Dave. He was shocked. He didn't expect to hear Ben say that.
"Teagan's dad left her mom. Teagan said it was because her mom was stressed out. I don't know."
"Wow," said Dave. He wondered if it had anything to do with him. "Is he coming back?"
"Teagan said one day he will," said Ben. "But her parents are taking a break."
"Oh," said Dave. "All right, Buddy, start getting dressed. I'll see you downstairs."
"Okay, Dad," he said beginning to take off his pajamas. Dave walked out of the room and downstairs to help Alex with the breakfast since she was packing their lunches.
Dave walked into the kitchen as he saw Alex making sandwiches for the kids and getting everything together for their lunches. "So the first day of school," he said as he got in the cabinet to get out the cereal.
"Yeah," said Alex. "The best day of the year!"
"It used to be," said Dave. "But we're not having any gym fun today."
"I know. We have too much to do today. The detective is coming over and then we have funeral arrangements to take care of."
"I know," he said. "So you know what Ben just told me?"
"What?" asked Alex as she started to pack the lunches up.
"Sasha and her husband are separated."
"Oh," said Alex raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I guess Sasha was stressed. You don't think it has anything to do with me do you?"
"No, Dave, I don't. Why would it have to do with you?" she asked. She was wondering if he gave her the note.
"Because I'm Kyra's dad," said Dave. "That can put a lot of stress on a marriage."
"I see," said Alex. She pretty much gave off the vibe she didn't' want to talk about it.
"You don't' want to talk about it do you?"
"Nope," said Alex.
"Okay," he said as the kids came down the stairs for their breakfast. They all looked so nice in their school uniforms. They quietly took a seat and each grabbed the cereal they wanted and poured it into their bowls. It was the quietest breakfast they had in a long time. None of the kids really had anything to say because they were so tired. You could see the tiredness on their faces.
When breakfast was over Chelsea and Shawn were the first to go off to school. Since they were in middle school Alex and Dave agreed to let them take the bus as long as Travis waited at the bus stop with them to make sure they were safe. As they finished their breakfast they went to brush their teeth and then got their things for school. Shawn seemed excited to go but Chelsea on the other hand reluctantly grabbed her back pack and her lunch. "Have a good day guys," said Alex with a smile as she hugged both of them.
"You too," said Shawn.
"Bye, Mama," said Chelsea.
"Have fun! 7th grade is the big time now," said Dave.
"Whatever," said Chelsea as she walked out the door with Shawn and Travis.
"7th grade," said Alex. "I can't believe it. Our baby is growing up!"
"Yes she is," said Dave. "How did she grow up so fast?"
"I don't know but I wish I could go back and make her little again. She's got a little attitude going on."
"Tell me about it," said Dave. "She kind of reminds me of a mini-Keilani."
"That's scary," said Alex. "I'd say more like Athena because Keilani was bad."
"All right. Athena but she better not have a baby in high school. I will whoop her ass."
"I know you would but I don't think we have to worry about that. Chelsea has goals in mind."
"So did Athena but that didn't' stop her from getting pregnant at 17."
"That's true," said Alex, "but I think Chelsea is a little more focused."
"True," said Dave. "Chelsea's got it going on."
"Yeah she does. She wants to be a dancer and an actress," said Alex.
"That's my girl," said Dave with a smile as the other two kids finished up their breakfast. They didn't need to be at school till later so they went to watch some TV before school.
When it was time for them to leave Dave was taking them to school so Alex could stay home with Jordyn, Josiah and Reagan. Kaylee and Ben grabbed their book bags and then went to Alex for their lunches. "I can't believe my two first graders," said Alex with tears in her eyes. "You two are growing up so fast. Let me take your picture."
"Oh, Mom," said Ben. "No pictures."
"Come on. Just one?"
"None," said Ben. "I don't want my picture taken. I just want to leave."
"Just one. Come on. You're my big bad first grader, Buddy," said Alex.
"Fine. Take our picture," he said.
"Thank-you," said Alex with a smile. She took a picture of Ben and Kaylee together. Ben didn't smile at all but looked like he was being tortured but Kaylee on the other hand had the biggest smile on her face.
"All right. Let's go so we're not late," said Dave after Alex took the picture.
"Okay," said Alex as she hugged Kaylee. "Have a good day, Kaylee. I love you," she said kissing her forehead.
"I love you too, Mommy," she said hugging her.
Alex walked over to Ben and hugged him. "I love you, Buddy. Have a good day," she said as she kissed his forehead.
"Oh, Mom," he said wiping off her kiss.
"I'll just give you another one," said Alex with a smile.
"NO don't!" said Ben. "I love you, Mom but no more kisses."
"All right," said Alex as she ran her hand over his head.
"I'll be back," said Dave. "Love you."
"Love you too," said Alex as they softly kissed each other's lips. Dave grabbed the car keys and headed out the door to take them to school. Alex locked the door behind them and then went into the kitchen to give the other kids breakfast as they woke up.
Later that day while the kids were at school and the other kids were down for their nap the detective came to the house to discuss some things with Dave and Alex. "Would you like a drink?" asked Alex as they sat down at the kitchen table.
"Oh no. I'm good," said the detective. "So how is Reagan doing?"
"She's all right," said Alex. "It's been tough with her because she keeps asking for Lindsey. She doesn't get that her mom is in Heaven."
"It's going to be tough," he said.
"Tell me about it," said Alex. "So did you get any information?"
"Kevin isn't telling us who broke into the house with him but he did admit to being with Lindsey the day she was murdered. He said he didn't do it."
"Then what was he doing with her that day?" asked Alex.
"He said he was doing drugs with her. He said when he left her she was pretty doped up but he left her at his house. He said he had NOTHING to do with her murder."
"And you believed him?" asked Alex. You could hear the anger in her voice as she asked this.
"Not exactly but I have no witnesses," he said. "We got the DNA back but it wasn't' his we couldn't hold him without reason."
"So he's out?" asked Alex.
"Yes. And he wants Reagan," said the detective.
"Oh no," said Alex. "He is not getting Reagan. She's been through enough."
"That's his daughter, Alex," said Dave.
"So the f**k what if that's his daughter. He is a drug addict and he murdered Lindsey."
"Your husband is right," said the detective. "If he wants Reagan he can get her. He could take you guys to court since you two are her legal guardians but the social worker is fighting against him. She doesn't believe he's a fit parent so you two are all right for now."
"Good," said Alex. "So did you find anything else about the murder?"
"We did," he said. "She had been dead for 15 hours before we found her so we need to know what time she left the day before."
"I want to say after 2 in the afternoon," said Alex. "She kind of snuck out."
"Okay," he said, "and she was found around 12 in the afternoon so we're looking at 9 in the evening she was killed. She endured a great amount of pain but she had a lot of drugs in her system so it's doubtful she knew what was going on. She had been beaten pretty bad. She had bruises all over her body when we found her and she had been sexually assaulted. It was severe sexual trauma and like we thought she was strangled to death. We assume the weapon of choice was a rope. If Kevin did this he didn't do it alone. There have to be more suspects."
"And I'm willing to bet who they are," said Alex. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that Chris and Brian had something to do with her death. They had grown to be more like Dr. Ciccone in the last few years. It was nice Dr. Ciccone was in jail but it didn't matter because Brian and Chris were trained well.
"We found fluids from three other men including Lindsey's but Kevin's fluids were not found in her body at all but that doesn't mean he didn't' have anything to do with it."
"So you're saying Kevin didn't do this?" asked Dave.
"No. I'm not saying that. There isn't a doubt in my mind he had something to do with this he just didn't sexually assault her and if he did he used protection."
"Smart," said Alex. "So do you know where the other fluids came from?"
"Not at this time but we're investigating. I wish I could give you more answers but that's all we know. We don't know why or who. All we know is that this young girl's life was taken from her in a tragic way. If she wouldn't' have been strangled she would have died from trauma to her head."
"This is crazy," said Alex. "Thank-you for informing us."
"You're welcome," said the detective. "I will be in touch with you as I find out more information. We had her body delivered to the funeral home. She's able to be buried now. It's time for this girl to rest in peace. We got everything we needed."
"All right," said Dave. "Thank-you."
"You're welcome," he said getting up. "I wish there was more I could do but there isn't. We're going to keep investigating. I am sorry for your loss."
"Thanks," said Alex. "The information you gave was more than we had before. So we have to worry about Kevin coming after us for Reagan?"
"Yeah," said the detective, "but social services is on your side. The last thing they want is for Kevin to get her. They are also still looking for Lindsey's parents. When we find them we will be in touch. I hope we can give you two some closure soon," said the detective.
"Thanks," said Alex.
"No problem," said the detective as he left.
Dave shut the door behind him and said, "I guess the body is good to go. We can put her obituary in the paper too."
"Yeah," said Alex.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," said Alex. "I just can't believe Kevin is trying to get Reagan. I'm not going to let that happen."
"And there's not much you can do. He's her biological father. You know the biological parents have rights."
"Yeah. Right, biological," she said. "Whatever."
"It will be okay," he said as they walked into the living room to watch TV until it was time for the kids to come home from school. They were enjoying the peace and quiet they rarely had anymore. It was the first time in months they got to watch a TV show without being interrupted or hearing kids fighting. They were spending their time enjoying the first day of school.
Their peace and quiet didn't last too long after that because Reagan, Jordyn and Josiah woke up from their naps and came into the living room. They were as noisy as they could be and not too long after that Chelsea and Shawn came in the door. "Mama, we're home!" said Chelsea as she threw her book bag down.
"Hey, guys! How was school?" asked Alex as they walked into the living room.
"It was good," said Shawn.
"I love it," said Chelsea. "All my classes seem like fun. And Emily is in most of my classes. I have papers for you to sign then."
"Okay," said Alex. "Glad you enjoyed the first day."
"I have papers too," said Shawn.
"We'll sign them later," said Alex. "Do you two have any homework?"
"I don't," said Shawn.
"I just have French and English homework. That's it."
"Go do it," said Alex.
"All right," said Chelsea as she got into her book bag to pull out those two folders. She headed to the kitchen to begin her homework.
About an hour later Dave returned home with Ben and Kaylee. Ben ran into the house like he was crazy. "Hey, Mom," he said as he ran into the kitchen. 'Going outside!" He was so excited he ran into the patio door.
"Whoa, Buddy," said Alex, "calm down. Come here."
"What?" he asked walking over to his mom rubbing his head.
"How was school?"
"It was all right. Teagan is in my class. Mr. Watson has me in the front row."
"Oh," said Alex, "do you think you're going to like it?"
"I guess," he said. "He's better than Mrs. Mannix."
"That's good, Buddy," said Alex. "I just hope you have a better year this year."
"I will, Mom," he said. "Can I go outside with the other kids now?"
"Go ahead," she said with a smile. Ben started walking to the door and Alex said, "Ben, come here."
"Mom, what?" he asked as if Alex was bothering him. He made his way back to his mom. "Yeah?"
"I love you, Buddy," she said as she kissed the top of his head. "Don't ever forget that. If anything happens just remember I love you so much and there is NOTHING I wouldn't do for you."
"I love you too, Mom," he said hugging her. "Now can I go outside?"
"Go ahead," said Alex with a smile. "Have fun."
"Thank-you," said Ben as he ran to the door and headed outside.
"So what was that all about?" asked Dave as he came up behind Alex and wrapped his arms around her waist and placing his hands on her growing baby bump.
"Nothing. I just like to tell my kids how much I love them," she said. "And there isn't anything I wouldn't do for them."
"Same here," said Dave as he kissed her neck. "I would do anything for them and my love for them is unending."
"A parent's love is unending," said Alex. "I have to say though even though our kids drive us nuts sometimes we were blessed with some really good kids. I'm proud of them all."
"Me too," he said as they stood and watched the kids play outside. "And I just want you to know that if they can't find Lindsey's parents and Kevin isn't allowed to get Reagan I have no problem adopting her. She's been traumatized enough. The last thing I want is for her to be torn away from people she knows and placed with people she doesn't know."
"Really?" asked Alex.
"Really," said Dave. "We owe Lindsey that much. You wanted to help her so the best way to help her now is making sure her daughter is taken care of and well loved."
"Thanks so much!" said Alex. This made her very happy because she didn't want to give up Reagan. She wanted to keep her forever so as long as Lindsey's parents were found and didn't want her then she would be able to. That would be what Lindsey wanted. Dave was right Alex offered to help Lindsey is the only and best way to help her now was to take care of her daughter and to make sure she was well loved. That's just what Alex was going to do and even if Lindsey's family took Reagan Alex didn't have any plans to leave her life. She still wanted to be part of her life.
"You're welcome," he said with a smile. "Look at them. They all get along so good and Reagan fits right in with our kids."
"Yeah she does," said Alex as they continued to watch the kids laugh and play.
*A/N: The first day of school! THe kids are definitely not morning people and CHelsea does come off like her two older sisters. DAve and Alex are going to have their hands full. And it's like Dave perked up when Ben told him about Sasha's husband. Let's hope he doesn't make more problems by trying to be in Kyra's life again. I think Dave and Alex have enough going on that they dont' have to deal with that also. Ben is such a boy.. he doesn't want kisses from his mom anymore too cute! And Lindsey had no mercy when she died the poor girl. Then Kevin has the nerve to want REagan. Hopefully social services continues to fight him and it looks like if Lindsey's family doesn't want Reagan Dave and Alex are going to keep her forever but.. they should probably worry about the problems they have coming their way before they adopt any child. So what did you think? Please review and thank-you for reading.
