Okay so Rocco is 8 going on 9, Charlotte 10, Georgie 11 going on 12 (since she's supposed to be a year younger than Danny) and Spencer was a tough one, I've decided 15 going on 16 (between Cam and Jake, since he used to hang out with Cam, Joss, and Emma but looked a little younger than them, but I'm picturing Nicolas Bechtel, just slightly older lol). And oh my goodness, Spencer was fun to write. Valentin too. Now I want to bring in the Cassadines more lol.

Chapter 47

Scout wore a pink dress with a white flower pattern on it with white tights and shiny black flats as she held Monica's hand and swung it back and forth. She led her over to the small pile of presents to show her at Chuck E. Cheese. At the next table, Alexis and Sam were organizing the food and cupcakes. Leo was chasing Wiley around, and Julian and Lucas were sitting down with Danny who was looking rather gloomy. Disney music played in the background.

"Scout, I can't believe you are four years old now," Monica said. "You're practically a lady."

"My friends are coming, Grandma Monica," Scout said, beaming. "Aiden and Violet and Rocco and Georgie and lots and lots and lots of people. They all really like me."

"Of course, they do. Everyone loves you." Monica smiled.

"And Mommy said my cousins are coming too."

"That's right. Michael and Jake and Charlotte and Spencer and Avery."

"And they like me too, right?"

"Yes, they do."

"Okay, I think we're all set," Sam said. "Everyone should be arriving soon."

Kristina and Molly arrived with Chase and TJ, carrying about eight gift bags with Disney princesses on them. They brought them over to the table.

"There's the birthday girl!" Molly hugged Scout.

"Happy birthday, Scout!" Kristina smiled.

"I'm four!" Scout held up four fingers.

"You sure are, Cookie," Alexis said, hugging Kristina and Molly.

Sam wrapped her arm around Scout and smiled a little at Molly. "Thank you for coming."

Molly had an awkward look on her face but nodded. "Scout, you look so pretty today."

Scout smiled and curtsied.

Alexis looked over at Danny who was staring off in space as Julian and Lucas were talking. She turned to Chase. "Chase? Could you do me a favour?"

"Sure, what's that?"

"Could you go over and sit with Danny? Maybe talk to him a bit about your job? I think he'd like that."

He nodded. "Yeah, I can do that."

"I'll join you in a few," Kristina said.

Chase headed over to Danny.

"Aunt Alexis, it's been too long."

Alexis whipped her head around to find Spencer, who was almost as tall as she was now, holding a pink gift bag, standing in front of her, then she hugged him. "Spencer, how are you, sweetie?"

"Good. I'm officially living with Grandmother again, though I'm still trying to regain possession of my home." He readjusted his thick black glasses. "I've begun attending public school for the first time in my life… Grandmother's idea, not mine… but I assented to it when I was informed of Josslyn attending there."

"Spencer, a little word of advice…" Alexis said. "Stay with your grandmother and forget about Wyndemere."

"But it's my birthright. It's my home."

Alexis rolled her eyes. "Did your grandmother bring you?"

"No, Aunt Lulu did." He turned his head towards Lulu, Rocco, and… Dante?... who were taking off their coats. "Charlotte's coming with Nina and that vile excuse of a father of hers."

"Dante's back?"

"Yes. He received treatment for his…" He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Difficulties… But I'm keeping a watchful eye on him." He walked over to Scout and Sam who were standing with Monica and handed Scout the gift bag. "Emily Scout, happy birthday."

Rocco ran over to Leo and Wiley, and Dante and Lulu took a seat at one of the tables. Ava walked in with Avery, and they went over to Julian and Lucas. Next to arrive was Michael and Willow, who went over to Wiley, Leo, and Rocco. Alexis' eyes went to Danny who was saying something to Chase and seemed more at ease. Kristina, Molly, and TJ were sitting with them.

Dread encompassed Alexis when Valentin and Nina walked in with Charlotte. When she invited Charlotte, she was hoping Lulu would bring her. Sure enough, they came right over to her.

"Natasha," Valentin said with a smile. "It has been too long."

Ignoring him, she knelt a little to Charlotte. "Hi there, Charlotte. How are you?"

"Good." She turned to Valentin. "Papa, can I go sit with Mom and Dante?"

"Certainly, Ma Petite."

Charlotte skipped off to join Lulu and Dante.

Alexis forced a smile then started to walk away.

"Really?" Nina spoke up. "You're not going to speak to your brother?"

Alexis stopped and sighed. She cleared her throat. "Charlotte is a sweet little girl, I guess you're doing something right."

"Ah, yes. Charlotte is the apple of my eye." Valentin beamed.

"And mine," Nina said, fiddling with half a heart locket hanging from her neck.

"We should speak to the birthday girl," Valentin said. "I don't believe I've met her."

Alexis groaned as they headed over to Sam, Scout, Monica, and Spencer. Spencer did not look pleased.

Elizabeth walked in with Jake, Aiden, and Violet next. Jake's gaze was lowered to the ground as he walked.

"Hello," Alexis said, smiling.

"Hi," Elizabeth said.

Violet grinned from ear to ear in her yellow dress as she held a purple gift bag. "Ith Thcout here?"

"She certainly is. She's the birthday girl," Alexis said.

"She's been talking about Scout all the time the last couple of weeks," Elizabeth said.

"She'th my betht fwend," Violet said.

Smash.

Alexis turned and a plate was shattered on the floor next to Nina. But she turned her attention back to Jake who was crouched over shaking and had his hands pressed against his ears.

"Jake?" Elizabeth rubbed his back. "Jake, buddy, it's okay."

Alexis turned once more and saw Danny with his head down on the table. Kristina was rubbing his back.

"Goddess Mother, how wonderful to see you." Spinelli arrived at Alexis' side with Maxie, Georgie, and James. "How are you?"

GHGHGH

Jake and Danny finally calmed down and sat together while everyone ate pizza. After playing some games, Scout wanted to do presents before dessert. No one argued with her. Violet helped her open them and she was spoiled rotten with new dresses, clothes for daycare, new dolls, colouring books, puzzles, a small trampoline from Grandma and Grandpa, a doll house from Mom, and four tickets to see the Lion King on Broadway from Grandma Monica.

"I thought I could take you, Danny, and Jake. It'll be a fun outing," Monica said.

Everyone gathered around the tables once more to eat cupcakes. Alexis sat between Julian and Lucas across from Michael, Wiley, and Willow. She smiled down the table at Scout sitting between Danny and Sam getting icing around her mouth. Jake was on the other side of Danny with Elizabeth, Aiden, and Violet across from them. Violet set her cupcake down and climbed onto Elizabeth's lap, nestling up against her.

Michael cleared his throat. "I'm sorry about my mom, Lucas. I don't know what's gotten into her. I think she's having a bit of a breakdown or something. I think what we've agreed on is best for Wiley."

Lucas nodded. "So do I. I'm not giving him up without a fight."

Willow lifted a heart-shaped locket from under her shirt and seemed almost in a trance. Alexis squinted her eyes.

"Just shut-up, Spencer," Charlotte said, walking by with her cousin.

"Wyndemere is my birth right, not yours. It belonged to Father and it is my inheritance."

Alexis sighed.

"If it belonged to your father than why is he hiding out being my bodyguard while looking for a painting and not claiming it?" Charlotte's eyes grew wide when she said that.

"What?" Spencer said.

"What?" Alexis twisted around in her chair. "Nikolas is alive?"

"I wasn't supposed to say anything," Charlotte said.

"Do you know where he is?" Alexis asked.

Charlotte swallowed hard. "At home. Sometimes. But sometimes not. Am I in trouble?"

Alexis touched her cheek. "No, sweetie. But your cousin will be."