Hi everyone. I couldn't find today's show posted online that wasn't in poor quality so I got started on the next chapter sooner. I'll try to start the next chapter too. I thought a small Alexis/Kristina scene was needed since most of her focus has been on Sam and the next chapter or two Molly will have the spotlight. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 54

Alexis climbed out of her car and headed towards the house. She slipped out her cell phone and stood on the porch. She had received a text message from Sam: Found another lead! Be home late xo

Alexis sighed. Maybe Lucas and the kids would be home soon so she wouldn't be alone for dinner. She began to rummage through her purse for her house key.

Ding! A text message from Lucas: Taking Leo and Wiley to Mom's for dinner. Be back later.

She groaned. She really would be alone that evening. She pushed aside her wallet and rolled some lipstick over, when Crunch. She jolted and her phone dropped to the ground. She peeked over at the trees where the sound came from, heart speeding up. Did it really have to get so dark at 5 o'clock?

She bent over to pick up her phone… Crunch! She jolted again and fell to her knees. The branches from the trees blew softly in the wind. She grabbed her phone and stood to her feet. Why hadn't she re-attached her house key with her car key since Sam used her car last week?

Ring! Ring!

She jumped again. This time, her phone was ringing, Monica's name displayed on the screen. "Hello?"

"Hi Alexis, it's Monica."

Alexis continued looking through her purse. "Hi Monica. Are the kids okay?"

"Yes. Well, mostly. Scout is a little sad because she forgot her sponges. She wants to go home to get them, but I told her it's too far to go home right now or we'll miss the show tomorrow."

Alexis laughed a little.

"She doesn't even want to go swimming with the boys. I tried calling Sam, but there was no answer," Monica said. "Would you mind talking to her?"

"Yes, of course."

"Thank you."

There was a pause until Scout's whiny voice appeared, "Grandma, Mommy forgot my special sponges."

"That's okay, Cookie. You're still going to have lots of fun."

"But I don't have a gift for Simba and Nala. Grandma Monica said we can buy some at the shop, but they're not special."

"Cookie, their gift will be having you there singing along with them." She finally found her house hey in her coat pocket and unlocked the door.

"Really?" Scout asked.

"Yes, really." She stepped inside and closed the door. Annabelle the second barked and placed her front paws against Alexis' legs. "And I bet they'll sing even better knowing you'll be there."

"I will sing too. I know all their songs."

Alexis smiled. "And you can save your sponges for something else that is special to you. Okay Cookie?"

"Okay."

"Now, why don't you go for a swim with Danny and Jake? I bet it'll be lots of fun."

"Okay, Grandma."

"I love you, Cookie."

After hanging up, Alexis sat on the couch. Annabelle the second jumped on her lap. "I guess it's just us tonight, huh?" She sighed. She hadn't spent an evening alone in ages. She leaned against the couch, when—

Ring! Ring!

Alexis jolted again. Why was her anxiety so high that night? Kristina's name displayed on her phone. "Hi Kristina!"

"Hey, Mom. Chase is working tonight, and Molly and TJ are having dinner with Stella. I'm kind of bored. Want to go for dinner at Kelly's?"

Alexis smiled. "Do I? Everyone is out tonight and I'm alone. Yes, let's have dinner!"

GHGHGH

When Alexis arrived at Kelly's, Kristina was waiting at a table. They hugged and Alexis sat across from her.

"I'm so glad you called," Alexis said. "The house felt so empty."

"I bet the kids are excited to see the Lion King."

She nodded. "Yeah, Monica originally planned to get tickets for Frozen but didn't think the boys would enjoy it as much as Scout. She figured everyone would like the Lion King."

"I haven't seen a Broadway show in forever."

"Hi ladies," Trina's voice appeared before she did. "What'll it be?"

"Two burgers with fries and a cup of chamomile for me," Alexis said.

"And I'll have a coke," Kristina said.

Trina wrote that down then moved behind the counter.

"How are you?" Alexis asked. "I feel like we haven't spent much time together lately."

She smiled slightly. "I've been kind of down actually."

"Is everything okay with Chase?"

"Yeah!" Kristina said. "He's been great. We're having so much fun together. He's so different than my past relationships."

"Then what's wrong?"

She frowned. "I just thought Dad would have found Morgan by now. I was hoping he'd be at Molly's wedding. And I know she was hoping for it too. They used to be close as kids. She was even closer to him than I was."

"But he's still your brother. Of course you'd want him there."

"I just want another chance with him. To tell him that I love him."

"Well, knowing your dad and his resources, I think the chances of finding him are high," Alexis said.

"I hope so," Kristina said. "Gosh, Molly is so excited about her wedding. I mean, most brides are, but for her… she's been a hopeless romantic since she was eight."

Alexis nodded. "I know. I want to make it very special for her. Even if it means reading that sappy love poem." She and Kristina laughed together.

"I can't believe it's next Saturday already." She grinned. "I mean, isn't she ten?"

Alexis chuckled. "To me she's still that newborn baby I delivered during that train wreck. I feel that way about all you girls."

Kristina raised an eyebrow. "You mean, you picture Sam and I at that train wreck too?"

Alexis rolled her eyes. "No. I still see you all the way you were when you were born."

Kristina smiled. "I know, I'm just teasing you."

"You girls are always teasing me. Come to think of it, Julian always does too."

"That's because you're so much fun to make fun of. You're an easy target."

"Gee, thanks."

After eating their burgers and visiting a little longer, Kristina took off. Alexis took her time but made her way back to the car and started the ignition. The second her car started a set of headlights flashed on their high beams causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. When she opened them, the car and the headlights were gone.

She started driving. The roads were quiet, and she seemed to hit every red light. She turned a corner and looked through her rear-view mirror. It looked like the same car from Kelly's, only with no headlights on at all tailing closely behind her. She sped up a little and so did the other car. She reached another intersection, and the car's headlights flashed to high beam once more, then turned a fast left and disappeared from view.