Chapter 1

Laura Spencer sat on the couch watching Luke try to remember how to hold a baby.  It had been several years since there had been a newborn in the house.  It had come back to Laura right away, but Luke was really struggling.

"Why is she crying?" Luke asked her as he began to get nervous.  "She doesn't like me."

"Of course she likes you.  You're her grandpa," Laura said with a laugh.

"Don't call me that!  You know I hate to be called grandpa.  It makes me feel old."

Laura laughed.  He always complained about being called grandpa, but when the kids said it, they had him wrapped around their little fingers.  "You'll always be the handsome, young man I married," she said leaning over to kiss him.

"Thanks,"  He kissed her back.  The baby started crying louder.  "Can you take her?" he asked.

Laura picked up the baby and moved to it to her lap.  The baby instantly stopped crying.

"See," Luke said pointing at the baby.  "Hannah hates me."

"She doesn't hate you.  She can probably tell that you're nervous about holding her."

Before Luke could respond, a loud thump came from upstairs.  It was soon followed by the sound of footsteps on the stairs.

A five year old girl came running into the living room and through herself into Luke's arms.  She burst into tears.  "Grandpa, they won't let me play with them," she said pointing at the three boys that followed her into the room.

"Jacob!  Matthew!  Andrew!  Get over here," Luke said sternly.  "Boys, what's going on?"

"Nothing Grandpa," they said together.

"They tripped me," the little girl said.

"Is that true?  Did you trip Lauren?"

"Yes sir," Andrew said.  He was the oldest and was very responsible for a twelve year old.

Ten year old Matthew and nine year old Jacob looked ashamed.  They knew they had disappointed their grandfather.  His approval of them was very important.

"Boys, I want you to go upstairs and think about why it was wrong to trip your sister.  I'll be up in a few minutes to talk to you," Luke said.

"Yes sir," they all said.

"Wait a minute," Laura told them.  "I think you should apologize to Lauren."

"I'm sorry," Andrew told her.

"I'm sorry," Jacob and Andrew said.  They didn't sound like they meant it.

The three boys started up the stairs.  Lauren looked over Luke's shoulder and stuck her tongue out at them.

Lesley slowly came out of the kitchen.  She was walking with a cane.  "Did I hear the kids come downstairs?" she asked.

"They were," Laura said.  "The boys are back upstairs.  They are being punished."

Lesley shook her head.  "Well I just bakes some cookies if this little angel would like some."

Lauren's eyes lit up when she heard the word cookies.

"Mom, you didn't have to do that," Laura said.

"I know.  I wanted to.  It keeps me young," Lesley said with a laugh.  She turned to Lauren.  "Come on, let's go get you some of those cookies."

Lauren hoped off Luke's lap and followed Lesley into the kitchen.

Luke groaned.  "When are Lucky and Elizabeth coming back for them?" he asked.

"Late this evening."

"Oh.  They've been here so long, I thought they had been abandoned.

Laura looked at her watch and laughed.  "Luke, they've been here for half and hour."

"Is that all?"  He sighed.  "Well I had better go up and talk to the boys."

He stood up and started up the stairs.  Before he got very far, the doorbell rang.   He opened the door and found Lesley Lu standing outside.  She looked frightened.

"Dad, we need your help!" she said.