A/N: I'm having some formating issues. I tried to put a line between the action, the letter, and the flashback action (which is in present tense because I'm an idiot and lazy and I'm not going to change it now.) Anyway, this is supposed to be humorous, but the funny thing about trying to be funny is, it doesn't work so much sometimes. The taco line is stolen from rinarae7 at Nancyfan. I hope she doesn't mind...

"I can't believe it!" Nikolas mutters as he chisels peas off the buffet table. "I haven't been spoken to like that…I've never been spoken to like that! This is all your fault Samantha!

"I. Don't. Think. So. Don't tick me off Nikolas, we haven't cleared the dessert dishes yet!"

Nikolas shakes his head incredulously. "Why, what possessed you?"

I shrug, "I was trying to lighten the mood."

"I guess the mood around here could use some lightening." Nikolas sighs, "But it's really hard getting pesto sauce out of Persian rugs."

"That will teach you to mess with my Mommy!"

"But…I didn't, I don't even know how that happened."

March 2, 1986

Sonja,

I know you will be astonished by this, but there is nothing remotely interesting about contract law. The party of the first part this, the party of the second part that. Never go to Law School.

My cousin Stefan is in town this week. He brought little Nikolas. I don't know many children, but I hope you are not like Nikolas. A four-year-old rising and pulling my chair out! Stefan doesn't see anything strange about it, but for all his manners and old man ways, I find myself fond of my small cousin. The young Prince was completely mesmerized by the child at the next table. He was in awe of his toy cars. I suggested Stefan purchase some before they returned home, but he scoffed at the idea. Oh well, at least I know what to give him for his next birthday.

My wish for you today my darling girl, is that you run and laugh and say whatever is on your mind.

Love forever

M

"You What?" Alexis asks.

"I decided to change John's name." Nik replies after swallowing his mouthful of salad. "I want to honor the people who matter most to me."

"Why now? He's six months old he's used to being 'John'." Alexis presses.

"We'll ease into Alexis, we'll use John Spencer for a couple of weeks and then drop the John completely…I don't think it will scar him."

"I never said you would scar him…" Alexis turns pink… "I just think one's name is important. It's his identity."

"He's not four Alexis."

Alexis looks away. "That's not what I meant…I'm sorry."

"I'm just glad you didn't name him LuckyLu." I interject.

"If I hear that one more time…" Nik glares at me. I pull a face, grab my roll and toss it square into Nikolas' eye.

Chaos erupts.

"Sam, threw her food Mommy! She's gets a time out doesn't she?"

"Samantha McCall…"

"You, you, you…I can't believe…" Nikolas sputters…he rescues the roll from his lap and beams me with it in the head. Kristina's jaw drops to the floor and Molly and John…er Spencer giggle with delight. I decide to up the ante, grab my baked potato and take aim.

"Samantha don't you dare!" Alexis yells.

"Sam…" Nikolas locks eyes with me and grabs a handful of angel hair pasta. We circle the table slowly waiting for the other to blink.

"Nikolas, Samantha…." Nikolas glances at Alexis and I take a pot shot or a potato shot. Nikolas launches his artillery, ducks, and Alexis is struck by some sour cream ricochet.

"Mommy!" Kristina points and laughs, she lifts her forkful of peas and sends it sailing across the table, missing Nikolas by a good foot.

"THAT'S ENOUGH." Alexis shouts. "Kristina, go to your room now."

Kristina's lower lip juts out…"but, but Sam started it Mommy…"

"Oh, Mommy knows that, and Mommy will deal with Sam and Nikolas. March." Kristina's chin quivers, but she obeys. "Now you two." Nikolas and I both study our feet intently, suppressing giggles. "If you think that Alfred or any other staff member is going to clean up after you, you are sadly mistaken."

"It's my house…" Nikolas tries to interrupt lamely. Mistake.

Alexis turns to him. "And when you start acting like a responsible home owner, you can call the shots, if you two insist on acting like spoiled 5 year olds, I'll call the shots. You are a father now Nikolas, you need to set an example for your son." Alexis stares him down, daring him to argue.

"Fine." Nikolas sighs, Alexis continues to stare expectantly. "I'm sorry for being childish Aunt Alexis." He replies in a sing songy tone. Alexis shifts her gaze to me.

"Kristina idolizes you Sam…" She chastises.

I shake my head. "She really shouldn't."

"Sam." Alexis warns. "No more food fights around the children."

"Okay, I promise. Sorry…I love you Mom." Alexis rolls her eyes at me. I grab her arm and look deep into her eyes. "I'm especially sorry about the sour cream."

"Yes, not really convenient to get hit with sour cream unless you're holding a taco. What am I going to do with the two of you?" She lifts Molly on to one hip, Spencer to her other. "Say goodnight Daddy, goodnight Sam…" She offers us each a baby to kiss, then kisses us before exiting. "I expect this place to be shining like the top of the Chrysler building in the morning. And if Kristina asks, you both got really long timeouts."