Alex was a very fast learner. He was a hit with Paula and Gina too. Soon he was spotted everywhere with that bad boy attitude which served him so well in the Agency. Rick was now able to devote his full time attention to Alexis's needs. Martha had come around to see Rick and Alexis. Still unaware of Alex's existence.
"Mother, what a pleasure you are to see."
"Oh Richard tell me it is not true!"
"Tell me what is not true?"
"This article in the Ledger, It is not true is it?"
Rick not being informed on what his Twin had been doing in his name looked at the article. It was a big splash with Alex sporting that scuff of a beard with 2 blonds er twin blondes on his arm.
"Mother, I am not cheating on Meredith. She is not here at the moment. These are publicity shots. You of all people know not to listen to what the gossips rags are saying."
"I know Richard but it looked so real. I hope Meredith understands this too."
Rick looked very uncomfortable for a moment.
"Richard, What are you not telling me?"
"Mom, She is is is Gone... I am here alone with Alexis. She is a good child but she needs a mother."
"So when did this happen?"
Rick crossed into the office and pulls out the divorce papers.
"Here, This was sent yesterday."
Rick drops the bundle of papers in front of his mother.
"This letter was attached. She said I was not fun anymore. How could I be fun. I have a responsibility to Alexis. How am I going to tell her that her mother had left us."
"Oh Richard. You just need to tell her straight out that her mother chose to live in LA without them. I know it is going to hurt her. I can stay for awhile so you are not that alone when you tell her the bad news."
Rick took a deep breath. Then let it out slowly.
"Yes, Mother I can do that. I do appreciate the help. Alexis will be so heart broken."
"Where is Alexis now?"
"She is in her room coloring and talking to her stuffed monkey. When I last looked in on her."
"Ok Richard I will be here go up and get it over. There is no point in lingering."
"Yes, Mother I am ready."
Rick now arose and headed to Alexis's room. Rick knocked and entered the room.
Alexis was on the ground with several pieces of drawing paper spread out on the floor. She was busy coloring and chatting with Monkey Bunky who was placed on the floor with her.
"Alexis Honey I need to talk with you. Please come up and sit beside me on the bed."
Alexis arose and sat next to her daddy.
"Alexis you know how your mother left to go to LA?"
Alexis looking a bit nervous nodded her head.
"When is mommy coming home?"
Rick's heart broke hearing those words.
"Pumpkin, Mommy is not coming home."
"Daddy was I bad? Does not Mommy love me?"
"No sweetheart! You were not bad. Your Mommy loves you very much."
So why can she not come home?
"Alexis sometimes people just can not live together. I know you have heard the terrible fights. Well that is not good. So we have decided to live apart. That way there will be no more fights."
Alexis looked at her father.
"If I am really good will she come home then?"
"No, Alexis she will not. I am so sorry."
Alexis now started to cry because she loved her Mother so much. Rick held and rocked her as she finally cried herself to sleep.
Rick now undressed her and put her in her night clothes. Placed her in the bed and kissed her forehead.
Rick now left his daughter's room. Reaching the couch in the living room. Martha handed him a glass of scotch.
Settling on the couch. Rick took a slug from the drink the burn down his throat was soothing.
"Mother, I told her. She cried herself to sleep."
"Mom, I loved Meredith. Now I learn she has been cheating on me for my whole marriage. I thought she was the one Mom."
"There there Richard, You can not blame yourself. It is sometimes will work out for the best. At least you have your writing. Plus you can always call on me."
Martha now left she had to get ready for a performance later. Leaving Rick to ponder what to do next.
His revelry was broken by a phone call. It was Alex.
"Hi Alex what can I do for you?"
"Brother I heard, Meredith? Really? That is so sad. How is Alexis taking it?"
"She cried herself to sleep."
"That is tough Brother."
"So that is not all you were calling me about is it?"
"No brother, I got a hold of my old partner but she is unavailable but she did give me the name of a person who will help you. I pulled a few strings. Her name is Sophie Turner. I was assured she would be able to help you. You need to meet her at a restaurant in Queens later tonight."
"Tonight? I have Alexis and Mother is off doing a Play. I can not possibly do that now."
"Right, well I could watch Alexis for you. You said she is asleep right?"
"Yeah, when she goes to sleep she stays there for a good 12 hours."
"So it is settled. You go meet Sophie and I babysit the brat."
"She is not a brat Alex. She is a very good girl."
"Ok Ok I know. Now If you have not shaved then don't. You need to look interesting to her to gain her cooperation. I know from experience the Bad Boy turns them on."
Richard was not needing tips from his brother but listened anyway.
"Ok I am going to get into the shower. You have a key just let yourself in and wait in my office."
"Ok Brother we can do this."
"Right Goodbye Brother."
Rick climbed into the shower. Research that is what is needed to clear my head Rick thought.
Later after showering and dressing Rick entered the office. Alex was sitting in his chair reading the latest novel.
"A character Called Derek Storm huh?"
"Yeah Your adventures inspired me to create him."
"Well I trust your judgment but The CIA might object."
"That is why he is not an agent per se. He is a private investigator. That way he is wrapped up in the dealing with the agency but not part of the bureaucracy. So the agency does not need to vet my books either."
"Sounds like you have considered all the angles on this."
"Yeah I have. I just need a female perspective on the role of Clara Strike."
"Clara Strike?"
"Yeah she is the CIA agent which gets Derek involved."
"Ok that could work, Well you need to get going. I will be here in case of anything happening. Relax have a few drinks and explain Clara as you did to me I am sure that Sophie will get on board."
"Right have a few drinks relax Yeah I can do that."
"Rick now left the loft leaving Alexis in the hands of his brother Alex."
Rick thought to himself what could go wrong? As he entered the cab to take him to Queens and his rendezvous with destiny.