The One

Chapter 1

"Mommy, where's Daddy?" Alexa asked her mom as she was standing in the living room. Alexa lovelyn was a shy, sweet, brown-headed seven-year-old who loved reading and school. She was the oldest of three siblings. Bethanie, the middle child, was a feisty blonde who loved music and art. Bethanie also loved to drive them crazy, as of course siblings do. Laurence was the baby of the three who was a rambunctious three-year-old who loved playing with his cars and joking around.

"He went out for a minute. He should be back in a little while." Her mom replied.

It was Father's Day and Alexa's dad, Davis, had gone out for a drive while they were sleeping to clear his head.

Alexa walked back to her room.  She walked to her toy box, pulled out her dolls, and started to play house with them. While playing she heard a knock at the door.

"Daddy's home!" she exclaimed as she started for the door. As her mom opened the door, Alexa found her grandpa standing on the other side.

"Grandpa!" She shouted as she ran to greet him.

Raymond was a man that stood roughly five-foot-five with graying hair and eyes as blue as the afternoon sky.

Alexa jumped into his arms and smirked.

"I thought you were Daddy." with a smile, Raymond wrapped her in his arms.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, my dear. I came to visit you all and spoil you with gifts." he looked at her mom. He sat her down and grabbed a box that she didn't notice was sitting by the door.

"Come on in Ray." Alexa's mom, Lena called to Raymond. He sat the box down on top of the coffee table and sat on the couch.

"What did you get me?! What did you get me?!" shouted Alexa growing more excited by the minute. She walked over to Ray and plopped down next to him. She couldn't sit still she just couldn't wait to see what he had gotten her.

"Hold your horses. Where is Bethanie and Laurence? It's for all of you." Ray chuckled.
Alexa took a deep breath.

"BETHANIE, LAURENCE!!! GRANDPA IS HERE AND HE BROUGHT SOMETHING FOR US!!!"

Lena and Ray jumped with a start.

"Well I could have done that." Ray snickered.

"Why didn't you" said Alexa "It wasn't that hard." She continued with a hand on her hip.

Both Lena and Ray started to laugh.

The bedroom door flew open and Laurence came running out. Bethanie came running out of the kitchen.

"What is it?! What is it?!" They shouted in unison.

Ray grabbed the box off the table and placed it onto the floor.

"Have at it."

Lena walked over to Ray.

"That was so sweet, Ray. You didn't have to get them anything."

He turned and shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey that's what grandparents are for. We're not here just for the looks you know."

They turned their attention back to the kids.

"Oh, Wow!" they exclaimed. They pulled out three little scooters, one was pink, one was blue and one was purple.

Alexa, Bethanie, and Laurence ran and gave Raymond the biggest hug they could give.

"Thank you grandpa! We love them!"

They took their scooters and went outside to give them a try. Ray turned to Lena and spoke in a hushed, rueful tone.

"I have some bad news. The reason I came by was to tell you that Davis has been arrested. He's sitting in lock-up right now waiting to be sent back to California."

Lena gasped and put her hand to her mouth.
"What?! How? Why?" She couldn't quite get the words out. She was in too much shock.

Ray put a hand on her shoulder and continued.

"He was on his way back home when he got pulled over. They found out he had outstanding warrants out for his arrest in California so they are preparing to send him back."

Alexa was standing by the door eavesdropping. She put her hand over her mouth. With tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh, no. Daddy won't be coming back home. He's been bad and the police took him away." She whispered to herself.