~ Flashback ~
�Drew, I�m� I think my water broke,� Deborah Lachey said to her husband, Drew Lachey. Drew groaned and stirred up and opened his eyes.
�Are you sure honey? I mean it may be a false alarm,� Drew said.
�It�s midnight Drew. Today is the actual due date,� Deborah pointed out. �Ouch!� Deborah screamed feeling another contraction. Drew started to get anxious.
�How far were those contractions?� Drew asked nervously.
�I think 5 minutes,� Deborah said rather shakily. Drew immediately got up and changed his clothes and grabbed the baby bag and Deborah�s suitcase. He helped Deborah out of bed. After she got up, she had another contraction.
�Do you want to change?� Drew asked.
�No. I�m fine in my night gown,� she said. Just wrap me up in a blanket.� Drew nodded and wrapped her up in a blanket. They went downstairs and got into the car and drove to the hospital. Drew made a phone call to Dr. Anna saying Deborah was in labor and the contractions were 5 minutes apart. Once they got to the hospital, he helped her into a wheel chair and pushed her into the labor room and registered her in by the reception desk. Then he joined Deborah in the room.
�How are you feeling sweetheart?� Drew asked Deborah who was in bed. He held her hand.
�Not so good. The pain is killing me,� Deborah complained. Drew kissed her forehead.
�Don�t worry. Everything will be fine,� Drew comforted. Deborah smiled weakly. Then Dr. Anna came in.
�Hello Deborah and Drew, how are you all getting on?� Dr. Anna asked.
�Not so good,� Deborah repeated.
�Hmm�well your baby seems pretty healthy and in good shape and will arrive in 8 hours so around 8 or 9 a.m. But first, I want to check on Deborah to see if there are any problems. Drew, you may need to step out,� Dr. Anna requested.
�Why?� Drew asked confused. �I�m not leaving my wife here.�
�Don�t worry Drew,� Deborah said. �I�ll be fine.�
�Are you sure?� Deborah nodded. Then Drew slowly walked out and into the waiting room. He started pacing around the room feeling nervous thinking something�s wrong�something�s not right�. He then decided to call Macie, his mother-in-law.
�Hello?� Macie answered groggily.
�Hi mom, it�s Drew.�
�Oh hello Dear. What�s up? Is there something wrong with Deborah and the baby?� Macie asked now fully awake.
�No. Deborah just went into labor.�
�Oh. Do you want me to be there?�
�Well not at the moment. The baby is not coming out for 8 hours so around 7 o� clock will be fine.�
�Ok.� Then they hung up. Then Drew called his brother, Nick who ad just gotten back from his honeymoon with his wife, Jessica. Drew gave them the same information as to Macie. Then he continually paced around the room for an hour. �Ugh! Why aren�t they telling me what�s wrong? Why aren�t they letting me be with my wife?� he thought. Later Dr. Anna came out.
�You can go in now,� she said. Drew nodded and walked in. When he walked in, he saw Deborah in tears.
�Deborah, what�s wrong?� Drew asked with concern. He wiped his wife�s tears.
�Nothing. The contractions are just annoying. There are no problems,� Deborah lied. It was actually something else�something painful and more heartbreaking.
�Don�t worry. Just be strong,� he said kissing his wife�s cheek. Deborah just nodded. A few hours later, Macie, Nick and Jessica arrived.
�Deborah, how are you feeling?� Macie asked.
�I�m ok mom. The contractions are just hurting me,� Deborah answered.
�So when is the baby going to arriv3e?� Jessica asked.
�An hour or so,� Drew said.
�So how are you feeling bro?� Nick asked Drew.
�Tired and nervous. I can�t believe that I�m going to be a father in an hour,� Drew said smiling at Deborah. Deborah smiled weakly. Macie could tell by her daughter�s eyes that there was something wrong.
�Are you hungry Drew?� she asked.
�Um yeah. Quite,� he said.
�Come. Let me take you to the cafeteria,� Nick said. Then Nick and Drew left the room.
�Deborah, is something bothering you?� Macie asked. She sighed.
�The doctor says there might be a chance that I might not survive through this birth,� Deborah said sadly. Macie grabbed her daughter�s hand. Jessica put her hands over her mouth and tears poured down her face.
�Why? How? Does Drew know about this?� Macie stuttered.
�They have discovered that I�m suffering an internal bleeding while I was pregnant. Something had gone wrong in my lower stomach. They didn�t know what thought but they did know it could either harm me or the baby. I don�t know how though I mean I was very healthy. One way to prevent this was abortion. But I didn�t want that because I know how badly Drew wanted this baby. So the doctor put me on medication. Everything was fien and the baby was safe and healthy. Then the pain came back and the doctor had just found out today and she said there might be a chance I might not live and Drew does not know about this. I didn�t want him worried,� Deborah explained. Tears began falling down her face. Jessica hugged her tightly for Deborah was one of her best friends. Macie begain to cry and hugged her daughter.
�You have to tell Drew before it�s too late,� Jessica sniffed.
�Tell me what?� Drew said walking in with Nick. �Why all the sad faces?� he said noticing the girls� red eyes. Deborah motioned her mother, Nick and Jessica to leave. �What is it sweetheart?� Drew asked once they were alone. Deborah, then, explained the entire story to Drew of what she said to Macie and Jessica. Drew was bawling when she finished. �Why didn�t you tell me?� he cried.
�I didn�t want you worried,� Deborah said.
�But I can�t loose you. I need you to be here to help me raise our child and be by my side,� Drew cried. �I can�t live without you.� Deborah just stared at her husband with tears.
�I know you can�t. But you�ll have a lot of help. And in case if I�m not around, name our baby, Angie. Angie Lea Lachey since she�s going to be a girl. And give her these letters,� Deborah said taking out 8 envelopes from her bag and giving it to Drew. �Give one letter a year on her birthday.� Drew nodded sadly. �And have Nick and Jessica as her god parents. Keep Angie safe and secured and giver her lots of love. � Drew nodded again. �I love you Drew. These past 3 years of our marriage were the best years of my life.�
�You�re gonna make it,� Drew said quietly. He was trying his best to deny it. �I love you with all my heart, Deborah. You are my everything.� Then it was time for Deborah to give birth and out came a healthy baby girl. Her name was Angie Lea Lachey, 8 lbs. 9 ounces. Fortunately, Deborah was able to see her baby girl but not for long.
�She�s beautiful,� Deborah said.
�She has my brown hair and your blue eyes,� Drew said. Then Deborah felt tired and weak and knew it was time to go.
�Drew, it�s time for me to go. I love you more than life and keep Angie safe and loved. Tell her I love her with all my heart and that you tow are my world,� Deborah said handing Angie to Drew as she slowly began to go into a deep sleep.
�No! Deborah! No!� Drew cried. He touched her hand. It was cold She was gone. Drew then bawling with Angie in his arms and fell to the ground.
~ End of Flashback ~
Chapter 2
~ 8 years later ~
8-year-old Angie Lea Lachey woke up with a smile on her face and the sun shining through her bedroom window. She stretched a bit and yawned and smiled. Today was her birthday. She was very excited and happy for turning a year older. Her daddy, Drew Lachey was gonna throw her a huge party with friends and family like he did every year. Plus she was getting lots of presents especially a letter, which was the last of 8 letters from her mommy who died 8 years ago. She jumped out of bed and ran down the hall of her suburban house in Los Angeles, California. She ran towards her daddy�s room screaming, �It�s my birthday!� Unfortunately, it woke up her poor Grandma Macie, who had moved in with them when Angie was born. She was usually a heavy sleeper but when it came to Angie screaming, she was in a jolt.
�Ugh! That child! Even in mornings, she�s active and wide-awake. Drew should cut down on her sugar,� Macie muttered. Angie soon reached her daddy�s room and jumped on his bed.
�Daddy! Daddy!� She screamed in delight. Drew immediately woke up with a shock.
�Huh? What is it princess?� Drew asked sleepily.
�Oh. That�s right. It�s your birthday,� Drew said now fully awake. �Happy Birthday princess.� He got out of her bed and hugged his daughter and swung her around and carried her down to the floor. �How old are you today?�
�8,� Angie answered showing 8 fingers. Drew smiled and kissed her forehead. He took her hand and they walked to the kitchen.
�You are a big girl now, Angie and yet you are more and more like your mommy,� Drew commented.
�Daddy, you say that all the time,� Angie giggled.
�I know. But it�s true. You have my physical features but your mommy�s personality,� Drew said. They finally reached the kitchen where Macie was making breakfast.
�Good morning Grandma,� Angie greeted.
�Morning mom,� Drew greeted.
�Good morning,� Macie greeted sleepily.
�Guess what Grandma?� Angie asked excitedly.
�What is it pumpkin?� Macie asked as she put breakfast on the table.
�It�s my 8th birthday today!� Angie said jumping up and down.
�Oh so it is. Well happy birthday sweetheart,� Macie said hugging her grand daughter.
�Thanks Grandma,� Angie said. The 3 of them sat down and ate breakfast.
�So do you wanna do on this special day?� Drew asked.
�I thought we were gonna have a party and invite lots of people,� Angie said.
�I see and who did we invite to this party?� Drew asked.
�Uncle Nick and Auntie Jessie and my cousins, Sammie and Nicholas and Claire; Uncle Justin and Auntie Lindsey and Danny; and my friends Connie, Lori, Kristin, Ashley and Ana,� Angie said.
�Wow. That sounds like a lot of people but I�m sure we can handle,� Drew said.
�Plus I�ll get a lot of presents!� Angie added.
�That�s right,� Drew said. They finished breakfast and Macie cleared the table. Then Drew went out of the room and came back with a huge Tweety-Bird and an envelope. �Happy Birthday princess,� Drew said handing Angie, the Tweety-Bird and the envelope.
�Wow. Thank you Daddy!� Angie said in awe. �Just what I wanted!� She gave Drew a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. �I love you.�
�I love you too princess.�
�Is this mommy�s letter?� Angie said holding the envelope Drew nodded.
�Can I read it?�
�Why not you go and wash up and change your clothes first,� Drew suggested.
�Ok.� So Angie went and brushed her teeth and washed her face. She then changed into her favorite pink shirt and a pair of denim overalls. She put her hair back with a pink hair band. Then she grabbed her Tweety-Bird and her mommy�s letter and sat down on her bed and began reading her mommy�s letter.
Dear Angie,
Happy 8th Birthday my angel. Today you are now 1 year older. You are a big girl now, Angie. I hope your daddy still keeps you safe and secured and loved. (Angie nods smiling). I hope you enjoy this day and have a lot of fun and get a lot of presents. Remember to treat others the way you want to be treated and always obey your daddy. I love your very much.
�I love you too, mommy.�
Now let me tell you a story about me, your daddy, and another girl name Lea.
�Lea?� Angie questioned.
That�s whom we named your middle name after. Your Daddy and Lea were the best of friends. They were childhood friends before I met them. Lea is such a tomboy. She and your daddy were so competitive in sports and games. She told me that she always beats your father in basketball and arm wrestling! She always called him, �a cheater, cheater, cheater�. (Angie laughed) But they both shared a passion for singing and dancing. They loved performing onstage together. They were in a lot of musical shows. Some were with your Uncle Nick. Lea is such a good dancer and she�s even better than me. She is very high-spirited. She is very understanding and friendly and funny. She is such a sweet and good person. Then one day, I was transferred to the high school because your grandpa and grandma and I moved from New York City to Cincinnati. The principal asked Lea to show me around and help me out. She was so down to earth and warm-hearted person. We became quick friends. Then she introduced me to your daddy and Uncle Nick. When I saw your Daddy, it was certainly love at 1st sight. Your Daddy was such a gentleman and very funny. Also very charming He was not like any other boy I�ve met before. I could see that he and Lea had a very strong friendship. Their friendship was something I could not break. At first I did not want to interfere because I felt that they could be something more. But Lea assured me that they were just friends like brother and sister. So your father and I began dating and became very serious and in love. However, I did feel Lea was a bit jealous of our relationship but she did not show. I could also tell she had deep feelings for your father and that she loved him more than a friend. Sometimes Lea tried to tell your Daddy, how she felt but was too scared or shy. I knew this because at times, I saw them alone either playing basketball or something and Lea attempted at expressing her feelings to your Daddy. Fortunately they did not see me. Then one day, your father told me for the 1st time that he loved me. Lea just happened to be there. By the look of her face, she looked heartbroken and she immediately left the room. I could hear her crying. I had mix feelings at that moment. I was very happy and joyed that your father loves me. But was sad because I felt that I had broken your Daddy and Lea�s friendship. Your father did not notice this until graduation. Lea made an announcement to the both of us. She got accepted to North Western University. She wanted to do medicine and become a pediatrician for she loved children. Your father opposed this for he wanted the 3 of us to go to UCLA together because we all got accepted there. But Lea didn�t want to. I think she felt that we didn�t want her around us, which was not true. But I guess it was because we were very much in love at that time so she wanted to just leave us alone and forget about us. So we never saw her again after that. Your father and I moved to California and after graduating university, we got married and well you know the rest. But I have not forgotten about Lea (Angie was in tears by then) Angie, I need you to do something for me.
�Anything, mama,� Angie said.
I know your Daddy feels that no one can replace me. But your daddy needs a life companion for himself and he�s probably very lonely. You also need somebody to teach you about clothes and boys and well girl stuff. Lea is the perfect person. So this is my final wish for you. Please go and find Lea and reunite her with your Daddy so they can finally be together forever and be more what they were. Can you do that? (Angie nods with tears still in her ears) Will you for fill mommy�s wish? (Angie nods again) I know it�s a huge task for a kid like you. But I know you can do it. So good luck and find Lea Dellecave before it�s too late. I love you and wish you all the best.
Love,
Mommy
PS. Here�s a picture of Lea incase you need help.
Angie found a picture of a woman with long blonde curly hair tied up in a high ponytail and had brown eyes. She had a white headband on her hair and had a big smile on her face. Angie cried for a moment hugging the picture. When she stopped, she knew what she had to do and knew her quest. She had to find her mommy and daddy�s best friend, Lea Dellecave to fulfill her mommy�s wish. Most of all, she had to go and reunite her Daddy with his best friend so they could finally be together forever.
Chapter 3
Soon Nick and Jessica arrived with their three kids, Samantha, Nicholas and Claire. However, no one called them by their full names only when they got in trouble. Samantha who was 3 was either called Sam or Sammi. Nicholas, Sam's fraternal twin, was either called little Nicky or Junior. His father called him 'mini me' because he was the spitting image of his father. Claire who was just 1 was called Claibie or Clara.
"Hey sprout," Nick greeted as she stepped into the house with his wife and 3 kids.
"Hello bro," Drew greeted.
"So where is the birthday girl?" Nick asked looking found Angie.
"I'm right here Uncle Nick!" Angie cried running down the stairs and into her favorite Uncle's arms.
"Well hello there little Sprout and may I wish you a happy birthday," Nick said picking up his niece and swinging her around. Then he puts her down and gives her a big bear hug.
"Happy Birthday sweetie," Jessica said hugging her niece.
"Thank you Auntie Jessi," Angie said.
"Here's your present,Angie," Sammi said handing Angie, her present. "It's Chelsea from 'My Scene'."
"Sam! You're not supposed to tell!" Nick scolded playfully. Everyone laughed.
"I'm sorry," Sam said looking down.
"It's ok Sammi. That's what I wanted," Angie said. "I'm very happy." She hugged her cousin. Sam smiled a big smile and everyone laughed.
"Um Nick, can you help me with the decorations?" Drew asked.
"Sure," Nick said. Nick, then, helped Drew to put up the decorations. Nicky played with his game boy.
"Auntie Jessie, can we go upstairs and talk?" Angie asked.
"Of course," Jessica said. So the girls went upstaris. Angie let Sam and Claire play with her toys. Angie and Jessica sat on her bed. "So what's up?" Angie sighed.
"Mommy wants me to do something for her," Angie said.
"Oh?" Jessica asked curiously.
"She told me in her letter, the last of all 8 letters," Angie explained.
"Oh I see." Then Angie began telling the tale about her daddy,mommy, and Lea as she read in the letter. Jessica listened attentively and without interruption.
"...And so now mommy wants me to find Lea and reunite her with Daddy so they could finally be together forever," Angie finished. Jessica was in tears for she was very touched by the story.
"Are you going to do it?" Jessica asked as she wiped her tears.
"Yes. I promised mommy that I'll do it," Angie said nodding. "Besides I want daddy to be happy and not lonely."
"Same here. For 8 years, your Uncle and I have been trying to find a life companion for your daddy but it had not been successful. But after listening to your letter, I think we finally found the perfect person."
"So will you help me?"
"Of course. I'll help you," Jessica said with a smile.
"Thanks Auntie Jessie," Angie said with a smile. They hugged.
"Angie! Your guests have arrived," Drew called form downstairs.
"Let's discuss this after your party," Jessica said.
"Ok," Angie agreed. "I'm coming dad." So the girls wnet downstairs. Angie soon met up with her friends and they ate food mostly junk food. Then they played games. Soon it was time to cut the cake and everybody sang 'Happy Birthday to Angie'. Angie made her wish. 'I wish that I will be able to find Lea Dellecave so her and daddy could be together forever' she wished quietly in her mind. then she blew out her candles and cut the cake. Everyone cheered and clapped. Nick kept taking pictures.
"What did you wish for?" Drew asked.
"That I would be successful in my quest," Angie said with a smile. Drew looked at her wierdly but thought it was nothing. Jessica and Angie soon got to talk after the guests left. They planned to go to Cincinnati for the summer for Lea might still be there as well as asking Cate, Drew and Nick's mom, for help. they also promised themselves not to tell Nick and Drew and keep it to themselves.
Chapter 4
~ Nick and Jessica's Home ~
Jessica had just put Claibie down for the night. Nick had read Sammi and Nicky a bedtime story and put them to bed. After that, Nick and Jessica cuddled on the couch.
"That was a fun party wasn't it?" Nick said.
"Yeah. Perfect for any 8-year-old girl," Jessica sighed. "Too bad Deborah wasn't able to see her little angel turn 8."
"You say that every year," Nick pointed out.
"She needs a mom, Nick," Jessica said.
"Jess, we've tried matching Drew up with every single lady we met but all our attempts have failed," Nick stated.
"I know. We might as well give up. Some day, the right woman will come along and fall in love with Drew and be the perfect mom for Angie," Jessica said smiling thinking of Angie's and her plan to find Lea.
"What if that doesn't happen?" Nick asked.
"It will baby. It will." They shared a long kiss. "Baby?" Nick was now kissing her nick and nuzzling his head in it.
"Hmm?"
"I was thinking about this summer."
"And?" Nick said as he continued roaming around his wife's neck.
"Mabye we could all go to Ohio for vacation." Nick stopped kissing her neck and Jessica leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Hm...sounds good. Why not Texas?"
"Well almost every summer, christmas, and thanksgiving, we go to Texas. We don't go to Ohio that often. As much as I love Texas, why not for a change, we go to Cincinnati? You know show our kids where you use to go to school and stuff. Also we haven't seen your mom in awhile neither have we seen your dad or Iris or Isaac. You could probably take Nicholas to his 1st bearcats game. So what do you think?"
"I think you've made a point. I also think it's a great idea to go to Cincinnati this summer."
"So does this mean, we can go?"
"Of course we can go." Jessica beamed at her husband and kissed him. "I'll call Drew tomorrow to see if he and Angie would like to come too."
"I'm sure they will baby," Jessica said with a smile.
~ At Drew's house ~
Drew was tucking Angie into bed.
"So princess, did you enjoy your party?" Drew asked Angie.
"Yes I did Daddy," Angie replied.
"I'm glad that you enjoyecd your special day," Drew said and he kissed his daughter's forehead.
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too, princess." Angie kissed Drew's cheek.
"Daddy?"
"Yes princess?"
"Can we go to Cincinnati this summer?"
"Why doe you want to go to Cincinnati?"
"Well...I miss seeing Grandma Cate and Grandpa John and Grandma Iris. I also miss seeing Uncle Isaac. Plus, I miss Grandma Cate's cinnamon cookies. Besides, don't you miss seeing them Dad?"
"Well yes I do. I also miss seeing my friends back there."
"Then let's go to Ohio Daddy!"
"Woh slow down there. I like the idea but I'm still gonna think about it first. I'll also talk to your Uncle Nick about it."
"I'm sure he and Auntie Jessie will love the idea," Angie said with a smile. The next day, Nick and Drew talked about going to Cincinnati for summer vacation. In the end, they both agreed that it'll be a great idea for them all to go to Cincinnati.
Pretty soon, the Lacheys packed their bags and flew to Cincinnati. Both Cate and John and Iris were there to greet them at the airport.
"Welcome home, my children," John greeted.
"It is so good to see you all," Cate said hugging each of them.
"How have you all been?" Iris asked.
"We've been pretty good," said Nick. "Where's Isaac?"
"Oh he's at hockey camp. He'll be back in 3 weeks," Iris answered.
"What made you decide to come here for vacation?" John asked. They began walking towards the baggage claim.
"Well I felt that the kids have seen too much of Texas," Jessica said.
"And Angie missed seeing you guys," Drew added.
"Awe so you missed seeing your Grandma Cate huh Angie?" cate said putting an arm around Angie's shoulder.
"Yeah and I especially missed your cinnamon cookies," Angie answered. Cate smiled at her eldest grand daughter.
"You know despited of getting most of your daddy's looks, you are a replica of your mother," Cate said.
"Thanks Grandma. Many people have told me that," Angie said. They picked up their baggage and left the airport. They were all gonna stay at Cate's house. Drew and Angie went with Cate in her car. Nick and Jessica and the kids went in John and Iris's van. So they all drove to Cate's house and got settled in and Cate prepared them a meal. Later Nick, Drew and John took Nicholas out. Iris went out with her friends. Jessica had put Sam and Claibie down for a nap. So Cate, Jessica and Angie had time to talk.
"So what is it you wanted me to ask me Angie?" Cate questioned as they sat around the kitchen.
"Well you see..." Angie began re-telling her mother's letter and her quest. "...And so mommy wants me to find Lea and bring her and Daddy back together."
"And I've agreed to help her on this," Jessica added.
"So will you help us Grandma?" Angie asked.
"Certainly. I have known Lea ever since she was 10. Your Daddy and her were the best of friends. I always thought she'd be the one for your Daddy until your Mommy came along."
"Do you know if she still lives here?" Jessica asked.
"I'm pretty sure. I'll call her mother, Gerri right nwo," Cate said picking up the phone and her black book. She immediately found the number and dialed it.
"Hello?" an elderly woman answered.
"Hi Gerri, this is Cate Fopma," Cate said.
"Oh hi Cate, how have you been? It's been awhile."
"Yes it has. I've been doing well. How are you?"
"I've been doing pretty good myself."
"How are your girls?"
"Well Amy just got a teaching degree in NYU and was offered a teaching job here in an elementary school."
"Oh that's nice and Lea?"
"Well she had finished medical school and is actually working as a pediatrician at the hospital and doing very well."
"Oh really?"
"Yes and she's engaged."
"What?!" Cate asked in shock.
"She's going to get married to a a veyr wealthy man name Ian Watkins. They met in college and fell in love and are now getting married. He is taking over his father's business empire.
"Oh I see. She must be very happy."
"Yes she is. so how are your sons?"
"Well both of them are in Los Angeles. They co-own a record company which has been doing very well and are happily married with kids," Cate almost lied.
" That's sounds great."
"Well it was nice talking to you, Gerri."
"You too, Cate. Call me again sometime so we could probably go out to lunch or something."
" Alright I will. Bye." They hung up.
"So?" Angie asked. Cate sighed.
"Well the good news is that Lea is still here working as a pediatrician."
"Alright!" Angie said excitedly.
"Wait a moment! The bad news is that she is getting married."
"What!" Jessica and Angie said in unison.
"Yes she's getting married to a guy she met at college. So I'm sorry to get all your hopes up kiddo."
"Well I'm still not gonna give up. I don't wanna disappoint my mommy. There has to be a wya to bring Lea and my Daddy back together. I just have to find it."
Chapter 5
Both Jessica and Cate stared in amazement of Angie�s determination.
�Angie, honey, Lea is already in the process of getting married to someone else. There is no way we could convince her to see your Daddy again,� Jessica said as Angie sat on her lap and Jessica stroked her hair.
�But there has to be a way. I�m sure if she sees Daddy, she�ll change her mind,� Angie said.
�I know you�re too young to understand but that�s not the way love goes,� Cate said.
�Maybe if she sees Daddy, her old feelings that she use to have for him will come back and they�ll fall in love again,� Angie pointed out. �We cannot give up.�
�Angie, I know your mommy wanted you to find Lea but I�m sure she�ll understand that you tried,� Cate said.
�Well if you two won�t help me, then I�ll do it myself,� Angie said angrily. She wriggled out of Jessica�s arms and ran out of the room. Both Jessica and Cate sighed.
�She surely does not want to give up,� Jessica. �I also hate to say that she is right.�
�Yeah. I can see that she has gotten that kind of motive from both Drew and Deborah,� Cate replied.
�So what are we going to do?� Jessica asked her mother-in-law. Cate was silent for a moment than spoke up.
�Help her find Lea. That�s the only choice. We can�t just stand here and watch her struggle by herself,� Cate said. Jessica nodded in agreement. They both went to find Angie and found her by the window sill looking at the picture of Lea.
�Angie?� Jessica said putting a hand gently on Angie�s shoulder.
�Go away!� Angie said moving away.
�We have changed our minds and decided to help you find Lea,� Cate said. Then Angie immediately looked up at Cate and Jessica.
�Really?� Angie said. Her eyes were lighting up.
�Yes. We both thought and agreed that we should help you find Lea. You�ve also made us realize that it could be possible that Lea might open up her old feelings for your Daddy and fall in love with him again. So we decide that we will help you,� Jessica said. Angie gave a big smile and hugged her Auntie/God mother and Grandma.
�Thank you! Thank you! I knew you guys would change your minds,� Angie said happily. Both Jessica and Cate smiled.
�Well now first let�s plan on how to meet Lea,� Cate said. They planned on tricking Nick and Drew saying they were going shopping the next day. Instead, they made an appointment to see Dr. Dellecave for a checkup on the girls� health in the afternoon. Later Nick and Drew came home with a sleeping Nicholas. Nick and Jessica, then, got busy with their kids and themselves. Drew and Angie played basketball outside on the driveway and had some father-daughter bonding. Later they all sat down around the table to eat dinner. Nicholas, Samantha and Claire watched a cartoon in the living room.
�So where did you guys go?� Jessica asked as they ate dinner.
�Well we went to a few places, we usually hung out and met a few friends,� Drew said.
�And we got tickets to a Bearcats� game,� Nick added.
�Oh wow. That�s pretty cool. So when is this game?� Cate asked.
�Tomorrow in the afternoon,� Drew answered.
�Oh really? What a coincidence!� Jessica said excitedly almost giving the secret away. Nick and Drew looked at her weirdly. Angie got a bit worried that Jessica would tell them about their plans.
�Why is it a coincidence?� Nick asked.
�Um�well we were planning on taking the girls out,� Jessica lied.
�Really? Where?� Drew questioned. Jessica looked at Cate.
�Um�we decided to take them out shopping. Besides I need to spend time with my granddaughters. I haven�t seen them in awhile,� Cate said.
�Oh ok. Just don�t spend too much money,� Nick said.
�We won�t. We promise,� Jessica said with smile. And so the next day, after the boys left for the game, the girls� drove to the hospital.
�Mommy, where are we going?� Sammi asked Jessica while they were in the car.
�We�re going to the doctor�s,� Jessica answered.
�Why? We�re not sick,� Sammi said.
�I know. But we�re just going for a check-up to see if everything is ok,� Jessica said. �You know like we always do with Dr. Ciauri.�
�Oh yeah,� said Sammi. �Is this doctor as nice as Dr. Ciauri?�
�I�m sure she is,� said Jessica.
�Do you think she�ll give us candy like Dr. Ciauri?� Sammi asked.
�I�m sure she will,� Jessica said. They soon arrived at the hospital and Cate dropped them off for she had to do some errands. They went up to the 4th floor where Lea�s office was. Once they in, they noticed there were only a few people waiting, a woman with a son who was suffering from some sort of cold and another woman whose daughter had a broken arm. Jessica registered their names and they settled down in the waiting room and waited for their turn. The girls played with the toys that were in the waiting room. Jessica watched the girls and read a magazine.
�Um Jessica Lachey,� the nurse called after a few minutes. Jessica stood up and gathered the girls together and followed the nurse to Lea�s room. Angie felt her heart beating. She was very anxious to meet Lea. �Dr. Dellecave will be here in a moment,� the nurse said as they walked into Lea�s room. Jessica nodded. Then the nurse left the room. Sammi began touching the various instruments.
�Sam, please don�t touch,� Jessica said. Then Sammi stopped and sat next to her mother and humored her sister. Angie walked around the room and came across a few photographs. There was one of Lea and her parents, another with her friends, and one with Ian. She, then, came across a picture that was very much hidden. Angie pulled out the picture and saw Deborah, a much younger Drew and Lea. Deborah was wearing a yellow sundress looking very girly. Drew was wearing a baseball cap backward and a blue t-shirt and black pants. Lea looked very tom-boyish. She had short blond hair held back by a head band. She also wore a yellow jacket, a yellow t-shirt and khaki blue jeans. Angie noticed the apparent differences in personalities between her mother and Lea. However, despite the differences, all 3 of them looked very happy and were beaming at the camera. Angie smiled looking at a picture.
�Mommy,� she said softly touching the picture.
�Angie, please don�t touch that,� Jessica said.
�Sorry Auntie Jessie. But I found a picture of Mommy and Daddy with Lea,� Angie said.
�Oh you did?� Jessica said standing up still holding Claire. She walked over to where Angie was standing and gazed at the picture. �Wow. Your mom looks very girly compared to Lea.�
�Yeah,� Angie agreed. Then they sat back down. Later Lea walked in. She was a bit different from the pictures, Angie had seen of her. Her hair was much longer. It was tied in a French braid. She was also a white blouse and grey skirt under her doctor coat. Angie immediately liked her right away. She thought Lea was such a beautiful lady and loved her smiling face. Angie was practically beaming at her.
�Hello there,� Lea greeted. �I�m Dr. Dellecave.�
�Hi, I�m Jessica Lachey,� Jessica said. The two women shook hands. �That last name seems so familiar,� she thought to herself.
�These are my two daughters, Samantha and Claire and this is my niece, Angie,� Jessica said introducing the girls. Lea shook hands with all 3 of them with a smile. Angie couldn�t stop beaming at her.
�And you are here because the girls need a check-up,� Lea said opening up her file. �Has there been any illness that happened to the girls lately?�
�Nope,� Jessica said.
�Have they had the chicken pox?�
�Well Angie has but Samantha and Claire haven�t.� Lea nodded and wrote a few things down.
�Are they allergic to anything?�
�No.�
�Ok. Then who wants to be 1st?� The girls sat there for moment. They were a bit nervous.
�Will you poke us with that sharp thing?� Sam asked. Lea nodded smiling.
�Don�t worry. It won�t hurt.� Angie went 1st because she knew if her daddy and mommy trusted this woman, than she could trust Lea too. So Lea ran a few tests on Angie. Angie practically held her screams during the needle. Sam went next and didn�t scream so loud when she went under the needle. Claire went last. Jessica had to hold her during her turn. But once, she went under the needle, she practically screamed her head off and cried after that. Jessica had to hush her down.
�Well everything seems to be alright. The girls are very healthy and strong. Just make sure, they continue eating healthily and drink a lot of water,� Lea said taking her gloves off.
�Thank you Doctor,� Jessica said.
�You�re welcome,� Lea said. �And since the little girls have been such good patients, you can each have a balloon and lollypop.�
�Yay!� the girls said excitedly in unison. �Thank you doctor! Then Lea paged for the nurse to bring 3 balloons and 3 lollypops. The nurse soon came in with those items. The girls were ecstatic.
�Mommy! I need to go potty!� Sam said all of a sudden.
�Me too!� Claire added. Jessica sighed.
�Angie, do you need to go to the bathroom?� Jessica asked her niece. Angie shook her head. Then Jessica looked at Lea. �Where is your bathroom?�
�Down the hall to your left,� Lea answered.
�Thank you and can you watch Angie for me?� Jessica asked Lea.
�Of course.�
�Thank you.� Then Jessica and her daughters left the room leaving Lea and Angie alone. Lea seemed to feel a bit nervous when she was around Angie. She didn�t know why cause she was used to be left alone with children. She stared down at the little girl. � Could she be? No it�s impossible,� Lea thought.
�So Angie, are you on summer vacation?� Lea asked.
�Yup. My daddy and I are here visiting my grandma as well as my auntie and uncle and my cousins.�
�What about your mother? Where is she?� Lea asked for Angie did not mention her mother. Angie looked away. Tears began running down her cheeks. She hated it whenever a stranger asked where her mother was. She always hated it whenver a stranger asked where her mother was. She always had to give them, the same painful answer.
�My mother is dead,� Angie said bitterly.
�Oh I�m so sorry, � Lea said sympathetically. Angie began weeping a little and wiped her tears.
�Come here, Angie,� Lea said motioning Angie to sit on her lap. Angie reluctantly walked over and sat on her lap. Lea stroked her hair and wiped her tears. �I know what is like to loose somebody you love. But you must always remember that they will always be by your side. Angie nodded and Lea gave her a comforting smile and kissed her forehead.
�What is your 1st name?� Angie asked.
�Lea.�
�That�s my middle name!�
�Really?�
�Uh-huh. Why�s your name Lea?�
�My parents like that name. Why is your name, Lea?�
�Because my parents had this friend named Lea whom they liked so much and so they named my middle name after her,� Angie said proudly with a mysterious grin. Lea looked at her weirdly. She began to wonder if Angie really was Drew and Deborah�s daughter. Then she spotted Angie�s locket.
�Is that a locket?� Lea asked pointing at the locket.
�Uh-huh. It has a picture of my mommy and daddy.�
�May I see?�
�Sure.� Lea opened the locket and was shocked to see what she found. Her mouth dropped wide-open. She saw 2 pictures of her 2 best friends. She immediately saw the resemblances of Drew and Deborah within Angie. She also realized Jessica was Nick�s wife and her kids were his kids. �That could only mean that, omg! Deborah is dead!� Lea thoguth. Then Jessica walked in with Sam and Claire.
�Well we�re back. Thanks for watching Angie.�
�Oh no problem,� Lea said a bit startled. A lot was going through her mind.
�Well Angie, are you ready to go?� Jessica asked.
�Uh-huh.� Angie jumped off Lea�s lap and Lea escorted them to the elevator. She couldn�t stop staring at Angie. They all said good bye and Lea watched them enter the elevator and go down. She couldn�t believe what just happened.
Chapter 6
�So what do you think of Lea, Angie?� Cate asked her granddaughter as they drove home.
�I like her. She�s pretty and really nice,� Angie said happily.
�Well I�m glad you like her,� Cate said.
�I think she knows who I am,� Angie said.
�What do you mean Angie?� Jessica asked.
�I think she knows that I�m her best friend�s daughter.�
�What makes you think that?�
�She saw my locket.�
�Oh.�
�Well at least she doesn�t know that your mother set you on a mission to bring her and your daddy together,� Cate said.
�Yeah. Now I just need to get her and daddy to meet.�
�Well I think I know how,� Cate said.
�How?� Jessica asked.
�Well I met Gerri again at the supermarket and she told me that she and Lea are going to the bridal shop tomorrow. There is a park near the shop so you could trick your daddy into going there and drag him to the bridal shop and that�s how your daddy and Lea will reunite,� Cate said to Angie.
�Do you think it�ll work?� Angie asked.
�It should.�
�What if her fianc�e is there?� Jessica asked.
�Well that won�t be a problem because her fianc�e will be leaving for London tonight on a business trip and he won�t be back for a month,� Cate explained.
�That means we have enough time to make daddy and Lea fall in love again!� Angie said excitedly.
�Yup,� Cate said with a smile. They soon arrived home. Both Sammi and Claire had fallen asleep in the car. Jessica put them down for a nap. Soon Nick and Drew came home with a sleeping Nicky. They had huge smiles on their faces. Nick put his son down for a nap.
�So did the Bearcats win?� Jessica asked as she cuddled with her husband on the couch.
�Yup. 72-71,� Nick said with pride. �It was a tight game. But the Bearcats crushed the Wizards with all their might!�
�So it must�ve been a priceless game,� Cate said.
�Yes it was,� Drew agreed. �So how was shopping?� Angie looked at Jessica.
�Well�we didn�t buy anything,� Jessica said.
�Wow. That�s something new,� Nick said.
�Well everything here wasn�t up to date, fashion-wise as it is in L.A.,� she said.
�I see. So I guess everything they had at the store was so last year at Melrose,� Nick said mockingly. Drew and Angie laughed. Jessica gave Nick, the evil eye. Nick just smiled and kissed her. �I�m just playing with you, baby.�
�I know baby.�
�Daddy?� Angie said.
�Hmm?� Drew answered.
�Can we go to the park tomorrow?� Angie asked.
�Hmm?� Drew asked.
�Can we go to the park tomorrow?� Angie asked.
�Sure honey,� Drew said. Then Nicky, Sammi and Claire woke-up. Fortunately, Sammi and Claire forgotten they had gone to the doctor�s. They had dinner. Then Nick and Jessica and Drew took Angie, Nicky, and Sammi to the movies to see �Shark Tale� while Cate watched Claire.
~ A few hours earlier at Lea�s apartment ~
Lea had finally arrived at her apartment at 5 o�clock. It had been a really long day at work. There were so many appointments. She was very tired but she couldn�t stop thinking about Angie. She couldn�t believe that she had just treated her bestfriends� daughter for she hasn�t seen them in many years. She also was shocked to find Deborah had died. That meant Drew was single. But then, she wondered if Drew was dating someone or he probably remarried. �He couldn�t have remarried, cause then Angie�s stepmother would�ve came to the appointment which did not happen,� Lea thought. �Ugh! What do I care? I�m getting married anyways to the most wonderful man in the world.� Lea then took a shower and then the phone rang. When she got out, Lea threw on a bath robe and picked up the phone.
�Hello?�
�Hey baby.�
�Oh hi Ian. How are you?�
�I�m fine sweetie. And how are you?�
�I�m doing alright. I actually just got out of the shower.�
�Oh did I catch you at a wrong time?�
�No. Not at all.�
�Oh so how was your day?�
�It was�pretty good. I had a lot of appointments though.�
�Wow. You must�ve had a busy day.�
�Yeah. So how was your day?�
�It was pretty boring. We had a long conference meeting.�
�Oh I see.�
�Well as long as our planning brings us more money, it�ll be all worth it. I just called to say I�m gonna pick you up at 7:30 p.m.�
�Oh ok. Well I�ll see you later.�
�Alright. Bye. I love you.�
�I love you too. Bye.� They hung up. Lea sighed. She sometimes wished Ian did not care too much about money. She changed into a simple black dress. She put on a bit of make-up and put her hair in a bun. She looked at the clock. It was a quarter to seven so she decided to relax a little bit. She made herself, a cup of coffee and sat down and watched TV.
�This is Suchin Pak with an MTV news brief. Co-CEOs of Deborah records, brothers, Nick and Drew Lachey have recently added a new artist, American Idol hopeful, Latoya London to hteir label. She is set to release her debut album this fall. Also in news, Jessica Simpson-Lachey, Nick Lachey�s wife, is set to release her 5th album this fall. That is the news for now. Stay tune for more news at 10 to the hour here on MTV.� While Suchin talked, the screen showed images of Nick and Drew and Jessica. Lea immediately recognized them all. She finally got a clarification that Jessica was Nick�s wife and Angie was Drew�s daughter. It still hasn�t hit her yet that she had actually treated her best friend�s daughter. After the news, Lea turned the TV off. She picked up an issue of People magazine. She found more pictures of Nick and Jessica and Drew at a showbiz party. She traced the picture of Drew over with her fingers. Then the doorbell rang. Lea got up and opened the door to see Ian standing on the other side.
�Hey Ian,� Lea greeted.
�Hi Lea,� Ian greeted. They hugged and kissed. �This is for you.� He handed her, a rectangular velvet box. Lea opened it and it was a 8-karat diamond bracelet. Lea�s eyes widened but she wasn�t surprised for she was used to Ian showering her with diamonds.
�Thank you.�
� Let me put it on you.� He put the bracelet on her wrist. �Ready to go?�
�Yup.� The couple soon left in Ian�s Mercedes Benz. They arrived at the Cincinnati Country Club walked into the French restaurant there. �Watkins reservations,� Ian said to the host.
�Right this way monsieur,� the host led them to their table. They sat down and ordered drinks.
�So what time does your flight leave?� Lea asked.
�Tonight,� Ian answered. �Are you sure you can handle all the wedding plans by yourself?�
�Yes. I�ll call you if I need anything.�
�Ok. So have you decided where you wanna go for our honeymoon?�
�Well I thought we could go to Fiji. We could stay on a private island all to ourselves. I checked the internet.�
�Ok. Fiji it is.� They ordered their food and continued on discussing their wedding plans. Later he sent her home and they said good bye and Lea wished him a good trip.