Proximity: Book 2 of the Relativity Saga
Prologue
This is book two of the Relativity Saga. It's not going to make much sense if you haven't read Relativity, but it's really long so I'll summarize it here for those who aren't interested in mucking through 108 chapters.
Relativity is a really, really, really alternate reality. It began in Edwardian England in 1905, where Alexandra Davidovich, 26, lived with her "Uncle" and his family. She had many dark secrets, not the least of which was her daughter, 9 year old Samantha.
A dashing stranger comes to visit, in the person of Lorenzo Alcazar. Eventually he convinces Alexis that marrying him is her best chance to escape from her "Aunt" Helena. She agrees out of desperation, but is sure he is only looking for a mother for his hopelessly spoiled daughter Sage.
Eventually the two fall in love and shortly there after admit their feelings. They made their way back to Venezuela, Lorenzo's home. There they faced new challenges, but new friends and interests as well. Alexis begins working at an orphanage that Lorenzo had an unhappy connection to.
We reconnect with the Alcazars in Proximity. It's now Fall of 1909.
Chapter 1
"Mama! Mama!" Sage called from the hall. "Mama, sorry." She cringed remembering too late she was supposed to knock before entering her parents' room.
Alexis rolled her eyes. She had long since given up scolding Sage on this issue. "Shhh, she just fell asleep."
Sage made a silent apology with a shrug and sat down on the stool next to the rocking chair. She whispered. "Can you help me with this?"
"In a minute she isn't quite done."
"She's eating while she's asleep?"
Alexis nodded. "Mathematics?"
"I just hate fractions…they don't make any sense." She confirmed.
Alexis lifted her sleeping daughter to her shoulder and patted her firmly on the back. At the third pat a rather loud burp sounded. Sage wrinkled her nose in distaste. Alexis laughed, as she laid the babe in her bassinet. She readjusted her blouse and joined Sage. "Let me see." She studied the tablet briefly. "Ah, here's the problem, you've confused the numerator with the denominator again."
"I can't keep them straight." She sighed. "And why should it even matter!"
"We'll review them tomorrow. You remember we have company for dinner?"
"May I please eat in the nursery?"
"No, you may not. You used to beg us to let you join us for dinner."
"That was when I was a child and didn't know any better."
Alexis laughed, "Alice laid out your dresses. Where is Samantha?"
"Well I don't hear the piano, so she's probably out with Fagan. They aren't bringing Patrick are they?"
"I expect so, and Barbara."
"Oh, that's alright then." Sage smiled. "She didn't say anything in school about it, but that could be because she got in trouble today."
Alexis raised an eyebrow. "You sound a bit too pleased about that."
"She never gets in trouble. Never…but today…"
"This sounds an awful lot like gossip." Lorenzo said.
"It isn't gossip Papa…it's what happened."
Lorenzo crossed over and gave Alexis a kiss, before he turned back to Sage. "Your interpretation of what happened…gossip."
"Oh Papa, you're no fun." Sage pouted. Her expression brightened suddenly. "I got 98 on my Geography exam. The best in the class."
"That's my girl. Run along and get ready for dinner, I need to talk to your mother."
Samantha dismounted at the top of the vista. She could see everything from here, her entire world.
To the west was her favorite retreat a dell with a spring and watering hole. Years ago she and Emily had caught Skye and Brenda skinny dipping there. They promised not to tell, only if they could join in too. She went there by herself now, though Sage sometimes came with her. It wasn't really the same.
She looked over to the Quartermaine estate. The old Quartermaine estate. They had returned to New York 2 years before, and she still missed them. She and Emily wrote each other faithfully. Emily's stories of her eccentric family were always something to look forward to.
The house had been occupied by the Drake's for well over a year, but to Samantha it would always remain the Quartermaines.
To the south she could just make out the new Sophie Alcazar Home for Foundlings. It was on the same property of the old orphanage. At first the plan was to renovate the facility, but as work commenced they'd discovered termite damage and dry rot, and it was determined starting from scratch would be simpler. The new building was dedicated some months ago, a portrait of Sage's Mama Sophie hung in the entry way. Samantha frowned.
A little beyond that stood St. Bernadette's. School wasn't as fun without Emily, but she still enjoyed it. There were sometimes she longed for her lessons with Mama, but Mama was so busy now.
Her gaze wandered home. The house and stables looked rather small from here. She could make out Sebastian and Zander walking to the house. Tia Rosa working in her garden. Then she saw the carriage.
She had completely forgotten. She hoped Mama wouldn't be cross. The Drake's were coming to dinner and she wasn't dressed. She called for Fagan and climbed hastily onto his back. "Home boy…we're late."
"Sagey play!" Kristina shouted as Sage entered the nursery.
"Sorry Krissy, I've got to change."
Kristina screwed up her mouth. "Play wif me!"
Sage looked to Alice.
"She doesn't have time right now Kristina."
"Tomorrow's Saturday Kristina, I'll play with you all day."
"Play now!" Krissy stomped her foot, then she smiled looking past Sage. "Zan play wif Krissy."
She ran and grabbed his hand, leaving him no chance to argue. Zander shrugged good naturedly and joined her on the floor. Sage was momentarily insulted, before remembering she had been trying to escape.
"May I help you?" Lorenzo asked.
"Can you get the top buttons?" Alexis swept her hair up and turned so he could reach.
"It fits again so soon, you aren't losing weight too quickly are you?"
"I didn't gain as much with Marguerite, which is strange, considering she was almost a half kilogram heavier than Kristina." She remarked, easing back into his arms. She rested for a moment before hearing a carriage. "Is that the Drakes?"
Lorenzo craned his neck. "I believe so, I'll go and greet them if you're not ready."
"I'll be there in a minute. Can you check Samantha's room…I haven't seen her all afternoon. If she isn't there please send Sebastian or Marco to track her down."
"Should I take Molly to the nursery?"
Alexis shook her head. He left and she finished her hair, she scooped up her baby girl. "Where did he ever get Molly out of Marguerite?" She studied the sleeping bundle. "Well, I guess it suits you. Molly it is."