A/N: Anyone still interested in this one? It's been a long time, but I re-read Relativity this week and I'm back in the grove for now. Not sure how long it will last though!

Chapter 5

Zander brushed Excalibur's coat. His two year old Stallion was, in his opinion, the finest horse in all of Venezuela. He would like very much to race him, but he was still too young. He looked over at Samantha who was saddling Fagan in the next stall.

"I'll meet you up at the Glen." She said a moment later.

"Why can't you just wait, Sage will be here in a minute."

"Yes, but she still needs to brush down Adaire and feed her and saddle her."

"We could start for her and it wouldn't take as long…you know she's helping with the baby…it isn't like she's late on purpose."

Samantha led Fagan out of the stable. "You can wait if you'd like Zander, but I'm not spending my day doing Sage's chores."

"I don't understand you lately Sam, you would have helped me. What did Sage do to make you so cross?"

She turned back in surprised. "I'm not angry with Sage, I just…I really want to spend as much time at the Glen as I can."

"Well, you certainly act as if you're cross with her. And she thinks you are."

"What are you talking about Zander?"

Zander rolled his eyes. He would never understand girls. Samantha was acting as if she wasn't aware that she was hurting Sage's feelings at every turn. "Go on then. We'll meet you."

"No Zander, what do you mean, about Sage, did she say something?"

"Not to me. But I have eyes and" He smiled. "ears. You are short with her all the time. You have been for months."

Samantha blushed deeply. She pulled the strap to finish securing the picnic basket to Fagan's side. "I…I didn't realize…I have to go…"

"Sam!"

"Please, Zander leave it…I need to think."

"She's finally settled. How's Molly?"

Sage was looking out the window and didn't answer right away.

"Sage?" Alexis laid her hands around the girl's shoulders. "Did Molly fuss at all?"

"No Mama. She hasn't made a sound."

"Thank you for watching her. Run along to your picnic."

"Are you sure it's alright? With Tia and Alice in town? And Papa and Abuelo?"

"I think I can manage for an hour or so. Don't keep them waiting."

Sage shook her head. "Only Zander's waiting. Samantha rode out five minutes ago."

"Well, don't keep Zander waiting then." Alexis gave her a pat on the behind, ignoring the melancholy in her voice. "Have fun and remember Papa will be back before dinner."

"I wish you could come too."

"Well, someone needs to stay with your sisters…and it will be a while before I'm ready to go riding again." She kissed the top of Sage's head and sent her on her way.

"Father." Lorenzo put a hand on his shoulder. "It's getting late."

The older man made no reaction. Lorenzo knelt down beside him. It was difficult looking at the stone it was dismal. It had not been Lorenzo's decision, though he agreed with it, his brother had no place in the family plot. No right to lay next to his mother and grandparents and sister in law, with his stillborn daughter. But now, with months to wash away the rage and anger he wondered if it had been a mistake. He knew Alexis felt it was, and Rosa.

Luis Ramon Alcazar

1873 – 1908

There was nothing else written on the stone. They were sure no one would miss him. And no one did, except them.

"What did I do wrong?" His father whispered at the stone.

"Papa, don't start this again. Luis made his own choices, you are not to blame."

"Ah, but we both know that's a lie."

Lorenzo's own guilt could be overwhelming, but he was afraid his father's would be the death of the old man. "I promised the children we would be back in time for dinner."

The children had been Lorenzo's saving grace. His guilt and grief were pushed aside to make sure Alexis was getting enough rest, to teach Kristina to climb the stairs, to help Zander with his schoolwork. And though his father was right there, surrounded by his grandchildren, he was lost.

Dear Monica,

All is well here. Marguerite Rosa Alcazar joined the family on the 27th of August 1909. She is a beautiful and happy baby. And I am pleased to report she is already sleeping through the night…most of the time.

Kristina is not all together happy at the moment. As a matter of fact she reminds me of Sage when we first met. Her sisters are very good with her, and I hope this sibling rivalry will pass soon.

Sage is being extremely helpful. She has grown up so much. She's doing quite well in school this term. Well, except for mathematics…but we're working on that. She was given her own horse on her ninth birthday. A mare, she's decided to name Adaire. I don't have the slightest idea where that name came from, but I do like it. The older children are on a picnic, so I am enjoying a few moments quite. (Both Kristina and Molly (Lorenzo's nickname for Marguerite) are napping!)

You wouldn't recognize Zander. He's quite tall now, an inch taller than Samantha and she's two years older. I'm grateful everyday that Dr. Drake was able to restore his hearing. To hear him now, you would never guess he lived 6 years in complete silence. He's a wonderful brother to the girls. The adoption was finalized in May, but was only a formality, since he's been calling us Mama and Papa for years now.

Samantha is still doing well in school. I believe she has a bit of a crush on the older Drake boy, she denies it vehemently however. She hasn't changed much, she still divides her free time between music and Fagan. She is good with the babies, though not as involved with them as Sage is. She's been quiet lately. Too be honest, I'm a little worried about her.

The clinic is coming along nicely. The Drakes work tirelessly on it. They had dinner with us the other evening (Samantha was especially quiet) and Dr. Drake informed us that there are several candidates coming to interview. Imagine…four young men coming all the way to Venezuela just for a chance to work in our little clinic.

The new orphanage is beautiful. Three stories high. The left wing of the first floor is all classrooms, as nice as anything at St. Bernadette's. There's a library as well and the children adore it. The right wing is all offices, the infirmary is much improved and Dr. Drake stops in at least once a week to check on the children. The upper floors are filled with dormitories, but there are playrooms as well. I do hope you can visit it one of these days.

Alexis looked down at her letter. She wanted to ask about Brenda. The girl had been on her mind all day. It seemed unfair that Skye and Alan Jr. were going on with their lives, while Brenda was stuck in limbo. Alexis fiddled absently with her fountain pen.

"Mama!" Kristina called out. "I wake now!"

The little girl ran through the door and threw herself on Alexis' skirt. "Did you have a nice nap?"

"No…I no sleep."

Alexis smiled. Kristina had been asleep for close to two hours. "Oh, well, I hope you won't be too cranky to have dinner with us tonight." The little one generally ate in the nursery and was in bed by the time the family ate.

"Oh…I did sleep...Krissy sleep and sleep." Alexis pulled the girl to her lap and hugged her tightly.

"Mama, Molly no eat wif us…she too little right?"

"Yes, Molly's too young. Only big girls can have dinner."

"And boys? Right Mama? Zander too!"

"Yes, Zander too."