4.24 Caught

Lexi’s phone wailed late in the night its obnoxious tune slicing through the still air. Lexi tried to ignore it, but the caller called back. “Hello,” she whispered groggily into the receiver.

“Mrs. Parkes, this is Lt. Toby Edwin. We’ve found your daughter, and there’s an officer enroute to your house.”

Lexi quickly dressed to meet her daughter. It wasn’t a pleasant meeting but the first thing Lexi did was hold her daughter close. Then the anxiety over took her and all of her anger poured out. “How did you get to Champs Les Sims!” Lexi shrieked across the lawn. “Better yet why!”

Madison stared at her mother. “Why do care,” Madison screamed with equal irritation, “It’s not like your ever there!” Lexi stood shocked, her hand on her temple. Madison sent one last glare at her mother before running inside.

4.23 Flings

Little did Ty know, Madison was already on her way to filling her mothers shoes.


Madison's plane touched down early one morning. Her intentions were simple, paint as many landscapes of the beautiful country side as possible and maybe submerse herself in French art. Since it was too early for check in, she stopped to enjoy the little country stores before heading to the hotel. In the courtyard, she met Bernard. He was a little neurotic but a lot of fun. The two spent the day discussing end of the world theories and which cappuccino was the best.


The day was quickly coming to an end, and check in hours were almost over. Madison was quite fine, hanging out with her new friend, but she knew if she didn't get checked in, she'd be sleeping under the stars that night.

Just before she left, Bernard whispered, kiss me, into her ear. With a light smile, she leaned in and kissed him before heading towards the hotel.








The next day Madison found herself tucked under a large willow tree. The landscape was breath taking. Ahem, she heard a male clear his throat behind her. Startled, Madison turned to face quite the adventurer.

"Oh sorry," he said slowly approaching her, "my name's Maurice." He extended his hand.

Madison blushed under his gaze but quickly recovered, "Madison." He delicately held her hand in his and kissed the top of it.

"My pleasure," he said, letting go of her hand.


Madison was happy to spend time with Maurice. The two stood under the tree and talked about traveling across the globe and their shared love of the outdoors.

Madison checked her watch, it was almost time to meet up with Bernard, "I need to head back."

Maurice grabbed her face, "I'll be thinking of you Madison." He leaned in and kissed her lightly before releasing her into the twilight.

Madison wasn't sure what had gotten in to her but she figured it wouldn't be a problem.

After all, her plane tomorrow morning and no one needed to know.

4.27 Many Surprises

Just like all the previous birthday's, Lexi and Ty accompanied Madison and Riley around the table. Blake took off work to spend this day with Riley, as he had intentions to propose after wards. Ty's daughter decided to stop by and, much to Lexi's disgust, Dequan Brandon also turned up.

Madison was the first to age up. The guests crowded around her and cheered as Lexi finished lighting the candles. Madison closed her eyes and mouthed words soundlessly before blowing out the candles. Madison opened her eyes and planted a long kiss on Dequan's lips.

A confused gasp rang from the guests. Lexi's eyes narrowed at her daughter. She was ashamed for her daughter. She had her suspicions, but nothing to confirm them. Dequan was far to old for Madison, and Lexi didn't want to consider how long this had been going on.

Ty quickly lit the candles on the second cake to help diffuse the situation. Riley stepped to the table and quickly blew her candles out. She closed her eyes as her body matured.

When she opened her eyes, Blake was down on one knee. "Marry me," he said softly. Riley squealed with delight and hugged him close.

Ty looked from his daughter to the twins. Proud that his family, or what he considered his family, was around him. His eyes eventually met Lexis, and he smiled at her. Lexi grabbed Ty and held him close, kissing him for the third time ever.

4.26 Almost over

Lexi finally aged into an elder. She did it the only way she knew, after a performance.

The teens were currently maturing. Madison had recently broken up with her on again off again boy friend, Jeremy. Lexi secretly hoped this would be the last time. It turned out it was the last time, but it didn't take long before she was in love with someone else.

Riley, on the other hand, was settling down way too fast with her high school sweetheart. It worried Lexi, but she tried to think of Mason and his wife Layla, who were both married after these many years. Lexi tried to push Riley to pursue her writing instead of the family road. But Riley was truly a person of her own and she wouldn't follow her mothers foot steps.

As the teens quickly raced towards adulthood, Lexi realized the emptiness in her life. Ty filled this emptiness a lot. After his split with his wife, Ty's visits became rare as he became a single father. But now that his daughter was grown, Ty spent more time with Lexi and her daughters.

On the eve of the twins birthday, Lexi finally accepted her feelings towards Ty.

4.25 Busted Again

Madison avoided her family for another two days, preferring to skip school and stay locked in the library. Her mother wouldn’t know where she was but as long as Riley knew, Madison would be okay.

This was her favorite spot, tucked in the dusty library, in front of the easel. Madison slid her paintbrush across the canvas carefully.

“What are you doing in here!” Lexi’s enraged voice boomed behind her, “get out! OUT!”

Madison looked up from the easel and dropped her paint brush, splattering blue paint on the floor.

Lexi’s once sophisticated look library was purple. “MADISON!” She yelled throughout the house. Lexi stopped and looked around the room. The art was amazing.

“Madison?” Lexi said, slipping open her daughter’s door.

“Go away,” Madison whispered.

“Have I told you why the library is closed off?”

Madison shook her head, wiping a tear from her eye.

“My brother loved that room, well mainly the easel. Back then, it was on the balcony. It was his favorite way to spend time. Then he hit this rough spot with our father. When he ran off, I was scared. Just like I was when you ran off.”

4.22 Missing

Lexi loved the ocean, it always reminded her of her father, as it was his favorite place too. Lexi sat alone, thinking of the past. Lexi had missed the girls’ innocent days. It wasn’t long before they wanted jobs and car keys. Lexi was at the height of her career. Her name was known around the world from the tombs of Shang Simla to the hills of Champs Les Sims. Again she was sad. This time is wasn’t over the loss of her parents or the surprise pregnancy, but this time it was herself. Yes her job was important, but it shouldn’t have been more important than her daughters. She knew that now, but she hadn’t always. She started to think about retiring while she still had time to spend with her daughters.

Her phone buzzed beside her and Lexi casually flipped her phone open, “Lexi Parkes.”

“Mom,” she heard Riley frantically yelling into the phone, “Madison. Madison,” Lexi jumped up, cutting her daughter off mid statement. “Riley hon, calm down, Madison what?” Riley paused and collected herself before continuing. “Mom, I didn’t see Madison at school yesterday, she didn’t come home last night, I can’t find her anywhere, and her phone’s off.”

There was a brief pause as Lexi remembered the fear she felt when Mason ran away. Her father had known right where to go to find him. Lexi didn’t know anything about her daughters.

“Mom,” Riley asked into the phone, “are you still there?”

“Yes I’m here. Call Ty and let him know.”

Lexi snapped her phone shut and proceeded to police department.

4.21 Days of Youth

The girls were growing quickly in Lexi's absences. Still wanting to have some parental influence in the house, Lexi invited Ty to stay at the house. This meant the girls were able to spend many days and nights with Ty. They loved him, almost like a father.






Ty's extra time at Lexi's caused strain at his house, and it wasn't too long before Ty was kicked out of his own house.








Even with her absences, Madison adored her mother. She would cry every time she left and would often wake up early just to listen to her mother practice. She admired her mother. Ty was concerned for Madison, after all Lexi hadn't led the best life. He felt extra protective of the girls. Mostly out of guilt.

But the girls birthday's were quickly approaching and he was powerless to stop the forces that had already taken place. He couldn't undo Lexi's bad parenting, but he could try to steer them in the right direction.

4.20 Unearthed Secrets

"Madison!" Riley exclaimed loudly, "what are you doing in here?" Riley had wandered around the house looking for Madison. The meal she had cooked was currently getting cold on the dinning room table.

In the library, Madison jumped. "Mom will kill you if she finds you in here. Come on!" Riley demanded, grabbing her sisters arm.

"Riley wait," Madison yelled. "Haven't you ever wondered why mom doesn't want us in here?"
Riley looked around, "No I don't. I'm sure she has her reasons, now let's go."

"Ok, but look at this," Madison said, pushing her sister in front of a large canvas, "I've been practicing."

It really was beautiful, the painting at least. The rest of the library looked neglected. Even the evening light couldn't shine though the dust on the balcony doors. The room itself was empty, abandoned with time.

Riley pulled her sister downstairs just as Lexi pulled into the drive way.

4.19 Shift of Focus

After the twins entered school, Lexi put all her efforts into her career. IT wasn't long before her girls were listening to her songs on the bus and Lexi was performing sold out concerts at the stadium. All this sucess meant that Lexi spent a lot of time away from the house and her girls. While Lexi was away, the girls were left to take care of themselves.







Riley was the responsible one. Forced to grow up fast, she quickly learned how to cook and clean. Riley took good care of herself and her sister. She felt it was her duty to make sure Madison was up for school every morning and fed breakfast.

Madison, on the other hand, disliked authority and anyone trying to ex

ercise it over her. Without a father or mother present, it was hard for other adults to tame her. Sometimes, she felt that Riley was bossing her around too

much and she would lash out at her sister. When this happened, Madison would sneak into the library, the only part of the house that was “off limits.”

After stumbling into the library after a fight with her sister, Madison couldn’t figure out why it was off limits. It was a library with books, a comfortable chair, a desk, and a painting easel. It didn’t take Madison long to steal watercolors from the local store (it didn’t matter anyways, she reasoned, her family owned the market).

Painting was one thing that could sedate Madison. It was her true love. She could sit for hours and paint, and soon the room was full of paintings stacked deep.

4.18 Quickly growing

Many sleepless nights followed the homecoming of the twins. But it was well worth it in the end when the tearful babies became eager toddlers. Lexi had her work cut out. Being a single parent meant that all of the teaching had to come from her. Between nights at the theater and with the twins, Lexi stayed tired. But all her hard work paid off and soon the toddlers were aging into beautiful little girls ready for school.

Ty was actively involved in the twins' lives. He would come over to eat dinner and babysit occasionally. This gave Lexi much needed time to herself. Although she usually spent this time sleeping.

It wasn't long until the twins would go to school. Although Lexi had spent more time at work and less with the girls, she still felt some tinge of sorrow. Her babies were growing and they were growing quickly.

4.17 Twins!

Maternity leave would be the death of Lexi. It was hard to go from busy, busy, busy to nothing. Not to mention Lexi was alone in the house.

Ty and Layla visited Lexi frequently during her maternity leave. It lifted her spirits a bit, but she couldn't wait to be back on tour.

Lexi woke early one more with "baby pains" and quickly called Ty before rushing to the hospital. Her time in the hospital was short as the twins came quickly. Lexi held the baby girls in her arms smiling brightly at Ty and Mason gathered around her.

Days later Lexi left the hospital with both healthy baby girls, Madison and Riley. Ty agreed to hang around and help Lexi get the twins home.



(Lucky for me accidental twins doesn't end the legacy. I so wanted a boy too... really?)

4.16 Happy Birthday!

MaKenzie’s lovely large house felt cold and empty to Lexi. Without her parents or a husband, Lexi was alone. In an attempt to calm herself, Lexi moved into the downstairs bedroom. Ty came to see her frequently. She enjoyed having the company.

Even though her birthday was quickly approaching, Lexi still felt beaten. It was easy to remain focused when you still had another parent to support you. When someone was still there rooting for you. Now, both Lexi’s parents were gone, and she felt alone.

It did not help that Lexi was feeling sick all the time. She ruled it off as nerves and emotions; after all she had just lost both of her parents within a week then her belly swelled.

“This cannot be happening,”

she said to herself, looking at h

er swollen body in the mirror.

But it was. Lexi wasn’t about to ask if it could get worse because she knew it could.

Ty was the 'bestest' friend a girl could ask for during this time. He often came over to see her. “So who do you think the father is?” Ty asked over lemonade. Lexi laughed, taking another sip of her lemonade, “So you remember that roadie? Pretty sure.”

"Lex, are you serious?"
"Don't attack me. It was stupid."

Stupid really didn't make it any better or easier. But Gallen had definitely skipped town. Wasn't what what a roadie did anyways?

"Money really isn't an issue," Lexi started rationalizing, "I'm a star. I have loads. Not to mention my parents left me with a nice ---."
"It's not money I'm worried about. What about a father?" Ti-Ning cut in.
"I don't know Ty," Lexi confessed, "I didn't think about that."

4.15 The After Party

Lexi walked down the stairs to her record release party. Her manager, Megan was celebrating the release of Lexi's third album, Far From Here. MaKenzie and Megan worked together to arrange the party. Mason brought his family, even Aunt Heather showed up with her high school boyfriend. It was a time to celebrate for the Parkes.

Deep down, Lexi would rather be hiding upstairs, but she knew her mother wanted her to be happy.

And so happy she would be. Drink after drink after drink.

Lexi cornered her self in the living room to play a drunken chorus from her new hit. While strumming something that sounded like the familiar chorus, Mason yelled from the dining room. "LEXI!" his voice boomed over the stereo and Lexi's playing, "COME QUICK!" Lexi dropped her guitar, cringing as it hit the floor.



Lexi entered the dinning room to find her guests surrounding her mother, who was smiling happily and slightly transparent. "Mom!" Lexi cried, running to her side. But she was too late to save her.


Lexi's family held her as her guest trickled out the door. "Call me if you need anything at all," Ty said, hugging Lexi close.











The door closed behind them and Lexi heard the toilet flush. "Whoa, where'd everyone go?" Gallen said, walking from the restroom. Lexi threw her arms around his neck, kissing him fiercely.


Lexi found herself locked in her room with Gallen. She wasn't sure who he was, or why he was here. All Lexi knew was they were both here, her mother just died in front of her, and there was a bottle of vodka running through her body. Also she currently had a sexy guy pinned underneath her.

She'd been up upset and hurt for too long. She'd just lost her father days earlier, now she had lost her mother. Refusing to hold back, Lexi pushed him deeper into the mattress.

4.14 Bittersweet

It was unfair, Lexi thought, that the world didn't stop. She felt like it should. She was grieving and nothing seemed to stop and give her time. Lexi sat in her dressing room. In 20 minutes she would be on stage, pretending that nothing was wrong, that everything was okay.

She was world known pop star. Her determination and drive had finally got her where she wanted to be. But she couldn't enjoy it. Not under the umbrella of her father's death.

She knew deep down that her father wouldn't want to see her this way. He would want her to go out there and give her fans the best show of her career. There was a soft knock at the door, it was her mother. "Lex, you have three minutes till go."


After the show, Lexi hugged her mother goodbye and gussied up for the after party Here she would mingle with the hottest actors and the most talented musicians. Lexi loved her life and knew that this is what her father would have wanted. He would have wanted her happy, enjoying her life. Not cooped up and crying. She promised herself she would enjoy the after party.

4.13 Remember

Lexi returned home that night to ambulances lighting the night sky. Lexi's red sports car slid into the driveway at breakneck speed. "Mom! Dad!" she screamed, running through the garage. She found her mom standing in the dinning room in tears. "Lexi!" she cried out, reaching for her daughter.

"Mom!" Lexi said softly, holding her mother close.



MaKenzie transitioned hard, choosing to spend her time in the garden. Here, next to the graveyard, MaKenzie felt the closest to her husband. She would spend hours waiting for him to call her to dinner. She longed for him, Lexi knew it.

"Mason," Lexi said, after her brother answered the phone, "Dad's gone." The words felt heavy on her lips but saying it out loud helped Lexi cope. "Come see mom. Please?"

Mason came quickly with his wife and son in tow. It wasn't a very large memorial, but it was a memorial.

4.12 The Light's on You

Nothing was better than hearing her lyrics on the stage. Sarena, tonight's famous popstar, had a beautiful angel like voice. A voice that Lexi's lyrics seemed to be created to complement. Lexi danced along with the music.

Suddenly the music stopped and audience gasped. Lexi peered across the stage at a scared Sarena. Clyde rushed past Lexi to the guitarist who had fallen. Lexi stared in shock as they carried him from the stage. "Poor blokes drunk," she heard one of the medics saying. Clyde rushed to her side.

"Lexi, Weston said you could play guitar," said a panting Clyde, "and we need a guitarist."
Lexi began to protest, "But, But,"
"GO!" Clyde yelled, pushing Lexi out onto the stage.

Lexi picked up the guitar, trying to calm herself. She'd stood in front of large groups of people many times. She'd played these songs plenty of times. What was the problem? There was an arena full of people.

She strummed the cords slowly at first and smiled at Sarena, "Let's do this."

4.11 Answered wishes

Lexi returned home from work one night to find a voicemail on her phone. Quickly, she pushed the buttons listening to her familiar greeting.

"Hey Alexis this is Jasmin Jordan from Rancid Records. We heard your song and we would like to bring you along as a Lyricist. Give me a call back at 275..."

Lexi pulled the phone away from her screaming lips. "Hon, what's wrong?" Logan said, peering into the foyer. A jumble of words came from Lexi's mouth. "Breathe Lex."

"Rancid Records wants me to write for them!" Lexi screamed, following a happy dance.
"What?" Logan said, "Rancid Records? Really?" He turned to walk away from her mumbling, "What's wrong with kids these days."

4.10 Diminishing Nights

The talent scout gig seemed to be exactly what Lexi wanted. She spent her time traveling all over the world looking for "the next big thing." It was perfect for her, yet her parents thought differently.

"Lexi, when are we going to get our grandbabies!" Her father taunted over Saturday morning cartoons. Lexi would smile at his request. Having children was the last thing on Lexi's mind. Children were disgusting. Not to mention they oozed out of ever pore. Not exactly what Lexi wanted in her future. She was happy with Joseph.

Both her parents know they were nearing the end of their lives. Logan took this opportunity to make things right with Mason. Even though Joseph and Layla were regulars at the house, Mason still held a grudge against his father. It wasn't a task that could be solved over night, Mason was too stubborn for that.

Lexi had regular run ins with her brother, "Regardless if he isn't your biological father, he still raised you. You owe him to see him Mason, he's getting sick."
"Lex I can't. You just don't understand," Mason protested.
"Don't understand," Lexi argued, "I was adopted too. Do you think I don't want to find my true parents! It's natural Mason. But they love you. Like you are their son. They raised you," Lexi finished, raising her voice and enunciating each word.

With much effort, and a few guilt trips, Lexi finally coaxed Mason into coming over to house.

MaKenzie spent her last days thinking. At her old age, it was hard to sleep all night. She often found her self awake before the sun. She made it a habit to sit out on the deck over looking the family plot. She would listen to the birds as they welcomed the new day as she sipped on her coffee, thinking about the past. Some mornings, she swore she could see her grandfather (Jace) tending to her garden.