"It was great! We learned about Russia today and we got to see the movie 'Anastasia'." said Lucas smiling.
"That's wonderful." said Bobbie.
"Did you know that the Cassadines are descendants of Anastasia?" asked Stefan.
"No, I didn't. That's cool. I'll have to tell my teacher tomorrow." said Lucas.
"There's more. Anastasia's brother didn't die." said Stefan.
"How can that be? I thought he was killed." said Lucas.
"That's where the history books end. Alexi which is Anastasia's brother escaped. He went in search of his sister knowing that she was still alive, but he died in vain when he was an old man. The movie you saw at school is mostly true except that of Alexi's escape. The movie also tells more of Anastasia's life than of Alexi's." said Stefan.
"Cool! I'm going to tell this to my teacher." said Lucas.
Bobbie smiled at him.
"Why don't you go upstairs and do your homework." said Bobbie.
"Aw, mom, do I have to?" whined Lucas.
She nodded her head as he gave her and Stefan a hug. Then he went upstairs to his room.
"Is that a true story?" asked Bobbie.
"Yes, it is. It took us years to trace their stories." said Stefan.
"Do you know if Alexi had any children?" she asked.
"Yes, but it died a month later and his wife had died during childbirth." he said.
"So, he never had children after that?" she asked.
"Not that I know of, but I have people working on it." he said.
~*~*~*~
"Do you want to hear another story?" asked Kristen.
"Yes." said Nikolas and Emily smiling.
"When Natasha was three I had her all dressed up because she was coming to see me perform for the first time. Mikkos for once decided to sit in the audience along with his daughter. During intermission she wandered off and Mikkos panicked. He thought she was with me, but she wasn't. We were both frightened that Helena had finally found out our secret. I had to continue because the show must go on. The curtain went up and I started to sing as people started laughing. I was curious to know what was going on when I turned around to see Natasha pretending to be me and I smiled as she tried to sing like me. She had a beautiful voice for a three year old although it wouldn't develop for many years to come. I took her by the hand still performing and led her to a seat in the front row. I sat her there and I kissed her on the forehead. She was smiling and giggling. Every time she came to my performances she sat in the front row enthralled by my voice that every night she would ask me to sing to her." said Kristen smiling.
"Yeah, she always knew how to steal the crowd." said Nikolas smiling.
They laughed.
~*~*~*~
"Quit looking at that picture." said Ned smiling.
"I can't. She's so precious that I want to hold her in my arms now." said Alexis smiling.
The phone rang.
"I'll get it." he said.
He picked up the receiver.
"Hello....What?...Okay, that's fine....Yeah....We'll see you tomorrow. Bye." he said.
"Who was that?" she asked.
"Lois. She wants us to stop by and see the house next door." he said.
"She insists that we buy that house." she said smiling.
"I know." he said rolling his eyes.
He sat down next to her and they finished eating their pasta.
~*~*~*~
"I think I'm done telling stories for one night, but I'm sure your father has a lot of stories to tell about you." said Kristen smiling.
Nikolas blushed and Emily laughed.
"Well, if you'll excuse me I have something else I have to tend to." said Kristen smiling.
She got up and left the two.
"Do you want to go riding?" asked Nikolas.
"Sure, if you'll teach me." said Emily.
"Then let's go." he said.
They got up and went out the door leading to the stables.
~*~*~*~
The next day Ned and Alexis stopped by Lois's.
"Hey!" said Lois.
"Hi!" said Alexis.
"Where's Brooke?" asked Ned.
"Upstairs playing." said Lois.
Then they heard little feet run down the stairs.
"Daddy! Lexie!" shouted Brooke in excitement.
She ran and hugged them. Then Alexis picked her up.
"And how are you doing?" asked Alexis smiling.
"I'm great! How's Anastasia?" asked Brooke smiling.
"She's doing just fine." said Alexis smiling.
"Ned, can I speak with you in the kitchen?" asked Lois.
"Sure." said Ned.
They went into the kitchen as Alexis put Brooke down.
"Do you want me to keep her distracted?" asked Lois.
"Please because the realtor is waiting for me." said Ned.
He snuck out the back door and Lois went back into the living room.
"Where's Ned?" asked Alexis.
"Something came up and he's on the phone right now." said Lois.
"Probably Edward." said Alexis.
"Probably. So when are you two getting hitched?" asked Lois.
"Getting hitched?" asked Alexis confused.
"Married." said Lois.
"We haven't set a date yet and besides we have to plan an engagement party." said Alexis.
"An engagement party?" asked Lois confused.
"It's a Cassadine tradition for anyone entering our family." said Alexis.
"Do you have a date for that?" asked Lois.
"Not yet. If you'd like you and Brooke are welcome to come." said Alexis.
"Thank you. Why don't I help you set up the dates for these special events." suggested Lois.
"Please." said Alexis.
"How about April twenty-first?" asked Brooke who had been listening.
"Is that a good day for you?" asked Lois.
"If it's a Saturday." said Alexis.
"Let me go look at my calendar." said Lois.
She got up to check her calendar.
"It's a Saturday." said Lois.
"Great that's what we'll plan for." said Alexis.
"How about May third for your wedding day?" suggested Lois.
"Sure. I'll tell Ned when he gets off the phone." said Alexis.
"I'll go see how he's doing." said Lois.
She went into the kitchen and Ned walked in.
"Well?" asked Lois.
"I bought it." said Ned smiling.
"Good because we just planned your engagement party and your wedding day." she said smiling.
"Oh really?" he asked smiling.
"Yup and I told her you were on the phone doing business." she said.
"Thanks." he said.
They walked into the living room where Alexis was telling a story to Brooke about the ocean.
"Was that Edward on the phone?" asked Alexis.
"Yes, it seems to be another crisis over nothing and it's Junior's fault." said Ned.
"Don't be so hard on him." said Lois.
Ned gave her a look and she just smiled.
"You ready to go look at the house next door?" asked Ned.
"Sure. We'll be right back, Brooke." said Alexis.
"Okay." said Brooke.
They left the house to go next door.
