Allie parked the jeep and walked hand in hand with Howie, into the airport. Nick was walking behind looking at a group of girls who were obviosly leaving on a long trip judging form the amount of luggage they had beside them.
Allie checked for the flight and saw that it was on time and had just landed. They sat on the bench and waited for her cousin Alexa to clear customs.
"There she is" Allie pointed to a stunning blonde who was walking towards them.
"Allie cat" The blonde ran into Allie's arms.
"Lexi, my god you look so grown up."
"Allie I am so sorry I missed the funerals, I was stuck in france and could not get home in time."
"Don't worry I understand. Lex this are my friends Howie and Nick."
"Judging from our phone conversations Howie is more than a friend." Lex joked.
Howie and Allie blushed. "Hi Lex it is great to meet you." Howie extended his hand towards her. Nick watched the blonde and he smiled "My god she is beautiful," he thought to himself.
"Hi Nick, I hear you are going to be my tour guide this week, since Allie is too busy to take her own cousin around." Lex teased.
"Hey, that's not fair..." Allie protested.
"Yes Allie asked me to keep you company." Nick held out his hand.
"Well I am zonked lets get my bags and head to yur house.." Lex smiled and ran to get her bags.
"Wow I thought you and Chia were livewires, I don't think Nick we be able to handle this one." Howie whispered to Allie and kissed her cheek.
"I am up for the challenge" Nick grinned.
~~**~~
"So Lexi, Allie told us that you are a dancer for Ricky Martin, how did that happen?" Nick asked.
"Ricky was in a club last year and I was dancing with friends, he saw me, and asked me to audition for his choreographer and I have been with him ever since."
"You know we are looking for a dancer for our upcoming tour." Nick hinted.
"I know, I have a confession to make, Allie told me that and that's why I am here, I am auditioning Monday morning for Fatima." Lexi grinned.
"This could get intersting" Nick thought to himself.
~~**~~
Chia and AJ were putting the finishing touches on supper when they heard the jeep pull into the laneway.
"Ooh They are here..hurry finish putting the utensils on the table." Chia said to AJ.
She wiped her hands on her apron and ran to greet her cousin Alexa. The 3 girls had always been very close, even though Lexi lived in Lexington and Chia and Allie lived in Florida they always made it a point to get togther twice a year, once in Florida and once in Lexington. It was getting harder now that Lexi was on tour, but Chia was excited that Lexi was here now.
"Lexi" Chia screamed from the doorway.
"Chia pet!!" Lexi yelled back.
"Chia pet??" AJ asked
"Long story" Chia muttered.
The 2 cousins hugged and made themselves comfortable in the living room. "Lexi you look fantastic, this is my boyfriend AJ, AJ this is Lexi"
"Very nice to finally meet you, now if you'll excuse me I have to run and get dinner on the table. AJ went out to the kitchen and let his girlfriend catch up with her cousin. He knew that Chia was going to drop her news on Allie tonight and he was worried. Allie was having a hard time with the healing process and he was afraid that she would get worse when Chia made her announcement.
~~**~~
"This penne is delicious AJ" Allie said.
"Thanks"
"So Chia how is work going?" Lexi asked.
"Well I am swamped with that and school but I got some great news today." Chia looked at AJ.
"Well don't tease us, spit it out"Allie scolded.
" I have been offered a position with my firm to head up the Securities Portfolio for the London office"
"Alicia that is wonderful" Alexa hugged her cousin.
Everyone gathered around to congratulate Chia, except for Allie who walked away form the table and out onto the beach.
"Allie, what's wrong?" Howie walked up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Allie wiped the tears from her face and looked up at Howie " Everyone is leaving me, first my brother, then my parents and now Chia, and you too." Allie buried her face in her hands.
"Allie your parents and brother didn't choose to leave you, my god I am always going to be here for you, I won't be here physically but you know I am a phone call away, besides I plan on having you come out and tour with us for a bit." Howie sat down in the sand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and squeezed.
"Howie how am I going to get through every day without Chia, she is the one who keeps me strong."
"Allie we will both be here for you, besides you are going to be swamped running your family's law firm, did you forget you are the 3rd generation of Simpson's to run the law firm. You have found your calling, Chia just has to travel a little farther to get to hers" Howie looked into Allie's big green eyes and smiled.
"I am proud of Alicia, she has overcome a lot to get where she is today, but we have never been apart for more than 2 weeks, how am I going to go without seeing her for months."
"Well how are we going to get through not being able to see each other
every
day, it's simple we will talk every day and then you will come out to
visit,
the same thing will happen with you and Chia and if all goes well you
will
be doing the same thing with Lexi."
"It just seems that everyone is moving on and I am left behind to keep
everything running smoothly" Allie said softly.
"Allie, we will get through this, I promise" Howie held Allie and said
a
silent prayer to her parents to help them get through it.
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