#santosfam

[simminhour]

Having a baby in the house made things seem a little brighter than they used to. All of us were overjoyed to bring home the bundle of joy and Cassandra seemed to take to him like a bee to a flower. She had promised the day we brought him home to always protect him and watch out for him.  And she did.  As the kids grew they were never far from each other and even though Cassandra was a teenager now and Alexander a healthy rambunctious child, they still joked and laughed together like best friends.

Things with Mortimer however had gone sour though...He seemed to never come out of his study anymore and he barely ate. I’d tried to talk to him multiple times, to try to figure out what went wrong. But no matter what I did he always brushed me off, told me all was well and excused himself to his study yet again. I was beginning to feel helpless. Out of old habit one night while laying in bed alone yet again, I reached up to my neck for my locket. My hand met my bare neck and it made me think back to when I was young...to when I’d fallen in love for the first time.

Royce. We had only been kids but I’ll forever remember him. If only she could talk to him right now. He had always had a way of calming her and making her feel like everything would be okay. She wondered where he was now. They hadn’t seen each other in years, not since they were Alexander’s age. What would happen if I tried to find him now? Would he even remember her? I made a promise to myself to look into it in the morning. For my sanity’s sake, I explained to myself. Though deep down I knew I still held feelings, I couldn’t bring myself to think the truth. In the morning. Then I would see what the past held for me.

[simminhour]

That date was the first of many. Mortimer always surprised me with little things here and there, a trip to the theater, a walk in the park or simply some flowers and a movie to enjoy at home on my couch together.  I couldn’t be happier.  Then one day, after about a year of us dating, Mortimer came by to invite me out to the park. I didn’t think anything of it really, it seemed like such a normal everyday thing now for us.  But within an hour he had me right back in front of the skate rink where we had had our first date, and he went on one knee.

Of course I said yes, how could I not? He was amazing, and he could offer me a forever home and forever love...a family that I had never had. We married shortly after, a quick private ceremony. Things moved fast after that and I moved out of my little shack of a house and across town to a large vintage victorian house. It was gloriously posh and expensive inside. I’d never thought Mortimer had enough money for a home like this...well I guess it was we now...we had money for a home like this.

Cassandra was overjoyed when we told her that I was her new mom, she joked that now that there were two young girls in the house that her father looked even older now. We all laughed together and it became a running joke for my new little family.

All wasn’t perfect and happy in the house though, Mortimer and I wanted nothing more than to add to our little family but attempt after attempt ended in heartbreak. Doctors told me that I had a five percent chance of successfully having a child of my own. I’d had multiple miscarriages over the next year or so, I refused to believe the doctors. It hurt me everytime I lost a baby but I could see how it wore on Mortimer...how much he wanted another child, one I couldn’t seem to give him. Finally though, after finding out I was pregnant again, and waiting before saying anything to anyone, I passed the first trimester safely and made sure to visit the doctor before telling Mortimer to ensure my hopes were not in vain.

I had the joy of telling him the news, that we would finally be able to get our addition to the family like we had wanted. The next few months were the happiest we had, planning and picking names. Alexandra for a girl and Alexander for a boy, Mortimer had wanted to name the child after his father who had passed when he was younger.

The time came quickly and I was scared as it arrived. After all what happened if the baby still died? It would be life crushing...But after countless hours of labor we finally got to meet our baby boy, our Alexander.

[simminhour]

The job was easy, and it for sure helped that Mortimer’s daughter was such a sweet little girl. Each day I’d pick her up from school and we would head back to my small shack like house that I’d managed to actually get looking livable. We’d work on her homework and then we would binge watch One Tree Valley until Mortimer showed up on the doorstep to pick her up later in the evening.  Things became such a habit that when Mortimer showed up on my doorstep one afternoon, a couple hours still before I’d have to pick up Cassandra from school, I couldn’t help but think something was wrong.

I rushed over to the door, my heart pounding, both in fear something happened but also because over the past few weeks I’d developed quite a crush on this man. I swung the door open and the words fell from my tongue before I could control them. “Is it Cassandra?! Is she okay? Did something happen?!” Mortimer gave a chuckle as I continued to spout nonsense about what could have happened, he raised a hand to silence me and I closed my mouth and looked down blushing. I couldn’t help it...I’d come to care for Cassandra like she was my own daughter, even if I was closer to a sisters age for her.

“All is well Bella, I promise that Cassandra is safe and sound at school. I actually came to talk to you...to ask you something really.” Mortimer’s hands were shoved in his pockets and a flush appeared on his cheeks as he stood in my doorway. “You see, Cassandra actually has a sleepover tonight at a friends house in the city. And well...I figured that since you have the night off and so do I…” Mortimer groaned and then cleared his throat before continuing. “Would you accompany me on a date tonight in the park?”

I stood there still as a statue, screaming with joy inside. I nodded violently and blurted out, “Yes! Yeah! Of course I will!” I smiled bigger than I ever had before and excused myself to change and grab my coat. I met him back on the porch and we made our way down the street to the park, our hands grazing each other every once in a while.

The night was filled with more fun than I’d had in forever. The park had a skate rink set up during the spring season and we took advantage of it...Even if we did leave with some bumps and bruises.  Neither of us were very good but that hadn’t kept us from laughing and enjoying each other’s company.

It all came to an end sooner than I’d wanted it to. Mortimer walked me back to my house, we held hands as we walked silently in the night, crickets chirping in the distance. As we arrived at my front door Mortimer turned to me and took my hands. “Bella...You truly are the purest beauty.” He reached towards me and tucked a stray bit of hair behind my ear like he did the first night we met. Then before I knew it he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my cheek. He squeezed my hand and said his goodbyes, promising to call me in the morning. My heart soared higher than the clouds as I shut the door behind me, a smile plastered on my face

[simminhour]

I’d been working at the lounge for a few months now.  But any newcomers would have thought I’d been there for years, at least according to Ava and the other girls.  I’d picked up on a lot in a short time and I surprisingly found it a little fun.  Even though the place was a gentlemen’s club there was no nudity, maybe close to it but I had yet to show any of my...private bits.

I was finishing up my makeup before I had to go out on stage next, Cherish and Lillie were soaking in all the attention right now out on the floor. I could hear a few familiar voices out in the main room cheering and a yell from Tony, threatening to throw someone out if they attempted to reach on stage one more time. I shook my head and laughed, same old same old. I checked my phone for the time, where was Ava? She was going to miss our cue. I flipped my phone open and speed dialed her. Ava had basically become like my big sister since I started here. She was always making sure I was taken care of and stayed out of trouble. If anyone asked me for some one on one time she always made sure to intervene and redirect their attention. She has saved me from some nasty situations that’s for sure.

Just as I hear Tony running through the end script for the girls out on the floor the back door slams open and in rushes Ava. She’s a mess. Her makeup is smeared and her hair is a nest atop her head. I just barely get a glimpse of small bruises adorning her wrists before she hastily pulls her sleeves down. “Hey baby girl! Sorry I’m late! The kids, you know?” She gave a nervous laugh and started to rush to change.

I knew better than to believe her. She was in no good situation at home either. In between taking care of her two kids she dealt with an abusive boyfriend who she just couldn’t seem to let go of. Always claiming that she “fell” or simply just blaming any injuries on her clumsiness. “How many times you gonna lie to me Ava? You’re like my sister...I know when you’re lying, you know that right?” I marched over to her brush in one hand and makeup bag in the other. She snatched the bag from me and started rifling through it looking for her favorite stuff to borrow of mine.  Meanwhile I started to yank the brush through the yeti on her head.

Cheers erupted from out on the floor and we heard the clicking of heels as the two girls wirled into the back room in a flurry of sweat and laughs. When they saw Ava they shook their heads but didn’t say anything, they knew there wasn’t a point. Ava only listened to me afterall.

After a few minutes Tony started to hype the crowd for me and Ava. Luckily I’d worked magic on Ava’s hair and it looked good as new now and she was just finishing up the last touches on her makeup. We rushed over to the curtains and made our entrance as soon as our cue came. Ava grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight before we separated and went to our spots.

The beginning of the night went normal as can be, lots of cheers and wolf calls. But about halfway through I noticed a man I hadn’t seen before, he was off to the side of the crowd and quiet as can be. I could see his eyes appreciating my curves as he followed my dancing with his gaze. I felt his eyes on me the rest of the night, all the way up until me and Ava finally did out closing moves and made our exit.

It was closing time now and Ava had her second job to go to in the morning so she packed up quick and kissed my cheek goodbye before skipping out the back door.  I sighed and grabbed my bag and went out the door to the main floor. I all but dragged myself over to the bar, I was exhausted.  “Hey Tony?” I made sure to put on my best puppy dog eyes as I reached the counter. He didn’t say anything back but he looked up from wiping down the counter and raised a brow. “Do a girl a solid and spot me a twenty?”

“Bella...I’ve spotted you enough twenties that I could have bought a nice condo in the suburbs by now. What you need this time?” He laughed and reached into his back pocket for his wallet. He liked to give her crap about the constant advances on her paycheck but he always did his best to help out his girls when he could.

I grinned and licked my lips. “Pizza! My fridge is empty again and girl needs to eat!”

He slapped his hand down on the counter, as he picked it back up I noticed that not one, not two, but three twenty dollar bills lie on the counter. It was my turn to raise a brow at him. “What?! I can’t give one of my best girls a bonus for all the business they bring in?”

I laughed and pocketed the money. “Tony...you tell all of us we are your best girl.” He smirked and shrugged.

I said a quick goodbye and started to head for the exit, just as I was about to walk out the door I felt a hand on my elbow. I glanced back and my eyes went wide as I recognized the mad from earlier that night staring back at me. He was quite handsome, even if he was a bit older than me.  His dark black hair was brushed back and his beard looked soft as the feathers on a baby bird. I was caught in his gaze and hadn’t realized we had been staring at each other for an awkward period of time until Tony cleared his throat from across the room.

The man in front of me glanced back at Tony. “All is well, don’t mind me, I just wanted to chat with the girl. I promise to behave myself.” Tony gave the man a glare, warning him that if he did indeed try anything that the man would regret it. Then the mans gaze met mine again. “I’m sorry to have caught you off guard miss. I know this is probably odd and maybe a little...inappropriate. You see I couldn’t stop thinking about you after I first saw you tonight. You really are a pure beauty aren’t you?” The man reached towards my face and I flinched. He gently tucked a stray hair behind my ear before quickly pulling his hand back. He blushed and scratched the back of his head. “Sorry! Uh...my name is Mortimer Goth. And you are…?”

I gave him a quick up and down glance before extending my hand to him slowly. “Bella…” He took my hand, bowed, and placed a soft kiss on the back of my hand. I was taken aback by his greeting. “Um...W-what is it that you wanted to talk to me about Mr. Goth?”

“Actually I wanted to discuss an opportunity with you.” I immediately started to pull away and glanced to Tony who was busy putting glasses away. Big help he was. Mortimer noticed my change of attitude and immediately started to explain. “No, no! Nothing like that, goodness. This is purely a normal job I swear! I’d heard about you from an acquaintance of mind, Ava I do believe her name was? She told me that I could find a girl here with jet black hair who would be able to help me with tutoring and taking care of my daughter while I’m working. But if you’d rather not then I comp---”

“What? Ava told you I could do that?” I was shocked and a little irate that Ava had gone behind my back to try to find someone to get me out of this place. At the same time I wasn’t surprised though...she’d been trying to get me out of here since I started, always saying this was no place for such a pretty and sweet young girl like me. Mortimer stood silently, clearly able to tell I was contemplating the offer.  I thought over the pros and cons quickly before giving a slow nod. “Yeah...yeah I could do that.”

Mortimer clapped his hands together and gave a big smile before pulling a card out of his pocket and handing it over to me. His name and number were clearly printed on it along with the words “world famous author.” He told me to give him a call when I was able to discuss details and then took his leave.  As soon as the door closed behind him I rushed over to Tony to tell him what had happened. He was a bit upset at first but then hugged me and told me to get my butt outta here once and for all. “And I don’t wanna see you back in here, you hear?!,” Tony ordered me as I left the lounge for the last time.

[simminhour]

10 Years Ago…

Being alone in a strange town was not how I planned to spend my eighteenth birthday…And I especially hadn’t planned on filling out a job application at the local strip club, sorry “Gentleman’s Lounge”, either.  But when your dinosaur of a fridge is empty and the rent for the shack you’re renting is due by the end of the week…well you’d probably do anything you had to as well in order to survive. Luckily my looks have always helped me out in life. Most kids in school would pick on adopted or fostered kids but since I was seen as the “hottest” chick in school I was given a free pass a lot.  I hated the attention, but now that attention was going to get me paid, and paid good.  The lounge manager, Tony, took one look at me and nodded before welcoming me then telling me to go get started right away.

It was a busy night, the lounge was crowded with all kinds of people, all ogling the girls already dancing on stage. My nerves began to tighten my chest, how in the hell was I supposed to do that? I’ve never danced in front of anyone except in my bedroom alone and now I’m supposed to dance for a huge crowd of people…My life depended on it.  As I went into the back section of the lounge one of the girls swapped with another. She was curvy and had shoulder length brownish-pink curly hair that looked like it could use a redye. Sweat dripped off her brow as she strutted over to the small makeup table in the center of the room. She quickly snatched up a tube of lipstick and started to refresh her perfectly applied makeup, and then she glanced in the mirror, eyes locking with mine. Her face fell at first but then she tossed the lipstick back down in the heap of a mess on the table and twirled toward me. He face seemed to glow as she smiled at me and rushed over to wrap me in a hug.

“Welcome! You the new girl Tony hired,” the girl asked, her voice raised but cheerful so I could hear her over the loud bass of the music.  I smiled back at her and nodded nervously.  She waved me toward her, gesturing that I should follow her. I was led into a further back room that had two couches that had seen better days, but at least it was quieter back here.

The girl flung herself back on one of the couches and sighed, slinging an arm across her eyes and yawning. “Sorry, I’m beat baby.  Been a long night that’s for sure.”  She sat up and stretched and then extended a hand to me. “I’m Ava, Ava Dempsey. Senior dancer in the club; not that it’s much to brag about.” She laughed and small creases formed at the corner of her eyes. My nerves eased and I couldn’t help but laugh with her.

“I’m Bella…uh, Bella Bachelor.” Ava raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. Most people recognized her last name still from her family’s accident when she was little…it had been plastered all over the front of every newspaper for weeks. She was relieved that Ava seemed to not want to say anything, sensing Bella was already uncomfortable.

“So, Bella dear, you seem like you’re right out of the nest! Have any experience under your belt sweety?” Ava’s head tilted to the side questioningly but she never once broke her contagious smile.

I shook my head and blushed as I looked down at my feet. “No…I uh…I just turned eighteen actually.” Ava wasn’t shocked at her being so young but she still shook her head and clicked her tongue. She stood up and walked over to me, her hips swaying. When she stood right in front of me she placed a hand on my cheek and then kissed my forehead.

“Baby girl, we all gotta do what we gotta do in this world…Not all of it is pretty.” Ava’s smile dimmed and a look of pain and sadness flashed across her face but only for a second before she was back to her chipper self. “Now then, let’s go teach you some moves then!” Ava slapped me on the butt before exiting the room, her giggles were drowned out by the music as the door to the room opened. I couldn’t help but smile and give a small chuckle too as I rushed to catch up to her. This may not be the place I’d hoped to be now…but I already felt more welcome here than in any other place I’d been since I was a kid. I reached up and grasped the locked that has hung around my neck since I was taken away as a kid, a gift from an old friend. I brought it to my lips and kissed its cold metallic surface before fully immersing myself back into the strange world outside that room.

[simminhour]

The following days after Alex’s return and Cassandra moving in the family of now four fell into a rhythm.  Everyone went to school, work and after school activities as normal and almost every night they all had fun outdoors in the freshly fallen snow.  Cassandra and Alexander always built and destroyed a snow pal using some of the karate moves Alex had previously learned at school.  And later in the day, after the family had eaten their dinner, they all head back outside for one last snow ball fight to finish off the day.

No word had come from anyone regarding the where abouts of Mortimer Goth...But it seemed he had gone silent too.  Rumors circled for a few days that he was now a permanent guest at the mansion in Forgotten Hallow, but nothing more had been said.  The family’s nerves settled over time and all seemed well now in the world for all of them.

Bella, however happy, fell ill one day.  She had been cooped up in the bathroom the whole night through and Royce had forced himself to stay up with her the entirety of the night to ensure she was okay.  After his tenth delivery of a fresh glass of water and a mint, Bella groaned and looked up at him, black circles adorned her eyes as if she were a creature of the night.  “Go to bed Royce, I promise I’m okay now. My stomach is settling and I’m exhausted.  Head on to bed and I’ll be there in a few, I’m just going to shower quick.”  Royce hesitated at first but scurried out as Bella shooed him and started to make a move of getting up.  He floated over to the bed, in a sleepy haze, and before he knew it he had collapsed on the bed and passed out.  His last thought was that he just hoped all was really okay with Bella...he didn’t know if he could take something happening to her too.

[simminhour]

That night Bella and Royce had given in to the fact that they had lost Alex forever. Bella head gone leaps and bounds and still returned empty handed, even having reached out to the people she not so fondly thought of from her past.  Royce also was silent and lost in thought as the two started to turn out the lights and wrap things up for the day fully.  But just before the last light flickered off there was a knock at the front door, and one look over for Bella was all she needed before rushing over.  She swung the front door open and pushed past the smiling Cassandra to her waiting son, his face was a little red on one side but she was overjoyed still that he was okay...that he was home.  She hugged him tight to her, not ever wanting to let go of him again.

“Oh Alex! Oh my god I can’t believe this!  I’m so glad you’re okay, I’ve been worried sick!,” Bella gushed and planted kisses all over Alex’s face.  After lots more hugging and apologizing and thank yous to the universe the three of them went inside.  Bella told Alex to immediately go upstairs and take a bath then her and Cassandra went to the dining room where Bella couldn’t hold back anymore.  She reached out and grasped Cassandra by her shoulders and tugged her in for a long hug.  “Oh Cass...I don’t know what I would have done.  How did you..?  Why?  I mean, thank you Cass.” Bella smiled lovingly at Cassandra who nodded and sniffled as she held back tears.

The next while the two went over what Mortimer had done.  Turns out that Cassandra had noticed her father sneak out of their house the night of Harvest Fest and decided to follow him since she had the feeling he was up to no good.  She hadn’t realized where or what her father was doing till she had rounded a corner down the road and noticed the house directly in her father’s path.  She’d waited and watched and then followed some more.  Cassandra told Bella that Mortimer had taken Alexander to a dead town called Forgotten Hallow, and had found her brother hidden in the bunker of a mansion like estate.  Turns out that Mortimer was good friends with the man that lived there and had made some kind of deal to keep Alex hidden there.  Cass had waited for the man to leave, his pasty white complexion shining in the moonlight as he stalked down the road, and then took that opportunity to break into the cellar and save her brother.

Cassandra knew that she couldn’t go back home though...Her father would know it was her she was sure of it.  “Bella I’m scared...Dad scares me and I don’t know what he would do if I went home.  I don’t know what to do!”  Cassandra sobbed into her hands and Bella grabbed Cassandra’s hand in hers and tilted her chin up.  “You’ll stay with us Cass.  I told you our door is always open.  Our home is yours, and if you want to you can stay here, with us.  I can’t promise things will be the same for you but we will do our best to make every day enjoyable for all of us as a family.”  Cassandra was speechless, she could only nod her head violently and hug Bella again as she managed to choke out a thank you.  Bella couldn’t help that she felt like she had just saved this child’s life.  But Mortimer was still out there and something would need to be done about that...hopefully sooner than later.

[simminhour]

The morning arrived sooner than what the young couple wanted.  But even with it being a day after Harvest Fest their schedules were still filled and they did have other responsibilities after all.  Like getting Alex up for school.  Bella turned over in bed and groaned her objection at the morning before getting up.  Her head killed her a bit from the drinking she had done last night during dinner.  She went to stand up and wobbled.  Royce, just finishing up his morning routine in the bathroom, stepped back into the room at just the right moment to dart to her and catch her before she fell.

“Bella dear, why don’t you stay in bed for a while longer. I can manage Alex this morning and make sure he gets off to school without committing any felonies.” Royce chuckled and planted a kiss on Bella’s forehead as she started to settle back into the bed.  Royce made his way down the call after calming closing his bedroom door.  He rapped light but firmly on Alexander’s door and called in to him. “Alex, buddy!  Time to get up and get ready if you aren’t already!  Big day today, gonna rock that scout meeting tonight right?”  Royce knocked again but still heard nothing.  That was unusual, Alex always woke up easily in the mornings...was he feeling alright?  Royce cracked open the door and peeked inside, his eyes glancing around the room and then settling on the mess of blankets on the bed...Wait...blankets?  That’s it?  Where was Alex?!

Royce’s heartbeat started to pound and pressure built up in his chest as he looked frantically around for Alex or some sign of him.  And just as he ran his eyes over the rug he noticed a discoloration...a set actually.  Royce leaned down to get a better look...And just as he had thought, they were foot prints, and footprints that were a few sizes too big to be Alex.  Anger lit up Royce’s being and he stormed out of the room and to the bedroom, Bella had just rising from the bed and jumped as Royce flung the door open.  “He took him Bella...that good for nothing sorry excuse of a father and a man...Bella...Alex is gone.”

Bella’s face suddenly broke, tears seemed to just magically appear in her eyes and grace her cheeks before she shook her head and rushed out of the room to see for herself.  Royce felt a rock settle in his chest...a boulder sized ball of guilt and shame that he had allowed this to happen.  He’d promised to protect them and he had failed.  Royce all but fell back onto the bed with the weight of it all.  Soft clacking sounded on the other side of the room and a few seconds later the bed creaked and he felt arms encircle him.  Bella rested her head against Royce’s back, he could feel the way her body shook with her sobs.  “I’ll fix this, we will get him back I promise you,” Royce whispered, more to himself than to Bella.

Later, while Bella spammed Mortimer’s phone and called anyone she thought may know where he was, Royce sat down at the computer.  He sighed and rubbed his face quick before starting to pound away on the keyboard.  Mortimer had tried Royce’s patience and he was no longer going to play nice...Royce had been telling the truth when he told Mortimer that he had more money.  And more money meant more connections and opportunities.  And right now, Royce was making the most of those perks as he reached out to any and all he could, skimming information and then suddenly something stood out. An email from an unknown sender called Andy.  A quick click on the email and Royce had what he needed to fix everything.