The Ultimate Story

Chapter 1

The Stevens family sat in the living room. They were all physically in the same room, but mentally they were all in their own little worlds. Alexia, was on her laptop shopping for clothes. Howey was playing COD on his nintendo. Lexi, was on her IPhone texting her friends or on Facebook. And Jason was on his tablet making bussiness portfolios. This is what the modern family called "Family Time". They usually had this before dinner. Then Jason got a call on his phone. He picked it up and said "Hello." The voice was soft and femine. She said "Is this Jason Stevens?" He said "This is he." She says "Oh Mr. Stevens this is Mrs. Hastings." A smile appears on Jason's face. He says "Mrs. Hastings good to here your voice, how is Mr. Hamilton?" She says "Well that's kind of what I called to talk to you about. You see he um passed away." A look of shock and depression filled his face. He put his head in his hand and walked into the other room. Lexi looked up long enough to see a small clear drop drizzle down her father's face. Her father had always shared his calls with the family, not that they listened, but more importantly his attitude was always humorous or joyful. Her mother must of noticed too because she got up and joined him in the room. Howey and his little sister walked over to the edge of the doorway to see what was happening. Jason sai "Tomorrow, we'll be there." She says "Will you speak?" Jason said "On mine and my grandfathers behalf." And then he hung up. Jason looked to his wife. All she said was "Is he?" He nodded. Somehow they read each others minds. Alexia looked at her husband with almost pity. He tried to be strong but before he knew it his head was on her shoulder sobbing lightly and she had her left hand craddling his head. It reminded him of the day he was told of his father's death. A young boy crying helplessly in his mothers arms. Howey and Lexi entered the room slowly and their father bolted up almost ashamed of his behavior.

The next day,the kids sat with their mother as their father stood at the podium and spoke about the man laying in the casket. He said "Mr. Hamilton was not only a long friend of my grandfather Red Stevens, but he was also a friend to me.Only about 17 years ago had I first met him and let's just say I wasn't the nicest. But he put up with me for 12 months helping me get my inheritance, it made it feel like forever. My grandfather had actually given him one of his kidneys. It's to say Mr. Hamilton lived as long as he did because of my grandfather, but I can definitely say I am who I am today because of Mr. Hamilton." After the funeral Jason was called to Mr. Hamilton's office. Then an older woman came into the room. She says "Jason." He hugs her and says "Mrs. Hastings." She says "Glad you could come." He says "You said Mr. Hamilton left something for me." She says "Will you and your wife follow me? Your children will safe with my son." The man in the corner nods. They walk out of the room and Lexi and Howey take a seat.

Jason looked around. He thought back to the very first day he was in this office. He sat in the chair the old man had and Alexia sat behind him. He placed his hands on the table and moved them along the lines of the wood. Mrs. Hastings came in with a large box almost the same one from that very day.  She palces it in front of Jason, smiles, and says "Open it." He lifted the lid inside, the fist thing his saw was photos. Of Red and Hamilton, Jason and Hamilton, and many more. The last photos brought tears to his eyes. They were of Jason and Alexia's first daughter Emily, who had died of leukima. The last photo was of Jason's father Jay and Mr. Hamilton. He looked up and said "He knew my father." She smiles and says "Jay was the only one of Red's kids that he had introduced to Mr. Hamilton." Then in the pickert their was a letter adressed to Mr. Hamilton, already opened. Jason slowly opened it and read aloud "Dear Mr. Hamilton, is you're reading this it means I'm probably not around anymore. It's a hard concept to think about especially with my little boy Jason back home. This video must only be played to him when both my father Red Stevens and you are well desceased. I hope he has a family of his own by then."

Then a video on the screen began to play. Jason's father appeared on the screen. He was in Ecuador, his deathplace. He smiles and says "Hey baby boy. By now you're not a baby you're probably in your 30s 40s, or at least I hope. With kids of your own, means dad did something right. I have a feeling in my gut I'm not gonna make it home. o here goes, I left something for ya here, something very special. If you don't wanna come and find it, I understand. But I do want you to know that whatever happens, it's not Grandpa's fault. It's not anyone's fault. It's just faite." His dad wipes tears from his eyes and Jason does the same. He continues and says "Listen baby boy, if you got a son of yours or even a daughter, or maybe both, hold em tight. Keep close to your heart no matter how old they get. Be the dad you never had." Jason sniffles. A voice, that Jason recongizes as Red, says "Jay you coming." Jay says "Well bye baby boy, er I mean Jason." Then the video ends. Jason places his hand on the table and says "Get me on a plane." Alexia stands and says "Me too." Jason looks to his wife and says "Hun, I've got to do this and we can't leave the kids alone." She says "We'll get your mother to watch them." He says "They're already rude enough." She says "Ok well what about my parents." Jason rolls his eyes. She says "Come on, you left there and I didn't see you for three months, I can't do that again epescially not with the kids now." He says "Ok but we write them every week. And we get back as soon as possible." She nods.

"You're leaving." Lexi said as her father pulled the suitcases down the stairs. Her mom says "Only for a couple months." She says "But you're leaving Grandpa and Grandma to watch us." She says "You guys'll be fine. It's not long." The limo pulled up and the guy says "Mr. and Mrs. Stevens we have to go." Alexia grabs the bags and puts them in the trunk. Jason looks to his kids and says "You both be good, ok. I love you." He kisses Lexi's forehead and hugs Howey. Before they could say anything their parents were in the car and driving off to who knows where. But that was almost a year ago.