The door closes with marked finality, and my mother looks pale. Both Ethan and Drake stop their recording of the event.
Mom lifts her chin my way. “The party must go on.”
The house gets back to its chaotic level of disorder, and I can’t help but wonder if Tad’s little visit by the FTC will prove to be a bad omen of things to come.
As much as I’d like to think it isn’t, I can’t help but think it is.
If there’s one thing about Demetri that I can put a positive spin on, it’s his ability to lavish his grandchildren with both attention—in his twisted mind he would call it love—and extravagance. And by extravagance, I mean putting on the ritz. But since he left my mother in charge, there is a bit of chintz involved as well.
Demetri’s mansion is covered with baby blue crepe paper. The sprawling backyard is festooned with Mylar balloons in every shape and size. There are eight different bounce houses—outdoing Wesley by two. And a petting zoo that features everything from llamas to guinea pigs. There are insect exhibits, a face-painting station, a balloon artist, a contortionist, a walking circus (sans the clowns), a piñata that every small set of eyeballs has been gawking at, and a trampoline, a new permanent addition from Grandpa Demetri that will remain on the premises—I suppose that’s the surprise Holden was alluding to.
Logan and I stand watching the festivities. There are throngs of people, and it looks as if every toddler under five from the island has shown up to help celebrate the boys’ special day. The only person, the onlycelestial beingwe’re missing is Marshall. He let me know he’d be there for me tonight, and again tomorrow for the boys’ next birthday bash, but he would sit out this misadventure at the devil’s house as he so indelicately, yet accurately put it.
Logan has Jaxson strapped to his body in a fur-lined baby carrier that’s keeping our tiny prince—or king as it were, nice and toasty as he naps on his daddy’s chest. He’s so stunning for an infant. I don’t quite know how to put it into words. He has an otherworldly glow about him. His hair looks as if it’s gold floss, and his eyes shine a bright shade of blue mingled with amber each and every day. The boys adore him.
Chloe marches up in a cropped sweater, her jeans so tight you’d think they were painted on, and knowing her they might be—easier access for Gage.
“Some party.” She bats her lashes up at me. “Do you think the Fems will stop by with submachine guns before setting the mansion on fire? I hear you’re the new Ellis, Skyla. Throwing ragers—emphasis on therage.” She gives a cheeky wink to Logan. “How’s the specimen?” She peers into the carrier and grunts, “Now there’s a little snack. Toe head. I can tell this one belongs to Logan.” She looks my way. “Are you knocked up again yet? I figure you and Logan can’t keep your hands off one another, and rumor has it, you keep the kids in your love den because it’s some sort of perverted aphrodisiac. I expect another litter to pop out of you soon enough. Quite frankly, I’m a little disappointed that you only popped out one on the last go-round.”
“All right, Chloe.” I sigh. “Your opinion is amusing per usual. Why don’t you go pester someone who might actually want your company? Oh, wait. There isn’t anyone, is there?”
Her brow rises. “Not true. I have a husband roaming the grounds.” She twists her lips as she surveys the lay of the land. “Do you know what tomorrow is, Skyla?”
“It’s my son’s third birthday. Outside of that, there is nothing else I’m concerned with.”
“It’s my anniversary.” She bounces on her heels as she looks from Logan to me. “One year of sheer wedded bliss. And I’m so very glad that we’ll all come together again to celebrate it as a family, aren’t you?” She bats those vindictive doe eyes at me. “I wonder what my sexy husband will get me? A pony perhaps? Another diamond? Skyla, what did Gage give you for your first anniversary?”
I spot Laken heading this way with baby Wesley Cooper strapped to her chest, and I’m thankful for the reprieve.
“Logan, I’ll be right back. Don’t let Chloe eat the baby.”
I meet up with Laken and pull her away from the masses toward the oversized fountain, the width and girth of the entire Landon home. Demetri had it drained in the event a kid should wander in it and drown. Smart move on his part, and thankfully, his swimming pool is gated.
“Laken.” I pull her into a strong embrace. We’ve been sending cryptic texts for the last few weeks, but she still hasn’t told Wesley that she knows the truth yet. “How are you doing? How are you able to look him in the eye each morning?”
Her thick, caramel waves cascade down her shoulder as she gives a lazy glance back to the enormous back porch where Gage and Wes stand chatting away. Honestly, from this vantage point, I can’t tell who is who. I guess that’s when you know it’s really over. You can’t pick the once love of your life out of a lineup.
“It’s going just fine.” She shrugs. “I figure if Wes could hide the truth from me all these months, I can hide it from him until I decide what to do. Cooper has Charlie.” She nods toward a play area with miniature slides and carousels geared for those on the younger end of the toddler spectrum. “I haven’t told Coop yet. I figure it’s best if I get it out in the open to the two of them at once.”
I suck in a quick breath at the thought.
“And when will this double grenade launch take place? I’m praying soon. Coop won’t be too thrilled if eighteen years meander on by. He might know that he’s Charlie’s father deep down in his heart, but he needs to hear the words, too.”
“I was going to do it tonight until I remembered it was your birthday, and, of course, tomorrow we’ll be at your place for part two of the birthday extravaganza. I guess I’ll put it off until Monday.”
“Hell no.” My eyes widen with the prospect of having the most explosive birthday party yet, although technically, they’ve all been a bit more explosive and dramatic than I like.
“Do it tonight. We’ll be at the Harrisons’. That’s right next door to your place. And once you dump Wes and his slimy ass, Coop and I will help you pack your things and shuttle you and the kids to his place.”
She makes a face. “Skyla, you’re going to think less of me when I say what I’m about to.”
“Never. Never will I think less of you.” A horrible thought comes to me. “Unless you decide to forgive Wes and stay with him forever.” I’m only partially teasing.
Laken shrugs. “I’m giving Wes an ultimatum.”
“Oh, good.” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Men love those. What kind of ultimatum? He has to wash dishes and do laundry for the next eighteen years? I think you should tack on that he gives you a lifelong hall pass with Cooper because really? Have you taken a gander at his hotness lately? And honey, you know that poor boy isn’t getting any. Rumor has it, Lexy Bakova has stripped down naked in front of him on at least two occasions wanting to be ravaged—and he declined both offers. And if you must know, Lexy told me that herself.”
It’s true. She’s been around nearly every day taking pictures of Jaxson with the boys, Jaxson all by his adorable lonesome, with Logan and me. Not to mention all the hard work she’s put into our wedding. In fact, she’s set to mail out the invites this afternoon. It’s really happening. Logan and I are finally tying the knot—again.
