Parker, who was on her other side, shot his mom a glare.
“There’s Dad!” Poppy said, wiggling her hand from Sienna’s. She darted around the other people straight into his arms. Zane picked her up, then gave Sienna a quick kiss on the cheek, as if all was well in their world.
And now they were all huddled together—Steven, Dean, Kitty, Rusty, and all the children. And Claudia slightly outside the circle, bouncing her baby on her hip. Kitty was the first to welcome her in. “Oh my God! Let’s see him!”
She held out one hand and ran the back of her index finger along his cheek. Elliott rewarded her with a big, slobbery smile, and Sienna could see his top gum was a little swollen. He must be getting ready to cut his first tooth.
“Isn’t he adorable?” Rusty asked. “He looks exactly like Mike.”
Kitty shook her head. “I’m not seeing Mike at all. He must take after Claudia’s side.”
SQUEAL! “Okay, people! There will be time to chat after we get the photo. Please take your places!”
Everyone laughed with each other as if they were all very naughty and hurried to find a spot. Instead of coming to stand next to her, as Sienna expected, Parker walked directly over to Claudia. “Can I hold him for the picture?”
Claudia’s eyes widened. “Sure, yeah. Have you … held a baby before?”
He nodded. “I used to carry Poppy all over the house, and I was only eight when she was born.” He held his hands out to Elliott. “Hey, little buddy, can I see you?”
Sienna turned her head from the scene, trying to get hold of her emotions. When she looked back, Parker was holding the baby, gently bouncing in a steady rhythm. She and Zane exchanged an ‘Oh, God, what are we doing?’ look, and she could see he was as terrified as her. Maybe more.
She turned to Ivy, who was chatting with Steven. “He said you guys might use it. It’s about a boy who runs away from home.”
Sienna smiled at her daughter, delighting in how proud she was of her newfound songwriting ability. Maybe Ivy was ready to forgive and forget. Maybe she should too.
Claudia leaned in toward Ivy. “Um, did you say you’re writing songs now, Ivy?”
Ivy’s smile faded. “Yup.”
Sienna watched as Claudia’s face turned pink at Ivy’s cold reaction, and she almost felt sorry for her. Teenage girls could ice a person out like no one else.
The assistant (who was clearly loving the authority she held over all these elite, entitled people) hurried over and briskly repositioned the McCreights so that Zane andSienna were next to each other with Poppy in front and between them, Ivy to their right and Parker and Elliott next to Zane. Claudia was next to Parker. One big, unhappy family right out front and center among fifty of the world’s most famous.
The photo shoot took ten minutes, with Parker talking in baby talk to Elliott, and Elliott laughing and gripping his cheeks with his tiny hands and trying to eat his chin. It seemed natural for them both, as if Elliott instinctively knew they were family.
Sienna concentrated on her breath, trying to keep herself from bursting into tears. Zane, who must have known she was upset, muttered, “It’ll be okay. We just have to get through the next few minutes. I’m here.”
As ifthatwas any comfort.
When the assistant released them, Kitty, who had been watching the boys together, said, “My goodness, Parker, you’ve got the gift, haven’t you?”
Parker glanced at his mom, who narrowed her eyes. He shrugged one shoulder. “I just like babies is all.”
“Say, maybe you could help me out, Parker,” Claudia said. “My nanny wasn’t feeling well so I don’t have anyone to watch him when I perform.”
Alarm bells went off in Sienna’s head. “Ah, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Parker asked.
Because if you get attached to him, you’ll hate me forever.“Because it’s a big responsibility and you … haven’t taken a babysitting course.” Sienna glanced at Kitty, feeling desperate. “Maybe Lisa could watch him?”
Lisa, who was eighteen and ready to party, did not look at all pleased with the idea. “I’m here with my friend, Trish, so…” She pointed at a teenage girl in the front row.
Kitty shot her daughter a look. “Claudia is a single mom. She needs our help. You and Trish can watch him while she’s on stage. Then you can go off and party.” Kitty looked back at Claudia with a smile. “All settled. We’ll come find you in your trailer so you can give them instructions.”
Claudia smiled at Lisa, but her eyes told the story of a new mom who was terrified of leaving her baby with someone she barely knew. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I’ll be as fast as I can, don’t worry. No dawdling for me. Just perform and right back.”
Zane, who was watching the exchange, gave Lisa a wink. “Thanks, Lisa. You’re a real team player.”
