The house smelled like turkey and birthday cake and the general mess of a party that was about to start. Rose stood at the kitchen window at seven in the morning with her coffee, watching Tori move around. Having a cleaning lady had been one of the perks she’d most enjoyed about being married to a celebrity with enough money for such things.
Well, one of many. Chiefly among them said celebrity herself. If anyone had told her a few weeks ago that she and Lizanne would truly fall in love with one another, she would have declared them insane. However, she was well and truly in love with Lizanne Connors. And Lizanne with her.
Rose had to admit, when she’d first heard about Trina’s split with Marcus, she’d worried that this would be the end. That Lizanne would take Trina back. However, when she’d voiced this worry, Lizanne had only taken her hands in hers and told her Trina would never enter their lives again, in any shape.
And Rose believed her.
She watched as Lizanne piled gifts on a table, the teddy she’d bought for Daisy after returning the ridiculous necklace included.
By eleven, the terrace was full.
Dana Maloney showed up with her husband and twin boys, who immediately started chasing Daisy around the house. Until Daisy teamed up with Alfredo, her friend from day care,and turned the game around on the twins. Two other cast members brought their kids, ranging from three to eight, who soon joined, along with Daisy’s other friends. Daisy led the pack while the adults mingled by the pool – the cover of which was finally shut as she’d requested.
Craig and his partner Peter arrived at noon. Peter brought wine. Craig brought eighteen years of opinions about Lizanne’s life and the assumption that they were welcome.
Rose was at the food table when she heard them corner Lizanne on the terrace.
“I’ve never seen this house look like this,” Peter said. “It looks like people actually live here.”
“Peoplehave alwayslived here,” Lizanne said.
“You know what I mean. This would never have happened with Trina. There’d have been some crisis at the studio and she’d have been in the corner on her phone all afternoon. This is a real party.”
Lizanne was quiet for a beat. “I really wish everyone who had thoughts about my relationship with Trina had shared them before I spent six years in it.”
Peter touched Craig’s arm. Craig looked down at his wine.
“Yeah, well. That’s done. What you’ve got here with Rose seems like a good thing. Is it?”
Rose braced herself but Lizanne smiled. “A very good thing.”
Rose’s heart leaped with joy. Satisfied, she walked into the kitchen to get more ice when she noticed her mom standing by the gift table. She stared at a card in her hand.
“What is it, Mom?”
Her mom turned to her. “A card. From Jeremy. I opened it. I hope you don’t mind.”
Rose marched across the room and snatched the card up. It was a card with a large cartoon elephant on the front who held a red balloon with its trunk.All the best for my little girl from Papawas written inside.
Instinct took over and she tore the card up. Six years he had been out of her life and now he was back. No.
Just no.
“I bet he saw the show.”
She looked at her mom. “And I bet you’re right. Not a word of this to anyone. Not Quinn. Not Lizanne. Alright?”
Her mom nodded.
“Least of all Daisy.”
“My lips are sealed but what if…”
“No, Mom. There’s no what if. Jeremy is out of my life and he will stay out.”
Her mother gave her a quick hug and exited just as Lizanne entered. The look of determination on her face took Rose by surprise. Even more so when Lizanne cupped her face.
“Listen. This is everything I wanted. A marriage, a kid in the house, a birthday party. I could burst with happiness, alright. But… I can’t because for the last few weeks it’s like we’ve been playing house and… And I don’t know what we are. I don’t know if this is what you want or ….”
