"Mexico will do that to you. I cannot believe that I've been gone for four months, and you have grown so huge." He pulled up the chaise lounge and sat next to her. She was taking advantage of the wonderful summer weather to feel the sun on her skin. She was almost six months pregnant, and time was winding down for her to deliver her babies. So far, she had been to the clinic five times already, but the longest she had ever stayed was two weeks when there was a fear that she was having premature labor.
"Where is that gorgeous and scary husband of yours?"
"He had to go out for a while."
"And he left you by yourself." Blair tutted. "What if you fall into the pool and hit your head? That puny housekeeper of yours would not be able to budge you."
"I told him you were coming by, and there's this." She touched a medical alert button around her neck. "The doctors gave me one the second time I had to go to the clinic. By the way, we're having triplets and a single. Three boys and a girl." She used her free hand to rub her huge mound. "We're deciding on names."
"How thrilling. Are the parents on board yet?"
"His mother is reluctantly coming around. His father is over the moon." Her smile faded.
"I'm scared silly. It's been a very rough ride, Blair, with visits and stays in the clinic. At one point they could not detect our baby girl's heartbeat. I thought she was dead. I had a panic attack on top of everything else."
"Samuel has been patient throughout the entire rocky journey, even going as far as putting off several trips. I cannot travel, cannot use the stairs. I have to use the elevator. I haven't been out of the house in two months. Samuel took me for a drive a few days ago, and just to feel the wind on my face reminded me never to take anything for granted. I find myself wondering if this was something I should have really considered." She pressed a hand to her mound.
"Don't get me wrong, I love them-" Her face glowed. "When I discovered that I was having three boys and a girl, I was so thrilled that I cried. That means nothing really because I cry at the drop of a hat. But I would never recommend this to another woman. Certainly not one without the resources it takes to carry a high-risk pregnancy like this one."
"Well, it's handy that your husband is rolling in dough, and you're not too shabby in the financial department yourself," he stated, patting her hand. "I've read all the stories in the press and on the internet. Some of the trashy and very creative tabloids have you carrying six babies and wondering if, in fact, Samuel is the daddy." He grinned at her annoyed expression. "Others are saying that you two have broken up, and the rift is caused by your insistence on having multiples. Others have him having a torrid affair with the screen idol from his latest film. Said he ran off with her to some exotic island to escape impending fatherhood."
"Samuel is threatening to buy the newspapers and destroy every last one of them," she told him wryly. She would never forgetthe furious look on his face when it was brought to his attention. Normally he wouldn't give that type of reading material the time of day, but a reporter had blurted out the question, asking him to confirm if he really was the father of her babies. That had been the last question the man had asked. He had come home and read the whole messy story.
He had asked her why she could remain so calm. She had told him that as long as it wasn't true, she had no time for feeding into the nonsense. Besides, she had better things to concentrate on, like the nurseries.
Chapter 9
“I know what you need!” Blair snapped his fingers as if a light had suddenly been turned on inside his brain and jarred her out of her reverie.
“You do?”
He nodded, an ardent look on his face. “You sit here having one hell of a pity party, but I’m not joining in. You’re a terrific gal, an amazing woman, and an inspiring one. You dragged yourself out of your misery when still a child and focused on becoming one hell of an actress. People are talking about you, and, bitch, I must admit that for years, I was jealous of all your accolades and the way the fans love you. I wanted to hate you, but you made it so damn hard!” He shook his head when she laughed.
“You are the best person I know. You could have gone straight out diva on everyone, yet you made everyone, cast and crew alike, feel as if they were worth something. You never behaved as if you were better than anyone else. You weren’t afraid to get your pretty hands dirty. I saw the way you handle those grubby kids at those depressing children’s homes. You’re a prize, and that’s why you’re so loved. Now.”
He clapped his hands together. “I’m going to do something amazing for you.”
She tried to sit up and flopped back down when it became too much.
“I’ll just lay here.”
“I’m calling Justin and the crew.”
“Why? What…”
“Hush.” He waved her away. “Darling Justin, you picked up the phone,” he cooed. “I miss you too.” He made kissy noises that had her rolling her eyes. “I need a gigantic favor, and it has to be now. I know you’re busy, but it’s for our girl Eliza. You know she’s all the way knocked up.” He listened for a few seconds and burst out laughing.
“Yes, four! Can you believe it? Isn’t she a peach? Well, this peach needs a pick-me-up. She’s down in the dumps and feeling sorry for herself. Of course, her skin is still marvelous. It’s even more so now that she’s carrying a litter.” He grinned at the dirty look Eliza threw him.
“She’s wearing braids.” He grimaced at the very thought. “Yes, she needs some serious help, one that only you can give her.” He listened again and nodded, smile flashing.
“Great. We’re sitting by her pool. Just come right over. In fifteen minutes? Wonderful. I owe you a big one.” He hung up and threw up his hands in the air.
“You’re about to get a makeover, darling, one that will get you out of the doldrums.”
“You never asked me.”
“I didn’t need to.” His eyes scanned her face. “You listed everything wrong, and I know I had to do something. When is that man of yours expected back?”
