"You were the one who wanted to get back to that sexy shape you were in before those four babies. You need to pay the price," the blonde giant wearing the skintight leotard told her without sympathy. "A few more squats. And do it like you mean it. You've gotten soft, Copeland."
"As soon as I finish here and get my strength back, I will be murdering you."
"Great. Five more and then you can take a break."
"I hate you," she puffed.
"You love me."
"That's my cue." She finished the rest of the push-ups, and as if she had sent out a signal, the two nannies came wheeling in the babies, followed by Lyka-Mae with a tray of refreshments.
"Time for sustenance." She sent a disapproving glance at Jeff before pointing to Eliza. "Eat and then feed these lovelies." She sniffed. "I brought enough for two."
"She loves me too," Jeff said with a grin that only earned a snort from Lyka-Mae as she exited the well-equipped gym. "Honey, I might be liberal in my thinking, but I certainly hope you're not thinking of baring those lovely breasts-"
"Get a grip. I already expressed their milk earlier, but I like to be part of their feeding ritual." Mopping her face with the towel, Eliza sat down on one of the benches and faced her babies. "Ooh,look at you, darling." She touched her daughter's plump cheek and was rewarded by what looked like a smile. "Can you believe she weighed just three and a half pounds when she was born?"
Jeff shuddered as he helped himself to the delicious crab salad and poured a large glass of iced tea. "She must have looked like a scarecrow."
"Shut up."
"She's beautiful." Maeve unstrapped Sofia and took her out so that she could give her the bottle. "And feeding nicely." She glanced at Eliza. "I think it's time you start adding formula to the mix and a little fruit juice."
Eliza grimaced wryly. "I've been putting it off, but Dr. Pryce said it's time." She looked up as Lyka-Mae came hurrying into the room.
"Your agent is here. Said it's urgent."
"Oh."
"Go on, Ms. Eliza," Mary-Ann urged. "We got this."
"And your break is over in fifteen minutes," Jeff called after her.
*****
"How long have you been getting these?" Samuel demanded, a frown marring his brows. Sally had brought the letters over to her because they had looked suspicious, and she had been right.
"I still get fan letters. Some border on disappointing, most of them wondering if I'm going to start working again. But nothing like this." She was so shaken she had to sit down. When Sally had given her the letters, the look on the woman's face had her reading them immediately.
She had waited until Samuel came home to tell him.
It made him sick to his stomach to read the vileness spewing from the person. There were several letters, and all of them were handwritten and threatening. They mostly talked about how privileged Eliza was and how she did not appreciate her life. There were also several mentions of how "unnatural" it was to carry four babies at a time.
"That was not what the good Lord intended, and you ought to be ashamed of yourself." The tone of the letter had gotten increasingly bitter and violent, as if the person was devolving.
But it was the last paragraph that had fear and rage icing his veins. "You don't deserve those babies, and they shall be taken away from you. I will see to it. You think you can hide in your ivory tower, but I will find you."
"Can you think of any of your fans who would send you these?"
She shook her head and wrapped her arms around her waist. This was new to her. She had heard of some of her colleagues going through fan adulation that had taken a turn. She knew of one actress who had gone out for coffee and was followed. The man had tossed acid at her, but fortunately, it had not made contact and he had been apprehended.
Her fans had always been friendly. Some of the men were overzealous, and she had had several marriage proposals. But nothing like this.
"I always try to be friendly, you know. I never wanted anyone to feel as if I'm unapproachable."
"And maybe that's the damn problem." His expression softened at her stricken look. Shoving the offensive letters aside, he came to sit next to her on the sofa. She had waited until he did his usual ritual of looking in on the children and spending some time with them before telling him the news. "In the line of work we're in, there are bound to be enemies." He had seen her takingpictures with fans and stopping, no matter how busy she was, to sign autographs. He did not have time for all of that, but his wife had a soft spot for people.
"Is it unnatural?" she asked quietly, turning to face him.
