Eliza grinned and turned to look at the spectacle. "You sound like my husband. When he saw the list several weeks ago, he tried to talk me out of it. But I would not budge."
Putting her hands on her hips, she surveyed the animals meandering around the large space, with their trainers keeping a watchful eye on them. She had even hired several college students to man the pool. Everywhere there were children either splashing in the water, gorging on hot dogs and burgers, and enjoying lemonade and slushes, or riding the elephant and ponies. Her husband, who had been so violently opposed to what he called a spectacle and a damn nuisance, was on the water wheel with the boys. Sofia, wearing an adorable pink and white swimsuit, was in Jackson Colby's arms, laughing at his antics.
"I hate clowns," Blair muttered, snagging a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
"The children adore them."
"Honey, I hate to tell you this, but your children are way too young to ever remember this or appreciate it, for that matter."
"That's why I hired some professionals." She gestured to the photographers snapping away with their cameras. "After all we've been through, I wanted something to take our minds off everything."
"You've certainly accomplished that," he murmured, eyes scanning the area. "How many people did you invite?"
Eliza laughed, waving to her mother-in-law, who looked relaxed and happy munching on a hot dog and talking to some of the "wives."
"Close to three hundred. I had to cut back on some of the people when Samuel threatened to absent himself."
"He seems to be enjoying himself." Blair shook his head, linking his arm through hers. "I cannot believe that's the same man."
"He's not," she murmured, turning her head to take in her husband as he laughed at something one of the boys did. "He has changed."
"Thanks to you."
"Thanks to those babies. Now, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."
"Wait." He held onto her arm to stop her from moving. "I just want to say that you're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." The frank admiration in his eyes made her smile.
"Like the dress?"
"Darling, I love what little there is of it." He shook his head, appreciating how the material clung to her slender curves. "If I wasn't gay-"
"But you are," she pointed out with a laugh.
"If I wasn't, I would be giving your husband a run for his boatload of money."
"Like you'd stand a chance."
"Sadly, you're right. Let's go gorge ourselves on designer hot dogs to go with the champagne."
"They're tuckered out."
"I won't be surprised if they sleep until this time next week," Samuel murmured as he drew the blanket over his daughter. A smile hovered on his lips as he touched her soft, satiny cheek. She looked so much like her mother that each time he gazed at her, he could feel his heart contracting.
"Everyone loved them, especially her. She charmed Jackson and Jason so much that they could not bear to put her down."
"I noticed." She turned to face him. "Now admit that the zoo theme was a brilliant idea."
He chuckled at the challenging look on her striking face. He had been unable to take his eyes off her. His wife had shone and dazzled, and he had not been the only one to notice. He had seen Alvin and a group of his director friends staring at her as well. Even though he was confident in his love for her and hers for him, he had barely restrained himself from poking their eyes out.
She was his, completely and utterly his. It made him proud as hell and proprietary too.
"I won't admit any such thing, not unless you hold a gun to my head." She was barely able to stop from squealing when he suddenly and without warning lifted her into his arms.
"Let's go to bed. I want to explore this delectable body of yours that you've been showing to all and sundry." His long legs ate up the distance, and within seconds he was inside their bedroom. "Did I see you when you were getting dressed?"
"Nope." She grinned at him, her arms wrapped around his neck. "What's wrong with the dress?"
"Nothing, and that's the problem," he told her darkly. "And don't get me started on that poor excuse of a swimsuit." He carried her out to the balcony and sat with her on his lap.
