Chapter 10
970 Words
I recall the memories of the last two days to cheer me up. Yogurt on the boardwalk, a hike by the
Hollywood sign, and many... Extracurricular activities.
Unfortunately, as I slip on my silky royal blue gown, I can't help but feel a bit down.
The slit stretches high up the side and it gorgeous, but I feel as though I'm searching for
Christian's parent's approval. Is it too much?
Our trip to LA ended too soon.
"Vasilisa?! Are you ready?"
Footsteps echo near the door and I turn as he enters and drops his hand from where he adjusts his
cuffs.
"You look astounding."
I smile and place a soft lingering kiss on his lips. It's a beg really, a beg to let me stay home.
"Two hours Lisa. You won't be left alone with them and I doubt my mother will make a scene
with important guests in her home."
"Okay," I agree softly, allowing him to pull me out of the house and into the car. God help me.
•••
Even though there must be at least two hundred people crowded throughout the entire first floor
of ten overly large rooms, the mansion still seems lifeless.
There are no pictures, no... Sentiments.
"Brother!"
Tanner appears out of nowhere to give Christian a bro hug and I'm surprised when he gives me a
hug too.
What's even more surprising is that Halley holds Ocean in her arms whilst rocking her carefully.
Don't they have a babysitter or something? I've never seen someone bring a child to a party.
"Has Amanda called you about the Regent Deal?" Tanner questions handing my boyfriend a
drink.
I tune them out as they talk business and turn to Halley with a smile.
"Do you enjoy these parties?"
The blonde nods.
"Oh, I adore them. I had to miss the last two though with this little one on the way and so young.
I can't leave her with a baby sitter or she throws an absolute fit! Even if Tanner tries holding her,
she's not happy. Fortunately the music seems to be enjoyable for her tonight."
I nod and look around at everyone. So put together. So proper.
"How many of these have you been to?"
"Since I turned sixteen, I've been to dozens, but since I married Tanner, I'd say only four or so."
Dozens. How many are held in a year? Will I have to come to all of them?
"How is everything with Tanner by the way?" I ask thinking of Sierra.
"Oh, would you like the story? Well, he's only three years older than Christian, so he's thirty and
I'm twenty-eight and we both worked at respective firms. I was his best friends personal assistant
for almost four years before I met him and we hit it off right away. The rest is history! What
about you and Christian?"
"Well dear, I can answer that one," a familiar practiced tone sounds from behind me.
I turn around to see Christian's mother inviting herself into Halley and I's circle, sipping her
champagne casually.
I look to Christian for help, but he and his brother are chatting up two other business men.
"My son stumbled across her doing God knows what one day. He's twenty-seven and she's
twenty-five. She came to one party about a year and a half ago and I thought Christian was
joking or lax on company, but I never thought he was actually entertaining the idea of getting
together with this common girl! Now years later, he brings her here and she's still hanging off his
arm like some sort of lee-"
"Mother!"
Even I jump in fright at the raw anger in Christian's tone as he and his brother come to our circle
and glare at her with disbelief.
"How dare you speak to her that way!"
"Chelsea? What the problem?" Mr. Monochero asks stepping beside his sour faced wife.
"Oh, I'm only answering questions dear. Christian is being offended by the truth."
"Come on mom," Tanner complains. "You're being rude."
"I am doing no such thing!"
Halley shifts Ocean several times as the little girl squirms in her pink bundle and begins to
whimper.
"Yes, you are!"
"How could you disrespect my girlfriend like this?!"
"I'm not! I raised you!"
"Don't argue with your mother!"
Suddenly everyone is in a shouting match and everyone stares as Ocean begins wailing and
screaming bloody murder in her mother's arms.
"Ocean! It's okay!" Halley tries to soothe, but it does nothing.
The crying is pitiful and after several seconds of arguing to shut up to make the baby stop
screaming, I step forward dutifully and swoop Ocean out of a stressed Halley's arms.
"Hey," I whisper as I rock and bounce her simultaneously. "Sshh."
Her crying turns into hiccups and her whimpers are stretched much farther apart now.
I blow air through my lips to imitate the sound a fan makes whilst I raise the baby over my head
up and down.
I do this a few times before Ocean smiles widely, her gums flashing the onlookers proudly.
Then a giggle slips out and the room goes silent.
I continue making funny faces, knowing a laugh is better than a cry and launch her from my
chest to as high as my arms can reach.
Another laugh.
There's all these things about baby's laughs, saying they sound like jingles and how it's the most
beautiful sound.
In reality, she sounds like she's choking and gasping for air, but her grin tells a different story.
After about twenty-five goes, my arms are noodled out and I lower her down to stay and go back
to rocking her.
Some mouths from my group smile and other gape, but Halley seems close to tears as she
watches.
"That was Ocean's first laugh."
- Writer
