Page 57 of Timeless: Encore

I give her twenty minutes before bringing her a glass of wine. “Well, there’s a talent I think you’ve got down pat.” The table is impeccable, sophisticated and inviting. “Alex just texted, she’s on the ferry. We have about an hour or so before they arrive.”

“I’m so in awe of you, Fee. You’re so incredibly talented.” Ronni clinks her glass to mine.

God, coming from an actress with a million Emmys—high praise. I know my face is red. “Smoke and mirrors. I feel like I’m always on the brink of disaster.”

We end up having a deep conversation about motherhood and trying to balance our shit. We’re so much alike in many ways. Ronni trusts me enough to confide some shit, which opens my own floodgates. I didn’t realize how awesome it was to have a close girlfriend to talk with. Especially one who understands balancing life as a rockstar spouse with your own hopes and dreams.

I love Zoey and Alex, but they’ve been BFFs since birth. Maybe Ronni and I could be BFFs too.

No time to contemplate, though. I leave her to check on the guys while I change my clothes. I no sooner come downstairs and Lianne arrives. Then Zoey’s mom. Then Alex’s. The women are milling about the kitchen as if we have all the time in the world.

I waggle my finger at Zane, who rushes to my side. “You and Connor should get moving.”

“Oh, shit.” Zane bellows, “Connor? Let’s roll.”

With the guys gone, we’re finally in full baby shower mode. “Sparkling rosé anyone? Miraval? A little nod to Brad Pitt. He may be old, but he’s hot and makes a fine wine.”

After a toast, I take a bite of hand-crafted raw milk cheese from Chimacum Valley Dairy. The ladies are still just standing around so I decide to break the ice. “Ronni. Tell me the truth. How tough is it having twins? Zane is so jealous, he can’t stand it. I’m stressing about having one baby, but two would put me over the edge.”

It does the trick. Each woman shares her own stories about motherhood, getting us in the mood to welcome Zoey into the fold.

That is, until Lianne pipes up. “It’s not easy being on your own with a baby. Carter was so involved when Zaney was an infant. By the time he turned two, Limelight was on the road, leaving me to fend for the both of us. I was just lucky Fiona’s mom, Faye, helped out so I could still dance. Otherwise, my career would have been shot.”

I munch down another square of cheese. No one but Zane knows what’s gone on between me and my mom. I thought he told Lianne about the incident we had a couple months ago. Maybe not. In either case, Zoey’s shower is not the time to bring everyone down with my family drama. So, I speak the truth. “Yeah. I couldn’t have made it through Mia’s first years without my mom.”

“Wait, is Faye your mom, Fiona?” Alex’s mom, Andrea asks.

“Sometimes. Depends on the day,” I can’t help but snark just as the door sounds. “Ooh. Saved by the buzz.”

“Oh my God, you guys.” Zoey’s eyes are huge when Alex brings her in. She scans the room, wiping tears as they fall down her cheeks. “This is amazing.”

I can tell she’s truly touched—and maybe surprised—at the effort her girlfriends have made for her. I want this to be a special afternoon welcoming her into the motherhood fold. One of the reasons I volunteered is both Zane and I have noticed Ty’s past issues bubbling up in unexpected ways during our weekly brunches. His moods are a bit, uh, unpredictable.

Zoey never, ever complains. Or makes him feel less-than. She just loves him as he is, as Zane puts it. He’s her biggest fan for that reason. And so while we don’t have the type of friendship where she’d necessarily confide in me, I knew she probably needed a day of sisterhood and celebration.

Nevertheless, this shower is eating into my strict schedule. I have a shit-ton of work to do later this afternoon and they’re easily twenty minutes late. It’s time to gracefully move the day along. “Okay, ladies. Now that you’re here, lunch is served.”

Ronni stands and taps on her glass with a spoon. “Zoey, on behalf of all of us here, we welcome you to the mother club. It’s an experience like no other.”

“Absolutely. And to your third trimester. Heartburn, constipation, giant tits, and the inability to ever get comfortable,” I add, hoping to keep things lighthearted and sarcastic. I’m not in the mood for sappiness.

To my delight, it works. Zoey cups her ample boobs. “I’m up two bra sizes.”

“I’m sure Ty’s not complaining.” Alex, who isn’t quite as blessed in that department, casts her eyes to the ceiling.

“He’s not.” Zoey grins cheekily.

Olivia is mortified. “TMI. The last thing you want to hear about is your child’s sex life.”

“Mom, I’m pregnant. How did you think it happened?” Zoey laughs.

Her mom fixes her with a scolding glare. “Divine intervention.”

Lianne, who’s trying to keep herself from laughing, shakes her head. “Zane has always been TMI with me.”

“Ah, well that’s Zaney.” There are days when I can’t help but admire my mother-in-law. At a really young age, she kept her shit together during some trying times. Unlike my mom, she always put Zane first. “You did a good job with my guy, Lianne.”

To my surprise, she embraces me. “He’salwaysbeen your guy.”

---