I raised an eyebrow, but he winked and cut a glance toward Cris.
“Ah, babe, you know I’d marry you in a New York minute,” Cris said. “I’ve asked him every week since you called to let us know you were getting married.”
“But did you ask me this week?”
Cris’s eyes lit up. “Timboy, will you marry me?”
Tim laughed. “Ah’m gonna dance with Theo.”
* * * *
The Venetian hour started, and waiters brought out pastries, fruits, cakes, and various coffees. I was sipping a cappuccino when I realized I hadn’t seen Wills for some time. I put the cup down.
“I’m going to—” I looked up to see Wills suddenly there. “Where were you, babe?”
He was in his shirtsleeves, and there was…I felt cold. How could there be blood on his shirt?
“Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.”
I blew out a relieved breath. Of course it was. The smile on his face told me so.
“Congratulations, babe.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. “You’re a brother-in-law.”
“What?” I got up so fast my chair tipped over.
“Jill just had the baby. It’s a good thing Paul knew what he was doing. He delivered Peter William.”
That was my boy. I checked my watch, and gave a spurt of laughter.
“What?”
“Do you know what that means?”
“Yeah, what I said.”
“What time is it?”
He looked at his watch. “It’s almost eleven.”
I bumped his shoulder and began singing, slightly off-key, “John Jacob Jingelheimer Schmidt. His birthday is your birthday too.”
His jaw dropped, and he stared wide-eyed. I closed his mouth with gentle fingers. “You’re right!” he said.
Vince gave a huff of laughter. “This party is becoming too exciting for me. I’m going to say good night.”
“Good night, Mr. Vincent. Thank you so much for being part of our day. And…uh…thank you too, Mr. Mann.”
“As I told your husband, I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for allowing me to attend,” Mr. Mann said. “Congratulations, and I hope you have a long, happy life together.”
“Thanks.” We all shook hands, and then they were gone. Wills looked around. “Where are Jar and Marti? I have to tell them.”
“Marti’s dancing with one of the cousins, I think…” There were so many of them, and while Wills had introduced me to all of them, it was hard to tell who was who. Almost all of them were blue-eyed blonds. “…and JR is still dancing with my sister.”
“It’s too bad her boyfriend changed his mind about coming.”
“Yeah, well, after pulling a stunt like that at the last minute, I have a feeling he won’t be her boyfriend for much longer.”
“From the way your father talks about him, he likes him.”
“It doesn’t matter. If Casey doesn’t want Alexander, I’ll back her up.” And that would piss Poppa off, but I wasn’t going to bring that up. “Pat’s dancing with Spike.”
“Should we worry?”
“I don’t think so. If Spike can deal with Hollywood, he can deal with Pat. Come on.”
We crossed the floor to where Marti was dancing—with one of Harry and Brynn’s twins, as it turned out—and Wills leaned down and whispered, “Mom had the baby. They’re fine, but as soon as I let Jar and Pat know, and everyone else, we’ll be leaving for the hospital.”
She gave a squeak of excitement. “Can I tell too?”
“Sure.”
“Come on, Davy! Let’s find Gram and Gramps! Then we’ll tell your mom and dad!” She took off, dragging her cousin along with her.
We found JR and Acacia. “What was that about?” he asked, nodding toward his sister.
“Mom had the baby. They’re both fine,” Wills repeated, “and we’ll go to the hospital soon.”
“I’ll tell Pat.”
“Thanks. I’m going to make a general announcement now.”
He squeezed Wills’s arm. “I’m not the younger brother anymore!”
“No, I guess you’re not.”
“I missed so much.” I watched as JR darted away into the crowd, leaving Acacia standing there with a bemused look on her face. I patted her shoulder. “Would you like to come too, Casey?”
“I’d…I think Mama and Poppa will want to go to our suite.”
“Okay. We’ll see you tomorrow before you leave.”
We went to the M. C., and Wills gestured for him to lean down. “I need to make an announcement.”
“That you’re leaving?” He grinned at him. “You’re supposed to slip out without telling anyone.”
“Things are always done a little differently in my family.”
He raised an eyebrow, but handed Wills the mic, signaled the band to stop playing, and then for the drummer to play a flourish.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Dear family and friends. Theo and I are leaving.”
There were hoots and catcalls, but they were good-natured. What a wonderful family I’d married into to.
“JR, Marti, and Pat are going with us.”