Author's Note: Thanks as always for reviewing.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 51: Making it Real
Kelly smiled getting dressed. It was the launch party for Scooter's new book. Steve and Claire had worked together to put the event together, a huge party in the Plaza, everything Art Deco and twenties glamour.
"You look beautiful," Scooter smiled. She blushed. "Thank you."
"For what?" She laughed. He looked at her. "Oh, putting up with you?" He laughed. "I'm proud of you, you know that."
"I know," he nodded. She smiled. "You know I hate this part." She laughed.
"But I love this part," she said. "I feel like Kelly Riley, Eden Hall Social Director again." He laughed.
"Oh God," he groaned. "You were such a little pain in the ass." She giggled. They kissed again. "So, I talked to Claire about the publicity tour."
"Oh," she said. "The part I hate." He smiled.
"We're staying local," he said. She blinked at him. "Morning shows, um, and phone interviews. I'm not going anywhere, unless I make Oprah."
"Thank you," she whispered and kissed him. "Scooter, I," he smiled.
"I promised you a year, and I screwed that up," he said. She nodded. He pushed her hair behind her ear. "I love you so much Kelly, I can't even begin to tell you."
"You have told me, and you've shown me." She smiled. "You're amazing, Scott Vanderbilt." He laughed. "So how do I look?" She twirled.
"Perfect," he said. "Your sister is amazing." Kelly smiled. Tammy had made her a gorgeous black velvet gown, complete with a train and everything, it was trimmed in pearls. It was actually the keystone to the winter high end collection. After it's premier in a photo shoot, where Emma had worn it, Tammy had insisted Kelly wear it to the launch party, since it was very twenties inspired.
"Let's go," she said. "There is champagne to drink, people to schmooze and you have to be amazing." She kissed him. "Nothing stronger than wine or beer tonight, OK?"
"OK," he nodded. "I've been very good lately you know."
"I know," she said. She put her earrings in and looked in the mirror sadly. "I wish Janet was going to be here."
"Yeah me too," he said. "I miss her, not as much as you do, I imagine."
"You have no idea," Kelly whispered. "At least Tammy and I made up though."
"At least," he kissed her softly. "She'll come back honey. She always does."
"I know," Kelly said softly. "Let's go, come on." She walked out and he followed her.
Jimmy and Rick stood side by side leaning against the bar. Julie bounced over and kissed Jimmy hard.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too sweetheart," Jimmy laughed. "How much have you been drinking?" She giggled and bounced away.
"Wow," Rick said. "I haven't seen Julie that um, exuberant in a while."
"We're at my apartment," Jimmy explained, "the kids are in Bangor with Taylor and Brett, and we haven't had sex in over a month, that's going to change tonight."
"A month and she's that worked up?" Rick said. Jimmy nodded. "You two are lightweights."
"Are we talking about how Julie's smashed?" Kelly walked over. The other two nodded.
"And how they've gone six weeks without sex and can't stand it," Rick rolled his eyes. "When I was in law school, right after TJ was born, Cassie and I went three months one time."
"I have you both beat," Kelly said. They looked at her. "The Watershed European publicity tour, six months." They looked at her. "What? I was at Harvard getting my MBA, it wasn't like I could go with him. We broke it in Paris at fashion week, it was brief but nice."
"I so badly didn't need to know any of that," Rick said. Kelly laughed. "The point is that Julie and Jimmy suck at waiting."
"We do," Jimmy smiled. "And sucking at it, means that I'll never have to go six months, Kelly." There was a sudden rustle of activity from the door, Emma had just bounced in, looking effervescent and lovely in a pink satin dress. Cameras were going off as she posed. "Christ, what did they do to that poor girl?"
"She's a natural," Kelly shook her head. "I've never seen anything like it."
"So you're naming the baby after me right?" Dean said. Tanya laughed.
"Yes, Dean, I'm naming the baby after you," she looked at him. "So that way when he grows up he can know that he's named after the first boy Mommy slept with."
"Right," he said, probably a bad plan. She laughed. "How are you doing?"
"Good," she said. "I'm still looking for a job, so that's been tough, but I'll find something." He nodded and sat down with her. "I miss home, you know? I miss my mom and Lisa, and," she sighed.
"I know," he said. "Trust me, I get it. Boston's really cool though, I think you'll like it here."
"I do like it here," she said. "And seeing you all the time doesn't suck." He laughed. "How are things with Kyla?"
"Good," he said. "She's great isn't she?"
"Yeah," she nodded. "Have you told your friend Elena that you're with her?"
"You say it like it's this hilarious proposition that Elena and I are trying to be friends," he said.
"It is hilarious," Tanya smirked.
"We're friends is that hilarious?" He asked.
"It's different," she shook her head. He looked at her. "Come on, it is! Our relationship grew out of our friendship, and then organically we got back to being friends. We didn't decide to be friends out of no where because my fiancé got back in touch with his ex girlfriend." He sighed. "You and Elena were never friends."
"OK, fine," he said. "But since this friendship is still hypothetical, I'm not too worried about it." Tanya laughed.
"Hey baby," Fulton walked in. "Hey Portman." Portman waved. "Is he going to be here all the time now?"
"You're the one who wanted to move," Tanya shrugged as he leaned down and kissed her. "Besides, I was mocking him for asking us to name the baby after him."
"Ha," Fulton snorted. "Good one man!"
"Fine," Portman stood up, "I don't need this. I have practice anyway!"
"Oh, now he's mad," Tanya frowned. "Dean," she said, trying to hold back giggled. "You're mean," she said and Fulton kissed her.
"He has a job and a girlfriend, surely he has better things to do than hang around here," he said. She laughed. "How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Fine," she said. "It's just that no one wants to hire a woman who has to take maternity leave in a few months and it sucks, and I'm so bored." He laughed and kissed her.
"You could do all that reading that you always said you would and never got to cause you were too busy," he shrugged. She looked at him. "Or not. OK, I'm gonna take a shower, you'll find something. I love you."
"I love you too," she said, "sorry I'm cranky." He smiled.
"You really miss Chicago huh?" He said. She nodded.
"Do you miss Minneapolis like this?" She asked. He laughed.
"Not really," he said. "But I miss the Ducks, they were always home." She smiled. "You get used to it, find other things, like I found you." She smiled.
Cassie sat quietly giggling a crying Bella against her shoulder. She'd wanted to go to New York for the book launch, but then Bella had the flu. She would not stop crying! Why had she told Rick it was OK for him to go?
"Hi," Ana walked in. Cassie smiled at her. "Oh, how's she doing?"
"Not good," Cassie sighed. "Eva, TJ," she called. "Grandma's here. Thank you for taking them."
"Anytime," Ana laughed. "Besides, they won't sleep with her screaming all night and then they'll get sick." Cassie laughed.
"That is what I'm trying to prevent," Cassie said. Eva and TJ walked down, both carrying back packs. "Alright," she said. "You have PJs?"
"Yup," TJ said.
"Tooth brushes?" Cassie asked.
"Yup yup!" Eva nodded.
"OK," Cassie said. "Hugs and kisses," she handed Bella to Ana and hugged her two oldest children. "I love you."
"I love you too Mommy," Eva said.
"I love you," TJ said. "I hope Bella feels better."
"Thanks Buddy," Cassie said. "Be good." She kissed them both on the forehead. "Thanks again Ana."
"No problem," Ana laughed, "we're gonna have fun, right guys?"
"Right," TJ said. "Grandma, Grandpa promised that we'd go skating, and I could show him what Aunt Julie taught me."
"Then skating we will go," Ana laughed. "Let's go." They walked outside and Cassie sighed.
"Just me and you Bella," she whispered. "It's not so bad, right?" She patted Bella's back and the baby spit up and then started crying some more. "Oh God," Cassie burst into tears. "I hate this."
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