Author's Note:

I love it when other are game to read what I come up with! Thank you so much! I plan on posting a couple more chapters tonight.

Chapter Two:

Reid

Spencer!

Come home!

No one is mad at you. No one ever blamed you more than you. Did you see J.J. coached her basketball team to their third national title? Being in a wheelchair hasn't stopped her from living life to the fullest!

I know you love Alina. She'll be fine. Cameras are on her all the time. She seems to like this lifestyle. Let her enjoy it. You can teach, as I know you've kept up with the latest research. Mentor Jack! Just come for dinner with all of us. We miss you horribly and no, turning on the TV to see what shenanigans your real housewife has dragged you into doesn't count!

Love, hugs, kisses, and tears!

Penelope

Reid closed the email. He didn't bother deleting it, as it self-deleted after he closed it. Maddison didn't know his team was still reaching out to him. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt any of them.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in."

It was Victor Camden, the company CEO. Ten years younger than him with sandy hair, his smile went from ear to ear.

"Hey, today is the day of your daughter's audition, right?"

Victor remembered things like that. He was a good man.

"Yes, she's very excited."

"She'll make a great Glinda. Your idea to have the company donate musical theater equipment to Congo was brilliant! I love doing stuff like that. It makes the company look compassionate."

He was also like so many other people in LA: Star struck. Victor wanted to be part of a story. Reid knew he was angling to get on camera this season of Real Housewives and the Wicked show.

Reid smiled.

"I'm glad Octavian Tech was able to help."

"Hey, why don't we just take the day off and hit the country club?"

He genuinely laughed at this. It was a running joke.

"Hey Vic, why don't we take the day off and fly to Switzerland to see the particle accelerator?"

It wasn't a good running joke. But Victor laughed nonetheless.

"What are you up right now anyway?"

"I'm running a cost benefit analysis on the development of the new jetpack."

"You don't need to be doing that! We've got plenty of accountants who can."

"I like the work."

There was a pause in the conversation. Everyone knew why Reid was still there when he could be retired: Maddison didn't like how he didn't get along with the other husbands, and preferred that he worked.

"I'll let the cat out of the bag early: In June, we're establishing an award in your name at a dinner."

Reid was dumbstruck.

"Victor, I—"

"Let's not kid ourselves Spencer. Sam wouldn't have gotten this company off the ground without you. Fasted growing startup of the decade, innovator of the year multiple years in a row, hottest company ever, to go public. It is all because of you."

"Thank you!"

"One day you'll see that particle accelerator in person," Victor said with a wink. "See you later!"

He left. Victor had a way of making feel better while sad at the same time. It wasn't his fault.

"I can't feel my legs!"

Reid shook that thought out of his head.

With his hair swinging in a ponytail, Lance greeted him with an air hug.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Reid. How are you?"

"Good, Lance. How are you?"

"Great. Let's get ready to film!"

Lance Hess was a producer for the Real Housewives franchise. Regularly, Reid would recap major events. They'd known each other since the before, Alina's birth.

"Let's talk about the latest tiff between your wife and Ally."

"Ally and my wife have been through so much together; I am almost sad to see them at it again."

"How do you really feel?" he asked conspiratorially.

"That they have more in common than they realize, after all these years."

He sighed dramatically. "You are such a boy scout."

"I never was one."

Lance laughed again.

"You know, you are too good for Maddison. I mean she's a solid eight, but you're a ten with morals! You could do a lot better!"

He was really fishing today. Reid knew better.

"Maddison is a twelve in my heart. There is no one I love more on this planet."

"I am impressed you can say that with a straight face."

Lance stared him down.

"We have audio of you screaming. Do you want to talk about it?"

"We both know that my nightmares are off limits. It is written in the contract."

"I wish you'd consider me as a friend, Mr. Reid. I saw you hold your daughter for the first time. I almost consider you family."

Reid paused before he said something he'd regret. He had learned when someone would say something rude, to smile before speaking.

"We are friends Lance! There isn't a producer I like more than you. I told you about my feelings for Steph even before my wife. You were the first to know about my cancer scare. There are few people I trust more than you!"

Lance laughed.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're getting good at doing my job."

"I could never do your job!"

"Okay let's talk about The Wicked Project. Alina is a shoe-in for Glinda. Has it been exhausting listening to her rehearse?"

"I have loved listening to Alina sing since she was a baby. She takes after her mother, and I couldn't be prouder. Yes, the high notes, do hit my ears a little hard, but when she hits the sweet notes, they make up for it."

"Spoken like a proud papa."

"Nothing pleases me more than seeing my daughter happy!"

"Now, that I can tell, is real."

Reid smiled. They could agree on something.