When All Seems Lost
Chapter 4 His Best Shot
Baze arrived at the Hotel Lucia's ballroom in record time. He had showered, shaved and dressed; even managing to tame his unruly locks. He saw the sidelong glances. He even thought he heard snippets of conversation, as he worked his way through the crowd.
"Hey, isn't the the guy that barged in the back of the church just as the service was ending?"
"I don't know. I was sitting where I couldn't see."
Isn't he Lux's father? Why would he be here? Why did he come to the church at the last minute?
Baze was under intense scrutiny; the kind where people tried their hardest not to appear as though they were watching him. He could feel their eyes upon him. He decided to kick things up a notch.
He turned on the mega watt smile that had served him so well in high school. "The Baze charisma" usually got him what he wanted, although his standards for the last sixteen years had not been that high. That was all about to change, no matter what happened.
He schmoozed his way over to Alice, who was watching him closely. Baze picked up a glass of champagne, and took a sip.
"What are you doing here, Baze? And why were you at the church dressed in what you wore last night, just as the ceremony was ending?
"Come on; cut a guy a break, Alice. I had my reasons. Lux invited me to the reception. I behaved myself last night at the rehearsal dinner. I was a very accommodating host. By the way, you look really gorgeous in that dress."
Alice knew she was getting a snow job. In spite of herself, she started to smile. What was it about this guy? Everyone seems to like him, except Cate, and even she had mellowed in the week before the wedding. Alice raised her hands in defeat.
"Okay, Baze. All of this craziness, which has been the off-air "Cate and Ryan show", has gotten to me. Add you and Lux to the mix, and you've got a powder keg just waiting for someone to drop a match."
Baze's eyes widened in surprise. He had not given her enough credit. For once, he was speechless. Alice had been more observant than he had realized.
He looked up to see Lux making her way toward him. With a quick glance around the room, he saw Cate and Ryan engaged in conversation with Laverne, Cate's mother, and Evelyn, Ryan's mother. He reached for the note in his pocket, just as Lux gave him a quick hug.
"Hey, young lady, here I am, as you requested."
"You look great, Baze. Ah, Alice could you give us a minute?"
Alice looked at the two of them. She hoped the powder keg had a long fuse. She had just begun to enjoy herself. Shrugging her shoulders, she moved off to one side. Fate had become responsible for this show, and she was just a bystander.
"So what's the plan," Lux asked anxiously. "What are you going to do?"
"Slip this note to your mother, Lux- and no peeking. You just have to trust me."
"That's your plan?" Lux responded.
"Yep. Hopefully, she will excuse herself to the ladies' room and read it."
"Maybe I can help with that," Lux added, hopefully.
"No," Baze stated firmly. "This is something that has to entirely be Cate's decision. She has to choose. Just try to slip it to her without being noticed."
Lux kissed her father on the cheek, and started threading her way between people towards her mother and Ryan. When she was almost there, Cate happened to look up in her direction, noticing Baze for the first time.
A sad smile appeared on Cate's face just for an instant. However, it was long enough to cause a lapse in the conversation. All heads turned in the direction of Cate's gaze.
"What's he doing here?" Evelyn demanded.
"Mom, he's invited. He is Lux's father, after all, and we are all trying to get along. You were at the rehearsal dinner. We are going to be in each other's lives It is something you will have to accept."
"He's part of the family, whether you like it or not," Cate quietly added. "and he will be treated with respect."
"Excuse me," Evelyn responded. "I seem to have stepped on some toes. The situation is a bit awkward, you have to admit."
"We've been making it work," Lux spoke strongly in her mother's defense. "There has never been anything conventional about this family."
Lux squeezed her mother's hand, deftly passing the note. Cate didn't change her expression, but suddenly dumped the contents of her champagne glass on Lux's dress.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry! If we quickly get some water on it, perhaps it won't stain. Mother, Evelyn, Ryan, please excuse us for a few minutes."
"Well, I never!" Evelyn sputtered in consternation. "This whole situation gets crazier by the minute. You have to admit that something just isn't right, Ryan. I know you feel it too."
Forget it, Mom," Ryan hissed, as Cate and Lux hurried to the rest room. "Go find your table. Dinner will be served as soon as Lux and Cate return. Don't cause any problems blabbing about what you think you know."
Ryan went to his own table, and immediately downed a glass of champagne, following it with another. His mother, muttering to herself, did as her son had asked. Laverne walked somewhat unsteadily to where Baze stood.
"I have to say I'm glad you showed up," she commented. "Come sit with me. I'm in need of a companion."
"I believe I'll take you up on that offer, Laverne," he said, offering her his arm. Once they were seated, she leaned over and spoke very softly.
"Might I assume the fireworks are about to begin?"
"You will just have to wait and see, Laverne," Baze answered in the same manner. Anything could happen." He lowered his voice another notch. "I'm waiting, just like you." "And praying," He thought to himself.