Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last chapter. I appreciate it. I apologize for the late update. I had another death in the family recently, and that put me behind in updating. Hopefully, I'll be able to stay on schedule. Some exciting things are coming up.
Chapter 83: This is just so messy.
Still September 18, 2010
Almost sister-in-law: So, I heard Amanda knows. How many shoes did she throw at you?
Daniel: No shoes yet. She wants to have a meeting once Christina leaves. Probably Wednesday. Please talk your nephew out of bringing his new boyfriend.
Almost sister-in-law: I don't need to because at least Cory is smart enough to know he shouldn't be there. I will be taking his place. Should I bring a lawyer?
Daniel: Possibly. At least Cory is smart. Things are awkward enough. I don't want Amanda to deal with the new boyfriend just yet.
Almost sister-in-law: Very true. How awkward is everything?
Daniel: Level III awkward. Amanda is sitting across from me finalizing my itinerary for the week as she occasionally glares and makes snide remarks about not telling her things. To make up for my lack of trust, she is going with me to every show. I think your team is supplying her with outfits I am now paying for.
Daniel: This may also be to make up for being unable to go to Paris. I will have to bring her back at least six bags of pastries.
Almost sister-in-law: That is definitely Amanda. Although I don't know why she thought she could go to Paris. She's pregnant with twins. It's a miracle that she's made it to month eight. There's too much travel involved with going to Paris.
Daniel: Very true. I'm letting her spend quality time with several designers, so it should be okay. How are you?
Almost sister-in-law: I told my nephew that his mom is missing, and her being dead might be the better scenario because at least it's an answer. He also locked himself in his room immediately after. So, I'm having a fabulous morning.
Daniel: I assume that conversation went badly?
Almost sister-in-law: There is no way it could've gone well. I am happy I dropped baby Alexis off with my brother. The cock blocking was just a bonus. That has been the highlight of my morning.
Daniel: My baby niece is with your brother right now, not Jordan?
Almost sister-in-law: Jordan had to fly out this morning. She is base-jumping somewhere in Africa. I forget which country. Alexis and I are not leaving until tomorrow.
Almost sister-in-law: Actually, we might even stay until Monday. However, Alexis has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, so we can't stay later than that. I am hoping for good news.
Daniel: I hope you get good news.
Almost sister-in-law: I hope so. The last week has been such a mess. I hated breaking my nephew's heart this morning.
Daniel: It'll be okay.
Almost sister-in-law: Only if our private investigator finds Tiffany on a beach drinking mojitos somewhere.
Almost sister-in-law: Justin was just allowed in with food, but I think I will stay out here.
Daniel: Smart. Let Austin come out to you.
Xx
"Hey, I thought I would bring you something to eat. Vivian brought the good French toast." Justin said as his boyfriend allowed him in the room. It's evident to Justin that his boyfriend has been in here crying.
"That's not going to make things better." Austin sat back down on the bed again.
"I know. But you still need to eat. We burned a lot of calories off last night."
"I'm too nauseous to eat right now. I've been so angry for the last month, and she could be…" Austin stopped abruptly, and Justin just sat beside his boyfriend and began rubbing gentle circles on his back. Moments later, Austin snuggled into him.
"I know. You can be upset about this."
"Why didn't I question the postcards earlier? I knew it was weird. Mom always texts me regularly, so I should've realized something was off when she wasn't doing that anymore. I just thought she was abandoning me to my new life with Vivian. I am living in a penthouse, and she's dead." A single tear rolled down Austin's cheek.
"We don't know that yet."
"What reason would Victoria have to keep her alive?" Austin asked.
"What reason did she have to kill her in the first place?" Justin countered.
"I don't know. She isn't thinking logically."
"That's true." Austin sighed.
"Do you think I was the original target?" Austin asked. "Nobody knew I was staying with Vivian until it hit the papers a week after George and Mom left. What if the new job thing in Chicago was just a way to kill us without people asking questions?"
"I would've asked a lot of questions." The fact that he could've lost Austin made Justin nauseous.
"But would anyone else? What if my mom is dead because of me?" Justin saw another tear slide down Austin's face.
"We don't know why Vivian did what she did. But I agree you could've been the original target. If that was the case, it wasn't your fault."
"It still feels that way."
"And nothing I say is going to convince you otherwise. However, I will talk to the grown-up committee about the possibility that you could have been the original target." They need to be prepared that Victoria might try something again.
"How much did you know before they told me? Because you weren't shocked."
"I was the one who convinced them to start looking into things. I got suspicious after you told me that she didn't like sending postcards. I took it to my mom, and she said the grownups would take care of it. I didn't want to tell you until they had something." Justin explained.
"That makes sense. Although somehow Cal figured it out first?"
"Yes. Because he was tipped off by Victoria's former assistant after the yacht party fiasco. His PI is working with Vivian's PI to find anything."
"Do you think he's actually worried about her being missing?" Justin can hear the sadness in his boyfriend's voice.
"I think it's possible. I know he's paying for extra security for you and Tyler. Breanna says her brother only shows affection through monetary transactions, so this feels promising." Justin explained.
"That's something, at least," Austin said as he grabbed the plate of French toast from earlier. He slowly started to nibble at one of the triangles, which Justin was grateful for.
"Do you know when I will have to talk to the PI?"
"Vivian said something about leaving in about an hour to meet them. The rep is going to meet you at her house." Justin explained.
"That gives me time to remember family members that never talk to me." Austin sighed. "I think Mom left me with the list. However, I don't remember where I put it. I was never planning to talk to any of them again."
"I'll help you look for it when we return to the penthouse."
"You can go back home. You don't have to stay with me." Justin is unsurprised that Austin is trying to push him away, mainly because Antonella told him that Austin hasn't returned any of her text messages.
"I'm not leaving. We don't know yet if this is the same situation as when I lost Santos. But I had to do that alone. I care about you too much to let you go through the same thing." Justin pulled Austin closer to him.
"You had your family, and I don't. Not anymore." The last part was whispered.
"My grandfather was stuck in Mexico, and my mom was lost in her happy reality. Aunt Betty was barely holding us together. I didn't want to give her another thing to worry about, so I told her I was fine when I wasn't. I couldn't even really talk to Marc back then. I did many stupid things because I couldn't deal with my grief." Justin explained to his boyfriend.
"Like that extremely horrible hand job at 13 with a girl." Austin joked. Yes, his boyfriend knew his entire sexual history, as complicated as it was.
"It was horrible. I want you to know that you have people who understand. I'll be whatever you need me to be right now."
"Who else understands this?" Austin asked.
"Antonella. She wants you to text her back."
"She should've stayed here and not returned to her sister-in-law's place. Also, her parents died in a car crash. It wasn't this." Austin shot back.
"It was a drunk driver, so it might as well have been murder. Also, Vivian only wanted me with you for this conversation. She was worried you wouldn't want many people around. That's why Tyler and Claire are not here either."
"Vivian was right about that. I don't know how the process this. How am I supposed to deal with this?" Austin asked with tears in his eyes.
"Honestly, I don't know, but I will be here with you the entire time." As Austin cried into his designer jacket, Justin realized he was utterly in love with this man and would do whatever possible to protect him.
Xxxx
A little bit later in London.
Sexy fiancé: So, what's the over or under of you making it to dinner? Christina is here, and we're considering ordering from the excellent Ethiopian place a couple of blocks away. My number two had her husband bring the kids over so it would be a family affair.
Betty: My odds look bad. I learned I can only attend Christina's show if I sit with Lindsay. He doesn't want me consorting with you at fashion week. My day off is canceled.
Sexy fiancé: At least you will still get to be there. Sorry, your boss is being a dick. So that's a no on dinner?
Betty: Maybe order something that can be reheated if I don't make it in time. Can Amanda's tummy handle Ethiopian food?
Sexy fiancé: OK, you might be right about that. Maybe Italian. We'll figure something out.
Betty: How is she?
Sexy fiancé: OK, but contemplative. She is not mad at me, which I was expecting. I'm not sure how to take that.
Betty: [Skeptical emoji]
Sexy fiancé: She's angry, but not that angry. Amanda understands why we did what we did. Although she thinks we should've told her. This is reasonable because I believe we should've told her.
Betty: At least once Amanda's pregnancy was out of the higher-risk zone. Honestly, I'm surprised the doctor gave her the OK to fly.
Sexy fiancé: Things were so messed up that night that I don't think we thought to check if it was OK for her to fly to London. Sometimes, I wonder if we should've sent her to Cleveland with Brianna.
Betty: She needed to be with us.
Sexy fiancé: I know.
Sexy fiancé: I didn't want to tell Amanda the truth initially because I was afraid she would pull away if she knew everything.
Betty: You were afraid she would return to the States and raise the babies with Matt.
Sexy fiancé: I was afraid of that possibility. But I don't think that's going to happen anymore.
Betty: I think so, too.
Sexy fiancé: Would you be OK if I adopted the twins?
Betty: Yes. I was the one who came up with this plan. Also, I'm sure Victoria will overlook anything that means Amanda's babies will not join the Hartley family.
Sexy fiancé: True. I feel Matt would leave his family, too, if he could.
Betty: So very much.
Sexy fiancé: However, this is anything but normal. I am adopting the kid of my ex-girlfriend when I am engaged to you. It doesn't look good.
Betty: I don't care what other people think. We are just adding Amanda and the twins to our family. And they are family. Amanda is like another sister to me. Yes, it's unusual for other people, but it's usual for us.
Sexy fiancé: Do you think Matt will sign over his parental rights?
Betty: I think he will, but mainly because the situation with Victoria is very messed up. I don't know if he would want to otherwise.
Sexy fiancé: I think you're right about that.
Betty: Although him doing that might alert Victoria to the fact we know what she did with the paternity test. I'm not sure that can happen right now.
Sexy fiancé: She wants the children not to be her grandchildren by whatever means necessary. If he's giving up the twins, would she care?
Betty: Victoria is a bit of a mess, so who knows? Lindsay is now yelling at her on the phone. He's unhappy about the press regarding her behavior last night.
Sexy fiancé: I can't blame him.
Betty: Victoria threw a tantrum because Lindsay refused to let her attend London Fashion Week. He called her an emotionally stunted toddler after he hung up the phone. I may have accidentally giggled.
Sexy fiancé: I don't blame you. Also, I'm glad I don't have to deal with her next week.
Betty: Good news, Lindsay is letting me leave now. I'll be at Amanda's house in 30 minutes.
Sexy fiancé: Perfect.
Xxxx
Sunday, September 19, 2010, early morning New York time
Fashionista Marc: [6 pictures attached.]
Fashionista Marc: I am never moving Again. I'm done.
Mandy Cakes: You'll have to move to London to join me eventually. You can take over Mode UK when S finally gets tired of everything and stabs Daniel with a stiletto. She's upset she will have to cover the same shows as the ex-boss, who will not be named.
Fashionista Marc: This is why I split the bad shows with Megan. I also gave her most of the parties. Monique is 98% sure she "made out" with a celebrity last night in the bathroom.
Mandy Cakes: Good for her. Maybe she will stop sniffing around Matt. I may be done with him, but I don't want her anywhere near him.
Fashionista Marc: She's upset that he switched to my team because she doesn't quite get the concept of bisexuals.
Mandy Cakes: And people think I'm an idiot.
Fashionista Marc: I just bought a house, sort of. So you're moving back for me. You can have one of the other rooms in the house.
Mandy Cakes: You and Cliff obviously don't need separate bedrooms anymore.
Fashionista Marc: We're still getting separate bedrooms, but mine will likely be a closet.
Mandy Cakes: You do need the space.
Fashionista Marc: Did you talk to Daniel yesterday? Sorry, I didn't text earlier.
Mandy Cakes: I was hoping you wouldn't ask about that. It's kind of why I didn't text you.
Fashionista Marc: What happened?
Mandy Cakes: Yes, what I thought happened, but I won't say it explicitly in case she's monitoring our phones.
Fashionista Marc: I'm sad that scenario is entirely plausible. And highly likely, honestly. I really should get a burn phone to text you.
Mandy Cakes: You did work for Wilhelmina for four years. You find a lot of Questionable stuff plausible.
Fashionista Marc: This is very true.
Mandy Cakes: Daniel wanted to tell me the truth Matt didn't.
Fashionista Marc: Not surprising there. Matt feels like somebody who would be OK with Daniel taking responsibility for him.
Mandy Cakes: He's helping with Austin. Which is honestly more than his father is doing. He didn't exactly have the best example.
Fashionista Marc: Austin is almost 17 and potty trained. The most parenting Matt needs to do is to give the teenager a family pack of condoms. You already taught Justin the ins and outs of sex shops.
Mandy Cakes: Matt must also break the news that Austin's mother is missing. Which is again something cow should do but won't.
Mandy Cakes: I don't even care that the voice rec got his name wrong. He deserves it. The man is a cow for how horrible he's been to every one.
Fashionista Marc: You know about Tiffany?
Mandy Cakes: Yes, which is part of the reason I am not throwing shoes at people. It's better that I'm in London right now.
Fashionista Marc: It's safer, at least.
Fashionista Marc: I think my new security team is the van across the street from me.
Mandy Cakes: We have a guard house with an actual guard now.
Fashionista Marc: That's good.
Mandy Cakes: I will also have a visible guard at Fashion Week. Candy made arrangements.
Fashionista Marc: Are you still going to all the London shows?
Mandy Cakes: Maybe, although the twins are starting to do a number on my back. I might only go to Christina's show. But I'm not telling Daniel that.
Mandy Cakes: I saw a preview this morning. I think it's going to be a good show.
Mandy Cakes: Christina was only slightly judgmental until I told her that Daniel was only pretending to be the dad because Matt's mom was unhinged.
Fashionista Marc: Do you have pictures?
Mandy Cakes: Yes, but I can only send you any after the show. We are still under an embargo, and that includes my pics.
Fashionista Marc: [Pouting emoji]
Fashionista Marc: That is so unfair.
Mandy Cakes: [7 pictures attached]
Mandy Cakes: Although I can send you my many pictures of baby William jumping in piles of fabric to make up for it.
Mandy Cakes: He's the best baby not named Jade. He is much better than Baby Becks.
Fashionista Marc: Is this because he hasn't doused you with blueberries?
Mandy Cakes: Or any other food. He keeps trying to feed me Cheerios. It's cute.
Fashionista Marc: You're always partial to a man who feeds you.
Mandy Cakes: This is true.
Fashionista Marc: So, how are you really feeling right now?
Mandy Cakes: Relieved. I knew the babies being Daniel's children was the better possibility, but I didn't want to risk messing up Daniel and Betty's relationship. Now I know there's no risk of that happening. Betty was the one who suggested this course. She wants me here and part of her family.
Fashionista Marc: But now you're back to co-parenting with Matt. Isn't that a bad thing?
Mandy Cakes: Am I back to co-parenting with Matt? Matt is in America making out with his new boyfriend and trying to keep his baby brother from getting murdered. He doesn't have time to be the dad to the twins. Maybe he can be Uncle Matt—the cool guy who stops by occasionally and brings gifts.
Fashionista Marc: Like what you had with Faye?
Mandy Cakes: Except the twins will know Matt is their biological dad, but Daniel is their father. That's the only part of my parents' arrangement with Faye that I never liked. I would have enjoyed getting to know her growing up as my biological mother.
Fashionista Marc: I understand. Are you sure that Daniel wants to play the role of Dad?
Mandy Cakes: I have a nursery at Daniel and Betty's house. They have known from the beginning, and they still built that nursery. Betty was the one who came up with the idea to go along with the switch test. She's the one who wanted me in London.
Fashionista Marc: Possibly because she had no friends at work.
Mandy Cakes: Potentially true.
Mandy Cakes: But they've been here with me through 3 AM cravings and Lamaze class. Daniel still wants to be the dad of the twins, and I want him to be the dad of the twins.
Mandy Cakes: Don't say it's impossible because your ex-boyfriend is your daughter's other guardian.
Fashionista Marc: Who you are aware is no longer my ex-boyfriend but my partner. I'm sure you and Daniel are never getting back together.
Mandy Cakes: Only because Betty is painfully heterosexual. She sees me as another sister. We would be such a great Poly couple.
Fashionista Marc: You would be the best triad ever.
Mandy Cakes: OK, so you and Cliff failed miserably at platonic parenting, but in a good way. We could do this, and then Matt can show up and be the fun uncle.
Fashionista Marc: At least, he's very good at this role with Alexis Junior.
Mandy Cakes: Exactly. Do you think I'm crazy for wanting this?
Fashionista Marc: No. With the Tiffany mess, it doesn't make sense for Matt to be the publicly acknowledged father.
Mandy Cakes: You're right. Especially when I have better options. Daniel had wanted to be my baby's dad since before we knew I had twins.
Mandy Cakes: This is just so messy.
Fashionista Marc: Very messy.
Mandy Cakes: Can you send me more pictures of your daughter and boyfriend?
Fashionista Marc: [6 images attached]
Mandy Cakes: Is Cliff sleeping on those boxes?
Fashionista Marc: He's resting his eyes.
Mandy Cakes: I don't believe that.
Fashionista Marc: Unpacking is very tedious. I hate unpacking.
Mandy Cakes: It is horrible.
Fashionista Marc: So horrible.
XXX XXX
Later in the day on September 19, 2010
DJ: Brianna sent me pictures of you making pancakes with the baby sister this morning. It was cute.
Austin: I think they were trying to distract me from the fact that my mom is missing, and we're not even filing a missing person's report yet because of Victoria's sphere of influence.
DJ: From what I overheard the adults saying, they want enough evidence collected that she won't be able to buy her way out of it.
Austin: That feels like the same thing. Brianna and baby Alexis weren't even supposed to still be here today. They delayed the return trip to Cleveland until Monday.
DJ: It's good that you got to spend more time with your aunt and cousin.
Austin: She refers to herself as my niece. But that's because she considers Matt her uncle. I am sure you know that Matt and Brianna were raised together because my grandfather died when she was little.
DJ: And Victoria hated every moment of it?
Austin: Yes. This weekend everybody learned that Victoria's bad treatment of Brianna was why Cal filed for divorce.
DJ: That's not surprising, considering some of what Breanna told me. How are you actually doing?
Austin: I am scared. I'm afraid we'll never find her; if we do, it will just be a body.
DJ: It's OK to be scared.
Austin: I am also angry.
DJ: At Victoria?
Austin: Yes, but also at myself. I was so bitter about being left behind that I didn't realize she potentially saved my life. I probably would be dead now if I went to Chicago. I might not be alive if Antonella didn't go to her grandmother.
DJ: Matt and Daniel were already looking for ways to keep you from moving to Chicago. They were always suspicious.
Austin: With cause, apparently.
DJ: It's OK for you to be angry. It's also OK for you to be scared. I'm afraid my mom is going to die.
Austin: She's sitting across from me, trying to make Baby Alexis eat her broccoli. My mom is probably buried in a shallow grave somewhere in the greater Chicago area.
DJ: My other mother is buried just outside of Paris. This one may join her soon if Jordan's mom can't fix her heart.
Austin: I know.
Austin: I keep trying to decide if George is buried with Tiffany or if he's the one who killed her. I'm not sure which possibility scares me more.
DJ: I'm sorry.
Austin: [3 images attached]
Austin: You have an adorable sister.
DJ: I wish I could be there with all of you right now. I'm sure you could use another friend.
Austin: I could use as many friends as possible. Antonella is doing her best, but it didn't help that she broke down in tears when I thanked her for keeping me from going to Chicago.
DJ: That makes sense.
Austin: Justin hasn't left me. Hilda is letting him stay over indefinitely. However, he's supposed to be sleeping in his own room.
DJ: How long did that last?
Austin: Until I woke up screaming at 3:00 AM after watching Victoria stab my mother in the heart.
DJ: I'm sorry.
Austin: It's not your fault I'm a mess.
DJ: I'm still sorry.
Austin: I have to go to classes tomorrow and pretend everything's OK in case Victoria has people watching.
DJ: Do you think she has people watching?
Austin: Possibly. Although Amanda's cousin will be passing fake Intel.
DJ: Smart.
DJ: I won't say things will improve, but maybe they'll not be as horrible.
Austin: I hope so.
Austin: Your mom wants you to call her. Or at least text her. She knows I'm talking to you.
DJ: I will later
Austin: Don't wait for later because later may not come.
Xx
Dr. Andie: Did you get to DC, OK?
Cal: Yes, it was a short flight. I'm already settled in my apartment at the hotel. Thankfully my breakfast meeting was moved to 9 AM. How is work going? Are you on break right now?
Dr. Andie: [Frustrated emoji]
Dr. Andie: Your ex-wife showed up at my ER. This is my venting break.
Cal: I'm sorry.
Dr. Andie: Not as a patient but to offer me $50,000 to break up with you.
Cal: She's lowballing you. I think she offered Amanda 100,000 to disappear.
Dr. Andie: And she ended up doing it for free when Junior was an idiot after the DNA test was swapped.
Cal: When did you hear that story?
Dr. Andie: When I returned your niece to your sister yesterday afternoon. Amanda now knows the test was swapped, so there figuring out the next steps. Vivian wanted me to know what I was getting into.
Cal: I am willing to admit that Hartleys are very bad at interpersonal relationships.
Dr. Andie: I think you're doing better.
Cal: At least enough that you're not considering taking my ex-wife's money to break up with me.
Dr. Andie: It was tempting, but I like you and want to see where this goes.
Cal: You're the first girlfriend I have voluntarily introduced to my family.
Dr. Andie: I'm pretty sure Claire knew your family.
Cal: She knew them before we were together. Brianna, Alexis, and Daniel had play dates together when they were younger. Matt was too young to join in. They even went to the same prep school together.
Dr. Andie: I bet they were so cute together when they were young. I am sure you made excuses to bring them over yourself instead of having the nanny do it.
Cal: Yes.
Dr. Andie: It's adorable if you forget about the cheating aspect of it.
Cal: Victoria was sleeping with Bradford and the pool boy then. My marriage to Victoria was arranged. We were of the same social class. There was never an expectation of fidelity on either part. I never asked because I was never going to get it from her.
Dr. Andie: It was not a love match?
Cal: No. It fell apart because she could never accept my sister as part of the family.
Dr. Andie: Because she's biracial?
Cal: That's part of it. But also, Victoria considers Breanna nouveau riche because my stepmother was just a housekeeper before she married my father. Now that was a love match.
Dr. Andie: It's probably racism. It's usually racism. Although classism and racism typically go hand-in-hand.
Cal: Victoria is being less hostile to Cory than Amanda. However, that might have something to do with my previous relationship with Amanda's mother.
Dr. Andie: Victoria tried to slap Cory at work last week. It was on TMZ. You are starting to make that 50,000 look good.
Cal: You should at least hold out for a half a million.
Dr. Andie: I'm not easily bought and will not judge you by your past mistakes. I just hope you've learned from them.
Cal: I'm trying to. Besides, I'm too old to date around.
Cal: I think you should stay at my house for a little while.
Dr. Andie: I don't think we've been dating long enough for me to move in. Especially when you're traveling 70% of the time. Where are you going after DC?
Cal: Italy, followed by Germany and then France. I might swing by the UK before coming back.
Dr. Andie: That is contingent on your ex-girlfriend's grandbabies being born?
Cal: Yes.
Dr. Andie: See, you'll probably not be back in New York until October.
Cal: Maybe longer. And that makes it even more logical that you move into my townhouse.
Dr. Andie: ?
Cal: I don't trust my ex-wife. Even if I'm not there, I would feel better about you staying in my townhouse with a state-of-the-art security system and a security guard.
Dr. Andie: I can handle myself. I've been an ER doctor for a long time. I've seen everything, including extremely belligerent patience. I have a black belt in jujitsu. I'll be OK.
Cal: One of my ex-girlfriends is currently a missing person, and we don't even want to alert the police to that possibility yet. You don't have to move into my bedroom, but I have three guest rooms. With me being out of the country so much, I would feel better if I knew you were somewhere safe.
Dr. Andie: I understand why you're scared. But right now, she's just trying to buy me off. However, if she tries something else, I will have your assistant book movers immediately.
Cal: That is all I asked for. Although do text me when you get home after shifts, no matter what time zone I am in.
Dr. Andie: Do you want images of me in my underwear in these text messages?
Cal: It wouldn't hurt. If my ex-wife monitors my phone, at least she will see that I've upgraded to someone so much better.
Dr. Andie: You are ridiculous. I'll call you after my shift ends in the morning.
Cal: I will hold you to that.
Xxxx
Son DJ: How was New York? I've gotten pictures from Justin and Austin.
Alexis: It was a good trip. I got to spend a lot of time with your grandmother. Although I'm glad we're heading back in the morning.
Alexis: [6 pictures attached]
Son DJ: Why is Grandma dressed like a clown?
Alexis: The kids had a makeup makeover party while we were at the black and white ball. Someone may have got into Hilda's kit.
Son DJ: [Giggling emoji]
Son DJ: She seems to be having a good time.
Alexis: Mom really loves her grandbabies. And she's thrilled to have more babies around. Also, Brianna regrets not arranging for play dates with Mercedes' girls earlier.
Son DJ: It looked like they were having fun at their tea party.
Alexis: So much fun. I wish I were there instead of at the ball. I wanted to punch Victoria twice. And I didn't even know about the Tiffany situation yet.
Son DJ: You didn't?
Alexis: You know my heart is not in the best shape, so they're trying to avoid stress.
Son DJ: But you're getting better?
Alexis: Trying to. My doctor did let me come to New York. However, I'm seeing her Tuesday.
Son DJ: You'll tell me how the appointment is going, even if it's bad news.
Alexis: I promise I will.
Son DJ: Good.
Alexis: I miss you and hate that you can't be with me in Cleveland. You should be getting to spend time with your little sister.
Son DJ: I wish I were there too. But will I get to see you at Christmas?
Alexis: Yes, we're planning to be in London for at least two weeks and hopefully we will be able to return to Paris afterwards. Then you can come every few weekends when you're not preoccupied with your baby cousins.
DJ: I look forward to that.
To be continued…
