Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last section. You are so lovely. The first part of this chapter was originally part of the previous chapter, but I arrived at a natural break in the story. Also, I'm really trying to avoid 8000 words + chapters. 4000 words is the sweet spot for the story now.

I want to let you know that there might be a break soon. In addition to recovering from my surgery, my mom also died a week and ½ ago. So, I'm still dealing with that. I only have one more finished chapter banked for the story. I'm working on the next batch of chapters right now, but we will see how much I can get done.

Chapter 71: Fashion Week Eve

As agreed upon, Marc arrived at Monique's hotel room at 6:45 PM. He was initially supposed to go with Cliff to drop Jade off at the restaurant for Wilhelmina to have quality granddaughter time. But an hour ago, he received instructions to come here. Marc assumed it was because Wilhelmina was having a business meeting with her partners at the hotel. However, when Wilhelmina opened the door wearing a West Hartley original, Marc wondered if something else was happening.

"I am not sure you actually own blue jeans anymore after that horrible incident with the idiot. However, you may want to at least wear something hand washable when watching your grandbaby. She's in her throwing food stage. I lost another shirt this afternoon. Thankfully, it was one of the target ones."

"He had to change into his party outfit early," Cliff remarked as he stood behind Marc. "Which is why I've been carrying Jade. I still can't believe you're buying shirts at Target."

"Neither can I," Marc remarked. "I would be holding Jade right now, but I don't want to incur the wrath of Cassandra."

"This is why I'm not reaching over to Jade just yet. Unfortunately, I won't be her babysitter tonight. I'm going with you," Wilhelmina answered, surprising Marc.

"What?" Marc asked, surprised.

"You need reinforcements for a night with both Lindsay and Victoria Hartley. So I decided to make my return to the fashion world, and Wilhelmina is my plus one." Monique said, walking out into the living room.

"Yet you're still in your very designer bathrobe. Purple is a good color on you." Wilhelmina remarked as she sat down on one of the couches.

"I know. Unfortunately, I am waiting for my emergency dress from Breanna's studio. It's impossible to get spit up off of silk. So we might be fashionably late. Besides, I rather spend as little time with Victoria as possible."

"Always good," Cliff commented just as he handed Jade over to Monique.

"Why were you feeding your baby in a designer dress?"

"Because I can't say no to the crying. It's a conditioned response. It doesn't matter what I am wearing." Just then, Jade started crying, and Marc grabbed Jade from Monique before even thinking about it. "See, you just did it."

"Amateurs. You always keep extra clothes when small children are involved. I always had at least three gowns on hand until Nico was at least seven." Wilhelmina explained. It makes sense. Back then, she was always playing the model or, at the very least, the senator's daughter.

"Valid point, and I'll learn," Monique remarked. "Although, in my defense, I didn't know I was going until three this afternoon. So, I didn't have time for backup dresses. I was originally wearing my emergency charity event dress."

"At least you're smart enough to have an emergency dress." Wilhelmina scoffed.

"You have to when you have my mom. At least once a month, I usually go to something last-minute in her place. Thankfully Brianna and her team were prepared. She said something about Alexis Junior being a very messy baby and knew I would need extra dresses. Tamika is picking up the collection from the studio right now." At that moment, the front door opened again, and Tamika walked in carrying several garment bags.

"I am grateful you are friends with an extremely pragmatic fashion designer. Apparently, everything can be cleaned with shout wipes." Tamika commented as she handed one of the bags to her cousin and walked into the master bedroom.

"Bless her. OK, I'm getting dressed. If you want to cuddle baby Jamie, please put on a T-shirt first. Although if they are sleeping, just let them be." With that, Marc was left in the living room with Wilhelmina, Cliff, and the baby.

"I understand why Monique has decided to come. She did RSVP with a maybe, but why are you going with her?" Marc asked.

"Because not only has Victoria insulted me, she also went after my grandchild. You know I won't let her come after either of you without a fight. I feel it's time for her to deal with me directly." Wilhelmina explained.

"I can understand that."

"Besides, I'm looking forward to being at one of these things as a guest and a restaurant developer, not as one of the fashion elites jockeying for position."

"I guess that's me now." Marc realized.

"You'll do fine. You have watched me for years. You know what you're doing." Wilhelmina reassured.

"Yet you're coming with me," Marc remarked.

"Only because Vivian couldn't be here." Marc raised an eyebrow as Austin walked out of the nursery with baby Jamie.

"Vivian is in Tokyo for several business meetings. Otherwise, she would be here to mess with Victoria herself. She's not happy with the woman's latest stunt." Austin explained.

"No one is," Wilhelmina commented.

"That's the other reason I am staying here for the next few nights. Technically in the room next to Antonella downstairs."

"But that's only so grandma could email that to Tiffany. Otherwise, you would be having a sleepover with Justin. Although she's unaware that Justin is waiting in Austin's room right now."

"I don't know why Vivian wrote to her since she hasn't responded to anybody outside of random postcards."

"You haven't heard anything from her since she arrived in Chicago?" Cliff asked.

"Not really. I got a second postcard yesterday, but that's it. Tiffany hasn't even returned any of my text messages. I guess she's completely embracing the kid free life." Austin sounded very bitter. Both he and Cliff shared a concerned look. He is mentally adding it to his long list of things to look into.

"It's fine. My new foster family is better anyway, and I still have Matt. Even if he ditched me for date night with Cory." Marc is not surprised at all that things are progressing. He just hopes that this whole thing doesn't blow up. He really likes Cory. It's nice to have another gay EIC in the room, even if Marc won't be in that room that often once Monique's maternity leave is over.

"Date night is important." His partner commented.

"Are you sure you'll be OK up here with both babies by yourself?" Marc asked." Tamika is coming with us as well."

"We will be fine. Antonella will be here too. Also, Mercedes and Skye are next door if we need anything. We might join them for munchkin movie night later."

"I'm also pretty sure I passed their security team in the hallway. They'll be fine. We will be just downstairs anyway." Wilhelmina stated, trying to reassure him. He hates being away from his daughter; it has worsened since Monday. He's been taking Jade to any meeting he can get away with it since then. Good news, Mode picked up several advertisement contracts because everybody loves a cute baby.

"Security team?" Cliff asked, concerned.

"Yes, we have security," Monique answered from her bedroom. "Look, we're all aware Victoria is a little unhinged."

"I consider that an understatement since she tried to have me killed as a fetus." Austin retorted.

"OK, she's a monster we all must be on high alert for. With mom in Japan for the next few days, she decided we needed more security. Don't worry; she'll be back in time for the black and white ball and Brianna's show. As well as when the player article drops."

"Which we all know will cause a big explosion," Austin commented. "Hopefully, it will keep Victoria distracted from me for a while." Or maybe she'll decide to cut Matt out for good. It might be healthier for the man at this point.

"She will definitely not be happy next week when the issue drops," Cliff remarked as another knock was heard at the front door. This time it was Justin.

"I'm sorry I didn't come up your first," Justin said just as Austin kissed him.

"It's my fault for telling you to come to my room first. I was too busy with babies to tell you about the change of plan."

"The babies are quite distracting," Justin said as he kissed baby Jamie on the forehead.

"But the best kind of distracting," Austin commented just as Monique walked into the room. She was dressed in a very low-cut Royal purple that accentuated her curves. He's halfway convinced that double-sided tape may be involved. This choice was deliberate to show off the necklace she was wearing. It was an understated heirloom piece, but Marc knew it was expensive.

"How do I look?" Monique asked as Tamika followed behind her. She was also dressed in a West Hartley original. Although it was a black dress with silver accents and a matching butterfly necklace.

"Like you're planning to rip Victoria Hartley's heart out through her rib cage and stomp on it with your very expensive Italian stilettos," Wilhelmina remarked.

"But with a smile, because you have an excellent attorney who will get you off," Antonella added.

"That was definitely the look I was going for," Monique remarked as she grabbed her bag and kissed her baby goodbye. That's when Marc decided it was time to pass Jade to Antonella.

"Am I allowed to take shots for the Mode blog and Twitter feed? We're planning for me to live tweet some of the runway segments from tonight."

"Cliff is even going to help with pictures," Marc said as he pointed to Cliff's camera. Marc doesn't know the specifics, but Cliff's camera is linked to Justin's cell phone. So he'll be able to send the good pictures quickly.

"Good initiative. And yes, I should be seen on our Twitter feed. That way, people realize I'm coming back eventually." There were already rumors circulating about Monique not returning from maternity leave. He wondered if the competition was responsible for them. "However, let's wait until we're downstairs on the red carpet. I don't want people to know I'm staying at this hotel during the renovations. It's actually helped out with the paparazzi."

"They can't follow you when they don't know where you live," Marc remarked.

"Exactly. OK, I need one last baby Jade hug before I leave." Monique said, running over to his daughter to give her one last cuddle. "We will be downstairs if you need anything. Called the front desk, and they will pull us out." Monique instructed Antonella.

"Honestly, I am looking for an excuse to come back up. I hate these parties." His assistant added.

"Sorry I made you come as my plus one too many times after Jordan died." Monique apologized to her cousin.

"You don't have to come. I can be by myself." Justin offered.

"No," Monique interjected. "Your mom would kill me. And honestly, it was either Tamika or the new head of our security team attending with you. I feel like you would be more comfortable with Tamika."

"Valid argument," Justin remarked as he kissed his boyfriend one final time. "Text me when you get bored."

"I will."

"Also, watch the Fashion TV Twitter feed for me." Justin requested.

"I'll even check on the website."

"You're perfect." At that, Tamika pulled Justin away so they could make their way to the red carpet. Young love was ridiculous sometimes.

Xxxx

The boyfriend: OK, we're down here. I just walked my first red carpet, even if I was mostly holding Monique and Wilhelmina's purses.

The boyfriend: I just posted a bunch of pictures to the Mode Twitter feed. These are the ones I took.

Austin: Obviously, because Marc and Cliff are in half of them.

The boyfriend: I just had to mute the one about Wilhelmina and Monique walking in together because people are assholes. Also, I think Sourdough Girl has Twitter access wherever she is.

Austin: Fashion TV used the picture but didn't credit you.

The boyfriend: I am not even surprised. I have no respect left for that organization at all. I can't believe I used to think everything they post it was true. I know so much better now. It actually got worse after Byron left.

Austin: They just broke the Isabella story. Although they're saying that the former EIC quit, not that she was fired. There are also vague mentions of substance-abuse issues.

The boyfriend: Of course, they are spinning it that way. My head hurts. Let Matt know.

Austin: I will.

Xxx

Baby brother: It's public knowledge that your mom is the new EIC of Isabella. The news just broke on fashion TV about 10 minutes ago with an exclusive interview. I caught at least 15 lies.

Matt burner: I'm not surprised. I will watch it after dinner. We just arrived at Ross.

Baby brother: Public or private dining room?

Matt burner: Private dining room. We want to keep things quiet until the article drops next Thursday.

Baby brother: That makes sense.

Matt burner: However, I am planning to kiss him in front of everyone during the press line for the ball. If he doesn't realize he can do much better than me before then.

Baby brother: Yet, you brought him into the lion's den Monday night.

Matt burner: That's a safe s. No one there wants to encounter the wrath of my parents.

Matt burner: Or Hillary, for that matter. Actually, more people are afraid of Hillary. She is terrifying when she wants to be.

Baby brother: You could be right.

Matt Burner: I'm sorry you can't be with your boyfriend now.

Austin: It's OK. Since this will run super late, Hilda said that Justin could spend the night. I am all pretentious people out after Monday, so I'm glad I get a sleepover without that.

Matt burner: And she just assumes that Justin is sleeping on your couch?

Baby brother: Obviously, you forgot that Hilda was pregnant with my boyfriend by the time she was our age. She knows better.

Matt burner: You're probably right about that.

Baby brother: Besides, I'm still playing the part of the supportive boyfriend. Justin is live texting me the entire time.

Matt burner: That's good. If Victoria does something stupid tonight, let me know.

Baby brother: I will, although I doubt she'll try anything with me.

Baby brother: [Image one attached.]

Matt burner: How many security guards do you have right now?

Baby brother: I'm not even sure. I counted three up here, but there might be more downstairs.

Matt burner: Probably.

Xxxx

Austin love: Fashion TV is definitely following you. They just took another one of your Monique shots. They're writing all about her triumphant return to the world of fashion.

Austin love: They're also shocked that Wilhelmina and Monique are now friends.

Justin: I don't know if I would use friends, but there's definitely some sort of cease-fire. Maybe a truce would be a better way to phrase it. It's better than Sourdough Girl.

Austin love: That makes sense. I heard that from Antonella too. Never work with your ex.

Justin: It's working well for Marc and Cliff.

Austin love: I don't know if the ex thing still applies. They definitely feel like a couple.

Justin: I don't even know anymore, and honestly, I don't think they do either. Cliff's answer now is that they're a family.

Justin: [Image one attached]

Austin love: A family with make-out privileges.

Justin: I didn't put that on Twitter because I am not sure how public they want things, but there was a lot of handholding on the red carpet.

Justin: [Image two attached.]

Justin: They only started making out when Victoria showed up.

Austin love: That showed up on fashion TV from another angle, so at least they're not stealing all your pictures.

Justin: Just the ones they have no hope of getting.

Justin: Did the puff piece interview state that Victoria is stepping in as EIC of Isabella?

Austin love: Yes. On an interim basis.

Justin: So that's how they're framing this entire disaster. How unoriginal.

Austin love: Now they are posting the picture of the witch with Marc. They're going with a ridiculous story about how she's trying to bring him in as the new EIC.

Justin: I mean only ridiculous in the sense that she wants him to just be a junior creative Director but do all the actual work. Cliff told her to go fuck herself.

Austin love: Literally or figuratively?

Justin: Unfortunately, just figuratively. A lot of glaring was involved.

Austin love: That is disappointing.

Justin: Very. Thankfully I haven't seen Lindsay yet because I want to toss a drink at him for being mean to my aunt.

Austin love: He would deserve it.

Justin: Unfortunately, Tamika won't let me get too close. Although I did hear Marc brag about how he convinced Alexandria lingerie to come to Mode.

Austin love: I'm sure she was unhappy about that.

Justin: Victoria drained the glass of champagne and ran away.

Austin love: At least she's gone.

Justin: She moved on to Wilhelmina and Monique.

Austin love: Is that good or bad?

Justin: Anna W is running interference.

Austin love: Didn't she and Wilhelmina get into a fight at fashion week 2006?

Justin: I think that might've been the year that Monique and Wilhelmina got in a fight at fashion week. Or maybe that fight was with Brianna. It's kind of all blending together. I should've reviewed my notes.

Justin: Monique is leading them to Brianna's Number two. OK, I'm getting pictures of that for the Twitter feed. I am also tagging your aunt.

Austin love: If you want a response from her, you need to email her the tweet. Or send a text. Her assistant is the one who handles all of that. They're taking Alexis Junior to see Despicable Me again.

Justin: Who is "they?"

Austin love: Alexis Senior, Aunt Brianna, and Jordan. She's back this weekend and might be coming with them to New York next week. Brianna is trying to convince her to do the show.

Justin: They have a very interesting relationship.

Austin love: Trauma bonding, or at least that's how aunt Brianna explains it. The person they love left them, and they only had each other. It's kind of why Jordan is Alexis Jr's godmother.

Justin: It makes sense.

Austin love: Who took the picture of you with Anna Winthrop?

Justin: Cliff, of course. Actually, he's doing most of the pictures that he is not in. Although he feels like the camera in his iPhone is ridiculously primitive. We thought we would be able to use his camera, but we're having Wi-Fi issues. So he's using the phone for a lot of it.

Austin love: He's not wrong.

Justin: Someday, everybody will be shooting with an iPhone. Even movies.

Austin love: I doubt that. What are you drinking?

Justin: Number seven on the best non-alcoholic drinks list. They're trying to pass me off as legal but not drinking legal.

Austin love: Just as long as everyone else stays away.

Justin: I promise I am only looking at the clothes.

Austin love: It's not you I am concerned about. It's everyone else.

Austin love: Will there be clothing tonight?

Justin: The mini runway shows will begin soon. But the real fashion stars are the various celebrities decked out in extremely expensive outfits. You've seen what I'm wearing for the week, and that's nothing compared to everyone else.

Austin love: Did you go full fanboy yet?

Justin: Maybe once or twice, which is the other reason why Cliff is on Photograph duty. I would forget otherwise. The first show is in five minutes, so I need to pay attention, take notes, and get tweets out.

Xx

Marc: How's my baby doing? Since we're watching a show right now, I can text.

Austin: Good. She's sleeping for the moment.

Marc: That's good.

Austin: Although to get her to sleep, I had to put her and Jamie in the same crib. They refuse to be away from each other.

Austin: [image one attached]

Marc: Tamika said that happened Monday. It will be terrifying when they start using the nursery together in a couple of weeks.

Austin: Oh, that's going to be crazy.

Austin: Just so you know, Justin's tweets are getting a lot of engagements. I'm keeping track of the retweets. He has 15 so far. Which I think is a lot considering we usually only get two or three. Although your boyfriend might need to take action against Fashion TV for trying to pass off his photos as their own.

Marc: I'm not surprised. I'll talk to Cliff about it later.

Marc: And the Mode legal team since this is actually a work thing.

Austin: I am putting together a draft outline for the article from Justin's tweets. He can refine it when he returns, and it can go on the site tomorrow.

Marc: You are good at what you do, and I'm sad that Cory has you.

Austin: I am yours until Fashion Week is over.

Marc: I am grateful for that. The next week will be chaos. Thankfully, Megan is doing the rest of the weekend pre-fashion week stuff. I'm already exhausted.

Austin: By next week, this will be all over.

Marc: And then I have to move to Queens.

Austin: My babysitting services have already been engaged

Marc: Good, you're official babysitter.

Xxx

Austin love: You did about 30 tweets in 10 minutes. You must be exhausted.

Justin: I am. I don't think I am doing live tweets from that many of the shows. Maybe just a few tweets at the beginning. Then I can save everything else for the blog and the online articles. Per Monique, we want more original web content to drive engagements.

Austin love: I am already turning your tweets into an outline for your article for tomorrow. You can just add more details when you're done.

Justin: Bless you.

Austin love: Maybe you can have Skye or Tamika do Twitter duty? It will make sense for one of them to take over those functions if they're coming with you anyway to scare off Victoria.

Justin: That's actually a good plan. I was going to do the tweets for Marc at the shows he's going to, but maybe we should do that for the others. This is the first Fashion Week that Mode will have a strong social media presence. We're kind of making it up as we go.

Austin love: I know. I'm doing stuff for Facebook too. I went ahead and did some crossposting there for you.

Justin: Perfect.

Austin love: Do I need to help you with the blog posts as well?

Justin: Possibly, but I am thinking of maybe turning that over to Antonella this week. Since she's going to go to some of the shows with Megan. It would be good to cover different things.

Austin love: She says she will be doing Megan's tweets at her shows because Megan couldn't do a live tweet if her life depended on it. She's very sad that she's going to have to cover some of the weekend shows with her.

Justin: That makes sense.

Justin: OK, round two coming soon. Be ready.

Austin love: Those outfits look so ridiculous. Why would anybody wear that?

Justin: Those are more showpieces than things people would actually wear. At least no one who is not an eccentric millionaire.

Austin love: My foster mom is an eccentric billionaire and would not wear that.

Justin: Because she has class.

Austin love: [image 2 attached]

Austin love: Antonella made me send that since I already shared it with Marc earlier. She successfully got the babies to sleep.

Justin: Oh, they are so cute. Are they wearing matching outfits again? Antonella sent me pictures from Monday.

Austin love: Yes. In this case, it was Marc buying things in multiple sizes. I think this is one of the onesies he brought over when Jamie was born.

Justin: Adorable.

Justin: Cliff wants you to text him the pictures. Marc is too busy chatting up prospective advertisers.

Austin love: Already done.

Austin love: How much longer are you down there for?

Justin: One more mini-designer showcase, but we're getting food first.

Austin love: Sit down or more Appetizers?

Justin: Appetizers but edible appetizers. I think I just had a Crostini with honey goat cheese, and a fig reduction sauce. There may have also been a tiny sliver of prosciutto on top.

Austin love: We're having cheese fries and the cheeseburger sampler.

Justin: What is a cheeseburger sampler?

Austin: Different meats and cheeses. Apparently, the lamb burger is delicious. They also do bison. I'm looking forward to it.

Justin: We are going to have to try it out someday.

Austin love: Fashion TV is stealing your photos again.

Justin: Of course they are. We will have to find some way to get watermarks on the things for fashion week. Maybe less live tweeting of photos.

Austin love: Probably.

Justin: Marc told me earlier he would contact the lawyers about the problem.

Austin love: Smart. How much longer?

Justin: I think I can leave in 20 more minutes.

Justin: Nope, make that at least 30. We can't leave yet. Victoria is still holding court. Apparently, everybody's just waiting to talk shit about her once she leaves. Anna is not impressed.

Austin love: That's obvious.

Justin: Although she was fussing over pictures of Jade and Jamie.

Austin love: I am not surprised that everybody wants to see pictures of the babies.

Justin: Not one little bit.

Justin: So, nobody's happy about Victoria buying a magazine just to make herself EIC. Apparently, they all think it's petty revenge for Claire stealing her husband during the 80s. Most people knew about that.

Austin love: Do they know who Tyler is?

Justin: No, but there are some theories, and a few involve Cal.

Justin: OK, several involve Cal.

Austin love: Not surprising. I'm sure you would hear more if Cal or Matt were there.

Justin: Where is your brother?

Austin love: Dinner in the private room at Ross with Cory.

Austin love: It's one of the reasons why I am staying here. I want him to have date time. Me sleeping in his guestroom would not allow that to happen.

Justin: This keeps Victoria from going completely off the deep end if she finds out you're staying with Matt.

Austin love: She hasn't found his new place. It helps that, technically, Vivian owns it right now.

Justin: Smart.

Austin love: It goes into my name as soon as I turn 18.

Justin: I'm sure the months will just fly by.

Justin: We're leaving now.

Austin love: Meet me in my room in 10 minutes. You should have the key card.

Justin: I did want to say goodbye to the babies, but you have persuaded me otherwise.

To be continued…