She stared at it critically and smiled. “You have good taste darling.”
“I know, I am in love with you.”
“Good answer.” She told him with a wide smile. “Now I am going to have to wear a different shade of lipstick and take out the emeralds.”
“We have ten minutes.”
“I will hurry.”
*****
“My dear you look stunning!” Deidre said as she moved forward to greet the woman who was now her daughter-in-law. It was a slow adjustment, but she was learning to adjust. Whenever she remembered about her complexion, she would think about the grandchild she was carrying and how she had yearned for one for years. She was hoping that they would not stop at one child and had said as much to her husband.
“By the way he keeps looking at her then I would not be surprised if he gets her pregnant every year.” He had grumbled.
For the benefit of the reporters lurking around, she leaned in and kissed her cheeks, turning to give her son a hug. “And you look dashing,” She brushed an invisible lint from his custom made dark blue suit.
“You look lovely as usual Mother.” He told her with a genuine smile as he returned her hug.
“Thanks darling. Let’s go and mingle.” Turning to her daughter in law, she added. “There are some people on my committee that I would like you to meet.”
“It’s okay darling,” Athena told her husband in amusement as he hesitated. “I will be fine. I can take care of myself.”
“I will be back to check on you.” He turned her into his arms and bent his forehead to hers. “No excess standing and as soon as you feel nauseous, I would like to know.” He warned her.
“Of course.” She wrapped her hands around his neck and ignored the lights as the cameras flashed. “And I will only drink two glasses of champagne.”
“Athena.”
She laughed huskily and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Just one.”
“None.”
“You are no fun.” She teased him. “Okay fruit juices only.”
“I love you darling.”
“I love you too.”
Both women watched him weave his way through the crowd, stopping several times to talk to several people.
Athena was so focused on him that she did not notice Deidre staring at her.
“He really and truly loves you. I have never seen him look at anyone like that before.”
“I know he does.” She turned to follow the woman across the room.
“I want to say how happy I am for you both.”
“Are you really?” Athena asked, lifting tapered brows.
“I was not at first, but I have seen you together and I have always wanted what’s best for him. He is the only child I have, and I never want to lose him.”
“You won’t.” She turned to smile at a group of women with elegantly coiffed hair and designer clothes and greeted them cheerfully. For the next half hour, she politely listened to conversation surrounding the different charities and how much they were surprised yet happy to hear the news of Athena’s marriage to Alan.
“We asked Deidre what you needed as wedding gifts and she gave us a list.” Sylvie Glasgow told her.
“I forgot to tell you that there is a large table heaped with presents from friends and family members.” Her mother in law told her. “Speaking of which, I would like to introduce you to my brother and his wife.”
“Finally.” Her husband murmured against her ear as he guided her around the dance floor. He had been caught up in several intense conversations and had had a slightly awkward one with Rachel’s parents which had been smoothed over by his dad and now he was getting the chance to dance with his wife. “I tried to find several ways to leave and get to you, but it did not work.”
“I noticed that you wanted to get away, so I faked nausea and dizziness.”
“Were you really faking it?” he asked her anxiously as he examined her face.
“I was and I am fine darling.” She kissed his firm chin. “Did you know there is a table filled with wedding presents for us to take home?”
“There is?”
She nodded with a smile. “I caught a glimpse of crystals and I think there are some pots and pans in there somewhere.”
“And hundreds of wineglasses I bet.” He said with a grin.
“And expensive artworks.”
“We are not taking them home tonight.”
“It’s going to take a truck to cart them to our place.”
“I interviewed someone today at work.”
She lifted her head to look at him. “A housekeeper?”
He nodded.
“Thank God!” she said feelingly. “When does she start?”
“Monday!” He looked at her searchingly. “I expected some sort of argument.”
“You are not getting any from me. I suck at housework.”
“Good, because I do not want you lifting a single finger!”
“For the next couple of days I will indulge in sleeping the day away and maybe binge watch the Originals.”
“I thought you were done with that.”
“I am in love with Elijah and Klaus so I cannot get enough.”
“I know they are characters in a show but I do not appreciate you saying you are in love with other men.”
“I saw you drooling over Julia Roberts the other day.” She reminded him.
“I just said I admired her style and her smile.”
“That sounds like drooling to me. Don’t worry darling, they don’t get to have what you get every single night.”
“Damn right!” he growled. “Speaking of which….”
“I would like a chance to dance with my daughter in law.”
Alan stifled a groan and his wife had to bite down on the laughter that was bubbling up inside her throat.
“It’s okay darling. I see countless women who are dying to be in your arms.” She kissed him lightly and stepped out of his arms.