2 P.M. — March 22, 1997 #2
They stopped at the gate to the VIP parking lot.
The driver rolled down the window and spoke to a security guard while Zane took in the sight of the massive stage set against the sprawling, jagged backdrop of Clark County’s Mount Wilson.
The mountain would be in full view for the first three acts but would fade into the darkness hours before The Vows would take the stage.
When the limo pulled to a stop near the VIP area, Zane allowed himself one last moment of self-pity for things having turned out differently than expected.
Then the driver opened the door for him, and his mask slid into place, starting with a great big grin and a thank you for the man who got him there safely.
“You’re very welcome, sir. And good luck this evening. It’s going to be a night to remember.”
SIENNA — 3:45 P.M.
“Everyone, get into your places, please!” the assistant to the photographer called. She had been given a bullhorn that squealed before and after she spoke.
Sienna’s eyes closed involuntarily at the sound, and instinctively, she covered Poppy’s ears with both hands. Poppy looked up at her like she was nuts, and she let go of her ears. “Sorry, that sound was frightfully bad.”
Her daughter, who had been cool toward her since the night before, barely smiled.
The assistant dropped the bullhorn to her side and started arranging people individually. When she got to Sienna, she said, “You’re at the front. Center. With Zane and the rest of the band.”
Sienna nodded, her stomach twisting as she corralled the kids in the proper direction. The day was warm and the sun was shining, which would make for a lot of squinting celebrities in the final shot.
She didn’t have time to think about that because there she was.
The baby too. Sienna thought she might be sick, but she kept her smile in place anyway and gripped Poppy’s hand as she guided her children toward their dad.
She took a deep breath, greeting people with ‘air kisses’ and ‘hellos’ and said things like, ‘You look amazing’ and ‘We need to get together soon, for real this time.’
“Oh, God, there they are,” Ivy muttered.
“Yep,” Sienna answered through her tight smile. “Let’s get this over with. It’s no big deal, okay?”
Parker, who was on her other side, shot his mom a glare.
“There’s Dad!” Poppy said, wiggling her hand from Sienna’s. She darted around the other people straight into his arms. Zane picked her up, then gave Sienna a quick kiss on the cheek, as if all was well in their world.
And now they were all huddled together—Steven, Dean, Kitty, Rusty, and all the children. And Claudia slightly outside the circle, bouncing her baby on her hip. Kitty was the first to welcome her in. “Oh my God! Let’s see him!”
She held out one hand and ran the back of her index finger along his cheek. Elliott rewarded her with a big, slobbery smile, and Sienna could see his top gum was a little swollen. He must be getting ready to cut his first tooth.
“Isn’t he adorable?” Rusty asked. “He looks exactly like Mike.”
Kitty shook her head. “I’m not seeing Mike at all. He must take after Claudia’s side.”
SQUEAL! “Okay, people! There will be time to chat after we get the photo. Please take your places!”
Everyone laughed with each other as if they were all very naughty and hurried to find a spot. Instead of coming to stand next to her, as Sienna expected, Parker walked directly over to Claudia. “Can I hold him for the picture?”
Claudia’s eyes widened. “Sure, yeah. Have you … held a baby before?”
He nodded. “I used to carry Poppy all over the house, and I was only eight when she was born.” He held his hands out to Elliott. “Hey, little buddy, can I see you?”
Sienna turned her head from the scene, trying to get hold of her emotions. When she looked back, Parker was holding the baby, gently bouncing in a steady rhythm. She and Zane exchanged an ‘Oh, God, what are we doing?’ look, and she could see he was as terrified as her. Maybe more.
She turned to Ivy, who was chatting with Steven. “He said you guys might use it. It’s about a boy who runs away from home.”
Sienna smiled at her daughter, delighting in how proud she was of her newfound songwriting ability. Maybe Ivy was ready to forgive and forget. Maybe she should too.
Claudia leaned in toward Ivy. “Um, did you say you’re writing songs now, Ivy?”
Ivy’s smile faded. “Yup.”
Sienna watched as Claudia’s face turned pink at Ivy’s cold reaction, and she almost felt sorry for her. Teenage girls could ice a person out like no one else.
The assistant (who was clearly loving the authority she held over all these elite, entitled people) hurried over and briskly repositioned the McCreights so that Zane and Sienna were next to each other with Poppy in front and between them, Ivy to their right and Parker and Elliott next to Zane.
Claudia was next to Parker. One big, unhappy family right out front and center among fifty of the world’s most famous.
The photo shoot took ten minutes, with Parker talking in baby talk to Elliott, and Elliott laughing and gripping his cheeks with his tiny hands and trying to eat his chin. It seemed natural for them both, as if Elliott instinctively knew they were family.
Sienna concentrated on her breath, trying to keep herself from bursting into tears. Zane, who must have known she was upset, muttered, “It’ll be okay. We just have to get through the next few minutes. I’m here.”
As if that was any comfort.
When the assistant released them, Kitty, who had been watching the boys together, said, “My goodness, Parker, you’ve got the gift, haven’t you?”
Parker glanced at his mom, who narrowed her eyes. He shrugged one shoulder. “I just like babies is all.”
“Say, maybe you could help me out, Parker,” Claudia said. “My nanny wasn’t feeling well so I don’t have anyone to watch him when I perform.”
Alarm bells went off in Sienna’s head. “Ah, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Parker asked.
Because if you get attached to him, you’ll hate me forever. “Because it’s a big responsibility and you … haven’t taken a babysitting course.” Sienna glanced at Kitty, feeling desperate. “Maybe Lisa could watch him?”
Lisa, who was eighteen and ready to party, did not look at all pleased with the idea. “I’m here with my friend, Trish, so…” She pointed at a teenage girl in the front row.
Kitty shot her daughter a look. “Claudia is a single mom. She needs our help. You and Trish can watch him while she’s on stage. Then you can go off and party.” Kitty looked back at Claudia with a smile. “All settled. We’ll come find you in your trailer so you can give them instructions.”
Claudia smiled at Lisa, but her eyes told the story of a new mom who was terrified of leaving her baby with someone she barely knew. “Thank you. That’s very kind of you. I’ll be as fast as I can, don’t worry. No dawdling for me. Just perform and right back.”
Zane, who was watching the exchange, gave Lisa a wink. “Thanks, Lisa. You’re a real team player.”
Lisa gave him a lackluster smile. “Sure.”
Zane clapped his hands. “Okay, well, that’s settled.” He turned to Dean. “What’s left to do before the show?”
And that was that. The crisis was over. They were dismissed.