Page 86 of Masked in Deception

Jack:

Never mind I said anything…

Margot:

LOL

You should really think that through because if Henry were to see us, you wouldn't have anywhere to go.

Jack:

Easy, I’d just jump out

Margot:

He can parachute. Pretty sure he would jump out, catch you, and then drop you, just so he could tell everyone it was by his hands.

Jack:

Fuck. No, you’re right…

Another time then?

Margot:

Another time then

;)

Jack:

:)

Chapter fifty-nine

“I don’t understand why we are obligated to attend yet another shower for your child,” Henry says as Ledger opens the door to welcome us.

Henry was already in New York for business, so he flew Margot and me down to LJ’s baby shower, and he’s been a sourpuss the entire trip. As much as he grumbles, I know he would never miss anything concerning his nephew. And in his defense, he’s never been wild about babies. In fact, I’m pretty sure Margot is the only baby he’s ever even held, so it’s pretty adorable to watch him try to hide his obvious excitement where LJ is concerned.

“Ugh, I don’t know, man. Ask our mother,” Ledger responds, clearly on the same page with baby parties as his brother. “I was able to talk her down from one of her notorious soirees, where she invites everyone she’s ever known, but…”

“But we’re celebrating that child, Ledger Sinclair, whether you like it or not.” Blanche interrupts to give Henry, Margot, and me a hug. “But you’re probably correct to spare Sloane from havingto greet so many strangers when she’s a month away from giving birth.”

“Annnnd?”

“And we’re more than capable of purchasing everything LJ could ever want or need without accepting gifts from others.”

“Because?”

“Because it would be a bunch of things that you didn't really want, and Sloane would either feel obligated to use it or feel terrible that she was wasting it if she didn’t.”

Ledger finally smiles down at his mom and pats the top of her head. “Very good.”

“Nevertheless,” Blanche says, leading us all into the den where Sloane is sprawled out on the couch. “We’re still going to have a ball celebrating our little guy as only we Sinclairs know how. And just so you know,Henry, the last one was agender reveal.It’s completely different. It’s like you didn’t grow up in society at all.”

“Well, he sort of spent most of his adolescence in England,” Margot says in defense of her brother. “I certainly recall him being absent more than present—”

“Now that everyone is here, let’s go over the agenda for the day,” Blanche announces, cutting her daughter off. “We’re going to begin our activities with a cooking challenge. Ledger has picked out a couple of recipes that Sloane has been craving, so we’re going to team up and see which she likes better. After that, we’re each going to paint a ceramic gnome. While those are in the kiln Ledger had installed, we are all going to sit around and plan LJ’s first Disney trip. Then we’re going to lounge around with our mom-to-be and watch whatever movies she’s in the mood for.”