Public Secrets Part 48

a waste of time.

"We have to say goodbye, don't we?" He put on a Jim! Hendrix alb.u.m

because it reminded him that though the artist was dead, the music lived

on. "Besides, once we're back in London, we're back to work in a big

way. I want to relax while I can."

"How can we relax with a hundred people milling about the house?"

"Bev. It's our last night."

She opened her mouth again, then closed it when Alice ushered the

children in. "There's my boy." She scooped Darren up on the fly before

she winked at Emma. "Is Charlie ready for his trip?" She knew and

sympathized with Emma's unease with planes and smoothed a hand over the

girl's hair.

"He's just a little nervous. He'll be all right with me."

"Of course he will." She pressed a kiss on the delicate area between

Darren's ear and throat. "Already bathed?" She'd wanted to take care of

that evening ch.o.r.e herself. There was nothing Bev liked better than to

play with Darren in the tub, smoothing the soapy cloth over his pale,

shiny skin.

"All washed and ready for bed," Alice put in. "They've just come to say

good night before I tuck them up."

"I'll do that, Alice. With all the confusion today, I've hardly seen

the children."

"All right, ma'am. I'll finish the packing."

"Dad." Emma gave Brian her shy little smile. "Can we have a story?

Please."

What he'd planned to do was roll a joint of good gra.s.s and listen to

music. But he had a hard time resisting that smile, or his son's

bright, bubbly laughter.

He went upstairs with his family, leaving Hendrix wailing.

It took two stories before Darren's eyes began to droop. He fought

sleep as he fought all sedentary activities. He wanted to be doing, to

be running or laughing or turning somersaults. Most of all, he wanted

to be the brave young knight his father spoke of He wanted to take up

the shining magic sword and slay dragons.

He yawned and, cozied between his mother's b.r.e.a.s.t.s, began to doze. He

could smell Emma, and went off to sleep happy that she was nearby.

He didn't wake when Bev lifted him into his crib. Darren slept the way

he did everything. With a full heart. She tucked the satin-bordered

blue blanket around his shoulders and tried not to think that he would

soon be too big for a crib.

"He's so beautiful." Unable to resist, Bev stroked her fingers across

his warm cheek.

With Emma's head resting on his shoulder, Brian looked down at his son.

"When he's like this, it's hard to believe he can tear a room apart

single-handed."

With a soft laugh, Bev slipped an arm around Brian's waist. "He uses

both hands."

"And his feet."

"I've never known anyone who loves life as much. When I look at him, I

realize I have everything I've ever wanted. I can see him a year from