"That should be interesting with a baby," Zac commented. "Personally, I'm still amazed you've managed to keep the marriage and the baby quiet from the general public so long."
"Me too," Jim grinned. "But we've done it."
Zac and Kelsey had invited all of their relatives in LA for dinner.
"I don't understand why you bother," Kelsey commented. "Everyone is going to find out eventually."
"Oh sure," he readily agreed. "I'll be shocked if it hasn't happened by the end of this tour. But we want to enjoy the lack of publicity while we can."
"I understand completely. But I'm still shocked," Zac grinned. "I suppose you guys have plans about who's going to look after Nadine when you can't during the tour?"
"Oh our stylist, Milly, loves kids," Sarah smiled. "She can't wait to get her hands on her."
"Hi everyone," Marie greeted.
With her was Mick. They had gotten back together, officially, about a month after their breakup. They sat down at the table.
"Hey, how you doing?" Zac asked. "How's college?"
"Great," Mick grinned. "College could be worse."
"Oh, it's not that bad. But there's no time for goofing off, that's for sure," Marie said.
"What are you studying?" Zoe asked.
"I'm pre-law, and Mick's pre-med."
She nodded.
"How's the recording?" asked Marie.
"I'm getting some really good stuff done," she replied, her eyes glowing happily.
"Can't wait to hear it."
"Thanks."
The doorbell rang.
"Ahh, that should be Jess and Austin," Zac said.
Sure enough, it was. Now all seventeen of them were here: Zac, Kelsey, Hope, Kitty, Walker, Morgan, Avie, Zoe, Sarah, Jim, Nadine, Marie, Mick, Jess, Austin, Alex and Emily. Eighteen, if you wanted to count Jacqueline.
And so the eating began, on top of much talking.
"And now I would like to make an announcement," Mick said at one point.
"Oh?" asked Jess.
Austin smiled. He knew what was coming.
"Yes," Mick replied decisively. "Marie and I have decided to get married."
Congratulations came from all around.
"Hmm," said Zac. "I say this calls for a little something to celebrate with. Any objections to wine?"
There were none and Zac got up to head down to the wine cellar. Heading down the stairs, he noticed footsteps. When he reached the bottom, he turned.
"Oh hey Zoe, did you want something?" he asked.
Zoe continued down the stairs and stood beside him.
"I was hoping -"
Zoe was interrupted with a terrible shaking. The house shook around them. Zac grabbed Zoe's hand and wrenched her down beside him.
"Earthquake," he gasped out, pulling her under a nearby table.
The table wasn't really big enough for two grown people to sit under, but it was better than nothing. Zac hoped that it would be enough to protect them in a room with so many bottles of wine. Glass bottles of wine.
Zoe clutched at a table leg, her fingers going white from her tight grip. Zac had one arm around his sister, the other holding onto another table leg.
The world rattled around them.
There was a crashing noise from upstairs. The lights in the cellar went out, and it was thrown into darkness. Zac winced at the sound of smashing glass.
Then, as suddenly as it started, it stopped. Zac and Zoe sat under the table, breathing heavily. The house was eerily silent.
"Do… do you suppose it's safe?" Zoe asked nervously after a while.
"I don't know. I think so," Zac replied tentatively. "But uhh, don't quote me on that."
Cautiously, the two crawled out from under the table. Zac started feeling around for the only drawer in the table.
"I know there's candles and matches in here somewhere," he muttered.
Zac had just found the drawer when the aftershock came roaring through the room. He heard a yell from his sister, and then silence. When it passed, Zac shakily managed to light a candle.
Zoe was lying against the wall, blood starting to drip from her skull.