DAY SEVEN: CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Wednesday, December 7, 2011.

Here we are, in Chicago...Chi-town...the "Windy City". And, boy, is that last name really accurate! Just the short trips from the 747 to the stretch limo and the limo to the theatre mussed up everyone's hair that we kept the hairstylists busy backstage, delaying the start of the shows by a half-hour.

But, what a pair of shows they were!

We really gave the audiences their money's worth. We put our all into every move we made up and down the runways. Normally, when we walked down the runway, we had such blank looks on our faces...but not today. This day, we had broad smiles on our faces...even grins. All we thought about was pleasing the customers who came to view the designer line we had to offer.

That is...all but me. Today was my little baby's first birthday...and I couldn't wait to get back to the 747 and check on my laptop to see whether my presents got to Malibu in time for the big event.

As soon as the show was over...at 4:30...I rushed to the limo and waited (rather impatiently, I might add) to make the trip to the private airfield. When we finally got there, I hurried up the steps of the 747 and made my way to my suite. I sat down, turned on my laptop and got connected with Skype, turning my camera on.

At first, I was a little disappointed when the screen came back dark. Then, I checked my watch. I just remembered...if it was 4:45 here in Chicago, then it was two hours' earlier in L.A.. That meant that Jen was still at work at the dojo in Hollywood and wouldn't be home with the younger kids until another two hours. I smacked my palms down onto my thighs and mumbled. How could I be so stupid to forget the time difference?

I was just about to close my laptop when suddenly the screen came alive and beeped...a sign that someone was on the other end.

"Hey, baby", came Jen's cheery voice as her face came into view. "How's the weather in Chicago?"

"Cold", I replied, with a smile on my face. Then, glancing over my shoulder, I continued. "Wait a minute! There's somebody I want you to meet!"

I went out of view for just a moment...then returned and expanded the picture on my laptop to full screen. Jen went wide-eyed when she saw who I brought back with me.

"Sweetheart, I want you to meet..." was all I could get out.

"Carmen!" she replied.

I sat there, slack-jawed.

"You know her?" I asked.

"Anybody who reads fashion magazines like I do knows the great Carmen Dell'Orefice, Sasha!"

"Your husband's told me so much about you and your family", Ms. Dell'Orefice told Jen. "I feel as if I've known you for years. You should be pleased to know that, so far, your husband's fooled people at almost every show".

"How do you mean?"

"No one was able to guess who the oldest male model was...except at this afternoon's show. One of the spectators pointed to your husband. When Donatella asked how she knew, the spectator replied that she knows about the maturity of leg muscles...and that Sasha's seemed more mature than the others". All three of us laughed at the remark. Suddenly, Ms. Dell'Orefice looked at me. "You two seem to have something to discuss privately...so I'll be on my way to my suite. I'll see you later for tonight's show. Pleased to meet you, Jennifer".

Then, she was gone. I was still watching where she exited when Jen looked at me.

"Tati loved your present", she said.

My reverie broken, I turned to look at Jen's image.

"What?"

"The dress you bought and sent from Portland to be here this morning", Jen remarked. "I dressed her in it...and she looks beautiful! Do you know that the moment she saw the box, she said "Daddy!". She knew exactly who sent it".

"Well, I'd be a fool to forget any of my kids' birthdays! After all, I was there at every delivery...wasn't I? What about the other present? I sent a second box from Portland".

"Oh, yes...the doll. She loves it, too. She hasn't let go of it since she got it. She takes it everywhere...even daycare".

"I'm glad". I looked up at the clock which hung on the wall. "I have to take a rest, darling. I'll call you tomorrow".

Together, we kissed our hands and pressed them against the screens of our laptops. As I turned off my laptop, I smiled. And that smile was still upon my face as I stretched out on my bed and fell asleep.

At that night's show, that smile was still etched there.