When Elysia came out of the hospital room, Winona was on the phone. "...Alright, just do as I said. Be smart about it, and I''ll give you all a big bonuster!"


    Elysia was puzzled. What was she so happy about?


    Seeing her hang up, Elysia walked over. "Winona."


    Winona turned around, in an excellent mood. "Elysia, want to see a show?"


    "Hmm?"


    Winona winked at her. "Just you wait. I''m putting on a big performance for you tonight! By the way, when is Beatrix supposed to wake up?"


    Elysia nced at the time. "If nothing unexpected happens, in about an hour. But I can use my needles to wake her up anytime."


    "No need," Winona said immediately. "An hour from now is fine."


    Before Elysia could reply, Winona pulled her back into the room. She looked at everyone with infectious excitement. "Tonight, I''m arranging a little show for all of you, but I''m going to need everyone to y along, okay?"


    "When people show upter, no matter who they are or what they say, and even if you don''t understand, I just need you to smile and act like you''re congratting them."


    Keaton was curious. "What kind of show?"


    Winona was mysterious. "No spoilers."


    "No spoilers? Then don''t count on me to help."


    Winona pursed her lips, but before she could snap back at him, Janelle reached out and smacked Keaton''s arm. "You''ll cooperate or I''ll ground you!"


    Keaton fell silent. "..."


    Janelle shot him a fierce re, then turned back to Winona with a sweet smile. "Winona, honey, how do we cooperate? Be specific so we don''t mess it up."


    Winona smiled. "Oh, you can''t mess it up, Janelle. When people arrive, just remember two things: smile, and congratte."


    Janelle repeated, "Just keep smiling and offer congrattions, right?"


    Winona nodded. "Exactly!"


    Janelle then turned to Richard. "You heard her. Keep smiling, offer congrattions."


    Richard nodded seriously, then


    turned to Keaton with a stern voice.


    "You hear that smile and congratte. You better be on your best behavior. If you ruin Winona''s n, I''ll skin you alive!"


    Keaton was speechless. "..."


    Winona hugged Janelle, acting cute. "Janelle and Richard, you''re the best!"


    The older couple beamed, their eyes crinkling with pure joy. "Whatever you have nned, just tell us. We''ll give you our full support."


    Winona smiled. "Perfect. Just help me keep an eye on Keaton. I''m afraid he won''t cooperate."


    The two immediately pledged, "Don''t you worry about him. If he dares to misbehave, we''ll handle him!"


    Keaton was once again at a loss for words. "..."


    Winonaughed happily. Her phone rang again, and she let go of Janelle to take the call outside.


    Tarquin asked Elysia, "What is Winona up to?"


    Elysia shook her head, looking just as clueless. "I have no idea, but she seems to be in a great mood."


    Just then, Elysia''s phone also rang. It was the kids, video-calling to say goodnight. Elysia and Tarquin stepped out to talk to them.


    That left Keaton alone in the room with his parents.


    Janelle nced toward the door and


    murmured, "It seems Winona really bout that baby in Beatrix S belly Now that she knows it''s not


    did care


    Keaton''s, she''s so happy."


    Janelle assumed Winona''s good mood was because the baby wasn''t Keaton''s.


    Richard let out a long breath. "It''s


    understandable. What woman wants to be an instant mom? If


    Beatrix really had Keaton''s child, things would have gotten so


    longs to


    "The way Winona acted so magnanimous in front of us, that was all just to make us happy."


    "Winona is such a good kid," Janelle sighed.


    Richard nodded in agreement. "She really is. The fact that she''d even consider a


    rascal like Keaton is the luck of his lifetime!"