The intervening week passed hurriedly. The preparations for the party took up most of Abby's time. There were a thousand details to attend to. Tom was busy with his preparations as well. The new security systems were almost in place and the new security teams were almost ready. It seemed to Abby that Stephen had hired an army. There were uniformed and plain clothes security men everywhere. And the cameras. You could barely take a piss in the house without there being at least two cameras on you. Even the bedrooms were monitored 24/7. She knew for sure that someone somewhere in a secure room in the house was getting quite a show on a regular basis.

Tom and Eve never really did make the connection. Things were friendly between them but there was no spark. Abby know why but hadn't said anything else.

Stephen was busy with his own preparations. He wanted the ceremony to be perfect and he personally saw to every detail of the planning.

Finally, the guests started to arrive. Planes and limos from all over the world. Abby was there to greet them all. Most were gracious. Some were recognizable. A couple looked at her with more than a passing interest and one or two had a decidedly hungry look.