Second Chance: A Christian Romance (Royals Book 2)

by Nicole Taylor

  That evening Robert and Dana made dinner together, a dish of creamy fettuccine with Mahi Mahi, a local fish. They ate it in the cool outdoors with the midnight blue ocean before them and the starlit sky and a glorious full moon above them.

  After dessert, a creamy coconut ice-cream made by great-aunt Pearl, Robert excused himself.

  “I’ll just be a minute,” he said.

  When he returned a few minutes later, Robert leaned over and dropped a kiss on Dana’s neck. She smiled as he drew back and then her lips froze as he removed his arm from behind his back.

  He was holding out a gift.

  Her eyes flew to his. “Bobby, I didn’t even get you anything. I was so busy.”

  He instantly placed a finger over her lips with his free hand.

  “Shh. You have given me all I need. All I want. This is just a small token of my appreciation for you.”

  Dana unwrapped the gift and revealed a blue Tiffany’s box, which suggested the gift was jewelry of some kind. She was touched, although Robert had given her a world of jewelry over the years, particularly as peace offerings. When she opened the box, she gasped. This piece of jewelry was unlike any that she currently possessed.

  It was a heart locket in rose gold with three small diamonds in a heart-shaped cluster. With trembling fingers, she carefully opened the locket. On one side was a tiny picture of Robert and herself on their wedding day and on the other was a picture of the triplets.

  Dana placed a hand over her heart and met her husband’s espresso gaze with watery eyes.

  “I love it, Bobby…so much. And I love you. Dr. Richards was right. This has been a most productive trip.”

  “In more ways than one,” he agreed, “in more ways than one.”

  Chapter 23

  All too soon, the Cortellis were headed back to Los Angeles. Dana was sad to leave but also happy at the prospect of seeing the kids.

  In the limo on their way home Robert received a call from Anna Terranova.

  “Bobby, I’ve spoken with Katie Couric’s people. She wants you to come on the show.”

  “Sure. I think I need to do the interview. However, I want Dana there with me.”

  Dana’s head swiveled in Robert’s direction. He met her gaze and smiled as he reached out and smoothed down her hair. He allowed his hand to drop to her shoulders and draw her close.

  “Tell them I’ll do it but I need Dana to be there.”

  “Okay…I guess that’s fine. Also, Sandy called me just before you left for Barbados and told me you haven’t returned his messages but he needs to meet with you.”

  “I know. I’m meeting with him tomorrow.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Robert stared at the sandy-haired man with the George Hamilton tan and blindingly white teeth who sat before him in his living room. Sandy Brown looked a little older than he remembered but was just as confident and charming.

  “Bobby, I’ve wanted to see you for weeks. Dana said you’d meet with me as soon as you were able. We have so much to discuss. For starters, the movie you’re shooting in a few months, Steel.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been reviewing the script, Sandy. There are a number of changes that need to be made.”

  Sandy tilted his head to one side and pursed his lips. He was silent for several seconds then finally he shrugged. “Sure, that can be arranged. You’re calling the shots here.”

  “Okay. I made a few notes. The profanity has to go.”

  “There’s only one F-word, we didn’t want to lose the PG-13 rating, but we can have that nixed if you want. What’s the next thing?”

  “That’s not the only expletive. I counted a whole lot more. Look here…” Robert passed the script to Sandy. “They’re underlined in red.”

  Sandy quickly leafed through the script, taking in the red markings on each page. He looked horrified.

  “Robert, are you kidding?” he repeated one of the words Robert had underlined. “Since when is that profanity? It’s a bodily function for heaven’s sake.”

  “No, it’s a crude reference to a bodily function.”

  “It’s not like this is a script for a Sunday school play, Robert. Speaking of which, why is God’s name underlined? How is that a profanity?”

  “Context, Sandy. The characters are not calling on God for help, they are misusing His name. There are almost ten instances where they are either misusing God or Jesus’ name. Totally unacceptable,” Robert continued.

  Robert could see Sandy’s formerly golden brown face go red with anger. Sandy looked off into the distance as his chest heaved.

  “This is not going to go well with the studio, Robert…”

  “Oh, I’m not done. You’ll note that there are some scenes I cut out altogether. In one of them, the violence is a little over the top. I mean decapitation…in slow motion…seriously? I’d be surprised if the MPAA would let that slide under a PG-13 rating. Sandy, I want to make movies my kids can watch.”

  “This is not a family-friendly movie,” Sandy finally exploded. “It’s a blockbuster action film. You may be a mega star, Robert, but you are not the only star out there. There many other action stars who could do this movie. Some of them are already nipping at your heels. You do not want to do this.”

  Robert continued as though Sandy hadn’t spoken. “The sex scene has to go. I’m not taking my clothes off. I’m not even kissing that actress.”

  Sandy abruptly stood and began to pace.

  “I heard you weren’t yourself. That your brain was damaged, and you were acting strangely. This is worse than I could have imagined. What has gotten into you?”

  “Look at me, Sandy. Do I look like something’s wrong with me?”

  “No, but obviously you can’t tell by looking because you’re behaving very strangely.”

  “You’re right. There has been a change in my life.”

  Sandy stopped, hands akimbo, and peered at Robert. “What’s brought on this change?”

  “God. I’ve committed my life to Him.”

  “What! Are you some kind of religious freak now? What the–” A swear word burst from Sandy’s lips.

  “Don’t you dare swear in my home, Sandy Brown! I won’t tolerate it!”

  Sandy sat and shook his head. He looked like a man who had received a terrible shock. In a way, he had.

  “First, Barbara Dickson and now you,” he muttered. “Is this some kind of contagion in this family?”

  “I’m just thinking of changing my focus, Sandy. That’s all. I’d be happy to retain you as my agent if you can work with that.”

  There was silence for several minutes as Sandy looked off into space. He eventually turned to Robert with a different expression that seemed almost pleasant. He eagerly sat forward as though he wanted to impart some sage advice.

  “Listen, Robert, with all due respect, the actors in Hollywood who’ve taken this high road do not make any money. Barbara Dickson married a billionaire so she’s set for life. You, on the other hand, own a mansion, a villa in the Caribbean, several cars, an airplane. All these things cost money to maintain. It’s fine to take the high road but is it going to support this lifestyle? You need to think about that. Look, I’ve not got anything against religion. I’m a Christian too, you know.”

  “Really?” Robert felt that he deserved a third Oscar for how well he hid his surprise.

  “Sure. You never knew that did you?”

  “No. It’s like the best-kept secret in Hollywood.”

  Sandy beamed with pride. “Yeah, I was raised Baptist, but you know what? That had nothing to do with my professional life. I believe in God. But my faith is deeply personal to me. It’s nobody’s business. Don’t wear this stuff on your sleeve it will only bring you trouble and ridicule, Bobby. There’s no need for it. The Bible says give unto Caesar what’s Caesar’s and give to God what’s God’s. It also says when in Greece do what the Greeks do. What those verses mean is that you have to live in this world so abide by this world’s rules, and you’ll be fi
ne.”

  Robert blinked rapidly and then gave a short shake of his head.

  “Sandy, I’m sorry. I can’t do that. I have to live out my faith. So, bearing that in mind, you’ll have to think about whether you still want to represent me.”

  The pleasant expression was gone in an instant to be replaced by something twisted and ugly.

  “It’s Dana isn’t it?

  “Excuse me?”

  “She’s advising you, isn’t she? I’ve seen where she’s taking her own career, and it’s going nowhere. Is that what she wants for you?”

  “Leave my wife out of this discussion.”

  “Just an observation. Don’t you recall the number of times she went crazy because she didn’t want you to accept a movie offer? Maybe she wants to tank your career. I’ve heard about professional envy before. Her acting career is nothing compared to yours, and she envies your success. Do you see that? She’s not all that, Robert. She’s not all you think she is.”

  “Sandy, I’m going to need you to leave right now.”

  “Robert...”

  “No, I’m serious. This meeting is over. I don’t want to have to apologize to my son tonight for doing something I told him never to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Sucker punch people who say mean things.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Robert and Dana sat side by side on the Katie Couric show two weeks after their return from Barbados.

  KATIE COURIC (looks at the camera): Robert Cortelli is a man of action on and off the screen. Known as Hollywood’s hardest working actor, he has cheated death more times than can be counted on one hand, while performing stunts in his movies. In fact, Cortelli is one of the few A-list actors who insists on doing his own stunts. This year, two months ago in fact, was probably the closest Cortelli came to dying. On the set of The List, the actor leaped from a wall to a tree, missed his target and fell some thirty feet to the ground. He had to undergo emergency brain surgery and, remarkably, is here with us today looking great I must say and none the worse for wear. His wife, supermodel and actress, Dana Dickson, is also here with us. (Looks at Robert) First off, Robert, I have to ask, are you related to the feline species in any way? Because you seem to have the lives of a cat.

  ROBERT CORTELLI (laughs): Katie, all I can truly say is that it’s only by God’s grace I’m alive after that fall.

  KATIE: This isn’t the first time your life has been threatened on a set, though. Can you give us other instances?

  ROBERT: There was a scene in Spies Like Us where I’m in the water, and I don’t realize it, but my parachute begins to collect water. It would have dragged me down to the bottom of the ocean and killed me if one of the hands on the set hadn’t seen what was happening and cut me loose.

  KATIE: I am also told there was a car chase scene in The Asylum where Dana, who had a role in that movie, almost killed you. Dana, do you want to say what happened?

  DANA DICKSON: I don’t know if I’d say I almost killed him but it was pretty scary. Bobby always did his own stunts so I kinda wanted to show that I could too. So I’m driving the getaway car in the scene, and I approach the right-hand turn, and I hear him going in this urgent whisper, ‘Brake the car! Brake the car!’ My initial thought was, ‘Bobby thinks he’s the only one who can drive a stunt car.’ So I decided to ignore him.

  ROBERT: Yeah. I’m in the passenger seat, and she is supposed to tear down the street in this car. The trailer is on the back of the vehicle. And I realize she’s going way too fast, I mean she’s headed straight for a tree. So I say to her, “Brake, brake, brake.” And when she eventually realizes why I’m saying this, it’s too late. She crashes the vehicle into the tree.

  KATIE: Were you hurt?

  ROBERT (laughs): Just a little bruised. But I saw it coming so I braced myself for impact. Dana’s pride was hurt and thankfully nothing else.

  DANA: Yeah, that ended my career as a stunt driver.

  KATIE: What about Train Crash?

  ROBERT: I got injured in Train Crash because there was a fight scene where I had to do a particular move for like thirty takes, and I wound up hurting my shoulder.

  KATIE: So there’s often risk involved in doing your own stunts. Yet you do it each and every movie. Why?

  ROBERT: It’s thrilling, and it’s real. Part of my training as a method actor was to use real emotions on screen, and I find it easier to convey an emotion if I’m experiencing it. It gives authenticity to the role.

  KATIE: Dana, how do you deal with this? What’s life like being married to a man who has been described as Hollywood’s most fearless actor?

  DANA: It has had its challenges. I compare it to being the wife of a cop or soldier. Any first responder. You’re at home knowing that this guy is going to put himself at risk for his job. There was a time during our marriage where I would go with Robert on movie sets. I would be there. I would see the stunts. I would have my heart in my throat, and if he got the slightest injury, I’d be in a state of panic. There came a point when I couldn’t watch anymore. I would go with him on location, but I wouldn’t go anywhere near the set if they were shooting an action scene. To be honest, I bathed him in prayer and just left it with God because I couldn’t torture myself about what he would do next. I actually welcomed the odd drama where there were no action scenes. I kid you not.

  KATIE: So when you got the news of the accident on the set of The List what was that like?

  DANA: I can’t explain it. It was like sheer terror. He’s had accidents before but never as serious as that. Never a fall from a height like that.

  KATIE: Robert, after this accident, will you continue to do your own stunts?

  ROBERT (after a few minutes silence): I’ve seen what it’s put my wife through, the impact it has had on my family, and I’ve resolved not to deliberately put my life in danger for a movie again. I can’t say that I’m through doing stunts, but I’m going to, one, take more safety precautions and, two, weigh the risks.

  KATIE: Physically, how are you doing?

  ROBERT: Physically, I’ve been called a walking miracle by my doctor. I’m just really grateful for a second chance at life. I should by rights be dead. The chances of me walking away from this ordeal with all my faculties intact were astoundingly slim. Yet, here I am.

  KATIE: But I hear that it hasn’t been without its challenges. There is memory loss.

  ROBERT: Yes, I lost several years of memories. But I’m regaining them. Slowly but surely things are coming back to me. The things I related today are all from memories I’ve regained.

  KATIE: And your marriage? How has it fared? I think rumors were flying around within the last year that you two were having problems. Is this still the case?

  DANA: This ordeal has actually brought us closer together. It was rough going, but I think it made me realize how blessed I am to have this man for a husband. I am just grateful for each day I get to spend with him.

  KATIE (looks at Robert): And you?

  ROBERT: This experience for me has been, what’s the word?...supernatural. It just propelled me into a relationship with God that I never had before. There’s a verse that sums up what I experienced. It’s from 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5:16 and it says ‘If anyone is in Christ the new creation has come. The old has gone. The new is here.’ I had paid lip service to being a Christian, but I’d never really met my Savior ‘til now.

  KATIE: What’s in store for you now, career-wise?

  ROBERT: I’m focusing on my health and my family at the moment. When I’m fully recovered, there are some new projects I have an interest in pursuing.

  KATIE: Want to give us a hint about what those will be?

  ROBERT: For now they are just thoughts. Nothing concrete. But stay tuned. All will be revealed in due course.

  KATIE: Sounds mysterious.

  ROBERT: I wouldn’t say so. Let’s say the revelation will be glorious.

  ~*~*~*~

  On their drive home, Dana turned to Robert. “The
revelation will be glorious?” She elbowed him in the ribs. “How dramatic can you get?”

  He laughed and shrugged. “I’m an award-winning thespian. What can I say? I can’t help myself. Hey, I was thinking we should have a party for my birthday. Things are going so great. I’m recovering memories of you and our kids. I feel like celebrating.”

  “I don’t know…your birthday is just a week away.”

  “Listen, it doesn’t have to be big. We’ve just got to get some food and invite our friends. We can let our personal assistants make the arrangements. That’s what we’re paying them for after all, right?”

  Dana nodded. “Okay.”

  ~*~*~*~

  The night of the party, Dana left Hunter and his team setting out the food, and Robert chatting with the bartender while she went upstairs to get dressed. They had decided to let the children spend the night with her in-laws so that they could focus on the party.

  Dana took a quick shower and reflected on what a lovely day they had enjoyed together. It was the first birthday she had spent with Robert in three years, and it felt good. It had also presented her with an opportunity to get him a gift as memorable as the one he had given her for their anniversary. It was a pocket watch with the following words inscribed on the inside in Italian:

  “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You’ll never know dear how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

  Following the shower, Dana rummaged around in her walk-in-closet. She took down a black shirt, black slacks, a red dress, a sparkling white jacket, a black dress with a lace top, a white top and white pants and took them all into the bedroom and tossed them on her bed. Then she surveyed them, hands on hips.