aherospromise_211-3e3.htm

by A Hero's Promise (lit)

  "He forgives you." Jessica looked hard at Dane, mouthing the words, "You do, don’t you?"

  Dane looked uncertain and then smiled and shook his head "no."

  "Rox, why don’t you and Tom come up for a visit? We’ll be up here another month. Please?"

  "We’ll talk about it. Is it cold there?"

  "Is it cold? Is it cold? Ha!"

  ~ * ~

  The children were tucked into bed, eight goodnight kisses having been bestowed. Dane descended the stairs and joined his wife before the fire, where Jessica sat looking through the stack of Christmas cards they had received.

  "This is my brother and his wife," she said, handing Dane a photo.

  "I see the resemblance."

  "To me?"

  "To Bill Gates."

  "Ah. Yes." Jessica giggled. "Here’s the one from Chrissie and Nick."

  Dane took the snapshot of Angel and Bridgett and smiled, slowly shaking his head. "Reminds me of when Mimi and Zoe were little like that." Quietly getting to his feet, Dane retrieved an unopened card from the mantel. "This came yesterday. I thought you might want to open it."

  "Minnesota? Who do we know there?" Once opened, a photo and a letter fell from the otherwise unremarkable card. Dane leaned closer to see. The picture was of a little boy with shiny black hair and big, brown eyes, possibly eighteen months old. Quickly, Jessica flipped the photo over. "Oh, my. Look. ‘Chester MacKendall Bandorf, age one and a half.’"

  Jessica read the letter from the Bandorfs aloud, then clutched it to her chest and smiled. "This makes me so happy. It was the right thing, what happened. These people are wonderful for him."

  "I’m glad you feel that way. I’ve wanted to talk to you about that. I still feel bad that it didn’t work out the way we planned."

  "It worked out fine."

  "But I promised you."

  "Dane," Jessica said softly, reaching for his hand, "there are just some promises that cannot be kept."

  Dane nodded slowly. "I know. Some promises should never be made in the first place." He took the picture of Chester and stared at it. "Cute little guy. Do you think we did the right thing by not challenging the adoption?"

  "Of course we did. His life had already begun with them. And look. They are keeping in touch with us… what more could we want?" Her eyes misted over, then brightened. "Hey, we never opened our own stockings!" Jessica scrambled to her feet and unhooked the two remaining stockings from the mantel. "Here you go, stud. Enjoy!" she said, tossing Dane’s into his lap.

  After laughing over a variety of dime store items, Dane dug out a small package from the bottom of the stocking and removed the wrapping paper. Inside was a box, and inside that, a gold pocket watch. Quickly he looked up at Jessica.

  "Go on, open it, silly!"

  Dane pressed the tiny button on the side, and the watch cover flipped open. Opposite the watch face was a small photo of the four children.

  "It’s a composite. I could never get them all four in one place so the guy in town put it all together for me."

  "It’s… it’s wonderful, Jess. Wow. Thanks." He gazed at the picture and smiled. "It would be hard to get more than four in there." He turned the watch in his hands, carefully closing the front and finding the inscription on the back.

  "To my real hero: Love forever, Jessica"

  "I…" At a loss for words, Dane cupped the back of her head in his hands and pulled her lips against his for the deepest, most meaningful kiss he could create. There was nothing he would not do for this woman, nothing he would not give her, especially with the new confidence that she was rightfully his. At last they parted, and he was reminded of something. Something equally important. "Now you. Go ahead." Dane gestured toward the untouched Christmas stocking on Jessica’s lap.

  "Oh! Okay. Here goes." Like a child, Jessica pulled two small, wrapped gifts from the stocking. "Which one first?"

  "Uh… that one."

  "Okay." Quickly she pulled the shining gold paper from the smaller package. Inside, a velvet jewelry box. Clearly holding her breath, Jessica tilted the lid backward to expose the diamond tennis bracelet that lay inside. "Oh, how pretty! Oh, Dane, I love it!" Snatching it from its velveteen bed, Jessica was quick to open the latch and wrap it around her ankle. Stopping just short of hooking it, she gave Dane a coy smile. "Would you mind?"

  "I’d be delighted, M’am." With great ceremony, Dane latched the delicate hook and gave her ankle a lustful stroke for good measure. They replayed their previous kiss with just as much feeling and passion as before, and Dane felt hard pressed not to lift his bride to the sofa right then and there. But there was that other gift. "Don’t forget the other one."

  "Oh, right! I don’t know how anything could top this," Jessica said, admiring the bracelet one more time as the diamonds caught and magnified the dancing firelight. She took up the second small package and shook it, then pressed it to her nose. "Not perfume…"

  "Nope. But something I hope you’ll be able to use, soon."

  "Hmm. What could it be…" Jessica took her time peeling small strips of paper from the box. Soon, it was evident that it was a commercial product with large black letters on the front of the packaging. "What the…" Removing the remaining wrapping paper, Jessica held up the box. "Is this some kind of joke? What would I do with an in-home pregnancy test?"

  Dane took the box from her, turned it around and shoved it back into her hand. "The same thing any other woman does with it. Read the directions!"

  Jessica went silent, and Dane suddenly feared she was going to cry. "What does this mean, Dane?" she asked softly. "The only way I could be pregnant is if you… if you…"

  "Glad to hear that," Dane quipped. "Look. First you go into the bathroom; you open the box, take the little stick thing out and pee on it. The guy at the drugstore said…"

  Suddenly Jessica threw the kit to the side, got to her knees and grasped Dane by the shoulders, pushing him flat out on the floor. "Did you do it? Did you really? Oh, God, Dane, when did you do it?"

  "In July. Right after we got married. And it seems to me… I’m no expert, but…" Dane slid his hand across Jessica’s tummy affectionately. "So are you gonna go use it, or what?"

  Her eyes blazing with joy, Jessica whipped the kit from the floor and skipped off to the bathroom, giggling hysterically.

  Dane lay back on the carpeting and stared at the ceiling, the myriad of shapes created by the firelight entertaining his eyes. He chuckled to himself. Maybe this promise business wasn’t so difficult after all.

  Epilogue

  Full House

  "I must be suffering from heatstroke. How much did you say?" Jessica asked, squirming uncomfortably in the posh chair before Teddy’s desk.

  "You heard me right. He’s the man, baby. The biggest director in Hollywood, and he’ll hear of no one but you for the part. Ever since I let it leak that you were back in town, your price keeps going up!"

  You’re not the only one leaking, my friend. "Teddy, I’ll have to let you know after I talk to Dane. It’s important to me that he’s in on any decision. I want to read over the script again, too. And I’m throwing this huge party tomorrow. You are coming, aren’t you?"

  "Of course, Sweetpea. March fifteenth, right here on my desk calendar. I wouldn’t miss it for all the men in West L.A."

  "Good. Now, I’ve got to run. I’m… I need to get home." Jessica stole a glance downward at her blouse. Why hadn’t she put nursing pads in her bra? "See you tomorrow."

  She wasted no time jamming the new Jaguar into gear and finding the freeway on-ramp. She looked at the clock every few minutes, racing against it to get home in time. Her new silk blouse was most likely already ruined, but it was not the condition of the blouse that concerned her. Teddy had kept her longer than she had planned.

  Finally, she cruised into the triple-wide garage at her Malibu home and bounded from the car, rushing inside in search of Dane.

  "I’m home!" she called, hurrying through the kitchen into t
he living room where Dane sat in the large rocking chair, a finger pressed to his lips.

  Jessica stopped short. The drapes had been drawn against the noonday sun, and the television was on at low volume. The small bundle held against Dane’s chest stirred.

  "How’s she been?"

  "She’s been great. Asleep for an hour and a half."

  Jessica exhaled the breath she felt she’d been holding since leaving Hollywood. "I’m sorry I’m late. You know how Teddy can be." Peeling off her pink suit jacket, Jessica peered down at her blouse and grimaced. "I’d better change. I’ll be right back."

  In her bedroom, Jessica practically ripped the clothes from her body, changing into a fresh white cotton nursing blouse and a pair of shorts. At the dressing room sink, she splashed cool water on her face before realizing her make up would be ruined.

  "Darn it," she muttered, wetting a washcloth and trying to repair her face. Leaning close to the mirror, she carefully wiped beneath each eye. Something moved in the mirror behind her, and she froze, watching for it to appear again. A tiny face, held by her father’s capable hands, was peeking around the edge of the door frame. A small fist rubbed at her eye.

  "I’m awake, now, Mommy," Dane’s high falsetto advised from beyond her view. "And I’m hungry!"

  Jessica giggled and dropped the washcloth, eagerly taking her daughter from Dane’s arms. "How’s my little girl?" she cooed, cradling the baby in her arms and walking back to the living room and rocker.

  "What do I need to do for tomorrow?" Dane crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb.

  "Everything’s about done. Just call your daughter and make sure she’s all set."

  "Don’t know why I have to do all the work…"

  ~ * ~

  Zoe Irene Pierce had made up her own guest list. A tenth birthday party was very special, Jessica had assured her step-daughter. The beginning of two digit ages. Several friends from school, her assorted brothers and sisters, and her mother finished off the list. Jessica had stressed about ‘the mother,’ at first, but Dane had assured her that Rita would die before making a scene. That left only one name to worry about: Trina Vidal. When Jessica had asked Dane for his thoughts on this last party guest, he’d merely chuckled and walked from the room.

  "It’s okay, isn’t it? I love Trina!" Zoe demanded, her young face screwed into a scowl.

  "It’s okay," Jessica eventually decided. After all, there were enough adults attending to dilute the mix. Roxanne and Tom, Teddy and his partner, and Peter and Lydia, just home from Great Britain. Woodson Rawlins would probably show up, as would Sal Cicerelli and his wife.

  Jessica busied herself dressing the baby in her cutest little pink dress and bonnet, while Dane led the caterers to the backyard, overlooking the Pacific, where the party was being set up.

  Soon, the party would begin.

  ~ * ~

  My name is Zoe Irene Pierce, and this is my very first diary. My mom bout it for me today for my 10 birthday. It even has a lock and a little key. She said I can right down my thots here. and no one can read them but me. She is helping me.

  I had a big nice party today. everyone came even Tosha from school. All my famly was here too. Alex is my brother, he’s 13 and thinks he is so smart. Mimi is 14 and she was so bord but too bad. Devon is my step-brother, hes kinda a brat but I like him o.k.

  I have a new baby sister, her name is J I L L I A N L E I G H but I had to ask my mom how to spell it. She is so cute and little. My dad almost fanted when she was born.

  My dad is a famis movie star and everyone likes him. My stepmom (J E S S I C A) is a famis movie star too. She is BEAUTIFUL and nice. I want to be a famis movie star too. Trina says I can be if I want to. Trina is my grown up friend. She bout me real lipstick for my birthday. Yea!

  Megan came to the party. She is my cousin I think, she is Devon’s other sister. I think she likes my brother Alex, she sits by him all the time.

  Uncle Peter brot me a big big big big! stuft panda bear. He said he wants a little girl like me when Ant Liddie gets her baby. Liddie said I can babysit.

  Uncle Teddy came too. He gave me COLER PICTCHERS OF COLIN STARR!! even ottografed. Yea!!

  Ant Rox brot me a dress she made herself. it’s dark blue with lots of sparkles! it fits grate. Uncle Tom gave me the biggest hug ever. He’s so cute!

  JeSsica got me lots of new close. She is always so nice when I come. Sometimes dad and Jessica get mad but they always kiss and make up. Jessica might get a MO VIE DE AL.

  Well, that’s all for now. Dad says I haff to be careful about what I write in here, like don’t say anything bad about someone. But I told him, its got a lock!

  Oh, also, dad thinks I can be a movie star too. he says movies are in our blood.

  Zoe looked back to the top of the page and began reading over her entry. After reading it through twice, she sighed, and then tore the page from the book. She picked up her pen and began again.

  My name is ASHLEY MARIE PIERCE and this is my very first diary.

  Meet Anne Carter

  "Everyone needs a little romance in their lives," Anne Carter will assure you. "Some need more than others." She should know. A storyteller since 7th grade, Anne and her younger sister would dream up a new chapter to a romantic saga each night before going to bed. Soon, writing became an obsession. Raised in Southern California where she, her husband and three children make their home, Anne interrupts her passion occasionally to run her bookkeeping business and possibly put dinner on the table.

  Although A HERO’S PROMISE centers on the lives of those stellar gods and goddesses of the silver screen, Anne is quick to point out that this book isn’t about Hollywood glitz. "I’ve always been a teenybopper, and proud of it," she confesses. "But my stories reach to the human side, the deep, heart-wrenching emotions unleashed by the forces of true love."

  A HERO’S PROMISE is Anne Carter’s fourth published novel. Visit her website at:

  www.beaconstreetbooks.com.

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