“Right.”
“Is that why Pearson said you weren’t coming back?”
“I was furious with him. I would have decked him if Jimmy and Eduardo, didn’t interfere.”
“Oh my dear God. Did Pearson tell you where he was?”
“He confirmed what I had learned, and said he thought I was better off not knowing. My biological father had abandoned my mother and me. He wasn’t any better than the asshole who married my mother. Pearson wasn’t certain of his whereabouts. It had been years since he’d seen him.”
Another blizzard in hell. There I was speechless again.
“I’ve finally learned that he retired to Costa Rica, and I do want to make the trip to find him. I have no illusions. But I do want to see him. That’s it. Then I will probably be applying for that seam tester job.”
***
We made love almost until it was time for him to leave at 5:00 A.M. As he dressed, I packed a special little bag for him with some of my Glori Cosmetics skin care items. He laughed at me, but he took it. Something to remember me by.
He kissed me, and my heart skipped a beat as he went through the door. I called after him, “Be sure to use your mud soap, darlin’. Everyone needs nice smooth skin.”
He laughed. “Yes, glamour for a better world.”
My jaw dropped. Before I could ask the question, he answered it. “Eduardo. Who else?”
Chapter Nineteen
My heart still ached because he was gone, but it wasn’t nearly as bad. I busied myself with shoe business with Becky and getting ready for the swimwear event. All the top models agreed to do the show. They were old friends, and of course they knew the media would be all over the latest “Glori venture.” That couldn’t hurt either.
Models, music, and Watercolors. It couldn’t have turned out better. This was one DVD that Debbie would want to see. The orders came in a deluge.
***
I retreated to my old room at the Bainbridge mansion in Beverly Hills. Cindy’s parents had taken me in when I was fourteen and treated me like I was one of their own. Now that I could afford to be independent, I longed for the comfort of my old home and family.
Of course, Cin wasn’t there, but I lolled around the patio with her sisters-in-law, and allowed her mom, Dottie, to feed me all the goodies she loved to bake. They listened to my endless stories about Alain, and encouraged me in my new business ventures.
By day I went out to promote my new Watercolors line, and I recruited a fantastic team of models to represent it. I treated them to a day of beauty with Glori Cosmetics at a local spa, and we came up with a great campaign to put the world in my beachwear.
As I left the spa, I just about smacked into my father, of all people.
“Glori, here you are.” He gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then he dragged his latest love interest by the arm to meet me. “This is Bonnie. She’s quite a fan of yours.”
As I said hello, she listed each of my hits, and how they had all affected her. It was flattering in a weird sort of way. She was my dad’s girlfriend, and she was probably my age—or younger.
I moved toward my car as we talked. Dad put his arm over the car door, and Klaus did not look happy. Dad took his arm off, and I winked at Klaus. It was kind of neat scaring the shit out of my dad. After all, he’d done it to me on a regular basis when I was a kid.
He invited me for coffee, and I agreed. We went to an upscale café next door to the spa. I fell into a welcoming cushioned chair and ordered some lemonade. His girlfriend said she’d have the same.
“So, Glori, your mother tells me you’re dating a policeman. What happened to that French secret agent that was all over the news last year?”
I rolled my eyes. “Same guy, Dad, I don’t know why Mom insists on calling him a policeman.”
“Oh.” He shook his head. He knew my ditzy mother. “Anyway, there’s some talk about a movie based on your life. You’d be playing yourself. Obviously, I’m the one for the project.”
All the struggles and frustrations and shit that I’d gone through to become a star whirled through my head at once. These were words I’d waited my life to hear. And from my father, no less. My father, who derailed my career at every opportunity, now wanted to direct me, Glori Coulson, in a movie about me. How cool was that? I am an actress!
I sipped my lemonade. “Talk to Joe Harris. His office handles everything for me.”
He nodded. “Just tell Joe you want me on the project.”
Yeah, that’d be a snowball’s chance for Dad. He could get in line. There’d be plenty of producers, not to mention directors-turned-producers, to choose from.
I excused myself, went to the restroom, and did a little happy dance right there. Then I pulled out my phone and called Cindy.
***
When Alain arrived at the Ross Hotel, it was almost Thanksgiving, and I met him at my door with only a pink silk robe on. That and some pink silk kick-ass shoes. He didn’t even have to break a sweat to get me undressed—never even pulled a stitch of the seam. And the bed was turned down and ready to go. I sound desperate, huh? But there was a lot of lost time to make up. We’d been apart for practically an eternity.
As he positioned me on the bed, I put my hand to his chest. “This isn’t gonna be one of those ‘last nights’ together, is it?”
He smiled. “You’re looking for predictable?”
“I so am.”
“How about making this the first night of our fling?”
“Our lifetime fling?”
“Our lifetime fling.”
“Cool.” I did my damnedest to pull him to me. He laughed and raised me to his lips.
***
He slept like a rock for twelve hours. I sat in a chair just watching him, his handsome face. I wondered what had happened in Costa Rica. Did he find the father that had abandoned him and his mother? What did they say to each other? What could they say?
I pondered how my father had abandoned us, too. Now he wanted back in my life because there was a movie deal attached. I began to understand why Alain was so worried about marrying me. We didn’t exactly have a great track record. And Christina would be a real child with real needs. I sure wouldn’t want to screw up another innocent life. I guess he didn’t either.
He came to, and felt around for me. That was so sweet. I dove onto him, and we laughed like a couple of kids.
***
We ordered some food and huddled on the bed together.
“So tell me about your Dad. Did you find him?”
“No, he killed himself two years ago. But I did speak with some people who knew him. I saw where he spent his last days.”
“Oh my dear God. Alain, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m fine. The case is closed, and I’m fine.”
“What happened?”
“He retired there, lived with a Creole woman, and spent his days fishing. One day he walked into the ocean and never came out. She told me he was tired of living.”
“Eewww. How could you get tired of living? There’s always hope.”
He smiled at me. “That’s what I love about you, Glori. You never give up. You have enthusiasm for life.”
“I hope you never give up either. We have too much to live for.”
“You’re right.” He kissed me. “Speaking of which, Papa Roberto still has the Monchsberg ballroom reserved for us, and he never cancelled the minister. Did you make any other plans for New Year’s Eve?”
***
In the next days we played on the beach, I wrapped up my business in L.A., and we headed home to Salzburg. Tempted as he was with my seam tester job, Alain decided to try and mend fences with General Pearson. He wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of taking the position with the EU, even though it was a bit more money and potential for advancement. I knew he’d miss working with Jimmy, David and Eduardo. They were the closest of friends.
I sure didn’t want to move to Brussels. But I told him I would if it meant that much t
o him.
Cin and Raphael had a huge welcome home party for us, and my heart soared. It was so cool to be part of such a great family. So what if our own parents were wacko?
The day after our return, Alain met with General Pearson. Alain apologized for almost slugging him, and he said the General got so emotional, he hugged him. Needless to say, he got his old job back. Everyone was relieved. At least for the moment.
By this point, Debbie was pretty much bedridden, and Cindy and I spent a lot of time with her and the babies. She was ecstatic that the Watercolors line was a massive hit, and she thanked me every five minutes.
She thought everything worked out fine with David’s part in the Everett investigation. At least he wasn’t in prison, and things seemed back to normal. Who really knew—David would never breathe a word to his wife if he thought she’d be the tiniest bit upset.
With good reason, because it didn’t take much. And on the morning of December twenty-fourth, I bolted through her bedroom door with some pretty exciting facts and figures. Sales of Glori Cosmetics and kick-ass shoes were through the roof. “Watercolors” was even bigger. The colors, the designs, the materials, blew people away, and they couldn’t get enough. Debbie, that stone that the builders rejected (I figured the builders were her parents), was a very wealthy woman in her own right.
I thought she’d react with her usual tears. Instead she went into labor with triplets—a little early. I supposed I did it again.
Our old friend, the helicopter pilot Tony “Cookie” Cooke, arrived and they airlifted her to the hospital—after David interrogated him about how much Christmas cheer he’d gotten into. Eduardo and Nita mediated, and once again saved Cookie from being throttled by David.
When they made it to the hospital in Salzburg, they went right into surgery. By the time the doctor came out, the entire family was there, including General Pearson.
They had two boys who were each just over three and a half pounds. Their little sister was barely two and a half pounds. Debbie’s heart held out, and she was fine. The boys were tiny and were doing very well for their size. Baby girl would fit into the palm of David’s hand, and she’d need some help.
***
It was so cool. Alain and I were godparents to baby Stephan, the first to make an appearance. Aubrey and Jimmy were godparents to Emil. Both boys were the image of David, and fighters from the start.
I think they picked Paulo and Ellen for little Sabena because she’d have a struggle, and Paulo knew what it was like to struggle with a health issue. I could tell they fell in love with each other right away. But it was obvious that Sabena was Daddy’s little girl from day one.
As I watched her breath by breath in her incubator, and David’s devotion to his wife and to her, I couldn’t help but wonder about Christina. Cat’s predictions all came true. When would Christina show up?
***
General Pearson appropriated a conference room at the hospital in Salzburg. David was the last to come through the door, looking exhausted, but elated. He knew his wife and children would live. Alain had seen him emotionally hugging his cousin, Cat. No doubt she’d had some comforting revelation from God.
Pearson looked at his watch. “I’m told they’ve arranged Midnight Mass in the hospital’s chapel. I’m sure that will be a popular service with the crowd here tonight. I know I intend to go.”
The General took his seat, and his men exchanged curious glances as they followed his lead.
Pearson took a slow drink of water. “I spoke with the President tonight. All of the allies are in, and our organization will go forward. I will remain at the helm. The four of you will be promoted. Less of the daily hands-on training. More administrative work and more flexible time. Undoubtedly, you will be called upon to do some real work from time to time. The President is a big fan of yours—not to mention the women in your lives. This celebrity is not only what contributed to our near demise—it seems to be a factor in saving us. Go figure.” Pearson raised his water glass. “Merry Christmas.”
***
Christmas morning I found Cat boxing up some delicate crystal ornaments that she intended to bring to the hospital, along with a carload of other Christmas gifts, a tree, and heaven knows what else. David and Debbie had taken a suite of rooms at the hospital in order to be with the newborns, and make life as comfortable as possible for their family through the holidays.
“They’re lucky they can afford to stay there with such specialized care, for so long,” I said.
Cat smiled at me. “This is just the situation that so many families find themselves in, and the Christina Fund is there to give them help. You are doing such a wonderful service to mankind, Glori. And you’ve helped Debbie and David in particular, with the success of your businesses. They will never worry over finances again.”
I wasn’t fishing for compliments, but it was nice to hear. “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking when I was over there yesterday. And General Pearson was a whole lot nicer about letting David take time off.”
“Yes, I think David is beginning to understand the General needs him more than he needs the General.”
I wondered if Alain would make a habit of taking time off. We’d had such an incredible time in California. I noticed Cat’s smile.
“Alain?”
Her smile broadened. “I think you both know now you will have a love affair for the rest of your lives.”
I giggled. “You think I can ever convince Alain to take some time off?”
“It seems you already have, although I’m not so sure he’d be happy with a predictable job.” She grinned at me.
Yeah, Cat freaked me out.
“Okay, I have to talk to you about Christina.” I thought the better of it. “Never mind, I’ll be happier with the surprise. “What about Cin? Will she and Raphael have more kids?”
“Yes.”
“Cool. Did Cin ask you about it?”
“No, I think she is afraid that she would be imposing.”
“So if I tell her to talk to you, it’s okay.”
“Of course.”
“And what about Nita and Eduardo?”
“Yes, they will have children, also.”
“Did Nita ask you?”
Cat smiled. “I don’t think she wants to know about it yet.”
“Oh.” I remembered Eduardo complaining in the car that day we discussed Christina. Nita just wasn’t ready, but at least Eduardo would have kids some time. “What about—” Then I remembered overhearing some women lamenting at Cat’s wedding. I’d put my foot in it again.
“I probably can’t have children, Glori.”
“That plane crash messed you up pretty bad, huh?”
“Yes. Cisco was well aware of the situation when he asked me to marry him. I would love to have a child, but the doctors say it’s unlikely.”
“I guess a lot of things came out of that plane crash. But some good things, too,” I said.
Cat closed the box of ornaments. “Yes, painful things happen in life for a reason, although we don’t always know what that is. This year, David remembered his brother with far less anguish. Daniel is a fond memory now, a guardian angel of sorts. It was twenty-one years ago on the twentieth. He’d be so proud to see how his nephew is turning out. Danny reminds me of him. Have you seen the pictures?”
“Yeah, there is a strong resemblance.”
I wanted to ask the question because I figured there had to be some relation between that plane crash and Cat’s prediction about David’s premature death. The way she’d said “the children, the children” in Camellia’s garden that day, and they were only kids when that nightmare happened. But I didn’t want to upset her. I was probably grasping at straws. I bit my lip.
She turned to me. “Nita was right. Most of David’s behavior can be explained by that plane crash. He risked his life to save mine that day, and he witnessed the horrifying loss of family members that he loved dearly. His father was so badly injured that his mother was
almost unable to cope. All her attention was focused on helping him and me to survive, and grieving the loss of her family members. David was not physically injured, so she just didn’t see that he needed far more attention. No one realized he suffered from post traumatic stress. But I think that explains everything from his choice of career to his marriage to Debbie. And I think it explains his death.”
She sat down at the kitchen table and put her head in her hands. I massaged her shoulders and neck. I had no idea what else to do. Why did I always have to keep pushing?
I decided to be more positive. “I know you’ve seen me at church more lately.”
“Yes.” Cat spoke to the table. It sounded like the massage relaxed her.
“Well, hon, I want you to know I talked it over with Alain, and we’ll be coming to church with the family from now on.”
Cat lifted her head and turned around to me. “That’s wonderful, Glori.”
I took the chair beside her. “Yeah. With baby Christina coming one of these days—well, I want her to grow up to be someone like you. Sweet and strong, and beautiful inside and out. Blessed, like you. And Alain agreed she could use all the help she can get from God. You know the two of us haven’t had the best track record, really. I mean our parents were a mess. And we need to do a whole lot better.”
Cat’s eyes teared up. “Praise holy God.”
“Yeah. Nita told me the most important thing in the world to you is leading people to God. Well, I should’ve known that since they call you Cat the Prayer Warrior. Duh. What else would you do?” I found a tissue in my pocket and blotted my eyes. “I know I’m rambling a little here.”
Cat reached over and gave me a huge hug. “I’m so happy for you, Glori.”
“Me too.” I was laughing and crying at the same time.
Then Cat the Prayer Warrior laid her hands on me and prayed aloud. Then she had me pray with her. I figured after that my soul was definitely saved.
In the Name of Glori (The Redemption Series: Book 3) Page 24