Yeah, maybe, she said, looking unconvinced. And then they closed the doors. The bus started up, and the bridal couple waved as Jeff and Allegra stayed behind with the bodyguards. It was over. They had done it. They were safe. And there had not been a single hitch or tabloid. Allegra had done an incredible job of setting it up for them, and Jeff was more impressed than ever.
You are a genius, he complimented her, as they watched the bus drive into the distance. At four A.M. they'd be at Alan's house, and all they had to do was pick up their bags, change their clothes, and catch a nine o'clock flight to Tahiti. End of story.
It was cute, wasn't it? Allegra smiled up at him. She was happy it had gone so well. She hadn't wanted the tabloids spoiling it for them, or vicious paparazzi stalking them.
They couldn't have had a real wedding, could they? Jeff asked pensively. He couldn't see how they'd have pulled it off, without the costumes or the wigs, or the privacy of the suite, or the bodyguards, or even the rock-star bus. It had all been perfect.
They could have, Allegra admitted, but she had discouraged it, particularly to Alan, and he had convinced Carmen. But it would have been a nightmare. Helicopters everywhere, photographers, the media would have paid off every supplier they used. It's like a tug-of-war after a while, everything is a battle. She would have hated it. Jeff nodded. He didn't disagree with her anymore. The experience in the bowling alley had taught him a lot about the way they lived. In spite of the lives everyone envied and wanted for themselves, none of it was easy. I thought it was more fun like this anyway, Allegra said, thinking how cute Carmen had looked in the short veil, and later tossing the plastic bouquet at Allegra.
I'll have to save this. She waved the bouquet at Jeff as they walked back into the hotel. The bodyguards had already discreetly left them. They were no longer needed. And the law firm would be billed for their time. She had thanked them at the bus, and now they were gone. She was alone with Jeff and several thousand people in the lobby.
They went back up to their suite. They were staying for the night, and in the morning they were going back to L.A. in a limousine. By then, Alan and Carmen would be in the air and on their way to Tahiti. She and Alan had agreed how the announcement would be handled. Nothing would be said until after their honeymoon, so stringers around the world wouldn't find them. Probably someone in their hotel might tip the press off eventually, but Bora Bora was fairly remote, and Alan thought they'd be safe there. And after they got back, there would be a press conference with both of them, for five minutes, with photo opportunities, announcing their marriage. Just give the sharks a little bit, a finger or a toe, to keep them happy, Allegra had told them.
Allegra lay in his arms that night, cozy and happy, thinking of Carmen and Alan. He was one of her oldest friends, and it was funny to think of him being married.
Happy Valentine's Day, Jeff said softly.
Same to you, she said, turning her back to him, as he put his arms around her. And she never stirred again until morning. She dreamed of catching the bouquet, and she kept laughing because it was plastic. And when she caught it, Jeff drove away on a bus, and she had to run all night to catch him. In her dreams, as in her life, people were always running away from her. But not anymore, she reminded herself when she woke up, not now ' and not Jeff ' He was staying.
Chapter 12
Carmen and Alan came home from Bora Bora in mid-March and this time there was no avoiding the tabloids. The list of nominees for the Academy Awards had come out while they were gone, and they were both on it. The press were out in force when they got off the plane. Someone at the airlines had tipped them off, but the newlyweds were ready. They each had a deep tan, and they looked fabulous as the cameras flashed and they made their way slowly through the small crowd waiting for them at the airport.
Allegra had arranged for a car to pick them up, and they got to it as quickly as they could, after posing for a couple of pictures. They got right into the limousine, and two bodyguards waited for their luggage.
Allegra had also arranged for a bottle of champagne in the car for them, and when they got home to Alan's house in Beverly Hills, they found the house filled with flowers. But within days, the media had made their life there almost too complicated to put up with. Photographers clamored at the gates, as helicopters hovered overhead trying to catch glimpses of them in the garden or the pool, and researchers for the tabloids stole their garbage. It was unbearable, and they rapidly moved to Malibu, but it was worse there, and finally they hid out for a few days at Allegra's.
She moved in with Jeff for a few days, and the foursome donned wigs and went to small, unknown restaurants in the valley.
I can't believe this, Jeff said, appalled at the intrusions they had to live with. He was still working on the last polish of his screenplay. He and Allegra had had a nice, quiet month, with the exception of another threat against Bram Morrison, which had kept her busy. His family had gone to Palm Springs again, and he had borrowed a friend's home at an unknown location. He never went anywhere without bodyguards now, and a series of articles that said he was making a hundred million dollars from his concert tour only made it worse. Now everyone wanted a piece of the action, whatever they had to do to get it, even kidnapping or blackmail.
Alan and Carmen had been back for two weeks on April first, and Allegra and Carmen met for two hours that afternoon to go over the details of her new contract. She'd already signed it before she left on her honeymoon, but there were some fine points Allegra had wanted to go over with her, to determine just exactly what her expectations would be when she started the picture. They needed to talk about what kind of dressing room she would have, the schedules she would work, and iron out all the little details ahead of time, to avert any unnecessary crisis.
They had worked most of it out when Carmen looked at her attorney with a mischievous smile, and Allegra remembered that it was April Fools' Day. Growing up, she and Alan had made all kinds of mischief around that, and played awful pranks on each other. And her brother Scott loved torturing his entire family on April Fools' Day. She was surprised that he hadn't called her. Every year, he gave her some dreadful shock, either claiming to be in Mexico, in jail, married to a prostitute, or in San Francisco having a sex change. But she had given it back to him over the years. And as they looked at Carmen, she could suddenly see one coming.
There's something I've been meaning to tell you, Carmen said with a huge grin, and Allegra laughed even before she heard it.
Let me guess. You and Alan are getting divorced. Ha-ha, April Fools' Day.
Carmen laughed at what she said. Alan had pulled two of those on her that morning. He had claimed that an old boyfriend of hers was at the door, and then that his mother was moving in with them for the next six months. Both announcements had given Carmen quite a jolt first thing in the morning.
No, nothing like that, she said, looking suddenly shy, but Allegra was still suspicious of what was coming. In her own way, she was too much like Alan. We're having a baby, she said, beaming.
You are? So soon? She knew they wanted kids, but she thought they would wait at least a little while longer. She was due to start her movie in June. She was only shooting for three months, but now it wasn't going to be easy. How pregnant are you? Allegra asked, holding her breath, terrified that they would lose the picture.
Only a month, Carmen said sheepishly. Alan said it was too soon to say anything, but I wanted to tell you. And I thought maybe it would make a difference to the studio. I'll only be three months' pregnant when I start. But I'll be six months' when we finish. Do you think they'll break the contract?
I'm not sure, Allegra said honestly. They may be able to shoot around it. You probably won't show till close to the end of the picture. Thank God, you don't have a longer shooting schedule. Some movies took eight or nine months to make, which in this case would have been a disaster. But Carmen was the main focus of the picture, though she wasn't in the entire movie. Maybe they can move it up. The
y'll do something to work it out I know how badly they want you. I'll call them this afternoon, Allegra said, and then smiled at her. Congratulations ' Alan must be going crazy. He loved kids. For him, it was what he had always wanted, a wife, a family, and a baby. That's quite something. And it's not April Fool, I hope! Allegra asked pointedly and Carmen laughed.
I don't think so. That's not what the doctor said anyway. I went yesterday. We saw it on a sonogram. You could even see its little heart beating. It kind of looks like a jelly bean. I'm five weeks' pregnant. She giggled proudly.
It's hard to believe, Allegra said, suddenly feeling very old. Carmen was only twenty-three years old, she had a career as a major movie star, and now she was married and having a baby. Allegra was almost thirty, and all she had was a career she loved, and a man she'd known for a little over two months, whom she loved certainly. But who knew where that would lead? It was still very new, and life was uncertain.
She sat at her desk, feeling wistful, and a little jealous after Carmen left, and then she felt stupid for feeling that way. They had a right to their happiness, and she still had things to work out in her own life. At least she wasn't with Brandon anymore, waiting for him to get up the guts to divorce Joanie. He had only called her once since he left. He wanted to know where his tennis racket was, and Nicky's bicycle. He had left both at her place. And he had come to pick them up the following weekend. Jeff had been there, and Brandon had eyed him curiously but he hadn't said much. He still looked very angry at Allegra, and he was cool when he thanked her, and left quickly. That was it. Two years and all that was left was a kid's bike and a tennis racket, and a lot of emptiness. But she had Jeff now, and the relationship was far more fulfilling. It was what she had always wanted with a man, understanding, companionship, emotional support he was interested in her work, liked her friends, and he wasn't afraid of being close, or of loving her. Even after two months, they shared a bond she had never shared with anyone else, and certainly not Brandon.
She called Alan to congratulate him, and he sounded pleased but a little embarrassed. I told her not to tell anyone yet. I think she got excited when she saw it on the sonogram yesterday. She wanted to run right out and buy a crib for it after we saw it.
It's better that I know anyway. I need to tell the studio what's going on. It's better if they know ahead of time, she said matter-of-factly, tossing her long blond hair over her shoulder, and trying not to feel the emptiness and the envy she had felt when Carmen told her. She didn't know what was wrong with her. She wasn't usually this sentimental about babies. Maybe it was just because it was Alan.
Do you think it'll be a problem with them? Alan sounded worried. He didn't want to mess up her big movie deal, but it was too late now. The baby was due in December.
I hope not. I'll let you know as soon as I call them. I think with this particular movie, they can pull it off. If they'd planned to have her in a bathing suit for three months, we'd be in big trouble. But the costumes call for a lot of coats and baggy clothes. It was supposed to take place in New York in the winter. There were a few location shots, and most of it was indoors. But even then she wasn't going to be wearing a lot of slinky costumes.
She's really excited, Al, he said, sounding pleased, as though they were the first couple who'd ever done it.
I know, it was sweet. It kind of made me feel old, to tell you the truth. And a little left out. She had known Alan a lot longer than Carmen.
It'll happen to you one of these days, he reassured her.
I hope not, she laughed and said without hesitating, I'd rather wait till I get married, if I can help it.
I think you ought to grab Jeff before he moves back East. He's a good one.
Thanks, Dad, she said, amused at the advice. He was a good one, but it wasn't up to Alan to decide that.
Anytime, and by the way, I saw Sam today, that's quite a sparkler she's wearing.
What sparkler? Allegra looked blank at her end.
The ring. Her engagement ring. Why didn't you tell me? She looks mighty proud of it.
Sam? Allegra looked horrified. She hasn't said a thing. She's engaged Since when?
Since yesterday, she said, Alan said innocently, and then suddenly Allegra remembered.
You shit. April fool, right? she asked hopefully, but he was laughing at the other end. I hate you.
You believed me though. I should have kept you going a while longer. You're terrific.
You're an asshole. And I hope you have quadruplets, she said vehemently. He got her every year, and she always believed him.
She called the studio after that and told them the news, and they weren't thrilled, but they were grateful for the early warning. They assured her that the contract would remain in place, which was good news, and they would have a meeting with the director as soon as possible to figure out how to shoot it and work around the problem.
We really appreciate it, Allegra said.
Thanks for telling us early, the producer said. She was a woman whom Allegra liked very much and had worked with before, though not with Carmen.
I'll reassure Carmen that everything is okay. I know she'll be pleased. She was very worried.
Sometimes you just have to work around Mother Nature. I was working with Allyson Jarvis last month, and she'd forgotten to tell us that she was nursing. She must have worn a forty-eight double D, and I swear I thought we wouldn't even be able to get her chest into the picture. They both laughed, and Allegra called Carmen to reassure her that she hadn't lost the picture.
And by the end of the day, when she went home to Jeff, she wasn't sure why, but she was drooping. It hadn't been a bad day, and things had worked out for Carmen, despite her pregnancy, but nonetheless Allegra felt let down somehow, and she wondered if it was because of their baby. Maybe she was jealous of them, she suggested to herself as she drove home, but that seemed really stupid. It was just that their lives seemed so fulfilled, so complete, and hers always seemed like a work in progress. She was still seeing Dr. Green, who seemed very pleased with her. She was impressed by the relationship with Jeff. And Allegra reminded herself of how happy she was with him, as she let herself into the house in Malibu. She had never had a relationship like this with anyone. She had never loved anyone as she did him. He was really everything she'd ever wanted.
Anyone home? She shouted toward the back of the house where his office was. And half a minute later he came out, with a pencil behind his ear and a grin on his face. He'd missed her all day, and had been working hard, and he was dying to see her.
He swept her into his arms, and kissed her long and hard, and any mild dissatisfaction she might have felt with her life, disappeared on the instant.
Wow! What was that for? Either you had a great day at the typewriter, or a really bad one.
A little of both, as usual. I just missed you. How was your day?
Pretty good. She grabbed an Evian out of the fridge, and handed him a Coke, and told him about Alan and Carmen's baby.
So soon? That was quick. It must have been fun in Bora Bora. Maybe we should try it for our honeymoon.
By the time I get married, she smiled at him, she was feeling a lot better, and she knew he was just kidding about the honeymoon, I'll be so old I'll need a wheelchair, not a baby carriage.
What makes you say that? He sounded interested, as they both sat down on the stools at the counter in his kitchen.
I'm almost thirty, and I've spent a long time building my career, and I'm not there yet. I haven't made full partner yet, and I have a lot of things to do. I don't know, I haven't thought about marriage in a long time, she said honestly. She just rolled along from day to day, and took things as they came. It seemed a more realistic way to look at her life, than sitting around waiting for Prince Charming and a white wedding.
I'm kind of disappointed to hear you say that, Jeff said, looking surprised, and somewhat mischievous. She figured she was in for another April Fools' joke, like Alan's.
Why? Were
you planning to ask me today? she asked with a grin, turning it around on him. Ha! April Fools' Day!
But he just laughed when she said that. Actually I was. I figured that April Fools' is a great day to get engaged. No one really knows if you're serious or not. I kind of like that.
Very funny. Alan already beat you to it, she said, looking very relaxed as she sipped her Evian. It was always fun coming home to him. They had such a good time together.
He asked you to marry him today? I think that's in really poor taste if his wife is pregnant.
No, you goof. She laughed at him again. He said Sam got engaged yesterday. I actually believed him. I should know him better than that after all these years. He does this to me every year. And I always believe him.
Jeff was smiling at her, as they sat in his comfortable kitchen at sunset. Would you believe me if I asked you to marry me today? he asked, leaning closer to her until they were almost kissing. And she laughed at him softly, thinking about what he had said.
No, I wouldn't believe you. She played the game with him, and he kissed her and then shook his head.
Then I guess I'll have to ask you again tomorrow, he said, pretending to look crushed, and she laughed again, and kissed him again, but something in his eyes suddenly made her tilt her head to one side and look at him strangely.
You're not serious, are you? This is all a joke, right?
Actually, being married to me probably would be something of a joke ' but, yeah, I mean it. What do you think? Too far-out, or would you like to give it a try for fifty or sixty years? I've got the time, if you'd like to try it. He was looking at her with such tenderness that it took her breath away as she realized he meant it.
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