“It’s out in the open now. We will be stronger in spite of this, baby. I promise you.”
Dana reached around Robert’s neck and hugged him to her.
“Yes, by God’s grace we will.”
~*~*~*~
Robert met with Corey in a café in Santa Monica one month later. It had taken him that long to search his heart and, through much prayer, realize that he had to forgive Corey too. He had his doubts, though, that the moves on his wife had been completely innocent on Corey’s part and also that he had been as sorry as Dana that it had come to an abrupt halt.
“I know,” Robert now said simply to Corey after the waiter left them with their coffee beverages.
Corey almost choked on the mouthful of coffee he’d just swallowed and looked at Robert with huge eyes.
He squeaked superfluously, “Know what?” They both knew what he knew.
“About you and Dana. That kiss you shared. She told me.”
Corey looked away and gulped.
“Listen, Bobby. It was my fault I swear to God. I kissed her, and she pushed me away. I was dead wrong. And I understand if you don’t ever want to speak to me again.”
“I want you to know that I forgive you, brother.”
Surprise covered Corey’s face. His mouth dropped open.
Robert rested his elbows on the table and leaned forward.
“Mistakes happen. I know things will be a little awkward between the three of us now. Quite possibly they may never truly be the same again, but I don’t want our friendship to die because you messed up. You are my kids’ godfather, after all. They miss having you around. I’d like for you to come to church with us on Sunday, Corey.”
When Corey looked up, he had tears in his eyes.
“You forgive me? You and Dana still want me around?”
“Jesus forgave me. I’m just following his example. Church?”
“Yeah. Sure, dude. I’ll try the church thing.”
“Great. And don’t start crying like a girl or you’ll get me going too and then where will we end up?”
“The Dr. Phil Show?”
“That’s not even funny.”
Epilogue
The latest addition to the Cortelli clan, three-month-old Damian, was announcing to all the world that his wet diaper needed to be removed at once.
“What a set of pipes you’ve got,” Robert said scooping the blond infant with the sea green eyes from his sister-in-law, Ronnie Dickson’s arms. “Are you going to be the next Pavarotti?”
Dana laughed heartily as she watched her husband expertly administer daddy duties while Barbara put on her makeup.
“Isn’t there a rule about the bride not seeing the groom before the wedding?” Barbara whispered to her.
Dana chuckled again. “I don’t think that applies to people who are just repeating vows.”
Barbara shrugged. “Whatever. I just want to get him out of here so that we can have girl talk while the men handle les infants terrible.”
“I won’t have you calling my son and nephew names. Hon, can you give us ladies a few minutes. I understand that Wills is taking Liam for a walk around the pool.”
“We know when we’re not wanted don’t we, Damian?” Robert said lifting his son off the bed, and throwing his wife a wink before heading out the door.
Dana sighed at how handsome her husband looked in his white linen pants and matching tunic, almost as handsome as on their wedding day. Her love for him was even stronger than it had been back then. They’d been through so much over these last thirteen years and yet here they were stronger than ever with God at the center.
“Guess what?” Barbara said after Robert left the room. “William’s purchase of Silverline Studios concluded last week. There will be a press conference to announce it on Monday. So we’ll be leaving Barbados tomorrow night. Fred Hammond actually resigned. I don’t think he’s happy with the imminent changes.”
“What changes will take place?” Dana asked.
“I think we know the answer to that question,” Ronnie said as she took a seat on the bed. “Family-friendly entertainment all the way. If I know William and my sister that’s what we can expect isn’t that right, Barbie?”
“Absolutely,” Barbara said as she lifted Dana’s chin and applied her lipstick. “So when are you going to shoot your documentary? Because I was discussing with William the possibility of Silverline distributing it.”
Dana nodded. She had discussed with Barbara at their last Girls’ Night Out, a month ago, that God had laid it on her heart to make a documentary that would expose the seedy side of the modeling industry: the eating disorders, the drug abuse, the exploitation, the sexual harrassment and humiliation, the pressure to be a size zero. As the idea had formed in her mind, she had felt a real connection to her father who, as a photojournalist, had employed images to tell stories that exposed some of the world’s worst atrocities.
“When Damian is a little older, about a year and a half or so. I am happy to hear you and William are interested in distributing it. That’s a real Godsend,” Dana said.
“What are you guys talking about?” Ronnie asked. She hadn’t been at the last Girl’s Night Out due to work commitments at the law firm where she worked as an executive legal assistant, so she didn’t know of the plans Dana had discussed with Barbara.
Dana now filled her in.
“An exposé on the fashion world, huh?” Ronnie responded with a low whistle. “Talk about biting the hand that feeds you,” she teased.
Barbara quirked an eyebrow.
“The hand that corrupted her is more like it.”
Ronnie held up both hands.
“I’m just playing devil’s advocate here…”
“Why would you want to be his advocate?” Barbara retorted in a droll manner.
Dana burst out laughing. “Barbie, let the girl speak will you.”
“I’m just curious about how those big brands you promote will feel about the documentary,” Ronnie said.
Dana smiled. “I’ve actually decided not to renew most of those contracts so it won’t be an issue. After this film, God has directed me to concentrate on my family, on preparing my children for a life of service to him and for eternity. So my acting career will be on hold until He says when.”
Just then Ronnie’s phone rang. “Oh, it’s David,” she said, looking at the screen. “I’ve got to take this.”
Barbara and Dana exchanged a glance as Ronnie answered the call and left the room.
“Her boss?” Dana said. “Can’t he do without her for one weekend?”
“Doesn’t look that way.”
When Ronnie returned a few minutes later. Barbara asked. “So, what did he want?”
“Something to do with the M&A we’re working on.”
“M&A?” Dana asked.
“Merger and Acquisition,” Barbara supplied. When her sisters looked at her questioningly, she responded, “My husband presides over a conglomerate. Those are terms I have become familiar with.”
“So, doesn’t he know you’re on vacation?” Dana asked Ronnie.
Ronnie dipped her head and looked at the scarlet red toe nails that matched her lips. “I actually don’t mind at all. He was the one who encouraged me to come here this weekend. I insisted he call me if he needed anything.”
“Ronnie…is there something going on between you and…”
Ronnie stood abruptly. “I’m going to help Mom with her grandkids.” She beat a hasty retreat out the door.
“What on earth?…Do you think there’s something going on between her and her boss?” Dana asked Barbara after a few beats.
“I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything to me, but I sense she has feelings for him. To what extent those feelings are mutual I don’t know.”
“Is she going to be alright?”
Barbara shrugged. “We both know that the road to true love isn’t always smooth, but if we trust God, he’ll take us where we need to go.”
“I second t
hat,” Dana smiled, as she reflected on the truth of that statement. “We’ll just have to keep her in prayer.”
~*~*~*~
When Robert stepped out into the gardens leading to the beach where he would soon renew vows with his wife, he saw his three children playing tag. His mother-in-law, Erin Dickson, and his mother sat on lounge chairs chatting and occasionally casting them indulgent looks. Robert’s gaze shifted and he observed his brother-in-law on his haunches with his little boy. As they approached, William looked up from his son. He stood and gave Robert a warm smile.
“I’m rather glad to see that you’re fulfilling your fatherly duty too. Doesn’t make me feel quite so alone.”
Robert smiled. “I’m used to it. Trust me. After the experience of having three babies all at once, this is a cake walk.”
William shook his head.
“I don’t know how you did it. This little chap keeps me so busy. I can’t believe I was complaining to Barbara three months ago that he hadn’t quite walked yet. Now that he’s walking, he gets into everything. Barbara refuses to get him a nanny even though it would make our lives a lot easier.”
As if to prove his father right William IV, affectionately called Liam, darted off in the direction of the pool. William was about to take off after him when his sister-in-law, Ronnie, emerged from the patio and in a few strides captured the tiny tot in her arms.
“I’ve got something to discuss with you,” William said.
“We can talk now. We’ve still got another fifteen minutes to spare.”
“Let’s sit then, shall we?” William said, gesturing to two chairs.
After the two were seated William said, “You know, I recently purchased Silverline...”
“May I ask why? I didn’t know you were interested in film.”
William flashed him a grin.
“Robert, I’m married to this very determined woman, who means to change lives one film at a time, and I think she’s rather serious about that mission. A few years ago Barbara confided in me that her dream was to own a film studio. I’ve never forgotten that. When Silverline was having trouble last year, I did my due diligence, found it would be a lucrative investment, and decided to buy them out. I accomplished two things. I further diversified my company’s portfolio, and I made my wife immensely happy. I’d say that it was a brilliant move on all fronts.”
Robert laughed heartily. It was impossible not to love William Lamport.
“Back to what I was saying,” William continued. “Barbara and I discussed this, and one of the first projects we will be directing the new studio head to pursue is a remake of Ben Hur. We immediately thought about you for the title role.”
Robert sat on the edge of his chair with a priceless expression of anticipation dancing on his face.
William continued, “I think it would be great if you are our star. We’d be coming out to bat with a very heavy hitter who is also a Christian. Two pluses. Our first major motion picture, family-friendly, and with you in the lead. It will be a big budget film, I’m talking hundreds of millions of dollars, and we will pay you what you currently earn plus a percentage of the box office receipts. That’s our vision, but I’d like you to pray about it and get back to me sooner rather than later.”
Robert could feel excitement course through his veins. The name of the movie took him back to the Charlton Heston original, and he could immediately see himself in the lead. He had not felt the urge to make movies since the accident. Was this what he had been waiting on? Was this God’s will?
“I will certainly pray about it. I’ll also need to discuss it with Dana. I’ve made a commitment to her that I’m not filming overseas until Damian is at least a year old. And then, any shooting will have to be done during the kids’ summer vacation from school. William, I’m not leaving my family for extended periods anymore. Either they come, or I stay. It’s as simple as that. And filming movies back-to-back, I’m through with that. I’ll move as God leads.”
William nodded. “I respect a man who has his priorities straight.”
~*~*~*~
The couple only had eyes for each other as they exchanged vows on their thirteenth anniversary before a few close friends and family on the white, sandy beach.
The light breeze lifted Dana’s hair and blew the flowing white linen dress around her bare ankles. At the minister’s prompting, she repeated vows to Robert Cortelli to love and cherish him for as long as they should both live.
She watched him lovingly when it was his turn. She waited in expectation for him to repeat his vows. But, instead of addressing her, Robert turned to their audience.
“As all of you know, a little over a year ago, I had a brush with death. I almost lost my life, and I lost many of my memories. I think it was God’s way of getting my attention. He was telling me what I had to lose, what I could lose, my wife, my kids, all in the blink of an eye. That I should take none of it for granted. With this new chance of life, I have chosen to live for him and to dedicate myself to being a better husband and father and mentor to young people. I want to tell you that I am here not only to renew my commitment to this amazing woman who is my wife but also to celebrate her.”
He now turned to Dana.
“So today, Dana, on this our thirteenth anniversary, I celebrate you. You are the woman who understands me better than anyone else, challenges me to be a better man than I am, encourages me when I need it, and forgives me when I fall short. I celebrate you, my friend, my lover, my wife. Dana, I vow that I will love you and cherish you for as long as I live.”
With tears in her eyes, Dana embraced and kissed the love of her life.
“Thank you, Lord, for second chances,” she whispered when they drew apart.
“Amen to that,” he said.
~*~ THE END ~*~
Contact
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Second Chance: A Christian Romance (Royals Book 2) Page 31
